Since the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, taking into account the children's point of view on decisions that affect them (article 12 of the Convention) has become increasingly popular. In this context child and youth movements have appeared in Asia, in Latin America and in Africa, seeking to be heard regarding the fight against child labour. The working children and youth associations in Burkina Faso (AEJT/BF) that are studied in this article are a national representation of the African working children and youths movement (MAEJT) that was created at the end of the 1980s. The movement is based on two core principles: on the one hand the 12 primary rights of the children and young labourers and on the other hand the concept of "protagonism" (the child labourer as a capable stakeholder, rather than the child labourer as a "victim" of exploitation such as appears in international norms). This article describes and analyses the workings of this movement in Burkina Faso, the manners in which it has reframed social issues concerning child labour and the results of the application of its guidelines. Based on ethnographic fieldwork, this paper offers original data on the realities of a collective player that has used the rhetoric of "participation" of the Convention on the rights of the child to its advantage, and has thus succeeded in entering the national debate on child protection. However, the Burkinabe section of the movement must still deal with questions such as those regarding the place and role of the children as well as that of the "aging" of their members.


Summary: The responsive neurostimulation system (RNS) is the first closed-loop neurostimulator approved as an adjunctive treatment for adults with medically refractory focal epilepsy from no more than two seizure foci. In addition to its therapeutic effect, it provides chronic intracranial EEG recordings, with limited storage capacity. Long-term monitoring with scalp EEG recordings can provide additional information regarding seizure patterns, the efficacy of RNS stimulation in aborting individual seizures, and the net effect of RNS on seizure control. We present a 34-year-old woman with medically intractable right temporoparietal lobe epilepsy who failed two resective epilepsy surgeries and MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT), after which RNS was implanted. Long-term scalp EEG performed 16 months after implantation showed continuous right hemisphere slowing and right temporal sharp waves. In addition, RNS stimulation produced bursts of high-voltage, broad-field, surface-negative activity, which allowed correlation of RNS stimulation with scalp EEG patterns. Twenty-seven seizures were captured. Responsive neurostimulation system stimulation did not abort any of the seizures recorded on the scalp EEG. However, the frequency of seizures doubled after RNS stimulation was discontinued and returned to baseline once it was turned back on. This observation supports the neuromodulation effect of RNS.


This paper reports highly flexible, transparent, conducting heaters based on multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) sheets. The MWCNT sheets were spun directly from a well-aligned MWCNT forest. The fabrication of the MWCNT sheet heater was quite simple and suitable for mass production, requiring only a one-step transferring process, in which the MWCNT sheet is drawn onto the target substrates. This study examined the parameters that affect the heat generation of the MWCNT sheet-based heater; input power, surface area, and thermal conductivity of the substrate. In particular, more effort was focused on how to increase the surface area and contact points between the individual MWCNTs; simple acid treatment and added metal nanoparticles increased the heat performance of the heater dramatically. Moreover, the heaters exhibited durability and flexibility against many bending cycles. Therefore, the MWCNT sheet-based heater can be used for versatile applications requiring transparency, conduction, and flexibility.


"Various parts of a seed have different responses to same culture condition, because of dissimilar hormone concentration and enzyme activity. Indirect regeneration of watermelon seed was tested with different parts: hypocotyl, basal, central, distal and peripheral zone (parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively). The different parts were cultured in MS medium containing 3.5 mg/l BA and 0.5 mg/l IAA. Photoperiod (16h light/8h dark) or dark condition were used as light treatment. Every 2 weeks the callogenesis and regeneration percentages and number of regenerated leaves were assessed until 6 weeks. Best callogenesis and regeneration percent observed in dark and light condition, respectively. A regular pattern of regeneration find in seed segments. The rate of regeneration was faster for second and third part of seed in compare to fourth and fifth parts (p<0.01). The peripheral parts show low density of regenerated plantlets. Regenerated branches were rooted in MS medium containing 0.1 mg/l IBA, and obtained plantlets with appropriate root system, were cultivated in hydroponic and sand pots to acclimatize. The best acclimatization (90 %) were gained in hydroponic culture"


Many airline reservation systems offer the commitment option to their potential passengers. This option allows passengers to reserve a seat for a fixed duration before making a final purchase decision. In this study, we develop single-leg revenue management models that consider such contingent commitment decisions. We start with a dynamic programming model of this problem. This model is computationally intractable as it requires storing a multidimensional state space because of bookkeeping of the committed seats. To alleviate this difficulty, we propose an alternate dynamic programming formulation that uses an approximate model of how the contingent commitments behave and we show how to extract a capacity allocation policy from the approximate dynamic programming formulation. In addition, we present a deterministic linear programming model that gives an upper bound on the optimal expected revenue from the intractable dynamic programming model. As the problem size becomes large in terms of flight capacity and the expected number of arrivals, we demonstrate an asymptotic lower bound for the deterministic linear programming model. Our extensive numerical study indicates that offering commitment options can noticeably increase potential revenue even though offering a contingent commitment option may not always be in the best interest of the airline. Also, our results show that the proposed approximate dynamic programming model coordinates capacity allocation and commitment decisions quite well.


In western Qatar, Dukhan Sabkha occurs some 6 to 8km from the coast of the Gulf of Salwa. It occupies an elongated depression covering an area of some 130km2 of nearly flat land, with an average elevation ranging from 2.8m to 1.8m relative to the mean sea level. In the present work, Landsat imagery data have been interpreted to delineate the major morphologic features of this sabkha, and to investigate its surface materials in an attempt to elucidate their origin. The satellite data used include black-and-white images of the MSS bands 4, 5 and 7, their false-colour composites, and the colour-sliced images of band 5. The visual interpretation of these images has been corroborated by intensive field work and compilation of all available published information.
This study led to an accurate delineation of the boundaries of this inland sabkha and its classification, for the first time, into three main tonal units of characteristic spectral signatures on Landsat-MSS images. These units are named according to their abundant constituent as : (1) calcareous sandy slits, (2) gypsiferous clays, and (3) salt crust. In addition, wherever halophytic plants are growing they display relatively darker tones on the Landsat images.


The Variational Autoencoder (VAE) is a popular generative latent variable model that is often used for representation learning. Standard VAEs assume continuous-valued latent variables and are trained by maximization of the evidence lower bound (ELBO). Conventional methods obtain a differentiable estimate of the ELBO with reparametrized sampling and optimize it with Stochastic Gradient Descend (SGD). However, this is not possible if we want to train VAEs with discrete-valued latent variables, since reparametrized sampling is not possible. In this paper, we propose an easy method to train VAEs with binary or categorically valued latent representations. Therefore, we use a differentiable estimator for the ELBO which is based on importance sampling. In experiments, we verify the approach and train two different VAEs architectures with Bernoulli and categorically distributed latent representations on two different benchmark datasets.


The nondestructive detection of defects in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCs) in-surface mount printed circuit board assemblies has been demonstrated by using an improved digital speckle correlation method (DSCM). The internal cracks in MLCs that contribute to the thermal displacements on the MLC surface after dc electrical loading may be uniquely identified using this improved DSCM combined with double lens optical arrangement. However, it is found that Joule heating of the MLC sample takes time, and therefore the thermal displacements on the MLC surface are not obvious at the beginning of the dc electrical loading. In order to shorten the detection time and increase the resolution of the DSCM, a wavelet packet noise reduction process is introduced into the DSCM technique. This new algorithm is used to reduce the background noise in the signal so as to improve the accuracy of detection of defect locations and reduce the detection time. By introducing wavelet packet noise reduction processing, the DSCM is found to be more sensitive to and faster at detecting defects in MLC samples. Furthermore, the DSCM with wavelet packet noise reduction process can cope with the problems of edge effect, rough and warped surface, which are the limitations of the scanning acoustic microscope (SAM).


ABSTRACT We describe a novel, semiautomated Clostridium difficile typing platform that is based on PCR-ribotyping in conjunction with a semiautomated molecular typing system. The platform is reproducible with minimal intra- or interassay variability. This method exhibited a discriminatory index of 0.954 and is therefore comparable to more arduous typing systems, such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.


Motivated by the potential vulnerability of their road infrastructure, many national authorities and local Departments of Transportation are incorporating seismic risk assessment in their management systems. This Dissertation aims to develop methods and tools for seismic risk analysis that can be used in a Bridge Management System (BMS); helping bridge owners to assess the costs of repair, retrofit and replacement of the bridges under their responsibility.
More specifically, these tools are designed to offer estimates of:
(1) the seismic risk to single components of bridges and their expected performance after an earthquake.
(2) the impact a priori (i.e. before an earthquake) of a given earthquake on the operation of a road network, in terms of connectivity between different locations.
(3) the damage a posteriori (i.e. after an earthquake) to road network operation, based on prior knowledge of network vulnerability and on the observed damage to a small number of single bridges.
The effectiveness of these methods is tested and validated in a specific case study, the bridge stock of the Autonomous Province of Trento (APT) in Italy.
To address the first point, I will first introduce the fragility curve method for risk assessment of individual bridges. The Hazus model is chosen as the most appropriate and is applied to the bridges of the APT stock. Once the fragility curves for all the bridges have been generated, a risk analysis is performed for three earthquake scenarios (with return periods of 72, 475 and 2475 years) and four condition states (operational, damage, life safety and collapse limit state). Next, I will extend the results of the component level analysis to the network level: the APT road network is modeled in the form of a graph and the problem of connectivity between two locations is analyzed. A shortest path algorithm is introduced and implemented to identify the best path between any two given places. Correlation in capacity and demand among bridges is not considered at this stage.
After reiterating the fundamentals of probability theory, the theory of Bayesian Networks is introduced. The Bayesian Network approach is used to incorporate mutual correlation in capacity and demand, in risk assessment of a bridge stock. The concept is first formulated and illustrated on a simple case (the 'twin bridge problem'), then extended to the general case of a full stock. I will show how the same framework can be used in post-earthquake assessment problems, where the evidence of the state of one or more bridges affects the prediction of the performance of another bridge. The outcomes and the limits of this work are discussed at the end of the Thesis.


The aim of reverse pharmacognosy is to find new biological targets for natural compounds by virtual or real screening and identify natural resources that contain the active molecules. To demonstrate the applicability of this concept, we report here a study on epsilon-viniferin, an active ingredient for cosmetic development. Nevertheless, this natural substance is weakly defined in terms of biological properties. SELNERGY, an inverse docking computer software, was used to identify putative binding biological targets for epsilon-viniferin. Among the 400 screened proteins two targets were retained. For cosmetic application, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) was the most interesting candidate. Moreover, other PDE subtypes (1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) were not retained, indicating a selectivity for PDE4. The experimental binding tests on the 6 subtypes of PDE revealed a significant selectivity of epsilon-viniferin for the PDE4 subtype. This selectivity was confirmed by evaluation of epsilon-viniferin on the secretion of TNF-alpha and Interleukin-8. Our data demonstrated that epsilon-viniferin possesses anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting PDE4 subtype. In conclusion, reverse pharmacognosy and its inverse docking component cannot only be integrated into a program for new lead discovery but is also a useful approach to find new applications for identified compounds.


Conclusion: Although mean maternal age and therefore expected number of babies with T21 are increasing, incidence of babies born with T21 is falling. This is the positive effect of screening. The negative effect is the increasing number of invasive tests. In the future we would like to reduce the number of invasive tests and still improve the prenatal detection of T21. (1) Cuckle HS, Wald NJ, Thompson SG. Estimating a woman's risk of having a pregnancy associated with Down's syndrome using her age and serum alpha-fetoprotein level. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1987; 94 : 387–402.


This book presents a rounded critique of the conventional wisdom about the legality of nuclear weapons by experts in international and constitutional law. Part I addresses the status of nuclear weapons under international law. Scholars on one side of the question draw upon treaties and international custom to argue that most uses of nuclear weapons are illegal and that even mere possession of such weaponry is legally unjustifiable. Others argue that law cannot be imposed on the nuclear weapons states without their consent and that nuclear weapons provide deterrence that binds the superpowers in a peaceful balance of power. Part I concludes with a comprehensive bibliography on nuclear weapons and international law. Part II, the section that focuses on nuclear weapons and American constitutional law, offers widely divergent approaches and conclusions. Although there is no explicit prohibition of such weapons in the United States Constitution, several contributors suggest that the advent of nuclear weapons has so changed the milieu in which constitutional institutions operate that many accepted conclusions must be reexamined. Part III explores the effects of nuclear weapons on the environment and the medical consequences of nuclear war.


Social media are often perceived as a frivolous space for youths to connect socially. But youths who live in countries where free expression is curtailed and official news outlets are subject to government cen- sorship, information and communication technology (ICT) offers an increasingly important vehicle for political expression. In many cases, blogging and social media tools fulfill the role that journalism serves in more democratic societies. This article considers recent events in Iran, Egypt, China, and Myanmar, among other countries, and how Western information/social network corporations facilitate dissent. It also considers the ethical implications for doing so when there are negotiations with authoritative re- gimes, and the risks to the youthful communities that are at the receiving end of the consequences of these policies.


This paper deals with Series Active Filter (SAF) based damping methods for the LCL filters of three-phase, grid connected, low voltage, high power Voltage Source Inverters (VSIs). The inherent resonance problem of LCL filters is damped via passive or active damping methods. Passive damping methods employing damping resistors create significant power losses reducing the overall system's efficiency for high power inverters. Active damping methods, on the other hand, are not applicable due to inverter's limited controller bandwidth. Unlike passive and active damping approaches, the proposed Series Active Filter (SAF) based systems maintain the stability of the inverter while eliminating the resistive power losses. The steady-state and dynamic performances of the SAF compensated VSIs are investigated and viability of them are demonstrated. Two novel methods, one superior than the other in terms of design simplicity are investigated providing efficiency, line current THD and dynamic response results. The developed methods are proven by theory and computer simulations.


In this paper, an algorithm inspired on the T- Cell model of the immune system is presented, it is used to solve Economic Dispatch Problems with smooth objective function. The proposed approach is called IA EDP S, which stands for Immune Algorithm for Economic Dispatch Prob- lem for smooth objective function, and it uses as differentiation process a redistribution power op- erator. The proposed approach is validated using five problems taken from the specialized litera- ture. Our results are compared with respect to those obtained by several other approaches.


Goblet cell metaplasia is an important morphological feature in the airways of patients with chronic airway diseases; however, the precise mechanisms that cause this feature are unknown. We investigated the role of endogenous platelet-activating factor (PAF) in airway goblet cell metaplasia induced by cigarette smoke in vivo. Guinea pigs were exposed repeatedly to cigarette smoke for 14 consecutive days. The number of goblet cells in each trachea was determined with Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff staining. Differential cell counts and PAF levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were also evaluated. Cigarette smoke exposure significantly increased the number of goblet cells. Eosinophils, neutrophils, and PAF levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were also significantly increased after cigarette smoke. Treatment with a specific PAF receptor antagonist, E-6123, significantly attenuated the increases in the number of airway goblet cells, eosinophils, and neutrophils observed after cigarette smoke exposure. These results suggest that endogenous PAF may play a key role in goblet cell metaplasia induced by cigarette smoke and that potential roles exist for inhibitors of PAF receptor in the treatment of hypersecretory airway diseases.


Credit unions are member-owned, voluntary, self-help, democratic, not-for-profit institutions that provide financial services to their members. They have both economic and social goals. Over this last decade they have achieved remarkable growth levels and currently there are 600 such organisations in Ireland, with approximately 50 per cent of the adult population of Ireland belonging to a credit union. Accounting for credit unions is a much-neglected area and relatively little is known about the sector's accountability. This paper presents the results of an initial empirical study of the financial accountability of Irish credit unions. A series of interviews and a basic content analysis of 178 recent financial statements were used to identify the views of key stakeholders with respect to the discharge of financial accountability by credit unions and the current quality of financial reporting. Overall, the research points to a sector where financial accountability through the medium of the annual report is weak and possible adverse consequences of this are explored. On the basis of the interviews it is suggested that if changes in financial accountability are to be achieved then some more proactive engagement of parties external to the management of individual credit unions is needed.


Abstract Recent studies implicate the gut microbiome in the etiology of obesity. However, the contribution of the microbiome remains uncertain due to conflicting results. Previous studies have examined different populations and ages, but most have focused on the fecal microbiome, while few studies have examined the role of microbial diversity at other body sites. To explore the association between obesity and the microbial diversity of the upper digestive tract, we studied in cross-section a cohort of 659 healthy Chinese adults (ages 34 to 67 years) with a measured body mass index range of 15.0 to 35.7. We characterized the upper gastrointestinal tract microbiome using the HOMIM DNA microarray, which tests for the presence of approximately 300 species/strains of bacteria. We characterized alpha-diversity using taxa counts, and we created beta-diversity metrics using an unweighted unifrac distance matrix of pairwise comparisons of the whole cohort. We performed unsupervised clustering in this matrix and found support for three clusters, and we generated principal coordinate vectors from the matrix. Body mass index was examined as a continuous variable on the log scale in regression models adjusted for age, sex, tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, antibiotic use, sample collection device, and the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth. We found that alpha-diversity (numbers of strains, species, genera, families, orders, classes, or phyla) was not associated with body mass index. The presence or absence of each individual species/strain of bacteria on the HOMIM DNA microarray was not associated with body mass index after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. However, beta-diversity, as assessed by cluster membership (first cluster compared with third cluster, p=0.0121; second cluster compared with third cluster, p=0.0002) and principal coordinate vectors, scaled to their interquartile ranges (p-values for the third and fourth vectors were p=0.0132 and p=0.0280, respectively), were associated with body mass index. Moreover, in adjusted models with multiple microbial diversity metrics, cluster membership remained independently associated with body mass index, while the vector associations were attenuated. Individuals in the first (median body mass index 22.35, interquartile range 19.17-23.31) and second (median body mass index 22.55, interquartile range 20.50-24.38) clusters had lower median body mass indexes that fall within the optimum Asian BMI range than the median body mass index in the third cluster (23.59, interquartile range 21.50-25.32), which is considered to fall in the range of increased risk for obesity-related diseases in Asian populations. Our results demonstrate for the first time that beta-diversity in the upper digestive tract microbiome is associated with body mass index. Future longitudinal, prospective studies should address whether the upper digestive tract microbiome plays a causal role for obesity. This proffered talk is also presented as Poster 56. Citation Format: Shih-Wen Lin, Neal D. Freedman, Jianxin Shi, Mitchell H. Gail, Guoqin Yu, Vanja Klepac-Ceraj, Bruce J. Paster, Bruce A. Dye, Wen-Qiang Wei, Jin-Hu Fan, You-Lin Qiao, Sanford M. Dawsey, Christian C. Abnet. Beta-diversity metrics of the upper digestive tract microbiome are associated with body mass index. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Post-GWAS Horizons in Molecular Epidemiology: Digging Deeper into the Environment; 2012 Nov 11-14; Hollywood, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PR8.


An analysis of the floristic composition, structure and diversity of the tree and shrub strata was carried out at the tropical deciduous forest of El Picante hill, located in San Jose Tilapa, Puebla. Five transects (T1-T5) were located along the elevation range of 1,055 to 1,095 m asl and the "point-centred quarter" sampling method was used. A total of 53 taxa belonging to 47 genera and 28 families were recorded. The best-represented families were Fabaceae, Cactaceae, Asteraceae and Burseraceae. The main indicators in the tropical deciduous forest were those taxa with the highest importance value indexes (IVI), in the tree stratum were Ceiba aesculifolia, Bursera morelensis and B. aptera , while in the shrub stratum were Lippia graveolens, Parthenium fruticosum and Acaciella angustissima . T4 recorded the highest richness, on the other hand, T5 stood out by the presence of the greatest abundance of trees and shrubs. This study complements the structure and diversity knowledge of this ecosystem in Tehuacan Valley, Mexico.


Tyrosinase in hamster skin, measured by the production of 3HOH from L-tyrosine-3,5-3H, increases about sevenfold in specific activity from the 14-day fetus to day 6 of life. Albino hamsters exhibit no activity, but enzyme is present in the ventral (white) areas of the Syrian hamster. 3,4-Dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine is required as a cosubstrate.


The Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California, San Diego maintains one of the largest combined oceanographic collections in the world comprising four collections: Geological (sediment cores and dredged rocks), Pelagic Invertebrates, Benthic Invertebrates and Marine Vertebrates. After surviving threats of dissolution, the SIO Collections are now securely funded and have been able to make other collections available to the scientific community. Over the last few years, both the Marine Vertebrate (SIO-MVC) and Benthic Invertebrate (SIO-BIC) Collections have received National Science Foundation (NSF) and institutional funding to integrate important at-risk collections from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and the University of Victoria. The UCLA Ichthyological Collection, around 9000 lots, was at risk of disposal due to hazardous material concerns and lack of institutional support. The collection, accumulated primarily under Boyd Walker (1949-1980) and later Don Buth (1980-), contains material from extensive surveys of the near-shore fishes of Southern California, Baja California and the Tropical Eastern Pacific including remote oceanic islands such as the Revillagigedos, Clipperton and the Galapagos. The UCLA collection also contains over 150 secondary types and over 100 species new to the SIO-MVC.
 Due to lack of support, the collection records were never digitized and the collection was minimally curated and its holdings were poorly known. For over two years, the collection manager and student employees have physically re-curated and integrated this material into the SIO-MVC. These data are now available online via iDigBio and VertNet and have already been used in numerous studies. The SIO-BIC, holding 45,000 lots, is accepting ownership of two deep-sea animal collections from Verena Tunnicliffe at the University of Victoria and Robert Vrijenhoek at MBARI. These collections include 10,900+ lots, largely from hydrothermal vents across the Pacific. Collected over 35 years from remote deep-sea sites that are difficult and expensive to access, these collections represent a major resource for systematics, genetics, and ecology. With Dr. Vrijenhoek now retired and Dr. Tunnicliffe nearing retirement, their collections were at risk of being lost. This material will be made discoverable online through the SIO-BIC database and iDigBio, and will be available for loan and examination. In the last year, the collection manager and five undergraduate employees have integrated some 3,000 lots. With support from the institution and the NSF, the SIO collections are solidifying their roles as central repositories for deep-sea and Eastern Pacific fauna.


In this thesis the writer has made a critical attempt to describe the art of war in ancient India, and indidentally to point out some of its glaring defects. For it is to those defects, more than anything else, that one must attribute the easy manner in which the Turks conquered northern India - in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The Introduction deals with the scope of the work and the main sources of information on which it is based. It also includes an examination of the published manuals on Dhanur-veda with a view to fixing their dates. The thesis itself consists of the following chapters: Ch.I - The Army and a general sketch of its composition - (a) the place of the army in Hindu political thought - (b) 'four-fold' (caturanga) division of the army - (c) the 'six-fold' (9ajlahga) division. Ch.II - Strength of armies maintained by Hindu states. Ch.III - The infantry - (a) historical putline, (b) equipment and armament. Ch.IV - The war-cars, (a) historical outline, (b) equipment and armament. Ch.V - The cavalry, (a) historical outline, (b) equipment and armament, (c) classification and training of horses. Ch.VI - Elephants, (a) historical outline, (b) merits and defects, (c) equipment and armament, (d) classification and training. Ch.VII -Naval warfare. Ch.VIII - Military espionage. Ch.IX - Some aspects of military administration, (a) recruitment of troops, (b) units of the army, (c) discipline, drill and exercises, (d) pay and emoluments, rewards and honours. Ch.X - Army on the march, (a) time for marching, (b) consultation with astrologers, (a) observance of religious rites, (d) order of march, (e) description of an army on the march, (f) transport, crossing of rivers etc. Ch.Xl. The camp. Ch.XII. Army in the field (a) importance of position, (b) battle-arrays, (0) conduct of battles, (d) some usages of the battlefield, e.g., encouragement of troops, war music, ambulance etc. Chain-Fortification and siegeoraft, (a) pre- historic - (b) in the fourth century B.C., (c) '14114ilya's conception of fortification (d) forts and strongholds from the Gupta period onwards (e) siegecraft.


Background: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was founded in 2002 as a public-private partnership between governments, the private sector, civil society, and populations affected by the three diseases. A key principle of the Global Fund is country ownership in accessing funding through "engagement of in-country stakeholders, including key and vulnerable populations, communities, and civil society." Research documenting whether diverse stakeholders are actually engaged and on how stakeholder engagement affects processes and outcomes of grant applications is limited. Objective: To examine representation during the 2017 Global Fund application process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda and the benefits and drawbacks of partnership to the process. Methods: We developed a mixed-methods social network survey to measure network structure and assess perceptions of how working together in partnership with other individuals/organizations affected perceived effectiveness, efficiency, and country ownership of the application process. Surveys were administered from December 2017–May 2018, initially to a set of central actors, followed by any individuals named during the surveys (up to 10) as collaborators. Network analyses were conducted using R. Findings: Collaborators spanning many organizations and expertise areas contributed to the 2017 applications (DRC: 152 nodes, 237 ties; Uganda: 118 nodes, 241 ties). Participation from NGOs and civil society representatives was relatively strong, with most of their ties being to different organization types, Uganda (63%), and DRC (67%), highlighting their collaborative efforts across the network. Overall, the perceived benefits of partnership were high, including very strong ratings for effectiveness in both countries. Perceived drawbacks of partnership were minimal; however, less than half of respondents thought partnership helped reduce transaction costs or financial costs, suggesting an inclusive and participatory process may come with short-term efficiency tradeoffs. Conclusions: Social network analysis can be useful for identifying who is included and excluded from the process, which can support efforts to ensure stronger, more meaningful engagement in future Global Fund application processes.


The set of four cases composing the Fur Industry Merger Exercise affords the opportunity for a merger negotiation among students. Three potential buyers (Adams, Jindo [UVA-F-0962], and Lessard [UVA-F-0963]) compete for two potential sellers (Adams and Gallery of Furs [UVA-F-0965]). The cases give detailed financial forecasts for the target firms that are unique to each party. The forecasts form the basis for valuation of the target companies. The merger opportunities are prompted by major competitive changes in the worldwide fur-garment industry and by adverse changes in demand in U.S. fur retailing. The exercise affords insights into the challenges of cross-border acquisitions. Adams is the largest retailer of fur garments in the United States. Publicly, it appears to be a healthy company, but private information reveals a serious erosion in its business. The current turmoil in the industry provides Adams an opportunity either to buy its next largest competitor (Gallery of Furs) or sell to one of two fur-garment producers (Jindo or Lessard). The "Adams" case may be used on a stand-alone basis to illustrate aspects of corporate valuation in a merger setting.


Key themes for evolution in economic geography are identified that clarify and further refine and reinforce our argument for broader conceptions of institutions, social agency, and power and for the situation of the plural and emerging field of evolutionary approaches more fully within geographical political economy. We address the following issues: conceptual and terminological clarity; evolution and institutions within and beyond the firm; agency, bounded determinacy, and power; and research method and design. Our central contention is that geographical political economy provides a coherent and well-structured conceptual and theoretical framework with which to broaden and deepen our understanding, exploration, and practice of evolutionary thinking in economic geography.


The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is not an exception in relying on the growth of its construction industry to support rapid population growth. However, its need for infrastructure development is constrained by low productivity levels and cost overruns caused by factors such as delays to project completion. Delays in delivering a construction project are a global issue and while theories such as Optimism Bias have been used to explain such delays, in KSA, client-related causes of delays are also significant. The objective of this paper is to develop a framework-based approach to explore how the country's construction industry can manage and reduce delays in construction projects through building information modelling (BIM) in order to mitigate the cost consequences of such delays. It comprehensively and systematically reviewed the global literature on the subject and identified gaps, critical delay factors and the specific benefits that BIM can deliver for the delay management. A case study comprising of nine hospital projects that have experienced delay and cost overruns was also carried out. Five critical delay factors related to the clients were identified as candidates that can be mitigated through BIM's benefits. These factors are: Ineffective planning and scheduling of the project; changes during construction by the client; delay in progress payment; slowness in decision making by the client; and poor communication between clients and other stakeholders. In addition, data from the case study projects strongly suggest that optimism bias is present in many of the hospital projects. Further validation via key stakeholder interviews and documentations are planned.


Does media exposure to salient criminological events exacerbate racialized perceptions of injustice? We examine whether closely following media coverage of the fatal encounter of George Zimmerman's shooting of Trayvon Martin moderates racial and ethnic differences in opinion surrounding the event and the U.S. criminal justice system. Our analysis addresses several key aspects of the case: Whether Zimmerman would have been arrested sooner if Martin had been white, whether respondents felt Zimmerman's acquittal was justified, and whether there is racial bias against African Americans in the criminal justice system. Relying on national opinion surveys before and after Zimmerman's trial verdict, our findings support the racial gradient thesis by demonstrating that sustained exposure to racialized framing of the incident in the media affects Hispanics the most and hardens entrenched attitudes among African Americans relative to whites. The analysis supports the continuing relevance of the mass media in attitude formation.


Sediments on the Crimea southern coast shelf are studied within the Black Sea hygrophysical polygon in Katsiveli. Comparative analysis of the present sediments' parameters in the Crimea shelf zone is done. Physical and chemical characteristics of the bottom sediments (particle-size distribution, humidity, organic carbon content, carbonate content) are studied. The peculiarities of the sedimentation process and the specific features of spatial structure of the bottom sediment fractional composition and the organic matter content are revealed. According to the results of the study it was found that bottom sediments at the testing ground under research are represented generally by silty sands with pebbles and coquina and, to a lesser extent, by aleurite-pelitic silts. Coastal zone sediments are composed of medium sands with the inclusions of shell material and limestone gravel. Seaward part of the testing ground has the aleurite-pelitic silts. The analysis of distribution features of fine bottom sediment fractions and С org showed that a high content of organic carbon is characteristic of fine sediments, and it is evidenced by increased carbon concentrations in the seaward part of the water area. It is shown that the organic carbon content in the bottom sediments on the Crimea southern coast shelf does not exceed the background values. This fact indicates that the existing potential anthropogenic sources (of the Limensky Gulf) of organic carbon currently don't have a significant effect on its accumulation in bottom sediments. The areas of high carbonate concentrations coincide with the areas characterized by decreased content of fine fractions and organic carbon in the bottom sediments. Maximum values of carbonate content in Cape Kikineiz area are related to shell gravel accumulation.


Abstract. The effect of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) and κ-casein (CSN3) genotypes on milk composition were evaluated in Iranian indigenous Zel sheep breed. Genotypes were determined by PCR amplification followed by digestion with RsaI enzyme for exon II of the β-LG gene and SSCP method for exon IV of the CSN3 gene. Polymorphism was detected in all PCR products. β-lactoglobulin showed two alleles and three genotypes and CSN3 gene revealed two conformational patterns, respectively. Results indicated that there were significant associations between AB genotype of β-LG gene with higher fat and lactose percentages and also between K1 pattern of CSN3 gene with higher lactose percentage. Therefore, it is feasible to improve milk composition in Zel sheep breed using β-LG and CSN3 genes.


Introduction The field of diagnostics for active tuberculosis (TB) is rapidly developing. TB diagnostic modeling can help to inform policy makers and support complicated decisions on diagnostic strategy, with important budgetary implications. Demand for TB diagnostic modeling is likely to increase, and an evaluation of current practice is important. We aimed to systematically review all studies employing mathematical modeling to evaluate cost-effectiveness or epidemiological impact of novel diagnostic strategies for active TB. Methods Pubmed, personal libraries and reference lists were searched to identify eligible papers. We extracted data on a wide variety of model structure, parameter choices, sensitivity analyses and study conclusions, which were discussed during a meeting of content experts. Results & Discussion From 5619 records a total of 36 papers were included in the analysis. Sixteen papers included population impact/transmission modeling, 5 were health systems models, and 24 included estimates of cost-effectiveness. Transmission and health systems models included specific structure to explore the importance of the diagnostic pathway (n = 4), key determinants of diagnostic delay (n = 5), operational context (n = 5), and the pre-diagnostic infectious period (n = 1). The majority of models implemented sensitivity analysis, although only 18 studies described multi-way sensitivity analysis of more than 2 parameters simultaneously. Among the models used to make cost-effectiveness estimates, most frequent diagnostic assays studied included Xpert MTB/RIF (n = 7), and alternative nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) (n = 4). Most (n = 16) of the cost-effectiveness models compared new assays to an existing baseline and generated an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Conclusion Although models have addressed a small number of important issues, many decisions regarding implementation of TB diagnostics are being made without the full benefits of insight from mathematical models. Further models are needed that address a wider array of diagnostic and epidemiological settings, that explore the inherent uncertainty of models and that include additional epidemiological data on transmission implications of false-negative diagnosis and the pre-diagnostic period.


We report on the analysis of an X-ray grating spectrum of the Classical Nova V382 Vel (1999), obtained with the Low Energy Transmission Grating (LETG)+HRC-S instrument onboard Chandra, which shows emission lines dominating over any continuum. Lines of Si, Mg, Ne, O, N and C are identified, but no Fe lines are detected. The total luminosity in the lines is ∼4 x 10 27 erg s -1 (corrected for N H = 1.2 x 10 21 cm -2 ). The lines have broad profiles with full width at half-maximum corresponding to a velocity ∼2900 ± 200 km s -1 . Some structure is identified in the profiles, but for different elements we find different profile structures. While lines of O show a broadened Gaussian profile, those of Ne are double-peaked, suggesting a fragmented emitting plasma. Using the emission measure distribution, we derive relative element abundances and find abundances of Ne and N that are significantly enhanced relative to that of O, while Fe is not overabundant. The lack of any source emission longwards of 50 A and the O viii Ly α /Ly β line ratio supports previous values of the hydrogen column density. We find weak continuum emission from the white dwarf, consistent with a blackbody spectrum with an upper limit to the temperature of T = 3 × 10 5 K, assuming a source radius of 6000 km. The upper limit for the integrated blackbody luminosity is 2 x 10 36 erg s -1 . The BeppoSAX and Chandra ACTS observations of V382 Vel show that the nova was bright and in the Super-Soft phase as late as 1999 December 30. Our LETG observation obtained 6 weeks later, as well as all subsequent X-ray observations, showed a remarkable fading to a nearly pure emission line phase which suggests that nuclear burning on the white dwarf had turned off by February. In the absence of a photoionizing source, the emission lines were formed in a collisionally ionized and excited expanding shell.


This Article examines the overlooked countertrend of international trade regulation. It offers a theory of internationally regulated goods ("IRGs") that explains why certain goods are regulated internationally, how governments form their preferences on international regulation, and how they establish cooperation. This Article argues that international regulation allows governments to make up for the deficiencies of national regulation by inducing the externalities-generating countries to establish proper controls. Beyond identifying and analyzing the trend of internationally regulated goods, this Article makes several additional contributions. Most importantly, the theoretical model bridges rationalist and nonrationalist accounts of international law by combining self-interest calculations with morally-inspired motivations. In my theory, governments respond to material influences, such as interest group pressure, yet they may also harbor value-inspired concerns for the welfare of foreign countries. The theory can therefore answer puzzling questions such as: Why did the United States launch a worldwide campaign against human trafficking in 2000? Why has the United States accepted the international regulation of antiquities, to the benefit of foreign countries facing archaeological plunder and to the detriment of the American art market? The theory developed in this Article also sheds light on international cooperation against small arms proliferation and misuse, money laundering, counterfeiting, and a host of other problems that threaten international security, the international economy, and human welfare. The Article is organized as follows. Part II documents the trend of internationally regulated goods and explains its causes. Part III theorizes government preferences on international regulation and accounts for their considerable variation. Part IV examines how cooperation is established in light of the conflicting preferences of governments. Part V concludes with implications for policy and for international law scholarship. A THEORY OF INTERNATIONALLY REGULATED GOODS


Use of the nontoxic pen-type mercury-meniscus-modified silver solid amalgam electrode (m-AgSAE) for voltammetric determination of Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn and Tl was described. The obtained repeatability and detection limit amounted to 2 % and 1 ppb, respectively. m-AgSAEs could be completely renewed by applying an appropriate electrochemical pretreatment. Use of the PC controlled measuring system enabled getting rapidly the data and corresponding concentration dependences in automatic mode, even under conditions, when the ratio between concentrations of the analyte and the other depolarizers was 1:100. m-AgSAEs proved to be suitable for numerous types of rapid voltammetric measurements not only in laboratories, but also in the field, flow through systems, etc.


The paper examines the role of communication in effective reference services. Specific objectives include examining the effect of communication on reference services, discovering the duties of reference librarians, determining the impact of interpersonal communication on reference services, and identifying barriers to effective communication. Inferiority complex, stereotypes, etiquette and decorum, boundaries in relationships, low level of education, and frustration due to poor working condition were identified as some of the barriers that impede effective communication in reference services. The paper concludes by charging reference librarians to build strong capacity in the area of communication to enable them understand and meet the information needs of their patrons.


Hydrologic models use relatively simple mathematical equations to conceptualize and aggregate the complex, spatially distributed, and highly interrelated water, energy, and vegetation processes in a watershed. A consequence of process aggregation is that the model parameters often do not represent directly measurable entities and must therefore be estimated using measurements of the system inputs and outputs. During this process, known as model calibration, the parameters are adjusted so that the behavior of the model approximates, as closely and consistently as possible, the observed response of the hydrologic system over some historical period of time. In practice, however, because of errors in the model structure and the input (forcing) and output data, this has proven to be difficult, leading to considerable uncertainty in the model predictions. This paper surveys the limitations of current model calibration methodologies, which treat the uncertainty in the input‐output relationship as being primarily attributable to uncertainty in the parameters and presents a simultaneous optimization and data assimilation (SODA) method, which improves the treatment of uncertainty in hydrologic modeling. The usefulness and applicability of SODA is demonstrated by means of a pilot study using data from the Leaf River watershed in Mississippi and a simple hydrologic model with typical conceptual components.


When a fiber-optic intracore Bragg grating is subject to an appreciable strain gradient, its reflective spectrum will not only be shifted but also be distorted because of the chirp of the grating. We employed the J-matrix formalism to calculate the influence of different strain gradients on the reflective spectra of Bragg gratings and have undertaken experiments to test these calculations. The results of these experiments have confirmed that intracore Bragg gratings can be used to evaluate strain gradients and can be thought of as quasi-distributed strain sensors. This adds a new dimension to structural sensing, permitting measurements in any situation where strain gradients exist. It also provides a warning of any sensor/host debonding.


Cytoplasmic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase and microsomal HMG-CoA reductase are sequential enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway; both are negatively regulated by cholesterol. In this paper, we report the isolation of overlapping bacteriophage lambda clones that encompass the gene for hamster cytoplasmic HMG-CoA synthase. The gene spans 20 kilobases and contains 11 exons and 10 introns. Under conditions of high-level expression in cultured hamster cells and hamster liver, approximately 50% of the mRNAs contain two introns in the region of the gene corresponding to the 5' untranslated region. The remaining 50% contain only one intron as a result of the direct splicing of exon 1 to exon 3. The optional exon (exon 2) in the 5' untranslated region contains a 26-nucleotide sequence that is homologous to the 5' untranslated region of the mRNA for HMG-CoA reductase. Approximately 350 base pairs upstream of the transcription initiation site, the HMG-CoA synthase gene contains a sequence that is strongly homologous to the 72-base pair enhancer region of the SV40 virus. Approximately 125 nucleotides downstream of this region, the sequence CCGCCC, or its inverse complement GGGCGG, is repeated four times. Multiple copies of this sequence are present in the SV40 promoter and in the 5' flanking region of HMG-CoA reductase and several other cellular housekeeping genes. The availability of cloned genes for two consecutive negatively regulated enzymes of the cholesterol synthetic pathway should allow elucidation of the mechanism for this coordinate expression.


Abstract Expansion of oil palm agriculture is currently one of the main drivers of habitat modification in Southeast Asia. Habitat modification can have significant effects on biodiversity, ecosystem function, and interactions between species by altering species abundances or the available resources in an ecosystem. Increasing complexity within modified habitats has the potential to maintain biodiversity and preserve species interactions. We investigated trophic interactions between Argyrodes miniaceus, a cleptoparasitic spider, and its Nephila spp. spider hosts in mature oil palm plantations in Sumatra, Indonesia. A. miniaceus co‐occupy the webs of Nephila spp. females and survive by stealing prey items caught in the web. We examined the effects of experimentally manipulated understory vegetation complexity on the density and abundance of A. miniaceus in Nephila spp. webs. Experimental understory treatments included enhanced complexity, standard complexity, and reduced complexity understory vegetation, which had been established as part of the ongoing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function in Tropical Agriculture (BEFTA) Project. A. miniaceus density ranged from 14.4 to 31.4 spiders per square meter of web, with significantly lower densities found in reduced vegetation complexity treatments compared with both enhanced and standard treatment plots. A. miniaceus abundance per plot was also significantly lower in reduced complexity than in standard and enhanced complexity plots. Synthesis and applications: Maintenance of understory vegetation complexity contributes to the preservation of spider host–cleptoparasite relationships in oil palm plantations. Understory structural complexity in these simplified agroecosystems therefore helps to support abundant spider populations, a functionally important taxon in agricultural landscapes. In addition, management for more structurally complex agricultural habitats can support more complex trophic interactions in tropical agroecosystems.


Ramblin' on My Mind: New Perspectives on the Blues. Ed. David Evans. (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2008. Pp. 430, contributors, illustrations, index.)Willie Dixon, a famed blues songwriter known for his Chicago blues classics including "Hoochie Coochie Man" for Muddy Waters, "Spoonful" for Howlin' Wolf, and "My Babe" for Little Walter, once said: "All American music came from the blues." Dixon's statement contains a bit of exaggeration, but there still is no doubt that the blues occupies a significant part of the history of American music and culture. David Evans, the editor of Ramblin' on My Mind: New Perspective on the Blues, mentions in the introduction: "Previous writers had almost universally viewed it [the blues] as either simply a type of folk music, or more or less anonymous and unchanging, or a 'root' form of jazz, worthy of a chapter or two at the beginning of any study of that genre" (p. 1). Evans continues: "What was lacking, except among musicians themselves and their immediate audiences, was a sense of blues as a distinct type of music with its own personalities, stylistic variety, and history of musical development" (p. 1).Although Evans uses the past tense for the above statement, the same idea persists today, in general or even worse. While today's blues music is more popular and widespread than any time in its history, Evans writes that we hardly hear of the blues in academic disciplines, even though the music is prevalent internationally in blues magazines and international club, concert, and festival circuits. For instance, in classrooms on music of the Americas, how much time do instructors spend on the blues? Do they talk about anything other than a 12-bar/aab form with a boogie-woogie bass pattern, or some major artists? Furthermore, in many academic conferences on American music and ethnomusicology-even in national meetings with hundreds of presentations-how often do we see papers on the blues? In my recent experience, there was just one presentation, and it was made by a Japanese scholar-that one was mine. In addition, for this book review, I took a look at ten volumes of journals on American music that I randomly grabbed from my bookshelf, to see how many articles on the blues were included; I found only one.Ramblin' on My Mind is an anthology of ten excellent studies on the blues that fills an important gap in scholarship. The book proves that blues music offers scholars a wealth of issues to explore and that blues scholarship is a dynamic area for research. The collection of essays offers insight into the blues in an interdisciplinary approach that explores previously older historical aspects of blues music, reinterprets familiar material, conducts broader surveys, and examines blues performances. Each study leads to a new appreciation of this musical tradition and shows new possibilities for exploration in various fields-music theory and history, legal practice and history, anthropology, folklore, fieldwork, literary study, and even kinesthetic study. The book consists of essays that include a thorough study of the influence of the West African tonal system and its amalgamation with the European counterpart in Skip James's recordings (Gerhard Kubik), pre-blues compositions in Southern vaudeville around the turn of the twentieth century (Lynn Abbott and Dough Seroff), W. …


This edited transcript of conversations between an Apache cultural heritage
 professional, Vernelda Grant, and researcher Bridget Conley explores the
 knowledge that should guide the repatriation of human remains in the colonial
 context of repatriating Apache sacred, cultural and patrimonial items –
 including human remains – from museum collections in the United States.
 Grant provides a historical overview of the how Apache elders first grappled
 with this problem, following the passage of the Native American Graves
 Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) in the US Congress. She explains how and
 why community leaders made decisions about what items they would prioritise for
 repatriation. Central to her discussion is an Apache knowledge ecology grounded
 in recognition that the meaning of discrete items cannot be divorced from the
 larger religious and cultural context from which they come.


Discrete-event simulations for futuristic unmanned vehicle (UV) systems enable a cost- and time-effective methodology for evaluating various autonomy and human-automation design parameters. Operator mental workload is an important factor to consider in such models. We suggest that the effects of operator workload on system performance can be modeled in such a simulation environment through a quantitative relation between operator attention and utilization, i.e., operator busy time used as a surrogate real-time workload measure. To validate our model, a heterogeneous UV simulation experiment was conducted with 74 participants. Performance-based measures of attention switching delays were incorporated in the discrete-event simulation model by UV wait times due to operator attention inefficiencies (WTAIs). Experimental results showed that WTAI is significantly associated with operator utilization (UT) such that high UT levels correspond to higher wait times. The inclusion of this empirical UT-WTAI relation in the discrete-event simulation model of multiple UV supervisory control resulted in more accurate replications of data, as well as more accurate predictions for alternative UV team structures. These results have implications for the design of future human-UV systems, as well as more general multiple task supervisory control models.


In 2013, Ukraine's geopolitical choice was in the centre of attention of the whole world, began to take a significant part of the information space. For the authorities of the neighbouring states, it is important to know what is happening in Ukraine and, if possible, influence on situation. After the Revolution of Dignity, the annexation of the Crimea by the Russian Federation and the initiation armed conflict in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Ukrainian society must understand the political stance of Russia towards Ukraine. Also no less important is the position of the Republic of Poland regarding Ukraine, since it was this state until recently was considered the main advocate of Ukraine in the European Union. Information component of the foreign policy of the states in the XXI century has a decisive influence on the formation of public opinion, the position of international institutions, international relations, the image of society and the state in the world. The purpose of this article is to find out the goals of the information policy of the presidents of Russia and Poland concerning Ukraine in the period 2014–2017. The article shows: the essence of the concept of «information policy»; the existing characteristics of the information policy of Russia and Poland concerning Ukraine; the positions of the presidents of Russia and Poland concerning Ukraine, which were published on their official sites; similarities and differences in the positions of the Russian and Polish presidents toward to Ukraine. Having analyzed the public statements of the presidents of Russia and Poland concerning Ukraine in 2014–2017, the author finds some similarities and differences. For example, the Russian president, as a rule, tell about Ukraine and Russia's role in issues related to Ukraine, while Polish presidents usually speak about Poland and Ukraine, focusing on Polish-Ukrainian relations. The Russian authorities, in the person of its president, divide Ukraine into power and people (the power is bad, the people need help). For the Polish authorities, at least until recently, in the official speeches of the presidents it was about Ukraine as a single whole (the people and the power that this people elected). In addition to the geopolitical interest of Russia and Poland to Ukraine, Russian authorities often tell about their economic interests in Ukraine; Poland authorities – about security issues (the dependence of the security of Poland and Europe as a whole on the situation in Ukraine). Russian authorities call the Ukrainian nationalists guilty of worsening Russian-Ukrainian relations. The Polish authorities also lately actualized the discussion of the activities of Ukrainian nationalists in the first half of the twentieth century. This issue has recently been the basis of modern PolishUkrainian relations. The comparison of the theoretical definitions of the concept of «information policy», which was presented at the beginning of the report and the practical aspects elucidated in the process of analyzing the public statements of the presidents of the two states in 2014–2017, gives possibility to formulate another conclusion. The information policy of the Polish president is more in line with the definition – the promulgation of the official position of the president of the state, informing the society of the goals and plans of activity, and attempts to obtain public support. Instead, the information policy of the Russian president, or rather the information geopolitics, is more oriented towards the use of technologies of information and psychological influence on the individual and mass consciousness in order to form the necessary public opinion, behaviours that will meet the goals defined by the authorities.


In this paper, we present the architecture of the interactive terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (T-DMB) system using the code division multiple access (CDMA) network for the new interactive broadcasting services. We also propose the novel structure of the novel platform based on wireless Internet platform for interoperability (WIPI), which is the standard specifications for the mobile platform in Korea, to co-operate broadcasting and telecommunication. The proposed extended WIPI platform is implemented as an emulator on PC, and an integrated browser which shows multimedia broadcasting data including AV contents and interactive data returned through the telecommunication network, is developed to carry on with it. And then to verify the proposed platform and the interactive mobile broadcasting services, we implemented the integrated receiver as well as the data broadcasting server and the return channel server. Users can get interactive services or more information about broadcasting contents through CDMA network by using the proposed platform. This shows a possibility of new interactive services in digital broadcasting by using mobility of T-DMB and CDMA


We introduce a probabilistic robustness measure for Bayesian Neural Networks (BNNs), defined as the probability that, given a test point, there exists a point within a bounded set such that the BNN prediction differs between the two. Such a measure can be used, for instance, to quantify the probability of the existence of adversarial examples. Building on statistical verification techniques for probabilistic models, we develop a framework that allows us to estimate probabilistic robustness for a BNN with statistical guarantees, i.e., with a priori error and confidence bounds. We provide experimental comparison for several approximate BNN inference techniques on image classification tasks associated to MNIST and a two-class subset of the GTSRB dataset. Our results enable quantification of uncertainty of BNN predictions in adversarial settings.


Andrea Arnold is one of the most critically discussed and debated of all early-twenty-first century British filmmakers. This article starts from a proposition that the unusual amount of attention Arnold's work has attracted to date stems not only from its undeniable cinematic accomplishment, but also its ambiguous positioning vis-à-vis domestic film and television traditions (primarily, social realist ones). Taking Arnold's debut feature Red Road (2006) as a major case study and using Fish Tank (2009) and Wuthering Heights (2011) for comparison, I attempt to respond to that ambiguity by outlining, and providing illustrative examples of, some key characteristics, both formal and thematic, visible within Arnold's feature-length cinema. These include her typical privileging of the individual and psychological over the collective and social, her pronounced interest in challenging binary oppositions between ideas of the human and the animal, and her highly developed awareness and expressive use of audiovisual form and style.


Cu nanowire electrodes have drawn lots of attention recently due to their potential applications in touch panels, organic solar cells and organic light-emitting diodes. The optimization of Cu nanowire electrodes is of great importance in improving the performance of devices based on them. The optical and electrical properties and surface coverage fractions of electrodes composed of nanowires with similar aspect ratios but different geometrical parameters (lengths and diameters) were thoroughly characterized, which enabled the optimization of Cu nanowire electrodes through structural design. Inspired by the grading structure of leaf veins, hybrid Cu nanowire electrodes composed of nanowires with similar aspect ratios but different geometrical parameters were constructed. By combining the advantages of nanowires with various diameters, hybrid Cu nanowire electrodes with improved conductivity at high optical transparency and large effective conducting areas were fabricated. These properties would effectively benefit the effective collection of charge carriers in solar cells. On the basis of these hybrid nanowire electrodes, organic solar cells with enhanced power conversion efficiency were constructed, which cast new light on the optimization of devices based on Cu nanowires.


The main objectives of this project are to (a) understand the relationship between climate, topography and the tectonics in the Greater Caucasus belt, (b) construct regional geological cross-sections showing major stratigraphic sequences and structures along the belt using the focal mechanisms of the earthquakes events, (c) evaluate the evolution and development of a single fold structure (Yasamal anticline) and (d) investigate strain accommodation mechanisms using 3D Move to unfold the Yasamal structure.

Topographic variations were investigated to understand the interplay between topography, climate and the tectonics of the Greater Caucasus range and compare the findings with other active and inactive belts (Pyrenees, Northern Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas). There is a correlation between elevation changes and climate along the Greater Caucasus belt, where the gradual reduction of the mean altitude, has a close relationship with a wetter climate, and the sharper altitude decrease with a drier climate. And the elevation changes are strongly correlated with the Moho depths underneath the region. The relief along the belt is extremely high, with a strong correlation between the high relief and the large thrusts in the region. And the relief of the eastern part is slightly low compared with the western part of the belt, even though the eastern part is more active than the western part.

The structural study undertaken at regional scale for the Caucasus belt and the western side of the South Caspian Basin gave insights on the style of deformation in the basin and the evolution of the Greater Caucasus belt and the preferred distribution, geometry and formation mechanism of the structural elements. The regional cross-sections along the Greater Caucasus were constructed and constrained by using focal mechanisms show that the belt is deformed by active thrust faults that dip inwards from the margins of the range where the northern thrusts are dipping south, and the southern thrusts are dipping to the north, these results have contrary to some previous models that emphasise only south-directed thrusting.

The spatial arrangement, geometry and temporal evolution of spectacular kilometre-amplitude fold structures actively forming in Cenozoic sediments on the uplifted western margin of the South Caspian Basin are described and strain accommodation mechanisms established using 3D Move to unfold the Yasamal structure enabled a reconstruction of pre-folding templates and predictively model the fold-related deformation at small-scale. The 3D model of the Yasamal anticline shows that the anticline hinge has about 30° south-directed plunging. The area was characterized by a low rate of sedimentation and high rate of uplift in the Upper Pliocene. The minor structures (accommodating the overall strain in the anticline) are developed throughout the entire anticline. Compressional strain is present at the anticline hinge line, and the extensional strain dominates the anticline limbs. Suggesting potential extensional structures development in the anticline flanks, which correspond with the field observations in the Yasamal valley confirming that; the small normal faults are concentrated within the anticline flanks, and the contractional deformation bands along the hinge area of the anticline.


Purpose: In our study DICOM files of clinical Rapidarc plans were modified with in‐house developed software to mimic leaf alignment errors and gravitation shifts. The Octavius 2D‐ARRAY (PTW‐Freiburg) in sagittal and coronal orientation and the Delta4 device (Scandidos) were used to investigate the effect of the simulated errors on the passing rate of quality assurance results. The manipulated Rapidarc plans were recalculated in Eclipse.Methods: Different errors were simulated and applied to five prostate (two arcs), three 2‐arc head&neck cases and three 3‐arc head&neck cases: (1) both MLC banks are opened by 0.25mm, 0.50mm and 1.00mm in opposing directions resulting in larger fields, (2) both MLC banks are closed by 0.10mm, 0.25mm and 0.50mm, (3) both MLC banks are shifted in the same direction for lateral gantry angles to simulate effects of gravitational forces onto the leaves by 1mm, 2mm and 3mm, (4) 25%, 50% 70% and 100% of all active leaves are shifted by 3mm as in (3). Evaluations were performed according to a gamma‐index criterion of 3mm/3% and 2mm/2%. Results: With the standard criteria (3mm, 3%) even the largest modifications would satisfy a >90% passing rate. This indicates that a global criterion for the passing rate may not be sufficient in all cases. All unmodified plans and the majority of the plans with the smallest modification pass the gamma‐index criterion of 2%/2mm with >90%. After that the passing rate drops below 90%. For the largest modifications passing rates were typically below 85%. The drop of the passing rate is slightly higher for the Delta4. Conclusions: Both devices are able to detect MLC positional errors of the investigated magnitude. A stricter gamma‐index (2mm, 2%) is necessary in order to detect MLC positional errors and a passing rate of >90% should be expected. This research was supported by a Varian research grant.


The polymeric gel-forming mucins provide the structural framework of saliva and the mucus barriers that cover the mucosal surfaces of the alimentary canal. Dietary compounds may influence the barrier properties of these protective layers. The effects of green tea polyphenols, which have many health benefits but have low bioavailability and contribute to the astringency of green tea, on the structural properties of the mucins in the alimentary canal are investigated here. Using well characterised, highly purified salivary mucins MUC5B and MUC7, and porcine gastric mucins, the effects of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on mucins were studied here.Using rate-zonal centrifugation coupled to agarose gel electrophoresis, atomic force microscopy and particle tracking microrheology, EGCG, at concentrations found in a cup of green tea, caused increased aggregation of MUC5B in human whole saliva, and increased aggregation and viscosity of purified MUC5B. It was revealed using recombinant proteins of the N- and C-terminal regions of MUC5B that EGCG had these effects by aggregating the terminal globular protein domains of MUC5B. In contrast, MUC5B trypsin-resistant high molecular weight glycopeptides were not aggregated by EGCG, demonstrating that the oligosaccharide-rich, highly-glycosylated regions of mucins are not involved in the EGCG-induced aggregation of mucins. EGCG also caused the majority of MUC7 in human whole saliva to aggregate, and purified MUC7 also showed substantial aggregation in the presence of EGCG.Porcine gastric mucins were also used in order to model human gastric mucins. First, the identity of the porcine gastric mucins was explored using tandem mass spectrometry and immunohistochemistry. This revealed that Muc5ac was expressed by the surface epithelium and was the prominent mucin in porcine gastric mucus. Muc6 was expressed by gastric submucosal glands, but was not a major component of the secreted mucus barrier. Porcine Muc5ac and Muc6 were shown to be aggregated by EGCG. These data demonstrate that mucins from both saliva and the stomach are substantially altered by EGCG. This may contribute to the astringency and low bioavailability of EGCG. In contrast, the green tea polyphenol epicatechin (EC) did not cause aggregation of salivary mucins or porcine gastric mucins, suggesting that the galloyl ring of EGCG (which is absent in EC) is important for its aggregation of mucins, and that EC has different mechanisms of astringency.The structure of the mucins in the alimentary canal was studied using Raman spectroscopy, Raman optical activity (ROA) and Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). The secondary structure of the oligosaccharide-rich regions of mucins was shown to be largely disordered, with some contribution of poly-proline II helix. The N- and C-terminal regions of MUC5B were largely ?-sheet in structure, with some disordered structure also present in the C-terminal region. Raman spectroscopy could reliably distinguish between MUC5B glycoforms, demonstrating the sensitivity of this technique to mucin glycosylation and secondary structure. The first TERS spectra along the length of a MUC5B chain are reported, and suggest that patterns may exist in the glycosylation of MUC5B. Therefore, Raman spectroscopies are novel tools that shed new light on mucin structure and in future may be useful for studying the changes to mucin structure during interactions, such as those with polyphenols.


Cohesion is a multidimensional dynamic construct incorporating both task and social elements of a team: how members come together and remain unified in pursuit of team goals. Cohesion is vital for team harmony and the many advantages have been extensively studied. Some other research has evidenced the disadvantages of high team cohesion. Cohesion's impact on performance is unclear. Cohesion can impact performance both positively and negatively. High cohesion con-tributes to harmful group processes such as deindividuation and group think: this could negatively affect performance. The purpose of this investigation was to develop understanding of how the important psychological costs of high cohesion in motorsport impacts performance. This was a mixed method case study of a World Rally Championship team across an entire competitive season. Narrative theory framed the case study process with the main qualitative data derived from interviews with the motorsport driver after each competition of the season and at the end of the season. 7.5 hours of data were thematically analyzed. Performance and cohesion were measured by self-rating across the season. Cohesion was consistently high, but performance wasn't reciprocated accordingly. High cohesion produced 4 psychological costs: pressure to conform with normative influence, rigid demands and methods with narrow goal focus, communication issues and pressure to perform. This case study supports previous literature that proposes that high cohesion potentially negatively impacts performance through these psychological costs which can work to disrupt effective communication. A new model is offered to minimize the detrimental impact on performance produced through the psychological costs of high team cohesion.


Commercially available preparations including Butox® 50% (containing 5% deltamethrin), Diazinon 15% and Achook 0.15% (containing 0.15% Azadirachtin) were compared for their acaricidal activity against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus engorged females obtained from naturally infested cattle from Rashid city, Behera Province, Egypt, and other developmental stages using immersion test. It was found that the highest mortality (86.6%) was achieved by using Diazinon 15% and Achook at concentrations of 4 ml/l and 0.15%, respectively. The complete inhibition of oviposition was observed when using Butox® 50% and diazinon 15% at all used dilutions while Achook caused drop in reproductive index (RI) of tested females reached 75% at concentration of 0.075%. On the other hand, the bioassays on eggs and larvae revealed the superior effect of Achook over Butox® 50% and Diazinon 15%; as the lowest hatchability (0%) of eggs and highest mortality (100%) within the first 24 hours post treatment on unfed larvae was achieved in Achook at both concentrations of 0.15% and 0.075% azadirachtin. Finally, it was concluded that Butox® 50%, Diazinon 15% and Achook 0.15% commercially available pesticides showed variation in percentages of adult tick and larval mortalities, inhibition of oviposition and hatching of laid eggs. Promising results of Achook which is a product for agricultural use and does not have recommended dose for veterinary application yet needs further investigations to be recommended.


This note extends the characterization of simultaneous investment (tacit collusion) equilibria in Boyer, Lasserre and Moreaux (2012). Tacit collusion equilibria may or may not exist, and when they do may involve either finite time investments (type 1) or infinite delay (type 2). The relationship between equilibria and common demand forms is not immediately apparent. We provide the full necessary and sufficient conditions for existence. A simple condition on demand primitives is derived that determines the type of equilibria. Common demand forms are then shown to illustrate both finite-time and infinite-delay tacit collusion.


DePaul University's Liberal Arts and Sciences College runs a first-year program for all students which features several course options including an immersion course called Discover Chicago, and Explore Chicago. in-depth topic courses that utilize resources in the Chicago area. These courses may be taken to fulfill Liberal Arts Freshman year requirements. For the past two years I have taught an Explore Chicago courseon the topic of Alternative Film in the Chicago area.


Gangs are popularly considered to be the major security threat facing the Central American region. In focusing on the origins and dynamics of gangs in the region, this article seeks to broaden conceptualizations of non-state armed groups by expanding the theoretical optic from a narrow focus on war and post-war contexts to a wider spectrum of settings, actors, and motivations. It highlights a category of actors that does not explicitly seek to overthrow the state, but rather progressively undermines or assumes certain state functions. The article also reveals how efforts to contain and regulate gangs flow from their imputed motives, with interventions influenced by whether they are conceived as a criminal or political threat. At the same time, coercive regulation tend to be favoured even when such repressive interventions exacerbate gang violence, for reasons that reveal the deeper underlying political, social, and economic challenges facing the Central American region.


Background: People with sickle cell disease (SCD) have a life expectancy of <50 years, so understanding their end-of-life care is critical. Objective: We aimed to determine where individuals with SCD were dying and their patterns of care in the year preceding death to highlight end-of-life research priorities and possible opportunities for intervention. Design: Using the California SCD Data Collection Program database (containing administrative data, vital records, and Medicaid claims), we examined people with SCD who died between 2006 and 2015 (cases) at age <80 years and examined their hospital and emergency department (ED) utilization in their last year of life. Comparators included living controls with SCD matched 1:1 based on age, analysis year, insurance, and income. Results: We identified 486 people with SCD (cases) who died at a median age of 45 years (SD: 16 years). Most died in the hospital (63%) and ED (15%). In their last year of life, people with SCD were hospitalized for an average of 42 days (SD: 49 days) over five admissions. Inpatient admissions and ED visits were stable throughout the year until the month before death when acute care utilization sharply increased. In their last year of life, cases had more hospitalizations than controls, but similar ED utilization. Conclusions: People with SCD are dying acutely at a young age and most die in the hospital and the ED. Since clinicians caring for people with SCD currently cannot predict which acute events may be life-threatening, a comprehensive palliative approach to people with SCD must extend beyond chronic pain management and psychosocial support to include advance care planning.


Although arctigenin (AR) has attracted substantial research interests due to its promising and diverse therapeutic effects, studies regarding its biotransformation were limited. The current study aims to provide information regarding the pharmacokinetic properties of AR via various in vitro and in vivo experiments as well as semi-mechanistic pharmacokinetic modeling. Our in vitro rat microsome incubation studies revealed that glucuronidation was the main intestinal and liver metabolic pathway of AR, which occurred with Vmax, Km, and Clint of 47.5 ± 3.4 nmol/min/mg, 204 ± 22 μM, and 233 ± 9 μl/min/mg with intestinal microsomes and 2.92 ± 0.07 nmol/min/mg, 22.7 ± 1.2 μM, and 129 ± 4 μl/min/mg with liver microsomes, respectively. In addition, demethylation and hydrolysis of AR occurred with liver microsomes but not with intestinal microsomes. In vitro incubation of AR and its metabolites in intestinal content demonstrated that glucuronides of AR excreted in bile could be further hydrolyzed back to the parent compound, suggesting its potential enterohepatic circulation. Furthermore, rapid formation followed by fast elimination of arctigenic acid (AA) and arctigenin-4′-O-glucuronide (AG) was observed after both intravenous (IV) and oral administrations of AR in rats. Linear pharmacokinetics was observed at three different doses for AR, AA, and AG after IV administration of AR (0.48–2.4 mg/kg, r2 > 0.99). Finally, an integrated semi-mechanistic pharmacokinetic model using in vitro enzyme kinetic and in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters was successfully developed to describe plasma concentrations of AR, AA, and AG after both IV and oral administration of AR at all tested doses.


This report contains the Executive Summary of the proceedings of a high-level conference organised jointly by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and Deutsche Bundesbank, in cooperation with CEPS, on the occasion of Germany's presidency of the G20, which runs from 1 December 2016 to 30 November 2017. The conference, held on 30 November 2016 in Berlin, aimed to ensure that the German Government's performance during the presidency was underpinned by solid expert advice and that there was continuity between the work done under previous G-20 presidencies and also the work being carried out in an academic and research context.

A central question on the conference agenda was how to create a more resilient global economy. Participants aimed to establish what is meant by 'resilience' and how wide ranging is the concept, in order to create a basis for future work to enhance resilience. Sessions were organised around main six themes: Public debt - Sustainability and transparency; Private debt - Deleveraging and avoiding bubbles; The real economy - Resilience through flexibility; Taxes - Improving the Global Framework; Capital flows - Shocks or shock absorbers?; and The Global Financial Architecture.


An exhaustive literature survey shows, that a very little effort has been done towards Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach in the area of concrete technology [1, 2, 3]. In the present investigation, development of ANN approach for prognostication of concrete mix proportion in lieu of conventional laboratory approach. The traditional lab approach attracts some drawbacks such as lot of manual involvement, time consuming, chances of creeping of human errors, uncertain prediction and always invasive in nature. Hence to reduce above said drawbacks, this study is undertaken to develop a ANN between concrete mix ingredient properties namely maximum size of aggregate, degree of quality control, degree of workability, type of exposure, characteristic compressive strength required in the field at 28 days and concrete mix proportion. Prognostication of concrete mix proportion is essential for all structural works. The present work deals with collection of huge input data base from literatures, ANN's training and its testing are adopted to fix the appropriate weighted matrix (Illustrated in Fig [1]) which in turn Prognosticates the appropriate concrete mix proportion. Indian standard code (IS 10262:1982) procedure is also adopted to compare the concrete mix proportions of same samples. The Prognosticated concrete mix proportion from ANN approach yielded very high accuracy results (As shown in fig [2]) compared with IS code method. To account for larger sample data the results of this work will contribute for the prognostication of concrete mix proportions up to a certain degree of level, which will assist a structural engineer in estimation of concrete mix proportion, with minimum effort and non- invasive technique.


A high-sensitivity ionization chamber has been developed for environmental radiation monitoring. The ion-collecting electrode is suspended by magnetic force without using all insulator so that the chamber is free from background current (such as leakage current and piezoelectricity) caused by the insulator. The electrode is reset periodically (every hour), and the ionization current is measured by detecting the amount of charge which flows through the reset contact. Experiments show that the chamber is useful for monitoring environmental gamma-ray dose (when the chamber is closed) or radon concentration in air (when the chamber is opened). The minimum detectable magnitude of ionization current is about 10/sup -17./ A, when the electrode is reset every hour. >


Political economy theory expects that changes in macroeconomic governance are often catalyzed by institutional factors, such as partisanship or elections. I challenge and contextualize this view by incorporating the role of technocratic advisors into a domestic policymaking framework. I contend that structural and elite-level explanations are also important to understanding ideational shifts, particularly in regions like Latin America that suffer from severe economic volatility. Presidents tend to govern from the lens of their crisis past, appointing economic hawks (or mainstream economists) who embrace austerity in the shadow of inflation crises, and economic doves (heterodox economists) who drift from budget discipline following unemployment shocks. Employing an originally constructed data index, the Index of Economic Advisors, I conduct a statistical test of 16 Latin American countries from 1960 to 2011, finding support for sustained idological shifts in technocratic composition and fiscal governance, based on the nature of past shocks.


This research portfolio aimed to increase understanding of the needs of people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and their caregivers and provide insight in to how they may be better supported. The aim was to systematically review current literature on providing caregivers with person-to-person information and education during post-stroke rehabilitation and the effect this has on their depressive symptoms. The second aim was to discover moments that people experience post-ABI that they consider to be 'personally important', to explore the subjective meaning attached to these moments and the influence on their post-injury journey. A systematic review was conducted using electronic databases and manual reference search. Alongside this review ten individuals with ABI were interviewed. Interviews were analysed using grounded theory and a theoretical model was developed. The systematic review yielded 12 studies appropriate for inclusion. Nine studies were rated as having good methodological quality, two were moderate and two were weak. Seven studies found that providing caregivers with education and information in post-stroke rehabilitation reduced their depressive symptoms. Five studies had no significant findings. From the qualitative research, three broad types of important moments were identified: Moments that contribute to a coherent sense of self, Moments of social interaction and Moments of disempowerment. The types of moments and the process of subjective meaning-making were associated with two types of influence on the lives of individuals: Ability to work with own reality and "What will be will be". In conclusion, providing caregivers with person-to-person information and education during post-stroke rehabilitation may reduce their depressive symptoms. Findings are presented tentatively and further research is required. Conclusions from the qualitative research suggest people experience important moments, following ABI, that increase awareness of the post-injury self. Subjective appraisal of important moments impacts on a person's sense of continued self and influences broader adjustment narratives.


BACKGROUND
Variation in clinical practice in the perioperative environment and intensive care unit is a major challenge facing modern medicine. The objective of the present study was to analyse intraoperative crystalloid administration practices at two academic medical centres in the USA.

METHODS
We extracted clinical data from patients undergoing intra-abdominal procedures performed at UC Irvine (UCI) and Vanderbilt University (VU) Medical Centres. Limiting data to uncomplicated elective surgery with minimal blood loss, we quantified variability in fluid administration within individual providers, between providers, and between types of procedures using a corrected coefficient of variation (cCOV). Regression was performed using a general linear model to determine factors most predictive of fluid administration.

RESULTS
For provider analysis and model building, 1327 UCI and 4585 VU patients were used. The average corrected crystalloid infusion rate across all providers at both institutions was 7.1 (sd 4.9) ml kg(-1) h(-1), an overall cCOV of 70%. Individual providers ranged from 2.3 (sd 3.7) to 14 (sd 10) ml kg(-1) h(-1). The final regression model strongly favoured personnel as predictors over other patient predictors.

CONCLUSIONS
Wide variability in crystalloid administration was observed both within and between individual anaesthesia providers, which might contribute to variability in surgical outcomes.


In this note I criticize Robert Lenoble's thesis concerning the presence of beast-machine theory in Mersenne's Harmonie universelle (1636-37). I claim that the paragraph on which Lenoble grounds his interpretation presents, instead, a central concept for the Cartesian studies, namely that of the 'evil genius'. The evil genius argument is used by Mersenne in relation to the problem of perception and knowledge, moreover, it is used against skepticism before the publication of Descartes Discours de la methode


This paper describes a computer vision system to detect and count moving vehicles on roads. The system uses a real-time traffic video surveillance camera mounted over roads and computes the total number of vehicles which passed the road. Moving vehicle image is extracted using "double difference image "algorithm and counting is accomplished by tracking vehicle movements within a tracking zone, called virtual loop. The system was tested on a video surveillance record file of a road that has a medium-level traffic volume.


Charleston, South Carolina, lies on approximately 1 km of Cretaceous and Cenozoic sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Estimation of high-frequency absorption due to these sediments is important for strong motion prediction. We attempt the measurement using microearthquake data recorded at small distances by surface and shallow subsurface short-period stations in the Middleton Place––Summerville seismic zone. The problem is difficult because it involves potential bias due to the seismic source, propagation through basement, and strong site-specific spectral modulation. Previous studies involving drilling and seismic reflection profiling indicate a 775-m thickness of sediments, with average vertical P - and S -wave velocities of 2.14 and 0.700 km/sec for the network area. The attenuation parameter kappa ( κ s and κ p) for S and P waves is estimated from spectral analysis of the direct S and converted Sp phases. The ratio of S to Sp provides a useful check for bias. Multiple linear regression using all stations yields κ s = 0.049 and κ p = 0.024. The regression results are interpreted as upper-bound estimates because they assume source corner frequencies in excess of 25 Hz. A similar analysis is carried out for a hard-rock environment using reservoir-induced microearthquakes at Lake Monticello, South Carolina. From that, we estimate a maximum potential bias of 0.014 sec–1, yielding 0.035 < κ s < 0.049 and 0.010 < κ p < 0.024 as likely values near Charleston. We favor the lower limits of these ranges because they imply numerically similar values for the path-average quality factors ( Q s = 32, Q p = 36), whereas the upper range values imply that Q s is substantially larger than Q p ( Q s = 22, Q p = 15).


The multiplicative perturbation method with precise matrix exponential computation is developed for the buckling analysis of axially compressed truncated conical shells (TCSs) that are commonly encountered in engineering. To overcome the limitation of conventional methods in terms of assuming solution forms, the multiplicative perturbation method is introduced to tackle the governing partial differential equations (PDEs) with variable coefficients. Specifically, the governing equation in matrix form for a buckled TCS is first formulated in the state space. The multiplicative perturbation method is then employed to convert the matrix differential equation with variable coefficients into the state transition equations with constant coefficients, in which the arisen matrix exponential is computed by the precise integral method. Finally, the state transition equations and the boundary conditions are integrated into an entire matrix equation, whose solution provides the buckling loads and buckling modes of the TCS. The convergence study and comprehensive numerical and graphic results are presented. Given the new solutions, the effects of some crucial size parameters as well as boundary conditions on the critical buckling loads are quantitatively studied. Due to the merits on solving PDEs with variable coefficients, the developed method may be extended to more intractable plate and shell problems.


Beta Cephei-type variables are early B-type stars that are characterized by oscillations observable in their optical light curves. At least one Beta Cep-variable also shows periodic variability in X-rays. Here we study the X-ray light curves in a sample of beta Cep-variables to investigate how common X-ray pulsations are for this type of stars. We searched the Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray archives and selected stars that were observed by these telescopes for at least three optical pulsational periods. We retrieved and analyzed the X-ray data for kappa Sco, beta Cru, and alpha Vir. The X-ray light curves of these objects were studied to test for their variability and periodicity. While there is a weak indication for X-ray variability in beta Cru, we find no statistically significant evidence of X-ray pulsations in any of our sample stars. This might be due either to the insufficient data quality or to the physical lack of modulations. New, more sensitive observations should settle this question.