The 'battle for life' can act on different levels, causing individuals of distinct species, as well as individuals of the same species, to compete over a variety of limiting resources such as food, breeding sites and mates. An important form of competition is driven by sexual conflict and often occurs when reproductive strategies between males and female diverge. This has led to the evolution of different strategies to overcome manipulations by the other sex, while maintaining a level of cooperation sufficient to ensure successful reproduction. The manipulation of one sex by the other through molecular interactions has been illuminated by studies of Drosophila melanogaster. Males tend to maximize their chances at fatherhood by releasing sperm and semen proteins into the females. The semen proteins can benefit both sperm and eggs, however they can also sometimes favour the interests of males whilst generating costs in females. One enigmatic semen protein that falls into this category is the 'Sex Peptide', which generates strikingly diverse changes in behavior, reproductive and immune system of females.
In most studies of the effects of Sex peptide, genetic variation has been minimized to delineate its' function. However, to understand the evolutionary processes and dynamics that characterise Sex Peptide-mediated interactions between both sexes, it is important to study this genetic variation. In this thesis, I trace the impact of Sex Peptide on the consequences of sexual conflict in the Drosophila melanogaster genome. An in-depth investigation was performed to measure female post-mating phenotypic traits (immunity, egg laying, receptivity to re-mating and starvation lifespan) in response to receipt of Sex Peptide, using 32 Drosophila Genome Reference Panel (DGRP) lines. I also developed a novel quantification technique to measure variation in the amount of Sex Peptide transferred among males. A genome wide association (GWAS) and functional annotation study of the tested phenotypic traits revealed significant genetic variation involved in the transfer of, and the post-mating responses to, Sex Peptide. This investigation of natural variation allowed me to map phenotypes onto underpinning genomic variation, and to determine the likely impact of sexual conflict on genome evolution.


Customers' evaluations of quality and satisfaction are critical imputs in the development of marketing strategies. Given the increasingly common practice of asking for such evaluations, buyers of products (e.g. cars) and services (e.g. hotels, educational programs/courses) often know in advance that they will be subsequently asked to provide their evaluations. In a series of field studies, we demonstrate that expecting to evaluate leads to more negative quality and satisfaction evaluations. The negative bias of expected evaluations is observed both when actual quality is low and when it is high, and it persists even when buyers are told explicitly to consider both the positive and negative aspects. We examine three possible explanations for this systematic bias, referred to as negativity enhancement, role expectation, and vigilant processing. The findings are most consistent with the negativity enhancement account, indicating that, unless buyers begin the evaluation task with low expectations, they tend to focus during consumption primarily on negative aspects of product/service quality. The paper concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of this research.


Abstract Type specimens of the molybdoarsenates betpakdalite, natrobetpakdalite and obradovicite and the molybdophosphates mendozavilite, paramendozavilite and melkovite, and similar material from other sources, have been examined in an effort to elucidate the relations among these phases, which we designate as the heteropolymolybdate family of minerals. Using electron microprobe analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction with crystal structure determination where possible, it was found that natrobetpakdalite, mendozavilite and melkovite are isostructural with betpakdalite and that obradovicite has a closely related structure. The betpakdalite and obradovicite structure types are based on frameworks containing four-member clusters of edge-sharing MoO6 octahedra that link by sharing corners with other clusters, with Fe3+O6 octahedra and with PO4 or AsO4 tetrahedra (T). The structures differ in the linkages through the Fe3+O6 octahedra, which produce different but closely related framework configurations. The structures contain two types of non-framework cation sites, which are designated A and B. In general, there are two or more A sites partially occupied by disordered, generally larger cations that are coordinated to O atoms in the framework and to H2O molecules. The B site is occupied by a smaller cation that is octahedrally coordinated to H2O molecules. The general formula for minerals with either the betpakdalite or the obradovicite structure is: [A2(H2O)nB(H2O)6][Mo8T2Fe33+O30+7(OH)7-x], where x is the total charge of the cations in the A and B sites (+3 to +7) and n is variable, ideally 17 for arsenates and 15 for phosphates. The ideal total number of A cations is defined as 2 in the general formula, but varies from 1 to 3.8 in analysed samples. Dominant cations at the A site include K, Na and Ca and at the B site Na, Ca, Mg, Cu and Fe. The combinations that have been identified in this study define six new heteropolymolybdate species. A suffix-based nomenclature scheme is established for minerals of the betpakdalite, mendozavilite and obradovicite groups, with the following root names based on the structure types and the T-site cations: betpakdalite (T = As), mendozavilite (T = P) and obradovicite (T = As). Two suffixes of the form -AB, corresponding to the dominant cations in the two different types of non-framework cation sites complete the species name. The historical name melkovite is retained rather than introducing mendozavilite-CaCa. Our investigation of the paramendozavilite type specimen revealed no paramendozavilite, but an apparently closely related new mineral; however, another sample of paramendozavilite analysed had K > Na.


Background: From the time Sativex (THC:CBD) oromucosal spray first became available in European Union countries in 2010 for the management of treatment-resistant multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity, data from daily practice have been collected through various projects. Methods: A retrospective registry study and a prospective safety study of THC:CBD oromucosal spray are reported. Results: The most recent analysis of a retrospective registry established in the United Kingdom (UK), Germany and Switzerland, which collected safety data on more than 900 patients, has indicated a positive risk-benefit profile for THC:CBD oromucosal spray during long-term use. Long-term continuation rates were 68% (mean follow-up time 1 year) and the mean dose was 5.4 sprays/day. No new safety concerns were identified, and adverse events of special interest for a cannabis-based medicine were limited. The UK registry has since been closed but remains open in Germany and Switzerland. A prospective safety study undertaken in Spain involved 207 patients from 13 specialized MS centres who had been prescribed THC:CBD oromucosal spray. The findings aligned closely with the UK/German/Swiss registry data in terms of 1-year continuation rates (64.7%), mean daily dose (6.6 sprays/day) and safety profile, including no evidence of addiction, abuse or misuse. Conclusions: The homogeneity between these observational studies supports the interest in THC:CBD oromucosal spray for management of MS spasticity in daily practice.


Integrated vector control is an effective and essential part of any successful vector control program. The synergistic activity between the current effective pesticides and phytochemicals is one such strategy and powerful tool for developing vector control strategies. Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti) and ethanolic extracts (Ee) of Andrographis paniculata were both observed for their larvicidal as well as pupicidal activity against Anopheles stephensi Liston. Ee extract with lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) values of 36.56 and 53.04 p. p. m. after 24 h and LC50 22.28 and LC90 51.26 p. p. m. after 48h for fourth instar larvae, respectively. LC50 and LC90 for Bti were 0.0967 and 0.1003 p.p.m after 24h and 0.2944 and 0.4158 p. p. m. after 48 h of exposure for fourth instar larvae, respectively. Combined formulations were evaluated for synergistic activity and a 1:4 ratio of Bti and Ee was observed to be more effective than 1:2 and 1:1 ratios. However the larvicicdal activity is minimal when the mixed formulations contained an equal amount of both constituents (i. e a 1: 1 ratio). A ratio of 1: 4 of Bti and Ee of A. paniculata was 51.6 fold more toxic at the LC90 for larvicidal activity, than Bti alone and this high level of activity resulted from synergism between the Bti and Ee of A. paniculata Nees.


Physician assisted suicide consists of a doctor providing a patient with the lethal means of a medication (usually the barbituate secobarbital) to administer themselves at their own will. Euthanasia is a slightly different form of physician assisted suicide, where the doctor takes an active role and administers the lethal dose of a medication (usually secobarbital) to the patient. As expected, this practice abounds with controversy. This research sought to study baccalaureate student nurses' opinions on physician assisted suicide. This research sought to understand if nursing students feel physician assisted suicide is ethical amongst certain situations, and whether or not they believe if it should be legalized in the United States. Using student nurses as the participants in this study seemed best because they most likely have, or will have, treated a critically or terminally ill patient. Nurses work the closest with these specific patients, and therefore their opinions on whether or not physician assisted suicide should be an option is extremely valuable. Survey methodology was used to conduct this research. The survey contained a few demographic questions and two scenarios for the students to state whether they agreed or not, and a space for their thoughts on the matter. Mostly all of the students, by the end of the survey, made it clear that they believe physician assisted suicide can and should be used within certain ethical situations. ATTITUDES TOWARDS PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE ii


ABSTRACT Ageing infrastructures and changing landscapes offer opportunities for renewal and adaptation. While traditionally seen as separate challenges, we think the integration of landscape and infrastructural renewal can bring about solutions better tailored to future needs. This paper provides a conceptual framework, called Infrascape, that can study and explain the interdependent infrastructure-landscape relationship. The Infrascape framework uses coevolution to combine nested levels of infrastructure (object, network, system) with a pattern-process perspective on landscape. We explored the analytical abilities of this framework in a case study of the Danube river landscape near Vienna, Austria. In our case study, the Infrascape framework helped identify multiple instances of coevolution between infrastructure and landscape. The coevolution of infrastructure and landscape featured in the Infrascape framework, clarifies the reciprocal implications of infrastructural renewal for landscape transformations and vice versa. As such, Infrascape forms an important contribution to the study and development of renewal strategies for sustainable infrastructure landscapes.


I was astonished, delighted and, although I didn't know it then, I was transformed. This was the AGM of the South London faculty of the RCGP. I had attended to receive my MRCGP. After dinner and wine I was ready to gaze smugly at my new certificate, while the tedium of the Board's affairs droned on above my head. With a jolt I realised nothing of the sort would happen. These were GPs. They could take your tonsils out in 10 minutes. The Officers' Reports were delivered, accepted, and seconded in an instant, and then we were all chatting merrily about cases of dropsy and the pox in the bar. I had found my spiritual home, and I dwell there still. The years passed, I moved to Nottingham, my vigour waned. We moaned about our lot, a lot. I needed refuelling and challenging. Casting a sideways glance at the question on the bottom of the AGM minutes, 'Are you interested in joining the Faculty Board?' I flung off my mediocrity and resoundingly declared my new-found commitment to the cause! Proudly, I scrawled my name next to my answer, 'Maybe?' Little did I know, this stood out from a field of spoilt papers and 'No's' as a beacon of hope, and I was immediately co-opted. Over the last decade, amid all the number crunching and payment for enhanced services, I have found it a liberating joy to freely give my time to build something good. At the time it seemed like I was doing small favours for the College and my colleagues. But now I see I was serving my real apprenticeship. I was being gently nurtured and encouraged to spread my wings and try the boots of leadership on for size. Being part of the Faculty Board has given me the courage to be courageous. I have gone on to do other things, appraising and the like. The privilege of seeing the energy and passion GPs put into improving patient care constantly refreshes and inspires me. Surely it is impossible to teach about medicine without learning about humanity, and being human is what it's all about. Change isn't what it used to be, and now we bob about on ever-stormier seas. Our steadfast commitment to the best interests of the patient in front of us is tempered with concerns for all the others in someone else's waiting room. Priceless things are lost as we dance to the tunes of our paymasters, and pointless box ticking makes liars or fools of us all. Can the College save us from our dystopian doom? In John Berger's memoire, A Fortunate Man, Dr Sassall is called to the scene of a young man crushed by a felled tree. He drives with his hand on the horn the whole way, partly to warn oncoming traffic, but primarily so that the lad would hear it and know the doctor was coming.1 Those glory days of triumphing over disease and suffering with bare determination need not be over. Despite the end of 24-hour responsibility, home births, the betrayal by Shipman, and a half-baked strike, our patients remain overwhelmingly loyal. In these times of fear and insecurity they look to us to decide how primary care should be run, and to show how we will take care of them now and in the years to come. Jumping to the latest target or tussling for resources with hospital colleagues will only divert our attention from the important work. It does fall to us to square our shoulders, stand together, reaffirm our values of compassion, clinical excellence, and integrity as a College, and reassure this worried island that the doctor is coming.


It is increasingly apparent that the spatial distribution of Ag and Cu nanoparticles in lustre glazes is an important factor in determining the colour displayed by the decoration. Using STEM-EDX of cross sections, this distribution can easily be imaged, as is demonstrated in two modern reconstructions of lustre decorations from Granada, Spain. On the nanoscale, the difference in colour can be related to a different spatial distribution of the Ag and Cu particles, with the brownish gold variant consisting of a top layer of Ag nanoparticles with an underlying layer of Cu nanoparticles while in the yellowish golden lustre Cu specks are unevenly dispersed.


Understanding of the atomic structures and ways in which the atoms interacting is critical to the understanding of chemistry. In this paper applied the concepts of game theory in explaining reactions between elements of the periodic table. The findings in this study suggest that the coordination and anti coordination, also cooperation and non-cooperation between atoms and molecules lead to bonding formation according to the game theory. Therefore, the chemical behavior and physical treats of any chemical reaction can be predicted. Multiple examples of each batch of the chemical reactions is expressed to support the useability of our claims.


AIM: To determine by morphometry if pleural biopsies with the histopathological diagnosis of "non-specific pleuritis", malignant, and tuberculous disease could be distinguished morphologically from those with truly non-specific disease. METHODS: Each pleural biopsy was reviewed taking into account three compartments of reference: the visceral/parietal mesothelial compartment, the submesothelial screen compartment, and the submesothelial adipose tissue compartment. Normal connective tissue, granulation tissue, fibrocellular proliferation, fibrin, polymorphonuclear cells, mononuclear cells, and mesothelial cells were measured using conventional point counting procedures in terms of the fractional area occupied by each parameter within each compartment of reference. Ranking was carried out on 164 patients, based on their diagnosis: chronic non-specific disease (n = 57), tuberculosis (n = 27), malignant disease (n = 58), and conditions associated with transudative effusions (n = 22). RESULTS: Stepwise discriminant analysis of the resulting data showed that biopsies from patients with tuberculosis, malignant disease, and chronic non-specific disease could be distinguished between themselves and normal cases. Statistical differences among the four groups were observed for eight morphometric parameters related to components of inflammation and extension throughout the three pleural anatomical compartments. A robust discriminant function permitted an adequate classification of the three groups of disease in 88.41% of the cases. Pleural biopsies with fibrin incorporated within granulation tissue on the submesothelial screen compartment showed 100% specificity for patients with tuberculosis, while mononuclear cells in a band-like infiltrate on the submesothelial adipose tissue compartment showed 93.1% specificity for patients with malignant disease. The truly non-specific pleuritis was characterised by deposits of fibrin in the subpleural compartment and discrete signs of chronic inflammation and reparatory fibrosis on the submesothelial screen. CONCLUSIONS: Morphometric analysis of pleural biopsies may be a useful supplementary histological procedure to support the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis and malignant disease.


Since the discovery of x-rays in 1895, film has been the primary medium for capturing, displaying and storing radiographic images. Digital or filmless radiography is slowly being adopted by the dental profession. Digital radiography offers a number of capabilities compared with conventional radiography, such as postprocessing, electronic archiving, concurrent access to images, and improved data distribution. Computer based applications which are used for quantitative measurements and evaluations on digital images for better user interpretation. New diagnostic imaging processes are improved connected with the technological progress of computer systems. Since the first clinical use of computed tomography (CT) scans in 1972, technological development has been rapid. Dental volumetric tomography (DVT), uniquely used for dentomaxillofacial imaging came to the market owing to recent rapid developments in digital radiology technology and is becoming more popular in dental applications. Low radiation dose cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) units that are commercially available at a lower cost than CT units, has performed valuable diagnostic information for dentists.


This paper reveals a noticeable difference between a high degree of progressivity of income-related local property tax relief versus the proportional or regressive incidence of recognition tax relief. Recognition tax relief is tax relief given to specified social sectors which recognizes either their contributions to society or their identity-related suffering. Social groups that are characterized by political power and positive image following social construction process are expected to receive more favorable tax treatment regardless of their material needs. This study advances our understanding by showing that the degree of progressiveness of a tax system is shaped by social construction which implies a more complex trade-off between equality, efficiency and social construction in designing the tax system.


The viscoelastic properties of composites multi walled carbon nanotube / epoxy at different weight fractions (0.1, 0.5 and 1wt %) were evaluated by performing dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) test. The MWCNT/ epoxy composite were fabricated by sonication and a cast molding process. The results showed that addition of nanotubes to epoxy had a significant effect on the viscoelastic properties. However, the use of 0.5wt% increased the viscoelastic properties more significantly. Concerning viscoelastic modeling, the COLE-COLE diagram has been plotted by the result of DMTA tests. These results show a good agreement between the Perez model and the viscoelastic behavior of the composite.


AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this thesis is to elaborate decision-making in corporate volunteering by investigating the motives for implementing corporate volunteering programs (CVPs), the design and scope of the initiatives and the processes companies use to conduct corporate volunteering. Additionally, we would like to find out if the motives for implementing CVPs differ from the ones of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in general as reasons must exist why companies rely on this often costly tool.Research design: In our qualitative study we deploy semi-structured interviews to collect data from nine different medium- and large-sized international companies. We prepared a list of themes used to conduct and guide the interviews. The content analysis is utilized to interpret and categorize the data obtained.Findings: Firms introduce CVP for translating their CSR vision into action and for creating a win-win situation. They aim at improving the sustainability performance and the staff's performance e.g. their skills, motivation and commitment to advance the retention of employees. Furthermore, personal reasons of decision-makers to conduct corporate volunteering initiatives exist. By investigating the motives of applying CVPs, we found out that they can differ from the ones of introducing CSR activity in general as they are more of a proactive nature and more related to employees and the society in general than to all stakeholders.Originality: We contribute to the existing literature about CSR and corporate volunteering by investigating decision-making in CVPs and by the development of a process model. Furthermore, we examine the reasons of applying CVPs to detect the value companies attribute to it. Lastly, we come up with a classification of CVPs which has not been done by other researchers yet.


The object of research is a human in complex sociotechnical systems (STS). A particular case of the sociotechnical system is the human-machine system (HMS). The subject of research is the professional activity of a person in the sociotechnical system, the structure of his professionally important qualities, the methods of assessing the professional suitability of a person, and the methods of training and training of operational personnel. The model of vocational aptitude and the process of decision-making in the class of hierarchical systems were developed based on the hierarchy analysis method. Intelligent processing of data was requested to be carried out by the use of decision support systems, which provides support to multicriteria decision in a complex system. The experimental research of vocational aptitude assessment for operators of transport-technological machines was carried out. The outputs of the decision support systems were obtained individual operator's portraits (IOP) and integrated estimation capabilities. As a result, it became possible to reduce the preparation cost of professionals and to raise the level of the operator's professional skills. In addition, based on the IOP, we can customize the HMC interface.


We provide recommendations for implementing telemetry studies on waterfowl on the basis of our experience in a tracking study conducted in three countries of sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to document movements by duck species identified as priority candidates for the potential spread of avian influenza. Our study design included both captive and field test components on four wild duck species (Garganey, Comb Duck, White-faced Duck and Fulvous Duck). We used our location data to evaluate marking success and determine when signal loss occurred. The captive study of eight ducks marked with non-working transmitters in a zoo in Montpellier, France, prior to fieldwork showed no evidence of adverse effects, and the harness design appeared to work well. The field study in Malawi, Nigeria and Mali started in 2007 on 2 February, 6 February and 14 February, and ended on 22 November 2007 (288 d), 20 January 2010 (1 079 d), and 3 November 2008 (628 d), respectively. The field study indicated that 38 of 47 (81%) of the platform transmitter terminals (PTTs) kept transmitting after initial deployment, and the transmitters provided 15 576 locations. Signal loss during the field study was attributed to three main causes: PTT loss, PTT failure and mortality (natural, human-caused and PTT-related). The PTT signal quality varied by geographic region, and interference caused signal loss in the Mediterranean Sea region. We recommend careful attention at the beginning of the study to determine the optimum timing of transmitter deployment and the number of transmitters to be deployed per species. These sample sizes should be calculated by taking into account region-specific causes of signal loss to ensure research objectives are met. These recommendations should be useful for researchers undertaking a satellite tracking program, especially when working in remote areas of Africa where logistics are difficult or with poorly-known species.


Two groups of students: with higher and lower amplitudes of the baseline alpha-rhythm differed in the level of anxiety during examinations and the level of cortical interactions. Cognitive tasks were presented in three experimental conditions: before the examinations, immediately after the examinations, and on a usual day of academic semester (control). Subjects with initially higher alpha-rhythm amplitude had lower level of anxiety in a stress situation. Cognitive performance of these subjects before examinations was associated with an increase in the number of functional connections between different cortical areas. In the subjects with initially lower alpha-rhythm amplitude, the level of cortical interactions before examinations was higher, but presentation of the cognitive task led to a decrease in the number of intracortical connections. However, the localization of these connections was task-specific.


This article is part of a volume, edited by Tara Fenwick, which provides an overview of and introduction to the current themes within research into the sociocultural understandings of work-based learning and working knowledge. These perspectives examine how learning is interrelated with the systems in which people work. The articles range from broader analyses of the contexts and purposes of learning to more specific learning theories. The pedagogical roles and approaches for adult educators practising in the workplace are discussed. Articles are indexed from TD/TNC 70.197 to TD/TNC 70.204.


In this article, I describe and illustrate Stata programs that facilitate i) the fitting of smooth age–period–cohort models to event data and ii) the plotting of observed and fitted rates. The programs include postestimation functionality and flexibility to fit models not possible using Stata's glm command. What distinguishes this article from a recent Stata Journal article on age–period–cohort models by Rutherford, Lambert, and Thompson (2010, Stata Journal 10: 606–627) is that the emphasis here is on extrapolating the model fit to make projections into the future.


This paper presents an integrated optimization method to find the optimized operational parameters in Plastic Injection Molding (PIM), such as flow rate, melt temperature, mold temperature, pressure holding time and packing pressure that will minimize the shrinkage under the constraints of injection pressure and cooling time. Design of Experiments (DOE) is used to reduce the computational cost for simulations. Furthermore, the possibility value (P-value) is adopted to identify the significant factors among all design variables with respect to each functions. Monotonicity Analysis is then employed to detect the active constraints and to reduce the complexity of the original optimization problem so that the problem can be easily solved by a simple regression. Finally, the responses obtained by the simulation with the optimized operational parameters are used to validate our solutions. One design example is presented in this paper. For this example, twenty-five initial samples are evaluated using Solidworks Plastics based on the orthogonal array from the DOE with five variables. There are two constraints on injection pressure and cooling time. P-value shows that packing pressure is not a significant factor for shrinkage and two constraints in the example, then it can be moved out in later optimization. The exact value of flow rate and pressure holding time can be found out by Monotonicity Analysis. Finally, by solving the regression equations with melt temperature and mold temperature, the optimal parameters combination will be solved. Using the optimized parameters in simulation, the shrinkage for the example is 0.3950 mm, the shrinkage result is smaller than that in initial samples which can satisfy the constraints.


Since almost large die surfaces are free-form surfaces, currently, almost all of large die surfaces are manually polished, causing low working efficiency and stability of die surface quality. In order to overcome this barrier, floating polishing is a feasible polishing technology. In the paper, a new kind of semi-automation polishing device is designed for large dies, by motion simulation and dynamics analysis of the polishing device based on software of Pro/e and ADAMS, the feasibility of function of the polishing mechanism and dynamics character of the key part are studied, the results show that the device has advantages of multi-degree-of-freedom, free location and indifferent equilibrium, the device may reduce die makers' labor intensity, and short die delivery time.


Spiral dextrin subfraction (SD-40) obtained through enzyme debranching and gradient ethanol precipitation could interact with vitamin E (VE) or soy isoflavone (SIO) to form V-type inclusion complexes. The formation of two inclusion complexes was confirmed by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. In this study, an in vitro gastrointestinal model was used to investigate the breakdown of inclusion complexes and release behavior of bioactive compounds. The results indicated that the two inclusion complexes exhibited a controlled and sustained release behavior during digestion. In addition, the SD-40/VE inclusion complex presented higher stability and stronger antioxidant capacity than the SD-40/SIO inclusion complex. Furthermore, the first and zero order models were applied to understand the release kinetics of VE and SIO from inclusion complexes in the stomach, whereas the first order model was chosen to describe the release of VE and SIO from inclusion complexes in the intestine.


There are several opensource or commercially available software platforms widely used for the development of dynamic simulations of movement. While computational approaches to calculating the dynamics of a musculoskeletal model are conceptually similar across platforms, differences in implementation may influence simulation output. To understand predictions made using simulation, it is important to understand differences that may result from the choice of model or platform. Our aims were to 1) develop a musculoskeletal model of the upper limb suitable for dynamic simulation and 2) evaluate the influence of the choice between SIMM-SD/Fast and OpenSim simulation platforms on gravity- and EMG-driven simulations of movement.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


Sensory challenges are common among children with ASD. This review systematically evaluates the effectiveness and safety of interventions targeting associated sensory challenges. CONTEXT: Sensory challenges are common among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of interventions targeting sensory challenges in ASD. DATA SOURCES: Databases, including Medline and PsycINFO. STUDY SELECTION: Two investigators independently screened studies against predetermined criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: One investigator extracted data with review by a second. Investigators independently assessed risk of bias and strength of evidence (SOE), or confidence in the estimate of effects. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies, including 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), were included. Only 3 studies had low risk of bias. Populations, interventions, and outcomes varied. Limited, short-term studies reported potential positive effects of several approaches in discrete skill domains. Specifically, sensory integration-based approaches improved sensory and motor skills-related measures (low SOE). Environmental enrichment improved nonverbal cognitive skills (low SOE). Studies of auditory integration-based approaches did not improve language (low SOE). Massage improved symptom severity and sensory challenges in studies with likely overlapping participants (low SOE). Music therapy studies evaluated different protocols and outcomes, precluding synthesis (insufficient SOE). Some positive effects were reported for other approaches, but findings were inconsistent (insufficient SOE). LIMITATIONS: Studies were small and short-term, and few fully categorized populations. CONCLUSIONS: Some interventions may yield modest short-term (<6 months) improvements in sensory- and ASD symptom severity-related outcomes; the evidence base is small, and the durability of the effects is unclear. Although some therapies may hold promise, substantial needs exist for continuing improvements in methodologic rigor.


The Diamantina Plateau is located in the central region of the Espinhaco Range, in the State of Minas Gerais, which is dominated by campo rupestre formations. We describe a new species of Lippia L., endemic to the Diamantina Plateau, and provide an annotated checklist and identification key for the 17 species of the genus occurring in the area. Lippia raoniana P.H.Cardoso & Salimena sp. nov. is mainly distinguished by its ovate leaves with adaxial and abaxial surfaces densely covered by sessile glandular trichomes, and drupaceous fruits with two pyrenes. It is known only from two populations, and thus can be provisionally considered as Critically Endangered. Details on the species' ecology, as well as a comparison with morphologically similar species, a distribution map, and field photographs, are provided. In this work, we also present pictures of the 17 species in their habitats, and we hope that these illustrations will help in the identification and conservation of these taxa.


Understanding the underlying pleiotropic relationships among growth and body size traits is important for refining breeding strategies in dairy cattle for optimal body size and growth rate. Therefore, we performed single-trait genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for monthly-recorded body weight (BW), hip height (HH), body length (BL) and chest girth (CG) from birth to 12 mo of age in Holstein animals, followed by stepwise multiple regression of independent or lowly-linked markers from GWAS loci using conditional and joint association analyses (COJO). Subsequently, we conducted a multi-trait meta-analysis to detect pleiotropic markers. Based on the single-trait GWAS, we identified 170 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in which 59 of them remained significant after the COJO analyses. The most significant SNP, located at BTA7:3,676,741, explained 2.93% of the total phenotypic variance for BW6 (body weight at 6 mo of age). We identified 17 SNPs with potential pleiotropic effects based on the multi-trait meta-analyses, which resulted in 3 additional SNPs in comparison to those detected based on the single-trait GWAS. The identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions overlap with genes known to influence human growth-related traits. According to positional and functional analyses, we proposed HMGA2, HNF4G, MED13L, BHLHE40, FRZB, DMP1, TRIB3, and GATAD2A as important candidate genes influencing the studied traits. The combination of single-trait GWAS and meta-analyses of GWAS results improved the efficiency of detecting associated SNPs, and provided new insights into the genetic mechanisms of growth and development in Holstein cattle.


Background: Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder in which there is an increased risk of developing clinical comorbidities that require regular attention: health problems, alterations in maxillomandibular development, chewing and swallowing problems, as well as dietary habits that may influence diet and nutritional status. This study will analyze the frequency of occurrence of these factors with increasing age in this population. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 18 participants aged 30–45 years. The condition of orofacial structures, chewing and swallowing function and oral and eating habits were assessed to observe the frequency of occurrence of these problems with increasing age. Results: A high frequency of digestive problems was observed. There was also a presence of problems in the introduction of new tastes and consistencies. In addition, unilateral chewing was reported in 100% of the participants, severe anatomical dysfunction of the mandible/maxilla and high hypotonicity reflected in tongue movements. Conclusions: it is necessary to educate, through specific intervention protocols, the younger generations with DS, as well as their environment, as harmful habits are developed in childhood and consolidated throughout life.


We have previously shown that gibberellin (GA) is required for tissue-reunion in the cortex of cut hypocotyls in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings, and that intact cotyledons are also necessary for this process. These results suggested that cotyledons might play an important role in controlling GA levels in the hypocotyl in these plant species. In this study, we found that a local application of a GA biosynthesis inhibitor uniconazole to cotyledons was effective to inhibit hypocotyl elongation, and that simultaneous application of GA canceled this inhibition. To study the role of cotyledons in GA content in the hypocotyl directly, cotyledons were removed from 7-days-old seedlings and endogenous GA levels in the hypocotyl were determined. Our results demonstrated that the cotyledon-removed seedlings contained lower levels of bioactive GAs and their precursors in the hypocotyls than did intact seedlings. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that transcript levels of LeGA20ox1 and LeGA3ox2 genes were elevated in the hypocotyl after the removal of cotyledons, suggesting that the reduced bioactive GA levels caused upregulation of these genes via the feedback regulation mechanism. Taken together, our results suggest that cotyledons are necessary for maintaining normal GA levels in young cucumber and tomato hypocotyls.


This resource guide was created to assist CPP students learn about copyright, fair use and creative commons licenses, find books, journals, articles, websites, and other resources for the ART 452A : Graphic Design III curriculum.


Many real-life optimisation problems, including those in production and logistics, have uncertainties that pose considerable challenges for practitioners. In spite of considerable efforts, the current methods are still not satisfactory. This is primarily caused by a lack of effective methods to deal with various uncertainties. Existing literature comes from two isolated research communities, namely the operations research community and the machine learning community. In the operations research community, uncertainties are often modelled and solved through techniques like stochastic programming or robust optimisation, which are often criticised for their over conservativeness. In the machine learning community, the problem is formulated as a dynamic control problem and solved through techniques like supervised learning and/or reinforcement learning, which could suffer from being myopic and unstable. In this paper, we aim to fill this research gap and develop a novel framework that takes advantages of both short-term accuracy from mathematical models and high-quality future forecasts from machine learning modules. We demonstrate the practicality and feasibility of our approach for a real-life bus scheduling problem and two controlled bus scheduling instances that are generated artificially. To our knowledge, the proposed framework represents the first multi-objective bus-headway-optimisation method for non-timetabled bus schedule with major practical constraints being considered. The advantages of our proposed methods are also discussed, along with factors that need to be carefully considered for practical applications.


Some novel image scrambling transformation based on chaotic dynamical systems are presented and the algorithms to scramble digital images are given. The robustness of the algorithms is discussed. Experiments show that the methods can endure image attacks, such as compression, added noise and loss of data packets.


The following contents are the result of, as at the 30th September 2018, 19 dialogues for a total of around 22 hours, with an Entity referred to as "He"/"Him" channelled by N.R. while in an OBE induced by Luciano Pederzoli (LP) by way of hypnotic techniques.

This procedure is fully described in "Guide to OBE induction".

A distinctive feature of this technique is that, apart from allowing contact with a non-physical Entity by people who have never experienced it before, it also allows direct dialogue with the channelled entity, establishing actual interviews about subjects of interest to the interviewer and collaborators.

Contact with the entity referred to as "He"/"Him" is described on page 3.

The contents of these various dialogues have been grouped into subjects for ease of understanding and are not in chronological order. It is possible that they may also be updated, if these experiences continue further.

As a cautionary note, although the channeller, interviewer, and other author of this introduction have little doubt that the contents reproduced herein originate from a real non-physical Entity, we should bear in mind that they could be a product of unknown mental processes of the channeller and/or the interviewer.

We therefore suggest assessing them based on their informational value, rather than taking them as absolute truths.

One certainty however, due to the other channellings carried out for a total of 36 hours with different channellers, is the perfect repeatability of the phenomenon.


Non- or semiparametric estimation and lag selection methods are proposed for three seasonal nonlinear autoregressive models of varying seasonal flexibility. All procedures are based on either local constant or local linear estimation. For the semiparametric models, after preliminary estimation of the seasonal parameters, the function estimation and lag selection are the same as nonparametric estimation and lag selection for standard models. A Monte Carlo study demonstrates good performance of all three methods. The semiparametric methods are applied to German real gross national product and UK public investment data. For these series our procedures provide evidence of nonlinear dynamics.


The normal modes for horizontal dust particle pairs in a complex plasma are investigated using two methods, a numerical calculation and a molecular dynamics simulation. The ion wakefield downstream of each particle and the variation of charge with particle levitation height are taken into account independently. It is shown that both mechanisms can create mode couplings or hybrid modes. As the modes hybridize, their frequencies are altered. Mode conversions and resonance instabilities are also observed and examined near the resonance points. The resulting power spectrum clearly resembles the experimentally observed high energy density signature for large crystals. The criteria for the occurrence of both the mode conversion and resonance instability are found to be accurately calculated by the double derivative of the interparticle potential, for both the ion wakefield and charge variation cases.


Apple leaf disease is the foremost factor that restricts apple yield and quality. Usually, much time is taken for disease detection with the existing diagnostic techniques; therefore, farmers frequently miss the best time for preventing and treating diseases. The detection of apple leaf diseases is a significant research problem, and its main aim is to discover an efficient technique for disease leaf image diagnosis. This article has made an effort to propose a method that can detect the disease of apple plant leaf using deep neural network (DNN). Plant diseases detection system (PDDS) architecture is designed. Speeded up robust feature (SURF) is used for feature extraction and Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA) for feature optimization, which helps to achieve better detection and classification accuracy. Classification parameters, such as Precision, Recall, F-measure, Error, and Accuracy is computed, and a comparative analysis has been performed to depict the effectiveness of the proposed work.


The method of applying prestress to CFRP plates can make full use of the characteristics of high-strength, enhance the force properties, prevent peeling damage and reduce the strain lag. Construction technology of prestressed CFRP plates strengthening reinforcement concrete beams was introduce in this paper, and bending test of 6 reinforcement concrete beams strengthened with prestressed CFRP plates were carried out based on the self-developed prestressed CFRP plates supporting anchorages. The test results indicate that the flexural capacity and crack resistance capacity can be increased compared with non-prestressed CFRP plates, and the construction technology can be adopted in practical projects.


The role of Ig classes and subclasses in complement activation has been investigated both in vitro and in experimental animals, but not in humans. This study was conducted to determine the immunologic events of post-transfusion anaphylaxis in humans, and the effects of immune complexes of different IgG subclass compositions on complement activation. The ability of immune complexes containing mixed IgG1 and IgG4 or IgG4 Ab only to activate complement was investigated in two patients with von Willebrand's disease (a congenital bleeding disorder). This disease was complicated by precipitating IgG alloantibodies to von Willebrand factor (vWF), which triggered complement-mediated anaphylaxis after infusion of vWF-containing preparations. Complement activation was greater in the presence of mixed IgG1- and IgG4-vWF complexes than with IgG4-vWF alone. In one patient, the generation of large amounts of C4a, C3a, and terminal complement complexes following the formation of mixed IgG1- and IgG4-vWF was associated with life-threatening anaphylaxis. In this patient, IgG4 appeared to have no inhibitory effect on antigen-bound IgG1-mediated complement activation. In the other patient, formation of IgG4-vWF led to a lesser degree of complement activation and was associated with moderately severe anaphylaxis. Since neither patient showed any biochemical alterations indicating the involvement of mast cells or the contact phase of coagulation at any time, it is probable that the pathogenetic mechanism of the clinical syndrome was a direct effect of complement anaphylatoxins on vascular permeability and smooth muscle contraction. In both patients, IgG-vWF bound C4 and C3 (IgG4-vWF to a lesser extent than mixed IgG1- and IgG4-vWF), and this probably prevented serum sickness as a complication.


The PSAT software was used in this study to analyse and compare the performance of hybrid compensators such as SSSC-STATCOM (controllers), TCSC-SVC (compensators), and UPFC in an electric grid coupled to a wind farm. The flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) technology is used to provide a continual power flow and to provide new ways to control the electric system network. In the FACTS devices, the UPFC (Unified Power Flow Controller) is one of the most adaptable, flexible, and complicated power electric devices. The active and reactive power flows and the local voltage on the bus can be regulated by UPFC; it can also resolve the problem of harmonics. The TCSC (Thyristor-Controlled Series Capacitor) consists as a series-compensating capacitor shunted by a thyristor-controlled reactor. The SVC (Static Var Compensator) is the first shunt generation FACTS controller. We can observe that the UPFC controller has an effective power flow control, shorter setting time and a shorter overshoot. The UPFC obtained a well-known reputation for high controllability in power systems. The multilevel Unified Power Flow Controller can be operated in Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM), in Static Synchronous Series Compensator SSSC and exactly in the UPFC compensator. The results of this research compare the hybrid controllers and investigate the effects of TCSC-SVC, SSSC-STATCOM, and UPFC on voltage, phase angle stability, and the active and reactive power in the tested system. The purpose of this comparison is to improve dynamic voltage regulation, especially when the utilisation of nonlinear loads and the presence of fault and breaker rise. These hybrid controllers have been shown to outperform series or shunt compensators; however, when compared to hybrid compensators SSSC-STATCOM, TCSC-SVC, and UPFC, the results employing the numerical method in the UPFC are more significant. The UPFC is the best hybrid controller in this study, and the compensators SSSC-STATCOM outperform the controllers TCSC-SVC.


The objective of this study was to provide a preliminary assess ment of the use of selected herbicides in establishing a diverse stand of prairie grasses and forbs. An upland and a lowland site in eastern Nebraska, consisting of well-drained, fine-silty clay, loess-derived soils, were seeded with 23 native prairie grass and forb species and subsequently mowed or treated at rates of 0.6, 1.1, 1.7, and 2.2 kg/ha with atrazine (6-chloro-N ethyl-N' -(l-methylethyl)-l ,3,S-triazine-2,4-diamine) or 2,4-0 (2,4-dich lorophenoxyacetic acid). Treatments were applied at one and two-year intervals. Canopy cover in unreplicated treatment areas (12 x 30 m) was evaluated in ten randomly located plots (O.S x 1.0 m). In the lowland, four species of seeded forbs were established only in mulch-mowed plots. In the upland, the number of successfully established, seeded forb species was greatest in the control plot (9 species). While forb establishment was not maximized with herbicide use, such use did contribute to the rapid establishment of some warm-season grasses such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), 77% cover, and eastern gammagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.), 21 % cover, in the lowland and blue gram a (Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Griffiths), 11 % cover with 2,4-0, and little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius Michx.), 60% cover with atrazine. Comparisons of fall total standing crop biomass 0.11 kg/m2 for lowlands and 0.47 kg/ m2 for uplands) and seedling establishment suggested that high standing crop biomass, regardless of species composition, was likely to affect the establishment of a diverse stand of grasses and forbs. Where stand diversity is the primary objective, methods that prevent high biomass accumulations, particularly the first year or two, will be most successful.


Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of prosthetic joint infection have been produced by a range of organizations. Guidelines stress the importance of multi-disciplinary working and of adopting a methodical approach. This includes careful assessment of the patient's surgical, medical and psychosocial problems, rational investigation, a decision-making framework for surgery and targeted, sometimes prolonged, use of intravenous or highly bioavailable oral antibiotics. Despite limited high-quality evidence, adoption of clinical guidelines can improve practice by reducing variation and by establishing conditions for the subsequent conduct of multicentre studies or systematic reviews.


The spliceosome is a molecular machine that performs the excision of introns from eukaryotic pre-mRNAs. This macromolecular complex comprises in human cells five RNAs and over one hundred proteins. In recent years, many spliceosomal proteins have been found to exhibit intrinsic disorder, that is to lack stable native three-dimensional structure in solution. Building on the previous body of proteomic, structural and functional data, we have carried out a systematic bioinformatics analysis of intrinsic disorder in the proteome of the human spliceosome. We discovered that almost a half of the combined sequence of proteins abundant in the spliceosome is predicted to be intrinsically disordered, at least when the individual proteins are considered in isolation. The distribution of intrinsic order and disorder throughout the spliceosome is uneven, and is related to the various functions performed by the intrinsic disorder of the spliceosomal proteins in the complex. In particular, proteins involved in the secondary functions of the spliceosome, such as mRNA recognition, intron/exon definition and spliceosomal assembly and dynamics, are more disordered than proteins directly involved in assisting splicing catalysis. Conserved disordered regions in spliceosomal proteins are evolutionarily younger and less widespread than ordered domains of essential spliceosomal proteins at the core of the spliceosome, suggesting that disordered regions were added to a preexistent ordered functional core. Finally, the spliceosomal proteome contains a much higher amount of intrinsic disorder predicted to lack secondary structure than the proteome of the ribosome, another large RNP machine. This result agrees with the currently recognized different functions of proteins in these two complexes.


There were registered 4382 cancer cases in the Cracow Region in 1998, 2154 in males and 2228 in females. For men the most frequently registered cancer cases were: cancer of the lung (26.1%), prostate (8.2%), stomach (6.7%), skin (5.6%), urinary bladder (5.5%). The most common in women were: cancer of the breast (20.1%), cervix uteri (7.7%), lung (7.4%), ovary (7.0%), skin (6.0%). In 1998, 2793 persons died of cancer, of which 1558 were males, and 1235 females. Lung cancer was the most frequent case of cancer death in males (33.2%). Cancer of the stomach (8.9%), prostate (7.2%), urinary bladder (5.1%) and colon (4.6%) were also a major cause of cancer death. Most of the women died from breast (13.8%) and lung cancer (10.3%), the next frequent sites of cancer were: colon (7.0%), cervix uteri (6.8%) and ovary (6.6%). The prognosis of standardised cancer incidence values in men and women by the year 2003, showed further growth in incidence rates for both sexes, but this growth is more evident in women.


Opening of opportunity in transportation business area of argometer in malang town, in the reality generate fascination all pebisnis of transportation. So that popping out many cab transportation in malang town. Some among others image cab, cab of bima, cab of argo, field cab and one cab type operating in airport of abdurrahman saleh. Fifth of this cab have same target goals namely middle economic clan to to the is. Fifth of this cab competing give good service and gratify to all its cutomer/ client. Tighten emulation him [in] transportation business world, claiming PT. Citra Perdana Kendedes in order not to only reliing on good service and gratify, but also apply marketing communications some types to stimulate purchasing of service. This very attractive matter of researcher to conduct research about execution of marketing communications in PT. Citra Perdana Kendedes Malang. Target of this research is to know execution of marketing communications in PT. Citra Perdana Kendedes Malang. According To inwrought American Association Of Advertising Agencies marketing communications is concept planning of marketing communications emphasizing comprehensive plan added value which evaluate strategic role various communications discipline, like common/ public advertisement, direct respon, sales promotion, and public relation. Then combine the disiplin in order to realizing clarity, consistency, and maximum communications impact. The definition emphasize inwrought marketing process which exploit all promotion form to create maximum result. This research use research method qualitative. used Technique data collecting that is interview, observation, and documentation. Election of informan conducted by sampling purposive, namely through various certain criterion and consideration. As for technique authenticity of data the used is trianggulasi of is source of. Technique analyse data use analysis of Miles and of Huberman direct executed field together with reduce data, presentation of data, and verification, then. formulated descriptively regarding execution of marketing communications conducted by PT. Citra Perdana Kendedes, so that can answer question of research. Result of research at part of personnel of PT. Citra Perdana Kendedes Malang can be concluded that execution of inwrought marketing communications in PT. Citra Perdana Kendedes Malang less maximal. As for the root cause is to decreasing it inclusion of company of effect of is existence of emulation. So that till in this time PT. Citra Perdana Kendedes only exploiting inwrought marketing communications some types among others advertising which is dot weigh against at external advertising of room, sales promotion which is dot weigh against at giving discounted cutting of argo, giving of point to all driver of cab, and also lotery to its cutomer. And last activity of liaison which is dot weigh against at usage of uniform, making of logo and also braid activity is equal to some company, governmental institution and also with society. Keyword : Komunikasi Pemasaran Link terkait : http://skripsi.umm.ac.id/files/disk1/333/jiptummpp-gdl-s1-2009-lilisdwipr-16648-PENDAHUL-N.pdf


On the basis of SolidWorks/Simulation FEA module, statics analysis and design optimization for bogie parameters determination test bench gantry framework are researched in this paper. Taking the optimization design of gantry framework main beam for example, an optimal mathematic model is established, the optimization goal is to reduce the quality of the main beam, and the constraints are displacement and stress. Simultaneously, the model is simulated by the SolidWorks/Simulation software. Compared with the initial design, the results show that the quality of main beam is reduced by 12.69%, the quality optimization goal of the gantry framework test bed is realized. Meanwhile, it not only reduced the design and manufacturing cost, but also enhanced the design efficiency.


SUMMARY Aim: To determine the association between smoking status and leisure time physical activity (LTPA), alcohol consumption, and socioeconomic status (SES) among Polish adults. Material and methods: 466 randomly selected men and women (aged 18–66 years) responded to an anonymous questionnaire regarding smoking, alcohol consumption, LTPA, and SES. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association of smoking status with six socioeconomic measures, level of LTPA, and frequency and type of alcohol consumed. Smokers were defined as individuals smoking occasionally or daily. Results: The odds of being smoker were 9 times (men) and 27 times (women) higher among respondents who drink alcohol several times/ week or everyday in comparison to non-drinkers (p<0.0001 and p<0.0001). Among men with the elementary/vocational level of education the frequency of smoking was four times higher compared to those with the high educational attainment (p=0.007). Among women we observed that students were the most frequent smokers. Female students were almost three times more likely to smoke than non-professional women, and two times more likely than physical workers (p=0.018). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that among randomly selected Polish man and women aged 18–66 smoking and alcohol consumption tended to cluster. These results imply that intervention strategies need to target multiple risk factors simultaneously. The highest risk of smoking was observed among low educated men, female students, and both men and women drinking alcohol several times a week or every day. Information on subgroups with the high risk of smoking will help in planning future preventive strategies.


Aligning food production with biodiversity conservation is one of the greatest challenges of our time. One framing of this challenge is the land-sharing vs. land-sparing debate. Much empirical research has focused on identifying the relationship between agricultural yields and species populations, and using the relative number of species with particular relationships to inform landscape-level management. We feel this is misguided, as such an approach does not guarantee the existence of every species of conservation concern. Here, we show that constrained optimization methods can be used to identify landscape-level solutions which maximize agricultural yields and populations for any number of species. Our results suggest that the relative number of species with particular yield-density curves is not a good indicator as to how landscapes should be managed. Likewise, choosing between blanket sharing or sparing strategies leads to suboptimal outcomes at the landscape scale in many cases. Our framework makes maximum use of the rich information contained in yield-density curves to move beyond black-and-white choices and toward more nuanced, context-specific solutions to aligning biodiversity conservation and agricultural production. Such optimal landscapes will likely have features of both sharing and sparing strategies.


Contemporary critical practice is becoming increasingly self-reflective, with first person commentary and subjective musings appearing in academic texts produced across disciplines. On the other hand, as the number of writing practitioners in the academy mounts, their works reflect a growing awareness of, and engagement with, the critical and theoretical debates that surround creative practice. Nowhere is this interchange between theory and practice more prevalent, however, than in the discipline of life writing, a field concerned with the forces at work on the borderland between the self or subject and the performance of that self in communicable form. Yet the two groups, life writing critics and life writing creatives, often remain mutually suspicious and their relationship under-theorised. This Special Cluster of Literature Compass brings together scholarly readings, both critical and creative in form, which interrogate the place of life writing in critical practice. These essays were developed through discussions and debates at the 7th Biennial International Auto/Biographical Association Conference at University of Sussex in June 2010. IABA has led the professionalization of life writing as a field of literary critical debate and is increasingly being used as a forum for life writers as well. In this Special Cluster, leading figures in the field, both critics and practitioners, begin a dialogue on the developing phenomenon of creative/critical interface in life writing, and make suggestions for new pathways for the future.


In this paper, a comparative study between the results of a measurement campaign conducted in northern Greece and simulations performed with Radio Mobile and ICS Telecom radio planning tools is performed. The DVB-T coverage of a transmitting station located near the city of Thessaloniki is estimated using three empirical propagation models (NTIA-ITS Longley Rice, ITU-R P.1546 and Okumura-Hata-Davidson) and one deterministic model (ITU-R 525/526). The best results in terms of minimum average error and standard deviation are obtained using the deterministic model and the NTIA-ITS Longley Rice empirical model. In order to improve the results, the tuning options available in the ICS Telecom software are used on the Okumura-Hata-Davidson model, leading to a significant increase in accuracy.


This paper proposes a distributed and dynamic networking architecture for massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs). The MMOG networks deal with the challenge of update message exchange among a large number of players that are subject to both mobility (constant change of virtual location) and churn (joining and leaving the physical network at will). Ideally, a player's update messages should be multicasted to the player's area of effect, which is a neighborhood around the player. But, this requires the system to have a centralized indexing service that keeps record of players residing in each region, making the system less scalable as the number of players increases. The use of geometric routing helps alleviate this requirement by exploiting location addressing and thus eliminating the need for IP-search queries. However, geometric routing comes with a number of convergence and performance issues that require solutions for reducing hop-count and minimizing overall delay while providing guaranteed message delivery. In this paper, we propose a geometric routing overlay for message exchange among a large number of MMOG players that not only provides reduced delay and guaranteed delivery, but also supports player mobility and churn. In addition, we enhance our greedy routing method to more efficiently support long distance messages. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed scheme using both theory and simulations.


More detailed analysis of chemical compositions, cold plastic deformation and microstructure and properties change of 40Mn and 65Mn steel in recrystallization annealing process were made in the paper. How to get high plasticity and improve the performance of cold pressure processing technology as to cold-rolled 40Mn, 65Mn steel in recrystallization annealing technology, it was suggested that hardness was appropriately sacrificed to ensure the high plasticity. The paper analyzed concretely the reason of the influence of ball Fe3C to plasticity. Recrystallization annealing process and metallographic structure analysis were made. Basically set the process of 40Mn and 65Mn steel recrystallization annealing. Initially carry out the practical application, receive a better effect and have more potential applications foreground.


As concurrent software becomes more pervasive, models that provide both safe concurrency and modular reasoning become more important. Panini is one such model, and provides both sparse and cognizant interference based around the concept of capsules. Additionally, web frameworks, Graphical User Interface (GUI) libraries, and other projects are event-driven in nature, making events a commonly used programming paradigm for certain tasks. However, it would be difficult to use Panini in an event-driven manner, where there may be multiple capsules interested in a given event. Therefore, by integrating capsules and events one would be able to apply Panini's modular reasoning to commonly event-driven tasks more easily. Several challenges must be addressed in the integration. These are defining the semantics of event messages, scheduling of handlers to maximize concurrency, and how to keep to Panini's current semantics which allow modular reasoning. To solve this problem, @Paninij, an implementation of Panini, is extended to add event mechanisms to capsules. As a result, this new combined model allows capsules to interact using both procedures and event announcements. This extension of Panini is helpful for writing concurrent, modular software that lends itself more naturally to event-driven programming.


The measurement of sea ice elevation above sea level or the "freeboard" depends upon an accurate retrieval of the local sea level. The local sea level has been previously retrieved from altimetry data alone by the lowest elevation method, where the percentage of the lowest elevations over a particular segment length scale was used. Here, we provide an evaluation of the scale dependence on these local sea level retrievals using data from NASA Operation IceBridge (OIB) which took place in the Ross Sea in 2013. This is a unique dataset of laser altimeter measurements over five tracks from the Airborne Topographic Mapper (ATM), with coincidently high-spatial resolution images from the Digital Mapping System (DMS), that allows for an independent sea level validation. The local sea level is first calculated by using the mean elevation of ATM L1B data over leads identified by using the corresponding DMS imagery. The resulting local sea level reference is then used as ground truth to validate the local sea levels retrieved from ATM L2 by using nine different percentages of the lowest elevation (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, and 4%) at seven different segment length scales (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 50 km) for each of the five ATM tracks. The closeness to the 1:1 line, R2, and root mean square error (RMSE) is used to quantify the accuracy of the retrievals. It is found that all linear least square fits are statistically significant (p < 0.05) using an F test at every scale for all tested data. In general, the sea level retrievals are farther away from the 1:1 line when the segment length scale increases from 1 or 5 to 50 km. We find that the retrieval accuracy is affected more by the segment length scale than the percentage scale. Based on our results, most retrievals underestimate the local sea level; the longer the segment length (from 1 to 50 km) used, especially at small percentage scales, the larger the error tends to be. The best local sea level based on a higher R2 and smaller RMSE for all the tracks combined is retrieved by using 0.1–2% of the lowest elevations at the 1–5 km segment lengths.


College and university technology administrators and faculty face an interesting scenario of technology supply and demand. On one hand, the promise of technology for enhanced learning has created a demand from faculty to be provided with cutting‐edge hardware, software, and training aimed at technology implementation into their curriculum. However, education, economy and businesses' need for technically‐savvy scholars and workers has meant an increase in the supply of students returning to receive education in technology‐related fields. We argue that merging these two in advanced technology courses solves an institute's need for software and training; it also provides incoming students with an authentic learning environment for appreciating the complex domain of technological tools in education. The creation, development, and implementation of the Physical Science Activity Database is provided to demonstrate that, although this idea is not necessarily new, using Web and database networks enables widespread reusability as well as complexity of learning.


Purpose: An evaluation of Feeding Difficulties in Children: A Guide for Allied Health Professionals (2016) was undertaken to determine how the publication has been utilised amongst allied health professionals across NSW. This evaluation aimed to identify the usefulness of the Guide in supporting the assessment and management of children with feeding difficulties. Results will inform future education and support strategies. Method: The evaluation targeted allied health professionals employed by NSW Health. An online questionnaire formed the primary method of data collection. Four semi-structured focus groups also occurred to provide complementary qualitative information. Results: Clinicians from a range of professions and healthcare settings responded to the online questionnaire (N=100) and participated in focus groups (N=15), reflecting the range of allied health professionals who work with children with feeding difficulties. Qualitative and quantitative data obtained identified a number of key themes. The data collected provided a robust overview of how the Guide has been utilised. The main findings relate to five key themes: characteristics of respondents and their teams; use of the Guide; knowledge of content; satisfaction with the Guide; and future directions. Conclusions: The evaluation indicated that the Guide is viewed as a useful tool by allied health professionals working with children with feeding difficulties. Experienced respondents reported that the Guide provided validation for current practice whereas those with less experience indicated it supported their work within this clinically complex realm. Further promotion of the Guide and multi-modal education regarding its use is recommended.


Knowledge regarding bacterial dynamics during crop ensiling is important for understanding of the fermentation process and may facilitate the production of nutritious and stable silage. The objective of this study was to analyze the bacterial dynamics associated with whole crop wheat silage with and without inoculants. Whole crop wheat was ensiled in laboratory silos, with and without Lactobacillus inoculants (L. plantarum, L. buchneri), for 3 months. Untreated and L. plantarum-treated silages were sampled at several times during ensiling, while L. buchneri-treated silage was sampled only at 3 months. Bacterial composition was studied using next generation sequencing approach. Dominant bacteria, before ensiling, were Pantoea (34.7%), Weissella (28.4%) and Pseudomonas (10.4%), Exiguobacterium (7.8%), and Paenibacillus (3.4%). Exogenous inoculants significantly affected bacterial composition and dynamics during ensiling. At 3 months of ensiling, Lactobacillus dominated the silage bacterial population and reached an abundance of 59.5, 92.5, and 98.2% in untreated, L. plantarum- and L. buchneri-treated silages, respectively. The bacterial diversity of the mature silage was lower in both treated silages compared to untreated silage. Functional profiling of the bacterial communities associated with the wheat ensiling demonstrated that the abundant pathways of membrane transporters, carbohydrate and amino acids metabolisms followed different pattern of relative abundance in untreated and L. plantarum-treated silages. Only three pathways, namely base-excision repair, pyruvate metabolism and transcription machinery, were significantly different between untreated and L. buchneri-treated silages upon maturation. Lactic acid content was higher in L. plantarum-treated silage compared to untreated and L. buchneri-treated silage. Still, the pH of both treated silages was lower in the two Lactobacillus-treated silages compared to untreated silage. Aerobic stability test demonstrated that L. plantarum-, but not L. buchneri-supplement, facilitated silage deterioration. The lower aerobic stability of the L. plantarum-treated silage may be attributed to lower content of acetic acid and other volatile fatty acids which inhibit aerobic yeasts and molds. Indeed, high yeast count was recorded, following exposure to air, only in L. plantarum-treated silage, supporting this notion. Analysis of bacterial community of crop silage can be used for optimization of the ensiling process and the selection of appropriate inoculants for improving aerobic stability.


Dental sealants with antibacterial and remineralizing properties are promising for caries prevention among children and adolescents. The application of nanotechnology and polymer development have enabled nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) and dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) to emerge as anti-caries strategies via resin-based dental materials. Our objectives in this study were to (1) incorporate different mass fractions of NACP into a parental rechargeable and antibacterial sealant; (2) investigate the effects on mechanical performance, and (3) assess how the variations in NACP concentration would affect the calcium (Ca) and phosphate (PO4) ion release and re-chargeability over time. NACP were synthesized using a spray-drying technique and incorporated at mass fractions of 0, 10, 20 and 30%. Flexural strength, flexural modulus, and flowability were assessed for mechanical and physical performance. Ca and PO4 ion release were measured over 70 days, and three ion recharging cycles were performed for re-chargeability. The impact of the loading percentage of NACP upon the sealant's performance was evaluated, and the optimized formulation was eventually selected. The experimental sealant at 20% NACP had flexural strength and flexural modulus of 79.5 ± 8.4 MPa and 4.2 ± 0.4 GPa, respectively, while the flexural strength and flexural modulus of a commercial sealant control were 70.7 ± 5.5 MPa (p > 0.05) and 3.3 ± 0.5 GPa (p < 0.05), respectively. A significant reduction in flow was observed in the experimental sealant at 30% NACP (p < 0.05). Increasing the NACP mass fraction increased the ion release. The sealant formulation with NACP at 20% displayed desirable mechanical performance and ideal flow and handling properties, and also showed high levels of long-term Ca and PO4 ion release and excellent recharge capabilities. The findings provide fundamental data for the development of a new generation of antibacterial and rechargeable Ca and PO4 dental sealants to promote remineralization and inhibit caries.


Background Pharmacy practice is challenged by governments and authorities regarding the costs of pharmaceutical services and available public funding. There is a growing body of evidences on the roles and impact of pharmacists. There are a limited number of pharmacists that are aware of the evidence. Purpose To describe an action plan of interventions that should increase pharmacists' awareness about evidence on the roles and impact of pharmacists. Material and methods This was a descriptive study. A literature search was conducted on Pubmed with the following terms: interventions, professional behaviour and evaluation. Only systematic reviews on the effectiveness of interventions to change healthcare professional behaviour were included. Based on the literature and using a mind mapping technique, we developed a map of the characteristics of interventions that can change professional behaviours. Using the map, we discussed and identified the potential interventions that could be implemented to increase pharmacists' awareness about evidence on the roles and impact of pharmacists. The action plan was discussed between research team members and interventions were selected by consensus. Results A total of 15 interventions were identified. The interventions were meant to target different audiences (eg, regulatory authority, professional associations, pharmacists, physicians, nurses, pharmacy students, healthcare decision makers, general public). Intervention characteristics were identified, including face to face or at distance, oral or written, at school, at work, at home or in public areas, performed once or repeated many times, with or without feedback. To increase pharmacists' awareness, we identified 20 key messages based on Impact Pharmacie platform. Interventions included in the action plan were: dedicated courses and short internship within the pharmacy curriculum, specific conferences at key events, booths, quiz at professional meetings, surveys/audits for targeted groups, educational outreach in retail and hospital pharmacies using key documents, pyramidal dissemination through ambassadors, weekly blogs and social medias, formal support from different professional organisations, research projects with published abstracts and articles, videos, etc. Based on the literature review, multifaceted interventions should be prioritised whenever possible. Conclusion This study described the 15 interventions of an action plan that should increase pharmacists' awareness about evidence on the roles and impact of pharmacists. No conflict of interest


In the socioeconomics literature, community socioeconomic initiatives (CSIs) are identified as important institutions for achieving sustainability. In this literature, CSIs are argued to contribute to sustainability by fostering a set of compatible social norms of reciprocity, equity, deliberation and sufficiency. This dissertation investigates the potential of CSIs to foster such sustainability norms by comparing and contrasting two different CSI types: community supported agriculture (CSA) and local exchange trading systems (LETS). To undertake the comparison, each sustainability norm is further elaborated in indicators linked to their capacity to encourage volunteering, redistribution, dematerialization, prosumption and purposeful social interaction. Drawing on literature reviews of international case studies and participant-observation and interviews of two Tasmanian CSIs, the research finds that while both types of CSIs foster sustainability norms, they do so in different ways and to different degrees. The research has important implications for sustainability strategies as it implies that a diversity of CSIs are required to foster the full suite of sustainability norms.


In international workshops on "New Worlds in Astroparticle Physics" held biannually, astronomers, astrophysicists and particle physicists discuss recent developments in the exciting and rapidly developing field of Astroparticle Physics. Similar to previous workshops, this 5th international workshop introduced experimental, observational and theoretical subjects through review lectures. This was followed by shorter contributions on the recent developments in Astroparticle Physics. This workshop covered an array of subjects like cosmic rays, gravitational waves, space radiation, neutrino physics, cosmological parameters, black holes, dark matter and dark energy.


The importance of the two chiral centers at C-3 and C-7 in the molecular structure of jasmonic acid in plant responses was investigated. We separated methyl jasmonate (MeJA) into (3R)- and (3S)-isomers with a fixed stereochemistry at C-3, but epimerization at C-7 is possible. The four isomers of the nonepimerizable analog 7-methyl MeJA were synthesized. These six esters and their corresponding acids were tested in three bioassays: (a) senescence in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) cotyledons; (b) proteinase inhibitor II gene expression in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) with [beta]-glucuronidase as a biochemical reporter; and (c) seed germination in Brassica napus and wheat (Triticum aestivum). The esters and acids had similar activities in the three assays, with the ester being more effective than its acid. The (3R)-stereochemistry was critical for jasmonate activity. Although activity was reduced after substituting the C-7 proton with a methyl group, the analogs with (3R,7R)- or (3R,7S)-stereochemistry were active in some of the assays. Although the four isomers of 7-methyl MeJA were inactive or only weakly active in the senescence assay, they could overcome the senescence-promoting effect of (3R)-MeJA. The strongest antagonistic effect was observed with the (3R,7S)-isomer.


Three volcano-sedimentary sequences and related intrusive suites, ranging in age from pre-700 Ma to about 570 Ma, are recorded in the Midyan region of northwestern Saudi Arabia. Crustal history involved island-arc accretion and compressional tectonics up to about 625 Ma and extensional tectonics and rifting after that date. Possible correlatives of the Midyan stratigraphy, as well as ophiolitic rocks of a probable suture zone, may exist in southeastern Sinai, although doubt exists because of the conflicting views of workers in that area.


Despite the extensive literature on the subject and the known methods for preventing stress corrosion, the users of high-strength aluminum alloys are still on occasion faced with this problem particularly in wrought components. Examples from actual experience with aircraft forgings are cited to emphasize the susceptibility of the transverse direction, particularly at parting lines, and the complex and often unpredictable role of residual stresses. Despite the absence of a specific short transverse direction, cylindrical forgings can show considerable susceptibility in their single transverse direction. Attention is drawn to the possibly dangerous combination of stresses resulting from heat treatment, machining, and interference assemblies. It is shown that the mere presence at the surface of a forging of residual compressive stresses resulting from heat treatment is no guarantee that stress-corrosion failure will not initiate from such a surface. Residual stresses developed along the inside diameter of a blind hole on quenching are a major unknown, and methods for obviating such difficulties are discussed. In addition to the factors known to affect stress-corrosion susceptibility, there would also seem to be a batch factor whereby some apparently small and temporary modification in manufacturing procedure can increase the susceptibility to stress corrosion significantly. An example is quoted of the minute amount of moisture found sufficient to initiate a stress-corrosion failure. The necessity is discussed and emphasized for determining the nature and gradient of residual stresses adjacent to potentially critical surfaces as a stage in the qualification of prototype forgings.


Testing is an integral part of any software development lifecycle. It takes considerable amount of time and capital to generate test cases and apply testing. Genetic Algorithms are proving to be great tool in optimizing software testing. This paper uses the concept of Genetic algorithms in optimizing software testing. In this paper, we have analysed genetic algorithms and studied their effectiveness to find the faults and time overhead-based criteria to -prioritize test cases. The proposed approach is providing the solution of test cases sequencing as well as reduction by using an intelligent dynamic approach. The proposed system will generate the test cases based on the priorities, which are assigned by the algorithm to test cases on the basis of some intelligent operations. A cumulative mutation probability (CMP) metric is used to determine the effectiveness of the new test case orderings


Recognition and having a general outlook of the researches performed, as well as the links among various fields, and also having awareness of the developments and progression of such fields in time are among the objectives of scientific maps. The goal of the present study is to discover and draw the scientific map of medical domains in Iran during 2003-2007. For such purposes, we sought to utilize the subject category co-citation analysis. In line with this, the most productive, effective and the most cited medical subject categories in the period under investigation were determined. The study population included all scientific papers published by Iranians in medical subject categories, as well as their references, which have been indexed in Science Citations Index Expanded (SCIE). Data analyses and mapping were performed using Network Workbench (NWB) tool. The findings show that Iranian medical scholarly publications have been increasing compared with its total scientific products. The mappings reveal more density in the maps of each successive year under study. It can be said that subject categories such as Medicine, General & internal, Pharmacology & pharmacy, and Biochemistry & molecular biology are among the most productive categories as they have more relations with other categories. There is a significant difference between the quantity of scientific products and the amount of citations garnered by effective categories and other medical categories. However, no significant difference is found between the mean received citations per article in effective medical categories and other categories. The authors recommend more attention be paid to the scientific mappings using various techniques applied in different years in Islamic countries. Keyword: Scientific maps; Knowledge mapping; Medicine; Scientometrics; Category co-citation analysis.


Scholarly publishing is concerned with the distribution of scholarly information through journals and conferences and other information media. As such scholarly publishing can be understood as a specific part of the information industry. With the advent of advanced information technologies many possible technologically enabled futures have been posited for scholarly publishing. This paper describes the current systems, processes and actors. While technological advancements appear to be enabling access to scholarly publications, economic conditions appear to limit access. In addition, a number of alternatives, such as open access are currently in play and there is uncertainty regarding the future of the scholarly publishing system. The system appears to be in the process of being reassembled. Conceptual models of the traditional, the electronic, and some possibilities for future developments in scholarly publishing are proposed, as are topics for future research in the information systems domain.


Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) covalently modified with OH functional groups were assembled into buckypapers through solvent dispersion and vacuum filtration. These SWCNT-OH buckypaper sheets were subsequently crosslinked by wetting with bifunctional linkers followed by hot compression causing reaction between the functional groups of the reagent and OH functional groups on the side-walls of SWCNTs to create three-dimensional (3D) covalently cross-linked buckypapers. Cross-linking also was performed using SWCNTs encapsulated with a functionalized polymer wrapping in a core–shell structure, where OH or/and NH2 groups are available on the surface of the polymeric shell for reaction. The 3D cross-linked SWCNT buckypapers retain the porous character typical of buckypaper, and were characterized for their tensile properties and thermal and electrical conductivities. Several cross-linking approaches dramatically improved the mechanical properties. The strongest and stiffest papers (32 MPa, E = 3.1 GPa), which approach 10× stronger and stiffer than the pristine non-crosslinked buckypaper, were obtained at the expense of a loss of electrical conductivity. In other cases, such as cross-linking using a high-performance epoxy resin monomer, improvements in strength and stiffness of ∼5× were obtained while retaining electrical and thermal conductivity. Therefore, the optimal cross-linking approach would be determined by the desired, multifunctional properties. Additionally, the approach can be used in the preparation buckypaper composites and it is demonstrated that cross-linking using a multifunctional epoxy resin prior to impregnation with the same epoxy resin results in substantially better mechanical properties in comparison to just epoxy-impregnation of pristine buckypaper.


In the recent years, the interest towards the application of two-phase thermosyphons as an element of heat recovery systems has significantly increased. The application of thermosyphons is steadily gaining popularity in a wide range of industries and energy solutions. In the present study, a 2-D numerical modelling of a two-phase gas/liquid flow and the simultaneously ongoing processes of evaporation and condensation in a thermosyphon is presented. The technique volume of fluid was used for the modelling of the interaction between the liquid and gas phases. The operation of a finned tubes thermosyphon was studied at several typical operating modes. A parametric study over a non-ribbed and finned tubes thermosyphon was carried out. The commercial software ANSYS FLUENT 14.0 was used for the numerical analysis. It was proven that the numerical modelling procedure adequately recreates the ongoing flow, heat and mass transfer processes in the thermosyphon. The numerical result from the phase interaction in the thermosyphon was visualized. Otherwise, such visualization is difficult to achieve when only using empirical models or laboratory experiments. In conclusion, it is shown that numerical modelling is a useful tool for studying and better understanding of the phase changes and heat and mass transfer in a thermosyphon operation.


This study reveals soil layer structure and characteristics of pore-water pressure fluctuation at hillslopes underlain by granite and metamorphic rock in Hiroshima City, southwest Japan, where heavy rainfall triggered numerous shallow landslides on 20 August 2014. We reconstructed processes of shallow landslides using hydro-slope stability analysis and verify the model by inputting the rainfall recorded on the date of the disaster, referring to the timing of landsliding and the depth and slope angle of landslides. Change in mechanical strength of soil seems to control the position of sliding surface in granite hillslopes, whereas hydraulic discontinuity in soil profile affects the formation of slip plane in hillslopes underlain by metamorphic rock. Depth and slope angle of landslides were obtained by airborne laser scanning of land surface before and after the disaster. Shear strength of soil around the sliding surface was measured by direct shear testing using undisturbed specimens. Pore water pressure at potential sliding surface in granite hillslope increased rapidly in cases of a wet condition by preceding precipitation. In hillslopes underlain by metamorphic rock, pore water pressure at a shallow part increased rapidly and a parched groundwater table formed occasionally; pore water pressure at a deeper area increased gently within few hours later from rainfall peaks. Based on these results, we modeled response of pore water pressure to rainfall infiltration and hillslope destabilization to reconstruct processes of landslide initiation.


Planting tree seedlings in small patches (islands) has been proposed as a method to facilitate forest recovery that is less expensive than planting large areas and better simulates the nucleation process of recovery. We planted seedlings of four tree species at 12 formerly agricultural sites in southern Costa Rica in two designs: plantation (entire 50 × 50 m area planted) and island (six patches of three sizes). We monitored seedling survival, height, and canopy area over 3 years. To elucidate mechanisms influencing survival and growth, we measured soil and foliar nutrients, soil compaction, and photosynthesis. Survival of all species was similar in the two planting designs. Seedling height and canopy area were greater in plantations than islands at most sites, and more seedlings in islands decreased in height due to damage incurred during plot maintenance. Survival, height, and canopy area were both site‐ and species‐specific with the two N‐fixing species (Inga edulis and Erythrina poeppigiana) greater than the other species (Terminalia amazonia and Vochysia guatemalensis). Foliar N was higher in Terminalia and Vochysia in sites where Inga growth was greater. Soil nutrients, however, explained a small amount of the large differences in growth across sites. Leaf mass per area was higher in islands, and P use efficiency was higher in plantations. Our results show advantages (good seedling survival, cheaper) and disadvantages (more seedling damage, slightly lower growth) to the island planting design. Our study highlights the importance of replicating restoration strategies at several sites to make widespread management recommendations.


ABSTRACT Mazzolari, A.; Contente, A.F.P.S.; Araújo, M.A.V.C., and Trigo-Teixeira, A., 2020. An assessment of calibrated and non-calibrated wave propagation models: Application to the Harbor of Póvoa de Varzim. In: Malvárez, G. and Navas, F. (eds.), Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 1195–1200. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. A phase averaged model and a phase resolving model are spatially coupled to study the wave penetration in the harbor of Póvoa de Varzim (Portugal), with specific regard to its marina, exposed to excessive agitation for energetic offshore events. Modeled results are compared with wave statistics measured inside the marina. It is shown that the use of a non-calibrated model configuration leads to inaccurate results: for this particular case, the modeled wave agitation underestimates up to -85% the wave statistics for the most energetic measured events. Calibration tests against field data and validation verifications are shown to be necessary for improving the model accuracy and for assessing the proper evaluation of the defense structure performance, before any layout reconfiguration is considered.


Retrosynthesis has been likened to the game of chess. There are relatively simple rules to learn, but only through experience and practice can a learner acquire the tacit knowledge required for mastery of the subject. This makes it a challenging topic to teach effectively to a large and diverse cohort of learners. Lectures are a good way of transmitting knowledge, but do not provide the engagement and training that is essential in developing a deep understanding of retrosynthesis. Therefore, students tend to struggle to achieve success in this topic. This project aimed to alleviate this problem by producing online learning resources to be combined with traditional face-to-face teaching methods to develop a blended learning approach. These resources included animated videos, quizzes, worked examples and other interactive learning materials. Analysis of examination results and learner feedback showed that the supplementary resources not only improved student performance and understanding, but also provided a more satisfactory learning experience. External evaluation suggested that the learning package has significant potential and development should be continued. The package of learning resources can be viewed online at: people.bath.ac.uk/ch3jhm