Optical proximity correction has been widely used to correct line width variation in various different environments. The most important correction will be the CD through-pitch variation. For deep-UV (DUV) photo processes, it is observed that the CD will have a reduced trend at certain intermediate pitch range around 1.1 to 1.4 wavelength / NA (numerical aperture), also called "forbidden pitch". The process windows within this pitch range are small. In this case, even though we can use OPC to print the CD correctly, the process window can still be limited, which can generate a bottleneck for the entire process. In order to make OPC more effective, we find it necessary to be able to design an optimized process with enough process windows for all pitches. Although this may mean that we need to map out the entire parameter space spanned by relatively unknown parameters in resist, exposure tool quality, mask tolerance, etc, recent developments in the understanding of the effect of illumination selection, scanner lens aberration, and resist blur have provided us with new hints in realizing it. Such new developments include the optimization of off-axis illumination (OAI) condition, the characterization of the effect of lens aberration, and the selection of resists with appropriate effective acid diffusion length. We have studied the effect of illumination, lens aberration, and resist diffusion to the CD and process window at the above described intermediate pitch range both in theory and experiment. We have found that the effective resist diffusion, whose range is from 10nm to 50nm, can affect the process window at the intermediate pitch range, to as much as a few tens of nanometers. We will show that, in general, longer diffusion correlates to a deeper "dip". However, according to the experience in the use of photo resists, short diffusion length can also affect process window through the reduction of depth of focus. Therefore it is important to find an optimized resist diffusion length under various ground-rule and illumination conditions. But there has been no studies reported so far as to how much diffusion that can be tolerated for a given process at the intermediate pitch range. We have also performed experiments on the effect of the scanner lens aberration, we found that the lens aberration, which may be largely ignored in the past, may affect the process performance, causing mask error factor to rise significantly. In this paper, we will present the result of our experiments and theoretical investigations in how much resist diffusion and lens wave front error that can be tolerated for a given photolithographic process with certain CD tolerance. Insight will be provided for the choice of illumination conditions, resolution enhancement techniques, and the resist in realizing the best CD through-pitch performance under any given ground-rule condition.


We address the problem of identifying a specific module in a dynamic network, assuming known topology. We express the dynamics by an acyclic network composed of two blocks where the first block accounts for the relation between the known reference signals and the input to the target module, while the second block contains the target module. Using an empirical Bayes approach, we model the first block as a Gaussian vector with covariance matrix (kernel) given by the recently introduced stable spline kernel. The parameters of the target module are estimated by solving a marginal likelihood problem with a novel iterative scheme based on the Expectation-Maximization algorithm. Numerical experiments illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.


A multi-electrolyte-step (MES) anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) method was used to achieve nanochannel arrays with good circularity and periodic structure. The nano-channel array fabrication process included immersion in a phosphoric acid solution with a 120-150 bias voltage. Bowl-shaped structures were then formed by removing the walls of the nano-channel arrays. The nanochannel arrays were grown from the bottom of the bowl structure in an oxalic solution using a 50V bias voltage. A comparison of this new MES process with the one-step and five-step AAO process showed a 50% improvement in the circularity over the onestep process. The standard deviation of the average period in the MES array was 25 nm which is less than that of one-step process. This MES method also took 1/4 of the growing time of the five-step process. The orderliness of the nano-channel arrays for the five-step and MES process was similar. Finally, Cu nanoparticle arrays with a 200 nm period were grown using an electroplating process inside the MES nano-channel arrays on fluorine doped tin oxide glass. Stronger surface plasmon resonance absorption from 550 nm to 750nm was achieved with the MES process than was possible with the one-step process.


The field of graph data mining, one of the most important AI research areas, has been revolutionized by graph neural networks (GNNs), which benefit from training on real-world graph data with millions to billions of nodes and links. Unfortunately, the training data and process of GNNs involving graphs beyond millions of nodes are extremely costly on a centralized server, if not impossible. Moreover, due to the increasing concerns about data privacy, emerging data from realistic applications are naturally fragmented, forming distributed private graphs of multiple ''data silos", among which direct transferring of data is forbidden. The nascent field of federated learning (FL), which aims to enable individual clients to jointly train their models while keeping their local data decentralized and completely private, is a promising paradigm for large-scale distributed and private training of GNNs. øurs aims to bring together researchers from different backgrounds with a common interest in how to extend current FL algorithms to operate with graph data models such as GNNs. FL is an extremely hot topic of large commercial interest and has been intensively explored for machine learning with visual and textual data. The exploration from graph mining researchers and industrial practitioners is timely catching up just recently. There are many unexplored challenges and opportunities, which urges the establishment of an organized and open community to collaboratively advance the science behind it. The prospective participants of this workshop will include researchers and practitioners from both graph mining and federated learning communities, whose interests include, but are not limited to: graph analysis and mining, heterogeneous network modeling, complex data mining, large-scale machine learning, distributed systems, optimization, meta-learning, reinforcement learning, privacy, robustness, explainability, fairness, ethics, and trustworthiness.


The Philadelphia chromosome found in essentially all patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia is now known to express a chimeric mRNA of 8.5 kb derived from sequences on chromosome 22 and sequences on chromosome 9. The chromosome 9 component of the chimeric RNA is derived from a subset of the exons of the abl oncogene. A portion of the exonic sequences of a gene referred to as bcr on chromosome 22 make up the amino-terminal portion of this chimeric mRNA and gene product. Our laboratory has recently succeeded in obtaining full-length clones of the 8.5 kb mRNA. The sequence analysis of this large mRNA reveals an exceptionally G-C rich 5' untranslated region. A complete open reading frame initiating in sequences of the bcr gene and reading through the abl oncogene segment has been determined. The sequence also reveals an extremely high percentage of serine residues in the bcr segment of the chimeric protein.


As a comparatively recent development, the adventure-sports coach struggles for a clear and distinct identity. The generic term 'instructor' no longer characterizes the role and function of this subgroup of outdoor professionals. Indeed, although the fields of adventure/outdoor education and leadership are comparatively well researched, the arrival of this 'new kid on the block' appears to challenge both the adventure-sports old guard and traditional views of sports coaching. In an attempt to offer clarity and stimulate debate, this paper attempts to conceptualize the adventure sports coach in the context of the existing roles in the field and current motivations for activity in the outdoors. We identify issues that are specific to the adventure-sports coach while also recognizing those skills and competencies shared with other professionals, both in the adventure sports profession and traditional sports coaching fields. Based on this review, we offer a conceptual model which may be used to focus debate, stimulate research and, at a possible later stage, to underpin accreditation, training and professional development.


This study considers the effectiveness and role of Nurture Groups in addressing children's and older students' self-esteem. It is suggested that self-esteem is nebulous in the field, calling for a re-conceptualisation. In light of existing models of self-esteem, the Nurture Group literature is systematically reviewed to ascertain Nurture Groups' effectiveness in promoting academic self-esteem specifically. Following the application of criteria, eleven quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies are analysed. Findings suggest that there is limited rigorous research and an emphasis on younger children. There is little evidence that Nurture Groups lead to increased academic competency and modest evidence of increased academic engagement. Children's reflection on learning cannot be gauged. It is argued that more varied, rigorous research is required and greater clarity needed among Nurture Group staff with regards to group goals and their role in bringing these about. In light of this, Nurture Group staff perspectives on the goals and practice within a Key Stage 3 Nurture Group are explored. Selfesteem is again examined and a multi-dimensional model of the development of self-esteem proposed. Nurture Group staff views are mapped onto this model. Findings highlight that staff view self-esteem as both inherent and as developing through experience, with an emphasis upon the latter. Findings suggest that staff predominantly view their role as impacting on students' self -appraisal, incorporating the specific areas of: personal behaviour management; inter-personal skills; and academic engagement. The study highlights that staff within this Nurture Group address self-esteem within these domains in several capacities, to differing extents. Suggested implications for staff are: the requirement to adhere to a rnulti-dirnenslonal model of selfesteem; the need to promote students' academic self-esteem in particular; as well as to work closely with students' social contexts. Findings have implications for training and practice and are therefore pertinent for pastoral managers and decision-makers.


BACKGROUND
We generated humanized/de-immunized immunotoxins targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and tested their cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer cells in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The humanized/de-immunized version of our murine anti-PSMA single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) D7, termed hD7-1(VL-VH), was ligated to the 40-kDa toxin domain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (PE40), and to the deimmunized 24-kDa toxin domains PE24 or PE24mut. The immunotoxins designated as hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE40, hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24 and hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mut were bacterially expressed and purified by affinity chromatography. Binding and cytotoxicity were examined by flow cytometry and viability assay, respectively.

RESULTS
All immunotoxins revealed strong binding to prostate cancer cells expressing PSMA and specific cytotoxicity, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values in the picomolar range.

CONCLUSION
We successfully created powerful anti-PSMA immunotoxins with reduced immunogenicity for further clinical development and application against advanced prostate cancer.


Why, Oh Y? The mammalian Y chromosome is a symbol of maleness and encodes genes important for male reproduction. Various deletions of the Y chromosome result in sperm defects and infertility. When haploid male germ cells were injected directly into oocytes, Yamauchi et al. (p. 69, published online 21 November; see the Perspective by Capel) found that living offspring could be derived from male mice whose Y chromosome contribution was limited to only two genes. These two genes are the testis determinant factor Sry and the spermatogonial proliferation factor Eif2s3y. Live offspring can be obtained from male mice in which the Y chromosome contribution is limited to only two genes. The Y chromosome is thought to be important for male reproduction. We have previously shown that, with the use of assisted reproduction, live offspring can be obtained from mice lacking the entire Y chromosome long arm. Here, we demonstrate that live mouse progeny can also be generated by using germ cells from males with the Y chromosome contribution limited to only two genes, the testis determinant factor Sry and the spermatogonial proliferation factor Eif2s3y. Sry is believed to function primarily in sex determination during fetal life. Eif2s3y may be the only Y chromosome gene required to drive mouse spermatogenesis, allowing formation of haploid germ cells that are functional in assisted reproduction. Our findings are relevant, but not directly translatable, to human male infertility cases.


One has here a bird's-eye view of many of the great schools of the world like Oxford, London, Paris, Leiden, Upsala, Madrid, Geneva, Rome, Athens, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, St. Petersburg, Bucharest, Robert College, Cairo, Calcutta, Melbourne, Peking, Tokio. There are copious illustrations which add greatly to the interest and value of the book. But the descriptions by President Thwing are very suggestive. The book is not exhaustive as one can note. Cambridge, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Leipsig, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, etc., are not discussed. But the schools chosen are representative,


Existing medical image acquisition, storage, retrieval, and diagnosis procedure currently practiced in clinics or hospitals can be further enhanced by incorporating the ever increasingly powerful Internet technologies. In this paper, a concept of online database for remote access to medical image database is presented along with the design methodologies and system implementation based on eye images. The online database supports basic operation of storage and retrieval of eye images through the web and additionally utilizes the Internet platform to provide wider access, more information coverage, and more reliable image data storage and retrieval at lower cost.


Introduction: The Sliding Hip Screw (SHS) is a tried and tested method used to treat intertrochanteric hip fractures. Lag screw cut-out is a major complication of SHS fixation and accepted risk factors are often re-evaluated. We aim to demonstrate a new hypothesis of cut-out using 3D reconstructive modelling. We propose that the risk of cut-out is much greater in lag screws with a smaller thread surface area and larger thread volume. Method: The four commonly used SHS lag screw systems (Biomet, Synthes, Stryker and Smith & Nephew) were CT scanned and the images processed and turned into 3D computer models for further analysis. Results: There were sign I can't differences between the surface area and thread volumes of the lag screws between manufacturers ranging from 67.0mm2 - 347.4 mm2 and 166.376mm3 - 225.687mm3 respectively. Discussion: Assuming the consistency of bone is equal, we propose that the risk of cut-out is much greater in lag screws with a smaller surface area to thread volume ratio (SA:TV). The reamer design of lag screws is also discussed. Conclusion: Although there are many non-modi iable risk factors that contribute to screw cut-out, selecting the right raw materials for SHS fixation will have a favorable impact on the overall risk.


Photoangiotensiotonography in the microcirculation system was used in order to study hemodynamic indices and its functional potencies in patients with thrombo-obliterating diseases of the lower extremity arteries. The progress of the disease was established to be followed by a considerable decrease of the main indices of hemodynamics in microvessels and the functional capacity of the microcirculation system.


The hand hygiene knowledge and competence of staff in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) was measured at a 450 bed Australian metropolitan teaching hospital. Staff working in or entering the ICU to perform patient care over a two-month period were asked to complete a questionnaire that examined their knowledge of current hand hygiene policy and procedures. Hand hygiene practice was also assessed by observation. Sixty-six staff participated, including 50 registered nurses (RNs), eight medical staff (MOs), five surgical dressers (SDs) and three radiographers (X-Ray technicians). Radiographers were excluded from the statistical analysis due to low numbers participating. Scores on the knowledge component of the questionnaire ranged from 5-10/10 (mean 7.39 ± 1.04 std dev). Scores on the practical component ranged from 3-6/6 (mean 5.83 ± 0.56). Mean knowledge scores by profession were: 7.75 (MOs), 7.38 (RNs), and 6.60 (SDs). Mean competence scores by profession were: 5.75 (MOs), 5.88 (RNs), and 5.80 (SDs). There were no significant differences in hand hygiene knowledge (p = 0.178) and hand hygiene competence between professions (p = 0.780). The greatest knowledge deficit lay in what constituted a routine handwash and in which situations routine handwashing was required.


Because of the intimate association of the deep cervical lymph nodes with the internal jugular vein, this structure is usually sacrificed in a radical neck dissection. The writings of earlier authorities reflect hesitancy in doing this for fear of the resultant disturbances in circulation of the brain. It has become apparent, however, that such fears were largely without foundation, and the removal of one internal jugular vein, together with all of its tributaries, is now an inherent part of the operation. Cerebral disturbances following removal of the jugular vein have been reported by some authors1,2,5-7,9and denied by others.8,13All agree that the chances of increased intracranial pressure are much greater when both internal jugular systems are ablated than when a single side is removed. Furthermore, the longer the interval of time between the removal of the two sides the less chance there appears to be of such


BACKGROUND
Pollinator exposure to pesticides is a concern in agricultural systems that depend on pollinators for crop production. However, not all pesticides elicit toxic effects, and response to a pesticide will vary depending on dose and exposure route. The effects of biopesticide formulations of Bacillus subtilis and Beauveria bassiana and of the tetramic acid insecticide spirotetramat on the common eastern bumblebee, Bombus impatiens, were evaluated. Microcolonies of bees were exposed to field-rate or lower concentrations, and data were collected over 60 days.

RESULTS
When ingested, field rates of spirotetramat caused high mortality after 10 days, and B. subtilis significantly reduced drone production, number of days to oviposition and number of days to drone emergence. Converse to effects observed following ingestion, topical applications of B. subtilis at concentrations less than the recommended field rate resulted in a hormetic response, with significantly increased drone production. Topical application of spirotetramat and oral or topical application of B. bassiana had no effects on bees.

CONCLUSIONS
Spirotetramat and B. subtilis can induce adverse effects on B. impatiens, but hormetic effects following B. subtilis treatment can also occur, depending on exposure route. Additional experiments are required to determine whether similar toxic or hormetic effects occur under more realistic field conditions.


The network of roads on the landscape is vast, and has wide-reaching ecological influence. Recent investigations have focused on understanding impacts of contaminants from road runoff, especially deicing agents such as road salt. Much of the understanding of this phenomenon concerns rivers and streams. By comparison, little is known about the impacts of runoff on ephemeral wetlands. Yet, the small and shallow nature of these aquatic systems may render them highly susceptible to the influence of runoff, whereby high concentrations of contaminants are possible. At present, the understanding of the impacts of roads and runoff stops at the species level. Yet, the growing body of literature reporting phenotypic and genetic differentiation among local populations prompts investigation into population level responses. To address this gap, the author investigated the influence of road proximity on local populations of the wood frog (Rana sylvatica). He evaluated whether road proximity influences embryonic survival, and if so, whether this influence is dependent on local population origin with respect to road adjacency. To answer these questions, he conducted a field-based reciprocal transplant across ten wood frog populations. For all experiments, the author collected wild wood frog embryos within 24 hours of oviposition from each of five roadside and five woodland wetlands. He defined roadside wetlands as those located 200 m from any road. He reared embryos in field enclosures and evaluated survival when hatchlings reached feeding stage. Embryos survived less when reared in roadside wetlands, and the magnitude of this response depended on wetland origin type. Wood frogs originating from roadside wetlands consistently performed worse than those originating from woodland wetlands. Thus, the negative influence of roads appears most severe for the very populations that breed and dwell there. This suggests that roads might induce sink dynamics and inherited negative effects, and poses critical uncertainty regarding the longterm success of amphibians occupying roadside wetlands.


BACKGROUND
Periconceptional folic acid reduces neural tube defect (NTD) risk. Red blood cell folate concentration is inversely associated with NTD risk. In many countries there is a lack of information on NTD rates. Red cell folate status in women of childbearing age may be a surrogate for NTD rates and may be helpful in identifying countries or regions most likely to benefit from improved folate status.

OBJECTIVE
To predict NTD rates using red cell folate concentrations in women of childbearing age living in three Asian cities Design: Cross-sectional convenience samples of non-pregnant women living in Beijing (n=220), Kuala Lumpur (n=389), and Jakarta (n=129).

RESULTS
Red cell folate concentrations were highest (p<0.001) in women from Jakarta at 872 nmol/L (95% CI; 833, 910) followed by Kuala Lumpur at 674 nmol/L (95% CI: 644, 704) and lowest in Beijing at 563 nmol/L (95% CI: 524, 601). Accordingly, predicted NTD rates were highest in Beijing at 30/10000 (95% CI: 27, 33), followed by Kuala Lumpur at 24/10000 (95% CI: 22, 25), and lowest in Jakarta at 15/10000 (95% CI: 14,15).

CONCLUSION
Our red blood cell folate data suggests that of the three cities improving the folate status of women in Beijing would have the greatest impact on NTD rates.


Metrology plays an important role in the development and commercialisation of micro and nanotechnology. For calibrating versatile micro- and nanoscale standards, a dimensional metrology instrument coupled with multi sensor heads including atomic force microscope (AFM), tactile stylus, laser focus sensor and assembled cantilever probes (ACPs) has been developed. Two kinds of ACPs are highlighted in the paper. One is fabricated by gluing a vertical AFM cantilever to a horizontal AFM cantilever using micro assembling techniques. It is applicable for direct and non-destructive measurements of sidewall surfaces. The other is an ACP ball probe designed for true 3D measurements of micro structures. It is realised by gluing a tungsten wire with a probing sphere ball, 40 ... 120 µm in diameter, to a horizontal AFM cantilever. The ACP ball probe has advantages such as small probing forces (<1µN) and high probing sensitivity. Some typical calibrations on micro and nano structures such as step height, grating and sphere calotte artefact are introduced.


The dynamics of the business environment has led to a growing competition. Everyone dreams of their own business. The question is: how do I create a business and how do I develop it? Do I have entrepreneurial skills? Given the decline in purchasing power, one of the most sensitive aspects of the economic system is also emphasized: the price. The difference between companies lies in the service provided for consumers as an additional element for purchasing the product. A new type of economic offer appears: the experience, which represents the quality of the time that the consumer spends with that company. What you sell is the very experience. Experiences are a new source of value and are events that involve people at a personal level. The new offer of experiences occurs whenever a company intentionally uses its services as a stage and its goods as stage props in order to involve a client.


Hypermedia systems like the Web heavily depend on their ability to link resources. One of the key features of the Web's URIs is their ability to not only specify a resource, but to also identify a subresource within that resource, by using a fragment identifier. Fragment identification enables user to create better hypermedia. We present a proposal for fragment identifiers for plain text files, which makes it possible to identify character or line ranges, or subresources identified by regular expressions. Using these fragment identifiers, it is possible to create more specific hyperlinks, by not only linking to a complete plain text resource, but only the relevant part of it. Along with this proposal, a prototype implementation is described which can be used both as a server-side testbed and as a client-side extension for the Firefox browser.


US relations with China are critically important for the future of world politics. They are also a useful case in which to test the individual-level implications of the liberal commercial peace argument. A plausible case can be made on both sides of the claim that China poses a security threat to the United States. China's economy is growing far faster than the United States' economy, while the country remains a communist autocracy. At the same time, trade between the United States and China has expanded dramatically in the last three decades. Its dual role as a major trading partner and a growing international rival generates substantial uncertainty about China's future status as friend or foe. Using data from a recent survey by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, we find that economic interests help explain individual Americans' assessment of China as a threat and their views concerning hostile policies toward that country. Those who stand to benefit from trade with China hold more positive views of the country and oppose conflictual foreign policies with respect to it. Those whose incomes are likely to decline because of trade with China tend to take the opposite position on these questions.


Transgender individuals who undergo gender-affirming medical or surgical therapies are at risk for infertility. Suppression of puberty with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analogs (GnRHa) in the pediatric transgender patient can pause the maturation of germ cells, and thus, affect fertility potential. Testosterone therapy in transgender men can suppress ovulation and alter ovarian histology, while estrogen therapy in transgender women can lead to impaired spermatogenesis and testicular atrophy. The effect of hormone therapy on fertility is potentially reversible, but the extent is unclear. Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) that includes hysterectomy and oophorectomy in transmen or orchiectomy in transwomen results in permanent sterility. It is recommended that clinicians counsel transgender patients on fertility preservation (FP) options prior to initiation of gender-affirming therapy. Transmen can choose to undergo cryopreservation of oocytes or embryos, which requires hormonal stimulation for egg retrieval. Uterus preservation allows transmen to gestate if desired. For transwomen, the option for FP is cryopreservation of sperm either through masturbation or testicular sperm extraction. Experimental and future options may include cryopreservation and in vitro maturation of ovarian or testicular tissue, which could provide prepubertal transgender youth an option for FP since they lack mature gametes. Successful uterus transplantation with subsequent live birth is a new medical breakthrough for cisgender women with uterus factor infertility. Although it has not yet been performed in transgender women, uterus transplantation is a potential solution for those who wish to get pregnant. The transgender population faces many barriers to care, such as provider discrimination, lack of information, legal barriers, scarcity of fertility centers, financial burden, and emotional cost. Further research is necessary to investigate the feasibility of experimental FP options, provide better evidence-based information to clinicians and transgender patients alike, and to improve access to and quality of reproductive services for the transgender population.


Trypanosomiasis has been recognized as a scourge in sub-Saharan Africa for centuries. The disease, caused by protozoan parasites of the Trypanosoma genus, is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in animals and man. Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, results from infections with T. brucei (b.) gambiense or T. b. rhodesiense with T. b. gambiense accounting for over 95% of infections. Historically there have been major epidemics of the infection, followed by periods of relative disease control. As a result of concerted disease surveillance and treatment programmes, implemented over the last two decades, there has been a significant reduction in the number of cases of human disease reported. However, the recent identification of asymptomatic disease carriers gives cause for some concern. The parasites evade the host immune system by switching their surface coat, comprised of variable surface glycoprotein (VSG). In addition, they have evolved a variety of strategies, including the production of serum resistance associated protein (SRA) and T. b. gambiense-specific glycoprotein (TgsGP) to counter host defense molecules. Infection with either disease variant results in an early haemolymphatic-stage followed by a late encephalitic-stage when the parasites migrate into the CNS. The clinical features of HAT are diverse and non-specific with early-stage symptoms common to several infections endemic within sub-Saharan Africa which may result in a delayed or mistaken diagnosis. Migration of the parasites into the CNS marks the onset of late-stage disease. Diverse neurological manifestations can develop accompanied by a neuroinflammatory response, comprised of astrocyte activation, and inflammatory cell infiltration. However, the transition between the early and late-stage is insidious and accurate disease staging, although crucial to optimize chemotherapy, remains problematic with neurological symptoms and neuroinflammatory changes recorded in early-stage infections. Further research is required to develop better diagnostic and staging techniques as well as safer more efficacious drug regimens. Clearer information is also required concerning disease pathogenesis, specifically regarding asymptomatic carriers and the mechanisms employed by the trypanosomes to facilitate progression to the CNS and precipitate late-stage disease. Without progress in these areas it may prove difficult to maintain current control over this historically episodic disease.


As the adoption of technology grows, consumers have many avenues to buy IoT devices and install them for their needs yet they have very little information about the security of the devices. The companies that are manufacturing the devices have no incentive to invest in the security of the devices or to let consumers know the security status of their respective devices. The competitive cost and time pressure faced by manufacturers is causing consumers to suffer from the vulnerabilities in their devices. This project makes three contributions to the development of security verification for IoT devices. First, it develops a quantifiable security compliance measurement system to measure the security of consumer IoT (SCMSI) devices. The SCMSI framework uses the OTA recommended Trust Framework augmented with key design and development security concerns to develop the criteria to measure the devices. Second, a scoring model is developed for each of the security requirements in the SCMSI framework. Third, a consumer facing pilot website is built to show the proof of concept of evaluating IoT devices and providing security ratings to consumers. Limitations and future directions are discussed.


Information on Photoshop basics including: how to open and create a new image, navigating pallets, learning the parts of a layer, how to use guides, and where to go for more help at the University of Michigan.


The 2009 H1N1 pandemic was a unique opportunity to investigate differences in influenza infection using serology by HIV status. Using serial serum specimens collected from 1 April to 30 September 2009 and the prior 2 years from Women's Interagency HIV study participants, there was no difference in serologic evidence of 2009 H1N1 infection among HIV-infected women with a CD4 cell count at least 350 cells/μl compared with HIV-uninfected women. Owing to evidence showing a greater risk of influenza-related complications, HIV-infected individuals should continue to be a priority group for vaccination.


Positive Mental Attitudes (PMA) is a mental health inequalities initiative that has operated for over ten years in East Glasgow, the United Kingdom's highest concentrated area of socio-economic deprivation. The programme began as a grassroots initiative by a service user forum in the local community and has since developed a broad coalition of community support with mainstream funding and over fifty partners from a range of sectors. The work has built capacity within local community groups and agencies to deliver a wide range of community development (CD) initiatives with tens of thousands of people, which have also informed both national strategies and international programmes. We assess the programme in the context of wider theory and policy debates and explore the processes and tensions that exist within this sphere of work. We examine evaluation debates and what counts as success in the complex and contested area of mental health and CD. We call for a new public health movement, prioritizing health equity over health gain and driven by CD principles, and argue that the evidence from PMA can provide evidence-based pointers of what this should involve.


This paper introduces a novel method for flare forecasting, combining prediction accuracy with the ability to identify the most relevant predictive variables. This result is obtained by means of a two-step approach: first, a supervised regularization method for regression, namely, LASSO is applied, where a sparsity-enhancing penalty term allows the identification of the significance with which each data feature contributes to the prediction; then, an unsupervised fuzzy clustering technique for classification, namely, Fuzzy C-Means, is applied, where the regression outcome is partitioned through the minimization of a cost function and without focusing on the optimization of a specific skill score. This approach is therefore hybrid, since it combines supervised and unsupervised learning; realizes classification in an automatic, skill-score-independent way; and provides effective prediction performances even in the case of imbalanced data sets. Its prediction power is verified against NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center data, using as a test set, data in the range between 1996 August and 2010 December and as training set, data in the range between 1988 December and 1996 June. To validate the method, we computed several skill scores typically utilized in flare prediction and compared the values provided by the hybrid approach with the ones provided by several standard (non-hybrid) machine learning methods. The results showed that the hybrid approach performs classification better than all other supervised methods and with an effectiveness comparable to the one of clustering methods; but, in addition, it provides a reliable ranking of the weights with which the data properties contribute to the forecast.


This document is the final report on the joint research project on vibration problem of a spherical tank containing jet propellant between IHI, Japan and SES, University of Southampton, UK. The background of the project is described. The fundamental principles and numerical method used in numerical simulations are presented. The detailed FEA models for each studied cases are given. The calculation results are presented using tables, curves, figures as well as the attached data files. The available experiment results are listed to compare with the numerical calculations. The calculation results show a fundamental agreement with the experiment results. The numerical analysis confirms that: 1)Due to water – tank interaction, the natural frequencies of the water – tank system are decreased with the water level increase. For the 25% water level, the natural frequencies, especially heave mode frequency, shows a significant decrease compared with the empty case. However, with continuing increase the filed water more than 25% level, the decrease gradient of the natural frequencies gradually tends to zero. In the 100% water case, the natural frequency of heave mode is about 200 Hz which can not equal zero. 2)Considering free surface wave effect produces a lot of sloshing modes of very low frequencies compared with the natural frequencies of the dry tank structure. Therefore, for dynamic response analysis with high frequency excitations, the free surface wave may be neglected. However, to assess loads caused by sloshing modes, the free surface waves have to be considered. 3)There exist relative big deformations at the four tank support places in several vibration modes, which may produce a large local stress at support places to cause the product fail in vibration environment. A strengthen local design at the support places is needed. 4)The dynamic response results are affected by damping coefficients of all modes used in the dynamic response analysis. The damping coefficients are approximately presented and therefore, the numerical results are good reference for practical designs. The report confirms that the original purpose of this joint research project has well completed by IHI and SES.


Our research concentrates on anomaly detection techniques, which have both industrial applications such as network monitoring and protection, as well as research applications such as software behavioral analysis or malware classification. During our doctoral research, we worked on anomaly detection from three different perspective, as a complex computer infrastructure has several weak spots that must be protected. We first focused on the operating system, central to any computer, to avoid malicious code to subvert its normal activity. Secondly, we concentrated on web applications, which are the main interface to modern computing: Because of their immense popularity, they have indeed become the most targeted entry point of intrusions. Last, we developed novel techniques with the aim of identifying related events (e.g., alerts reported by intrusion detection systems) to build new and more compact knowledge to detect malicious activity on large-scale systems. During our research we enhanced existing anomaly detection tools and also contributed with new ones. Such tools have been tested over different datasets, both synthetic data and real network traffic, and lead to interesting results that were accepted for publication at main security venues.


We present a simulation-based classification approach for large deployed structures with localized operational excitations. The method extends the two-level Port-Reduced Reduced-Basis Component (PR-RBC) technique to provide faster solution estimation to the hyperbolic partial differential equation of time-domain elastodynamics with a moving load. Time-domain correlation function-based features are built in order to train classifiers such as Artificial Neural Networks and Support-Vector Machines and perform damage detection. The method is tested on a bridge-shaped structure with a moving vehicle (playing the role of a digital twin) in order to detect cracks' existence. Such problem has 45 parameters and shows the merits of the two-level PR-RBC approach and of the correlation function-based features in the context of operational excitations, other nuisance parameters and added noise. The quality of the classification task is enhanced by the sufficiently large synthetic training dataset and the accuracy of the numerical solutions, reaching test classification errors below 0.1% for disjoint training set of size 7 × 103 and test set of size 3 × 103. Effects of the numerical solutions accuracy and of the sensors locations on the classification errors are also studied, showing the robustness of the proposed approach and the importance of constructing a rich and accurate representation of possible healthy and unhealthy states of interest.


Habitat reconstruction is commonly employed to restore degraded estuarine habitats and lost ecological functions. In this study, we use a combination of stable isotope analyses and macrofauna community analysis to compare the ecological structure and function between a recently constructed Spartina alterniflora salt marsh and a natural reference habitat over a 2-year period. The restored marsh was successful in providing habitat for economically and ecologically important macrofauna taxa; supporting similar or greater density, biomass, and species richness to the natural reference during all but one sampling period. Stable isotope analyses revealed that communities from the natural and the restored marshes relied on a similar diversity of food resources and that decapods had similar trophic levels. However, some generalist consumers (Palaemonetes spp. and Penaeus aztecus) were more 13C-enriched in the natural marsh, indicating a greater use of macrophyte derived organic matter relative to restored marsh counterparts. This difference was attributed to the higher quantities of macrophyte detritus and organic carbon in natural marsh sediments. Reduced marsh flooding frequency was associated with a reduction in macrofaunal biomass and decapod trophic levels. The restored marsh edge occurred at lower elevations than natural marsh edge, apparently due to reduced fetch and wind-wave exposure provided by the protective berm structures. The lower elevation of the restored marsh edge mitigated negative impacts in sampling periods with low tidal elevations that affected the natural marsh. The results of this study highlight the importance of considering sediment characteristics and elevation in salt marsh constructions.


In the last years, many authors have addressed the problem of interconnecting Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANET) to the Internet, via one or more attachment points called gateways. The protocol employed to discover available gateways and set up routes to the Internet should not incur in a big overhead, due to the scarce resources of ad hoc networks. However, previous proposals do not meet this requirement either when the number of traffic sources or available gateways increases. In this paper, we develop a gateway discovery algorithm which dynamically adapts its behavior depending on the number of active traffic sources which are in the MANET. In addition, the approach employs proxies (intermediate nodes which make use of available local information) to further reduce the control overhead. A mathematical model for this algorithm and the previous approaches is provided. By means of both an analytical and a simulation-based study, our proposed scheme is shown to greatly outperform the remaining solutions in terms of overhead reduction, while it is still able to provide a high packet delivery ratio. Besides, our proposal scales well regarding the number of sources and gateways.


This paper presents high-level synthesis methods for a fully reconfigurable self-timed synchronous bit-serial pipeline architecture. The idea is to distribute the central control unit. Local controls of the operators are realized through a one-shot implementation of the central control engine. Specialized routing components allow the reconfiguration of the implemented circuit with respect to rapid system prototyping. We describe several kinds of high-level synthesis approaches, especially the scheduling, which can be used for this type of architecture. This means we optimize specific characteristics, like loops, junctions and splitters, during the synthesis phase.


: An expert opinion on genuine naturopathy cures which have widely been integrated into so-called "medical-school" treatment usually presents no problem. Difficulties may arise, however, when evaluating so-called alternative or unconventional methods, as it is typical for these to be based on hypothetical thinking patterns, and more so, as there is no proof of action in the postulated fields of indication that would meet current standards. Here, it is the task of the expert to determine whether the assertions of the appliers of these methods are comprehensible and substantiated and whether the methods may be considered medically indicated for the individual case. The claim of those practicing these methods that they are the only ones capable of judging them must be denied in principle. To determine if there is a medical indication for treatment by a non-medical practitioner in any individual case, the criteria applied should be basically the same as for medical treatment by a physician. Also, according to a judgment by the German Federal Court, a non-medical practitioner using invasive methods must meet the same standards of knowledge and advanced training as any general practitioner working in this field.


This project aims to produce n-butanol from ethanol using a catalyst and pressurized hydrogen. Our process converts 100MM gallons of ethanol to 71.4 MM gallons of 95% pure butanol per year. The fixed-bed catalytic reactor contains spherical pellets of Ru(acac)3 with a void fraction of 0.391, and operates at 374 °F and 725 psi. Following the reaction, the hydrogen is removed from the product stream using two flash separation units before being recycled to the reactor. The butanol product is then taken from the bottoms of a distillation tower. The remaining ethanol and water are separated using two distillation units and ethylene glycol as an entrainer. The plant will be located in Iowa, U.S.A. where an adjoining ethanol plant uses corn as a feedstock for its process. Since this project assumes a future market for butanol biofuel, and our process uses ethanol as a feedstock, the price of butanol is assumed to be some multiple of the ethanol price. At the current ethanol price, assuming that butanol is 1.5 times the price of ethanol, our process is not profitable. It was found that in order to have a positive Net Present Value after 15 years, the price of butanol would need to be 2.225 times the price of ethanol, which would currently be $6.54 per gallon of butanol. Therefore, while profitability is not achievable in the current market, this process should be seriously considered in the future due to the high volatility of biofuel prices and policies. Disciplines Biochemical and Biomolecular Engineering | Chemical Engineering | Engineering This working paper is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/cbe_sdr/63 Process Design for the Production of N-Butanol from Ethanol


Journeying to sacred places is an ancient yet contemporarily popular tradition in the Hindu society of India. At the outset of this thesis, the philosophical foundations and general patterns of pilgrimage practice in West Bengal, India, where fieldwork was conducted, are discussed. Case studies of three West Bengali pilgrimage centres — Tarakeswar, Navadvip and Tarapith, which are Śaiva, Vaiṣṇava and Śākta sacred places, respectively — reveal the considerable diversity in the regional pilgrimage tradition. In analysing each of these centres, ethnographic data on the social and economic organisation of specialised religious places, roles of sacred specialists, beliefs regarding the deities, patterns of ritual, and social characteristics and behaviour of pilgrims are presented. The literature on pilgrimage is reviewed in search of theoretical tools for the task of generalising about pilgrimage, inclusive of the evident diversity. Analysis and criticism of existing theories indicates that analysts have focused on limited aspects of pilgrimage practice which conform to disciplinary boundaries rather than seeking the patterned consistencies which define the full institution. Comparison of the three case studies reveals that the variation in religious patterns in the centres relates to wider traditions of religious culture in Bengal: the several strands of pilgrimage tradition generally replicate the sub-traditions of Bengali Hinduism and patterns of belief and practice in any sacred place are closely associated with the religious tradition of the regional cult which dominates that centre. It is possible, however, to identify two levels at which the diversity of the pilgrimage institution is founded in systematic conceptual unity. Both levels concern the meaning of pilgrimage within prevalent patterns of Bengali Hinduism. The explicit meaning of pilgrimage in the conscious thought of participants emphasises the journey to the deity's terrestrial abode in search of interaction with the divine. Implicit within this patterned behaviour are important Hindu metaphysical concepts — the implicit ideology of pilgrimage — which invest pilgrimage with meaning derived from abstract Hindu religious thought.


This paper examines firms' uses of secrecy and patenting in order to explore three elementary questions of firm intellectual property strategy: First, are there complementarities between patenting and secrecy that firms exploit when crafting their technology market strategies? Second, what drives the firm's choice of a patent-secret mix when developing a strategy to sustain to itself competitive advantage? And third, what are the consequences for the firm of one or another choice or mix? I argue that the use of the U.S. "continuation" procedure affords patent applicants a strategic opportunity. Because continuation practice allows pre-issue application delay, pursuing a continuation patenting strategy may allow the firm to better control the technology development and appropriation process, in terms of the timing of disclosures and managing technological change, preserving an early patent priority date for the invention while protecting an extended period of secrecy against competitors' discovery. A strategic opportunity arises from the added term of secrecy that the continuation procedure affords to patent applicants. I argue that this period of secrecy may be a complement to the act of patenting itself. This paper employs data on the use by firms of continuation applications in the United States from 1975-1995 in order to empirically test the uses by firms of these secrecy strategies, and to compare these uses against other proposed motivations for patentees' uses of the continuation application. Results support complementary uses by firms of patents and secrecy in their appropriability strategies.


This study aims to determine the effect of audit tenure, company size, and KAP's reputation on audit quality. The theory used in this research is agency theory. This research used quantitative research method. This data collected was secondary data by documentation and literature study. The sample used in this study was manufacturing companies in the consumer goods sector which were listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2015 – 2018.  The sample of this study amounted to 128 observational data from 32 companies chosen by purposive sampling method. The analysis used logistic regression analysis. The results showed audit tenure and KAP's reputation have a significant effect on audit quality, while firm size has no significantly effect on audit quality.
Keywords: Audit Quality, Audit Tenure, Company Size, KAP Reputation


Although the Guidelines should improve the predictability of the Agency's merger enforcement policy, it is not possible to remove the exercise of judgement from the evaluation of mergers under the antitrust laws. Because the specific standards set forth in the Guidelines must be applied to a broad range of possible factual circumstances, mechanical application of those standards may provide misleading answers to the economic questions raised under the antitrust laws. Moreover, information is often incomplete and the picture of competitive conditions that develops from historical evidence may provide an incomplete answer to the forward-looking inquiry of the Guidelines. Therefore, the Agency will apply the standards of the Guidelines reasonably and flexibly to the particular facts and circumstances of each proposed merger.


We present a novel physics-based approach to facial animation. Contrary to commonly used generative methods, our solution computes facial expressions by minimizing a set of non-linear potential energies that model the physical interaction of passive flesh, active muscles, and rigid bone structures. By integrating collision and contact handling into the simulation, our algorithm avoids inconsistent poses commonly observed in generative methods such as blendshape rigs. A novel muscle activation model leads to a robust optimization that faithfully reproduces complex facial articulations. We show how person-specific simulation models can be built from a few expression scans with a minimal data acquisition process and an almost entirely automated processing pipeline. Our method supports temporal dynamics due to inertia or external forces, incorporates skin sliding to avoid unnatural stretching, and offers full control of the simulation parameters, which enables a variety of advanced animation effects. For example, slimming or fattening the face is achieved by simply scaling the volume of the soft tissue elements. We show a series of application demos, including artistic editing of the animation model, simulation of corrective facial surgery, or dynamic interaction with external forces and objects.


Intrinsic mortality at relatively advanced age results from natural selection favouring early reproduction. When individuals produce many and early offspring, costs are incurred due to the accumulation of pleiotropic mutations with adverse effects late in life, which make senescence an inevitable result of evolution. However, a few organisms exist with seemingly indefinite generation lengths. This paper identifies conditions of life history and ecology under which natural selection favours continually reducing intrinsic mortality. The analysis considers the particular case of populations held at carrying capacity by density dependence suppressing net fertility, acting either on fecundity equally across fecund ages or on juvenile mortality up to the first fecund age. This broad category of density dependence increases the susceptibility of populations to invasion by mutations that extend net fertility into later life. Whether a population then evolves longer generation times depends on the relative timing of period benefit to onset of senescent cost amongst antagonistic pleiotropisms that arise to confront the selection process. Simulations show that if the onset of senescent costs either precedes the benefit, is concurrent with it, or is postponed by a fixed interval, then natural selection will favour those pleiotropisms that increase generation length. The selection on generation-lengthening pleiotropisms continues indefinitely and regardless of current generation length, for as long as the environment remains constant. The wide range of life histories encompassed by these conditions leads to the conclusion that many species may have evolved generation lengths considerably longer than the minimum set by developmental constraints.


Today manufacturing stages in electronic device industry of wide-scale production can be restricted due to the high costs resulting from energy consumption, the use of organic solvents, production of hazardous intermediates, and formation of waste products leading to environmental pollution and several biological risks which damage society's ability to sustain the planet for future generations. As recycled material resource based on iron oxide, the Mn-Zn ferrite is an interesting candidate. In the last decades, this material has been manufactured by using ceramic process technologies to design magnetic devices as components useful in switching mode electronic systems. However, these processing technologies have generated negative environmental impact as emission of toxic gases and higher use of energy resources. The Mn-Zn ferrites employed in consumer electronics deteriorate the earth when its final placement as waste in landfills occurs. Then, attitudes in resource recovery should allow the recycling of the materials from electronic waste to converting those to new products; therefore, uncommon physical properties from shredding processes are available when bulk ferrites are converted to foil ferrites. This chapter provides a comprehensive study on recyclability of the Mn-Zn ferrites, exploring both structure and conduction properties in foil ferrites to use their nonlinear behavior in functional green devices.


Melioidosis is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei and is an important zoonotic infectious disease causing high mortality from fulminant septicaemia in humans and a wide variety of animal species. The incidence of fatal melioidosis in zoo animals has been significant in many Thai zoos. A total number of 32 cases were evaluated throughout the Thai zoo animal populations. The highest prevalence of disease has been reported from the north-eastern region followed by the zoos in the southern part of the country, approximately 47% and 38%, respectively, while the other zoos reported sporadic infections. Herbivores and non-human primates were the most commonly affected animals with incidences of 59% and 28%, respectively. This appears to be a seasonal correlation with the highest incidence of melioidosis in zoo animals reported in the rainy season (44%) or subdivided monthly in June (19%) followed by September and November (16% and 12%, respectively). The route of infection and the incubation period still remain unclear. This retrospective study examined the clinical presentation in various zoo species, pathological findings and epidemiological data as well as conducting an in depth literature review.


BACKGROUND
Novel methods in predicting survival in patients with spinal metastases may help guide clinical decision-making and stratify treatments regarding surgery vs palliative care.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the frailty/sarcopenia paradigm is predictive of survival and morbidity in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastasis.

METHODS
A total of 271 patients from 4 tertiary care centers who had undergone surgery for spinal metastasis were identified. Frailty/sarcopenia was defined by psoas muscle size. Survival hazard ratios were calculated using multivariate analysis, with variables from demographic, functional, oncological, and surgical factors. Secondary outcomes included improvement of neurological function and postoperative morbidity.

RESULTS
Patients in the smallest psoas tertile had shorter overall survival compared to the middle and largest tertile. Psoas size (PS) predicted overall mortality more strongly than Tokuhashi score, Tomita score, and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). PS predicted 90-d mortality more strongly than Tokuhashi score, Tomita score, and KPS. Patients with a larger PS were more likely to have an improvement in deficit compared to the middle tertile. PS was not predictive of 30-d morbidity.

CONCLUSION
In patients undergoing surgery for spine metastases, PS as a surrogate for frailty/sarcopenia predicts 90-d and overall mortality, independent of demographic, functional, oncological, and surgical characteristics. The frailty/sarcopenia paradigm is a stronger predictor of survival at these time points than other standards. PS can be used in clinical decision-making to select which patients with metastatic spine tumors are appropriate surgical candidates.


Abstract Bone metabolism is a complex physiological process that primarily involves osteoblast-mediated bone formation and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, both of which are regulated by a variety of biological factors. There is increasing evidence that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and plays an important role in lipid metabolism and bone metabolism. Through the PPARγ-dependent pathway, 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) promotes the formation of marrow adipocytes and inhibits the formation of osteoblasts, resulting in bone loss and increasing the risk of fracture and osteoporosis. Recent studies have found that through the PPARγ-independent pathway, 15d-PGJ2 plays a regulatory role in bone metastasis of breast cancer, which can inhibit osteoclastogenesis and reduce bone destruction. The purpose of our review is to summarize the recent progress in elucidating the mechanisms and effects of 15d-PGJ2 in bone metabolism, which can serve as a novel therapeutic target for bone tumors, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and other bone diseases.


Microscopic stress distributions at an interlaminar area in a CFRP cross-ply laminate are analyzed three-dimensionally using a homogenization theory in order to investigate microscopic interaction between 0°- and 90°-plies. It is first shown that a cross-ply laminate has a point-symmetric internal structure on the assumption that each ply in the laminate has a square array of long fibers. Next, the point-symmetry is utilized to reduce the domain of homogenization analysis by half. Moreover, the substructure method is combined with the homogenization theory for reducing consumption of computational resources. The present method is then employed for analyzing stress distributions at an interlaminar area in a carbon fiber/epoxy cross-ply laminate under in-plane off-axis tensile loading. It is thus shown that microscopic shear stress significantly occurs at the interface between 0°- and 90°-plies. It is also shown that the microscopic interaction between two plies is observed only in the vicinity of the interface.


Abstract Although the tendency that the population migrate from rural to urban areas is typical world wide, the globalised economy creates new circumstances and opportunities for rural areas as well. The 'new rural economy' therefore needs new infrastructure to support it. The authors of the paper have a common interest in how enterprise hubs could help the development of entrepreneurship in the 21st century from two different directions, from physical and from social aspects. Building on the experience gained along enterprise hubs in cities, the hypothesis behind the study is, that creating enterprise hubs from existing buildings in rural settlements could help the development of rural entrepreneurship. To examine the hypothesis two case studies following a period of two years (enterprise hub development in Debrecen and Noszvaj) were carried out. In line with other studies in this field, result shows that even well-designed physical spaces are not enough for change, and initiators, hosts or facilitators are needed, as they play an important role in focusing on the real interaction network and enabling more synergies to happen.


Spinal subdural haematoma is a rare entity and commonly due to spinal pathology. Its occurrence in patients with impaired coagulation has been reported. We report a case of spinal haematoma occurring after dobutamine stress test. Prompt diagnosis of such cases is required which can be done with MRI spine. Early intervention with surgery and removal of clot causing compression can prevent permanent disability. Our patient developed excruciating back pain and paraplegia after dobutamine stress test. Initially treated with antibiotics and fluids for suspected urinary tract infection, neuroimaging later revealed spinal haematoma. Though surgical evacuation resulted in some improvement in neurology, she was left with a significant disability. It can be concluded that spinal haematoma should be suspected in any patient who complains of severe back pain with neurological symptoms. It needs prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent disability. doi:10.4021/jmc381w


This dissertation was carried out as part of the international and interdisciplinary graduate school StRATEGy. This group has set itself the goal of investigating geological processes that take place on different temporal and spatial scales and have shaped the southern central Andes. This study focuses on claystones and carbonates of the Yacoraite Fm. that were deposited between Maastricht and Dan in the Cretaceous Salta Rift Basin. The former rift basin is located in northwest Argentina and is divided into the sub-basins Tres Cruces, Metan-Alemania and Lomas de Olmedo. The overall motivation for this study was to gain new knowledge about the evolution of marine and lacustrine conditions during the Yacoraite Fm. Deposit in the Tres Cruces and Metan-Alemania sub-basins. Other important aspects that were examined within the scope of this dissertation are the conversion of organic matter from Yacoraite Fm. into oil and its genetic relationship to selected oils produced and natural oil spills. The results of my study show that the Yacoraite Fm. began to be deposited under marine conditions and that a lacustrine environment developed by the end of the deposition in the Tres Cruces and Metan-Alemania Basins. In general, the kerogen of Yacoraite Fm. consists mainly of the kerogen types II, III and II / III mixtures. Kerogen type III is mainly found in samples from the Yacoraite Fm., whose TOC values are low. Due to the adsorption of hydrocarbons on the mineral surfaces (mineral matrix effect), the content of type III kerogen with Rock-Eval pyrolysis in these samples could be overestimated. Investigations using organic petrography show that the organic particles of Yacoraite Fm. mainly consist of alginites and some vitrinite-like particles. The pyrolysis GC of the rock samples showed that the Yacoraite Fm. generates low-sulfur oils with a predominantly low-wax, paraffinic-naphthenic-aromatic composition and paraffinic wax-rich oils. Small proportions of paraffinic, low-wax oils and a gas condensate-generating facies are also predicted. Here, too, mineral matrix effects were taken into account, which can lead to a quantitative overestimation of the gas-forming character.
The results of an additional 1D tank modeling carried out show that the beginning (10% TR) of the oil genesis took place between ≈10 Ma and ≈4 Ma. Most of the oil (from ≈50% to 65%) was generated prior to the development of structural traps formed during the Plio-Pleistocene Diaguita deformation phase. Only ≈10% of the total oil generated was formed and potentially trapped after the formation of structural traps. Important factors in the risk assessment of this petroleum system, which can determine the small amounts of generated and migrated oil, are the generally low TOC contents and the variable thickness of the Yacoraite Fm. Additional risks are associated with a low density of information about potentially existing reservoir structures and the quality of the overburden.


To promote pro-poor payments for environmental services, it is necessary to identify institutional options that reduce transaction costs and organisational problems associated with establishing and maintaining contracts with small-scale environmental service providers. This study examined the dual functionality of state forest enterprises (SFEs) in the implementation of the Payments for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) Program in Vietnam. We considered whether SFEs' involvement in the programme could reduce transaction costs and organisational problems. Data were collected from Tu Ly SFE in Hoa Binh province, northern Vietnam and from implementing agencies at various institutional levels. A survey of households participating in the SFE loan programme, and two stakeholder workshops were executed in 2014. The results revealed that Tu Ly SFE plays an important role in the livelihood of many farmers. A SWOT analysis exhibited SFEs' advantage over other state agencies in implementing national forest management programmes as there are fewer parties involved with greater autonomy and outreach in the district. This study proposes the acknowledgment of SFEs as environmental service providers in their own forestlands and to use SFEs as intermediaries in the Payments for Forest Environmental Services Programme activities.


This article concerns itself with feminist comedy that is deemed angry and difficult in an era of postfeminism. Hannah Gadsby's live show Nanette, released as a Netflix film, can be described as difficult because it is politically challenging, emotionally demanding and disrupts the established format of stand-up comedy. Yet it has had critical and commercial success. Nanette challenges the underpinning assumption of postfeminism: that feminism is no longer needed. It is feminist and angry. To explore the phenomenon of angry feminist comedy in the postfeminist era, the article considers the comedy of Gadsby through the figure of the feminist killjoy, coined by Sara Ahmed, to reflect how the killjoy and the queer art of failing offer forms of political 'sabotage' that subvert comedy as masculinist popular culture.


This guide is designed to help psychology students make the best use of resources available for research at the Stevens-German Library.


Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune condition caused by untreated Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infection of the upper respiratory tract (and possibly skin). Multiple or severe attacks of ARF can cause cardiac damage known as rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The most effective recommended treatment of ARF requires monthly intramuscular injections of Benzathine Penicillin G (BPG) known as secondary prophylaxis. The goal of secondary prophylaxis is to prevent GAS infections that may lead to the recurrence of ARF. Rates of adherence to secondary prophylaxis schedules are usually low due to the frequency and duration of injection, pain and access to proper and timely healthcare services. A less painful and longer acting BPG formulation would ideally help prevent ARF recurrence and improve compliance rates to this schedule. The purpose of this work is to explore the BPG reformulation preferences of children and teens currently receiving monthly BPG intramuscular injections, in addition to their families and healthcare providers. A software application has been developed that will explore the experiences of the groups who will then choose their ideal BPG formulation from a range of plausible formulations and associated dosing regimens. The software application has been optimized for use to ensure age and cultural appropriateness and also efficient data collection. Pretesting of the software has been undertaken which has received positive responses with the piloting stage initiated. This is the first time a software application has been successfully developed to collect qualitative and quantitative data on individual preferences for BPG formulations and dosing regimens.


Design Patterns are proven solution to common recurring design problems. Design Pattern Detection is most important activity that may support a lot to re-engineering process and thus gives significant information to the designer. Knowledge of design pattern exists in the system design improves the program understanding and software maintenance. Therefore, an automatic and reliable design pattern discovery is required. Graph theoretic approaches have been used for design pattern detection in past. Here we are applying recurrent neural network genetic algorithm for design pattern detection. The same algorithm we are here using for design pattern detection from the system design.


The communal rangelands in southern Mali constitute important grazing areas, provide fruit, timber and fuel and protect the cultivated fields against run off. During recent decades the rangelands experienced increased pressure caused by periods of droughts, growth of the human and livestock population and an encroaching cropping system. This thesis focuses on various aspects of relevance to the condition of the rangelands. The main findings were: 1) that the condition of the rangelands with regard to their multiple functions has declined since recent decades, 2) that animal productivity is increasingly dependent on the cropping system and 3) that the influence of the cropping system on animal productivity leads to the deterioration of the rangelands. The suitability for this region of a recently developed method to estimate primary production in Sahelian countries was analyzed by the comparison of measured and theoretical data. Consistent differences were found. Changes in the vegetation were presumably caused by recent droughts and increased exploitation. The impact of the multiple forms of exploitation of the woody vegetation was investigated. Species were classified according to growth form and use for fruit, browse, timber and fuel wood. Of each species the contribution to accumulative canopy cover and abundance was determined. The contribution of more useful species generally was lower when the exploitation pressure was high. Tree species fulfilled more often several uses at the same time than did shrubs. The influence of nutritional factors on seasonal -and relative palatability of browse species was investigated. It was found that the highest N and P concentration of DM of browse occurred during the season of browse consumption, while the most palatable species showed the highest concentration. More palatable species were also more deciduous than less palatable species. The importance of the cropping system on animal production was shown by observations on seasonal fodder availability and consumption, farmers intervention, and liveweight changes of sedentary cattle. Farmers attitude towards the use of crop residues was related to land tenure, climate and cattle density. A comparison of measured and simulated liveweight changes of cattle showed that consumption of crop residues is of vital importance to animal production. Correspondingly, the availability of crop residues determined the grazing capacity during the dry season. This grazing capacity may result in an overgrazing of the rangelands. Finally the decline of the condition of the rangelands was described and attributed to recent droughts and increased exploitation. A suggestion to the development of a method to evaluate multifunctional rangelands is given and the interdependence of crop and livestock systems and the causes of the over-exploitation of the ecosystem are discussed. It is highlighted that macro-economic changes together which changes in land use management, social security and education are indispensable to develop a more sustainable land use system. A suggestion to an alternative land use system is presented.


Abstract : A spectrum of clinical symptoms consisting of grey-out, black-out, and G-induced loss of consciousness has been identified in pilots of high performance aircraft. The M-1 maneuver used in conjunction with reclined seats and inflated G-suit provides significant protection against these symptoms. Centrifuge-trained United States Navy tactical aircraft pilots have recently reported a decreased ability to perform the M-1 maneuver while using the MBU-12P oxygen mask and CRU-79/P oxygen regulator. This report reviewed the performance specifications of these devices and compared them with published pulmonary flow rates. We found this oxygen system to interfere with the performance of the M-1 and other anti-G maneuvers. Further research is needed to characterize pulmonary flow rates during the performance of the M-1 maneuver in order to make recommendations for breathing system standards aboard high performance aircraft.


High-accuracy optimization is the key component of time-sensitive applications in computer sciences such as machine learning, and we develop single-GPU Iterative Discrete Approximation Monte Carlo Optimization (IDA-MCS) and multi-GPU IDA-MCS in our previous research. However, because of the memory capability constrain of GPUs in a workstation, single-GPU IDA-MCS and multi-GPU IDA-MCS may be in low performance or even functionless for optimization problems with complicated shapes such as large number of peaks. In this paper, by the novel idea of parallelizing Iterative Discrete Approximation with CUDA-MPI programming, we develop the GPU cluster version (GPU-cluster) of IDA-MCS with two different parallelization strategies: Domain Decomposition and Local Search, under the style of Single Instruction Multiple Data by CUDA 5.5 and MPICH2, and we exhibit the performance of GPU-cluster IDA-MCS by optimizing complicated cost functions. Computational results show that, by the same number of iterations, for the cost function with millions of peaks, the accuracy of GPU-cluster IDA-MCS is approximately thousands of times higher than that of the conventional method Monte Carlo Search. Computational results also show that, the optimization accuracy from Domain Decomposition IDA-MCS is much higher than that of Local Search IDA-MCS.


This book discusses architectural excellence in Islamic societies drawing on textual and visual materials, from the Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT, developed over more than three decades. At the core of the discussion are the efforts, processes, and outcomes of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA). The AKAA recognises excellence in architectural and urban interventions within cities and settlements in the Islamic world which are continuously challenged by dramatic changes in economies, societies, political systems, decision-making, and environmental requirements. Architectural Excellence in Islamic Societies responds to the recurring question about the need for architectural awards, arguing that they are critical to validating the achievements of professional architects while making their contributions more widely acknowledged by the public. Through analysis and critique of over sixty awarded and shortlisted projects from over thirty-five countries, this book provides an expansive look at the history of the AKAA through a series of narratives on the enduring values of architecture, architectural and urban conservation, built environment sustainability, and architectural pluralism and multiple modernities. Architectural Excellence in Islamic Societies will appeal to professionals and academics, researchers, and upper-level students in architectural history and theory and built environment related fields.


Placental malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is a major cause of mortality and severe morbidity. Clinical testing of a soluble protein-based vaccine containing the parasite ligand, VAR2CSA, has been initiated. VAR2CSA binds to the human receptor chondroitin sulphate A (CSA) and is responsible for sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes in the placenta. It is imperative that a vaccine against malaria in pregnancy, if administered to women before they become pregnant, can induce a strong and long lasting immune response. While most soluble protein-based vaccines have failed during clinical testing, virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccines (e.g., the licensed human papillomavirus vaccines) have demonstrated high efficacy, suggesting that the spatial assembly of the vaccine antigen is a critical parameter for inducing an optimal long-lasting protective immune response. We have developed a VLP vaccine display platform by identifying regions of the HPV16 L1 coat protein where a biotin acceptor site (AviTagTM) can be inserted without compromising VLP-assembly. Subsequent biotinylation of Avi-L1 VLPs allow us to anchor monovalent streptavidin (mSA)-fused proteins to the biotin, thereby obtaining a dense and repetitive VLP-display of the vaccine antigen. The mSA-VAR2CSA antigen was delivered on the Avi-L1 VLP platform and tested in C57BL/6 mice in comparison to two soluble protein-based vaccines consisting of naked VAR2CSA and mSA-VAR2CSA. The mSA-VAR2CSA Avi-L1 VLP and soluble mSA-VAR2CSA vaccines induced higher antibody titers than the soluble naked VAR2CSA vaccine after three immunizations. The VAR2CSA Avi-L1 VLP vaccine induced statistically significantly higher endpoint titres compared to the soluble mSA-VAR2CSA vaccine, after 1st and 2nd immunization; however, this difference was not statistically significant after 3rd immunization. Importantly, the VLP-VAR2CSA induced antibodies were functional in inhibiting the binding of parasites to CSA. This study demonstrates that the described Avi-L1 VLP-platform may serve as a versatile system for facilitating optimal VLP-display of large and complex vaccine antigens.


Background: Studies have identified patients' beliefs about medicines as an important determinant of non-adherence. However, scant data are available on the possible association between patients' beliefs and statin non-adherence among adult patients in China. The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of statin non-adherence, and to identify the factors associated with statin non-adherence, especially the association between inpatients' beliefs about statins and non-adherence in a tertiary hospital in the Northwestern China. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out in the department of cardiology and neurology between February and June 2022. The Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ) was used to assess patients' beliefs about statins. The Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS) was used to assess statin adherence. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with statin non-adherence. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) was conducted to assess the performance of the logistic regression model in predicting statin non-adherence. Results: A total of 524 inpatients participated and finished the questionnaire, 426 (81.3%) inpatients were non-adherent to statin, and 229 (43.7%) inpatients expressed strong beliefs about the stain treatment necessity, while 246 (47.0%) inpatients expressed strong concerns about the potential negative effects. We found that the low necessity beliefs about statin (adjusted odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.607 [1.019, 2.532]; p = 0.041), prescribed rosuvastatin (adjusted OR 1.820 [1.124, 2.948]; p = 0.015) and ex-drinker (adjusted OR 0.254 [0.104, 0.620]; p = 0.003) were independent determinants of statin non-adherence. Conclusion: Statin adherence was poor in this study. The findings indicated a significant association between inpatients' lower necessity beliefs and statin non-adherence. More attention should be focused on statin non-adherence in China. Nurses and pharmacists could play an important role in patient education and patient counseling in order to improve medication adherence.


Amphitropical disjunct plants are species that occur in both North and South America but not in the intermediate equatorial region. How amphitropical species dispersed across the Americas to their current distribution remains uncertain. To explain amphitropical distributions, three hypotheses were developed to test that (1) species dispersed successively through island hopping across the tropical zone in temperate microhabitats (= stepping stones), (2) species came to their current distribution through vicariance, or (3) species dispersed by a single long distance dispersal event. Twenty-five species were studied to infer their historical distributions with species distribution models in MaxEnt. Distribution models for each species were estimated under three different timelines: the current climate, the last glacial maximum (22,000 years ago), and the last interglacial maximum (120,000–140,000 years ago). Ecological niche models were generated in MaxEnt with 19 bioclimate variables from the WorldClim database. Across the three time slices, the vicariance hypothesis was rejected in all but one species for one of its time slices. In thirteen experiments, the long-distance dispersal and vicariance hypotheses were rejected in favor of the stepping stone hypothesis. In thirtyseven experiments, the stepping stone and vicariance hypotheses were rejected in favor of long distance dispersal. There were three species that could have dispersed by shorter-distance-dispersal events via intermediate dispersal from Mexico. Although our results suggest that long distance dispersal was the most dominant mechanism of dispersal among amphitropical species, they also convey that that numerous shorter-distancedispersal events via intermediate, favorable populations are an underappreciated mode of dispersal. Thesis Mentor: _____________________________ Dr. John Schenk Honors Director: _____________________________ Dr. Steven Engel April 2020 Department of Biology University Honors Program Georgia Southern University


Samples of human apotransferrin (apo . HTr) were saturated with Fe(III) by two different techniques, a method employing excess trisodium citrate to chelate Fe(III) and a nonchelating approach which involves the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin to convert Fe(II)----Fe(III). The samples were radiolabelled with either 55Fe or 3H. Using an initial molar Fe/apo . HTr ratio of 2.0-2.1, preparations of human transferrin with bound Fe (Fe . HTr) using the citrate method invariably contained 2.2-2.4 atoms Fe/molecule, whereas Fe . HTr (ceruloplasmin method) contained 2.0 atoms/molecule as shown by spectrophotometric and radioactivity measurements. Uptake of Fe from these Fe . HTr preparations by K-562 cells grown in a serum-free medium was marginally, but consistently, more rapid from 55Fe . HTr (citrate) than from 55Fe . HTr (ceruloplasmin). Taking account of the different Fe contents of the Fe . HTr preparations, the rate measured over a 2-h period amounted to approximately 12,700 and 16,100 Fe atoms/(cell . min) for Fe . HTr (ceruloplasmin) and Fe . HTr (citrate), respectively. However, cell binding by the two Fe . [3H]HTr preparations did not differ significantly over the 8-h incubation period. Furthermore, from the 3H distribution, the quantities of Fe . HTr bound reversibly at the cell surface and contained within the cell were similar for the two Fe . HTr preparations. The results indicate that apo . HTr may bind Fe in different ways depending on the method of Fe presentation and that the Fe . HTr product can donate Fe to K-562 cells at a rate which may reflect the method used for Fe-complex formation.


Finger pressure offers a new dimension for touch interaction, where input is defined by its spatial position and orthogonal force. However, the limited availability and complexity of integrated force-sensing hardware in mobile devices is a barrier to exploring this design space. This paper presents a synthesis of two features in recent mobile devices - a barometric sensor (pressure altimeter) and ingress protection - to sense a user's touch force. When a user applies force to a device's display, it flexes inward and causes an increase in atmospheric pressure within the sealed chassis. This increase in pressure can be sensed by the device's internal barometer. However, this change is uncontrolled and requires a calibration model to map atmospheric pressure to touch force. This paper derives such a model and demonstrates its viability on four commercially-available devices (including two with dedicated force sensors). The results show this method is sensitive to forces of less than 1 N, and is comparable to dedicated force sensors.


We used HIRES/Keck profiles (R ∼ 6 km s-1) of Mg II and Fe II in combination with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) spectra (R ∼ 230 km s-1) to place constraints on the physical conditions (metallicities, ionization conditions, and multiphase distribution) of absorbing gas in three galaxies at z = 0.9254, 0.9276, and 0.9343 along the line of sight to PG 1206+459. The chemical and ionization species covered in the FOS/HST spectra are H I, Si II, C II, N II, Fe III, Si III, Si IV, N III, C III, C IV, S VI, N V, and O VI, with ionization potentials ranging from 13.6 to 138 eV. The multiple Mg II clouds exhibit complex kinematics and the C IV, N V, and O VI are exceptionally strong in absorption. We assumed that the Mg II clouds are photoionized by the extragalactic background and determined the allowed ranges of their physical properties as constrained by the absorption strengths in the FOS spectra. A main result of this paper is that the low-resolution spectra can provide meaningful constraints on the physical conditions of the Mg II clouds, including allowed ranges of cloud-to-cloud variations within a system. We find that the Mg II clouds, which have a typical size of approximately 100 pc, give rise to the Si IV, the majority of which arises in a single, very large (∼5 kpc), higher ionization cloud. However, the Mg II clouds cannot account for the strong C IV, N V, and O VI absorption. We conclude that the Mg II clouds are embedded in extended (10–20 kpc), highly ionized gas that gives rise to C IV, N V, and O VI; these are multiphase absorption systems. The high-ionization phases have near-solar metallicity and are consistent with Galactic-like coronae surrounding the individual galaxies, as opposed to a very extended common "halo" encompassing all three galaxies.


We suppose the functional parts combination (FPC) model, whereby a problem solving strategy is acquired depending on the tasks given. The model is based on the neuroscientific fact that each cerebral cortical area has a different role and is selectively activated depending on the task. FPC model is a meta learning model that consists of a set of functional parts and a sequence of control signals that specifies their combination. The functional parts are combined depending on the situation, to realize a processing circuit required for the situation. We use genetic algorithm for searching the control signals. We examine the model by evaluating the difference in acquired behavior of (1) two agents with different functional parts working on the same navigational task and (2) two agents with the same functional parts working on different tasks. We show that the agent using FPC model acquires learning strategies suitable for the given problems.


Introduction US youth are disproportionately affected by HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection and may impact sexual risk. Clinics that serve adolescents are one site proposed in reaching sexually active youth. We sought to: 1) describe the integration of PrEP into an adolescent clinic; and 2) examine impact of PrEP use on sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates. Methods Over 6 months, we integrated PrEP program into current family planning (FP) and HIV testing programs in an urban adolescent clinic. Patient lists were reviewed daily to identify those eligible for HIV testing/FP. Each eligible youth was asked about awareness of and interest in PrEP. We reviewed each chart to examine the PrEP cascade including: awareness, receipt of information, referral and referral acceptance, and PrEP use. We then examined whether PrEP use impacted rates of STI, comparing proportion of youth on PrEP with an STI in the 6 months before and after PrEP. Results 234 youth were approached as part of the the HIV/FP program. The mean age was 17.7 (S.D. 3.0), 232 were black (99%), 101 were males (43%), 133 were females (57%), 2 transgender (1%), and 24 self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) (10%). Among the 234 youth seen, 17 (7.2%) were aware of PrEP, 49 (21%) received information, and 33 (14%) were referred for PrEP. Among those referred, 24 (73%) accepted referral and 15 (45%) initiated PrEP. Rates of STI decreased from 60% (n=9) at baseline/6 months prior to 13% in the 6 months after PrEP (p=0.02). Conclusions Few sexually active youth in this setting were aware of PrEP. Coupling HIV testing/FP with an assessment of interest in PrEP and referral to PrEP services may be one access point in increasing knowledge and use of PrEP.


In a two-way relay network, two terminals exchange information over a shared wireless half-duplex channel with the help of a relay. Due to its fundamental and practical importance, there has been an increasing interest in this channel. However, there has been little work that characterizes the fundamental tradeoff between the communication reliability and transmission rate across all signal-to-noise ratios. In this paper, we consider amplify-and-forward (AF) two-way relaying due to its simplicity. We first derive the random coding error exponent for the link in each direction. From the exponent expression, the capacity and cutoff rate for each link are also deduced. We then put forth the notion of bottleneck error exponent, which is the worst exponent decay between the two links, to give us insight into the fundamental tradeoff between the rate pair and information-exchange reliability in the two-way relay network. As applications of the error exponent analysis to design a reliable AF two-way relay network, we present two optimization framework to maximize the bottleneck error exponent, namely: i) the optimal rate allocation under a sum-rate constraint and its closed-form quasi-optimal solution that requires only knowledge of the capacity and cutoff rate of each link; and ii) the optimal power allocation under a total power constraint and perfect global channel state information, which is shown equivalently to a quasi-convex optimization problem. Numerical results verify our analysis and the effectiveness of the optimal rate and power allocations in maximizing the bottleneck error exponent, i.e. the network information-exchange reliability.


This study examines the impact of FTSE 100 index revisions on the informational efficiency of the underlying stocks. Our study spans the 1986–2009 period. We estimate the speed of price adjustment and price inefficiency from the partial adjustment with noise model of Amihud and Mendelson (1987). We report a significant improvement (no change) in the informational efficiency of the stocks added to (deleted from) the FTSE 100 index. The asymmetric effect of additions and deletions on informational efficiency can be attributed, at least partly, to certain aspects of liquidity and other fundamental characteristics, which improve following additions but do not diminish after deletions. Cross-sectional analysis also indicates that stocks with low pre-addition market quality benefit more from joining the index.


Automatic memory management or garbage collection greatly simplifies development of large systems. However, garbage collection is usually not used in real-time systems due to the unpredictable temporal behavior of current implementations of a garbage collector. In this paper we propose a real-time garbage collector that can be scheduled like a normal real-time thread with a deadline monotonic assigned priority. We provide an upper bound for the collector period so that the application threads will never run out of memory. Furthermore, we show that the restricted execution model of the Safety Critical Java standard simplifies root scanning and reduces copying of static data. Our proposal has been implemented and evaluated in the context of the Java processor JOP.


Although human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and elderly worldwide, there is no licensed RSV vaccine or effective drug treatment available. The RSV Matrix protein plays key roles in virus life cycle, being found in the nucleus early in infection in a transcriptional inhibitory role, and later localizing in viral inclusion bodies before coordinating viral assembly and budding at the plasma membrane. In this study, we used a novel, high throughput microfluidics platform and custom human open reading frame library to identify novel host cell binding partners of RSV matrix. Novel interactors identified included proteins involved in host transcription regulation, the innate immunity response, cytoskeletal regulation, membrane remodeling, and cellular trafficking. A number of these interactions were confirmed by immunoprecipitation and cellular colocalization approaches. Importantly, the physiological significance of matrix interaction with the actin-binding protein cofilin 1, caveolae protein Caveolin 2, and the zinc finger protein ZNF502 was confirmed. siRNA knockdown of the host protein levels resulted in reduced RSV virus production in infected cells. These results have important implications for future antiviral strategies aimed at targets of RSV matrix in the host cell.