There is a broad consensus among economists that financial crises are costly, as evidenced by the Asian currency crisis in 1997 and other systemic crises during the 1990s (Hawkins 1999; Klingebiel and Laeven 2002). However, there is little agreement on the cause of financial fragility, not to mention the policy prescriptions for financial stability. A perennial heated controversy is the role of government versus the market in promoting and maintaining financial stability. Against the background of frequent outbreaks of financial crises following the global trend of financial liberalization over the past quarter of a century, many economists have pointed to financial liberalization as an important source of financial instability. For example, Jomo (1998) argues that the Malaysian crisis in 1997 was due to financial liberalization rather than excessive regulation. Empirically, such a view is to some extent supported by certain studies that show that financial liberalization has induced excessive risk taking by financial institutions and ultimately precipitated financial crises (Demirguc-Kunt and Detragiache 2001, 2005; Noy 2004). Since the Asian crisis, many economists and policymakers have called for stronger regulation of financial markets. A popular view is that global financial markets are now beyond the control of governments and that financial crises are the consequence (Strange 1998, 2002). Adherents of that view call for tighter state control over financial markets. The literature on financial instability has been expanding rapidly over the last decade, and the literature on the relationship between the state and the market has an even longer history. In this article, I employ categorical data analysis techniques to examine whether there are statistically significant associations among financial crises, liberalization, and government size. If there are associations, I proceed to ask: Does financial liberalization have a significant impact on financial stability? And, more important, does a large government avert financial crises? Does the impact of one factor, say financial liberalization on financial stability depend on the other factor (i.e., the size of government), and vice versa? The answer to that question can potentially shed light on the role of the state versus the market in promoting and maintaining financial stability. The main conclusion of this article is that the popular belief that financial crises are due to governments being outgrown by markets cannot be substantiated by the data. Financial Deregulation, Government Size, and Financial Stability To examine the relationship between financial deregulation, government size, and financial instability during the past three decades, I employ contingency table analysis and log-linear models. Financial instability is regarded as a response variable, whereas financial deregulation and government size are treated as factors or explanatory variables. A country is defined as having experienced financial instability if it had at least one systemic banking crisis or borderline case during the period under study. Caprio and Klingebiel (1996, 1999, 2000) documented countries with systemic crises or borderline cases during the past three decades. For countries that experienced more than one financial crisis during the period under study, the following criteria apply: (1) when there is a systemic crisis and a borderline case for a country the systemic crisis will be selected; (2) when financial crises for a country are the same in terms of severity the choice will depend on the availability of data on financial deregulation and government size; and (3) when financial crises fall into the same category of severity and data availability is not a problem the country's latest financial crisis will be chosen. After a country's status regarding financial instability has been determined, I consider the changes in that country's government size and in the extent of its financial regulation over a long period--say, a decade or more, depending on data availability--prior to the outbreak of the financial crisis. …


The field of sports medicine is evolving, accelerated by emerging technologies and changing health care policies. To stay up to speed and ace the Boards, you need a resource that moves at your pace. Sanctioned by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), this handy review addresses all areas of the sports medicine subspecialty board examination - with coverage that spans the full spectrum of sports medicine, from medical to skeletal conditions related to the athlete. The editors and authors include orthopedic surgeons, family physicians, pediatricians, internal medicine specialists, physiatrists, certified athletic trainers, physical therapists, psychologists, nutritionists, exercise physiologists and more, ensuring that you'll benefit from the broad spectrum of expertise embraced by the specialty. Look inside and explore...Seven convenient sections address general considerations, evaluation of the injured athlete, medical problems, musculoskeletal problems, principles of rehabilitation, sports-specific populations, and special populations. Comprehensive coverage includes all topic areas featured on sports medicine subspecialty board exams. Easy-access bulleted format makes essential facts simple to locate and recall. Tables, figures, and algorithms make complex ideas easy to grasp and retain. Plus...An online companion resource includes nearly 1,000 board-style practice questions with rationale for correct and incorrect responses-a great way to test your knowledge and improve your exam performance!


This Second Edition of NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-21, updates and replaces the November 1999 edition of Guideline for Implementing Cryptography in the Federal Government. Many of the references and cryptographic techniques contained in the first edition of NIST SP 800-21 have been amended, rescinded, or superseded since its publication. The current publication offers new tools and techniques. NIST SP 800-21 is intended to provide a structured, yet flexible set of guidelines for selecting, specifying, employing, and evaluating cryptographic protection mechanisms in Federal information systems?and thus, makes a significant contribution toward satisfying the security requirements of the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) of 2002, Public Law 107-347. The current publication also reflects the elimination of the waiver process by the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) of 2002. SP 800-21 includes background information, describes the advantages of using cryptography; defines the role and use of standards and describes standards organizations that are outside the Federal government; describes the methods that are available for symmetric and asymmetric key cryptography; describes implementation issues (e.g., key management); discusses assessments, including the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP), the Common Criteria (CC), and Certification and Accreditation (CA and describes the process of choosing the types of cryptography to be used and selecting a cryptographic method or methods to fulfill a specific requirement.


All living languages are subject to variation at all levels of organization. Some of this variation leads to language change if larger groups of speakers start giving preference to a specific innovation. In this contribution we survey work that traces the diachronic variability at the level of language use, a field of research that is called historical pragmatics. After outlining some of the specific data problems that historical investigations of pragmatic variation have to deal with, we provide an overview of historical pragmatic work on specific periods, on diachronic change and on synchronic variation in earlier periods. Finally, we introduce the concept of "pragmatic variable" and discuss various methodological and theoretical problems.


This paper uses the exemplar of global headhunting firms to provide new insights into the intricacies of internationalization and related 'spatial economies' of producer services in the world economy. In particular, we unpack the complex relationships between the organizational rationale for, the selected mode of, and future benefits gained by internationalization, as headhunting firms seek and create new geographical markets. We achieve this through an analysis of headhunting firm-specific case study data that detail the evolving way such firms organize their differential strategic growth (organic, merger and acquisition, and alliances/network) and forms (wholly owned, networked, or hybrid). We also highlight how, as elite labour market intermediaries, headhunted are important, yet understudied, actors within the (re)production of a 'softer', 'knowledgeable' capitalism. Our argument, exemplified through detailed mapping of the changing geographies of headhunting firms between 1992 and 2005, demonstrates the need for complex and blurred typologies of internationalization and similarly complex internationalization theory.


Web services are loosely-coupled business applications willing to cooperate in distributed settings within different groups called communities. Communities aim to provide web services with better visibility, efficiency, market share and total payoff. A number of mechanisms and models have been recently proposed to aggregate web services and make them cooperate within their communities. However, forming optimal and stable communities as coalitions to maximize individual and group efficiency and income is yet to be addressed. In this paper, we propose an efficient community formation mechanism using cooperative game-theoretic techniques, particularly Shapley value, core, ε-core and convex games. We propose a mechanism for community membership requests and selections of web services under two scenarios: (1) there is only one community and many web services aim to join it; and (2) web services can join different established communities. The ultimate objective is to develop a mechanism for web services to form stable groups allowing them to maximize their efficiency and generate near-optimal (welfare-maximizing) communities where a taxation-based solution is being proposed. The theoretical and extensive experimental results show that our algorithms provide web services and community owners, in real-world-like environments, with applicable and near-optimal decision making mechanisms.


This is a story about coral bleaching, told by the tiniest creatures on the reef.

With her home under threat from a warming ocean, Zobi, a brave rhizobia bacterium, teams up with a family of slow but steady Zoox (zooxanthellae). As the coral bleaches, everyone begins to starve…

Can Zobi and the Zoox work together to save the day?

This beautifully illustrated science-adventure story, set on the Great Barrier Reef, was originally published in 2015, but has been extensively re-written and revised to delight and captivate primary school-aged readers.

Zobi and the Zoox: A Story of Coral Bleaching is the first in the new Small Friends Books series – Stories of Partnership and Cooperation in Nature.


This study is concerned with the constituent features of television
news in Britain in the 1990s. It examines both the content of
television news and production strategies employed by television
journalists in the context of the changing structural and cultural
relations of British television during the 1980s and 1990s. An
underlying theme of this thesis is the important role that television
news has to play in relation to citizenship rights and as an important
institution of the public sphere in Britain. A process of
fragmentation of the television news genre has in recent years,
resulted in the evolution of a variety of different news programmes
which exhibit different concepts of newsworthiness and public
interest journalism. Such fragmentation is challenging long
established notions of quality and public interest progranmiing and
replacing them with a more populist approach emphasing
entertainment. In addition the ability of televison news to play an
important role in enabling the public to play an active part in a
democracy is being further restricted and undermined in the mid-
1990s through the increasing commercialization of broadcasting
institutions.
To date analyses of news content and news production have tended
to ignore the complexity of the news genre itself and have assumed
that television journalism can be analysed as a unitary practice,
neglecting the competitive diversity and dynamic technological
change occurring in British broadcasting. However it is a theme of this thesis that the critical analysis and interpretation of television
news remains incomplete without an in-depth study of the
multiplicity of news programmes and news orgamsations which exist
in Britain in the 1990s.
This thesis shows, using content analysis and observational analysis,
that television news in the 1990s has reached a critical juncture. Key
vectors of change, politico-economic (including the new wave of
commercialization of television news in the 1990s), technological
and transnational influences have strongly affected the broadcasting
environment in Britain over the last decade and increased the
pressure on news providers. News values are becoming more tied to
particular contractual specifications made upon news programmes.
Newsworthiness itself is constructed within journalistic professional
culture, by the journalist's zone and mode of operation, and is
adapted to the designated style of an organisation or programme.
The variety and diversity of "mid-ranking stories" and the differences
in treatment of "big news stories" by different news programmes -
processes which are revealed in the empirical studies in this thesis -
illustrate clearly how newsworthiness can be adapted and changed to
fit particular programme epistemologies.


Commutation is usually a death row prisoner's last hope of evading his or her capital sentence. However, unlike many other stages of the death penalty process, little research focuses on the factors that affect decisions to commute or allow a death sentence to go forward, and that which has been conducted utilizes data which is now nearly a decade old. This paper seeks to examine personal and demographic factors associated with commutation decisions and to resolve incon- sistent findings in the prior research. Using the statistical method of multiple logistic regression, this paper finds statistically significant disparities in the odds of commutation by sex (women have an eleven-fold increase in odds of commuta- tion), race (nonwhite prisoners have twice the odds of commutation), geography (southern prisoners have less than one-fifth the odds of commutation), and education (college educated offenders have one-fifth the odds of commutation). After adjusting for other factors, this research does not find evidence that, across the run of cases, criminal history or severity significantly influence commutation decisions. This research, while unable to generate conclusions about any indi- vidual case, provides evidence that executives' commutation decisionmaking is driven more by personal characteristics — some of which are troubling — than by criminal culpability.


This individual participant data meta-analysis is the most intensive possible evaluation of the effectiveness of early intensive applied behaviour analysis–based interventions for pre-school autistic children compared with treatment as usual/eclectic interventions. Data from 491 participants (originally collected in 10 studies) were included. Children receiving early intensive applied behaviour analysis–based interventions improved more on the Vineland adaptive behaviour scale (MD = 7.00; 95% confidence interval = 1.95–12.06) and cognitive ability (intelligence quotient) (MD = 14.13; 95% confidence interval = 9.16–19.10) relative to comparators at 2 years; though effects varied considerably across studies. Evidence for other outcomes was inconclusive due to insufficient evidence and there were few data on longer-term effects. All studies were at risk of bias across several domains, often due to the lack of randomisation or blinding of outcome assessors. Given the emerging evidence of modest, albeit short term, effects of a range of pre-school autism interventions and the limitations of the quality of evaluation studies to date, future research should investigate which supports and interventions are most effective for children and families prioritising outcomes measures that are meaningful for the autism community and longer-term follow-up. Further systematic reviews of the existing evidence are unlikely to add to the findings presented here. Lay abstract Early intensive applied behaviour analysis–based interventions are designed to support young autistic children's learning and development. Unfortunately, the available evidence about the effectiveness of these interventions remains unclear. Several reviews have focused on the published findings rather than contacting the authors to collect and analyse data about the individual participants in the original studies. Also, most of the studies were carried out by groups involved in delivering the interventions leading to the potential bias in interpreting the results. Our research team (supported by an international advisory group) carried out an independent individual patient data review by collecting the original participant data from the authors of the studies, to examine the effectiveness of these interventions. The results suggested that early intensive applied behaviour analysis–based interventions might lead to some changes in children's cognitive ability (intelligence quotient) and everyday life skills after 2 years, compared with standard treatments. However, all the studies had problems with the way they were designed. Also, few of the studies looked at outcomes that have been described as most important to autistic people or followed children beyond 2 years. We think that further systematic reviews of the existing evidence are unlikely to add to the findings of our review. Furthermore, we recommend that future research should investigate which types of supports and interventions are most effective for children and families, prioritising outcomes measures that are meaningful for the autism community and include, wherever possible, longer-term follow-up.


Adobe Illustrator CS6 is a vector graphics design program that allows you to create artwork and illustrations. Adobe Illustrator CS6 is also part of the Adobe CS6 Design Suite, Web Suite, Production Premium Suite and Master Collection. Brilliant Illustrator CS6 offers professional and home users a fast, visual way to solve their Illustrator CS6 problems and get work done creatively and efficiently. All the most important tasks are covered, using clear, step-by-step instructions with accompanying 4 colour visuals. The text also draws attention to specific skills that are needed for the Adobe Certification Exam (ACE). Brilliant Illustrator CS6 features: * A new features icon to alert readers to changes in the software * Troubleshooting guides to help solve common problems * Real world examples to show why readers would want to perform tasks * Workshops to help readers put together individual tasks into projects * ACE objectives to prepare readers for qualification * Example files and additional workshops online at www.perspection.com Brilliant Features: * Detailed index and troubleshooting guide to help you find exactly what you need to know * Each task is presented on one or two pages * Numbered steps guide you through each task or problem * Numerous screenshots illustrate each step * "See Also . .." boxes point you to related tasks and information in the book * "Did you know ?..." sections alert you to relevant expert tips, tricks and advice


This paper introduces several budget-aware algorithms to deploy scientific workflows on IaaS cloud platforms, where users can request Virtual Machines (VMs) of different types, each with specific cost and speed parameters. We use a realistic application/platform model with stochastic task weights, and VMs communicating through a datacenter. We extend two well-known algorithms, MinMin and HEFT, and make scheduling decisions based upon machine availability and available budget. During the mapping process, the budget-aware algorithms make conservative assumptions to avoid exceeding the initial budget; we further improve our results with refined versions that aim at re-scheduling some tasks onto faster VMs, thereby spending any budget fraction leftover by the first allocation. These refined variants are much more time-consuming than the former algorithms, so there is a trade-off to find in terms of scalability. We report an extensive set of simulations with workflows from the Pegasus benchmark suite. Most of the time our budget-aware algorithms succeed in achieving efficient makespans while enforcing the given budget, despite (i) the uncertainty in task weights and (ii) the heterogeneity of VMs in both cost and speed values.


Involvement of multiple physiological pathways and complex pathogenesis is responsible for the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Since it is difficult to manage multiple pathophysiological defects by monotherapy, a combination therapy with two or more oral antidiabetic agents (OADs) may help achieve euglycemia in T2DM patients. Choice of OADs is difficult with growing armamentarium of antidiabetic therapy. Ideally, drug combination should aim at reversal of known pathogenic abnormalities and demonstrate improvement in the overall metabolic health rather than simply reduce glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Increased glucose reabsorption, a faulty pathological mechanism, is targeted by a novel class of drugs, namely, the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Combination of SGLT2 inhibitors and other OADs complement each other due to their unique mechanism of action. In addition, the glucose-lowering effect of SGLT2 inhibitors remains independent of β-cell function and insulin sensitivity which reduces the chances of severe hypoglycemia in patients receiving these agents. Clinical studies from the past favor the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in combination with other agents to achieve better HbA1c levels, weight loss, and blood pressure control. In this review, we have made an attempt to explore the recommended guidelines for combination therapy, its advantages as either combination therapy or fixed-dose combinations therapy, and the role of SGLT2 inhibitors as a choice of drug as a combination with other OADs.


It has been
shown experimentally for the first time that diffusion of cesium n rhenium takes
place at irradiation of atoms flux heated up to Т ≤ 1800 K -C. Analysis of thermal
desorption spectra showed that cesium forms two high-temperature phases during adsorption
of cesium on graphite monolayer in rhenium heated up to 1800 K. The first, intercalated
phase starts filling immediately and grows up to maximum concentration. The second,
diffusion phase appears with slight delay and grows incessantly during adsorption.
It is for the first time that the Fick Equation has been applied for such kind of
diffusion. Correspondences and average displacement L = f(Т,t) have been obtained at diffusion
of surface cesium in rhenium in the interval of temperatures 1600 K Т ν = 5 × 1013 cm-2·s-1, U = +2000 V, T = 1700 K, effectiveness of cesium diffusion δCs in the system of Re(1010)-C was identified with application
of suggested methods, which showed δCs = 0.45. Activation energies of Сs atoms diffusion in rhenium from rhenium were found and values Е1p = 5.65 ± 0.05 eV and Еp1 = 5.85 ± 0.05 eV were obtained respectively.
Effect of electrical field on intercalation and cesium diffusion in Re-C was observed.


An increasing share of the innovations emerging in the vehicular industry are implemented in software. Consequently, vehicular electrical systems are becoming more and more complex with an increasing number of functions, computational nodes and complex sensors, e.g., cameras and radars. The introduction of autonomous functional components, such as advanced driver assistance systems, highlight the foreseeable complexity of different parts of the system interacting with each other and with the human driver. It is of utmost importance that the testing effort can scale with this increasing complexity. In this paper, we review the challenges that we are facing in integration testing of complex embedded vehicular systems. Further, based on these challenges we outline a set of research directions for semi-automated or automated test design and execution in integration testing of vehicular systems. While the discussion is exemplified with our hands-on experience of the automotive industry, much of the concepts can be generalised to a broader setting of complex embedded systems.


Conservation of tropical forests requires an understanding of the seasonal patterns of abundance and distribution of important seed dispersers. In the forests of Central Africa, three species of hornbills in the genus Ceratogymna (Aves: Bucerotidae) provide dispersal for over 50 species of trees and lianas, yet their ecology is poorly known. We present the first empirical evidence for resource tracking and large‐scale movements by two of these species, which were previously considered resident. Hornbill numbers and fruit production were estimated over a one‐year period in the Dja Reserve, Cameroon. Monthly abundances of C. atrata and C. cylindricus varied four‐ and 12‐fold, respectively, and were predicted by community fruit availability as measured by fruitfall on a 4.3 km trail. In contrast, C. fistulator abundances varied little and were not related to fruit availability. Synchronous population fluctuations in sites 22 km distant were observed for atrata and cylindricus, but not for fistulator. Together, these results indicate that atrata and cylindricus populations track fruit resources via seasonal emigrations, while the fistulator population appears to be relatively sedentary. Comparisons of hornbill densities in primary and secondary forests suggest that they are important dispersers in both habitats, and will likely play larger roles in central African forest regeneration as more vulnerable seed dispersers are removed by hunting. If large seasonal movements of hornbills turn out to be a general phenomenon, effective management of central African forest reserves will require greater emphasis on reserve connectivity and on seasonal and spatial patterns of fruit production.


The purpose of this study was to investigate middle school students' attitude toward science and the effect of gender, grade level and parent education level on students' attitude toward science. The sample of this survey study included 2961 sixth, seventh and eighth grade middle school students in Cankaya, Ankara. Students completed 40 items test of science related attitude (TOSRA) developed by Fraser (1978). Four dimensions (adaptation of scientific attitudes, enjoyment of science lessons, leisure interest in science, and career interest in science) were selected for this study. Descriptive analyses revealed that, regarding the mean scores of each TOSRA dimension, students were undecided about all sub-dimensions of attitude. MANOVA results showed that grade level significantly affected middle school students' attitude toward science regarding adaptation of scientific attitudes, enjoyment of science lessons, leisure interest in science, and career interest in science. Gender and parents education level have influence on only adaptation of scientific attitudes dimension.


The carrying capacity for cod in a Norwegian fjord was analysed by means of a simulation model. Four age groups of cod were represented as well as the maln prey groups labrids, gobies and benthic organisms. These groups made up a near-shore compartment of the model, while nutrients, phytoplankton, herbivorous, carnivorous and gelatinous zooplankton comprised a pelagic compartment. The 2 compartments were coupled through water exchange. The pnmary production was driven by solar radiation, temperature, freshwater runoff, and deep water convection. Water exchange across the sill regulated the magnitude of advection of secondary producers serving as prey for higher trophic levels. Generally, simulation models including predation are sensitive to the feeding representations, and we propose a new method for obtaining estimates of the 'half-saturation' parameter. Simulations of 1 yr indicate that cod production is sensitive to the amount of zooplankton advected into the fjord and to the availability of benthic preys. Under good environmental conditions maximal cod production is estimated to be 0.5 to 1.3 X 10' ind. yr-', which is 7 to 8 times higher than the average levels of natural cod recruitment. Recruitment beyond 0.5 to 1.3 X 106 ind. yr-' will reduce the overall cod production because of food shortage and cannibalism. Validity of the model is indicated, as good agreement between predicted and observed diet composition of the cod is demonstrated. The 2 main implications from the present simulations regarding extensive cod mariculture are: (1) optimal cod production is obtained if the sum of released and wild recruits is within the range of the carrying capacity of juveniles; and (2) that releases of the same number of juveniles in several years gives dissimilar cod production due to interannual variations in the magnitude of advection, and its influence on zooplankton availability in Masfjorden.


One of the most common ways to represent results of the probabilistic seismic hazard assessments (PSHA) are maps of seismic hazard, which usually show values of Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) in a region for a return period. A common return period is of 475 years. These types of maps are frequently incorporated in seismic codes, which include the minimum requirements to design new buildings. On the other hand, a sensitivity analysis usually gives us additional information about a procedure or result. For instance, a sensitivity analysis about a PSHA can give us information about what variables considered to compute the seismic hazard have a significant influence on the results of seismic hazard. In the present study, we performed a sensitivity analysis related to the PSHA for Barcelona. This analysis was oriented to identify the influence in the results of seismic hazard of the following variables: a) the relationship magnitude-macroseismic intensity chosen to convert values of macroseismic intensity to magnitudes; b) the beta parameter that was used to define part of the seismicity of a seismic source and; c) the ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) which was used to determine intensities values to different distances from the epicenter of earthquakes. For this purpose, we applied the code R-CRISIS, which is the updated version of CRISIS2015. Therefore, the present study had as an additional objective to test the functionality of the new R-CRISIS from the point of view of users. According to the results of the sensitivity analysis of the PSHA of Barcelona both the GMPE and the relationship magnitude-macroseismic intensity are the two variables that have the greater influence on the results of seismic hazard of the present study. For instance, in some results of seismic hazard for the city of Barcelona the values of PGA (for the same return period) differ between them until 82% depending on if we considered the means values of the PGA values of the GMPE or the mean values plus one standard deviation of the PGA values of the GMPE. Finally, according to our experience in the use of the new R-CRISIS in the present study, we can confirm that it is both a powerful and user-friendly software. R-CRISIS has valuable features, for instance, it allows to consider diverse types of criteria to define the type of seismic source. For example, R-CRISIS allows defining different types of geometries of the seismic sources, and different criteria to define the seismicity of each seismic source. An important feature of R-CRISIS is the fact that it includes a database with numerous GMPE ready to be used to compute seismic hazard. Additionally, R-CRISIS has valuables graphical tools which are very helpful during the following two stages: the assigning data and the analysis of results.


This study heeds a decade-long call to action to examine the accessibility of Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) for students with severe disabilities. To improve the accessibility of SWPBIS, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and evidence-based practices were used to teach three students with severe disabilities schoolwide behavior expectations in inclusive schoolwide settings. Special education teachers from three different elementary schools adapted their campus SWPBIS Tier 1 lesson plans with additional visual supports, social narratives, and systematic instructional procedures. All participants showed improvement as evidenced by a reduction in the duration of their problem behavior in schoolwide settings. Implementing teachers found the intervention and corresponding materials to be socially valid.


An old erg covers the northern part of the Lake Chad basin. This dune landform allowed the formation of many inter- dune ponds of various sizes. Still present in certain zones where the groundwater level is high (e.g. Kanem, southern Manga), these ponds formed in the past a vast network of lacustrine microsystems, as shown by the nature and the dis- tribution of their deposits. In the Manga, these interdune deposits represent the main sedimentary records of the Holo- cene environmental succession. Their paleobiological (pollens, diatoms, ostracods) and geochemical (δ18O, δ13C, Sr/ Ca) contents are often the basis for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. On the other hand, their sedimentological char- acters are rarely exploited. This study of palustro-lacustrine deposits of the Holocene N'Guigmi lake (northern bank of the Lake Chad; Niger) is based on the relationships between the sedimentological features and the climato-hydrological fluctuations. The mineralogical parameters (e.g. calcium carbonate content, clay mineralogy) and the nature of autoch- thonous mineralization (i.e. amorphous silica, clays, calcium carbonates) can be interpreted using a straightforward hy- dro-sedimentary model. Established to explain the geochemical dynamics of Lake Chad, this model is based on a bio- geochemical cycle of the main elements (i.e. silicium, calcium) directly controlled by the local hydrological balance (i.e. rainfall/evaporation ratio). All these results show that a detailed study of sedimentological features can provide impor- tant paleohydrological informations about the regional aridification since ca 6500 14C BP.


Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major etiologic agent of blood transfusion–associated and sporadic non-A non-B hepatitis affecting more than 180 million worldwide. Vaccine development for HCV has been difficult and there is no vaccine or effective therapy against this virus. In this paper, we describe the development of an experimental plant-derived subunit vaccine against HCV. Our subunit vaccine originates from a consensus HCV-HVR1 epitope (R9) that antigenically mimics many natural HVR1 variants. This HVR1 sequence was cloned into the open reading frame of a plant virus, Alfalfa Mosaic Virus (ALMV) coat protein (CP). The chimeric ALMV RNA4 containing sequence-encoding R9 epitope was introduced into full-length infectious ALMV-RNA3 that was utilized as an expression vector. The recombinant chimeric protein is expressed in transgenic tobacco plants (P12) expressing ALMV RNA1 and 2. Plant–derived HVR1/ALMV-CP reacted with HVR1 and/or ALMV-CP specific monoclonal antibodies and immune sera from individuals infected with HCV. Using plant-virus based transient expression to produce this unique chimeric antigen will facilitate the development and production of an experimental HCV vaccine. A plant derived recombinant HCV vaccine can potentially reduce expenses normally associated with production and delivery of conventional vaccine. Key Words: Hepatitis C virus (HCV), transgenic tobacco plants (P12), consensus HCV HVR1 epitope (R9), and chimeric ALMV-RNA4. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(11) 2004: 588-594


The water activity concept proposed that a food product is the most stable at its monolayer moisture content. Recently, the limitations of the water activity concept were identified and the glass transition concept was proposed in order to overcome the limitations of water activity. Based on the glass-transition concept, a food is the most stable at and below its glass transition point. Recently it has also become evident that the glass transition concept is not universally valid for stability determination when foods are stored under different conditions. The glass transition concept was used to develop the state diagram by drawing another stability map using freezing curve and glass line. Currently, other components indicating different characteristics are being included in the state diagram. It is being emphasized in the literature to combine the water activity and glass transition concepts. In this paper, an attempt is made to combine these two concepts in the state diagram and to propose a macro-micro region concept for determining the stability of foods.


The paper concerns the fundamental debate whether naturalized epistemology is or can be normative. Following the example of W. V. Quine, if we replace the philosophical theory of knowledge with a psychological description of cognitive processes, we may not be able to identify "correct" processes of cognition and thus determine epistemic norms. A group of authors (L. Laudan, H. Kornblith and others) consider epistemic norms as hypothetical imperatives connecting cognitive means with cognitive ends. Such instrumental understanding of normativity is compatible with the naturalistic picture of epistemology. However, the key question concerns cognitive ends: are there any universal ends, or do we have to be satisfied with relativism of norms? In the paper, we defend the thesis that the ultimate end of knowing is "truth". If we understand epistemic norms as hypothetical imperatives that prescribe how we should acquire beliefs in order to achieve our needs and interests, then we can define "truth" as that factor that makes certain processes successful with respect to these ends. It is a neutral understanding of truth as a criterion for the "correct" (functional) performance of the cognitive system. Orientation to truth thus forms the common value of the successful pursuit of any particular goals, thereby avoiding relativism of norms. At the same time, this understanding provides a more definite content to Quine's concept of normativity as "truth-seeking technology" aimed at making accurate predictions.


We want to build animated characters and robots capable of rich social interactions with humans and each other, and who are able to learn by observing those around them. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that, in animals and humans, the ability to learn by watching others, and in particular, the ability to imitate, could be crucial precursors to the development of appropriate social behavior, and ultimately the ability to reason about the thoughts, intents, beliefs, and desires of others. We have created a number of imitative characters and robots, the latest of which is Max T. Mouse, an anthropomorphic animated mouse character who is able to observe the actions he sees his friend Morris Mouse performing, and compare them to the actions he knows how to perform himself. Max's imitation and social learning system allows him to identify simple goals and motivations for Morris's behavior, an important step towards developing characters with a full theory of mind. In this paper, we describe the cognitive basis for Max's social learning capabilities, and explore the implications of our work for future research in both artificial and natural systems.


Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is not a uniform bone disease; it is a heterogeneous group of metabolic bone diseases due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The traditional term of ROD does not accurately include the wide spectrum of "CKD-mineral and bone disorder" (CKD-MBD) and has been restricted to define the several specific histologic disturbances of bone disease associated with CKD. Circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) and total alkaline phosphatase levels do not always reflect bone turnover in CKD-MBD, whereas bone biopsy provides precise information regarding bone pathology. Given the lack of specificity of several biomarkers and noninvasive tools regarding ROD, bone biopsy is required for precise diagnosis and for the determination of therapeutic strategies. In clinical practice, bone biopsy is not performed due to lack of enthusiasm among nephrologists for several reasons including the invasiveness of the procedure, the potential pain, and lack of technical training. Since the application of bone biopsy in clinical practice is unrealistic, several biomarkers with specificity for bone disease should be studied.


The policy agenda of extending working lives requires a holistic understanding of factors underlying the decision of older workers to withdraw from work and to retire. This brief paper presents employment patterns and trends of older people across EU Member States and identifies policy initiatives that would encourage more flexible and later retirement. The descriptive empirical evidence (from the EU Labour Force Survey) indicates that there are a broad range of experiences in EU countries with respect to the employment of older workers (those aged 50 and over). Strikingly, in the majority of EU15 countries, close to one-half of those of 50 and over are either unemployed or inactive, with reliance either on early retirement pensions or on social assistance benefits. The recent pension reforms in a number of these countries have increased the retirement age and this is likely to induce older workers to work longer. There is already some evidence that the effective retirement age is on the increase. Results suggest that the increase in older workers' employment is stronger for women than for men, and also for more highly educated. In most instances older workers either tend to be in full-time employment or inactive with very few occupying intermediate positions. Although there is some evidence of a gradual transition towards retirement, there is still a relatively minor proportion of the work force taking advantage of this, as well over 70% of men and around 55% of women in employment in their early 60s worked 35 hours a week or more. The policy aim should therefore be to encourage 'flexible and later retirement'. Additional incentives need to be provided so that people are not only able to move between jobs in later working life but also able to work part-time, without losing their entitlement to benefits (such as early retirement pensions). Such policy incentives will enable workers to avoid the phenomenon of a 'cliff-edge' fall into retirement that many of them often face.


OF DISSERTATION LASER SPECTROSCOPY OF RADICALS CONTAINING GROUP IIIA AND VA ELEMENTS Radicals are interesting to study because of importance in so many processes such as semiconductor growth or stellar evolution. Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and wavelength resolved emission spectra of jet cooled HPS, HAsO, AsD2, H2PS, and F2BO have been measured using the pulsed discharge jet technique. Several bands in the à A′′ − X̃ A′ transition of HPS were observed and assigned with the help of ab initio calculations. The ab initio geometries showed that HPS does not follow Walsh's predictions for the angle change upon electronic excitation; Walsh predicts an increase in HPS upon excitation while a decrease is calculated. Ab initio Walsh-style orbital angular correlation diagrams for both electronic states show a change in correlation for some orbitals upon electronic excitation, an effect that Walsh did not predict. The à A′′ − X̃ A′ transitions were measured in HAsO and DAsO for the first time. A molecular geometry was derived for each electronic state from experimental rotational constants. The experimental geometries prove that HAsO also violates Walsh's rules for the same reason shown in HPS. The à A1 – X̃ B1 electronic transition of AsD2 and AsHD were measured. Vibrational levels observed in emission were fit to a local mode vibrational Hamiltonian. Using the previously reported rotational constants for AsH2 and those determined for AsD2 in this work, an improved estimate of the excited state geometry was obtained. The discovery of the B̃ A′ −X̃ A′ band system of H2PS is the first report of this molecule. Both D2PS and HDPS were also observed. Ab initio calculations helped assign the transition. H2PS is one of the few tetra-atomic or larger molecules that violates Kasha's empirical rule due to the large separation between the B̃ and à states. Finally, laser induced fluorescence spectra of the F2BO radical was observed for the first time. Previous work showed two band systems with only a tentative assignment. The measured LIF spectra confirm the identity of the two band systems as the B̃ A1 – X̃ B2 and the B̃ A1 – à B1 transitions showing F2BO also violates Kasha's rule.


Members of the tumour necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) are important regulators of inflammation and immunity. TL1A (TNFSF15), ligand for death receptor 3 (DR3), is the most recently discovered member of this superfamily and full understanding of its structure and the role in T cell-mediated immune responses is currently incomplete. DR3 expression is strongly up-regulated on activated T cells, although it also is present on resting CD4+ T cells, while the expression of TL1A is rapidly and transiently upregulated on activated cells of the immune system such as dendritic cells, monocytes and T cells. The research published to date shows that TL1A/DR3 interaction is involved in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and enhances activation of CD4+ T cells, however very little is known about its role in co-stimulation of CD8+ T cells. Several studies showed that TL1A also acts as a polarizer of the immune response by inducing secretion of IFN-?, IL-4, IL-10 and/or IL-17A from activated CD4+ T cells, although the results vary depending on the conditions of a given experiment. The research presented in this thesis identifies Toll-like receptors 3 and 4 as the inducers of TL1A expression on dendritic cells. Furthermore, different binding patterns of anti- TL1A monoclonal antibody (raised against the homotrimeric form of TL1A) and DR3.Fc construct to cells transfected with TL1A cDNA and cells naturally expressing TL1A suggest that TL1A may exist as a homo- and heterotrimeric protein. Ecotopic expression of TL1A on J558L tumour cells promotes their elimination in a CD8+ T celldependent manner and renders mice immune to a subsequent challenge with tumour cells. Moreover, TL1A promotes the proliferation and accumulation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells both in vitro and in vivo as well as their activation and differentiation into cytotoxic T cells in vivo. It also enhances the secondary expansion of endogenous antigen-specific memory CD8+ T cells. The studies presented here also show that TL1A/DR3 interaction enhances the proliferation and activation of CD4+ T cells. CD11c-TL1A transgenic and CD2-TL1A transgenic mice that constitutively express TL1A on dendritic cells and T cells, respectively, show elevated levels of IL-13 and IL- 17A in the secondary lymphoid organs suggesting that in this setting TL1A skews the immune response toward Th2 and Th17 type. Furthermore, CD11c-TL1A transgenic mice develop a striking goblet cell hyperplasia in the ileum. TL1A also enhances regulatory T cell accumulation in vivo. The findings presented in this thesis show that TL1A may have the potential for enhancing vaccines that aim to elicit CD8+ T cell responses and also identify mechanisms by which sustained expression of TL1A could promote pathogenesis in inflammatory bowel disease


The gap between low and high achievers is a worldwide concern in Education, especially when it comes to mathematics. One way of facing this issue is by investigating the learning processes of those disadvantaged students at a classroom level. Bearing this in mind, I started my research by observing lessons for low achieving students in an underperforming school in England. After getting acquainted with the context, I designed lesson plans to teach fraction addition and subtraction following three design principles: lessons should enable students to build their knowledge about fractions on visual representations, students should have opportunities to solve tasks without being told how to do it beforehand and lesson plans should maintain some coherence with participant teachers' current practices. The first principle is the most relevant for my findings, and its choice was based on the growing evidence pointing out the relevance of visual representations for mathematical learning and as a potential pathway to overcome some difficulties faced by low achieving students. Three teachers enacted the lesson plans with a different low achieving group each. Data was collected of the pupils' working out, as registered in the worksheets, and also in the form of audio recordings, taken during the lessons, of my interactions with students about their thinking while solving the tasks. The data analysis revealed aspects of students' learning through visual representations that were grouped into two major findings. Firstly, the lessons were successful in promoting reasoning anchored in visual representations, and enabled students to extend their knowledge beyond what was explicitly taught to them. Secondly, an apparent lack of visual skills and prior knowledge on multiplication restricted their engagement with some tasks. The final discussion focuses on the role of visual representations in the learning of mathematics in general, but mainly for low achieving students, and how this can be implemented in classrooms.


Learning portfolios are used extensively in general education; however, limited information is available regarding its usage and value in occupational therapy education. This article discusses the experiences of 30 senior-level occupational therapy students who used student-learning portfolios as a method of comprehensive learning within an upper extremity orthotics and prosthetics course. Results indicated that portfolios assisted students in structuring their learning environment, documented their learning journey, highlighted their achievements, and developed professional skills of organization, motivation, and higher-ordered thinking. Implications of this study lend support towards using student-learning portfolios as a teaching tool to facilitate more holistic and effective student-centered learning environments.


Due to the widely supported theory of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) spread in cattle by contaminated animal feeds, screening of feed products has become essential. For many years, manufacturers have used blood and plasma proteins as high quality ingredients of foods for both pets and farm animals. However, in Europe, the Commission Regulation 1234/2003/EC temporally bans the use of processed animal proteins, including blood-derivative products, in feedstuffs for all farm animals which are fattened or bred for the production of food. This regulation has some exceptions, such as the use of non ruminant blood products into the feed of farm fish. Authorization of the re-introduction of these proteins into animal feed formulations, especially non ruminant proteins into the feed for non ruminant farm animals, is expected when adequate control methods to discriminate ruminant proteins exist. Currently, the number of validated methods to differentiate the species of origin for most of the animal by-products is limited. Here we report the development of a rapid and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay, which allows detection of bovine or porcine specific mitochondrial DNAfrom spray-dried blood derivate products (plasma, whole blood and red cells), as a marker for bovine contamination in porcine products. Sample extracts, suitable for PCR, were easily and quickly obtained with the commercial PrepManTM Ultra reagent (Applied Biosystems). To confirm the porcine origin of the samples, primers targeting a specific region of 134 bp of the porcine cytochrome b coding sequence were designed (cytbporc1-F and cytbporc2-R). Previously published PCR primers (L8129 and H8357), specific for a 271 bp fragment of the bovine mitochondrial ATPase 8-ATPase 6 genes, were chosen to accomplish amplification of bovine DNA. The limit of detection (LOD) of the bovine PCR assay was at least of 0.05% (v/v) of bovine inclusion in spray-dried porcine plasma or red cells fraction. In dried whole blood samples, sensitivity of the method was found to be at least of 0.1 % (v/v). Since the method described here exhibits high specificity and sensitivity and it is rapid, simple and consistent, it could be successfully utilized as a routine control assay to evaluate the presence of bovine materials in spray-dried blood products.


Managing the advertising function for established brands
requires an understanding of the nature of the advertising-sales
relationship. Historically, both experimental and non-experimental
approaches have been used to investigate this relationship, but the
impressive amount of literature in this area seems to have identified
only a number of broad generalizations. In part, this is due to the
inadequacies of the different methodologies and data sources that have
been used, which make difficult a comparison of the reported studies
for the purpose of establishing guidelines for strategic advertising
management. Continuous panel-based experimental research seems to
offer greater potential for providing further insights into the nature
of the advertising-sales relationship.
The research first investigates the appropriateness and
sensitivity of a number of models in identifying and quantifying the
effect of changes in advertising strategy on sales, using The Test
Marketing Group's (TMG) consumer diary and scanner panel data. It is
shown that the ability to identify an advertising effect, referred to
as the system's sensitivity, is significantly influenced by a number
of factors, and that it can be predicted from the number of purchase
transactions of the test brand.
By using one specific model, thirty-five advertising strategy
tests are analyzed at the aggregate, panel level, in order to estimate
the probability of causing an advertising effect on all panelists, and
to identify factors that influence the effect. Application of this
methodology represents the first consistent analysis of a collection
of historical data with the objective of developing a knowledge base
regarding advertising strategy making and testing. It is found the
probability of causing an advertising effect does not differ between
copy and weight tests, but that a change in copy carries a significant
risk of causing a negative effect. Increases in weight are
particularly effective in causing a positive effect for small share
brands. among the tests that are analyzed there is a 37.1% probability
of observing an advertising effect at the panel level, which is lower
than the probability observed in the literature.
Subsequent analysis of the same tests examines the effect of a
change in advertising strategy at the disaggregate level, that is, on
certain segments of panelists. The results of this analysis show that
significant advertising effects are observed more often, thereby
increasing the probability of observing an advertising effect to 60%.
Thus, by applying one methodology consistently across a set of
panel-based advertising strategy tests, it is possible to identify a
number of empirical norms that can aid managers in determining
effective advertising strategies for their established brands. This so
far has been difficult to derive from reported advertising studies. It
is also suggested that further insights into the advertising-sales
relationship can be obtained by increasing TMG's ability to specify
advertising exposure. An experimental data collection system developed
and tested on the basis of this further research is presented and
evaluated.


Although there have been extensive discussions on decolonizing the field of media and communication(s), not much attention has been paid to the way that curricula reproduce colonialism, imperialism, and racism in the classroom. In this article, I draw on my experiences as an African graduate student in an American classroom to highlight the ways that systemic racism is replicated, reproduced and frames pedagogy. I argue that although many communication(s) scholars purport to theorize from a radical perspective, these politics are not represented in their pedagogy which means that students from marginalized communities are often erased in discussions on theory, research methods and even pedagogy. Not only are the epistemological experiences and realities of marginalized students erased, but the canon is further legitimized leading to the training of scholars and teachers who go on to (in)advertently uphold racism, White supremacy, colonialism, and imperialism in their research, teaching and service.


The aim of this work is to build an EUV-UV spectral catalogue of a prominence. Here we focus on the preparatory work for the final result and we give an example of the results obtained. As a first step, we present the information needed for a full understanding of the results that will form the final entire catalogue. The data are composed of a full SUMER spectrum in the range 800 -1250 A of a prominence observed on 8 October 1999. A quiet-Sun area was also observed in the same spectral range in order to have a reference spectrum. Beside the standard corrections, we give details of the estimated stray light and the wavelength calibration of both datasets. We also present a short list of lines as an example of the results from the line-fitting procedure we applied to the data. For each line we give the measured position, the total intensity and the FWHM in the quiet Sun and at two different spatial positions in the prominence. With a final atlas of the prominence it will be possible to investigate several properties of the feature such as mass motion, differential emission measure, density, and elemental composition.


Secretion of cell wall-bound acid phosphatase by Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurs along a restricted portion of the cell surface. Acid phosphatase activity produced during derepressed synthesis on a phosphate-limited growth medium is detected with an enzyme-specific stain and is localized initially to the bud portion of a dividing cell. After two to three generations of phosphate-limited growth, most of the cells can be stained; if further phosphatase synthesis is repressed by growth in excess phosphate, dividing cells are produced in which the parent but not the bud can be stained. Budding growth is interrupted in α-mating-type cells by a pheromone (α-factor) secreted by the opposite mating type; cell surface growth continues in the presence of α-factor and produces a characteristic cell tip. When acid phosphatase synthesis is initiated during α-factor treatment, only the cell tip can br stained; when phosphate synthesis is repressed during α-factor treatment, the cell body but not the tip can be stained. A mixture of derepressed α cells and phosphatase-negative α cells form zygotes in which mainly one parent cell surface can be stained. The cell cycle mutant, cdc 24 (Hartwell, L.H. 1971. Exp. Cell Res. 69:265-276), fails to bud and, instead, expands symmetrically as a sphere at a nonpermissive temperature (37 degrees C). This mutant does not form a cell tip during α-factor treatment at 37 degrees C, and although acid phosphatade secretion occurs at this temperature, it is not localized. These results suggest that secretion reflects a polar mode of yeast cell- surface growth, and that this organization requires the cdc 24 gene product.


Highly dynamic aquatic systems have often been reported to support actively growing populations of
phytoplankton. The partially-mixed, macrotidal, temperate estuary Southampton Water is no exception,
with reports of frequent temporal patterns of spring and summer maxima in algal biomass. During this
study, the close coupling between the estuarine hydrology and the phytoplankton community was
confirmed by the results from an intensive sampling strategy, spanning various temporal scales. Using
high frequency data, collected from acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) and CTDs, the physical
mixing processes within the estuary were determined and combined with high resolution phytoplankton
species data to assess the physical pressures on the microalgal community. Initial surveys were
conducted to provide snapshots of the estuary during productive periods, followed by more intensive,
longer term monitoring to observe population growth and succession.
Through seasonal investigations, the aggregation of algal biomass (quantified by chlorophyll a
concentration) at differing vertical heights in the water column was realised. On closer examination
using microscopic identification, the different vertical profiles were shown to be due to phytoplankton
succession from the spring to the summer months. Diatoms (Rhizosolenia delicatula) proliferated in the
spring, where the population was localised in the near-bottom layers, whilst the summer bloom was
dominated by autotrophic dinoflagellates (Prorocentrum micans and Peridifiium trochoideum),
manifesting in a sub-surface chlorophyll a maximum. The vertical position of diatom species, both
pelagic and benthic, suggested no dependence on incident irradiance, but seemed solely governed by
current velocities, shear and wind mixing events. Other passive constituents of the water column, such
as suspended particulate matter, were also closely coupled with boundary shear and followed regular
patterns of re-suspension similar to those shown by the diatom community. In the summer, apparent
active vertical migration was observed for several species of dinoflagellate. Whilst this apparent
migration was closely linked to the incident irradiance, the extent and timing of migration was highly
dependent on the tidal state and the water column stability.
During one 25 hour Eulerian investigation, apparent positive vertical migration was observed in
several dinoflagellate species, where the controlling factor was incident irradiance. Dinoflagellates
were observed to descend during the dark periods when the water column was stable. However, the
vertical distribution of the autotrophic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum suggested that migrations into the
surface waters were linked with periods of water column stability and not triggered by surface
irradiance.
The unique tidal regime that governs the physical mixing processes in Southampton Water translates
into periods of stability separated in time by intermittent turbulence. This periodic stability within the
water column during reduced tidal forcings permitted the surface aggregation of dinoflagellates, which
became homogeneously distributed when turbulence intensified during the ebb and flood currents.
Diatoms, conversely, relied on vertical mixing to enter the surface layers of the water column, and
aggregated in the lower layers during times of water column stability. Data from the. seasonal surveys
suggested that diatoms and dinoflagellates were able to co-exist during the summer by utilising
contrasting properties of tidal mixing to develop and reside within this partially mixed environment.
The segregation of these two phytoplankton groups was not apparent from the chlorophyll
concentrations alone, and was only made evident through the high resolution phytoplankton sampling
through both time and space.
The close coupling between the phytoplankton community and physical forcings were also
investigated in the usually well-mixed southern North Sea. During a 12 hour Lagrangian survey, the
stabilising effect of the Rhine region of freshwater influence (ROFI) was recognised and provided the
temporary stability necessary for apparent dinoflagellate (Prorocentrum micans and Gonyaulax so)
migration. Associated solely with this lower salinity plume was the diatom Rhizosolenia stvliformis,
which was not detected during other times of the survey. Very small changes in total algal biomass
were detected through the use of chlorophyll a determinations (chlorophyll a < 2 mg m"3). The
intermittency of the mixing forces proved to be an important physical characteristic which defines the
species and distribution of the phytoplankton community.


Widespread public perception is that illicit drugs contain substances that are a serious risk to health, even though adulterants are often not considered in clinical or forensic toxicology. This review attempts to present an evidence-based overview of adulterants in illicit drugs, and their associated toxicity. Adulterants are deliberately added to increase bulk, enhance or mimic a pharmacological effect, or to facilitate drug delivery. Those present unintentionally are as a result of poor manufacturing techniques. From the reports gathered, adulterants are predominantly substances which are readily available, commonly being caffeine, procaine, paracetamol, and sugars. These are likely to have minimal impact on users' health at low dosages. Other adulterants, particularly in injectable drugs, have the potential to cause serious health issues, but the quantities reported, such as strychnine in heroin, are not life-threatening. The most commonly identified bacterial contaminants identified are Bacillus and Clostridium species. When death or serious illness due to adulteration occurs, circulation of information is particularly vital, such as in the USA regarding heroin and cocaine adulterated with fentanyl, and in Scotland recently regarding anthrax contaminated heroin. The complex interactions of supply, demand, and control of illicit drugs have a tangible impact on their adulteration. Continuing vigilance and the circulation of information is, therefore, desirable as a public health issue. As part of that strategy, analyses performed for adulterants needs to be encouraged, which are considerably limited in number and scope at the moment.


We consider the projected gradient algorithm for the nonconvex best subset selection problem that minimizes a given empirical loss function under an $\ell_0$-norm constraint. Through decomposing the feasible set of the given sparsity constraint as a finite union of linear subspaces, we present two acceleration schemes with global convergence guarantees, one by same-space extrapolation and the other by subspace identification. The former fully utilizes the problem structure to greatly accelerate the optimization speed with only negligible additional cost. The latter leads to a two-stage meta-algorithm that first uses classical projected gradient iterations to identify the correct subspace containing an optimal solution, and then switches to a highly-efficient smooth optimization method in the identified subspace to attain superlinear convergence. Experiments demonstrate that the proposed accelerated algorithms are magnitudes faster than their non-accelerated counterparts as well as the state of the art.


According to the earlier published synthesis of the C-terminal nonapeptide of Trichovirin I 1B, Z-Ser(tBu)-Val-Aib-Pro-Aib-Leu-Aib-Pro-Leuol (5), the complete tetradecapeptide Z-Aib-Asn(Trt)-Leu-Aib-Pro-Ser(t-Bu)-Val-Aib-Pro-Aib-Leu-Aib-Pro-Leuol (11b), a protected Trichovirin I 1B, has now been prepared by means of the 'azirine/oxazolone method'. With the exception of the N-terminal Aib(1), all Aib residues were introduced by the coupling of the corresponding amino or peptide acids with 2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirine-3-(N- methyl-N-phenylamine) (1a) and methyl N-(2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirin-3-yl)-l-prolinate (3a) as the Aib and Aib-Pro synthons, respectively. Single crystals of two segments, i.e., the N-terminal hexapeptide Z-Aib-Asn(Trt)-Leu-Aib-Pro-Ser(tBu)-OMe (23) and the C-terminal octapeptide Z-Val-Aib-Pro-Aib-Leu-Aib-Pro-Leuol (17), were obtained and their structures have been established by X-ray crystallography. Following the same strategy, the C-terminal nonapeptide of Trichovirin I 4A, Z-Ala-Val-Aib-Pro-Aib-Leu-Aib-Pro-Leuol (26), was also synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography.


Pavement settlement occurring in and around utility cuts is a common problem, resulting in uneven pavement surfaces, annoyance to drivers, and ultimately, further maintenance. A survey of municipal authorities and field and laboratory investigations were conducted to identify the factors contributing to the settlement of utility cut restorations in pavement sections. Survey responses were received from seven cities across Iowa and indicate that utility cut restorations often last less than two years. Observations made during site inspections showed that backfill material varies from one city to another, backfill lift thickness often exceeds 12 inches, and the backfill material is often placed at bulking moisture contents with no Quality control/Quality Assurance. Laboratory investigation of the backfill materials indicate that at the field moisture contents encountered, the backfill materials have collapse potentials up to 35%. Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) deflection data and elevation shots indicate that the maximum deflection in the pavement occurs in the area around the utility cut restoration. The FWD data indicate a zone of influence around the perimeter of the restoration extending two to three feet beyond the trench perimeter. The research team proposes moisture control, the use of 65% relative density in a granular fill, and removing and compacting the native material near the ground surface around the trench. Test sections with geogrid reinforcement were also incorporated. The performance of inspected and proposed utility cuts needs to be monitored for at least two more years.


The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a water-scarce region with a dry, desert climate, yet flood-producing precipitation events and heat extremes lead to loss of life and damages to local infrastructure, property and economy. Due to its distinctive natural and man-made spatial features (e.g., coastal features, wadis, agricultural areas) studying changes in the mean climate and extreme events requires higher-resolution climate projections than those available from the current generation of Earth System Models. Here, a high-resolution convection-permitting regional climate model is used to downscale the middle of the 21st century (2041–2050) climate projections of the Community Earth System Model (CESM) under representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5 and for a historical time period (2008–2017) focusing on two months (August and November) within KSA's dry-hot and wet seasons, where extreme events have historically been observed more frequently. Downscaling of climate reanalysis is also performed for the historical time period (2008–2017) to evaluate the downscaling methodology. An increase in the intensity and frequency of precipitation events is found in August by mid-century, particularly along the mountainous western coast of KSA, suggesting potential for water harvesting. Conversely, the northern flank of the Empty Quarter experiences a noticeable reduction in mean and extreme precipitation rates during the wet season. Increasing August heat index is found to particularly make regional habitability difficult in Jeddah by mid-century.


We evaluated the effect of feedback after opportunistic spirometry in general practice on motivation for smoking cessation using stage change in the transtheoretical model. A total of 328 smokers aged over 35 years were given immediate feedback on the presence or absence of lung damage due to smoking, plus brief standard cessation advice. At 3 months, 99 (30.2%) smokers reported making an attempt to quit and 17 (5.2%) smokers reported moving into action stage for cessation. Of 297 (80.5%) successfully followed up, 81 (27.3%) smokers demonstrated forward shift and 35 (11.8%) smokers demonstrated backward shift. Feedback on the presence of lung damage was not significantly associated with reporting a quit attempt (p = .31) or moving into action stage for cessation (p = .30). Odds of forward or backward shift were not independently associated with either feedback on the presence of lung damage or normal lung function. Odds of backward shift with feedback on lung damage depended on participants' assessments of quit benefits, which were correlated with their prior self-assessment of lung damage. Our findings suggest that feedback to smokers after spirometry about the absence of lung damage is not harmful. However, eliciting personal health attitudes is also important so cessation advice can be tailored especially for smokers who believe they already have lung damage from smoking.


Conveying thoughts, ideas, and solutions through written words has been, and will continue to be, a crucial way to demonstrate thinking and learning in both the academic and professional worlds. Because of its importance, and our students' struggles, writing's place in education has risen to the forefront, leading to more rigorous writing standards and assessment in correspondence with the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards. Thus, this mixed methods study was designed to analyze Montana's middle school Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) English Language writing scores to understand patterns of proficiency in writing across schools and student demographics (gender and socioeconomic status). In part one of the study, quantitative data were analyzed from the 2015-2016 school year and included scores from 338 schools serving grades 6-8 with a total of 29,091 students. In alignment with current literature, findings suggest that Montana's middle school students' of low socioeconomic status, on average, perform lower than their peers on the writing portion of the standardized test. In part two of the study, qualitative data were gathered from a Montana middle school where students achieved proficiency on the Smarter Balanced Assessment English Language Arts Performance Task, to examine the way writing instruction is approached in the school. Engeström's Activity Theory (1987) was used as a framework to describe the system of teacher instruction used to improve students' writing. Findings illuminate the complex facets of writing instruction from the lens of Activity Theory and provide practical applications for administrators and teachers in navigating a dynamic learning system.


Problem statement: Software development is distinct from other types of engineering because the product is intangible, progress is not explicit and team members rely on the documentation of others to review progress. In addition, there ar e no standard processes, which make it difficult to predict which process will cause development proble ms. The discourse of knowledge management is becoming more evident in the software engineering l iterature, as the software development activity is essentially a human knowledge intensive activity. Approach: This study explores the role of software development knowledge management within software development companies. Specifically: How software knowledge is managed; identify critical fa ctors in software development teams and software development knowledge management; understand how should software teams are organized in order to support software process improvement and the role o f knowledge management in this. Results: This study presents the results of a study of knowledge management process practices in very small software companies and discusses these under the major identified issues of: Communication; Learning and sharing; Documentation and Knowledge management process and commitment. Conclusion: The findings in this study give an insight towards knowledge management practices as they relate to software development process practic es in very small companies and the important factors that must be considered to preserve knowled ge and quality software.


The work described in the present thesis is mainly concerned with the phytochemical investigations of Prunus armeniaca. The thesis begins with the introduction of the chemistry of natural product's background that provides the review of the earlier contributions made in the field of chemistry of the plant. A brief review of the biosynthesis of triterpenoids and steroids with particular reference to the pentacyclic triterpenoids, and flavonoids is also included.

The experimental section deals with the isolation and purification of the constituents present in the fruits and seeds of P. armeniaca. As a result of these investigations total twenty three compounds are reported. Among these, five are new, eleven isolated and reported first time from the (dry) fruits of this plant and the remaining seven compounds are known and reported previously. The compounds belonged to pentacyclic triterpenoids, steroids, flavonoids and their glycosides. These have been isolated from the non-polar, semi polar and polar fractions.

GC and GC-ElMS analysis of the petroleum ether extract of seeds also revealed the presence of different compounds. Upon characterization, among, seven were found to be reported first time while the remaining four were reported previously.

The polar fraction of the fruits mainly led to the isolation of flavonoids representing the flavonol, flavanonol, flavanone and flavone as basic structural units, flavonoid glycosides belonged to flavonol type nuclei glycosilated at 7 and 3 positions, respectively. The characterization and structure elucidation of the triterpenoids, flavonoids and their glycosides is described under the section "Results and discussion".

The structures of the new and known compounds have been elucidated through spectral studies including IR, UV, ElMS, HREIMS, ID 1H, 13C- NMR (Broad Band and DEPT) and 2D-NMR (COSY-45, NOESY, J-resolved, HMQC and HMBC) spectral analysis as well as chemical transformations.

The biological activities of the pure compounds and plant extracts were determined by the Department of Microbiology, university of Karachi. The antioxidant activity of different plant extracts was carried out in HEJ, Research Institute of Chemistry, university of Karachi.


In this paper the precise foreground mask is obtained in a complex environment by applying simple and effective methods on a video sequence consisting of multi-colour and multiple foreground object environment. To detect moving objects we use a simple algorithm based on block-based motion estimation, which requires less computational time. To obtain a full and improved mask of the moving object, we use an opening-and-closing-by-reconstruction mechanism to identify the minima and maxima inside the foreground object by applying a set of morphological operations. This further enhances the outlines of foreground objects at various stages of image processing. Therefore, the algorithm does not require the knowledge of the background image. That is why it can be used in real world video sequences to detect the foreground in cases where we do not have a background model in advance. The comparative performance results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.


Although social entrepreneurial organizations have begun to receive more scholarly attention, we still know relatively little about how they are able to create both social and economic value. This paper presents a comparative case analysis of three social entrepreneurial organizations, based in Bangladesh, Egypt and Spain, whose success has been widely recognized. Analysis of these organizations' business models reveals common patterns: in their use of strategic resources, in their value networks, and in their customer interface. The findings suggest that successful social entrepreneurial organizations pro-actively create their own value network of companies that share their social vision; develop resource strategies as an integral part of the business model; and integrate the target group into the social value network. Propositions are advanced regarding the business models of successful social entrepreneurial organizations.


Purpose: Solubilizers play an important role in dissolution of pharmacological ingredients and should properly dissolve the active principle(s) while preserving its activities. This study investigated the effect of starch, gelatin, methylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone 10000 in the preservation of the androgenic activity of the methanol extract Basella alba (MEBa). Methods: Different groups of male albino rats were orally given the MEBa (1 mg/kg) dissolved into either 1% gelatin (1% gel), %1 methylcellulose (1% MC) and 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone 10000 (1% PVP 10000) or 2% starch solution (2% SS) for 30 days. Thereafter, animals were sacrificed and serum testosterone and creatinine levels as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity determined. Vital and reproductive organs were dissected out and weighed, while liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione levels were determined. Results: Different treatments did not affect the animal body and organ weights. The MEBa stimulatory effect on testosterone production was preserved with 2% SS and 1% PVP 10000 as vehicles. Increased liver glutathione and TBARS levels were also observed in the animals fed with the MEBa dissolved in 2% SS and 1% Gel, respectively, while other biochemical parameters remained unchanged. Conclusion: Starch and polyvinylpyrrolidone 10000 stand as good preservation agents for MEBa androgenic activity, with starch exhibiting additional antioxidant activity through increase of glutathione levels.


In the present investigation, it is shown that use of commercial optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) has allowed for a simple method of determining the absolute Raman cross sections utilizing the measurement of integrated intensity ratios. Standard curves for the absolute Raman cross sections of the commonly used internal standards (viz., acetonitrile 918 cm−1 peak and nitrate 1045 cm−1 band) have been developed from the relative Raman intensities measured in the wavelength range 450–650 nm. The absolute intensities are fitted to the A-term frequency dependence and found to be consistent with the available literature data. We have demonstrated that, using an OPO, one can develop a standard curve for any internal standard, in order to accurately determine absolute Raman cross sections for a given system. This approach, in general, avoids the use of precalibrated lamps or external standard methods which are cumbersome, in comparison to measuring the integrated intensity changes with respect to an internal standard.


Providing destruction in games is usually achieved by having pre-calculated fracturingpoints, swapping models at appropriate times while hiding the crimes witha puff of smoke or an explosion. An area of continued research is procedural destructionwhere an object will fracture in a realistic way depending on appliedforces such as gravity, explosions or load.This thesis proposes and begins the implementation for a triangle based surfacerepresentation capable of supporting procedural destruction in real-time for anunderlying point-based simulation; deriving the methodology from the paper byM. Pauly et al [12].Too wide project scoping prevented the implementation from fully realising theinitial goals; where the surface and physics simulations was never married intoa single simulation. It is one half of a larger project on procedural destruction,focusing primarily on the surface representation where the second half is detailedin the report by C. Stegmayr [14].Even without a complete simulation, performance is an evidently limiting factor.For more detailed simulations, with a simple test mesh and a small step size whenpropagating a fracture, frame times quickly raise up to almost 247 ms/frame.There are multiple areas of improvement for the implementation to reduce frametimes; however, scalability and performance are still major points of concern dueto inherent challenges with running multiple fractures in parallel. Unless scalingcan be improved, it is worth pursuing alternative approaches.


The aim of this research project, towards the automation of the Hybrid Pipeline Robot (HPR), is the development of a control architecture and strategy, based on reconfiguration of the control strategy for speed-controlled pipeline operations and self-recovering action, while performing energy and time management.
The HPR is a turbine powered pipeline device where the flow energy is converted to mechanical energy for traction of the crawler vehicle. Thus, the device is flow dependent, compromising the autonomy, and the range of tasks it can perform.
The control strategy proposes pipeline operations supervised by a speed control, while optimizing the energy, solved as a multi-objective optimization problem. The states of robot cruising and self recovering, are controlled by solving a neuro-dynamic programming algorithm for energy and time optimization, The robust operation of the robot includes a self-recovering state either after completion of the mission, or as a result of failures leading to the loss of the robot inside the pipeline, and to guaranteeing the HPR autonomy and operations even under adverse pipeline conditions
 Two of the proposed models, system identification and tracking system, based on Artificial Neural Networks, have been simulated with trial data. Despite the satisfactory results, it is necessary to measure a full set of robot's parameters for simulating the complete control strategy. To solve the problem, an instrumentation system, consisting on a set of probes and a signal conditioning board, was designed and developed, customized for the HPR's mechanical and environmental constraints.
As a result, the contribution of this research project to the Hybrid Pipeline Robot is to add the capabilities of energy management, for improving the vehicle autonomy, increasing the distances the device can travel inside the pipelines; the speed control for broadening the range of operations; and the self-recovery capability for improving the reliability of the device in pipeline operations, lowering the risk of potential loss of the robot inside the pipeline, causing the degradation of pipeline performance. All that means the pipeline robot can target new market sectors that before were prohibitive.


The contemporary criminal justice system disposes of order-maintenance cases without much of any substantive litigation or public influence or oversight. Rather, these prosecutions are typically products of professional decision-making and are resolved by summary guilty pleas. This is no new insight. Indeed, a number of scholars have offered a range of reforms to address the perceived problems of assembly-line criminal justice. Inordinately, however, these adjudicative reforms tend to focus on the wrong question - the question of legal guilt. Instead, the issue with many order-maintenance prosecutions is not that the charges lack legal merit, but that the charges are equitably unfounded. Thus, the more appropriate focus of reform efforts is on the nontransparent discretionary charging decision. In this essay, which I prepared for a conference on community prosecution and defense, I propose a different kind of public participation in criminal justice. What I have in mind is a misdemeanor grand jury that would address only the normative - or extralegal - question of whether a public-order charge is equitably appropriate in the first instance. In offering this proposal, I do not claim that lay intuition is decidedly superior to professional perspective, only that some lay involvement is better than none when it comes to resolving equitable charging questions in normatively borderline cases. And, significantly, such a proposal is also consistent with the grand jury's traditional role as the robust, transparently democratic, and decidedly equitable voice of the people in the charging process. Of course, questions remain over how to structure an efficient lay equitable screen that minimizes dangers of arbitrary or discriminatory decision-making. However, the possibilities for effective reform at least deserve exploration, and that is all I intend to do here. In any event, I offer this rough-and-ready proposal not as a universal solution, but as a potentially attractive option for prosecution offices that are committed already to the community-justice enterprise.


Recent evaluations of traditional microloans have not found significant impacts on borrower production or incomes. We examine whether this can be remedied by delegating selection of borrowers for individual liability loans to local trader-lender agents incentivized by repayment-based commissions. In a field experiment in West Bengal this design (called TRAIL) was offered in randomly selected villages. In remaining villages five-member groups self-formed and applied for joint liability loans (called GBL) with otherwise similar terms. TRAIL loans increased production of potato (a leading cash crop) and farm incomes by 27-37%, whereas GBL loans had insignificant and highly dispersed effects. Both schemes achieved equally high repayment rates, while TRAIL loans had higher take-up rates and lower administrative costs. We argue the results can be partly explained by differences in selection patterns with respect to borrower risk and productivity characteristics.


Justin Langer is not just the greatest Australian first class run scorer in cricketing history--he overtook Don Bradman in 2009--but someone who writes and talks about the game with great insight, experience and wit. In this eagerly anticipated account, Langer looks back on the mateship, locker-room antics and on-field triumphs which made up his Australian Test career and his Somerset captaincy. Peer behind the scenes to relive the night the Australians soaked the English changing rooms at Lord's in beer, the midnight frolic around the SCG in their underpants and baggy green caps, and the Caribbean dinner which cost the Australian Cricket Board GBP10,000. What was it like to face the barrage of the West Indies and Pakistan attacks at their peak, who was the best bowler Langer ever faced and how did an Adelaide pool table help Shane Warne hone his flipper? Langer also expands on his infamous 2009 Ashes 'dossier' as he shares his thoughts on the current crop of English cricketers and his years in the UK. He writes with great humour and candour of his cricketing friends, foes and heroes and his career highs and lows, encompassing everything from Test centuries and Ashes tussles to a rather unfairly matched eating competition with Mike Gatting.


Gastric volvulus (GV) is rare in the pediatric age group. The presentation is varied, and surgery in the form of gastropexy is recommended. We examine the place of gastric fixation in the management of these patients. The authors retrospectively reviewed five cases of gastric volvulus treated at their institute and noted presenting symptoms and signs, studies performed, associated anomalies, surgery done, and outcome. All patients had associated diaphragmatic abnormalities. Two patients had acute volvulus; three had a chronic presentation. Chest X-ray and barium meal were diagnostic. All patients underwent surgical correction of the diaphragmatic anomaly with detorsion of the stomach. Gastropexy was done in only one patient. All patients recovered without any complications and have been well. GV must be suspected in the appropriate clinical setting; chest X-rays and barium meals are the best studies in suspected cases. Gastropexy or gastrostomy is not necessary for a successful outcome in secondary volvulus.


This article attempts to offer a response, from a general perspective, to the question of how culture reveals itself in the application of qualitative research methods in intercultural communication. When we use the term "culture" it is important to bear in mind that culturally attributed social interaction processes are themselves the result of socially constructed processes. They are part of an individual-collective dialectic with multiple potential meanings, which are emergent and in constant reformulation from a wide variety of social and cultural perspectives. Much of the recent research in intercultural communication has been directed towards the study of these systems of culturally related meanings. The literature we review offers perspectives from a variety of disciplines and insights into the role of culture in communication processes. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0901519


The terms 'unity', 'integration' and 'diversity' have multiple layers of meaning in the religious context. While religions emphasize unity and integrity, they also address the issues of diversity. When understood properly, unity does not mean uniformity and thus does not invite oppression and closure. By the same token, diversity does not mean chaos and lack of order. Both unity and diversity have a function within the larger context of things. But this context is not confined to the socio-political dimension alone. A broader understanding of these terms will help us understand the religious discourses of unity, diversity and integration. It will also lead to a more critical assessment of the Enlightenment and western modernity.


RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Adjuvant care for colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased over the past 3 decades in South Australia (SA) in accordance with national treatment guidelines. This study explores the (1) receipt of adjuvant therapy for CRC in SA as related to national guideline recommendations, with a focus on stage C colon and stage B and C rectal cancer; (2) timing of these adjuvant therapies in relation to surgery; and (3) comparative survival outcomes.

METHODS
Data from the SA Clinical Cancer Registry from 4 tertiary referral hospitals for 2000 to 2010 were examined. Patterns of care were compared with treatment guidelines using multivariable logistic regression. Disease-specific survivals were calculated by treatment pathway.

RESULTS
Four hundred forty-three (60%) patients with stage C colon cancer and 363 (46%) with stage B and C rectal cancer received guideline-recommended care. While an overall increase in proportion receiving adjuvant care was not evident across the study period, the proportion having neoadjuvant care increased substantially. Older age was an independent predictor of not receiving adjuvant care. Patients with stage C colon cancer who received recommended adjuvant care had a higher 5-year survival than those not receiving this care, ie, 71.2% vs 53.2%. Similarly adjuvant therapy was associated with better outcomes for stage C rectal cancers. The median time for receiving adjuvant care was 8 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS
Survival was better for stage C CRC treated according to guidelines. Adjuvant care should be provided except where clear contraindications present. Other possible contributors to guideline adherence warranting additional investigation include co-morbidity status, multidisciplinary team involvement, and choice.


How will doctors provide care for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK in future? Will they be hospital-based general physicians with a special interest in STIs participating in medical receiving or will they be in community settings overseeing multidisciplinary delivery of integrated sexual health? And what of HIV in-patient care? Will Genitourinary medicine (GUM) specialists continue to maintain responsibility for unwell patients? Or will GUM have disappeared having been absorbed into European Dermato-Venereology or dismantled by non-National Health Service care providers?

So far, GUM has an excellent record of keeping abreast with service redesign and external policy drivers. Postgraduate training is a key component of the specialty's ability to do so. A major update of the GUM specialty training curriculum was published in 2010.1 This incorporated significant expansion of competencies in HIV medicine, reproductive health, public health and management/leadership.2 The GUM curriculum mirrors the current role of the specialty by ensuring that doctors gain all competencies required by existing health services. The …


Conference Series LLC Ltd is organizing "7th International Conference on Rhinology & Otology" is going to be held in Tokyo, Japan during October 22-23, 2020. The theme of the conference is "Advanced Scientific Improvements in the Field of Rhinology and Otology". This event is being supported by global renowned scientists, researchers, decision makers and principal investigators. Otolaryngology 2020 is anticipating numerous participants from different parts of the world.


Interest in the use of mindfulness-based activities with children and youth is growing. The article evaluates empirical evidence related to the use of mindfulness-based activities to facilitate enhanced student learning and to support students' psychological, physiological, and social development. It also provides an overview of interventions that include mindfulness. There is a need to provide children with a way to combat the stress and pressure of living in today's highly charged world: mindfulness may be one helpful alternative. The implications of a universal school-based mindfulness intervention are discussed, and directions for future research are offered.