Public relations was introduced into China after political and economic changes in the late 1970s paved the way for this western concept and profession.(1) Since then, public relations as an occupation has rapidly spread. Chinese officials claim that about 100,000 practitioners now work in almost all sectors of society. (Since the definition of public relations remains vague, and there is no licensing of practitioners, estimates of the number of workers in the field are tentative.) Universities are offering public relations curricula, and public relations firms and agencies--some foreign--have opened.(2)Trained personnel are initially bound to be in short supply in any new field. The structure, curricula, and problems of education and professional training greatly affect the quality and stature of an emerging profession. The Chinese welcome assistance from western public relations educators and professionals in their efforts to develop and implement educational and training programs.How can westerners work with Chinese educators and officials? What are the implications of cultural and class differences? This paper addresses these questions, and offers some implications for public relations education as it exists both in the West and in developing countries.Historical precedentsAlthough the term "public relations" is relatively new in China, the practice can be traced over more than 2,000 years of Chinese history, encompassing 13 dynasties and the People's Republic of China. The rise and fall of these dynasties has illustrated the importance of recognizing the "harmony" concept--the establishment and maintenance of a harmonious relationship between the ruler and the subjects on whom his success or failure depended. Emperors viewed their subjects as water which could carry the imperial boat but also turn it over. Thus, all rulers emphasized relationship building, hence, public relations.For instance, an emperor went to the "Temple of Heaven" on New Year's eve to report to Heaven how he exercised his power benevolently and helped his subjects during the year. News about the report was sent to the people to gain their support and understanding.The former leader of the Communist Party, Mao Zedong, disciplined his army by the famous Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points for Attention of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The three main rules are: (a) obey orders in all your actions; (b) don't take a single needle or piece of thread from the masses; and (c) turn in everything captured. The eight points are: (a) speak politely; (b) pay fairly for what you buy; (c) return everything you borrow; (d) pay for everything you damage; (e) don't hit or swear at people; (f) don't damage crops; (g) don't take liberties with women; and (h) don't ill-treat captives.(3) These rigid rules were made known to every household, which in turn, helped the army and party establish a very distinguished and positive image.Confucianism, China's traditional philosophy and guiding regulatory system for social affairs, emphasizes li--adherence to propriety and respect for social order-which requires all people to follow accepted rituals in relating to others. This stratifies society into a hierarchy of power. To reduce the conflicts created by this social estate system, Confucius calls for harmony, which is a way to smooth relationships.Evolution of a new fieldDespite the long history of its practice, public relations is still new as an occupation in China. Confusion about the nature, goals, roles, and functions of public relations has been observed since its introduction in the early 1980s. At first, people tended to define public relations as a publicity function. Now, more people, especially managers, think of public relations as a management-counseling function.(4)The structure of public relations practice and education in China has evolved through several stages, resulting in an educational system with many levels of training. …


The informal economy is present in all countries, but its consequences reflect in different countries with different intensity. Types and scale of informal economic activities reflect the specificities of socio-economic context and the integration of the countries into the wider local-regional economy. The informal economy represents an important potential of labor and incomes, therefore there is a need for better understanding, since on this will depend the direction of the path for safer addressing of this issue. The first part of the paper defines the concept, causes, consequences and ways of measuring the informal economy, so as to gain a clear understanding of the subject matter. Under the existing data limitations, some characteristics and estimates are presented regarding the size of the informal economy in Kosovo, with focus on addressing the problems of transition from informal to formal economy. It is challenging exercise, and further research is needed.


In this work the degradation of the steel SS304 used in pulverized coal burner nozzle is studied under the solid particle erosion conditions. Steel is hardfaced by tubular hardfacing electrodes of high chromium type and further Molybdenum content is added in the hardfacing electrode powder. The hardfacing is done by shielded metal arc welding process. Erosion test is conducted using Air Jet Erosion Testing Rig by varying the working temperatures (room temperature and 400°C) and impact angle of 30° and 90°. It is observed that by increasing the molybdenum content the degradation by erosion reduced at 90° impact angle at both room temperature and 400°C temperature. Microstructure characterization and microhardness analysis is also done along with SEM/EDS analysis. The elements in the hardfacing layer are uniformly distributed as observed by the EDS analysis and the content of tungsten and molybdenum increased in hardfacing layer than the substrate material. The increase in percentage of Molybdenum and tungsten improves the formation of carbides in hardfacing layer. Normally the harder materials have high erosion resistance at 30° impact angle but in our case the erosion resistance is maximum at 90° impact angle. The microstructure shows dendritic formation.


Educational inclusion of foreign pupils has become a priority objective in recent years in many countries worldwide. Attending to the cultural diversity of pupils and providing an inclusive educational response is now a main goal of education systems. In this context, educational leadership is a key factor for school improvement. Management teams face the difficult mission of responding to the diversity of people that make up the educational community in a scenario marked by the expansive increase in migrant families and the scarcity of inclusive and intercultural government programmes. This article explores good management practices for cultural diversity management in six early childhood and primary education centres in Spain and Chile from an inclusive leadership approach. Factors that influence the development of inclusive leadership and the process deployed to carry out diversity management are examined. Through a qualitative methodology, six case studies were carried out using the interview, participant observation, and document analysis as instruments. The main outcomes show the importance of leaders in promoting an inclusive collaborative culture, in classroom practices focused on the knowledge and cultural capital of foreign pupils, the development of organisational and didactic strategies based on the recognition and participation of the educational community, its commitment to social justice, a management of diversity based on collaboration, and a shared concept of educational inclusion. The conclusions show four common dimensions in the good practices of each country: professional development of the community, school participation, inclusive school culture, and positive management of diversity.


Narrow scrape-off layer (SOL) heat flux channel widths (λq) are seen on many tokamaks, both in inner-wall limited (IWL) and diverted discharges. These observations have important consequences for ITER and reactors, impacting the design of inner limiter tiles for heat load during startup and pushing the limits of dissipative divertor operation and control. A dominant ∼ 1/Ip scaling for λq is seen in a wide range of cases (IWL, H-mode and L-mode diverted [at low density]), suggestive of a poloidal ion gyroradius effect. It is troubling that λq does not appear to scale with major radius -- a challenge for reactors. The latter observation contrasts with H-mode pedestal widths that increase with machine size, implying that the physics that sets the local gradient scale lengths in pedestal and SOL may be different. We have recently implemented a scanning ``Mirror Langmuir Probe'' diagnostic on C-Mod with the idea of exploring this critical interface with very high resolution. Narrow λq ``features'' in IWL discharges have been mapped out in detail, exhibiting a ∼ 1/Ip scaling with some evidence of a break-in-slope feature at the LCFS. We will report on these findings and on L and H-mode experiments in progress, in which divertor conditions are varied (low recycling, high-recycling, detached).


Vine leaf area index has a great impact on berry quality. This study was conducted to determine whether vine leaf area index could be estimated, and mapped through normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) ground-based measurements. The NDVI measurements were performed using a Greenseeker (N-Tech Industires, Ukiah, CA and Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater), pointed sideways at the vertical shoot positioned vines [Vitis vinifera (L.)] at Bordeaux, France. Canopy gap fraction and vertical leaf area index (VLAI) measurements were also performed. Plot NDVI maps were obtained by linking the GreenSeeker to a GPS during measurements. The NDVI delivered by the sensor was sensitive to the variations of vertical leaf area index and gap fraction of the canopy, that is, vine vigor. The GreenSeeker was successfully used to carry out a follow-up of the foliar growth of the vine, but with many precautions. The maps obtained showed relative variations of vigor at an intraplot level, enabling access to relevant information for better vineyard management.


In June 1938, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law a new Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the first major legislation regulating these industries since the 1906 Wiley law. Eliminating many serious and long-standing abuses in production, labeling, and advertising, the 1938 Act was, in the words of David L. Cowen, "a milestone in federal interest in consumer protection." Despite its importance to the American public, however, its passage was effected only after a long, complex battle between conflicting interest groups.This volume is a study in depth of that five-year struggle, fully documented by records, correspondence, and publications, as well as a social history of the period. The author analyzes the inadequacy of the 1906 law, the roles of Franklin Roosevelt, Henry Wallace, and Rexford Tugwell, the American Medical Association, drug associations, and consumers' and women's groups.Originally published in 1970.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.


Batch adsorption studies were conducted to investigate the potential of Acacia nilotica sawdust as biosorbent for removal of basic Swiss blue dye from wastewater. Sawdust was subjected to formaldehyde pretreatment (FSD) and boiling (BSD). Maximum dye removal was observed after 120 min for all conditions – FSD: 97.5% and BSD: 95.9% at pH 6, 50 mgL−1 dye concentration and 0.2 g/50 mL adsorbent dosage. Adsorption was endothermic and was accompanied by an increase in entropy and a decrease in Gibbs free energy for 288?333 K. Equilibrium data fitted excellently with the Langmuir isotherm (FSD: R² = 0.9955, BSD: R² = 0.9914). Adsorption kinetics was found to follow pseudo-second-order model (R² > 0.99, FSD and BSD). It can be concluded that formaldehyde-treated sawdust (FSD) can be used as a more efficient and low-cost alternative to the chemically untreated sawdust in aqueous solution for Swiss blue dye removal.


Introduction Practice guidelines can be used to support healthcare decision making. We sought to identify the use, and barriers to the implementation, of electronic based guidelines to support decision-making in maternal and child healthcare (MCH) and the rational use of medicines, in developing countries. Methods Graduates who had gained the Master of Public Health degree through the Peoples-uni (postgraduate public health education in developing countries) were sent an online survey questionnaire which had been piloted. Two reminders were sent to non-respondents at intervals of 10 days. Results were explored using descriptive analyses. Results 44 of the potential 48 graduates from 16 countries responded – most were from Africa. 82% and 89% of respondents were aware of guidelines on MCH and the rational use of medicines respectively. Electronic guidelines were more available in university hospitals than in provincial hospitals or rural care. All respondents thought that guidelines could improve the delivery of quality care, and 42 (95%) and 41 (93%) respectively thought that computers and mobile or smartphones could increase the use of guidelines in service delivery. Lack of access to computers, need to buy phone credit, need for training in the use of either computerized or phone based guidelines and fear of increased workload were potential barriers to use. Conclusion There is support for the use of electronic guidelines despite limited availability and barriers to use in developing countries. These findings, and other literature, provide a guide as to how the further development of ICT based guidelines may be implemented to improve health care decision making.


Abstract. Cloud retrievals from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments aboard the satellites Terra and Aqua and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard the Suomi-NPP satellite are evaluated using a combination of ground-based instruments providing vertical profiles of clouds. The ground-based measurements are obtained from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) programme mobile facility, which was deployed in Hyytiala, Finland, between February and September 2014 for the Biogenic Aerosols – Effects on Clouds and Climate (BAECC) campaign. The satellite cloud parameters cloud top height (CTH) and liquid water path (LWP) are compared with ground-based CTH obtained from a cloud mask created using lidar and radar data and LWP acquired from a multi-channel microwave radiometer. Clouds from all altitudes in the atmosphere are investigated. The clouds are diagnosed as single or multiple layer using the ground-based cloud mask. For single-layer clouds, satellites overestimated CTH by 326 m (14 %) on average. When including multilayer clouds, satellites underestimated CTH by on average 169 m (5.8 %). MODIS collection 6 overestimated LWP by on average 13 g m−2 (11 %). Interestingly, LWP for MODIS collection 5.1 is slightly overestimated by Aqua (4.56 %) but is underestimated by Terra (14.3 %). This underestimation may be attributed to a known issue with a drift in the reflectance bands of the MODIS instrument on Terra. This evaluation indicates that the satellite cloud parameters selected show reasonable agreement with their ground-based counterparts over Finland, with minimal influence from the large solar zenith angle experienced by the satellites in this high-latitude location.


Background: Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare type of sarcoma with low-grade malignancy that usually occurs in young subjects. AFH is uncommon in the head and neck region. Methods: We describe an exceptional case of localization in the neck. This is the first report of a rare variant of AFH presenting in a 42-year-old woman. The tumor was situated posterior to the carotid artery adhering to the prevertebral plane and invading the sympathetic cervical chain. In this setting, we decided to perform a surgical exploration with frozen section biopsy. The frozen section revealed a fusiform tumor proliferation resembling a sarcoma. A FISH study concluded on the presence of a EWSR1 22q (22) gene rearrangement. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical study revealed anti-EMA positive cells. The final pathological description concluded on the presence of an AFH, which was excised by surgery alone. Results: After a 2 year follow-up period, the patient is free of disease. Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare sarcoma subtype, and mis diagnosis can lead to its over treatment. A precise description of the pathological response and a multidisciplinary discussion can lead to a correct decision. Conclusion: AFH is a tumor with local evolution, and surgery is the mainstay of its management. Complete local excision is recommended to hamper local recurrences.


This paper addresses the potential gain of using multiple antennas and MIMO-OFDM techniques in order to increase the bandwidth efficiency in satellite communication systems. In particular, we consider the increase in channel capacity that is possible by exploiting satellite and polarization diversity. In addition, we investigate the effect of using different compact MIMO polarization antenna configurations and power control on the information theoretic capacity of the total transmission channel of the satellite system.


Control of anthracnose in green pepper involves the use of resistant varieties and/or fungicides. The selection of varieties and efficient products demands great amounts of conidia as inoculum. It is thus necessary to optimize the production of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides conidia in the laboratory, establishing the best conditions for fungus development. The present study aimed at determining the most favorable culture media, temperature, and light conditions for the production of fungus inoculum. The fungus was isolated from green pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.) and transferred to four culture media (PDA, oat, filtered pepper extract, and autoclaved pepper extract), under different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35oC) and light conditions (24h dark, and 24h light). Colony growth was evaluated after 7 and 12 days of incubation. No differences were found between the culture media. However, the greatest number of conidia was obtained from colonies grown in oat medium at 25oC. Temperatures of 20 and 25oC were the most favorable for colony growth and sporulation. Higher sporulation was obtained under incubation in constant light. Cultivation of C. gloeosporioides in oat medium, at 25oC, and constant light is recommended.


In this paper, the authors address the issue of automatic tag attachment to the documents distributed over a P2P network aiming at improving the efficiency of file search in such networks. The proposed scheme combines text clustering with a modified tag extraction algorithm, and is executed in a fully distributed manner. Meanwhile, the optimal cluster number can also be fixed automatically through a distance cost function. We have conducted experiments to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed scheme. The result of experiments indicates that the proposed approach is capable of making effective and efficient tag attachment in real scenarios; i.e., for more than 90% of documents, it attaches the same tags as the ones attached by human reviewers. Moreover, it proofs by the experiments that the optimal cluster number is almost the same as the number of topics from the website.


The paper describes a unified methodology which takes into account the advantages and disadvantages of different Power Line Communication (PLC) technologies suitable for Smart Metering deployment. The methodology should provide a detailed evaluation of PLC technologies based on a clear definition of the different parameters and their measurement. Based on this methodology, we should be able to provide a comparison of the selected technologies and the methodology should also provide data for the design of a telecommunication infrastructure for Smart Metering/Smart Grids. In this paper and based on this methodology, we also present the performance tests carried out in laboratory environment on low voltage and in on-field conditions on medium voltage. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.eie.24.3.20983


Adaptive gradient methods have become recently very popular, in particular as they have been shown to be useful in the training of deep neural networks. In this paper we have analyzed RMSProp, originally proposed for the training of deep neural networks, in the context of online convex optimization and show $\sqrt{T}$-type regret bounds. Moreover, we propose two variants SC-Adagrad and SC-RMSProp for which we show logarithmic regret bounds for strongly convex functions. Finally, we demonstrate in the experiments that these new variants outperform other adaptive gradient techniques or stochastic gradient descent in the optimization of strongly convex functions as well as in training of deep neural networks.


Cell nuclei experience and respond to a wide range of forces, both in vivo and in vitro. In order to characterize the nuclear response to physical stress, we developed a microfluidic chip and used it to apply mechanical stress to live cells and measure their nuclear deformability. The device design is optimized for the detection of both nucleus and cytoplasm, which can then be conveniently quantified using a custom-written Matlab program. We measured nuclear sizes and strains of embryonic stem cells, for which we observed negative Poisson ratios in the nuclei. In addition, we were able to detect changes in the nuclear response after treatment with actin depolymerizing and chromatin decondensing agents. Finally, we showed that the device can be used for biologically relevant high-resolution confocal imaging of cells under compression. Thus, the device presented here allows for accurate physical phenotyping at high throughput and has the potential to be applied to a range of cell types.


The pixel and the technique of pixelating faces belong to a politics of fear and a digital aesthetics of truth that shapes public perceptions of criminality and the threat of otherness. This article draws on Paul Virilio's account of the pixel in The Lost Dimension to analyze its specific role and operation in relation to contemporary representations of incarceration. In particular, the article considers the figure of the incarcerated informant. The incarcerated criminal or informant plays a complex role as both subversive other and purveyor of truth and as such constitutes an important example of the ways pixelation functions as a visible signifier of a dangerous truth while blurring, erasing, and ultimately dehumanizing those "speaking" this truth. The discussion forms part of a larger analysis of the production, framing, and circulation of images of otherness, identifying Virilio as key to debates around the violence of the screen.


Scholars and policy makers recognize the need for better and timelier data about contentious collective action, both the peaceful protests that are understood as part of democracy and the violent events that are threats to it. News media provide the only consistent source of information available outside government intelligence agencies and are thus the focus of all scholarly efforts to improve collective action data. Human coding of news sources is time-consuming and thus can never be timely and is necessarily limited to a small number of sources, a small time interval, or a limited set of protest "issues" as captured by particular keywords. There have been a number of attempts to address this need through machine coding of electronic versions of news media, but approaches so far remain less than optimal. The goal of this paper is to outline the steps needed to build, test and validate an open-source system for coding protest events from any electronically available news source using advances from natural language processing and machine learning. Such a system should have the effect of increasing the speed and reducing the labor costs associated with identifying and coding collective actions in news sources, thus increasing the timeliness of protest data and reducing biases due to excessive reliance on too few news sources. The system will also be open, available for replication, and extendable by future social movement researchers, and social and computational scientists.


A localization algorithm is an important component in a wireless sensor network. The requirements for such an algorithm include high estimated node position accuracy and low communication overhead. In an evolvable sensor network, where some running sensor nodes exhaust after a working period and some new nodes are added to maintain the proper operation of the network, a localization algorithm used to find position of new added nodes should also satisfy the requirements about accuracy and overhead. Moreover, the algorithm should be able to exploit information of nodes which are in the old network. This paper proposes an extension of a localization algorithm so that it can work in an evolvable sensor network. The simulation results show that the extension obviously meets the requirements. Especially, under certain conditions, the estimated positions of the new added nodes are more accurate than that of the old nodes since the extension can exploit the information of the old network.


Digital safety concerns, socio-economic status, pedagogical beliefs, and religious beliefs can all impact technology decisions within a school. Despite the unique contextual factors that influence school technology decision-making, teachers and students are still charged with using technology for teaching and learning in order to be 21 century learners. The purpose of this study was to explore how one Bais Yaakov school community, an all-girls private Jewish school, navigated the tensions of context and technology innovation through their adoption of 1:1 Chromebooks. Grounded theory ethnographic methods and activity theory were employed for data collection and analysis. Technology use was limited, and participants explained that lack of time, fear, frustration, and pedagogical beliefs were reasons that some teachers did not use technology. Practical recommendations from this research include the importance of developing a technology plan designed by all stakeholders and targeted professional development for content areas. Theoretical recommendations include the discussion of culturally competent Internet use in schools and "media refusal" as a term to describe communities who chose not to integrate technology into educational curriculum. INDEX WORDS: 1:1 technology, Bais Yaakov, Grounded theory ethnography, Activity theory, Culture and technology GROUNDED THEORY ETHNOGRAPHY OF A CHROMEBOOK IMPLEMENTATION IN A BAIS YAAKOV SCHOOL


This article focuses on the relation between strategy-as-practice and its power effects in the context of a strategy project (Sustainable Sydney 2030) undertaken by the City of Sydney. The following three interrelated questions guided the enquiry: How is strategy practised? What knowledge is it based upon? And what are its power effects? Based on a detailed empirical analysis of the strategy-making process, the article charts how strategy rendered the city knowable and how performative effects of strategizing mobilized the public and legitimized outcomes of the process while silencing other voices. The article's theoretical contribution is threefold: first, it shows that strategizing is performative, constituting its subjects and shaping its objects; second, that strategizing has to be understood as aesthetic performance whose power resides in the simultaneous representation of facts (traditionally the domain of science) and values (the realm of politics); third, and consequently, that strategy is a sociopolitical practice that aims at mobilizing people, marshalling political will and legitimizing decisions. The article concludes with reflections on five practical implications of the study.


This study was conducted to determine the importance of infection prevention and to promote effective disinfection through a comparison of the degrees of bacterial contamination before and after disinfection in the clinical laboratory of a dental hygiene department. The subjects were five infectionprone parts of a dental unit chair, including the back of the chair, the spitting bowl, the bracket button, the light handle, and the bracket handle, of the clinical laboratory of the dental hygiene department of K University in Gangwon Province. To compare the degree of bacterial contamination before disinfection with that after disinfection, a sterilized cotton swab was used to swipe a 1x1cm area on the surface of a dental unit chair before disinfection, after which the cotton swab was promptly put into a sterilized saline solution. Safe Clean Spray (Associated Dental Products Ltd. Kemdent Works, Swindon, UK) was then applied to the same 1 × 1 cm surface of the dental unit chair, and after 1 min, another sterilized cotton swab was used to swipe the area, after which the cotton swab was promptly put into a sterilized saline solution. The bacteria on the cotton swab were smeared onto a Lysogeny broth (LB) agar medium and were cultured for 48 h at 37°C. The colony-forming unit (CFU) results showed less bacteria after surface disinfection, and all the five areas of the dental unit chair showed significant results (p<0.05). The bacterial identification results showed the highest rate of enterococcus in the pre-disinfected spitting bowl, followed by the bracket handle, and the distribution of the gram-positive bacteria was high. Although most of the bacteria were eliminated after surface disinfection, there were some remaining bacteria. Therefore, the frequency of surface disinfection in clinical laboratories is increased to prevent human cross-contamination from bacteria, using a more potent and biostable disinfectant.


The shear layer at the top of a submerged canopy generates coherent vortices that control exchange between the canopy and the overflowing water. Unlike free shear layers, the vortices in a canopy shear layer do not grow continuously downstream but reach and maintain a finite scale determined by a balance between shear production and canopy dissipation. This balance defines the length scale of vortex penetration into the canopy, δe, and the region of rapid exchange between the canopy and overflow. Deeper within the canopy, transport is constrained by smaller turbulence scales. A two‐box canopy model is proposed on the basis of the length scale δe. Using diffusivity and exchange rates defined in previous studies, the model predicts the timescale required to flush the canopy through vertical exchange over a range of canopy density and height. The predicted canopy retention times, which range from minutes to an hour, are consistent with canopy retention inferred from tracer observations in the field and comparable to retention times for some hyporheic regions. The timescale for vertical exchange, along with the in‐canopy velocity, determines the minimum canopy length for which vertical exchange dominates water renewal. Shorter canopies renew interior water through longitudinal advection. Finally, canopy water retention influences longitudinal dispersion through a transient storage process. When vertical exchange controls canopy retention, the transient storage dispersion increases with canopy height. When longitudinal advection controls water renewal, dispersion increases with canopy patch length.


Listeners with a moderate amount of musical training rated the distance between the first and final key of short chorale excerpts under one of four presentation conditions. The distance between keys, or modulation distance, was either zero, one, or two steps in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction on the cycle of fifths. Presentation conditions were four-voice harmonic sequences excerpted from the complete set of Bach chorales, single voices of the latter sequences, four-voice harmonic sequences simplified to block chords, and single voices of the latter sequences. Consistent with earlier findings (Thompson & Cuddy, 1989), judgments for both four- voice harmonic presentations and single-voice presentations revealed a close correspondence between modulation distance and judged distance. Ratings for harmonic sequences within a given key distance, however, showed influences of direction of modulation and of harmonic progression that were not reflected in ratings for single voices. The findings suggest that harmony and melody follow somewhat different principles in the process of identifying key change.


Companies use many different marketing strategies in order to make their products known and place their corporate images and brandings in the market. Besides, nowadays, being on the Internet is a must for every company striving for success. The development and implementation of Web 2.0 or social web are threatening the basis of the ways of mixing with other people. A company devoted to open and distance learning, such as Master-D Corporation, a clear example of how a proper and planned use of the different possibilities offered by the Web 2.0, based on blogs, allows a company to achieve bigger market shares and brand positioning following the win-win principle. Blogs are, undoubtedly, channels of communication that prove the power of attraction of good information. These changes are affecting everybody and, in particular, companies and institutions related to people's education, teaching and training for their inclusion in society and labor market. This essay brings up some reflections in two ways: The first one deals with some reasons why education is also related to the concept of "company"; and the second one deals with how these changes generated by Web 2.0 are affecting some training companies, represented in this case by Master-D.


Voyage data recorders (VDR) enable accident investigators to review procedures and instructions before an incident and help to identify the cause of any accident. The Future data recording should be capable of recording data audio and video during day and night. The recording should be of high integrity, digital as well as independent of ship supplies. Voyage data recorder, popular name black-box, is used for recording all kinds of navigation information. VDR is a data recording system designed for all vessels required to comply with the International Maritime Organization IMO's and International Convention safety of life at sea SOLAS requirements (IMO). Data from various sensors on board the vessel is collected, digitized, compressed and then stored in an externally mounted protective storage unit. The protective storage unit is a tamper-proof unit designed to with stand the extreme shock impact, pressure and heat, which could be associated with a marine incident (fire, explosion, collision, sinking, etc). This research realizes the importance of obtaining these stored data for accident analysis. This paper considers a real case accident, by downloading and replaying the data of real black box for a sunken ship in the red sea. Eventually, video recorded data of the accident will be more helpful to the investigation.


A method has been developed for the preconcentration of trace amounts of sunset yellow dye using a newly synthesized β-cyclodextrin butanediol diglycidyl ether polymer (β-CDP). Various parameters such as effect of pH, sample volume, shaking time, agitation time, amount of adsorbent for the % uptake of the sunset yellow have been optimized. β-CDP could be used repeatedly and offered a better recovery of sunset yellow. The method has been for the determination of sunset yellow in different food samples.


Developing portable and low-cost methods for quantitative detection of Cronobacter sakazakii (C. sakazakii) from powdered infant formula plays a significant role in controlling and preventing a range of serious neonatal infections. Here, we reported a novel methodology for C. sakazakii detection using a low-cost, simple, and widely accessible personal glucose meter (PGM) as the readout. The electrochemical immunoassay strategy was based on antibody and glucose oxidase coated silica nanoparticles (SiNP–GOX–IgG) and antibody functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNP–IgG). In the process of detecting a positive sample, a sandwich immunocomplex was formed between the MNP–IgG, C. sakazakii and SiNP–GOX–IgG. Then, the above sandwich composites were dispersed in glucose solution, and the concentration of glucose was measured using the PGM. Under optimal conditions, a linear relationship between the decrease of glucose concentration and the logarithm of C. sakazakii concentration was obtained in the concentration range from 9.0 × 102 to 9.0 × 107 CFU mL−1 with a detection limit of 4.2 × 101 CFU mL−1 (S/N = 3). This simple immunoassay holds great potential as an efficient, sensitive and selective point-of-care testing (POCT) tool for C. sakazakii detection.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a method for determining the concentration of the third component of complement (C3) in canine serum, to establish a reference range for C3 in healthy dogs, and to evaluate dogs with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) to determine whether PLN is associated with decreased serum C3 concentrations.

ANIMALS
30 healthy dogs and 49 dogs with PLN.

PROCEDURES
Serum samples were obtained from healthy dogs at the time of examination, whereas serum samples were obtained from dogs with PLN at the time of diagnosis. All samples were frozen at -70 degrees C until analyzed. Serum C3 concentrations were determined by use of a sandwich ELISA. Concentrations were expressed as the number of dilutions in which C3 could be detected.

RESULTS
C3 was detectable in healthy control dogs (range, 1,920,000 to 15,400,000 dilutions; median, 9,600,000 dilutions). This represented a range of four 2-fold serum dilutions. In addition, C3 was detectable in dogs with PLN (range, 1,460,000 to 30,070,000 dilutions; median, 7,680,000 dilutions), which represented a range of six 2-fold serum dilutions. There was no significant difference in C3 concentrations between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
C3 is a critical part of the immune defense system that has not been extensively examined in veterinary medicine. An ELISA was developed for measuring C3 concentrations, and a reference range for healthy dogs was established. Significant decreases in C3 concentrations were not detected in any dog with PLN. Additional studies will be required to definitively determine the importance of serum C3 concentrations in PLN.


Energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometric methods have been developed for the determination of chlorine in asbestos (chrysotile) fibers. Chlorine, which is a minor constituent, is determined by a standard addition method from the ground fiber and by a standardless method in six different fibers. The lower limit of detection for a qualitative analysis and the lower limit of determination for a quantitative analysis of chlorine in the asbestos matrix are 40 ppm and 120 ppm, respectively. The water-soluble and acid-soluble chlorine have also been determined by ion-exchange chromatography and by a colorimetric method. The agreement of the three different methods is very good in all cases.


Objective: To see the efficacy and safety of single low dose ATG induction on graft survival, rejection, infection and development of malignancy in spousal renal transplant recipient.
 Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized trial was conducted between July 1996-January 2000. Single dose (3.5-5 mg/kg) ATG induction was used in 30 patients while 30 patients were taken as control. Standard triple drug immunosuppression was given to both the groups, while study received additional single shot of rabbit ATG (Fresenius, Germany: 200 mg in 200 ml of saline). The patients were followed up for a mean of 30.4 months (range 19-46 months) in both groups. Graft function, rejections, episodes, anti-rejection therapy, infections and development of malignancy was analyzed at the last follow-up.
 Result: There were 24 males and 6 females in control group with a mean age of'44.26 years and 26 males and 4 females in control group with a mean age of 41.26 years. Patients' characteristics in both the groups were comparable. A total of 26 (86.3%) patients in induction and 24(80%) patients in control group were evaluated at last follow-up (mean 30.4 vs. 30.2 months). Stable graft function was present in 83.3% patients in induction versus 70% in control group. Impaired graft, function (serum creatinine >2 mg%) was present only in 10% of control group and none of the patients in the study group at last followup. The total number of rejections were 23.3 and 43.3% in induction and control group respectively. 2 patients in each group who developed multiple episodes of rejection progressed to chronic rejection. Steroid resistant rejections were less with induction therapy than with control group (14.4 vs. 30.7%). Apart from increased urinary tract infections in study group (46.7 vs. 23.3%), infection at other sites were comparable in both the groups. 2 patients in study group and 4 patients in control group died with, functioning graft due to medical problems. 2 patients were lost to follow-up in both the groups. I patient required graft nephrectomy in induction group, due to severe graft dysfunction with significant proteinuria.
 Conclusion: Single shot low dose ATG induction therapy reduces the rejection episodes (p=0.05), but it has not shown any improvement in graft survival at 2'/z years. It is associated with higher urinary infection rates. However, long-term, follow-up is needed to see any benefit of less rejection on long-term graft survival.


ThLs study investigated the preventive and promotive health care in the practice of indigenous healers. It focussed on specific as)ects of primary health care. The objectives of the study were to describe the current practice of indigenous healers with reJard to preventive and promotive health care. The study also id=ntified specific areas in which indigenous healers practices with regard to preventive and promotive health care can be enhanced. It also intended to describe the effect of a short training course for indigenous healers based on the assessment, with regard to their knowledge, beliefs and practice. Tte study was a qualitative multi-phased research project which ircluded three phases. The researcher's target population ccnsisted of indigenous healers in Region D of KwaZulu-Natal. The rEsearcher targeted indigenous healers living at Vryheid District UIlder Hlahlindlela tribal Authority. Sisters at the clinics in V]'yheid and Pietermaritzburg participated in the present study as WE~ll as western medical practitioners and nurses at Edendale hospital. Focus group discussions and individual interviews were conducted. A template method of data analysis was used. R'~sults revealed that indigenous healers practices were claracterized by preventive and promotive health measures which w~re, to a greater extent African -culture related. Areas of c)ncern where indigenous healers practices would be enhanced were ijentified by the formal health care workers. A short training c~urse was designed and implemented by the researcher. Evaluation of the training course revealed that it was to a greater extent effective.


Chronic diseases have a major impact on populations and healthcare systems worldwide. Administrative health data are an ideal resource for chronic disease surveillance because they are population-based and routinely collected. For multi-jurisdictional surveillance, a distributed model is advantageous because it does not require individual-level data to be shared across jurisdictional boundaries. Our objective is to describe the process, structure, benefits, and challenges of a distributed model for chronic disease surveillance across all Canadian provinces and territories (P/Ts) using linked administrative data. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) established the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS) in 2009 to facilitate standardized, national estimates of chronic disease prevalence, incidence, and outcomes. The CCDSS primarily relies on linked health insurance registration files, physician billing claims, and hospital discharge abstracts. Standardized case definitions and common analytic protocols are applied to the data for each P/T; aggregate data are shared with PHAC and summarized for reports and open access data initiatives. Advantages of this distributed model include: it uses the rich data resources available in all P/Ts; it supports chronic disease surveillance capacity building in all P/Ts; and changes in surveillance methodology can be easily developed by PHAC and implemented by the P/Ts. However, there are challenges: heterogeneity in administrative databases across jurisdictions and changes in data quality over time threaten the production of standardized disease estimates; a limited set of databases are common to all P/Ts, which hinders potential CCDSS expansion; and there is a need to balance comprehensive reporting with P/T disclosure requirements to protect privacy. The CCDSS distributed model for chronic disease surveillance has been successfully implemented and sustained by PHAC and its P/T partners. Many lessons have been learned about national surveillance involving jurisdictions that are heterogeneous with respect to healthcare databases, expertise and analytical capacity, population characteristics, and priorities.


This paper addresses the impact of monetary policy on exchange rates during financial crises. Some observers have argued that a tightening of monetary policy is necessary to stabilize the exchange rate, restore confidence, and lay the groundwork for an eventual recovery of economic activity. Others have argued that by raising interest rates (which reduces the ability of borrowers to repay loans and thereby weakens the banking system), tightening may further reduce investor confidence and lead to further weakening--not strengthening--of domestic currencies. ; This debate, which became highly charged during the Asian financial crisis, remains unresolved. A key reason is that, because of the endogeneity of interest rates with respect to exchange rates and investor expectations, it is difficult to use statistical analysis to identify the impact of monetary policy on the exchange rate. In our research, we use measures of international credit spreads and of domestic stock prices as proxies for investor concerns about creditworthiness and country risk in order to better identify the impact of monetary policies on the exchange rate. Using weekly data from Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Mexico, we find that credit spreads and stock prices exert significant impacts on exchange rates during financial crises, but interest rates still are not estimated to have significant effects. We conclude that while monetary policy probably does exert an important influence over exchange rates, this most likely takes place slowly, as central banks attempt to establish credibility, and over longer periods of time than can be captured in our analysis.


Underlining the fact that shale gas, like all natural resources, can only be used once, Daniel Gros observes in this CEPS Commentary that the real issue is not whether this resource should be developed in Europe, but when it should be used: today or tomorrow? Europe is already a heavy user of gas, but its consumption is stagnating (along with its economy). Despite the hype about the shale gas revolution, the extraction cost of (onshore) conventional gas remains below that of fracking. And lots of pipelines have already been built so that the marginal cost of bringing this 'conventional' gas to Europe is thus rather low. Thus, from an economic and environmental point of view, Gros argues that fracking is unlikely to bring large benefits for Europe and that shale gas might just substitute for conventional gas, which is plentiful.


Purpose: to assess the efficacy of THEIA, an artificial intelligence for screening diabetic retinopathy in a multi-center prospective study. To validate the potential application of THEIA as clinical decision making assistant in a national screening program. Methods: 902 patients were recruited from either an urban large eye hospital, or a semi-rural optometrist led screening provider, as they were attending their appointment as part of New Zealand Diabetic Screening programme. These clinics used a variety of retinal cameras and a range of operators. The de-identified images were then graded independently by three senior retinal specialists, and final results were aggregated using New Zealand grading scheme, which is then converted to referable\non-referable and Healthy\mild\more than mild\vision threatening categories. Results: compared to ground truth, THEIA achieved 100% sensitivity and [95.35%-97.44%] specificity, and negative predictive value of 100%. THEIA also did not miss any patients with more than mild or vision threatening disease. The level of agreement between the clinicians and the aggregated results was (k value: 0.9881, 0.9557, and 0.9175), and the level of agreement between THEIA and the aggregated labels was (k value: 0.9515). Conclusion: Our multi-centre prospective trial showed that THEIA does not miss referable disease when screening for diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy. It also has a very high level of granularity in reporting the disease level. Since THEIA is being tested on a variety of cameras, operating in a range of clinics (rural\urban, ophthalmologist-led\optometrist-led), we believe that it will be a suitable addition to a public diabetic screening program.


Healthy ecosystems such as forests and wetlands have a great potential to support adaptation to climate change and are the foundation of sustainable livelihoods. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) can help to protect and maintain healthy ecosystems providing resilience against the impacts of climate change. This paper explores the role of EbA in reconciling socio-economic development with the conservation and restoration of nature in Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya, East Africa. Using selected ecosystems in the Lake region, the paper identifies key EbA approaches and explores trade-offs and synergies at spatial and temporal scales and between different stakeholders. The research methods used for this study include site visits, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, participatory workshops and literature reviews. An analytical framework is applied to advance the understanding of EbA approaches and how they lead to synergies and trade-offs between ecosystem services provision at spatial and temporal scales and multiple stakeholders. Our results show that EbA approaches such as ecosystem restoration have the potential to generate multiple adaptation benefits as well as synergies and trade-offs occurring at different temporal and spatial scales and affecting various stakeholder groups. Our paper underscores the need to identify EbA trade-offs and synergies and to explore the ways in which they are distributed in space and time and between different stakeholders to design better environmental and development programmes.


Starting from the standard three-wave SBS coupled equations, we derive a novel expression describing Brillouin interaction between a pulsed pump wave with a finite cw component, and a Stokes continuous wave counter-propagating along a single-mode optical fiber. The derived integral equation relates the time-domain Stokes beam amplification to the Brillouin frequency distribution. The proposed model permits an accurate description of the Brillouin interaction even for arbitrarily-shaped pump pulses, and can be efficiently employed for improving the accuracy and the resolution of SBS-based distributed sensors. The validity and the limits of the proposed model are numerically analyzed and discussed.


Abstract Species richness in Madrean mixed-grass prairies dominated by native or exotic species in southeastern Arizona was characterized at the community and point scales using ten 1-m2 quadrats nested within each of eight 1000-m2 plots. In the 1000-m2 plots average richness was significantly higher in oak savanna (OS, 121.0 species) than in exotic grassland on mesa tops (EMT, 52.0 species), whereas native grassland on mesa slopes (NMS, 92.5 species) and native grassland on mesa tops (NMT, 77.0 species) did not differ significantly in richness from OS or EMT. When richness was partitioned by life form, EMT was notably poorer than other community types in species of perennial grasses, perennial herbs, and summer annuals. In the 1-m2 quadrats, OS (21.2 species), NMS (20.9 species), and NMT (20.7 species) were significantly richer than EMT (5.9 species). Cover in 1-m2 plots was significantly higher in EMT than in NMT, NMS, or OS. Species richness at the point scale showed a unimodal relation to canopy cover, with cover accounting for 30% of the variation in number of species in 1-m2 quadrats. Competitive exclusion and allelopathy have perhaps limited species richness at the point scale in exotic grassland. There was no evidence of a species-pool effect between point and community scales, but such an effect between community and landscape scales was supported. Madrean mixed-grass prairies are landscapes with high species richness in comparison to other grassland types in North America, providing a large pool of potential colonizing species at the community scale. Beta-diversity (between communities) within the landscape of the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch was consequently high despite a relative lack of habitat diversity.


Using an analogy with quantum mechanics we employ a technique that enables us to calculate the efficiency of an incoherent pump in general-geometry double-clad fibers. This approach yields accurate estimates of the absorption rate of each mode of the pump in the first order of perturbation theory. Such estimates are compared with results of numerical simulations reported recently. The comparison confirms the high efficiency of a spiral-shaped cladding.


This Article applies the concept of "legal transplant" to the slavery regimes that sprang up in all regions of settlement during the first two centuries of English colonization of mainland America. Using a distinction between "extrastructure" and "intrastructure," we can divide the Anglo-American law of slavery into discourses of explanation/justification and technologies of implementation. The two components were produced from distinct sources. English law possessed few intellectual resources that could be mobilized to justify and explain slavery as an institution. Here we find the law of nature and nations uppermost. English law offered many resources, however, for the management, distribution and control of movements of people. Thus, the Anglo-American law of slavery combined two transplanted resources within itself. As colonial settlements turned into slave societies, local innovations increasingly supplemented original transplants, compensating for their deficiencies and limitations and becoming, in turn, a third species of transplant. Assembly laws moved from colony to colony, creating commonalities within regions of settlement, and also — more interestingly — among regions usually thought quite distinct. Together the three species of transplants created densely instrumental slave regimes that enumerated all the ways in which summary mutilations and executions defined the slave's life on the edge of death.


Background: Electrocardiography is a low cost, easy to perform method of investigation of the cardiovascular system with diagnostic and prognostic value, and great clinical usefulness. There is an increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Africa and other developing nations of the world. The private hospitals serve as the first port of call to a large number of cardiac patients. Hence, they need to determine the availability and utilization of electrocardiogram (ECG) in the private hospitals. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study involving medical practitioners who offer medical services in the private hospitals in Port Harcourt. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used in this study with a total of 120 analyzable data generated. Results: In this study, 72.5% of the respondents were male with females constituting 27.5%. Most of the respondents were general practitioners and mostly < 10 years of medical practice. This study found that approximately two-third of the respondents had ECG facility in their practice with good utilization (83.2%). However, most of the respondents (60%) have no formal training in the interpretation of ECG with only 6.2% having competence in ECG interpretation, and only 15.6% would seek specialist opinion/interpretation. This study further found that 98.3% of the respondents expressed willingness for formal training to improve their ECG interpretation skills. Conclusion: There are good availability and utilization of ECG facilities among private practitioners in Port Harcourt. The knowledge and competence for interpretation of ECG are poor. There is, therefore, a need for formal training in ECG interpretation for general and private medical practitioners in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.


The major feature of the plant-growth-promoting bacteria Azospirillum brasilense is its ability to modify plant root architecture. In plants, nitric oxide (NO) mediates indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-signaling pathways leading to both lateral (LR) and adventitious (AR) root formation. Here, we analyzed aerobic NO production by A. brasilense Sp245 wild type (wt) and its mutants Faj009 (IAA-attenuated) and Faj164 (periplasmic nitrate reductase negative), and its correlation with tomato root-growth-promoting effects. The wt and Faj009 strains produced 120 nmol NO per gram of bacteria in aerated nitrate-containing medium. In contrast, Faj164 produced 5.6 nmol NO per gram of bacteria, indicating that aerobic denitrification could be considered an important source of NO. Inoculation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) seedlings with both wt and Faj009 induced LR and AR development. In contrast, Faj164 mutant was not able to promote LR or AR when seedlings grew in nitrate. When NO was removed with the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO), both LR and AR formation were inhibited, providing evidence that NO mediated Azospirillum-induced root branching. These results show that aerobic NO synthesis in A. brasilense could be achieved by different pathways and give evidence for an NO-dependent promoting activity on tomato root branching regardless of bacterial capacity for IAA synthesis.


The electrochemical behaviour of xipamide was studied at glassy carbon electrode in Britton-Robinson buffer solution of different pH values ranging from 2.0 to 7.0 using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. Voltammetric results showed a reversible redox and diffusion-controlled process. The oxidation and reduction peaks were found at potentials of 0.375 V and 0.321 V at pH 5.0, respectively. While the reported voltammetric method 2 shows irreversible oxidation process for xipamide and having higher detection limit than the proposed method. Linear responses were obtained over concentration ranges of 5.0 × 10-8 to 6.46 × 10-7 mol L-1 and 5.0 × 10-8 to 9.90 × 10-7 mol L-1 with detection limits of 3.97 × 10-9 mol L-1 and 3.30 × 10-9 mol L-1 for oxidation and reduction processes, respectively. Sensitivity, precision and accuracy were evaluated. The proposed method is suitable for the quality control of xipamide in bulk, commercial formulations and urine.


Objectives: Injuries are a common consequence of sports and recreational activity. The optimal management of symptoms is a crucial element of sports injury management. Acupressure has previously been shown to effectively decrease symptoms of musculoskeletal injury, thus may be considered a potentially useful intervention in the management of sport-related injuries. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of acupressure in decreasing pain and anxiety in acutely injured athletes. Design: A prospective 3-arm randomized placebo-controlled trial. Setting: A sports injury clinic, Dunedin, New Zealand. Patients: Seventy-nine athletes who sustained a sport-related musculoskeletal injury on the day. Intervention: Three minutes of either acupressure, sham acupressure, or no acupressure. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcomes of pain and anxiety intensity were measured before and immediately after the intervention on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). Pain and anxiety relief, satisfaction with treatment, willingness to repeat a similar treatment, and belief in the effect of acupressure were secondary outcomes measured on Likert scales after the intervention. Results: The acupressure group reported 11 mm less pain (95% CI: 5-17) on average than the sham acupressure group, and 9 mm less (95% CI: 3-16) than the control group as a result of the intervention (P < 0.05). There was no difference between groups in: anxiety levels, or in any of the secondary outcome measures. Conclusions: Three minutes of acupressure was effective in decreasing pain intensity in athletes who sustained an acute musculoskeletal sports injury when measured on the VAS, but did not change anxiety levels.


The clinical signs and pathological lesions, consistent with Bovine Progressive Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (BPDME), are described in a heifer. The animal was an 18-month-old Braunvieh-/Brown Swiss crossbreed with 50% Brown Swiss. Both the sire as well as the dam were related to the bull "B.". The only neurological signs were a posterior ataxia. Mobility and coordination of the front legs were normal. The CK activity of the cerebrospinal fluid was enhanced. There was a moderate to severe degeneration of the white matter consisting of marked axonal degradation and distension and degradation of myelin sheats in all parts of the spinal cord as well as in the medulla oblongata. The lesions were more severe in the descending than in the ascending tracts.


Increases in residual-limb temperatures can occur simply by donning a lower-limb prosthesis and walking. Intrasocket temperatures can also remain elevated long after an activity ends. To address problems associated with activity-related increases in intrasocket temperatures (e.g., discomfort, decreased prosthesis use, lost suspension, residual-limb skin breakdown), an innovative Intrasocket Cooling Element (ICE) system has been developed and tested on ten, transtibial prosthesis users. This report describes the design of the thermo-electric driven, active-cooling ICE system and presents the results of both in-laboratory and at-home testing. Given the capacity for the ICE system to moderate intrasocket temperatures during controlled bouts of in-laboratory exercise, future testing will explore the potential for this technology to reduce the incidence of residual-limb skin issues and improve quality of life outcome measures among a cohort of lower-limb prosthesis users.


Introduction In various parts of the earth and at different geological horizons are large areas covered by very extensive, generally horizontal, series of sheets of basaltic lavas, the series of overlying flows often attaining thicknesses of thousands of meters. In some cases they are accompanied by flows of rhyolite. These basalts have poured out in an evidently very fluid condition, as they occupy preexisting valleys and cover the lower topographic features much like floods of water, the separate flows being very long—many of them measured by miles. It is generally assumed by volcanologists that these extensive, horizontal, very fluid flows have issued quietly from fissures—an idea first suggested by Sir Archibald Geikie. 2 Volcanic cones, formed of lavas, ashes, or both, are present in places, but these are, inconspicuous, being low because of the fluidity of the lavas, and they always form a very minor feature of the complex. Such lavas . . .


ABSTRACT This article develops the theory of multistep ahead forecasting for vector time series that exhibit temporal nonstationarity and co-integration. We treat the case of a semi-infinite past by developing the forecast filters and the forecast error filters explicitly. We also provide formulas for forecasting from a finite data sample. This latter application can be accomplished by using large matrices, which remains practicable when the total sample size is moderate. Expressions for the mean square error of forecasts are also derived and can be implemented readily. The flexibility and generality of these formulas are illustrated by four diverse applications: forecasting euro area macroeconomic aggregates; backcasting fertility rates by racial category; forecasting long memory inflation data; and forecasting regional housing starts using a seasonally co-integrated model.


The Internet ecosystem comprising of thousands of Autonomous Systems (ASes) now include Internet eXchange Points (IXPs) as another critical component in the infrastructure. Peering plays a significant part in driving the economic growth of ASes and is contributing to a variety of structural changes in the Internet. IXPs are a primary component of this peering ecosystem and are playing an increasing role not only in the topology evolution of the Internet but also inter-domain path routing. In this dissertation we study and analyze the overall affects of peering and IXP infrastructure on the Internet. We observe IXP peering is enabling a quicker flattening of the Internet topology and leading to over-utilization of popular inter-AS links. Indiscriminate peering at these locations is leading to higher endto-end path latencies for ASes peering at an exchange point, an effect magnified at the most popular worldwide IXPs. We first study the effects of recently discovered IXP links on the inter-AS routes using graph based approaches and find that it points towards the changing and flattening landscape in the evolution of the Internet's topology. We then study more IXP effects by using measurements to investigate the networks benefits of peering. We propose and implement a measurement framework which identifies default paths through IXPs and compares them with alternate paths isolating the IXP hop. Our system is running and recording default and alternate path latencies and made publicly available. We model the probability of an alternate path performing better than a default path through an IXP iii by identifying the underlying factors influencing the end-to end path latency. Our firstof-its-kind modeling study, which uses a combination of statistical and machine learning approaches, shows that path latencies depend on the popularity of the particular IXP, the size of the provider ASes of the networks peering at common locations and the relative position of the IXP hop along the path. An in-depth comparison of end-to-end path latencies reveal a significant percentage of alternate paths outperforming the default route through an IXP. This characteristic of higher path latencies is magnified in the popular continental exchanges as measured by us in a case study looking at the largest regional IXPs. We continue by studying another effect of peering which has numerous applications in overlay routing, Triangle Inequality Violations (TIVs). These TIVs in the Internet delay space are created due to peering and we compare their essential characteristics with overlay paths such as detour routes. They are identified and analyzed from existing measurement datasets but on a scale not carried out earlier. This implementation exhibits the effectiveness of GPUs in analyzing big data sets while the TIVs studied show that the a set of common inter-AS links create these TIVs. This result provides a new insight about the development of TIVs by analyzing a very large data set using GPGPUs. Overall our work presents numerous insights into the inner workings of the Internet's peering ecosystem. Our measurements show the effects of exchange points on the evolving Internet and exhibits their importance to Internet routing.


Using null-point scanning thermal microscopy (NP SThM), we have measured and analyzed the size dependence of the thermal conductivity of graphene. To do so, we rigorously re-derived the principal equation of NP SThM in terms of thermal property measurements so as to explain how this technique can be effectively used to quantitatively measure the local thermal resistance with nanoscale spatial resolution. This technique has already been proven to resolve the major problems of conventional SThM, and to quantitatively measure the temperature profile. Using NP SThM, we measured the variation in the thermal resistance of suspended chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene disks with radii of 50-3680 nm from the center to the edge with respect to the size. By thoroughly analyzing the size dependence of the thermal resistance, we show that, with increasing graphene size, the ballistic resistance becomes more dominant in the thermal resistance experienced by a heat source of finite size and that the thermal conductivity experienced by such a heat source can even decrease. The results of this study reveal that the thermal conductivity of graphene detected by a heat source depends on the size of the heat source relative to that of the suspended graphene and on how the heat source and graphene are connected. As demonstrated in this study, NP SThM will be very useful for quantitative thermal characterization of not only CVD-grown graphene but also various other nanomaterials and nanodevices.


Selective ion transport is a hallmark of biological ion channel behavior but is a major challenge to engineer into artificial membranes. Here, we demonstrate, with all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, that bare graphene nanopores yield measurable ion selectivity that varies over one to two orders of magnitude simply by changing the pore radius and number of graphene layers. Monolayer graphene does not display dehydration-induced selectivity until the pore radius is small enough to exclude the first hydration layer from inside the pore. Bi- and tri-layer graphene, though, display such selectivity already for a pore size that barely encroaches on the first hydration layer, which is due to the more significant water loss from the second hydration layer. Measurement of selectivity and activation barriers from both first and second hydration layer barriers will help elucidate the behavior of biological ion channels. Moreover, the energy barriers responsible for selectivity - while small on the scale of hydration energies - are already relatively large, i.e., many kBT. For separation of ions from water, therefore, one can exchange longer, larger radius pores for shorter, smaller radius pores, giving a practical method for maintaining exclusion efficiency while enhancing other properties (e.g., water throughput).


Circuits, Devices and Systems-Ralph J. Smith 1991-10-17 This book is also available through the Introductory Engineering Custom Publishing System. If you are interested in creating a course-pack that includes chapters from this book, you can get further information by calling 212-850-6272 or sending email inquiries to engineerjwiley.com. The authors offer a set of objectives at the beginning of each chapter plus a clear, concise description of abstract concepts. Focusing on preparing students to solve practical problems, it includes numerous colorful illustrative examples. Along with updated material on MOSFETS, the CRO for use in lab work, a thorough treatment of digital electronics and rapidly developing areas of electronics, it contains an expansive glossary of new terms and ideas.


The emergence of antibiotic resistance in important human pathogens has globally become a public health concern. Consumption of contaminated meat and meat products constitute a major route for the transmission of antibiotic resistant organisms and the dissemination of resistance genes in the human environment. The aim of this study was to determine the level of antibiotic resistance in potentially pathogenic bacteria associated with pork, chicken meat, chicken manure, chicken feed and eggs. Standard procedures were employed for the selective enrichment and isolation of Escherichiu coli, Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas and Salmonella, and to determine the level of their susceptibility for penicillin, oxytetracycline, tetracycline, streptomycin, as well as aminoglycoside antibiotics. It was found that 10,1% of the total number of isolates were Pseudomonas, 25,3% Staphylococcus, 2 1,2% Enterohacteriuceae, 7,0% E. coli and 36,4% Salmonella. Statistical analysis of results showed clusters of isolates exhibiting similar patterns of antibiotic resistance. Except for resistance to penicillin, Pseudomonas isolates were largely susceptible to the antibiotics tested. Staphylococcus isolates were relatively susceptible, with the highest levels of resistance, in this case to oxytetracycline and tetracycline, observed in those from pork and chicken manure. High levels of resistance to oxytetracycline (71%), tetracycline (79%), streptomycin (52%), and penicillin (1 00%) were detected in Enlerohucteriuceue isolates from chicken meat samples. It was found in addition that E. coli from chicken meat samples 100% resistant to oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and penicillin, while Salmonella showed resistance to gentamycin (63%), tetracycline (46%), oxytetracycline and penicillin (99%). Indexing of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) confirmed the relatively high levels of resistance in E. coli and Salmonella from the chicken meat samples. Overall, results from the present study indicated that relatively high levels of resistance towards tetracycline, oxytetracycline and penicillin was observed in potentially pathogenic bacteria associated with pork, chicken meat, and the environment of the chicken industry. It was, however found that isolates from the respective bacterial groups were largely susceptible to the aminoglycoside antibiotics, as well as streptomycin and erythromycin.


Rice, the most important crop in Malaysia contributes about one-third of daily
calorie intake among Malaysians, and it is the primary source of carbohydrates. As
in many other developing countries in Asia, food security has been an integral
national policy objective in Malaysia's development pursuits since the 1950s. The
focus of the self-sufficiency programme has been on rice, as it is the staple food for
the vast majority of the population. Domestic consumption of rice is projected to
increase with increase in population; whereby the increase in production has to come
from higher productivity in the existing granary areas since there is no plan to
increase the area under paddy cultivation.
It has long been recognized that pollutant gases cause significant impacts on crops
and forests in both developed and developing countries. Tropospheric ozone (03) is
recognised as the pollutant most likely to cause widespread crop damage. For this
pollutant an AOT40 (accumulative O3 concentration above a threshold of 40 ppb)
value causing 5% yield loss for all agricultural crops has been established as 3000
ppb.h, which is applicable during daylight hours over a growing season (UN-ECE,
1996). Comparatively, very few studies of tropospheric ozone impact on vegetation
have been conducted in developing countries; majority of which; located along the
equatorial belt. This is a serious omission because of the greater importance of this
issue in developing countries due to increasing demand for higher crop production in
the face of growing populations, rapid deterioration of ambient air quality associated
with industrialisation and urbanisation as well as land constrains. Moreover,
Malaysia, which is located at the equatorial region, may be at an even greater risk
because the climate that is characterised by high temperature and high levels of solar
radiation, promote the formation of photochemical pollutants such as 03.
For the above purpose, there is a pressing need to determine the actual air pollution
impacts on vegetation especially rice plant, which is the main staple food of
Malaysia. Forecasting crop yield well before harvest is crucial to enable planners
and decision makers to predict how much to import in case of shortfall or optionally,
to export in case of surplus. It also enables governments to put in place strategic
contingency plans for redistribution of food during times of famine. Therefore,
monitoring of crop development and of crop growth, and early yield prediction is
very crucial. In order to have a complete estimate of air pollution damage i.e., O3 to
paddy plantation area, a dose-response, or yield-loss function have to be developed.
In this study, data was gathered from tests in open-top chambers (OTCs), whereby
four OTCs were fabricated; two of which were exposed to ambient air pollution
(NF) of which ozone is the major perpetrator whilst the remaining were provided
with clean air i.e. charcoal filtered air treatment (F). The response of a popular local
rice cultivar, MR-219 to current ambient air pollution of which O3 is the
overwhelming dominant pollutant was investigated for five successive seasons in
Muda Irrigation Scheme Area (MADA); the largest and imperative rice growing
area in Malaysia. This method has been widely employed to assess crop yield
responses to ozone.
The results of the study clearly indicate that at ozone concentrations even lower than
the Malaysian air quality guidelines (60 ppb 8 hr mean) level, there exist a
significant impact on the growth and yield of the popular rice cultivar MR-219.
Even though weeds, diseases, and insect pests were absent, water and nutrients were
in abundance, no adverse soil conditions, and that no extreme weather event such as
typhoons occurs; the physiological, growth and development performances of rice
plants exposed to ambient ozone were found to be significantly (P< 0.05) reduced by
AOT40 compared to control rice plants in filtered chamber. This study discovered
that the root was the most significantly affected component of MR-219 rice plant.
Meanwhile, reproductive stage is the most vulnerable period of growth to ozone
impact followed by grain filling and vegetative stages, respectively. For plant
growth and development study, yield is the most critical parameter. Statistically, a
square root-Y equation epitomize the best fitting compared to other curvilinear
models in describing yield reduction of rice plant due to ambient O3 stress (DWFG);
represented by the following equation: DWF,= [9.636 - (0.0000303 * AOT~O)].'
This study finding is undeniable imperative and it bestows the first algorithmic
yield-loss model of crop to ozone in this country, ever.


ABSTRACT In the 1960s, behavior therapy techniques were emerging from the laboratory. These techniques were proving successful in changing a variety of behavioral problems. In the area of psychiatric rehabilitation, Quirk learned to apply Mary Cover Jones' method of desensitization to psychotics despite Wolpe's self-reported inability to make Reciprocal Inhibition Therapy (RIT) work with psychotics. Von Hilsheimer suggested that he monitor stress by Galvanic Skin Resistance (GSR) and Quirk developed a library of lanternslides to substitute for verbal statements in the Wolpe hierarchies of stressful stimuli. He automated this method and named it. SCARS (Stimulus Conditioned Autonomic Response Suppression). This method was later used in offender rehabilation with correctional populations. This paper reviews this history. Quirk then applied the same methods and Sterman's EEG biofeedback training (increasing SMR at C-3/C-4) in a pilot study of 40 matched pairs of jailed felons at the Ontario Correctional Institute (OCI) near Toronto, Canada; and in a larger pilot study of 110 matched pairs. From 1970 through 1995 Quirk and von Hilsheimer trained 2776 felons at the OCI by this combined method (temperature, GSR and EEG). 15% were rearrested in the 3 years following release. This compares well to the range of re-arrest in studies summarized by Alter et al (1996)--42 % to 78%. This line of research represents an early beginning to the field of applied behavioral neurology and the work has strong implications for behavior analysts treating offenders today. Keywords: EEG biofeedback, behavior therapy, applied behavioral neurology, desensitization, offender treatment Introduction In the late 1950s, behavior therapy based on operant and respondent conditioning procedures moved out of the laboratory (see Wolpe, 1958) and into the direct treatment of people. Many of the procedures were used to reduce anxiety (e.g., Paul, 1966 or Lang, and Lazovik, 1963). Basic research studies were showing that operant conditioning procedures could be applied without the subject's awareness and could change autonomic responses (Gavalas, 1967). Studies at Harvard Medical showed that operant conditioning could be used through biofeedback technology to change blood flow and blood pressure (Shapiro, Crider, Tursky, 1964; Shapiro & Crider, 1967; Shapiro, Tursky, & Schwartz, 1970; Schwartz, 1973) and studies with post stroke patients, cerebral palsy, spinal injuries showed that biofeedback could restore motor control (Basmajian, 1977; Fernando & Basmajian, 1978; Runck, 1980). This encouraged many in clinical practice to begin to experiment with the idea of directly manipulating brainwave frequencies through operant procedures, which were correlated with behavioral disruption. This research could be seen as the early beginning of work called applied behavioral neuroscience (today referred to as Neurotherapy), as you will see it is a area of research that might be of value to current behavior analysts, especially those working within the prison or criminal justice systems. This paper represents a brief and at times a personal history of this area. INTRODUCTION: ICTAL AND SUBICTAL DYSFUNCTION Two of Quirk's colleagues, North and Breen, liked a method of scoring the Bender-Gestalt published in a book by Hutt. However, the Bender figures weren't really adaptable to the Hutt method. So North and Breen created new figures and called the test the Diagnostic Differential Test (DDT). Quirk took a course in administering the DDT and became expert at its interpretation. One of the neurologists on staff who used Doug as a consultant gave him a list of 10 patients, whose serial EEGs eventually demonstrated epilepsy but who did not have seizures. He was asked what test to use to figure out how to recognize them more reliably than with the EEG. Doug found a file into which he had put the DDT's those individuals' had taken. …


Anthropogenic nutrient enrichment is increasingly modifying community structure and ecosystem functioning in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In marine ecosystems, the paradigm is that nutrient enrichment leads to a decline of seagrasses by stimulating epiphytic algal growth, which shades and overgrows seagrasses. This ignores the potential for herbivores, which graze upon epiphytic algae, to partially or wholly counter such nutrient effects. We conducted a field experiment to assess the role that the trochid gastropod Calthalotia fragum plays in reducing nutrient impacts on the seagrass, Posidonia australis, in an urbanized Australian estuary, Botany Bay, Sydney. In a field experiment, where nutrient loading and grazer density were orthogonally manipulated, nutrient enrichment failed to promote epiphyte biomass or diminish growth and primary productivity of P. australis. To the contrary, nutrient enrichment enhanced photosynthesis of the seagrass in plots where the grazer was present at higher density. Epiphytic growth was negatively affected by increased C. fragum density, while P. australis shoot growth was positively influenced. Thus, in this study system, grazing appears to play a much greater role in determining seagrass primary productivity and above-ground growth than moderate nutrient loading, suggesting that the interaction between grazers and nutrients depends on the relative levels of each. Our study contributes to a growing body of literature suggesting that effects of nutrient loading on benthic assemblages are not universally negative, but are dependent on the biotic and abiotic setting.


Success in any yacht race depends to a large degree on the ability of the crew to perform any boat-handling manoeuvre faultlessly and speedily. This book explains the evolution of just about every situation that is likely to be encountered during a race at sea. Each one is presented with an overview of the sequence that should take place and its objective, then the task of each crew member is explained for its preparation, operation and completion. Photographs and illustrations clarify what are often complex situations. The position of every crew member, from bowman to helmsman, is examined and the area of responsibility for each clearly laid out. Desirable physical and mental attributes are discussed along with practical advice on improvements to technique. Other chapters cover watch-keeping systems, heavy weather, sail trim and set-up for racing. It is a book written for either sex, at any age and at any level of experience wishing to perfect the complexities of creating and being part of an offshore race-winning team.


This paper presents an analytic framework whereby the relationship between formal and informal knowledge can be viewed in a pedagogic context. The framework is the result of a dialectical conversation between the theories of Bernstein and Dowling, primarily, and the empirical data from case studies of two university courses in Labour Law. A major feature of the framework is a systemic network, showing the relationships between pedagogic strategies associated with the particular, the local and the concrete and those associated with the general, the distant and the abstract. The research arises out of concern about the extent to which prior informal experience can be recruited usefully in the pedagogy of adults in a higher education context where there is commitment to the valuing of adult experience and learning but a pre-defined and relatively non-negotiable curriculum.


Reversed phase-HPLC with fluorescence detection of two major capsaicinoids was described. Isocratic elution using a ratio of methanol and de- ionized water (66:34, v/v) as mobile phase was used at a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min with well achieved separation within 6 min. Under optimum conditions, their analytical figures of merit for the HPLC method were validated. The linearity was in the range of 1.0-25.0 g/mL with multiple determination coefficients of higher than 0.995. The limit of detection was ranged of 0.008-0.01 g/mL. The repeatability and reproducibility of the retention time and peak area for these compounds were in good precision with their relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 1% and 5%, respectively. Both capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were extracted using an accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of methanol as an extraction solvent for 5 min static time with 3 cycles. The methanolic extracts were subjected to clean up with C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) with its recoveries ranking of 90.2-98.0%. The method recoveries of real samples were found to be 60.7-98.6%. The optimized extraction method were applied for the determination of the two capsaicinoids in ten vareities of hot chilli pepper samples. Total contents of capsaicinoids were found in the range of 2,307.0-9047.3 g/g DW with their corresponding Scoville heat unit (SHU) of 34,600-135,700. Additionally, the contents of capsaicinoids using external calibration method comparing with those of standard addition were not significantly different, indicating accuracy of the method. Mostly, the contents of capsaicin found in these real samples were rather higher than those of dihydrocapsaicin.


BACCALAUREATE DEGREE ATTAINMENT OF STUDENTS WHO TRANSFER WITH AND WITHOUT A TRANSFERABLE ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE Janina S. Arrington Old Dominion University, 2016 Director: Dr. Dana D. Burnett The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to identify how demographic characteristics (age, gender, and race) impacted baccalaureate degree attainment for transfer students who transferred from a large, public community college located in an urban area in the Southeastern U.S. to two large public universities also located in urban areas in the Southeastern region of the United States. The study also assessed transfer services and support services for transfer students received at a large, public four-year research institution in the same region. The quantitative phase of this study employed descriptive statistics to analyze the length of time to baccalaureate degree after transfer. Overall, the results indicated that students with a transferable associate's degree are more likely to attain a baccalaureate degree and in a shorter time, although there were some interesting differences when the mediators of age, gender, and race were considered. The qualitative phase of the study enriched the quantitative results by drawing on the experiences of students who had transferred to one large, public research university. Participants reported experiencing "transfer shock" especially in the form of a lack of systematic advising support for transfer students.


The article is pending problems related with integration of health care, nursing and social care services providing for patients at home. It is assessed that demographical aging determines increasing demands of services for older and disable people, especially demands for home nursing. Also, providing services at patient's home is proven to have positive effect to quality of life for older and disable people and it saves financial resources, dedicated to in-patient services for these patients. However, in Lithuania dominates institutional model of patient's care, when lonely, disabled people are hospitalized in in-patient health or social care institutions, and demand of out-patient service network is only on development stage in several municipalities of Lithuania. The aim article: to evaluate nursing and social care effectiveness in Centro out-patient clinics, providing nursing and social care services at patient's home. During the study the experience of providing integrated nursing and social services for patients at home in European Union and countries outside EU, as well as national legal acts was evaluated. Aiming to measure changes in Centro out-patient clinics, tendencies of activities related with providing health and social care services for patients at home were examined. 150 patients and 173 service providers were surveyed in two empirical-sociological surveys. Data analysis made using SPSS v.19. Nonparametric (Pearson's Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U (M-W), Kruskall-Wallis H) tests were used to measure the frequency of distribution, Spearman's correlation (rho) was used to identify the strength of correlation, and whether the correlation is positive or negative. Statistical significance level used – p<0,05. Results: It was found the tendency of growth in provided services of home nursing in Centro out-patient clinic 2008 – 2011 (R² = 0,995). This growth tendency first of all depends from activities by Nursing, palliative medicine and social care clinic. It was estimated, that 73,3 % of patients rated quality of nursing services as very good, however this rating was significantly different depending on the frequency of visits of nurse (Kruskall-Wallis χ²=16,422, df=5, p=0,006). 64,2 % of surveyed employers rated quality of nursing services as very good, however this rating was significantly different depending on service provider (Nursing, palliative medicine and social care clinic specialists or nurse, working with family doctor) (Kruskall-Wallis χ²= 35,630, df=4, p=0,0001). Conclusions: Hereunder the assessment of experience in European Union and countries outside EU can be stated, that specialized nursing clinics, which actions are coordinated by patient's care providing specialist are likely to achieve better results, comparing with traditional model of care provision led only by doctor. This conclusion is also supported in our study, where it was founded that since care activities was taken by Nursing, palliative medicine and social care clinic, the home nursing services became more accessible. Doctors are also more willing to assign home nursing services for Nursing, palliative medicine and social care clinic specialists.


How can discerning critical hope enable us to develop innovative forms of teaching, learning and social practices that begin to address issues of marginalization, privilege and access across different contexts?
At this millennial point in history, questions of cynicism, despair and hope arise at every turn, especially within areas of research into social justice and the struggle for transformation in education. While a sense of fatalism and despair is easily recognizable, establishing compelling bases for hope is more difficult. This book addresses the absence of sustained analyses of hope that simultaneously recognize the hard edges of why we despair.
The volume posits the notion of critical hope not only as conceptual and theoretical, but also as an action-oriented response to despair. Our notion of critical hope is used in two ways: it is used firstly as a unitary concept which cannot be disaggregated into either hopefulness or criticality, and secondly, as an analytical concept, where critical hope is engaged and diversely theorized in ways that recognize aspects of individual and collective directions of critical hope. The book is divided into four sub-sections:
Critical Hope in Education
Critical Hope and a Critique of Neoliberalism
Critical Race Theory/Postcolonial Perspectives on Critical Hope
Philosophical Overviews of Critical Hope.
Education can be a purveyor of critical hope, but it also requires critical hope so that it, as a sector itself, can be transformative. With contributions from international experts in the field, the book will be of value to all academics and practitioners working in the field of education.


BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing is the competent authority for mechanical safety assessment of transport packages for radioactive material in Germany. The further development of state-of-the-art technology concerning assessment methods is essential for a qualified work of involved designers and authority experts. The paper gives an example of current development done to improve understanding and modeling capabilities of wood filled impact limiter. In order to reduce the loads applied to the package containment, which result from regulatory drop tests, most packages are protected by energy dissipating impact limiter. Wood, encapsulated by steel sheets, is one of the materials typically used for energy dissipation in these impact limiter. Very often, mechanical safety cases regarding the 9 m drop test are performed computationally, where it is essential to use reliable and verified computational methods and models. In this context, the paper presents an approach for a finite element material model for wood. Thereby, the mechanical behavior of wood under compression loading is the focus of the development work. Additionally, material orientation as well as strain rate, temperature and lateral constraint may vary. A large number of experiments, particularly compression tests, was designed and performed to establish an adequate experimental database for modeling verification. The experimental results enabled the derivation of necessary requirements: The material model has to take into account strain rate and temperature dependencies as well as the anisotropic characteristics of the material, a proper yield criterion, flow rule and hardening law. Such a material model is currently not available in established commercial dynamic finite element codes. Thus it is necessary to create a user-defined material model considering the mentioned requirements. A first step was done by determining a yield surface as well as detecting flow and hardening mechanisms from experimental force-deflection curves. In a next step the LS-DYNA material model MAT_75 was altered according to conclusions of former BAM development work, regarding the modeling of post-peak softening as a function of lateral constraint. Future research will contain the further development, implementation and verification of a material model for wood.