This thesis provided an in-depth investigation into the phenomenon of stress within the unique culture of elite sports coaching. The overall aim of this thesis, and the series of studies contained herein, was to bridge the gap between research and practice by providing practical recommendations for sport organisations and sport psychology practitioners, informing coach education and development programmes, and developing an intervention aimed at helping coaches on the pathway to elite sport to develop psychological skills and attributes to help them coach effectively under pressure. The aim of the first phase of the research programme (studies one and two) was to provide an in-depth examination of elite coaches' experiences of stress. Specifically, using interviews with 12 world class sports coaches as the method of data collection, study one identified a wide range of organisational and competitive stressors. Findings suggested that these stressors were often experienced in combination rather than in isolation, and conflict within the organisation emerged as a key theme, indicating that communication skills might be important in helping coaches function effectively as part of a wider organisational team. Study two explored the same 12 coaches' responses to stressors, the perceived effects of experiencing stress, and the coping strategies coaches employed. Coaches discussed psychological reactions (e.g., negative cognitions, emotional responses), and suggested that their negative responses to stress could be projected onto their athletes. Coaches described a limited use of psychological skills to cope with stressors and tended to avoid stressors that provoked strain responses. Taken together, the findings of studies one and two highlighted the need for coaches to be aware of the demands that elite coaching might impose, and have a range of skills and strategies to help them manage these diverse demands. The aim of the second phase of the research programme (studies three and four) was to bridge the gap between research and practice. Specifically, the purpose of study three was to investigate successful coaches' perceptions of the factors that enable them to coach in a stressful Olympic environment. Data collection took the form of interviews with eight Olympic coaches from one of Great Britain's most successful Olympic teams (based on medal success). Psychological attributes (e.g., emotional control), preparation, (e.g., strategic approach), and coping at the event (e.g., team support), were factors that coaches perceived as important for successful Olympic coaching. Additionally, coaches offered specific suggestions for the training and development of those on the development pathway to elite sports coaching. The final study described the design, implementation and evaluation of a 'Coaching under Pressure' mental skills training (MST) intervention for sports coaches. While statistical significance was only observed for a small number of the observed variables, the practical significance of the intervention for coaches was underlined in the study. Specifically, coaches indicated that they understood the importance of being mentally prepared for the demands of coaching, that the programme was useful for them, that they had been satisfied with the MST programme, and, importantly, that they had experienced positive changes in their coaching performance as a result of the intervention. From a theoretical perspective, the findings of this thesis provided support for the complex nature of the stress transaction and have highlighted important considerations for the study of stress in coaching populations. From a practical perspective, sport organisations should be aware of the stressors that coaches can experience and ensure that coaches have the opportunity to interact and share best practice with their colleagues, and have access to psychological skills training at all stages of their careers.


Adopting the Caregiver Role: A Family Legacy* A qualitative study was done to investigate how adult children become caregivers to older parents with functional impairments and what roles their own children adopt in their family's care arrangements. In-depth interviews with 43 members of IS families revealed 5 influences on children and grandchildren's adoption of caregiver roles: expectations, family rules, religious training, role modeling and role making. Further analysis of families with grandchild participants showed considerable variation both between and within families in how and what kinds of eldercare roles were adopted. These results can be used by family life educators interested in creating parent-care education programs. Key Words: caregiving, elder care, family rules, intergenerational relations, role mod-- els. With projected increases in North America's population of older adults, it is likely that more assistance than ever before will be provided to frail or ill older persons. Despite persistent myths that families abandon their aged relatives to nursing home and other care facilities (Bengtson, Rosenthal, & Burton, 1996), reviews of research findings show that family members provide the majority of assistance needed by their dependent elders (Abel, 1990; Dwyer, 1995). Furthermore, several studies have found that adult children express high levels of agreement with attitudes of obligation to parents (Finley, Roberts, & Banahan, 1988; Lawton, Silverstein, & Bengtson, 1994; Rossi & Rossi, 1990). Thus, many adult children are willing to provide assistance to their parents as their needs for such help become apparent. Although families are willing to care for older members, it is less clear how their members adopt the caregiver role. Shanas (1980) observed that neither older adults nor their adult children had been socialized to cope well with issues related to increased longevity and declining functional ability. Need for socialization to the caregiver role is evidenced by the proliferation of selfhelp books for caregivers (Lustbader & Hooyman, 1994; Morris, 1996) and Internet sites that give information and advice to persons caring for aged parents (Elderpaths, http://elderpaths.com/ index.phtml; Extendedcare.com, http://extendedcare.com; Family Caregiver Alliance, http://www.caregiver.org). Despite these efforts to better educate family caregivers, we know little about how adult children adopt caregiver roles. An understanding of how adults come to embrace the caregiver role may be useful in developing ways to encourage future generations to care for their parents and older family members. To that end, the purpose of the study reported here was to explore how families adopt caregiving responsibilities for their elderly parents or grandparents living at home. Inclusion of adult grandchildren in this study enabled us to examine the extent to which they also accept caregiving responsibilities for older generations of family and what influences their involvement with grandparent care. With few exceptions (Pyke & Bengtson, 1996), adult grandchildren rarely have been studied in investigations of eldercare. This study is informed by social learning and symbolic interaction theories. Social learning theorists posit that people learn new expectations and behaviors by observing the behavior of others and the consequences of that behavior. They then perform that behavior with the expectation of similar consequences (Bandura, 1977). Although negative consequences of parent caresuch as stress, burden, and depression-are well documented, (Aneshensel, Pearlin, Mullan, Zarit, & Whitlatch, 1995; Schulz, Visintainer, & Williamson, 1990), caregivers have reported positive consequences from their experiences, such as closer relationships with the care recipient (Allen & Walker, 1992; Conger & Marshall, 1998; Horowitz & Shindelman, 1983; Walker, Shin, & Bird, 1990), personal growth (Farran, Keane-Hagerty, Salloway, Kupferer, & Wilken, 1991), and an opportunity to reciprocate care given to them as children (Piercy, 1996). …


Abstract Cleft lip and palate malformations are a common group of congenital abnormalities, and are therefore frequently encountered by the general practitioner, who is often the primary coordinator in the management of these patients. This is especially true in a South African setting, where specialist treatment is not always readily available. An incomplete understanding of the multiple components and complexities of the condition often results in unsatisfactory patient outcomes. This article aims to improve understanding of the condition and demonstrates how a multidisciplinary team approach is essential to successfully manage these patients. The roles of the different team members are described, and include the dentist, orthodontist, paediatrician, geneticist, speech therapist, dietitian, otorhinolaryngologist, as well as plastic and reconstructive and/or maxillofacial surgeon. A flow diagram with the various role players and the timing of their interventions has been designed to simplify the referral pathway. The authors aim to assist the general practitioner with the appropriate referral of patients with cleft lip and palate.


This paper analyzes the use of the concept of internet diffusion found in economics, political science, and public policy research in this paper, we find that the research on internet diffusion is often characterized by extensive errors in operationalization and measurement. These errors are not caused only by imperfections and inherent biases in commonly used datasets. Rather, they stem primarily from a conceptual stretching whereby the indicators used are rarely connected to the properties of the concept. The following factors account for the outcome: firstly, the nature of the internet and its diffusion is better understood as a network good, but researchers rely on data about internet connectivity as an independent good. Secondly, whereas the large international datasets report on internet hosts, internet users, and subscribers, these categories mean very different things from country to country and result in peculiar patterns in national ranking that are not generalizable. Thirdly, there is no correlation between the different variables that have been used by scholars in measuring internet diffusion.These factors result in inherent biases in measuring the diffusion outcomes; in addition, the use of different indicators considerably affects the primacy of a particular causal explanation over the alternatives.Researchers should develop explicit methodologies for analyzing internet diffusion. This avoids substituting a particular research technique for methodology, as well as using unrepresentative nominal variables.


A comprehensive description is presented of the effects on two-spin coherences (i.e., superpositions of zero- and double-quantum coherences) of cross-correlation between the fluctuations of two different relaxation mechanisms in NMR (NMR). Dipole-dipole (DD) interactions between four nuclei and chem. shift anisotropy (CSA) of two of these nuclei are considered. Two complementary expts. have been designed for 15N,13C-labeled proteins to quantify the effects of cross-correlation between the 13Ca-1Ha and 15N-1HN dipolar interactions on two-spin coherences involving 13Ca of the ith residue with the 15N of the (i+1) the amino acid. Two other expts. allow one to quantify the effect of cross-correlation between the 13C' (carbonyl) CSA and the 13Ca-1Ha dipolar coupling on the relaxation of two-spin coherences involving the 13C' and 13Ca nuclei on the same residue of the protein. These expts. have been used to ext. relevant cross-correlation rates in 15N,13C-labeled human ubiquitin. These rates show a high degree of correlation with the backbone Y angles in proteins. [on SciFinder (R)]


Today is International Clinical Trials' Day, which is always celebrated around the 20th of May, the day during the Spring of 1747 when James Lind began a clinical trial that produced useful information to understand, treat and prevent scurvy. The reason why many of us still dedicate a celebration to James Lind goes well beyond the intrinsic value of his trial, which actually had many flaws and would not be suitable for registering a new drug in modern times. We refer to the story of his 12 scorbutic sailors, divided into 6 couples each treated in a different way, as the inauguration of clinical trials methodology, something we still use and need today.

I'm an oncologist and please don't blame me if I'll be biased by the field where I work.

Underpinning my considerations lies a strong similarity: scurvy was a plague in James Lind's microenvironment during the 18th century, cancer is a plague in the microenvironment of Western rich countries at beginning of the 21st, thanks to the successful fight against infectious disease [1]. But the needs of modern medicine are becoming more and more complicated. Among the modern challenges of cancer treatment, two seem to me to be extremely important and both include clinical trials as the core methodology: innovation and affordability - the sunny and the shady sides of the street.

Hopefully, a high number of new drugs will be produced in the next few years, more and more precisely directed towards targets that are crucial in some way for the survival of cancer cells. This revolution will produce undeniable benefits for the patient, but is already challenging scientists and regulatory bodies because of methodological problems based on the development of appropriate biomarkers, validation of biomarkers and surrogate end-points, and the fact that molecular characterization will transform frequent types of cancer in a number of rare diseases [2], creating difficulties for performing clinical trials of the right size [3]. Methodological – e.g. adaptive clinical trial designs – and regulatory – e.g. conditioned or temporary approval based on early clinical trials while looking for more definitive ones - reactions are needed to let innovation enter into clinical practice with solid evidence about safety and efficacy. More and more very early clinical trials are changing their faces; phase 1 studies often allow solid evidence of activity and particularly in the case of rare tumours (or frequent tumours with rare mutations) it is no longer crazy to think about registration based on the results of phase 2 or even of phase 1 trials [4].

Unfortunately, the price of drugs has already dramatically increased during the last few years, even with drugs that produced only small incremental benefits [5]. Once again, clinical trials are the cornerstone, both for raising the bar of efficacy during the development of new drugs [6] and to provide to regulatory and governmental bodies evidence on relative efficacy that may inform economic strategies. Pragmatic clinical trials, promoted and performed independently by academic investigators, often represent the most ethical way to distinguish between true and fatuous progress, and we should do our best to make the former available to all the patients who can benefit. In this field, phase 3 randomised trials and phase 4 studies still remain the cornerstone of methodology to be applied. Large sample sizes are required to properly assess relative efficacy of available treatments and generalizability and rapid impact of such trials into clinical practice will increase as more they are conducted with simplified procedures. Academic Institutions, cooperative groups, and governmental bodies should play the role of promoter in many of these studies that do not necessarily meet the priorities of pharmaceutical industries. Great attention should also be paid to patient perception of clinical benefit, as well as to patient perception of toxicity [7].

Alas, it is no longer a story of oranges and lemons! But we should continue to be inspired by James Lind's story to tackle modern clinical trials challenges to the best of our enthusiasm within the realms of possibility.


Objective:To assess the incidence and epidemiological pattern of respiratory viruses in HIV-infected patients and to evaluate their potential clinical impact. Design and methods:A prospective population-based cohort study was conducted at three Swiss university hospitals. Study participants were HIV-infected patients who underwent a bronchoalveolar lavage to rule out an opportunistic event. All bronchoalveolar lavage specimens were screened using a set of real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction assays targeting 17 different respiratory viruses. Results:Between November 2003 and November 2006, 59 bronchoalveolar episodes from 55 HIV-infected patients were analysed. Eleven of 59 episodes (18.6%) were positive for at least one respiratory virus. Coronavirus OC43 was identified in three cases (27.3%) followed by influenza A in two (18.2%). Parainfluenza virus (PIV) 2, PIV 3, PIV 4, bocavirus, human rhinovirus A and human metapneumovirus were each identified in one case (9%). In the majority of these cases (63.6%) no other concomitant microorganism was isolated. Conclusions:Clinical investigation of respiratory viral infections in HIV-infected patients should not be restricted to prototype viruses and also need to target all the different family of viruses as it seems likely that these viruses contribute to pulmonary complications and morbidity in this population.


[1] Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important ozone-depleting gas and greenhouse gas with multiple uncertain emission processes. Global nitrous oxide observations, the Model of Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry (MATCH) and an inverse method were used to optimally estimate N2O emissions from twelve source regions around the globe. MATCH was used with forecast center reanalysis winds at T62 resolution (192 longitude by 94 latitude surface grid, and 28 vertical levels) from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 2006. The average concentrations of N2O in the lowest four layers of the model were then compared with the monthly mean observations from four national/international networks measuring at 65 surface sites. A 12-month-running-mean smoother was applied to both the model results and the observations, due to the fact that the model was not able to reproduce the very small observed seasonal cycles. The inverse method was then used to solve for the time-averaged regional emissions of N2O for two time periods (1 January 1997 to 31 December 2001 and 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2005). The best estimate inversions assume that the model stratospheric destruction rates, which lead to a global N2O lifetime of 125 years, are correct. It also assumes normalized emission spatial distributions within each region from Bouwman et al. (1995). We conclude that global N2O emissions with 66% probability errors are 16.3−1.2+1.5 and 15.4−1.3+1.7 TgN (N2O) a−1, for 1997–2001 and 2001–2005 respectively. Emissions from the equator to 30°N increased significantly from the initial Bouwman et al. (1995) estimates while emissions from southern oceans (30°S–90°S) decreased significantly. The quoted uncertainties include both the measurement errors and modeling uncertainties estimated using a separate flexible 12-box model. We also found that 23 ± 4% of the N2O global total emissions come from the ocean, which is slightly smaller than the Bouwman et al. (1995) estimate. For the estimation of emissions from the twelve model regions, we conclude that, relative to Bouwman et al. (1995), land emissions from South America, Africa, and China/Japan/South East Asia are larger, while land emissions from Australia/New Zealand are smaller. Our study also shows a shift of the oceanic sources from the extratropical to the tropical oceans relative to Bouwman et al. (1995). Between the periods 1997–2001 and 2002–2005, emissions increased in China/Japan/South East Asia, 0°–30°N oceans, and North West Asia and decreased in Australia/New Zealand, 30°S–90°S oceans, 30°N–90°N oceans, and Africa. The lower tropical ocean emissions in 1997–2001 relative to 2002–2005 could result from the effects of the 1997–1998 El Nino in the earlier period.


In this chapter, we discuss an approach to obtaining black hole quasi-normal modes known as the asymptotic iteration method, which was initially developed in mathemat-ics as a new way to solve for eigenvalues in differential equations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the asymptotic iteration method allows one to also solve for the radial quasi-normal modes on a variety of black hole spacetimes for a variety of perturbing fields. A specific example for Dirac fields in a general dimensional Schwarzschild black hole spacetime is given, as well as for spin-3/2 field quasi-normal modes.


This paper discusses the mutual effects of labour migration, social security coordination arrangements and the welfare states. It analyses country cases outside of the European Union's coordination rules, but with a tradition of relatively functional social security coordination regimes. The assessment emphasises the importance of social security coordination. Apart from the obvious advantages for migrant workers, it shows clear advantages for both the countries of origin and destination. In that, the content of the social security agreements is equally important. It further identifies key points that require improvement. Finally, the assessment shows that reforms of the national social systems will affect the future of the social security coordination arrangements. The conclusion offers recommendations for policymakers in the region and the EU on how to improve governance of social security coordination.


To identify molecular mechanisms that function in G-protein signaling, we have performed molecular genetic studies of a simple behavior of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, egg laying, which is driven by a pair of serotonergic neurons, the hermaphrodite-specific neurons (HSNs). The activity of the HSNs is regulated by the Go-coupled receptor EGL-6, which mediates inhibition of the HSNs by neuropeptides. We report here that this inhibition requires one of three inwardly rectifying K+ channels encoded by the C. elegans genome: IRK-1. Using ChannelRhodopsin-2-mediated stimulation of HSNs, we observed roles for egl-6 and irk-1 in regulating the excitability of HSNs. Although irk-1 is required for inhibition of HSNs by EGL-6 signaling, we found that other Go signaling pathways that inhibit HSNs involve irk-1 little or not at all. These findings suggest that the neuropeptide receptor EGL-6 regulates the potassium channel IRK-1 via a dedicated pool of Go not involved in other Go-mediated signaling. We conclude that G-protein-coupled receptors that signal through the same G-protein in the same cell might activate distinct effectors and that specific coupling of a G-protein-coupled receptor to its effectors can be determined by factors other than its associated G-proteins.


In 2009, the Secretary of the Treasury ("the Secretary") implemented the Home Affordable Modification Program ("HAMP"), a program designed to minimize foreclosures by providing incentives to loan servicers who modify eligible mortgages. Notwithstanding both its design and goal, HAMP has largely failed to achieve its projected impact, due, at least in part, to servicer non-compliance with HAMP's mandates. Nevertheless, mortgagors who are injured by servicer non-compliance lack legal remedies to force servicer compliance, as neither HAMP nor its implementing legislation provide a private right of action. Furthermore, and notwithstanding an array of governmental reports specifically finding systemic servicer non-compliance, the Secretary has not exercised any available enforcement mechanisms. As a result, unnecessary foreclosures have continued to occur and have continued to occur at a rate inconsistent with HAMP's projections. As a remedy for both servicer non-compliance and the resulting, negative effect of unnecessary foreclosures, this Article argues that Congress should enact legislation that provides for a private right of action for violations of HAMP.


Extracted from text ... 102
SA Jnl Libs & Info Sci 2005, 71(1)
GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Book Reviews
Library and information science text for Africa
L O Aina
Ibadan: Third World Information Services Ltd; 365p.
ISBN: 978 32836 1 8
Price: Unknown
Scarcity of relevant texts in and about Africa can pose a serious handicap to learners and instructors on the continent. For
academics to publish works that provide basic text for African library and information science trainees and practitioners is
commendable, not only for filling a scarcity in the literature, but also in the imparting of skills applicable to Africa.
The author is ..


This paper focuses on a specific case of variation between the (dominant) auxiliary-main verb order and the main verb-auxiliary order. By analyzing a corpus of 16th-century texts, we describe certain regularities displayed by the encliticization of the participle and the infinitive in the Romanian compound past and periphrastic future, respectively (a phenomenon traditionally described as "auxiliary inversion"). We aim at offering a set of reliable data about the relation between participle/infinitive fronting and the main vs. embedded status of the clause. The corpus investigation demonstrates that in the 16th century the encliticization of the auxiliary is very rare in subordinate clauses. In the 16th century, auxiliary encliticization mainly functions as a focalization strategy (as demonstrated by Alboiu & Hill 2012), but the alternation between a preverbal and post-verbal auxiliary can be also interpreted as a marker of solidarity between some syntactic blocks (free relatives/if-clauses - main clauses, coordinated main clauses).


Many of the things that we try to explain, in both our common sense and our scientific engagement with the world, are capable of being explained more or less finely: that is, with greater or lesser attention to the detail of the producing mechanism. A natural assumption, pervasive if not always explicit, is that other things being equal, the more finegrained an explanation, the better. Thus, Jon Elster, who also thinks there are instrumental reasons for wanting a more fine-grained explanation, assumes that in any case the mere fact of getting nearer the detail of production makes such an explanation intrinsically superior: "a more detailed explanation is also an end in itself" (Elster 1985, p. 5). Michael Taylor (1988, p. 96) agrees: "A good explanation should be, amongst other things, as fine-grained as possible."


This was the first major study of how developments in Eastern Europe would affect the economies of Western Europe and the process of economic integration among them. The first section focuses on the medium- and long-term implications of the current transformation of Eastern Europe for European production and trade. It also assesses the implications of change in Eastern Europe for EC trade and industrial policies and the likely magnitude of East European trade with the West, given the current state of the capital stock and the potential for industrial restructuring. The Report analyses Eastern exports of energy and agricultural goods, the future of the CAP, and competition between Eastern and Southern Europe. The second section of the Report assesses the medium-term macroeconomic impact of the transformation of the East European economies, focusing on issues such as the consequences of German reunification, East European spending on consumption versus investment, and the likely impact on the EMS of the flows of new investment and capital goods from the West into Eastern Europe. Here the Report assesses the implications of reform in the East for interest rates, pressures for DM realignment, and the case for accelerating EMU in response to the 'Eastern Europe shock'.


There is a common consensus that students learn best through participation in rich and challenging classroom discourse. The aim of this study is to explore whether students viewed as weak by their teachers can productively participate in classroom discourse in literacy lessons. We used micro-ethnographic discourse analysis to analyze video recordings from literacy lessons at a Czech lower secondary school. We focused on two low-expectancy students, who participated in the classroom discourse in different ways. While the first one was passive and unproductive, the second one participated in productive interactions and autonomously helped to construct knowledge in the classroom. Our analysis shows that a student's way of participation in the classroom is influenced by their teacher's behaviour. We examine the relationship between the teacher's expectations and their behaviour so as to show that this relationship is stronger if the teacher focuses on the qualities of a student and weaker if the teacher focuses on their curricular aims.


Headspace solid phasemicroextraction (HS-SPME), which is a solventfree extraction technique, was configured with gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to detect phytocannabinoids from buccal swabs. The HS-SPME extraction procedure, i.e. extraction time, extraction temperature, thermal desorption parameters as well as headspace derivatization, were evaluated to extract major phytocannabinoids from the headspace of air-dried buccal swab samples. Sub micrograms of D-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) spiked onto buccal swabs could be extracted and detected by the HS-SPME-GC/MS approach. The analytical system can be readily automated without the use of solvent extraction. No interference peaks for phytocannabinoids were found in the total ion chromatograms obtained from the tested buccal swabs using cotton as the substrate. Interference background can also be minimized by using selected ion monitoring. This analytical approach potentially could be adopted to detect marijuana smokers by the identification of residual phytocannabinoids from oral cavities for forensic applications.


The paper describes the most commonly recurring traits of eye behavior in Russian dialogue and their connection with the Russian words Da 'yes' and Net 'no,' which are the main modes of expressing affirmation and negation in Russian. The eye behavior is analyzed from three main points of view: (1) gaze grammar, (2) eye closing, (3) blinking. The author arrives at the conclusion that (1) Da 'yes' and Net 'no' are connected to a specific gaze pattern, (2) both are combined with eye closing as a special (embedded) gesture, and (3) they form the basis on which the usage of blinking as punctuation marks and as accent diacritics is founded. The research has been conducted using data from the Multimodal Russian Corpus (MURCO) and selected examples from natural interactions.


Periurethral carriage rates of enterobacteria have been studied in 20 normal women, 34 patients between episodes of bacteriuria, 34 patients with the "urethral syndrome," and 15 asymptomatic abacteriuric patients with a previous history of frequency and dysuria. Over a six-week period no difference in the Escherichia coli carriage rate was shown between these four groups. The carriage of all enterobacteria was slightly but significantly (P <0.05) lower in normal women compared with the patient groups but no difference was observed between the latter. There was no difference in the recovery rate and carriage of individual E. coli serotypes between the four groups. It is concluded that the presence of enterobacteria or E. coli on the periurethral area is not the principal determinant factor in the pathogenesis of recurrent urinary tract infection or the urethral syndrome and that definition of carriage status is of little practical value in management.


Crowdsourcing platforms have become important information providers after disaster events. While they can build on some prior experiences, it is not yet well understood how contributor capacity for such activities is constituted. To what extent are initiatives building a dormant task force that springs to action when it is needed? Alternatively, do they mainly rely on the recruitment of new contributors during disaster events, possibly at the expense of contribution quality? We seek to develop a better understanding of these relationships, using the example of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team. In a large-scale quantitative study, we assess the outcomes of 26 campaigns with almost 20,000 participants. We find that event-centric campaigns can be significant recruiting and reactivation events, however that this is not guaranteed. Our analytical methods provide a means of interpreting key differences in outcomes. We close with recommendations relating to the promotion and coordination of event-centric campaigns in HOT and related platforms.


To understand the molecular interactions between N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with two families of ionic liquids (ILs), we have measured thermophysical properties such as densities (rho) and ultrasonic sound velocities (u) over the whole composition range at 25 degrees C under atmospheric pressure. The excess molar volume (V(E)) and the deviation in isentropic compressibilities (DeltaK(s)) were predicted using these properties as a function of the concentration of IL. These results are fitted to the Redlich-Kister polynomials. The materials investigated in the present study included two families of ILs such as ammonium salts and imidazolium salts. Diethylammonium acetate ([Et(2)NH][CH(3)COO], DEAA), triethylammonium actetate ([Et(3)NH][CH(3)COO], TEAA), triethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate ([Et(3)NH][H(2)PO(4)], TEAP), and triethylammonium sulfate ([Et(3)NH][HSO(4)], TEAS) are ammonium salts and 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]) belongs to the imidazolium family. The intermolecular interactions and structural effects were analyzed on the basis of the measured and the derived properties. A qualitative analysis of the results is discussed in terms of the ion-dipole, ion-pair interactions, and hydrogen bonding between ILs and DMF molecules and their structural factors.


Background Behaviours of people with fibromyalgia may impact their levels of physical fitness, which is a marker of physical and psychological health1,2,3. However, scarce research has studied the association of sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) with physical fitness. Interestingly, increasing time in one behaviour requires decreasing time in another. Thus, it is also of interest to understand what is the theoretical impact of replacing sedentary time (ST, e.g., sitting) by light or moderate PA (LPA and MPA, respectively) as well as replacing LPA by MPA on physical fitness in fibromyalgia. Objectives To assess the association of replacing ST for different physical activity levels (i.e., ST by LPA or MPA) as well as of LPA by MPA with physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia. Methods A total of 407 women with fibromyalgia (51.87 ± 8.01 years old) participated in this cross-sectional study. ST, LPA and MPA were objectively measured with triaxial accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Vigorous physical activity was not analysed as this is a very uncommon behaviour in the population. Physical fitness was assessed through the Senior Fitness Test Battery plus the handgrip strength test. The associations between the replacement of 30 min/day of ST with an equivalent time of LPA or MPA were tested by isotemporal substitution analyses. Body mass index and age were included as covariates. Results Replacing 30 minutes of ST with LPA was associated with better strength in upper limb (B=0.19), handgrip strength (B=0.02) and aerobic fitness (B=2.29); all p<0.03 Replacing 30 minutes of ST with MPA was related to better strength and flexibility in lower and upper limb (B ranging from 0.43 to 1.97; all p<0.02). Finally, replacing 30 minutes of LPA with MPA was associated with better strength and flexibility in lower and upper limb, aerobic fitness and balance (B ranging from 0.15 to 8.54; all p<0.04). Conclusion Replacing short time periods (30 min) of ST by PA (especially of moderate intensity) was related to better physical fitness. Moreover, to replace 30 min of LPA by MPA was related to better physical fitness. Our findings support the implementation of experimental research to better understand the extent to which replacing sedentary time (by LPA or MPA) or replacing LPA (by MPA) might enhance increase different components of physical fitness in fibromyalgia. Such findings would have direct clinical implications. References [1] Estévez-López, et al. Disabil Rehabil. 2018 Feb;40(3):329-337. DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2016 [2] Gavilán-Carrera B., et al. Arthritis Care Res. 2018 Jul. DOI: 10.1002/acr.23717 [3] Estévez-López, et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2017 Nov 1;56(11):2015-2024. DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kex302 Acknowledgement This study was supported by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (I+D+i DEP2010-15639; I+D+I DEP2013-40908-R, BES-2011-047133; BES-2014 067612) and of Education (FPU 15/00002, FPU 15/00002). Disclosure of Interests None declared


Granulites from the Napier province" Enderby Land, Antarctica
were metamorphosed at 900-950 °c and 7-10 kilobars durinq and subsequent
to a major tectonothermal episode at 3000 million years before the
present. Rocks presently exposed at the surface in southwestern
Enderby Land indicate a regional increase in pressures of metamorphism
towards the Scott Mountains - Casey Bay region, where crustal thicknesses
of at least 30 kilometres were attained at that time.
Subsequent to the peak granulite facies metamorphic event, the
Napier province granulites underwent a prolonged phase of near-isobaric
cooling at depth to P-T conditions of 650-700°C and 5-8 kilobars by
2500 million years before the present.
A study of the pyroxene granulites from the Napier province
demonstrates the near-isobaric cooling path in the development of a
variety of retrograde corona textures involving the formation of
garnet by reactions between pyroxenes, plagioclase, and opaque phases.
Garnet-orthopyroxene bearing felsic and pelitic granulites display a
variety of recrystallisation and corona textures which usually involve
the formation of secondary garnet and, occasionally, orthopyroxene.
Chemical zoning in these minerals, and the compositions of distinct
generations of the garnets and pyroxenes, are used to constrain the
P-T metamorphic evolution of these granulites, and hence the evolution
of the Napier province.
The P-T conditions of metamorphism and cooling history of the
qranulites of the Napier province have in part been determined by the
application of several previously calibrated qeothermometers and
geobarometers to mineral assemblages common throughout the province.
Most information on the physical conditions of metamorphism and later
cooling suggested by zoning relationships in coexisting phases has been
obtained, however, using a new experimental calibration of the P-T-compositional dependence of the solubility of A1 203 in orthopyroxene
coexisting with garnet, and an experimental study of the distribution
of Fe and Mg between garnet and orthopyroxene.
The P-T-compositional dependence of the solubility of A1 203 in
orthopyroxene coexisting with garnet has been experimenta11y
determined in the P-T range 5-30 kilobars and 800-1200°C in the system
FeO-MgO-Al z03-SiOZ CFMAS) and extended 1nto the system CaO-FeO-MgOA1
Z03-SiOZ (CFMAS) in a further set of experiments designed to quantify
the effects of the calcium content of garnet on the A1 Z03 content of
coexistinq orthopyroxene. The geobarometer developed from these experimental studies, and app1ied to granulites from the Napier province,
compares favourably with recent experimental data obtained by other
workers, and yields reasonable and consistent results for a variety of
well-documented natural occurrences previously reported in the
literature.
The P-T-compositional dependence of the distribution of Fe and Mg
between garnet and orthopyroxene has been experimerltally calibrated in
FMAS and CFMAS , enabling the construction of an approximate geothermometer
for use in granulite facies assemblages and in garnet peridotite
xenoliths. Non-ideal, model-dependent interaction parameters for garnet,
derived from Fe-Mg distribution experimental data obtained in CFMAS,
are in good agreement with previous estimates by other experimental
investigators.


Modeling inter-disciplinary teaching and learning practices within a critical pedagogical framework has produced powerful learning outcomes for graduates of the Primary/Middle Bachelor of Education degree at the University of South Australia. This paper explores the notion of how best to prepare beginning teachers to work with students in their middle years of schooling in Studies of Society and Environment. Of particular focus are teacher education courses that model interdisciplinary ways of working. The inquiry found that interdisciplinary course work was replicated and built upon by beginning teachers and where schools encouraged the notion of interdisciplinarity beginning teachers flourished as designers of curriculum. The authors argue that Studies of Society and Environment is currently well placed to be incorporated into interdisciplinary curriculum frameworks and assist in meeting the goals of middle schooling philosophy.


Feral cat (Felis catus) populations are notoriously difficult to control. While coordinated 1080 baiting programs are the most cost-effective option for the broad scale reduction of wild dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes), the use of 1080 baits to specifically target feral cats is currently restricted and largely untested in eastern Australian environs. We performed a feral cat baiting trial in Taunton National Park (Scientific) in central Queensland to (1) test the efficacy of the Queensland 'Curiosity 1080 Cat Bait', and (2) measure the uptake of baits by target and non-target species. Over 14 days, 54% of 50 individually monitored baits were removed by non-target species, with 46% removed in the first 4 days. Most baits were taken by birds, with corvids removing more than half of all baits taken. Cameras used to monitor baits did not detect any feral cats consuming or removing baits, although several cats were detected interacting with baits. The lack of bait uptake by feral cats together with movement data obtained from cat-borne GPS collars suggests that track-based baiting operations using current deployment protocols for the Queensland 'Curiosity 1080 Cat Bait' are unlikely to be effective at controlling feral cat populations in these environs. We discuss the implications of our findings and recommend approaches to improve the efficacy of feral cat baiting programs in eastern Australia.


Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Abstract The developmental pattern of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus is unusual compared to other fish. First, the cell movements associated with gastrulation are separated from formation of the embryonic axis. In addition, embryonic diapause can occur. Diapause II and III are often observed when embryos are incubated at 25 o C. Maternal influences and incubation environment are the factors that determine entrance into embryonic diapause, but the molecular mechanisms that regulate diapause are still unknown. Interestingly, embryonic diapause and the unusual cell movements observed during early development are always found together in species of annual killifish that exhibit diapause. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPS) are crucial in the development of various embryonic tissues. A recent study found the gene expressions pattern of BMP antagonists, noggin, chordin and follistatin, in early-embryonic development in A. limnaeus are different from zebrafish. This finding suggests BMPs may play roles in the regulation of diapause. In the present paper, the expression of BMP-2, BMP-4 and the BMP Receptor-2 were examined during early embryonic development in A. limnaeus using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


A total of 2,769 h of marine mammal observation was conducted from a seismic survey vessel off Angola between August 2004 and May 2005. A dual-source airgun array firing a total volume of either 5,085 in (Survey 1) or 3,147 in (Survey 2) in an alternate source activation sequence was active during 51% of the analysed effort. A total of 207 sightings of humpback whales (n = 66), sperm whales (n = 124), and Atlantic spotted dolphins (n = 17) was recorded. The encounter rate (sightings/h) of humpback and sperm whales did not differ significantly according to airgun operational status. The mean distance to humpback and sperm whale sightings was greater during full-array operations than during guns off, but this difference was not significant. Atlantic spotted dolphin encounters occurred at a significantly greater distance from the airgun array (p < 0.001) during full-array operations than during guns off. Positive-approach behaviour by Atlantic spotted dolphins (n = 9) occurred only during guns-off periods. There was no evidence for prolonged or large-scale displacement of each species from the region during the 10-mo survey duration. Sperm whale sightings showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) during the survey, while Atlantic spotted dolphin encounters occurred at similar rates. A decreased occurrence of humpback whale sightings (p < 0.001) corresponded with established seasonal migration out of the survey area. Contrary to expectation based on perceived sensitivity, Atlantic spotted dolphins exhibited the most marked overt response to airgun sound of the three cetacean species examined.


The effect of rare earth (RE) on microstructure and impact toughness of hot rolled low carbon structure steel based on the Compact strip production (CSP) process was investigated in this work. Scan electron microscope (SEM) were employed to characterize the microstructure and analyze the fracture surface. Moreover, hot compression experiments were also adopted on the Gleeble-1500 hot simulator as well. The results indicate that acicular ferrite and/or ultrafine ferrite morphologies can be induced when an appropriate amount of rare earth added into the low carbon steel, which possessed the satisfied strength and toughness behaviors. Compared with commercial low carbon structural steels, the additions of RE can improve dynamic recrystallization critical strain of low carbon structural steel as well. In addition, the role of RE on the formation of these acicular ferrite morphologies has been investigated.


Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is higher in patients with thyroid dysfunctions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease than in general population. Our aim was to assess AA frequency in patients with thyroid diseases. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 550 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), 126 patients with non-AITD (NAITD), and 100 healthy subjects. Results: Twenty-eight (4.1%) patients were diagnosed with AA based on either medical history or physical examination (P = 0.039). AA was not determined in healthy subjects. The rate of AA was higher among the patients with NAITD than those with AITD (5.6% vs. 3.8%; P = 0.075). Among the AITD patients, 5 (23.8%) patients were diagnosed with AA after being diagnosed with thyroid disease, whereas 15 (71.4%) patients were diagnosed with AA before being diagnosed with thyroid disease. The mean ages at the diagnosis of AITD and at the onset of AA were 36.6 ± 10.8 years and 30.3 ± 13.0 years, respectively. Among the NAITD patients, the mean ages at the onset of thyroid disease and at the onset of AA were 45.3 ± 9.3 years and 37.3 ± 13.3 years, respectively. Other autoimmune-based diseases such as vitiligo, chronic urticaria, and type 1 diabetes were also detected. The patchy pattern of AA was the most common type (n = 27). Conclusions: The frequency of AA was higher in patients with NAITD and AITD compared to the healthy population. Clinicians should be aware of these findings, and accordingly, it would be suitable for them to screen AA patients for thyroid diseases.


This is the first introduction to metaphysics which is tied together by the idea of time. Time, Change and Freedom explores ideas such as whether there was a beginning of time and the possibility of an infinite past and an eternal future. It looks at what happens when things change, and what affect that has on us and our personal identity. The book also asks if we can be free and what is the relationship of human freedom to various theories of divine foreknowledge and determinism? The final part of the book brings students right up to date with theories of relativity and contemporary cosmology about time and the universe. Sections in Time, Change and Freedom cover: The Problem of Change God, Time and Freedom Relational and Substantival Theories of Time Tenseless Time Written in an engaging dialogue form, this book will explain the key themes of contemporary metaphysics, and at the same time the philosophy of time, to the beginner. It will be invaluable for all students on introductory philosophy courses, and for students interested in the philosophy of time and metaphysics.


Since writing the first report on the arthropods of the Rhynie Chert beds (see Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (9), xii, pp. 455–74, 5 pls., and 13 text-figs.) some additional specimens of Palaeocharinus have been collected. A few examples are fairly complete and well preserved, showing a considerable amount of structural detail, such as the chaetotaxy, claws of the legs, ornamentation of the chitin, eyes, etc. An account of the lateral eyes is given below. We also include notes on a supposed insect and another fossil arthropod which we refer with doubt to the aquatic Merostoma. All the illustrations in this little paper have been drawn by Miss Violet Borrow, A.R.C.A., with the aid of a camera lucida under our personal supervision.


In this paper we analyze the private and public incentives towards skill acquisition when the skill level of workers determines the quality level of goods, and both labor and product markets are non competitive. We delve into the mechanisms that determine the equilibrium skill acquisition outcomes and show that both "pure" (training set by either firms or unions only) and "mixed" (training set by firms and unions) training scenarios may emerge at equilibrium. We show that firms have generally greater training incentives than unions, resulting in a higher product quality. In line with empirical evidence, we also find that the wage differential between high-skill workers and low-skill workers is lower when the training levels of the workforce are selected by unions than by firms. Finally, we analyze the optimal public training skill levels and demonstrate that both unions and firms under-invest in training in comparison with the social optimum. Yet, in this case the skill premium is the lowest.


CD169+ macrophages in the spleen play an essential role in the clearance of Listeria monocytogenes. Positioning sentinels Immune cells in the marginal zone of the spleen, particularly marginal zone macrophages, play a critical role in detecting and capturing blood-borne pathogens. Here, Perez et al. have examined the role of CD169+ splenic marginal zone macrophages in priming antibacterial responses. Selective deletion of CD169+ macrophages using a diphtheria toxin–based depletion system severely impaired the ability of mice to clear Listeria monocytogenes. By tracking L. monocytogenes and immune cells, they show that CD169+ macrophages cooperate with splenic dendritic cells to transport bacteria from the marginal zone to the T cell zone to prime immune responses to Listeria. The study illustrates the importance of splenic architecture in containing initial pathogen dissemination and in shaping antimicrobial responses. The spleen is an important site for generating protective immune responses against pathogens. After infection, immune cells undergo rapid reorganization to initiate and maintain localized inflammatory responses; however, the mechanisms governing this spatial and temporal cellular reorganization remain unclear. We show that the strategic position of splenic marginal zone CD169+ macrophages is vital for rapid initiation of antibacterial responses. In addition to controlling initial bacterial growth, CD169+ macrophages orchestrate a second phase of innate protection by mediating the transport of bacteria to splenic T cell zones. This compartmentalization of bacteria within the spleen was essential for driving the reorganization of innate immune cells into hierarchical clusters and for local interferon-γ production near sites of bacterial replication foci. Our results show that both phases of the antimicrobial innate immune response were dependent on CD169+ macrophages, and, in their absence, the series of events needed for pathogen clearance and subsequent survival of the host was disrupted. Our study provides insight into how lymphoid organ structure and function are related at a fundamental level.


: The Protocolised Management in Sepsis (ProMISe) trial (April 2 issue) completes a trio of studies that question the further application of early, goal-directed therapy (EGDT) as suggested by Rivers et al. In particular, these trials consistently show no survival benefit with regard to the mandated use of central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO 2 ) monitoring. However, it remains questionable whether the results of the three trials support this claim. According to the EGDT protocol, an ScvO 2 value of less than 70% is a trigger for hemodynamic intervention. Unlike in the study by Rivers et al., the reported mean values at baseline in all three trials do not require any intervention. Whether the reported survival benefit in the study by Rivers et al. is based on the treatment of patients with initially extremely low ScvO 2 values and determines the targeted patient population that benefits from EGDT remains, therefore, unanswered. Pope et al. reported increased mortality when ScvO 2 values were initially low (<70%) or high (>80%). Unless subgroup analyses and further studies that focus on these high-risk patients do not rule out a survival benefit, the final conclusion of the three trials cannot be supported.


While many techniques for the 3D reconstruction of small to medium sized objects have been proposed in recent years, the reconstruction of entire scenes is still a challenging task. This is especially true for indoor environments where existing active reconstruction techniques are usually quite expensive and passive, image-based techniques tend to fail due to high scene complexities, difficult lighting situations, or shiny surface materials. To fill this gap we present a novel low-cost method for the reconstruction of depth maps using a video camera and an array of laser pointers mounted on a hand-held rig. Similar to existing laser-based active reconstruction techniques, our method is based on a fixed camera, moving laser rays and depth computation by triangulation. However, unlike traditional methods, the position and orientation of the laser rig does not need to be calibrated a-priori and no precise control is necessary during image capture. The user rather moves the laser rig freely through the scene in a brush-like manner, letting the laser points sweep over the scene's surface. We do not impose any constraints on the distribution of the laser rays, the motion of the laser rig, or the scene geometry except that in each frame at least six laser points have to be visible. Our main contributions are twofold. The first is the depth map reconstruction technique based on irregularly oriented laser rays that, by exploiting robust sampling techniques, is able to cope with missing and even wrongly detected laser points. The second is a smoothing operator for the reconstructed geometry specifically tailored to our setting that removes most of the inevitable noise introduced by calibration and detection errors without damaging important surface features like sharp edges.


Introduction. Part I: Manga 101. Chapter 1: Welcome to Manga World. Chapter 2: Gearing Up and Getting Ready. Chapter 3: Drawing: Starting with the Basics. Part II: To the Drawing Board. Chapter 4: Taking It from the Top with the Head. Chapter 5: Nice Bod: Manga Body Basics. Chapter 6: Customize and Accessorize Your Manga Character. Part III: Calling All Cast Members! Chapter 7: The Main Protagonists. Chapter 8: Those Loveable Sidekicks. Chapter 9: The Dreaded Villains. Chapter 10: Elder Figures. Chapter 11: Damsels in Distress. Chapter 12: Girl Power! Shojo Manga. Part IV: Time to Go Hi--Tech. Chapter 13: Designing Mechas. Chapter 14: Gadgets and Weapons. Chapter 15: Taking Off: Vehicles and Airplanes. Part V: An Advanced Case of Manga. Chapter 16: Putting Manga into Perspective. Chapter 17: Using Speed Lines to Create Motion and Emotion. Chapter 18: Thumbnails and Scenery. Chapter 19: Writing a Good Story. Part VI: The Part of Tens. Chapter 20: Ten (or so) Manga Artists. Chapter 21: (Nearly) Ten Places to Strut your Stuff. Index.


Bacteriophage associated with the human gut microbiome are likely to have an important impact on community structure and function, and provide a wealth of biotechnological opportunities. Despite this, knowledge of the ecology and composition of bacteriophage in the gut bacterial community remains poor, with few well characterized gut-associated phage genomes currently available. Here we describe the identification and in-depth (meta)genomic, proteomic, and ecological analysis of a human gut-specific bacteriophage (designated φB124-14). In doing so we illuminate a fraction of the biological dark matter extant in this ecosystem and its surrounding eco-genomic landscape, identifying a novel and uncharted bacteriophage gene-space in this community. φB124-14 infects only a subset of closely related gut-associated Bacteroides fragilis strains, and the circular genome encodes functions previously found to be rare in viral genomes and human gut viral metagenome sequences, including those which potentially confer advantages upon phage and/or host bacteria. Comparative genomic analyses revealed φB124-14 is most closely related to φB40-8, the only other publically available Bacteroides sp. phage genome, whilst comparative metagenomic analysis of both phage failed to identify any homologous sequences in 136 non-human gut metagenomic datasets searched, supporting the human gut-specific nature of this phage. Moreover, a potential geographic variation in the carriage of these and related phage was revealed by analysis of their distribution and prevalence within 151 human gut microbiomes and viromes from Europe, America and Japan. Finally, ecological profiling of φB124-14 and φB40-8, using both gene-centric alignment-driven phylogenetic analyses, as well as alignment-free gene-independent approaches was undertaken. This not only verified the human gut-specific nature of both phage, but also indicated that these phage populate a distinct and unexplored ecological landscape within the human gut microbiome.


WHEN I WAS TEACHING high school social studies I frequently invited political office holders, candidates, and political activists to speak to my classes. Exposing students to people working directly in the political system, I reasoned, would not only help my students learn more about democracy but it would help them critically evaluate its successes and failures. I also hoped it would enhance their interest in political and civic engagement and make it more likely that they would actually do something politically themselves. So I worked hard to set up visits by local, state, and federal office holders, their staff members, and political activists, such as lobbyists for interest and reform groups. During election years, I also invited candidates to speak to my students. Before the visits, I always explained the course and described the students to the guest speaker. I also made sure students knew who was coming in to class, why and that they had an opportunity, (or were required) to generate questions. Often the guest speaker would give a short speech and then respond to students' questions. Sometimes the speech took up most of the period and the time for questions was cut short. Given my own interest in the political world, I was invariably quite engaged by what the guest speakers had to say Some of my students were, too. But this was not always the case. I remember one student telling me that he didn't like listening to politicians any more than he liked listening to other adults. I also remember how embarrassed I was when a few students actually fell asleep when a member of Congress was speaking to them. While I had a gut sense that there was merit to bringing my students in contact with adults who were involved in the political system, I was concerned that there was something not quite right about how it was working in practice. Too few of my students were engaged by what the guest speakers were saying. More significantly, the class sessions with the guest speakers often lacked focus and depth. Because the students' questions were on so many topics, the guest speakers did not really have time to explain any one issue in detail. Another problem was that real dialogue between the students and the guests rarely occurred. I needed a new model for involving politicians and candidates in my classes--one that would serve the dual goals of exposing politicians to students (and vice versa) while utilizing the "best practices" of social studies education. Fortunately, such a model exists. In the 1980s, a number of democratic education organizations assessed the effects of law-related education on students' learning, attitudes, and self-reports of their behavior. The research showed that having outside resource people (such as politicians, lawyers, and police officers) involved in interactive lessons positively influenced what students learned about the political and legal systems, helping them develop attitudes that were more likely to lead to political engagement. (1) In contrast to the traditional guest speaker model that represents a transmission approach to teaching and learning, the interactive nature of the lessons with the outside resource people requires students to do more of the intellectual work themselves. And by actually working with the kids rather than talking at them, the resource person uses his or her expertise and experience to help students build knowledge and solve real or simulated community problems. Because the students were doing more than simply listening, their engagement levels were typically higher, the session was more focused, and the content coverage, more in-depth. An example of this model in action: A 9th grade government class is learning about the purposes and procedures of the city council by investigating a proposed ordinance on raising the minimum wage for workers in their community. The issue is authentic; that is, the city council is scheduled to make a decision about the proposed ordinance soon. …


Since in 1976, sociology officially became one of the subjects taught in senior high school programs throughout Indonesia. There are still several major problems in teaching it in particular the lack of locally relevant teaching materials and the lack of teachers with a background in sociology. The aim of this study is to find better ways for the teaching of sociology and for students to learn the principles of sociology and to find the best of teaching materials available for constructing a better paradigm for character education and also to identify the various barriers and difficulties inhibiting the provision of highly successful character education through the study of sociology. Most of the results showed that in teaching sociology in Banda Aceh the implementation of teaching character based on local wisdom has major problems and obstacles. In particular the standardized national education program ending with standardized national final examinations emphasizes rote learning unrelated to the real life of the students. This raises contradictions because the centrally prepared material makes it difficult to introduce local indigenous values, culture and traditions.


Konfession, Milieu, Moderne: Konzeptionelle Positionen and Kontroversen zur Geschichte von Katholizismus and Kirche im 19. und 20.Jahrhundert. By Johannes Horstmann and Antonius Liedhegener. (Schwerte: Katholische Akademie Schwerte. 2001. Pp. 159.) In 1966 the German sociologist M. Rainer Lepsius coined the term "sociomoral milieux" to describe four large political blocs-Catholics, socialists, conservatives, and liberals-which, in his eyes, led to social fragmentation and political gridlock in his native country in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Although few use the word "milieu" to designate either the liberals or conservatives, the phrase "Catholic milieu" has become common currency for those trying to understand the critical role played by the German Catholic minority in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Germany. To address some of the controversies that have arisen in conjunction with the use of this "Catholic milieu, Antonius Liedhegener and Johannes Horstmann have put together a short compendium of essays and conference reports from prominent junior and senior scholars in the field. The introduction by Liedhegener and Christoph Kosters is a report of the 1997 annual conference for research in Catholicism at Schwerte. Of the four essays, only one, a discussion of the Catholic milieu in the East German diaspora by Wolfgang Tischner, is an original contribution; the other three essays by Olaf Blaschke, Wilfried Loth, the Arbeitskreis fur kirchliche Zeitgeschichte, Munster (Working Group for Recent Church History), have all been published elsewhere, but owe much to the debates which took place at Schwerte in 1997 and 1999. As the title promises, much of the discussion in this collection centers on conceptual problems of definition and terminology. In a plenary session, conference participants discussed the number, extent, origins, and erosion of milieux in German society They repeatedly disagreed over what actually constituted the Catholic milieu. Some defined it as a tight-knit sphere of "social communication, whereas others denoted it as large group in society organized through a collective understanding of the world and shared meanings (kollektive Sinndeutung). As abstruse as these discussions appear to be, they point to broader and more concrete differences in the understanding of the role of Catholicism in German society. By asking whether the Church's role is primarily social, religious, ideological, or political, one can more effectively pinpoint the Church's larger impact on society. This point is best illustrated by Wilfried Loth, whose pioneering book on Catholics in Imperial Germany came under fire from many subsequent historians of German Catholicism. in his essay, "Milieux or Milieu?" Loth offered a defense (and modification) of his earlier work. Loth had argued that German political Catholicism did not base its support upon one singular, monolithic Catholic milieu, but upon an amalgamation of assorted "partial-milieux," which could be mobilized against the state (and its process of forced secularization during the Kulturkampf). Catholic Germany was heterogeneous:"partial-milieux" existed for Catholic industrial workers, nobility, artisans, an educated and educating middle-class (Bildungsburgertum), and farmers. In contrast, the Working Group for Recent Church History in Munster argued that the basis for religious identity remained a common religious understanding of the world. To answer the criticisms posited by this group, Loth pointed to the anticlericalism within many Catholic workers and artisans which existed in spite of the prevailing climate of ultramontanism in the second half of the nineteenth century. Yet Loth's reasoning does contain a logical flaw. Drawing a parallel to German nationalism in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, one can argue that German nationalism varied according to class, confession, and region; some groups, the upper middle class, for instance, were more avowedly nationalist than others, such as industrial workers, Yet these differences do not mean that there was no such thing as German nationalism: they simply mean that one needs to differentiate more carefully between different layers of nationalism. …


Abstract Because of the fragmentary preservation of the earliest Cooksonia-like terrestrial plant macrofossils, younger Devonian fossils with complete anatomical preservation and documented gametophytes often have received greater attention concerning the early evolution of vascular plants and the alternation of generations. Despite preservational deficits, however, possible physiologies of Cooksonia-like fossils can be constrained by considering the overall axis size in conjunction with the potential range of cell types and sizes, because their lack of organ differentiation requires that all plant functions be performed by the same axis. Once desiccation resistance, support, and transport functions are taken into account, smaller fossils do not have volume enough left over for an extensive aerated photosynthetic tissue, thus arguing for physiological dependence on an unpreserved gametophyte. As in many mosses, axial anatomy is more likely to have ensured continued spore dispersal despite desiccation of the sporophyte than to have provided photosynthetic independence. Suppositions concerning size constraints on physiology are supported by size comparisons with fossils of demonstrable physiological independence, by preserved anatomical detail, and by size correlations between axis, sporangia, and sporangial stalk in Silurian and Early Devonian taxa. Several Cooksonia-like taxa lump fossils with axial widths spanning over an order of magnitude—from necessary physiological dependence to potential photosynthetic competence—informing understanding of the evolution of an independent sporophyte and the phylogenetic relationships of early vascular plants.


The purpose of this study was to explore the performance of three groups of students, gifted hearing students (GH), average-ability hearing students (AH), and deaf students (DF) on mathematical ability. The sample consisted of a total of 167 students (91 males and 76 females). Deaf students came from the Al-Amal School (an inclusive school for deaf students in Muscat, the capital of Oman) while average-ability hearing and gifted students came from public school students in Muscat in grades 6, 7, and 8. The tools of the study consisted of mathematical ability tests and Snigders-Oomen Non-verbal Intelligence (SON-R 51⁄2-17). The researchers used the two-way ANOVA to answer the study questions. The results showed a significant main effect of the group (GH, AH, and DF). Post hoc analyses indicated that gifted students' level of mathematical ability was higher than AH and DF students. Deaf students scored the lowest among the three groups. The main effect of gender was not significant. The results of this study are discussed in relation to educational practices required to diminish the gap between hearing and deaf students in mathematical ability.


The unique properties of G4-based nucleic acids provide the base for a variety of applications.A whole set of biomedical as well as bioanalytical applications is based on the ability of G-quartets to stabilize defined three-dimensional nucleic acid structures that exhibit a high affinity to a target molecule. Such aptamers can therefore show similar binding properties as antibodies with comparable applications in diagnostics and therapy, but exhibit striking advantages like ex-vivo synthesis and increased physicochemical stability. Moreover, they can even show catalytic behavior that can be utilized for bioanalytical purposes. The chapter contains examples for applications in these fields.The structural properties described in previous chapters are the base for applications in molecular nanotechnology and –electronics. Nucleic acids represent the most promising materials in these fields, and here G4 structures show even outstanding mechanical stability and length control from the nano- into the micrometer range. An important step on the way to respective applications is the integration of G4-based nanostructures into technical environments such as microelectrodes. Here electrical field-based approaches – e.g. dielectrophoresis DEP – represent the most promising technique, which has been demonstrated for the integration and subsequent characterization of even single G4 structures. These techniques have also been used to enable the characterization of electrical properties of G4 assemblies as described in this chapter.In conclusion, by presenting various biomedical as well as nanobiotechnological demonstrations this chapter demonstrates the great application potential of G4-based nanostructures.


The structure and the electronic properties of stoichiometric (GaN)n clusters (with 6 ≤ n ≤ 48) were investigated by means of quantum-chemical hybrid density functional theory (DFT) using the B3LYP functional. Particular emphasis was put on the investigation of the evolution of the physical properties of the clusters as a function of their size. Two types of model clusters were studied. Cage-type structures were found to be the most stable for smaller cluster sizes, whereas for larger sizes conformations cut out from the GaN wurtzite crystal were favorable. The study of the electronic structure shows that the energy gap of the clusters tends to become larger as the dimensions of the clusters increase. The vertical electronic absorption energies were calculated by means of time-dependent (TD) DFT. For such small clusters, probably due to the predominant amount of surface atoms, well-defined quantum confinement effects, as commonly observed in crystalline quantum dots, are not apparent.


Charge compensation at the interface is a fundamental phenomenon determining the operation conditions of thin-film devices incorporating ferroelectrics. The underlying mechanisms have been thoroughly addressed in perovskite ferroelectrics where the charge compensation originates from injection through the interface-adjacent layer. Here, we demonstrate that polarization screening in the polymer ferroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)) films can be dominated by charge injection through the bulk, unlike ferroelectric oxides. The experimental evidence relies on polarization imprint under applied field and time-dependence of the dielectric constant. A linearized electrostatic model correctly accounts for the observed trends and links their occurrence to the unique properties of P(VDF-TrFE).


Haemophilus influenzae is a human specific Gram-negative respiratory tract pathogen. Encapsulated H. influenzae strains exist in six different serotypes a-f, of which type b (Hib) is the most virulent. Hib is protected by the polysaccharide capsule when invading the blood circulaton and may cause diseases such as meningitis and epiglottitis. Non-encapsulated H. influenzae referred to as nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi), are frequently associated with acute otitis media in children and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among the elderly. H. influenzae expresses several outer membrane proteins of which the adhesins play an important role in the initial interactions with the airway epithelium. In this thesis, we have studied two Haemophilus influenzae adhesins and their interactions with innate defense mechanisms. Vitronectin is a glycoprotein that regulates the terminal pathway of the complement system by inhibiting the membrane attack complex. We demonstrate that Haemophilus influenzae surface fibrils (Hsf) may increase the bacterial survival by interacting with vitronectin in serum. We also describe the isolation and characterization of a novel H. influenzae adhesin designated protein E (PE). PE was isolated by using an IgD myeloma serum which specifically recognized the protein on the bacterial surface. Furthermore, PE was found to be a 16 kDa protein and classified as a lipoprotein. PE displays adhesive activity to three respiratory epithelial cell lines and erythrocytes, both when expressed on the surface of H. influenzae and as a recombinant protein in E. coli. The active adhesive binding domain has been determined to be located within the central part of the molecule, PE amino acids 84-108. PE shows stimulatory effects when incubated with respiratory epithelial cells by inducing high levels of IL-8 and ICAM-1. These inflammatory mediators play an important role for the innate immune response and the recruitment of neutrophils. Finally, PE promotes bacterial invasion into epithelial cells. In summary, the work presented in this thesis shows that Hsf may prolong the bacterial survival by interacting with the complement regulator vitronectin. The novel protein PE has been isolated, characterized and shown to be important for interactions of H. influenzae with the innate immune system. (Less)


Synopsis The recognition of fluvial and aeolian facies within the Siluro-Devonian Swanshaw Sandstone Formation of SW Scotland allows a more detailed depositional history of the Lanark basin in the southern part of the Midland Valley of Scotland to be inferred. The formation is well exposed in Ayrshire and has four main sedimentary facies associations: Channel, Aeolian, Floodplain and Mudflat. Each combines several sedimentary facies: eight facies are recognized in the channel association, three in the aeolian, four in the floodplain and two in the mudflat. These facies associations co-existed in seven different depositional settings in the western Lanark basin. Deposition occurred on a semi-arid proximal alluvial plain with an aeolian component described for the first time in the Lanark basin. Sedimentation was pulsed, largely driven by periods of source area uplift that resulted in the deposition of coarse-grained conglomeratic and sandstone-dominated facies. The principal transport was via river channels, commonly in shallow braided systems. Periods of low sediment flux are marked by fewer channels and by the preservation of floodplain successions including aeolian deposits. Abandonment of the fluvial system towards the top of the formation in Ayrshire is marked by a progression through sandflats and mudflats to the overlying volcanic formation. The relationship of the fluvial and aeolian deposits is analysed. The palaeo-wind direction is compatible with that recorded in sandstones of similar age in the Orcadian basin.


This study examines code-switching in eighteenth-century interpersonal communication, focusing on the correspondence of musician and music historian Charles Burney. The paper builds on our previous work on code-switching in the history of English texts, and draws on insights gained in research in interactional sociolinguistics. The results show variation in code-switching practices with regard to the relationship between the writer and recipient. Code-switching is more frequent in letters written between correspondents who have a close relationship. Switches can have a locally meaningful function, organising discourse, indicating stance, or indexing the writer's identity. Switching can also be seen as a style which in itself indexes particular types of social memberships and relationships.


Presenting a default option is known to influence important decisions. That includes decisions regarding advance medical directives, documents people prepare to convey which medical treatments they favor in the event that they are too ill to make their wishes clear. Some observers have argued that defaults are unethical because people are typically unaware that they are being nudged toward a decision. We informed people of the presence of default options before they completed a hypothetical advance directive, or after, then gave them the opportunity to revise their decisions. The effect of the defaults persisted, despite the disclosure, suggesting that their effectiveness may not depend on deceit. These findings may help address concerns that behavioral interventions are necessarily duplicitous or manipulative.


This research aimed to measure the influence of internal control and organizational culture in managerial performance. Data were obtained through questionnaires with sample of 46 from 84 SKPD in Banyumas Regency using purposive sampling technique. Data processing used is multiple linear regressions. The results showed that internal control and organizational culture simultaniously had a significant effect to managerial performance of government. Partially, internal control had significant effect while organizational culture had no significant effect on managerial performance of government. The implementation of internal control and organizational culture was good. Achievement of good managerial performance required good internal control to provide reasonable assurance on the achievement of organizational goals through effective and efficient activities, reliability of financial reporting, security of state assets and compliance with laws and regulations. Organizational culture became another factor that could improve managerial performance through fundamental values and passion in managing the organization.


The centrality of the principles of equality and non-discrimination in international human rights law is beyond question. International and regional human rights instruments are replete with references to the principles of equality and non-discrimination. The commitment to equality and non-discrimination in the post Second World War epoch was started by the reaffirmation of faith in the equal rights between men and women in the United Nations Charter. Article 1(3) of the Charter states that the organization's purpose is, amongst others, to promote and encourage respect for human rights for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. In the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the principles of equality and non-discrimination are further elaborated. Article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) also states the commitment of the state parties to ensure to all within their territory the rights recognised in the covenant "without distinction of any kind". The principles of equality and non-discrimination also find expression in other international instruments including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). From the foregoing, it is apparent that the commitment to and achievement of equality and non-discrimination in all societies are goals of the international community.


More than twenty-one years after Robert Bork's failed Supreme Court nomination and seventeen years after Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the rhetoric of abortion politics remains unchanged. Pro-choice interests, for example, argue that states are poised to outlaw abortion and that Roe v. Wade is vulnerable to overruling. In this essay, I will debunk those claims. First, I will explain how Casey's approval of limited abortion rights reflected an emerging national consensus in 1992. Second, I will explain why the Supreme Court is unlikely to risk political backlash by formally modifying Casey - either by restoring the trimester test or by overruling Roe altogether. Third (and most important), I will explain how it is that Casey stabilized state abortion politics. The national consensus favoring limited abortion rights remains intact. Correspondingly, the template of laws approved by the Supreme Court in Casey were politically popular at the time of Casey and remain politically popular today. Indeed, since Pennsylvania has always been one of the most restrictive states when it comes to abortion regulation, very few states are interested in pushing the boundaries of what Casey allows. And while a handful of outlier states have pushed the boundaries of what Casey allows, these states (which account for a quite small percentage of abortions) have largely worked within parameters set by the Court in Casey. Perhaps most telling, neither the confirmation of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito nor the Supreme Court's approval of federal partial-birth abortion legislation has significantly impacted state antiabortion efforts. For all these reasons, pro-choice and pro-life interests would be better served shifting their energies away from legalistic fights over abortion regulation and toward shaping the hearts and minds of the women who may seek abortions and the doctors and clinics that may provide abortion services.


Here we present a novel printing technique (that we call supramolecular nanostamping), based on the replication of single-stranded DNA features through a hybridization-contact-dehybridization cycle. On a surface containing features each made of single-stranded DNA molecules of known sequence, the complementary DNA molecules are hybridized, spontaneously assembling onto the original pattern due to sequence-specific interactions. These complementary DNA strands, on the end that is assembled far from the original surface, are 5' modified with chemical groups ("sticky ends") that can form bonds with a target surface that is brought into contact. Heating induces dehybridization between DNA strands, leaving the original pattern on the original surface and the copied pattern on the secondary substrate, and thus stamping (see Figure 1). Molecular recognition provides the unique and disruptive ability of transferring large amounts of information in a single printing cycle, that is the simultaneous stamping of spatial information (i.e., the patterns) and of chemical information (i.e., the features' DNA sequence--their chemical composition). This method combines high resolution (<40 nm) with the advantage of an exponential increase in the number of masters; in fact, any printed substrate can be reused as a master. Patterns fabricated via very different lithographic techniques can be replicated.


Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on learning and achievement, but this impact can be either positive or negative. Its power is frequently mentioned in articles about learning and teaching, but surprisingly few recent studies have systematically investigated its meaning. This article provides a conceptual analysis of feedback and reviews the evidence related to its impact on learning and achievement. This evidence shows that although feedback is among the major influences, the type of feedback and the way it is given can be differentially effective. A model of feedback is then proposed that identifies the particular properties and circumstances that make it effective, and some typically thorny issues are discussed, including the timing of feedback and the effects of positive and negative feedback. Finally, this analysis is used to suggest ways in which feedback can be used to enhance its effectiveness in classrooms.


Abstract. Water resources are important for the production of woody biofuel feedstocks. It is necessary to ensure that production systems do not adversely affect the quantity or quality of surface and ground water. The effects of woody biomass plantations on water resources are largely dependent on the prior land use and the management regime. Experience from both irrigated and non-irrigated systems has demonstrated that woody biofuel production systems do not impair water quality. Water quality actually improves from conversion of idle or degraded agricultural lands to woody biomass plantations. Site water balance may be altered by cultivation of woody biomass plantations relative to agricultural use, due to increases in evapostranspiration (ET) and storage. Incorporation of woody biomass production plantations within the landscape provides an opportunity to improve the quality of runoff water and soil conservation. Given the centrality of water resources to the sustainability of ecosystem services and other values derived, the experience with woody biofuels feedstock production systems is positive. Keywords. Short rotation woody crop, forest hydrology, water quality, hardwood plantation.


This working paper will attempt to provide an insight into the ori-gins and added value of the principle of solidarity in the context of the EU's security strategy. To that effect, it will discuss the ways in which the Article 222 TFEU 'solidarity clause' has broadened the notion of 'threat' in Europe. It will further attempt to assess the significance of the 'solidarity clause' vis-a-vis the level of commit-ment required by Member States for its coherent implementation. It will then compare the Lisbon 'solidarity clause' with the so-called 'mutual defence clause' of Article 42 (7) TEU and finally point into certain 'grey areas' that may have a diminution effect upon the po-litical message concerning the EU as a community based on soli-darity.


Explaining movements in daily stock prices is one of the most difficult tasks in modern finance. This paper contributes to the existing literature by documenting the impact of geomagnetic storms on daily stock market returns. A large body of psychological research has shown that geomagnetic storms have a profound effect on people's moods, and, in turn, people's moods have been found to be related to human behavior, judgments and decisions about risk. An important finding of this literature is that people often attribute their feelings and emotions to the wrong source, leading to incorrect judgments. Specifically, people affected by geomagnetic storms may be more inclined to sell stocks on stormy days because they incorrectly attribute their bad mood to negative economic prospects rather than bad environmental conditions. Misattribution of mood and pessimistic choices can translate into a relatively higher demand for riskless assets, causing the price of risky assets to fall or to rise less quickly than otherwise. The authors find strong empirical support in favor of a geomagnetic-storm effect in stock returns after controlling for market seasonals and other environmental and behavioral factors. Unusually high levels of geomagnetic activity have a negative, statistically and economically significant effect on the following week's stock returns for all U.S. stock market indices. Finally, this paper provides evidence of substantially higher returns around the world during periods of quiet geomagnetic activity.


Background: Lichen planus is an inflammatory, pruritic disease of the skin and mucus membranes, which can be either generalized or localized. Many studies indicated that human leukocyte antigens might have a role in lichen planus (LP). As far as my knowledge, no previous study had done in Iraq about HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1 alleles frequencies in patients with lichen planus. Aim: The aim of the present study is to investigate the additional genetic contribution to lichen planus susceptibility lying on the HLA region, by focusing on the possible differential contribution of the different DQA1 and DQB1 carrying haplotypes. Method: The present study was carried out in College of Medicine during the period between (2012-2014). 50 patients with lichen planus attending Basrah General Hospital and private clinic, and 50 healthy controls were included in the study, with age group from (13-67) years. 100 DNA samples were purified from the blood samples of patients and controls, and then followed by PCR amplification of HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 genes in Cell Research Unit, Biology Department, College of Science, University of Basrah. The sequencing-PCR was done in Korea, Bioneer sequencing laboratories. Results & Conclusions: Results indicated statistically significant decreased frequencies of HLA-DQA1*010201 (P<0.005), DQA1*0201 (P < 0.05), and -DQB1*030201 (P < 0.005) alleles in lichen planus patients, which indicated that these alleles might be a protective factors. Results also indicated statistically significant increased frequencies of DQA1*010401 (P<0.005), DQA1*040101 (P<0.005) DQA1*050101 (P<0.005), DQB1*030101 (P<0.005) and DQB1*050101 (P<0.005) alleles in lichen planus patients, which indicated that these alleles might be risk factors and increase the ability of infection. The present study indicates that genetic constitution through HLA-DQ locus determines the mechanism of disease as well as clinical and pathologic outcomes. More studies are necessary to test genetic dependencies on the basis of larger samples which would increase statistical power. An accurate definition of disease susceptible alleles will improve our understanding of antigen presentation mechanisms prevailing in the etiology of the disease. This knowledge is necessary for the design of improved immune intervention strategies to halt lichen planus progression in patients at risk of developing the disease or those who are already suffering from it.


The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast's seasonal forecast system 4 (System 4) has been used to issue basin-wide tropical cyclone forecasts since 2011. This report describes a method developed to forecast seasonal landfall risk using the ensembles of cyclone tracks generated by System 4. The method has been applied to analyze and retrospectively forecast the landfall risk along different segments of the North American coast, with a focus on the U.S. part. The main result is that the method can be used to forecast landfall for some parts of the coast, but the method's skill is, generally speaking, lower for landfall than for basin-wide forecasts of activity. The rank correlations between forecast and observation are 0.6 for basin-wide storm number, 0.5 for landfall anywhere along the coast, and 0.3 for landfall along the U.S. part of the coast. When we limit the forecast to the peak of the hurricane season (August, September, and October), the correlation increases to 0.6 for the entire coast whereas it remains close to 0.3 for the U.S. part. The forecast error is substantial in all cases, in part due to model error, in part due to the chaotic dynamics embedded in the climate system. A crude analysis suggests that the forecast error can be reduced by 10 to 25 percent (depending on the forecast) before reaching the ultimate limit set by the chaotic dynamics. In conclusion, the quality of the forecasts is well in line with that obtained using other state-of-the-art methods, and it is sufficient to be of use for organizations, such as reinsurance companies, that plan and operate with a statistical mind-set on a multi-year horizon.


The geographical visualization of urban and regional landscapes is a powerful technique for engaging actors involved in decision-making processes. Tools developed can empower professional and citizen alike to make better-informed decisions. The paper reports on collaborative research being undertaken to develop and apply a range of 3D geographical visualization products to enhance both planning and scientific communication processes. In this paper we discuss some developments and applications of 3D geographical visualization tools and work being undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of such tools for solving spatial planning problems. The paper concludes by discussing the lessons learnt in undertaking a cross-disciplinary approach to developing and applying landscape visualization tools and offers some future research directions with respect to technical specifications and the usefulness of geographical visualization as a participatory planning support tool.


ABSTRACT Purpose: There is uncertainty as to which knee angle during a squat jump (SJ) produces maximal jump performance. Importantly, understanding this information will aid in determining appropriate ratios for assessment and monitoring of the explosive characteristics of athletes. Method: This study compared SJ performance across different knee angles—90º, 100º, 110º, 120º, 130º, and a self-selected depth—for jump height and other kinetic characteristics. For comparison between SJ and an unconstrained dynamic movement, participants also performed a countermovement jump from a self-selected depth. Thirteen participants (Mage = 25.4 ± 3.5 years, Mheight = 1.8 ± 0.06 m, Mweight = 79.8 ± 9.5 kg) were recruited and tested for their SJ performance. Results: In the SJ, maximal jump height (35.4 ± 4.6 cm) was produced using a self-selected knee angle (98.7 ± 11.2°). Differences between 90°, 100°, and self-selected knee angles for jump height were trivial (ES ± 90% CL = 90°–100° 0.23 ± 0.12, 90°–SS −0.04 ± 0.12, 100°–SS −0.27 ± 0.20; 0.5–2.4 cm) and not statistically different. Differences between all other knee angles for jump height ranged from 3.8 ± 2.0 cm (mean ± 90% CL) to 16.6 ± 2.2 cm. A similar outcome to jump height was observed for velocity, force relative to body weight, and impulse for the assessed knee angles. Conclusions: For young physically active adult men, the use of a self-selected depth in the SJ results in optimal performance and has only a trivial difference to a constrained knee angle of either 90° or 100°.