The accurate and efficient computation of the deformation of crystalline solids requires the coupling of atomistic models near lattice defects such as cracks and dislocations with coarse-grained models away from the defects. Quasicontinuum methods utilize a strain energy density derived from the Cauchy-Born rule for the coarse-grained model.
Several quasicontinuum methods have been proposed to couple the atomistic model with the Cauchy-Born strain energy density. The quasi-nonlocal coupling method is easy to implement and achieves a reasonably accurate coupling for short range interactions. In this paper, we give a new formulation of the quasi-nonlocal method in one space dimension that allows its extension to arbitrary finite range interactions. We also give an analysis of the stability and accuracy of a linearization of our generalized quasi-nonlocal method that holds for strains up to lattice instabilities.


The focus behaviors of electromagnetic wave through two-dimensional (2D) high-symmetry photonic quasicrystals (PQCs) have been investigated by using exact multi-scattering numerical simulation. We have found that the high-symmetry PQC flat lenses possess universal feature for non-near-field focus of two kinds of polarized waves. That is to say, the non-near-field focus for two kinds of polarized waves can be realized by using these flat lenses, which are consisting of 12-fold, 10-fold and 8-fold 2D PQCs with the same structures and parameters. Such a superior feature originates from higher rotational symmetry and negative refraction in the PQCs. Thus, potential applications of such a phenomenon to optical devices can be anticipated.


Background: Sarcopenia and obesity have a high prevalence in Mexico. Evidence suggests that there is an association between these disorders and clinically significant depressive symptoms.
Objective: The aim of the study is to provide the rate and association of depressive symptoms in subjects with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in elderly Mexican.
Methods: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from the FraDySMex study conducted in Mexico City (n=513). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the short version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies- Depression scale, and a cut-off point ≥ 5 indicated the presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms. A body mass index ≥ 30 defined obesity. Sarcopenia was assessed with the SARC-F questionnaire; a score ≥ 4 indicated the presence of sarcopenia. Sarcopenic obesity was defined as obesity along with sarcopenia. Two models were used to determine the association: one model assessed sarcopenia and depressive symptoms; the other one assessed them with sarcopenic obesity.
Results: The analysis included 513 subjects, and the mean age of the subjects was 71.7 ± 9.4; 80.1% were female. The prevalence of CSDS, sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity was 40.5%, 10% and 7.9%, respectively. Sarcopenia was associated with depressive symptoms (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.35–5.14, p=0.004), but sarcopenic obesity was not associated with them (OR 1.86, 95% CI 0.89–3.89, p=0.09).
Conclusion: Our study found that subjects with only sarcopenia were more likely to have depressive symptoms than subjects with sarcopenic obesity. However, properly prospective studies are needed to better understand this association.


Aptly entitled A School of Struggle, Vanessa Noble's book is a vital contribution to South Africa's burgeoning medical historiography and its niche lies in its focus on the apartheid era's University of Natal Medical School for black candidates. Although a few of South Africa's iconic teaching hospitals such as Groote Schuur (in Cape Town), and Baragwanath Hospital (in Johannesburg), have recently received book length analyses illuminating some of the issues covered in Noble's book, the rich and complex medical history of South Africa would be incomplete without a thorough analysis of the country's main producer of black medics during the apartheid era.


Abstract Gender quotas have shown themselves to be an effective means of getting more women into political office. Less clear is the broader effect of gender quotas on egalitarian attitudes. This article uses a cross-national dataset of 48 countries worldwide to examine the role of gender quotas in the generation of individual-level attitudes to women as political leaders. Firstly, gender quotas appear to improve perceptions of women's ability as political leaders in countries where they are present, having controlled for a range of individual-level and contextual influences. Second, this effect differs by sex. For women, the presence of gender quotas alone increases their support for women's political leadership, something theorised as a 'vote of confidence' effect. Thirdly, this effect is not dependent on the type of quota implemented and holds for quotas adopted voluntarily by political parties and those that are brought about via a broader legal change.


Three experiments were conducted in which adults practiced complex multiplication problems (e.g., 4 x 17). In Experiments 1 and 2, after practice participants completed a number-matching task in which two digits (cues) were followed by a single digit (probe) and had to determine whether the probe matched either of the cues. In simple arithmetic (e.g., 4 x 3), when the probe is the product of the cues (12), participants are slower/more error prone when determining whether there is a match. Results of Experiment 1 extended this effect to complex multiplication. In Experiment 2, participants practiced problems with the larger operand first (e.g., 17 x 4) or with the smaller operand first (e.g., 4 x 17). The number-matching interference effect from Experiment 1 was replicated, and was equal across the two groups whether cues were presented in their practiced or non-practiced order. Experiment 3 was conducted to determine if two additional simple multiplication effects, consistency and relatedness, could be documented for complex multiplication. After practice, in a verification task (4 x 13 = 56?) it was found that when presented answers shared a digit with the decade digit of the correct answer (consistency) or were a correct answer to another practiced problem (relatedness), participants rejected answers more slowly and/or less accurately. Together, findings from the three experiments support arithmetic models that posit that commuted pairs are not represented in long-term memory independently and that posit representations of two-digit multiplication answers are decomposed into decades and units during arithmetic processing.


The purpose of the study described in this paper was to investigate a master string teacher's teaching occurring in one-on-one, group and ensemble settings. This study used a tripartite structure as a framework to identify the master teacher's subject matter knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge that contribute to his teaching success. This study employed the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as the research methodology to explore a master string teacher who is one of the most renowned violinists and string pedagogues in Australia. The following question guided this study: What are the distinguishing features of the master teacher's one-on-one teaching, group teaching and ensemble directing? The findings of this research indicated that a teacher's teaching manner, instructional skill, leadership and teaching philosophy have powerful influence on students. The master teacher offers a model to assist other string teachers.


Abstract: Within this paper, a large number of uncommon perspectives for the analysis of contemporary societies will be introduced which run under the heading of a so-called "epigenetic research program". The main emphasis of the epigenetic program lies in a conscious attempt to shed fresh or innovative light on the co-evolution between "knowledge and society". More conventionally, the main focus of this perspective lies in basic innovation processes as well as in the "core dynamics" within socio-economic domains both nationally and globally. Among these innovative conceptual features, one will find unfamiliar notions like "Turing societies", "epigenetic regimes" or "four different layers of societal knowledge bases", or "societal substitution power". Moreover, one will be confronted with a wave of unusual assessments of risk potentials, risk-incidences as well as of the substitution and repair processes inherent in today's societal "fabric". Finally, one will find a comprehensive analysis of the so-called "year 2000-problem" which will be treated as a significant instance in a much wider class of "knowledge based risks" and, above all, of "knowledge based-failures".;


Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a routine procedure for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. However, its main limitation is late restenosis occurring at a 1-year rate of 6%-60%. Restenosis arises from injury to the arterial wall including overstretching, compression and rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque during balloon inflation. It is hypothesized that better long-term angioplasty results are observed if atherosclerotic plaques are removed rather than compressed and fractured. Laser angioplasty is one method to remove atherosclerotic plaques. We discuss the principles of lasers, physical properties of laser light, history of laser angioplasty and effects of laser radiation on tissues. Large clinical studies using laser angioplasty are critically assessed. In comparison to conventional PTA, there are some advantages of laser angioplasty: easier passage through chronic and calcified occlusions and according to some studies, better short- and medium-term results regarding limb salvage and management of in-stent restenoses. The main drawback of laser angioplasty is that current laser catheters are not able to create a sufficiently wide channel in the occlusion, meaning that adjunctive balloon dilatation is still required. Thus, long-term data may be misleading. Basic and applied research should continue to focus on enlargement of plaque ablation.


Background: Emergency neuroimaging of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with generalised new onset seizures (NOS) and a normal post-ictal neurological examination remains controversial, with the general impression being that emergency imaging is necessary because immunosuppression may blur clinical indicators of acute intracranial pathology. The objectives of our study were to establish whether cranial computed tomography (CT) affects the emergency management of HIV-positive patients with generalised NOS and a normal post-ictal neurological examination. Method: We conducted a prospective descriptive observational study. Consecutive HIVpositive patients of 18 years and older, who presented to the Kimberley Hospital Complex's Emergency Department within 24 hours of their first generalised seizures and who had undergone normal post-ictal neurological examinations, were included. Emergency CT results as well as CD4-count levels were evaluated. Results: A total of 25 HIV-positive patients were included in the study. The results of cranial CT brought about a change in emergency care management in 12% of patients, all of them with CD4 counts below 200 cells/mm 3 . Conclusion: We suggest that emergency cranial CT be performed on all HIV-positive patients presenting with generalised NOS and a normal post-ictal neurological examination, particularly if the CD4 count is below 200 cells/mm 3 . Keywords: HIV; Seizures; CT Brain


The subject of the research in this doctoral thesis has included
defining new methods of management and presentation of the
architectural heritage and the possibility of their application in
Serbia. The latest generation of immovable cultural heritage
management methods, is based on the modernized evaluation of
heritage and its role in urban development, in accordance with the
principles of sustainable development.
Previous analysis of the subject of research has shown that the
place and role of immovable cultural heritage in urban
development changed during the twentieth century, and especially
since its end until today, which deserves more detailed research of
change in resolving problems related to treatment of built heritage.
Along with the adoption of the concept of sustainable
development in the 1980s, the process of reviewing of decision
making process on architectural heritage and its economic role in
the development of urban areas began. In the first decade of the
XXI century, this discourse has led to the development of new
methods for the management of cultural heritage, taking into
account not only cultural but also economic value of heritage.
During the same period, presentation of cultural heritage has been
continuously upgraded. The presentation, which serves experts to
denoting of carefully planned content, is in interdependence with
the interpretation, which undermines a set of activities aimed at
increasing the understanding and knowledge about cultural
heritage. The research topic of this thesis has included spatial
problems of presentation and interpretation of architectural
heritage, particularly archaeological sites, and other,
predominantly urban and architectural, aspects of the problem. In
the next step, the possibilities of application of modern models of
representation of architectural heritage in the urban area,
integrated into new models of governance, in Serbia, have been
researched.
The applicability of the method is validated through governance
models and presentations of architectural heritage in the urban
area of Nis, which is characterized by a rich archaeological
heritage from prehistory, antiquity and the Middle Ages. Due to
the continuous development of settlements from prehistoric times
to the present, a large part of the archaeological heritage is trapped
beneath the modern city, which has a significant influence on
urban development and prerequisites change of existing
conservation strategy of immovable cultural heritage.


Classification is a constitutive part in many different fields of Computer Science. There exist several approaches that capture and manipulate classification information in order to construct a specific classification model. These approaches are often tightly coupled to certain learning strategies, special data structures for capturing the models, and to how common problems, e.g. fragmentation, replication and model overfitting, are addressed. In order to unify these different classification approaches, we define a Decision Algebra which defines models for classification as higher order decision functions abstracting from their implementations using decision trees (or similar), decision rules, decision tables, etc. Decision Algebra defines operations for learning, applying, storing, merging, approximating, and manipulating models for classification, along with some general algebraic laws regardless of the implementation used. The Decision Algebra abstraction has several advantages. First, several useful Decision Algebra operations (e.g., learning and deciding) can be derived based on the implementation of a few core operations (including merging and approximating). Second, applications using classification can be defined regardless of the different approaches. Third, certain properties of Decision Algebra operations can be proved regardless of the actual implementation. For instance, we show that the merger of a series of probably accurate decision functions is even more accurate, which can be exploited for efficient and general online learning. As a proof of the Decision Algebra concept, we compare decision trees with decision graphs, an efficient implementation of the Decision Algebra core operations, which capture classification models in a non-redundant way. Compared to classical decision tree implementations, decision graphs are 20% faster in learning and classification without accuracy loss and reduce memory consumption by 44%. This is the result of experiments on a number of standard benchmark data sets comparing accuracy, access time, and size of decision graphs and trees as constructed by the standard C4.5 algorithm. Finally, in order to test our hypothesis about increased accuracy when merging decision functions, we merged a series of decision graphs constructed over the data sets. The result shows that on each step the accuracy of the merged decision graph increases with the final accuracy growth of up to 16%.


This paper was read in November, 1967, at a Study Day, the subject of which was "Delinquency" held under the auspices of The Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists, in Glasgow. Reference Manley, I. D. (2010). Delinquency in children and the method of treatment in the psychiatric unit. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57(2), 72-76. (Original work published in 1967). The children treated at Ladyfield are of primary school age. Two-thirds of them are of average intelligence and one-third be1ong to the educationally sub-normal group. These children suffer from a variety of emotional and psychiatric disorders, psychoses, neurotic disorders, organic brain damage or disease, reactive behaviour disturbances, epilepsy, psychosomatic and personality disorders. Of the children who come to Ladyfield, only a relatively small proportion, not more than one-third, are delinquent or likely to be delinquent. There are no exact figures for the relationship of delinquency to psychiatric disorder in primary school children, but from statistics of adult person populations and those of approved schools, which show remarkable agreement, it is reasonable to assume that about 25% of delinquent children of primary school age have obvious psychiatric disturbance. These are children in whom delinquency has been evident when they were very young, from six to nine years of age, obviously too young to go to an approved school or when in older children the delinquency forms part of a severe behaviour disorder with obvious emotional disturbances. It is therefore a selected group and the treatment offered is an attempt to meet the need of these children. The children who have been diagnosed as behavioural disorders often come from deprived and disturbed backgrounds. They have deep seated mal-adaptive patterns of behaviour and present problems of stealing, truanting from school, running away from home, telling lies, larceny, house breaking, and excessive aggressiveness and destructiveness. Their relationships with people within their own family group, their neighbourhood, and their school are distrustful and actively hostile. They appear to have little capacity for learning from past experiences and for modifying their behaviour to avoid foreseeable pitfalls. They often come to us with a description of having little or no capacity for affection and a lack of trust in people, particularly adults, and they are not influenced in their behaviour by the possibility of pleasing them. The 56 residents in The Children's Unit, together with about 10 day pupils are divided between three houses, near to each other, with extensive grounds. The hospital staff consists of doctors, nurses, psychologists, psychiatric social workers and two occupational therapists. The school is staffed by teachers supplied by the local education authority. The life of the children is very like that of any residential school. They go home for holidays and wherever possible for weekends. A constant interaction between the family and the unit is maintained by the social workers and doctors. The nurses are responsible for the day to day care of the children, and a great deal of re-education in terms of upbringing. The individual therapy is shared by the doctors, psychologists and occupational therapists, and the occupational therapists are entirely responsible for the group therapy. It is this aspect of the treatment which I wish to describe. GROUP THERAPY Group therapy in Ladyfield is based on the saying, "Two's company and three's a crowd". The children are perhaps the most disturbed in Scotland and to meet their needs the group is kept small. It is in part a very natural setting and the closest the child gets to the family situation within the residential unit. The main objectives in group therapy are: 1. To give the child an opportunity to form a close and meaningful relationship with another child and an adult. …


Psychology graduate student training in developmental disability has received very little attention in North America, and no study has examined the state of training for clinical and counselling psychologists in Canada, despite their involvement in the controlled act of diagnosis and their use of standardised instruments used regularly with this population. This study sought to examine psychology graduate student training in the area of developmental disability across Canada. We invited students from every Canadian Psychological Association accredited Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, and Counselling Psychology program to participate in an online survey, distributed through university email lists. Three hundred and three students reported on the developmental disability content within their training and coursework, their perception of the adequacy of that content, and their ideas for program improvement. Results indicated that the majority of students believed it important to have training in developmental disability, yet struggled to obtain adequate didactic and experiential opportunities. The lack of sufficient training was most pronounced for students whose training was adult-focused, but was also high for students with a life span or child focus. We discuss different possibilities for increasing developmental disability training opportunities, including integrating its content within courses on assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, and ethics, and providing students with supervision from psychologists who work with this population. Keywords: graduate training, clinical psychology, developmental disability, intellectual disability Much attention has been paid to diversity training in clinical and counselling psychology programs, which includes training psychologists to work with "people with handicapping conditions; of differing ages, genders, ethnic and racial backgrounds, religions, and lifestyles; and from differing social and individual backgrounds (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1979, pp. 4, as cited in Harris-Bluestone, Stokes, & Kuba, 1996)." Authors have discussed the need for diversity training in psychology with regard to sexual orientation, urban versus rural settings, age, and cultural background (Alderson, 2004; Brooks, Mintz, & Dobson, 2004; Dana, Aguilar-Kitibutr, Diaz- Vivar, & Vetter, 2002; Fouad, 2006; Harowski, Turner, Le Vine, Schank, & Leichter, 2006; Hertzsprung & Dobson, 2000; Zweig, Siegel, & Sunder, 2006). The importance of diversity training is underscored by its required presence in the Canadian Psychological Association Accreditation Standards (Standard IHVIV, CPA, 2002) and American Psychological Association Accreditation Domains (Domain D, APA, 2009). However, these standards do not explicitly indicate that training in developmental disability (DD) is required. This is in sharp contrast to training in the U.K., where each doctoral student in clinical psychology completes a 6-month placement in a DD community team (British Psychological Society, 2005). To our knowledge, only one article exists with regard to graduate student training in DD, which was from the perspective of professional paediatric psychologists (La Greca, Stone, Drotar, & Maddux, 1988). The global definition of developmental disability that we adopted for this project is that put forth by a Canadian national coalition of service providers, advocates, and researchers, which notes that: "Children, youth and adults who have significantly greater difficulty than most people with intellectual and adaptive functioning and have had such difficulties from a very early age (or the developmental period prior to age 10). Adaptive functioning means carrying out everyday activities such as communication and interacting with others, managing money, doing household activities and attending to personal care. This definition of developmental disability also includes children, youth and adults with developmental disorders such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or Autism Spectrum Disorders. …


Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM) is the fastest possible method of imaging the molecular orbitals of the C[subscript]60 anions with resolution at the single atom level. For the particular anions of fullerene C[subscript]60, the splitting of the molecular orbitals due to the internal Jahn-Teller effects (JT) add further difficulties in understanding the published experimental images. In the current work, the effect of JT interaction on STM recorded images is studied. For higher charged states, the Coulomb interaction affects the distribution of electrons around the ion, and then as a consequence, the STM current. The external interaction between the molecule and the surface substrate is equally important. Symmetry analysis using group theory and Huckel molecular orbital (HMO) theory are applied in order to describe the influence of the surface interactions on JT minima associated with D[subscript]3d, D[subscript]5d, D[subscript]2h, and C[subscript]2h symmetries. It represents some fullerene anions, which are adsorbed to the surface with different orientations, such as pentagon, hexagon, and double-bond prone toward the surface. Several ions with higher charges are investigated, such as C2−60, C3−60, and C4−60. In case of high symmetry orientations, the JT minima of the ions on a surface are split into subgroups with equal energies, depending on the type of orientation. The interpretation of the experimental observations is always possible for any orientation from the JT minima distribution and the contribution to the images from different components of the degenerate molecular orbitals.


Context: Despite a high number of unwanted pregnancies in Kenya, contraceptive use among adolescents is very low. Establishing the nature of sexuality discussions is critical to determine perceptions and barriers affecting contraceptive use among adolescents. Methods: The study used systematic random sampling to collect data to examine sexuality information and knowledge that affect perception and barriers on contra-ceptive use among 1119 adolescents aged 15 - 19 years in Nairobi. The survey was conducted using the 2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey enumeration areas and projections based on the 1999 population census. Data were collected using structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) among adolescents, parents and teachers. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software while qualitative information was analyzed using iT Atlas. Results: Although teachers were identified as a primary source of sexuality information, they were poorly prepared to teach the subject. While the study found negative perceptions on sexuality education, most FGDs and IDIs supported the need for its integration in the school curriculum. Most adolescents who used con- traceptives had perceptions that their parents approved. Source of sexuality information, living arrangement and perceptions on contraceptives for unmarried adolescents were statistically associated with contraceptive use. Conclusion: The study showed that sexuality information from parents and teachers was biased against adolescents using contraceptives. There is need to address attitudes in discussing contraceptive use for adolescents by parents and teachers to enhance positive perceptions and increase contraceptive use by adolescents.


Melody of a music have a facilitative effect on memory. The aim of this study is to investigate the cause of this phenomenon by using three experiment settings. The Ss heard 19 words sung with a well-known melody, with an unknown melody and without any melody but in the form of chunks. The results show that recall is better when the same text is listened without any melody both in serial and free recall. Both of the serial and free recall are also better when the same text is listened with a known melody than when listened with an unknown melody. However, the statistical analysis shows that there is no significant difference between the known and unknown melody. These results show that melody of a music can have a distracting effect on recall and the constructive effect of music on recall is mainly due to its ability in chunking the words with its rhythmic structure.


Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are a compelling way to introduce K-12 students to AI education using an artistic medium, and hence have drawn attention from K-12 AI educators. Previous Creative AI curricula mainly focus on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) while paying less attention to Autoregressive Models, Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), or other generative models, which have since become common in the field of generative AI. VAEs' latent-space structure and interpolation ability could effectively ground the interdisciplinary learning of AI, creative arts, and philosophy. Thus, we designed a lesson to teach high school students about VAEs. We developed a web-based game and used Plato's cave, a philosophical metaphor, to introduce how VAEs work. We used a Google Colab notebook for students to re-train VAEs with their hand-written digits to consolidate their understandings. Finally, we guided the exploration of creative VAE tools such as SketchRNN and MusicVAE to draw the connection between what they learned and real-world applications. This paper describes the lesson design and shares insights from the pilot studies with 22 students. We found that our approach was effective in teaching students about a novel AI concept.


A key issue in cooperative game theory is coalitional stability, usually captured by the notion of the core---the set of outcomes that are resistant to group deviations. However, some coalitional games have empty cores, and any outcome in such a game is unstable. We investigate the possibility of stabilizing a coalitional game by using subsidies. We consider scenarios where an external party that is interested in having the players work together offers a supplemental payment to the grand coalition, or, more generally, a particular coalition structure. This payment is conditional on players not deviating from this coalition structure, and may be divided among the players in any way they wish. We define the cost of stability as the minimum external payment that stabilizes the game. We provide tight bounds on the cost of stability, both for games where the coalitional values are nonnegative (profit-sharing games) and for games where the coalitional values are nonpositive (cost-sharing games), under natural assumptions on the characteristic function, such as superadditivity, anonymity, or both. We also investigate the relationship between the cost of stability and several variants of the least core. Finally, we study the computational complexity of problems related to the cost of stability, with a focus on weighted voting games.


Debugging is an important and critical phase during the software development process. Software debugging is serious and tough practice involved in functional base test driven development. Software vendors encourages their programmers to practice test driven development during the initial development phases to capture the bug traces and the associated code coverage infected from diagnosed bugs. Application's source code with fewer threats of bug existence or faulty executions is assumed as highly efficient and stable especially when real time software products are in consideration. Due to the fact that process of development of software projects relies on great number of users and testers which required having an effective fault localization technique. This specific fault localization technique can highlight the most critical areas of software system at code as well as modular level so that debugging algorithm can be used to debug the application source code. Nowadays many complex or simple software systems are in corporation with open bug repositories to localize the bugs. Any inconsistency or imperfection in early development phase of software product results in low efficient system and less reliability. Statistical debugging of program source code for visualization of fault is an important and efficient way to select and rank the suspicious lines of code. This research provides guidelines for practicing statistical debugging technique for programs coded in Ruby programming language. This thesis presents statistical debugging techniques available for dynamic programming languages. Firstly, the statistical debugging techniques were thoroughly observed with different predicate base approaches followed in previous work done in the subject area. Secondly, the new process of statistical debugging for programs coded in Ruby programming language is introduced by generating dynamic predicates. Results were analyzed by implementing multiple programs written in Ruby programming language with different complexity level. The analysis of experimentation performed on candidate programs depict that SOBER is more efficient and accurate in bug identification than Cause Isolation Scheme. It is concluded that despite of extensive research in the field of statistical debugging and fault localization it is not possible to identify majority of the bugs. Moreover SOBER and Cause Isolation Scheme algorithms are found to be two most mature and effective statistical debugging algorithms for bug identification with in software source code.


RETRACTION TO : Yanmi, A. (2019). Improved thematic learning outcomes used the STAD type cooperative model. Jurnal Konseling dan Pendidikan, 7 (1). doi: https://doi.org/10.29210/128600 This article has been retracted by Publisher based on the following reason : The Editor of JKP: Jurnal Konseling dan Pendidikan found the double publication in the article publishing due to article's content similarity published in  http://journal-litbang-rekarta.co.id/index.php/jartika/article/view/21. Yanmi, A. C. (2019). Peningkatan hasil belajar tematik menggunakan model kooperatif STAD peserta didik kelas 1 SD. Jurnal Riset Teknologi dan Inovasi Pendidikan , 2 (1), 38-44. One of the conditions of submission of paper for publication in this journal is that authors declare explicitly that their work is original and has not appeared in a publication elsewhere. Re-use of any data should be appropriately cited. As such this article represents a severe abuse of the scientific publishing system. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter and apologies are offered to readers of the journal that this was not detected during the submission process


We might hope that when faced with unexpected inputs, well-designed software systems would fire off warnings. Machine learning (ML) systems, however, which depend strongly on properties of their inputs (e.g. the i.i.d. assumption), tend to fail silently. This paper explores the problem of building ML systems that fail loudly, investigating methods for detecting dataset shift, identifying exemplars that most typify the shift, and quantifying shift malignancy. We focus on several datasets and various perturbations to both covariates and label distributions with varying magnitudes and fractions of data affected. Interestingly, we show that across the dataset shifts that we explore, a two-sample-testing-based approach, using pre-trained classifiers for dimensionality reduction, performs best. Moreover, we demonstrate that domain-discriminating approaches tend to be helpful for characterizing shifts qualitatively and determining if they are harmful.


There are several good reasons to use a framework when you are developing a new web application. We often here that: *** frameworks use known patterns that result in an easily extendable architecture *** frameworks result in loose couplings between different modules in the application *** frameworks allow developer to concentrate on business logic instead of reinventing wheels that is already reinvented several times *** frameworks are often thoroughly tested and contains less bugs than custom solutions But security is rarely mentioned in this setting. Our main motivation in this thesis is therefore to discuss what three popular web application frameworks do to improve the overall security level. In this thesis we have chosen to research Spring, Struts and JSF. We use them to develop small applications and test whether they are vulnerable to different types of attacks or not. We focus on attacks involving metacharacters such that SQL-injection and cross-site scripting, but also security pitfalls connected to access control and error handling. We have found out that all three frameworks do implement some metacharacter handling. Since Spring tries to fill the role of a full-stack application framework, it provides some SQL metacharacter handling to avoid SQL-injections, but we have identified some implementation weaknesses that may lead to vulnerabilities. Cross-site scripting problems are handled in both Spring, Struts, and JSF by HTML-encoding as long as custom RenderKits are not introduced in JSF. When it comes to access control, the framework support is somewhat limited. They do support a role-based access control model, but this is not sufficient in applications where domain object access is connected to users rather than roles. To improve the access control in Struts applications, we provide an overall access control design that is based on aspect-oriented programming and integrates with standard Struts config files. Hopefully, this design is generic enough to suit several application's needs, but also useable to developers such that it results in a more secure access control containing less bugs than custom solutions.


This thesis is based on work done in two different experimental projects. The first project, the Tau RICH, is a previously proposed τ-neutrino appearance experiment for the CERN neutrino beam at the Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy. The proposed experimental concept is based on the use of focusing RICH detectors with liquid radiator (C6F14). Simulations made with a Geant4 code show that in the proposed experimental set-up, Cherenkov light from delta electrons will constitute a severe background that in practice would render the experiment unfeasible.The second project, ATLAS, is a general purpose detector at the CERN 14 TeV proton-proton collider LHC which will start operation in 2007. To make the reconstruction and selection of the events in ATLAS more accurate, complete and up-to-date information on the interaction of the produced particles with the detector is needed. A service program code, the Material Integration Service (MIS), has been developed which makes use of the detector descriptions already available in a Geant4 code and which uses a novel algorithm, based on line integrals evaluated within small volume elements that build up the detector. This code is demonstrated to constitute a practically useful tool of satisfactory performance and accuracy.The charged Higgs boson production in the gluon-bottom quark mode, gb → tH±, followed by charged Higgs decays into a chargino and a neutralino, is studied for a specific choice of values for the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) parameters. It is shown, using a Monte Carlo code to simulate the ATLAS detector and the assumed MSSM physics model, that for an integrated luminosity of 300 fb-1, in the intermediate region 4 < tanβ < 10 where H± decays to SM particles cannot be used for H± discovery, charged Higgs decays to non-SM particles can be used for Higgs discovery at the 5 σ significance level.


Over the past few decades, parental choice has exploded in the United States. Yet, despite early proponents' hopes that parental choice would eliminate the need to regulate school quality—since parents' choices would serve an accountability function—demands to use the law to hold chosen schools accountable for their academic performance are central features of education-reform debates today. This is an opportune time to consider the issue of academic accountability and parental choice. Parental choice has gained a firm foothold in the American educational landscape. As it continues to expand, debates about accountability for chosen schools will only intensify. The questions of whether, when, and how the law ought to regulate the quality of the schools participating in parental-choice programs are important and vexing ones for the law of education. This Article examines these questions and proposes principles to guide regulatory design efforts.


Memristive devices generally consist of metal oxide elements with specific structure and chemical composition, which are crucial to obtain the required variability in resistance. This makes the control of oxide properties vital. While CMOS compatible production technologies for metal oxides deposition generally involve physical or chemical deposition pathways, we here describe the possibility of using an electrochemical technique, anodic oxidation, as an alternative route to produce memristive oxides. In fact, anodiza tion allows to form a very large range of oxides on the surface of valve metals, such as titanium, hafnium, niobium and tantalum, whose thickness, structure and functional properties depend on process parameters imposed. These oxides may be of interest to build neural networks based on memristive elements produced by anodic oxidation.


Purpose of the paper : This case study offers information on Brainport region Eindhoven (Brainport) in the Netherlands by explaining the cooperation between companies, government and knowledge institutes. Methodology : Focusing on the importance of the High Tech Systems & Materials sector, including a strong Lifetec cluster. The presence of powerful major companies like ASML, DAF, Philips, Oce, DSM, NXP and VDL is unique, as is the related extensive network of high-tech SMEs suppliers (the high tech open supply chain Brainport Industries) and an internationally renowned Design cluster. Findings : Including graphs supporting the claim that Brainport is a top technology region of European and global status and the cornerstone of the Dutch economy. Research Limits : The qualitative variables data collected are offered by EUROSTAT, CBS, and Dutch high tech companies. To avoid complexity for the reader, no other qualitative variables were included on Dutch national numbers. Practical implication : The case study shows that the strongest asset of Brainport is cooperation among industrial champions, market and technology leaders (or the market and technology leaders?), sustained by the government. These form a winning team through cooperation, with new governance as its starting point. Companies and knowledge institutes cooperate to create and make the technology of tomorrow and to help make the Netherlands a safe and sustainable place to live and remain economically prosperous. Originality of the paper : This case study is based on the knowledge of five years working in the Brainport region in various roles and on publications, research, interviews and stories of many business and governmental leaders in the Brainport region. The story offered in this case study should be seen as a wonderful joint effort between companies, government and knowledge institutes


Abstract Readjusting to society after a prolonged period of detention is fraught with emotional and practical challenges. When recently released prisoners convicted of terrorism offenses focus on rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and engaging with community members they may be less likely to resume the subversive behavior that put them behind bars. With this in mind, the Indonesian government attempts to facilitate the reintegration of former extremist inmates, primarily through entrepreneurial development initiatives. The government's general approach holds promise but suffers from insufficient planning and human resource constraints. Greater involvement from local authorities and civil society would provide opportunities for more consistent engagement and a stronger chance of successful reintegration outcomes.


Shave and punch biopsies are essential procedures for physicians who manage skin conditions. These office-based procedures can diagnose questionable dermatologic lesions, including possible malignancies. Approaches include the superficial shave biopsy, saucerization excision, punch biopsy, and elliptical excision. A superficial shave biopsy can be used for raised lesions. A saucerization biopsy may be performed for flat or pigmented lesions. Punch biopsies yield full-thickness samples and can be used for lesions that require dermal or subcutaneous tissue for diagnosis. Indications for biopsy of suspected melanoma remain controversial. Sufficient tissue may be obtained with the quicker, less costly saucerization biopsy or the more time-consuming, invasive elliptical excisional biopsy.


Sweden has a long tradition of labour market policies explicitly targeting job seekers with disabilities, ranging from in-work aids to subsidized employments, aiming at strengthening their position at the labour market. To ascertain that these programs are limited to the needy they are constrained to those job seekers that are classified as occu-pationally disabled by the Public Employment Service. In this study we have investi-gated the determinants of being classified as occupationally disabled by the PES. Simi-lar to the studies on disability retirement and self-reported disability we find that men were more likely to be classified as disabled and also that higher age and various meas-ures of socio-economic disadvantages were associated with a higher likelihood. Rather naturally, also all measures indicating poor health were associated with an increased likelihood of being classified as occupationally disabled. A final point is that over the time period under study it became increasingly likely to be classified as occupationally disabled and especially to receive a code related to mental, socio-medical, and learning disabilities.


This action research project explores the impact of introducing student peer mentoring on the culture of learning in universities in Pakistan. Student peer mentoring is widely used in developed countries to enhance professional student support and help bridge the gap between learners and the university. This research investigates whether peer mentoring could be adapted to the culturally different context of Pakistan where no universities had previously introduced mentoring schemes for their students. Students at universities in Pakistan face many barriers to their optimal learning. Teaching is predominantly teacher-led, and students have high contact hours, but there is minimal student support compared to that provided in universities in developed countries. State universities struggle to meet basic curriculum requirements within their budgets and funds are not available for the provision of extensive student support. For this project, I designed a framework of structured student peer mentoring and introduced it, for the first time in Pakistan, into two universities in Lahore. This was intended as low cost and light-touch support to supplement existing student support services. The project involved training senior student volunteers to mentor new/junior students for one academic year. The process was monitored and evaluated to measure impact on students' learning and other aspects of their experience. The responses of participating students, lecturers and senior staff in the two universities demonstrated a range of benefits for students including increased academic and personal confidence, improved employability and a strengthened sense of belonging to a learning community. The findings indicate that such schemes could be introduced more widely in Pakistan to develop students' ownership of their learning, to effect a transformation of cultures of learning in universities and improve student engagement. The project demonstrated that student peer mentoring could be effectively adapted for Pakistan's universities. The thesis develops a new theoretical model for understanding mentoring in higher education, arguing that the mentor-mentee relationship provides culturally specific scaffolding through which the mentee becomes an effective learner within the university's culture of learning.


The British and the Danes are equally sceptical in their approach to the European Union. Around half the population of each country is opposed to the closer integration of EU member states. Given that, one would expect British and Danish newspaper coverage of EU events also to be broadly similar. This is, however, not the case. While the UK newspapers take a line that is overwhelmingly Euro-sceptic, the Danish newspapers are almost all pro-European. At the same time, there are differences in reporting approaches and styles in that, although the Danish papers clearly express their Euro-friendly stances in, for example, leader column-c, they nevertheless cover all sides of the debate, and tend to be even-handed in their news reports. This is frequently not the case in their British counterparts. Furthermore, while the UK newspapers tend to report EU news primarily from a domestic standpoint, their Danish counterparts take a more 'international' approach and are more inclined to relate reports to a wider European context. This thesis demonstrates that these dissimilarities are the result of differences in the UK and Denmark in the areas of influence that affect the way journalists choose and handle news stories. These areas of influence, as defined by Paul Voakes, are: individual; small group; orgamsation; competition; occupation; the law; and extra media. Overall, this thesis argues that the effects of these differences are to produce EU coverage in the UK newspaper press that is significantly more unbalanced, distorted and nationalistic than it is in its Danish counterpart and that such skewed reporting is often the result of a conscious abandonment the British press of standard practices for the achievement of a 'fair' and 'accurate'
representation of news events.


It is often said that students' effective learning cannot be acquired through classrooms activities alone, they refer to school library information resources to complement what they have been taught. In view of the foregoing, this study examines students' perceived influence of library services in secondary schools in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study population consists of 27,883 students in secondary schools (public and private). Multistage and systematic random sampling techniques were used to select 378 students across the 16 local governments drawn from the three senatorial districts that formed the state. An instrument titled "School Library Questionnaire (SLQ)" was used to collect relevant information from the respondents. Data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Partial Least Square (PLS) softwares. Findings of the study revealed that availability of library services positively influenced students' academic success. Findings established factors that hamper provision of library services, which include shortage of relevant materials, lack of facilities (such as internet, desktop computer and printer), lack of chairs and sitting facilities, and inadequate library personnel. The study concludes that library services remain an indispensable services that are needed to improve students' academic ability and that adequate library facilities, such as procurement of current library materials, availability of chairs and tables, desktop computers and internet, should be provided to ensure a comprehensive provision of library services to students and other library users.


Analysis of the causes of train accidents is critical for rational allocation of resources to reduce accident occurrence in the most cost-effective manner possible. Train derailment data from the FRA rail equipment accident database for the interval 2001 to 2010 were analyzed for each track type, with accounting for frequency of occurrence by cause and number of cars derailed. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine the effects of accident cause, type of track, and derailment speed. The analysis showed that broken rails or welds were the leading derailment cause on main, yard, and siding tracks. By contrast to accident causes on main tracks, bearing failures and broken wheels were not among the top accident causes on yard or siding tracks. Instead, human factor–related causes such as improper use of switches and violation of switching rules were more prevalent. In all speed ranges, broken rails or welds were the leading cause of derailments; however, the relative frequency of the next most common accident types differed substantially for lower-versus higher-speed derailments. In general, at derailment speeds below 10 mph, certain track and human factor causes—such as improper train handling, braking operations, and improper use of switches—dominated. At derailment speeds above 25 mph, those causes were nearly absent and were replaced by equipment causes, such as bearing failure, broken wheel, and axle and journal defects. These results represent the first step in a systematic process of quantitative risk analysis of railroad freight train safety, with an ultimate objective of optimizing safety improvement and more cost-effective risk management.


We compared stable isotopes of water in plant stem (xylem) water and soil collected over a complete growing season from five well‐known long‐term study sites in northern/cold regions. These spanned a decreasing temperature gradient from Bruntland Burn (Scotland), Dorset (Canadian Shield), Dry Creek (USA), Krycklan (Sweden), to Wolf Creek (northern Canada). Xylem water was isotopically depleted compared to soil waters, most notably for deuterium. The degree to which potential soil water sources could explain the isotopic composition of xylem water was assessed quantitatively using overlapping polygons to enclose respective data sets when plotted in dual isotope space. At most sites isotopes in xylem water from angiosperms showed a strong overlap with soil water; this was not the case for gymnosperms. In most cases, xylem water composition on a given sampling day could be better explained if soil water composition was considered over longer antecedent periods spanning many months. Xylem water at most sites was usually most dissimilar to soil water in drier summer months, although sites differed in the sequence of change. Open questions remain on why a significant proportion of isotopically depleted water in plant xylem cannot be explained by soil water sources, particularly for gymnosperms. It is recommended that future research focuses on the potential for fractionation to affect water uptake at the soil‐root interface, both through effects of exchange between the vapour and liquid phases of soil water and the effects of mycorrhizal interactions. Additionally, in cold regions, evaporation and diffusion of xylem water in winter may be an important process.


The spillover mechanism of molecular hydrogen on carbon nanotubes in the presence of catalytically active platinum clusters was critically and systematically investigated by using density-functional theory. Our simulation model includes a Pt4 cluster for the catalyst nanoparticle and curved and planar circumcoronene for two exemplary single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT), the (10,10) CNT and one of large diameter, respectively. Our results show that the H2 molecule dissociates spontaneously on the Pt4 cluster. However, the dissociated H atoms have to overcome a barrier of more than 2 eV to migrate from the catalyst to the CNT, even if the Pt4 cluster is at full saturation with six adsorbed and dissociated hydrogen molecules. Previous investigations have shown that the mobility of hydrogen atoms on the CNT surface is hindered by a barrier. We find that instead the Pt4 catalyst may move along the outer surface of the CNT with activation energy of only 0.16 eV, and that this effect offers the possibility of full hydrogenation of the CNT. Thus, although we have not found a low-energy pathway to spillover onto the CNT, we suggest, based on our calculations and calculated data reported in the literature, that in the hydrogen-spillover process the observed saturation of the CNT at hydrogen background pressure occurs through mobile Pt nanoclusters, which move on the substrate more easily than the substrate-chemisorbed hydrogens, and deposit or reattach hydrogens in the process. Initial hydrogenation of the carbon substrate, however, is thermodynamically unfavoured, suggesting that defects should play a significant role.


Abstract Surface engineering of Zr51.3Al8.5Cu31.3Ni4Ti4.9 bulk metallic glass (BMG) by gaseous oxidizing below the glass-transition temperature is investigated as a means to introduce compressive residual stress in the surface region. The ZrCuAl-based BMG was exposed to an extremely low oxygen partial pressure of 10−41 bar at 600 K for 60 h. The oxidizing treatment led to the formation of an internal oxidation zone, consisting of finely dispersed nano-crystalline cubic ZrO2 (c-ZrO2), metallic regions inclined with the surface and Cu-hillocks at the surface. The stresses introduced by the volume expansion associated with oxidation were evaluated from i) the lattice strains within c-ZrO2, as determined with an X-ray diffraction (XRD) based method, and ii) strain-relaxation as a response to annular focused ion beam (FIB) milling, as monitored with digital image correlation (DIC). XRD analysis yielded -1.5 GPa (compressive stress) in the nano-crystalline c-ZrO2, while the strain relaxation monitored with FIB-DIC analysis indicated compressive residual stresses of −1.4 GPa in the internal oxidation zone. The strains and stresses determined with the independent measurement methods are discussed. The quantitative macro-strains are discussed in relation to the microstructural features and stress relaxation mechanisms during evolution of the internal oxidation zone.


Background: Experimental studies indicate that greater skeletal muscle protein breakdown is a trigger for the cachexia that often is prevalent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective: We compared myofibrillar protein breakdown (MPB) with whole-body (WB) protein breakdown (PB) in 9 cachectic COPD patients [x ± SEM forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1): 48 ± 4% of predicted], 7 non-cachectic COPD patients (FEV1: 53 ± 5% of predicted) and 7 age-matched healthy control subjects, who were matched by body mass index with the noncachectic patients. Design: After the subjects fasted overnight (10 h) and discontinued the maintenance medication, a primed constant continuous infusion protocol was used to infuse L-[ring-H5]-phenylalanine and L-[ringH2]-tyrosine to measure WB protein turnover and L-[ H3]-3-methylhistidine to measure WB MPB. Three arterialized venous blood samples were taken between 80 and 90 min of infusion to measure amino acid concentrations and tracer enrichments. Results: Body composition, WB protein turnover and WB MPB did not differ significantly between the noncachectic COPD and control subjects. Cachectic COPD patients had lower fat mass and fat-free mass values (both: P < 0.01) than did the noncachectic COPD patients. WB MPB was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the cachectic COPD group (18 ± 3 nmol·kg·min) than in the combined control and noncachectic COPD groups (10 ± 1 nmol·kg·min), but WB protein turnover did not differ significantly between the groups. Correlation with fat-free mass were significant (P < 0.05) for plasma glutamate and branched-chain amino acids, and that for WB MPB trended toward significance (P = 0.07). Conclusion: Cachexia in clinically stable patients with moderate COPD is characterized by increased WB MPB, which indicates that myofibrillar protein wasting is an important target for nutritional and pharmacological modulation.


Preparation of fungi for DNA extraction typically involves growing cultures in liquid culture in Erlenmeyer flasks, Roux bottles or even microfuge tubes (Cenis 1992 Nucl. Acids Res. 20:2380). Growing fungal cultures in liquid may require formulating new media or determining aeration requirements, and there are no rapid means of confirming the identification of the resulting mycelium. Fungi are grown routinely on agar media for identification, but agar complicates DNA extraction. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License. This regular paper is available in Fungal Genetics Reports: http://newprairiepress.org/fgr/vol41/iss1/24 A novel method of growing fungi for DNA extraction Keith A. Seifert, Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research Agriculture Canada, Research Branch, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6 Canada Preparation of fungi for DNA extraction typically involves growing cultures in liquid culture in Erlenmeyer flasks, Roux bottles or even microfuge tubes (Cenis 1992 Nucl. Acids Res. 20:2380). Growing fungal cultures in liquid may require formulating new media or determining aeration requirements, and there are no rapid means of confirming the identification of the resulting mycelium. Fungi are grown routinely on agar media for identification, but agar complicates DNA extraction. Solutions of 'reverse agar' (BASF pluronic polyol F-127), a block polymer of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene, are solid at normal room temperatures, but liquid at 4C. When the compound is used as a replacement for agar in solid media, its unusual properties allow the separation of mycelium and medium by simply placing a mature culture in a refrigerator. The compound has been employed for isolation of heat sensitive antagonistic microorganisms (Gardner and Jones 1984, J. Gen. Microbiol. 130:731-733; Olson and Lange 1989 Opera Bot. 100:197-199), isolation of enzymes associated with basidiome formation in Coprinus (Choi and Ross 1988 Exp. Mycol. 12:80-83), and for isolating mycelium from Neurospora race tubes (Munkres 1990, Fungal Genet. Newsl. 37:26). In this note, the possibility of extracting DNA suitable for PCR amplification from mycelium grown on reverse agar media is documented. 'Reverse Malt Agar' (RMA) medium was prepared containing 30% BASF pluronic polyol F-127 substituted for agar in the Malt Extract Agar medium of Pitt (1979 The Genus Penicillium, Academic Press). The liquid was poured over the F-127 granules and the resulting suspension left in the refrigerator overnight until dissolved. The solution was then autoclaved, resulting in a thick, sludge like substance, which was again refrigerated, until a homogenous, liquid solution resulted. The liquid was then poured into petri dishes, where it solidified as it warmed to room temperature. The resulting medium is not a true solid, but rather a dense gel. Cultures of Penicillium spinulosum Thom. (DAOM 216698), Aspergillus japonicus Saito var. japonicus (DAOM 216695), Gliocladium roseum Bainier (Doyle SB-03a, not saved) and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai (DAOM 216501) were grown on RMA for 7 days at 25C in 6 cm petri dishes. Growth rates were slightly slower than on the same medium made with 2% agar, but the resulting colonies produced microscopically typical sporulating structures. For DNA extraction, the petri dishes were placed in the refrigerator for approximately 1 hour until the medium had liquified. Subsequent handling was done on ice. Mycelium was lifted from the medium using an autoclaved pipette tip, placed on the inverted, slanted lid, and allowed to drain for 30-60 seconds. The mycelium was then cut into smaller pieces using a sterile scalpel blade, and transferred into autoclaved 1.5 ml microfuge tubes. The tubes were then spun in a cold microfuge for 5-10 minutes and the excess medium removed. The mycelium was washed twice with 750 uL cold, autoclaved distilled water followed by cold centrifugation, and then used Published by New Prairie Press, 2017 directly for DNA extraction. The DNA miniprep method of Edwards et al. (1991 Nucl. Acids Res. 19:1349), modified by the addition of a cold 70% ethanol wash of the final pellet, was used. The resulting DNA was treated with RNAase A for 1 hour at 37C. PCR amplification of the ITS1-ITS4 region of the ribosomal DNA was performed using the primers and conditions given by White et al. (pp. 282-287 In: PCR Protocols, Innis et al. eds Academic Press). The resulting products were digested for 2 hrs at 37C using HinfI in the buffer supplied with the enzyme. The DNA yields obtained from mycelium grown on RMA were similar to those obtained from mycelium grown in liquid culture. Washing away excess reverse agar with cold water significantly improved yields, but DNA also was isolated from unwashed mycelium. The resulting DNA performed normally in the ITS PCR amplification and subsequent restriction digests (Figure 1). Figure 1. Miniprep DNA (b-d), ITS 1-4 amplification (e-g) and HinfI restriction digests (h-j) from fungi grown on malt extract reverse agar. b, e, h Penicillium spinulosum. c, f, i Aspergillus japonicus var. japonicus. d, g, j Trichoderma harzianum. Lane a is the marker. Use of reverse agar for cultivation of fungi for DNA extraction may be convenient for certain studies. For fungi that do not produce characteristic structures in liquid broth, reverse agar provides a means of ensuring the correct identity of the mycelium before DNA extraction proceeds. Certain population genetics studies, for example, require the manipulation of a large number of cultures that must be cloned (eg. single-spore isolations) before genetic analysis can proceed. The use of reverse agar could eliminate one round of culture transfers, resulting in significant labour savings. Reverse agar solutions can be stored for some time at 4C and plates poured when required. Experience has shown that poured plates do not keep indefinitely at room temperature. After 4-6 weeks, the medium no longer liquifies, presumably because of higher polymer concentrations resulting from water evaporation. Also, because the polymer itself is slightly inhibitory to fungi, it does not seem to be suitable for weak nutrient media. Our trials with the Fusarium medium SNA (Nirenberg 1981 Can. J. Bot. 59:1599-1609), for example, resulted in sparse growth that could not be harvested following liquification of the medium. Acknowledgements: I am grateful to Dr. John Speakman (BASF, Limburghof, Germany) and BASF Performance Chemicals, Parsippany, NJ for providing samples of pluronic polyol F-127. http://newprairiepress.org/fgr/vol41/iss1/24 DOI: 10.4148/1941-4765.1386 Note from FGSC: Dr. K.D. Munkres donated a large quantity of pluronic F-127 to the stock center. We will gladly make samples (100-200 g) available available at no cost to interested researchers. Published by New Prairie Press, 2017


The functioning of the digital economy determines the introduction of Internet technologies in almost all areas of business. In recent years, online banking systems have become widespread in Russia, which contribute to the appearance of new competitive factors in the banking services market. By providing services via the Internet, the banks can improve their financial performance and effectiveness by offering customers more services in a convenient format and on the most profitable conditions. Nowadays online banking as a tool for providing banking services is crucially important for the improvement of a commercial bank' competitiveness. This work is a research of the modern Russian online banking market, which is devoted to the competitive analysis of its participants using marketing instruments and Internet resources. The purpose of the study is to develop practical recommendations for improving companies' competitiveness in the Russian online banking market on a concrete example.


Theology and SCience need dialogue since they are interdependent areas of human experience and enquiry. Each discipline needs to be open to the discoveries and insights of the other. Mutual agreement on fundamental issues is not a point of departure; we must rather ask whether what one discipline is doing can have any. relevance for the pursuits of the other? The theologian, JUrgen Moltmann, and the philosopher of science, Sir Karl Popper, find in "openness" a common methodology. By openness they mean that present realities are partial; that truth lies ahead anticipated within systems that "complexify" in evolutionary openness and transcendence. Moltmann sees the fullness of truth unveiled in the eschaton. The Resurrection of Jesus is the anticipation in time of the eschatol1 towards which history is moving. Within history, creative acts open up the closed systems of the world for they transform present reality. These closed systems are revealed by the Cross which identifies the negatives (political oppression, economic inequality, cultural and sexual discrimination, ecological abuse, personal apathy) within history. In the "negation ofthe negatives" such creative acts are real antlcipations of the eschaton. However, the roots of openness in the world lie in creation. Creation in the beginning is a creation with open possibilities involving the evolution of complex open systems marked by growing indeterminacy of behaviour. These systems are in communication with the transcendent future into which they are evolving. This transcendent future is the trinitarian God: open to creation, to history and to man in suffering but creative love. The innertrinitarian life is identified with worldly processes through the openness of the Cross. The completion of the creative process lies in the kingdom of glory. Here there is participation of transcendent creation in the unlimited freedom of God. Evolutionary openness is the overall Popperian methodology. It pervades the entire spectrum of Popper's thought: from physics, through epistemology and social theory to biological and evolutionary theory. Critical rationalism is the bedrock of Popper's thought. The search for certainty becomes the enemy of truth, since rationalism rejects any dogmatism. Rather, rationalism means open critical discussion and experientialleaming. For this reason Popper rejects induction and replaces it by the logico-deductive method. Here justification is replaced by falsification: knowledge is conjectural, constantly threatened by refutation and progressing to problems of increasing depth and complexity and hence to greater truth-likeness. Even animal evolution begins with a problem the problem of survival. Human evolution, however, develops outside the human person. It is applied knowledge. With the development of human language, the self-conscious mind (World 2) emerges and with it the autonomous world of the products of the human mind, World 3. (World 1 isthe physical world of nature). In these later developments something new emerges which can interact with the lower levels by a process of downward causation. A picture emerges of a creative, expanding, evolving, indeterminate universe. Indeterminism, i(self,' lies "," somewhere between perfect chance and perfect determinism. Lastly in his rejection of holism, historicism and utopianism, Popper has eschewed the collective and replaced the responsible individual at the social centre of his openness. The struggle for rational openness needs the individual response, the individual initiative and mutual critical discussion. This means that piecemeal social engineering is the practical model for the reform of the open evolutionary society. Moltmann and Popper both envisage an evolutionary struggle towards truth: truth is but anticipation. The growth of truth leads to increased complexity, greater openness and eventual transcendence. These insights may, indeed, aid the dialogue between theology and sCIence.


This paper reports research into the acquisition of vocabulary in a foreign language, more specifically into the supposition that 'guessing' (i.e. inferring the meaning of an unknown word from context and word-form) contributes substantially to retention. Although much is to be said for the latter, the empirical underpinning of this supposition has so far been slight and various questions have remained. In order to gain a better insight into these we have carried out an experiment in a classroom setting, focussing on the following questions:1.Which factors of context influence the guessability of words?2.What is the influence of these factors on receptive retention (after guessing and learning)?3.What is the relationship between guessing and retention? (Are words which have been correctly guessed better retained than words which have not been correctly guessed?)The chief findings of the experiment are:l.A specific ('pregnant') filler of the slots 'subject', 'verb' and 'function' contributes to the guessability of a word in a particular sentential context.2. A specific ('pregnant') filler of the slots mentioned in guessing and learning has no effect on the retention ('subject' and 'verb') or even a negative effect ('function').3.There is no positive correlation between guessing and retention (after guessing and learning; for some words there is even a negative correlation.To sum up: a 'pregnant' context does indeed induce better guessing, but subsequently it does not induce a better retention of the meaning involved, at least not if the guessing stage is followed by a learning stage using the same context as in guessing.


Mast cells are very potent multifunctional effector cells of the immune system normally distributed throughout connective tissues. An accumulation of mast cells has been described in several pathological conditions such as allergic- and autoimmune inflammations and in certain tumours. This necessitates two different processes: 1) Recruitment of mast cell progenitors from peripheral blood; 2) Accretion of mature mast cells at sites of inflammation and tumour areas. Both processes are depending on the local production of chemotactic factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of chemokines and their corresponding receptors in mast cell chemotaxis. By cloning and mRNA-screening of cord blood derived mast cells several chemokine receptors were found to be expressed. Functional expression was confirmed of chemokine receptors CXCR4, CCR1 and CCR4. CXCL12, the only known ligand for CXCR4, acted as a mast cell chemotaxin and induced migration of progenitor cells with capacity to differentiate into mast cells. Of several ligands known to bind CCR1 and CCR4, only CCL5 induced migration of mast cells. The migration to CCL5 was mediated through both CCR1 and CCR4. In contrast, the ligands to CCR4, CCL17 and CCL22, could inhibit CCL5-induced migration. Expression of CCR1 and CCR4 could also be confirmed on mast cells in lung from asthmatic patients. Furthermore, we could demonstrate that mast cells were attracted by CCL5 produced by tumour cells in Hodgkin´s lymphoma.In conclusion, the work in this thesis has identified two chemokines that regulates mast cell migration. This knowledge helps us understand the mechanisms behind homing of mast cell progenitors from the blood into the tissue and the accumulation of mature mast cells at sites of inflammation and tumourigenesis.


The DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys (http://legacysurvey.org/) are a combination of three public projects (the Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey, the Beijing–Arizona Sky Survey, and the Mayall z-band Legacy Survey) that will jointly image ≈14,000 deg2 of the extragalactic sky visible from the northern hemisphere in three optical bands (g, r, and z) using telescopes at the Kitt Peak National Observatory and the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. The combined survey footprint is split into two contiguous areas by the Galactic plane. The optical imaging is conducted using a unique strategy of dynamically adjusting the exposure times and pointing selection during observing that results in a survey of nearly uniform depth. In addition to calibrated images, the project is delivering a catalog, constructed by using a probabilistic inference-based approach to estimate source shapes and brightnesses. The catalog includes photometry from the grz optical bands and from four mid-infrared bands (at 3.4, 4.6, 12, and 22 μm) observed by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer satellite during its full operational lifetime. The project plans two public data releases each year. All the software used to generate the catalogs is also released with the data. This paper provides an overview of the Legacy Surveys project.


The search toward the establishment of novel serological tests for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis and proper differential diagnosis may represent one alternative to the invasive parasitological methods currently used to identify infected individuals. In the present work, we investigated the potential use of recombinant peroxidoxin (rPeroxidoxin) of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis as a potential antigen for the immunodiagnosis of human tegumentary (TL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Linear B-cell epitope mapping was performed to identify polymorphic epitopes when comparing orthologous sequences present in Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent for Chagas disease (CD), and the Homo sapiens and Canis familiaris hosts. The serological assay (ELISA) demonstrated that TL, VL and CVL individuals showed high levels of antibodies against rPeroxidoxin, allowing identification of infected ones with considerable sensitivity and great ability to discriminate (specificity) between non-infected and CD individuals (98.46% and 100%; 98.18% and 95.71%; 95.79% and 100%, respectively). An rPeroxidoxin ELISA also showed a greater ability to discriminate between vaccinated and infected animals, which is an important requirement for the public campaign control of CVL. A depletion ELISA assay using soluble peptides of this B-cell epitope confirmed the recognition of these sites only by Leishmania-infected individuals. Moreover, this work identifies two antigenic polymorphic linear B-cell epitopes of L. braziliensis. Specific recognition of TL and VL patients was confirmed by significantly decreased IgG reactivity against rPeroxidoxin after depletion of peptide-1- and peptide-2-specific antibodies (peptide 1: reduced by 32%, 42% and 5% for CL, ML and VL, respectively; peptide-2: reduced by 24%, 22% and 13% for CL, ML and VL, respectively) and only peptide-2 for CVL (reduced 9%). Overall, rPeroxidoxin may be a potential antigen for the immunodiagnosis of TL, VL or CVL, as it has a higher agreement with parasitological assays and is better than other reference tests that use soluble Leishmania antigens for diagnosing CVL in Brazil (EIE-LVC, Bio-manguinhos, FIOCRUZ).


This paper describes a low-cost mobile communication platform as a universal rapid-prototyping system, which is based on the Quadrocopter concept. At the Integrated Hardware and Software Systems Group at the Ilmenau University of Technology these mobile platforms are used to motivate bachelor and master students to study Computer Engineering sciences. This could be done by increasing their interest in technical issues, using this platform as integral part of a new ad-hoc lab to demonstrate different aspects in the area of Mobile Communication as well as universal rapid prototyping nodes to investigate different mechanisms for self-organized mobile communication systems within the International Graduate School on Mobile Communications. Beside the three fields of application, the paper describes the current architecture concept of the mobile prototyping platform as well as the chosen control mechanism and the assigned sensor systems to fulfill all the required tasks.


We present an investigation of open-world dialog, centering on systems that can perform conversational dialog in an open-world context, where multiple people with different needs, goals, and long-term plans may enter, interact, and leave an environment. We outline and discuss a set of challenges and core competencies required for supporting the kind of fluid multiparty interaction that people expect when conversing and collaborating with other people. Then, we focus as a concrete example on the challenges faced by receptionists who field requests at the entries to corporate buildings. We review the subtleties and difficulties of creating an automated receptionist that can work with people on solving their needs with the ease and etiquette expected from a human receptionist. Finally, we review details of the construction and operation of a working prototype.


Recently intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) in austenitic stainless steel 316L of Primary Loop Recirculation (PLR) piping and also a nozzle, and several core shrouds (CS) have been experienced in BWRs [1-4]. PWSCC incidences in nickel base alloys of Vessel Head Penetrations (VHP), Bottom Mount Instrumentation (BMI) nozzle and Steam Generator (SG) inlet nozzles in PWR were also reported [5-7]. Therefore, a great concern has been focused and an extensive research and development have been done on these SCC phenomena from a point of view of structural integrity of reactor components. In addition to those SCC incidences in BWR and PWR, there is one unique SCC incidence in 316 stainless steel in PWR plants [8-9]. The mode of this cracking is intergranular and cracks were found in weld HAZ of 316 stainless steel welded to a low alloy steel of SG nozzle with nickel base alloy 82 where PWSCC were also observed. Preliminary root cause analysis implied that the cracked 316 HAZ has a highly hardened not only at surface by machining but also at the region of a far distant from an inner surface of 316 pipe, probably due to a weld shrinkage strain as have been observed in PLR piping and Core shroud cracks in BWR. In laboratory tests [10, 11], there are many well-known evidences that strain hardened austenitic stainless steels such as 304, 304L, 316, 316L and 347, show SCC susceptibility without any sensitization of grain boundary when they are hardened by any sources during fabrication or under an operational condition. An extensive metallographic and TEM analysis has been performed on this cracked 316 HAZ sample as a part of failure analysis to characterize the microstructure and oxides morphology, compositional profiles as well as their crystal structures near the cracked surface of 316 HAZ [8, 9]. Typical strain hardening was measured on the sample due to weld shrinkage and also due to surface grinding. In addition to these analyses, an extensive surface oxides analysis has been performed by Raman Spectroscopy (RS) on a break-opened IGSCC surfaces and a cross-section sample where oxides can be observed in the cracks of concerns. In order to identify the oxides by RS, an extensive laboratory analysis of oxides formed in well-known environmental conditions in the laboratory was performed to generate a set of reference database of oxides by Raman spectroscopy. Based upon the observation of these oxides on/in the cracks, the crack growth history during the plant operation will be discussed in connection to a residual stress distribution at HAZ and oxides variation on/in the cracks. Possible time dependence of crack growth rate with crack growth in components will be discussed based upon the evidences observed about oxides. Finally, an importance of surface integrity assessment in SCC initiation and propagation will be emphasized from a point of view of oxidation localization which can be promoted by strain (dislocation density), straining and stress, which play an crucial role in an oxidation due to accelerated mass transfer in oxides as well as underlying metallic materials. Especially, preferential oxidation along slip bands suggests that oxygen diffusion in such a region with a high dislocation density is faster than the other region. This fact implies that grain boundary can also be a preferential path of oxidation as has been observed by TEM, TOFSIMS and 3D-APT. This localization of oxidation and acceleration will be discussed based upon an analysis of an profile development at an oxide/metal interface which is recently proposed by Y. Takeda et al. [12] based upon some statistical analysis of an oxide/metal interface profile and a concept of surface integrity will be emphasized for an quantitative prediction of SCC initiation.


The mortality from leukaemia and other cancers in the National Registry for Radiation Workers is analysed to determine the subcategories of leukaemia in which the trend with dose is most marked. Differences between external (SMR) and internal analyses (of trends with external radiation dose) are assessed for the various leukaemia subtypes. The significance of the trend for leukaemia mortality observed in the previous analysis is largely accounted for by the group of chronic myeloid leukaemias. Sensitivity analyses are performed relating to various uncertain parameters to examine the robustness of the previously published findings. The magnitude (and significance) of the trend with dose for leukaemia is robust to a reasonable range of assumptions concerning the lag period; if a lag of 5 years is used the trend retains borderline levels of statistical significance (p=0.07); if lags of 0 or 2 years are employed rather more significant trends are apparent (p=0.03).


The value of providing paved shoulders adjacent to many higher volume roadways has been accepted in many states across the country. Iowa's paved shoulder policy is considerably more conservative than neighboring states, particularly on rural four-lane and high-volume two-lane highways. The objectives of this research are to examine current design criteria for shoulders employed in Iowa and surrounding states, compare benefits and costs of alternative surface types and widths, and make recommendations based on this analysis for consideration in future design policies for primary highways in Iowa. The report finds that many safety and maintenance benefits would result from enhancing Iowa's paved shoulder and rumble strip design practices for freeways, expressways, and Super 2 highway corridors. The benefits of paved shoulders include reduced numbers of certain crashes, higher capacity potentials, reduced maintenance, enhanced opportunities for other users such as bicyclists, and even possibly increased longevity of pavements. Alternative paved shoulder policies and programming strategies are also offered, with detailed assessments of the benefits, costs, and budget impacts.


This study critically analyses the way Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operate in Brazil and their contribution to the development of the Brazilian civil society. The notion of "power fields" and "habitus", proposed by Bourdieu (1989; 1996), provides the theoretical backdrop to our discussions. This focusses largely on the recursive connection between structure and agency which resonates with the work of Fligstein (2006). This study seeks to critically analyse the learning and social practice developed by professionals in NGOs in their daily activities. This study is based on qualitative research and the results indicated that the knowledge produced by Brazilian NGOs, through the recursive connection between the agents of the fields and the structures underpinning them, contributes to the expansion and transformation of the field in which they operate. This perspective shows that the knowledge generated by this NGOs give them a certain level of power and influence in the Brazilian civil society.


Streptococcus agalactiae or Group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a Gram-positive commensal bacterium that is harmless in healthy adults, yet causes systemic diseases in neonates, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Neonates are at risk of GBS infection in utero or during delivery due to the colonization of the organism in the vaginal canal of between 15-30% of adult females. GBS can cause severe neonatal sepsis and meningitis, as well as chorioamnionitis, which can cause premature birth and stillbirth. GBS infection is greatly facilitated by the presence of a bacterial capsule; a protective, polysaccharide matrix surrounding the cell that plays a key role in the pathogen's ability to evade host immune responses. Antibiotics are effective in reducing the chances of neonatal infection by GBS; however, they also increase the likelihood of the organism developing antibiotic resistance. An approach to manipulate GBS and reduce its functionality would be beneficial to counter the potential of antibiotic resistance developments, while avoiding the cytotoxic effects that antibiotics can impose on the host. The GBS CpsA protein, a putative transcriptional regulator of the capsule locus within the GBS genome, plays a significant role in capsule production. Without CpsA, GBS displays reduced capsule production, and thus, reduced virulence. In this study Aspartic Acid-375 and Arginine-378 were targeted in the LytR domain of CpsA, a domain proposed to be responsible for the ligation of capsule to the cell wall of GBS. This work will provide insight into which amino acids are the key residues required for the function of CpsA.


The regional mapping of the 3.5kHz echo characters in the areas off northeastern Taiwan provided valuable information about sedimentary processes on the sea floor. Seven distinctive echo types were recognized. These echo types were grouped into four major classes: indistinct, distinct, hyperbolic and irregular echoes. Indistinct echoes had three sub-classes: prolonged, prolonged with irregular saw-toothed surface and prolonged of semiprolonged with inclined sub-bottom reflectors cropping out laterally. Besides, the hyperbolic class included the large irregular hyperbolae and the broad gently rolling hyperbolae. The irregular echoes were similar to the distinct type but with a jumbled morphology. The echo character map showed that each of the physiographic provinces was characterized by a distinctive echo type. The very prolonged echo occurring on the narrow Ilan continental shelf indicated that strong current activlties prevailed in this region. The upper part of the continental slope, characterized by large irregular hyperbola, was dominanted by slumping and/or sliding processes. Meanwhile, the turbidity currents and mass-wasting processes had apparently been the primary agents shaping the lower part of the slope as indicated by the distinct echoes.


Various forms of the regressional relationship between the concurrent monthly discharges of neighbouring catchments are explored, with a view to generalising the relationship for a region. This enables monthly streamflow data to be transposed from a gauged catchment to an ungauged catchment, provided that certain transfer coefficients can be estimated from the physical catchment and rainfall characteristics. Most of the methods are based on a linear relationship between the concurrent monthly discharges of a pair of catchments with only one transfer coefficient. This may be estimated in a number of ways for a pair of gauged-ungauged catchments, however, errors in the individual transposed flows are high.


Recent studies show e-government implementations are biased towards the realization of efficiency and service effectiveness benefits, with less attention paid to the delivery of public value. Public value (PV) is a corner stone for balancing benefits across all stakeholders and it redefines our understanding of e-governmental success. However, e-government is having minimal impact on PV. Further, research on PV in emerging democracies or non-democratic states is lacking. Thus, this study adopts a structuration perspective to identify the factors that influence government agencies position with regard to the delivery of PV, and explore user and community responses to e-government initiatives. The study will adopt a mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study will make important contributions to theory by investigating how structuration theory can be integrated with Moore's (1995) strategic PV triangle to understand how e-government may facilitate the production of PV.


The purpose of this research study was to measure the effects of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (CRP) on academic engagement and behavior. Participants included eighth grade AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students from a Midwestern suburban middle school. The study took place over six weeks in the fall of students' second year in the AVID Program. During four weeks of focused intervention, the teacher implemented CRP strategies, including dramatically increasing opportunities for peer collaboration and improving student-teacher relationships through brief but individualized interactions. At the end of the implementation period, data indicated an increase in grades, teacher assessment, and student perception for almost every subgroup when compared to the previous academic year, and particularly substantial growth for black males. Results indicate that CRP positively affects both academic engagement and behavioral success for all learners, and most notably for those with the most to gain from its implementation. Further application and measurement will continue to gauge the value of additional strategies.


We study the Ramsey policy problem in an economy in which firms face a collateral constraint. Issuing more public debt alleviates this friction by increasing the aggregate quantity of collateral. In so doing, however, the issuance of more debt also raises interest rates, which in turn increases the tax burden of servicing the entire outstanding debt. We first document how this trade-off upsets the optimality of tax smoothing and, in contrast to the standard paradigm, helps induce a unique and stable steady-state level of debt in the deterministic version of the model. We next study the optimal policy response to fiscal and financial shocks in the stochastic version. We finally show how the results extend to a variant model in which the financial friction afflicts consumers rather than firms.


Rigorous binding free energy methods in drug discovery are growing in popularity because of a combination of methodological advances, improvements in computer hardware, and workflow automation. These calculations typically use molecular dynamics (MD) to sample from the Boltzmann distribution of conformational states. However, when part or all of the binding sites is inaccessible to the bulk solvent, the time needed for water molecules to equilibrate between bulk solvent and the binding site can be well beyond what is practical with standard MD. This sampling limitation is problematic in relative binding free energy calculations, which compute the reversible work of converting ligand 1 to ligand 2 within the binding site. Thus, if ligand 1 is smaller and/or more polar than ligand 2, the perturbation may allow additional water molecules to occupy a region of the binding site. However, this change in hydration may not be captured by standard MD simulations and may therefore lead to errors in the computed free energy. We recently developed a hybrid Monte Carlo/MD (MC/MD) method, which speeds up the equilibration of water between bulk solvent and buried cavities, while sampling from the intended distribution of states. Here, we report on the use of this approach in the context of alchemical binding free energy calculations. We find that using MC/MD markedly improves the accuracy of the calculations and also reduces hysteresis between the forward and reverse perturbations, relative to matched calculations using only MD with or without the crystallographic water molecules. The present method is available for use in AMBER simulation software.


This paper shows that different labor market policies can lead to differences in technology across sectors in a model of labor saving technologies. Labor market regulations reduce the skill premium and as a result, if technologies are labor saving, countries with more stringent labor regulation, which are binding for low skilled workers, become less technologically advanced in their high-skilled sectors, and more technologically advanced in their low-skilled sectors. We then present data on capital output ratios, on estimated productivity levels and on patent creation, which support the predictions of our model.


We document that technical progress in originating and pricing mortgages has enabled a trend since 1979 toward more relaxed credit standards on mortgage lending, which is reflected in rising foreclosure rates. We then decompose annual variation in mortgage performance measured by share of loans entering foreclosure into a part due to economic conditions and a part due to underwriting changes. The decomposition provides natural metrics or indices of national underwriting quality and economic conditions. The results suggest that the recent subprime debacle can be attributed about equally to each factor. The deterioration since 1990 was marked by two periods. In the first, during the 1990s, there was a lowering of observable credit standards, like loan to value ratios. It was deliberate and related to the use of credit scores and the development of more sophisticated underwriting systems. The negative effects of eroding loan quality on foreclosures were to some extent masked by strong local and national economic conditions during this period. In the second period, after 2002, there was little change in observable loan characteristics like loan to value or credit history. This second period is associated with the rise of subprime and Alt-A markets but also with subprime and other "non-agency" securitization. Securitization induced moral hazard and a deterioration in underwriting standards that was not easily observed by investors in the securities.