VALS (Virtual Alliances for Learning Society) European Project has the aim of establishing sustainable processes to build knowledge partnerships between Higher Education and companies to collaborate on resolving authentic business problems through open innovation mediated by the use of Open Source Software. To achieve this, VALS builds knowledge partnerships between Higher Education and companies who work together on resolving authentic business problems through open innovation. The innovative approach is to leverage virtual placements of informatics students in companies in order to foster entrepreneurial skills and attitudes, and to make use of the results to establish new learning and teaching methods. This results in the Semester of Code initiative, a set of methods and processes for creating and managing a real virtual placement, and for integrating this into innovative teaching and learning strategy. To show these methods and processes, this paper describes the general methodology designed to perform the Semester of Code, as well as several guidelines on how to develop the software that will support this process. Also describes a real adaptation of theoretical approach of this whole process in the case of an Academic Institution, including comprehensively all the issues affecting the process implementation in a real context.


This paper introduces a notion of fir m size into a search and matching model with endogenous job destruction. The outcome is a rich, yet analytically tractable framework that can be used to analyze a broad set of features of both the cross section and the dynamics of the aggregate labor market. In a set of quantitative applications we show that the model can provide a coherent account of a) the salient features of the distributions of employer size, and employment growth across establishments; b) the amplitude and propagation of cyclical fluctuations in flows between employment and unemployment; c) the negative comovement of unemployment and vacancies in the form of the Beveridge curve; and d) the dynamics of the distribution of employer size over the business cycle.


The inhibitor effect of Agave Americana Extract (AAE), on mild steel corrosion in 0.5 M H2SO4, was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization technique and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The inhibitor concentration effect on the corrosion process was studied. AAE acts as a mixed type inhibitor, and the inhibition efficiency increases according to the inhibitor concentration's increase up to 81.87% at 2000 ppm. The inhibitor adsorption process is spontaneous and follows the Langmuir isotherm, as well as its molecules are both physisorbed and chemisorbed on steel surface. The inhibitor film formation was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and SEM analyses.


STUDY OBJECTIVES
Prior studies, all using SPECT techniques, failed to find any differences for dopamine transporter (DAT) in restless legs syndrome (RLS) subjects. The distinct pharmacokinetic properties associated with SPECT-determined DAT along with rapid biodynamic changes in DAT may, however, have missed membrane-bound DAT differences. The current studies assessed real-time DAT binding potentials (BP) in striatum of RLS patients using (11)C-methylphenidate and PET techniques.

DESIGN
RLS medications were stopped at least 11 days prior to the PET study. Clinical severity of RLS was also assessed. PET scans were performed at 2 different times of day (starting at 08:30 and 19:30) in separate groups of subjects. The primary outcome measure was total striatal DAT BP.

PARTICIPANTS
Thirty-six patients with primary RLS and 34 age- and gender-matched controls.

RESULTS
RLS subjects had significantly lower DAT binding in the striatum compared to controls on both the Day and the Night scans. DAT was decreased in putamen and caudate but not the ventral striatum of RLS subjects. There were no diurnal differences in DAT for the total group or for control and RLS separately. DAT BP did not correlate with any clinical measures of RLS.

CONCLUSION
The current study found a significant decrease in DAT BP in two independent studies. These results when viewed along with prior RLS SPECT and autopsy studies of DAT, and cell culture studies with iron deficiency and DAT, suggest that membrane-bound striatal DAT, but not total cellular DAT, may be decreased in RLS.


The effects of orientation ratio (OR) on longitudinal thin film media recording performance are studied via micromagnetic modeling. The OR of the media is controlled by the anisotropy axes distribution. Along the preferred anisotropy direction, the coercivity and the remanence increases with decreasing standard deviation of anisotropy distribution /spl sigma/ and gives rise to an OR as high as 90. Highly oriented media show an ultra low transition noise and high effective track width. However, it is observed that highly oriented media exhibits a large track edge bending which increases the track edge noise. Effect of saturation magnetization (M/sub s/) on the recording pattern for highly oriented media (OR=22.5) is investigated. Low magnetization is found to induce even lower transition noise and slightly higher effective track width. Edge percolation is observed when M/sub s/ increases up to 800 emu/cm/sup 3/. However, the noise magnitude at this edge does not change much when M/sub s/, is decreased to 200 emu/cm/sup 3/.


Abstract Background: Snakebite envenoming can be a life-threatening condition, for which emergency care is essential. The Bothrops (lancehead) genus is responsible for most snakebite-related deaths and permanent loss of function in human victims in Latin America. Bothrops spp. venom is a complex mixture of different proteins that are known to cause local necrosis, coagulopathy, and acute kidney injury. However, the long-term effects of these viper envenomings have remained largely understudied. Case presentation: Here, we present a case report of a 46-years old female patient from Las Claritas, Venezuela, who was envenomed by a snake from the Bothrops genus. The patient was followed for a 10-year period, during which she presented oliguric renal failure, culminating in kidney failure 60 months after the envenoming. Conclusion: In Latin America, especially in Brazil, where there is a high prevalence of Bothrops envenoming, it may be relevant to establish long-term outpatient programs. This would reduce late adverse events, such as chronic kidney disease, and optimize public financial resources by avoiding hemodialysis and consequently kidney transplantation.


Aim To monitor individual player specific physical range of movement scores to inform and educate players around self-management, readiness to train and injury risk. Method Injury epidemiological studies in elite female soccer have highlighted risk around knee and ankle ligamentous injuries and muscular injuries to the thigh and calf. Aetiological factors are suggested to be direct trauma, biomechanical imbalances, poor mobility, strength imbalances and training load. A group of 28 elite female soccer players were assessed each morning during international team camps in the following objective physical markers: Sit and reach distance, Knee to wall distance and Thomas test hip range of movement. Average scores were used to educate players and individually tasked with completing specific self-management modalities to improve these scores before entering a risk environment. Results All players completed the self-directed objective tests. The physical markers were averaged out and players given individual red, amber and green scores. The markers were discussed amongst the sports medicine team and concerns regarding a player's health and fitness relayed to the coaching staff. The player was tasked with completing self directed individualised exercises to improve any flagged scores. They were also tasked with completing this in their club environment and improvement in physical markers scores was noted on subsequent camp entries. Conclusion By using specific physical markers which were individual to each player we were able to track and inform of any flagged scores during the camp morning health check. This enabled us to give a clear understanding of player readiness to train as well as informing and educating the player on how they could improve their scores through self management modalities therefore decreasing injury risk. Initial findings through injury surveillance suggest a decrease in lower limb muscle related injuries.


Two families (stateful and stateless) of genetically programmed classifiers were tested on a five class brain computer interface (BCI) data set of raw EEG signals. The ability of evolved classifiers to discriminate mental tasks from each other were analysed in terms of accuracy, precision and recall. A model describing the dynamics of state usage in stateful programs is introduced. An investigation of relationships between the model attributes and associated classification results was made. The results show that both stateful and stateless programs can be successfully evolved for this task, though stateful programs start from lower fitness
and take longer to evolve.


On 10 September 2005, we celebrate the centenary of the birth of Boris Ivan
Balinsky, one of the best-known and most respected embryologists of the
twentieth century. Through his remarkable and painstaking research, he laid the
foundation of developmental biology as we know it today. Balinsky was a man
whose research was shaped by his time, and for the first half of his working life this
was dictated largely by the turbulence of the Russian Revolution and later by the
instability of the SecondWorldWar. Soviet life depended on the whims of the man
in power at any given time: thus, the course of Balinsky's research was directed
according to the situation in which he found himself and the facilities available
to him. It is due to his insight, single-mindedness, ability to adapt, hands-on
approach and meticulous technique that he managed to achieve the noteworthy
research and groundbreaking findings in the years prior to, and after, his move to
the West.


Last summer was a busy one for the students and dedicated
design and technology staff at Worden Sports College who
were involved in the schools first ever Summer Technology
Academy.Organised and delivered by the design and technology department this was by no means a new venture for some of the team. Keith Burroughs (Head of Faculty) and Scott Cunningham (Teacher of Resistant Materials) had both been involved every year since 2005 in the schools summer academies project with Suzie Carr (Teacher of Food Technology/Catering and newly appointed Head of PHSE) involved since 2007. Previously the event had been staged by the PE department and as such had a very different focus. Having been approached to co-ordinate the event Suzie and Scott quickly enlisted the help of Keith Burroughs, Art teacher Chris Hull and several trainee teachers from Edge Hill University. Trainees from both the Flexible PGCE and BSc (Hons) in Design and Technology courses supported staff for the duration of the project


In dealing with applicants and employees, administrators must comply with handicap and pregnancy discrimination statutes, any union collective bargaining agreement, and any state or local statutes specifically directed at protecting certain classes of handicapped persons. The employer must make reasonable accommodations which allow the disabled worker to perform the job, although the employer need not implement accommodations which are an undue hardship. Similarly, if the impaired employee cannot safely perform the essential functions of the job, he or she need not be hired or retained. Employers must also recognize their responsibilities and liability under their health benefit plans and other liability statutes, and attempt to minimize their exposure.


Evolutionary computation (EC) can create a vast number of strategies for playing simple games in a short time. Analysis of these strategies is typically more time-consuming than their production. As a result, analysis of strategies produced by an EC system is often lacking or restricted to the extraction of superficial summary statistics. This thesis presents a technique for extracting a functional signature from evolved agents that play games. This signature can be used as a visualization of agent behavior in games with two moves and also provides a numerical target for clustering and other forms of automatic analysis. The fingerprint can be used to induce a similarity measure on the space of game strategies. This thesis develops fingerprints in the context of the iterated prisoner's dilemma; we note that they can be computed for any two player simultaneous game with a finite set of moves. When using a clustering algorithm, the results are strongly influenced by the choice of the measure used to find the distance between or to compare the similarity of the data being clustered. The Euclidean metric, for example, rates a convex polytope as the most compact type of object and builds clusters that are contained in compact polytopes. Presented here is a general method, called multi-clustering, that compensates for the intrinsic shape of a metric or similarity measure. The method is tested on synthetic data sets that are natural for the Euclidean metric and on data sets designed to defeat k-means clustering with the Euclidean metric. Multi-clustering successfully discovers the designed cluster structure of all the synthetic data sets used with a minimum of parameter tuning. We then use multi-clustering and filtration on fingerprint data. Cellular representation is the practice of evolving a set of instructions for constructing a desired structure. This thesis presents a cellular encoding for finite state machines and specializes it to play the iterated prisoner's dilemma. The impact on the character and behavior of finite state agents of using the cellular representation is investigated. For the cellular representation resented a statistically significant drop in the level of cooperation is found. Other differences in the character of the automaton generated with a direct and cellular representation are reported.


In megakaryocytes, the maturation process and oxidative stress response appear to be closely related. It has been suggested that increased oxygen tension and reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote megakaryopoiesis and that the expression of stress-responsive genes responsible for ROS elimination declines during megakaryocytic maturation. NF-E2 p45 is an essential regulator of megakaryopoiesis, whereas Nrf2 is a key activator of stress-responsive genes. Because p45 and Nrf2 have similar DNA-binding specificities, we hypothesized that p45 competes with Nrf2 to repress stress-responsive genes and achieves favorable intracellular conditions to allow ROS to be efficiently used as signaling molecules. We conducted comprehensive gene expression profiling with wild-type and p45-null megakaryocytes and examined the functional relationship between p45 and Nrf2. We found that 2 characteristic gene clusters are defined within p45 target genes: platelet genes and cytoprotective genes. The former are unique targets activated by p45, whereas the latter are common targets of p45 and Nrf2. Further analysis suggested that, as a less efficacious activator, p45 maintains moderate expression of cytoprotective genes through competing with Nrf2 and promotes ROS accumulation. Increased ROS enhanced platelet gene expression. These results suggest that p45 dominates over Nrf2 to enhance megakaryocytic maturation by promoting ROS accumulation.


The increasing demands placed on businesses to fulfill its social responsi- bilities have heightened interests in corporate donations. Corporate donations exist when a corporation donates a portion of its resources to a societal cause. In addition, corporations have developed a wide array of charitable vehicles, namely, founda- tions, non-profit and association umbrella groups, as well as community outreach programs. Studies on this particular topic have been carried out in other markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom as well as in Europe. Being the first research in Malaysia, the goals of this study were (1) to examine whether stake- holders especially investors consider corporate donations when they determine the value of the firm, (2) to test empirically the determinants (i.e., leverage, firm's size, and profitability) of corporate donations made by 774 Malaysian Public Listed Com- panies of the Main Board. Three of the firms' specific characteristics were derived from agency and stakeholder theories. Firstly, multiple regression analysis was con- ducted in order to examine the perception of the stakeholders, especially investors, on the corporate donations. Secondly, a logistic regression analysis was conducted in order to examine the determinants of corporate donations made by the Public Listed Companies in Malaysian market. The results revealed that there is a positive relationship between corporate donations and the market value of equity. This study also revealed that there is no significant relationship between the leverage and the corporate donations. This result contradicts the findings of some other researches. However, the study provides evidence that the company size and profitability are im- portant determinants of companies that are more likely to contribute to the society.


Transmyocardial laser revascularisation (TMLR) has emerged as an efficient treatment for angina refractory to conventional therapies. Moreover, some studies have suggested improvement of cardiac function. Its mechanism of action, initially attributed to blood flow from the ventricular cavity through the channels toward the ischaemic myocardium, remains to be defined. 21 pigs were randomised to TMLR of the left lateral wall (TMLR group; n = 7), to myocardial infarction (MI group; n = 7), or to both (TMLR-MI group; n = 7). In each group one animal was sacrificed at postoperative day 0, 7, 14 and 21, and 3 animals at postoperative day 28. The lateral wall of the left ventricle was fixed in 4% formaldehyde and sliced in a plane perpendicular to the channels for histological analysis. The evolution of the cross-section area of the lesions as well as their vascular densities at postoperative day 28, expressed as number vascular structures per mm2, were studied. All the channels were occluded by a clot at postoperative day 0 and by scar tissue at postoperative day 28. The cross-section area of the lesions diminished from 8.1 +/- 1.3 mm2 at postoperative day 0 to 2.4 +/- 0.2 mm2 at postoperative day 28. At postoperative day 28, the vascular density of scar tissue of the channels in the TMLR group was significantly increased in comparison with that of myocardial infarction in the MI group (47.1 +/- 10.2 vs. 23.8 +/- 9.1; p < 0.01). In the TMLR-MI group, channels scar became indistinguishable from surrounding myocardial infarction scar. In this model, laser channels are occluded early and do not salvage acute ischaemic myocardium. Mechanisms which could explain clinical improvement, as suggested by the results, are intense laser-induced neovascularisation and channel scar retraction (Laplace's law).


Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonosis which can affect man and a wide range of domestic and wild animals, mainly immunodeficient individuals. The objective of this paper was reported the occurrence of a Cryptosporidium infection in Antillean manatee. After an unusual behavior of an Antillean manatee kept in captivity at the Centro Mamíferos Aquáticos, ICMBio--FMA, clinical examination and posterior fecal sampling was performed. Fecal samples were examined by the Kinyoun technique, Direct Immunofluorescence Test and also examined by 4',6'-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole (DAPI) staining. At the clinical examination, the animal showed signs of abdominal pain. The results obtained by light and fluorescence microscopy analysis showed the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst in feces of this manatee.


The article introduced the mechanisms and characteristics of spinning system such as solo spinning, sirofil spinning, siro spinning and so on. New composite spinning technology can develop a composite yarn, thread and fabrics with different characteristics. Composite spinning technology is a new breakthrough in technology of ring-spun wool spinning. It makes a remarkable improvement in the quality of spinning. It improves the external quality of yarn. Through comparing and analyzing, the new technologies enable a great structural change and unique performance of the yarn. This new spinning technology has broad prospects for development applications.


Renal clearance (CLR), a major route of elimination for many drugs and drug metabolites, represents the net result of glomerular filtration, active secretion and reabsorption, and passive reabsorption. The aim of this study was to develop quantitative structurepharmacokinetic relationships (QSPKR) to predict CLR of drugs or drug-like compounds in humans. Human CLR data for 382 compounds were obtained from the literature. Step-wise multiple linear regression was used to construct QSPKR models for training sets and their predictive performance was evaluated using internal validation (leave-one-out method). All qualified models were validated externally using test sets. QSPKR models were also constructed for compounds in accordance with their 1) net elimination pathways (net secretion, extensive net secretion, net reabsorption, and extensive net reabsorption), 2) net elimination clearances (net secretion clearance, CLSEC; or net reabsorption clearance, CLREAB), 3) ion status, and 4) substrate/inhibitor specificity for renal transporters. We were able to predict 1) CLREAB (Q 2 = 0.77) of all compounds undergoing net reabsorption; 2) CLREAB (Q 2 = 0.81) of all compounds undergoing extensive net reabsorption; and 3) CLR for substrates and/or inhibitors of OAT1/3 (Q = 0.81), OCT2 (Q = 0.85), MRP2/4 (Q = 0.78), P-gp (Q = 0.71), and MATE1/2K (Q = 0.81). Moreover, compounds undergoing net reabsorption/extensive net reabsorption predominantly belonged to Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System classes 1 and 2. In conclusion, constructed parsimonious QSPKR models can be used to predict CLR of compounds that 1) undergo net reabsorption/extensive net reabsorption and 2) are substrates and/or inhibitors of human renal


This article arose out of my involvement in an undergraduate drama module at the School of Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, where I made use of workshop theatre methodologies to explore how secondyear drama students construct knowledge and develop sociocultural understandings of critical issues in society. The workshop theatre project described in this article aimed to allow drama students to explore and expose the myths, practices and world view associated with the sexual behaviour of young people in two townships and on two campuses. The purpose was to ensure that, as prospective teachers, these students are prepared with knowledge and skills to engage their future learners on this topic in a relevant and effective manner. The article draws on the theories of applied drama and argues for workshopping as a cogent means of researching and representing social issues. The data-gathering process undertaken by students, and the plays constructed from the analysis are described. I conclude with a discussion on how the methodology reflected the beliefs and attitudes of the participants in a contextualised manner, exposing a flaw in their image of the sexually liberated and independent young woman. I also show how the approach allowed me to develop an emancipatory pedagogy which endows students with authority.


Anoctamin1 (ANO1), a calcium activated chloride channel, is known to play a critical role in salivary secretion. In the salivary gland, ANO1 is expressed exclusively in the acinar cells, with no expression in the ductal cells. However, the mechanisms that determine this distinctive cell type-dependent expression pattern of ANO1 remain unknown. In this study, we discovered that the cell-dependent expression of ANO1 during salivary gland organogenesis is regulated by DNA methylation of ANO1 CpG islands. ANO1 CpG islands in e12 embryonic submandibular glands (eSMG) are highly methylated, but those in e14 eSMG or adult SMG are significantly unmethylated. The differential expression pattern of ANO1 in duct and acini is defined at e14. Artificial demethylation by treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), induced the expression of ANO1 in both the ductal cell line Human Submandibular Gland (HSG) and in the duct cells of adult mouse SMG. During the trans-differentiation in Matrigel of duct-origin HSG cells into acinar-like phenotype, significant demethylation of ANO1 CpG islands is observed. This may be due to the reduced expression of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 3a and 3b. These results suggest that the differential expression of ANO1 in salivary glands during organogenesis and differentiation is mainly regulated by epigenetic demethylation of the ANO1 gene.


AIM
To quantify the provision of standard cardiac rehabilitation to Danish survivors of cardiac arrest at a programme level, and to analyse whether organizational factors influenced the provision.

METHOD
We mapped the provision of cardiac rehabilitation core components to survivors of cardiac arrest and compared this with a reference group of patients after acute myocardial infarction using data from a cross-sectional programme-level survey among all hospitals (n=34) and municipalities (n= 98) in Denmark. Organizational factors of potential importance to service provision were considered: health care region, size of catchment area/population, type of department/municipality and socioeconomic index.

RESULTS
Response rates for the provision of each core component of cardiac rehabilitation ranged from 64% to 98%. All hospitals and municipalities provided some aspect of cardiac rehabilitation to survivors of cardiac arrest. Across hospitals, provision of four core components of cardiac rehabilitation to survivors of cardiac arrest was lower compared with post acute myocardial infarction patients: patient education (relative risk (RR) =0.45 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27 to 0.75)), exercise training (RR=0.69 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.98)), screening for anxiety and depression (RR=0.64 (95% CI 0.46 to 0.90) and nutritional counselling RR=0.76 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.93)). No difference was found in the provision of core components across municipalities. Overall, the provision of cardiac rehabilitation to survivors of cardiac arrest was not affected by organizational factors.

CONCLUSION
This study indicates a need for future research to inform the development, adoption and implementation of equal access to all components of cardiac rehabilitation for survivors of cardiac arrest in Denmark.


Landforms take on many shapes around the world. This unit will highlight those and address skills required to map landforms.


Summary After being given tetracycline in drinking water (0·1 per cent.) for 5 days, rats were inoculated orally with Candida albicans on three occasions at 2-day intervals. Immediately after the first inoculation, the concentration of tetracycline in the water was reduced to 0·01 per cent. and this was maintained for the next 28 days. The rats' mouths were regularly colonised by C. albicans, the organism being recoverable throughout the experiment. Histological examination showed the organism in the tissues in 75 per cent. of the animals. Infection of the dorsal surface of the tongue produced a striking change in the histological appearance of the lingual epithelium, reminiscent of that found in candidal leukoplakia in man.


Solidago decurrens is a plant of Asteraceae, which is mainly produced in southern China. It is widely used cut flower material. It is known as the malignant weed Solidago canadensis (Solidago canadensis) with the genus Flora, so its application of ecological security has been a big debate. In this paper, the allelopathic effect of the water extract of Solidago macrophylla was studied by using the micronucleus technique of Vicia faba root tip as the experimental material. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic toxicity of Solidago canadensis. The results showed that: (1) The water extract of Solidago canadensis could decrease the mitotic index and interfere with the normal process of mitosis, where the decreased rate was positively correlated with the concentration of water extract and treatment time. (2) The effects of water extract on the root tip of Vicia faba were significant increases with time and concentration effect (3) Achilla glauca extract could make the chromosome bridge, chromosome fragment, chromosome lag in the root tip cells of Vicia faba and increase in micronucleus rate. The results showed that the water extract of Solidago canadensis had different degree of inhibition and damage to silkworm root tip cells; it also had some genetic toxicity and rapid diffusion ability.


Broadband internet is considered an important determinant of economic growth and development. A number of studies have examined the impact of broadband on migration, firm location and economic growth. However, the relationship between broadband infrastructure and new firm formation in the USA has not been sufficiently described. This chapter fills that gap by empirically examining the relationship between broadband internet and new firm formation. It is found that single-unit firm births and the provision of broadband are positively and significantly related across almost all industry sectors in the USA. However, the impact of broadband provisioning on new firm formation is sensitive to agglomeration and aggregate and growth patterns of states and economic sectors.


This study investigates the infection process of Phoma koolunga on field pea ( Pisum sativum ) stems and leaves using different susceptible and resistant pea genotypes for each tissue, viz. 05P778-BSR-701 (resistant) and 06P830-(F5)-BSR-5 (susceptible) for stems and ATC 866 (resistant) and ATC 5347 (susceptible) for leaves. On both resistant and susceptible genotypes, light and scanning electron microscopy showed P. koolunga conidia infect stem and leaf tissues directly via appressoria or stomatal penetration, but with more infections involving formation of appressoria on stems than on leaves. On leaves of the resistant genotype, at 72 h post-inoculation, P. koolunga penetrated more frequently via stomata (5.2 conidia per 36 893 l m 2 ) than by formation of appressoria (1.8 conidia); yet no such difference was observed on stems of the resistant genotype. In contrast, at the same time point, the number of conidia infecting the susceptible genotype by formation of appressoria on either stems (135 conidia) or leaves (11.3 conidia) was significantly greater than via stomata (8 and 7.3 conidia, stems and leaves, respectively). Mean germ tube length of germinating P. koolunga conidia on both stems (29.8 l m) and leaves (32.9 l m) of the resistant genotype was less than on the susceptible genotype (40.5 and 63.7 l m, stem and leaves, respectively). In addition, there were differences in the number of germ tubes emerging from conidia on resistant and susceptible genotypes. These are the first insights into the nature of leaf and stem resistance mechanisms operating in field pea against P. koolunga .


Models and modeling are considered integral parts of scientific literacy, reflecting educators' efforts to introduce and engage students in authentic scientific inquiry through Modeling-based Learning (MbL) approaches in science. Over the years research has developed a considerable amount of knowledge concerning MbL. Our purpose in this paper was to review this research in order to systematize the knowledge accumulated and to provide an overview of what needs to be investigated further. We also took into account and describe the role of the teacher as part of the review. Our review shows that MbL has made cognitive, metacognitive, social, material and epistemological contributions in science education. Furthermore, it reveals that important information is still missing in order to ensure effective implementations of MbL. Future research needs to focus on investigating the learning processes which take place during MbL which result in improvements in student conceptual and epistemological understanding and abilities for scientific inquiry.


The banking and financial industry is subject to a large number of regulations, including several recent data quality regulations, which makes it difficult for organisations to judge the effort and cost involved in compliance to multiple, often overlapping, regulatory obligations. The aim of this paper is to identify and analyse data quality related regulations, and map them against a common set of data quality dimensions to expose overlaps and inconsistencies to inform compliance efforts. In our study we identify seven global data quality regulations/frameworks applicable to the banking and financial industry and conduct a systematic analysis of data quality stipulations within. Our study explores the breadth and depth of coverage of data quality dimensions in the regulations, and identifies inherent overlaps and inconsistencies. We argue that understanding of data quality requirements within and across the regulations is an essential first step towards the design of new approaches for compliance centric data quality management.


Our goal is to reduce meeting participants' note-taking effort by automatically identifying utterances whose contents meeting participants are likely to include in their notes. Though note-taking is different from meeting summarization, these two problems are related. In this paper we apply techniques developed in extractive meeting summarization research to the problem of identifying noteworthy utterances. We show that these algorithms achieve an f-measure of 0.14 over a 5-meeting sequence of related meetings. The precision - 0.15 - is triple that of the trivial baseline of simply labeling every utterance as noteworthy. We also introduce the concept of ldquoshow-worthyrdquo utterances - utterances that contain information that could conceivably result in a note. We show that such utterances can be recognized with an 81% accuracy (compared to 53% accuracy of a majority classifier). Further, if non-show-worthy utterances are filtered out, the precision of noteworthiness detection improves by 33% relative.


Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) systems have been studied in both the USA and the former Soviet Union since the 1950s for use in space science and exploration missions. NTP uses nuclear fission to heat hydrogen to very high temperatures in a short amount of time so that the hydrogen can provide thrust as it accelerates through an engine nozzle. Benefits of NTP systems compared to conventional chemical and solar electric powered propulsion systems include higher fuel efficiency, greater mission range, shorter transit times, and a greater ability to abort missions and return to Earth in the event of system failure. As a result of these benefits, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is evaluating NTP for use in crewed missions to Mars, and plans for a possible mid-2020s flight demonstration of a NTP engine are under development. The extremely harsh conditions that NTP systems must operate in present a number of significant engine design and operational challenges. The objective of this chapter will be to describe the history of NTP material development, describe current NTP material fabrication and design practices, and discuss possible future advances in space propulsion material technologies.


Abstract. Polarimetric Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PolInSAR) technique utilizes the characteristics of both SAR polarimetry and Interferometry. PolInSAR technique is proved to be very useful for vegetation parameters retrieval. Estimation of the tree canopy height parameter is very important for the estimation of the Above Ground Biomass (AGB). The baseline separation between different PolInSAR datasets has a very important role in the tree canopy height estimation due to the sensitivity of the baseline to the tree height and the forest structure. So for accurately estimating the tree canopy height of a forest with varying tree heights and species several pairs of PolInSAR datasets with different baselines separations are required. Multi-baseline Random Volume over Ground (RVoG) inversion technique is the most successful method for tree height inversion. UAVSAR, the Quad-Pol L-band airborne SAR of JPL/NASA acquired PolInSAR datasets over the Gabon forest as a part of the AfriSAR campaign. Nine PolInSAR SLC datasets of this campaign acquired over the Mondah Forest site of Gabon forest is used for this study. Tree canopy height map produced from this datasets shows that the tree height is varying at this site and has a maximum height of 50 m. The results obtained are validated using the field data collected by JPL/NASA during March 2016. The comparison of the results with the field data showed that both are in good agreement with an average deviation of 3.75 m.


Justice and fairness are increasingly popular concepts in energy research and comprise several justice dimensions, including distributive and procedural justice, related to energy production and consumption. In this paper, we used factorial survey experiments—a method employed in sociological justice research—for energy transition research. In a factorial survey, respondents evaluated one or more situations described by several attributes, which varied in their levels. The experimental setup of factorial surveys is one of its advantages over simple survey items, as based on this, the relative importance of each attribute for justice evaluations can be determined. We employed the method in a study on the perceived fairness of renewable energy expansion projects related to wind energy, solar energy, and biomass in Germany, and considered aspects of procedural and distributive justice. We show that the effects of these justice dimensions can be separated and the heterogeneity in justice evaluations can be explained. Compared to previous studies applying factorial survey experiments to explain the acceptance of renewable energy projects, we employed the method to directly measure justice concerns and asked respondents to evaluate the vignettes in terms of perceived fairness. This is important because acceptance and fairness as well as inequality and injustice are different phenomena.


In the last decade, a large number of different software component models have been developed, with different aims and using different principles and technologies. This has resulted in a number of models which have many similarities, but also principal differences, and in many cases unclear concepts. Component-based development has not succeeded in providing standard principles, as has, for example, object-oriented development. In order to increase the understanding of the concepts and to differentiate component models more easily, this paper identifies, discusses, and characterizes fundamental principles of component models and provides a Component Model Classification Framework based on these principles. Further, the paper classifies a large number of component models using this framework.


This essay examines both the breadth and the depth of Nabokov's engagement with the biblical myth of Eden and its many resonant, interrelated themes: divine creation, Adamic man, paradisal love, diabolic temptation, exile and loss, the persistence of memory, and the desire to regain—either in this world or the next—one form or another of Edenic bliss. While focusing principally on the "roots" of Nabokov's Adamic and Edenic themes as they appear in several early poems and short stories, in the autobiography, Speak, Memory, and in his first novel, Mary, this essay also argues more broadly that the biblical myth of a lost paradise (and the subsequent echoes of this biblical tradition in later representational art and literature) continued to influence and inform Nabokov's writings significantly throughout his entire career, particularly in such later masterworks as Lolita and Ada. Since the author regularly dismissed all claims of "influence" upon his works, this essay aims chiefly at establishing and exploring, with fresh appreciation, Nabokov's substantial understanding of, and sustained intertextual reliance upon, biblical narrative and the extended tradition (Dante, Milton, Marvell, etc.) of Edenic paradise and Adamic fall.


A rapid and accurate atomic absorption method for the determination of chromium in faeces samples from pasture experiments using chromic oxide 'markers' is described. Of the elements present after ashing and digesting the samples in a phosphoric acid—manganese sulphate—potassium bromate solution silicate, aluminium, calcium and magnesium were found to interfere in the determination. The effects of these interferences were overcome by the addition of calcium to the test solution and by the addition of silicate to the standards, which were prepared in 'blank' solutions. The sensitivities of a number of alternate chromium resonance lines relative to that of Cr 3578·7 Å. are given. These lines may be used to increase the concentration range of the analysis. The results of a comparison of the atomic absorption method with a chemical method are given.


A multi-agent, moral-hazard model of a bank operating under deposit insurance and limited liability is used to analyze the connection between compensation of bank employees (below CEO) and bank risk. Limited liability with deposit insurance is a force that distorts effort down. However, the need to increase compensation to risk-averse employees in order to compensate them for extra bank risk is a force that reduces this effect. Optimal contracts use relative performance and are implementable as a wage with bonuses tied to individual and firm performance. The connection between pay for performance and bank risk depends on correlation of returns. If employee returns are uncorrelated, the form of pay is irrelevant for risk. If returns are perfectly correlated, a low wage can indicate risk. Connections to compensation regulation and characteristics of organizations are discussed.


The b-ZIP transcription factor NRF2 is a master regulator of the cellular antioxidant response and frequently activated in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLCs). While direct pharmacological inhibition of NRF2 has proven challenging, its aberrant activation rewires metabolic and signaling networks in cancer cells that may create special vulnerabilities for therapeutic intervention. Here, we use chemical proteomics to map ligandable proteins in NRF2-activated NSCLC cells, leading to the discovery of metabolic and transcriptional pathways that are strictly regulated by NRF2. Principal among these was the orphan nuclear receptor NR0B1, which we show nucleates a multimeric protein complex required for the transcriptional output and anchorage-independent growth of NRF2-driven cancers. We further identify small-molecules that target a conserved cysteine within NR0B19s protein interaction domain and show that these chemical probes disrupt NR0B1 complexes and NRF2-dependent cancer cell growth. Our findings thus designate NR0B1 as a druggable, transcriptional co-dependency target for NRF2-activated lung cancers. Citation Format: Liron Bar-Peled, Esther Kemper, Benjamin Cravatt. A druggable transcriptional vulnerability in NRF2-dependent lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Opportunities and Challenges of Exploiting Synthetic Lethality in Cancer; Jan 4-7, 2017; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2017;16(10 Suppl):Abstract nr PR16.


The paper discusses how visual research methods that draw on ethnomethodology and conversation analysis can help sociologists to reveal how optometrists' assess the clarity of their clients' distance vision. It argues that the detailed analysis of video-recorded interactions in optometric consultation rooms can help reveal the practical organization of the 'routine' work through which optometrists examine and assess their clients' sight. Save for the contribution of the paper to methodological discussions about the use of visual data for the analysis of the practical work of optometrists, the paper also demonstrates how video-based research can add to recent debates in organizational sociology, workplace studies, and practice theory as well as to discussions about service quality and quality of care in health-service settings.


Platelet activating factor (PAF) is a novel signaling phospholipids that in addition to platelet activation has many biological properties. The acrosome reaction, as an essential step in mammalian fertilization, can occur in response to several agents such as PAF. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effect of PAF on the motility and acrosome reaction of ram spermatozoa. Semen was collected from 18 fertile rams and incubated with four levels of PAF (10, 10, 10 and 10 mol) at 37°C for 15, 30, 60 or 120 min. Sperm motility and acrosome reaction were analyzed at varying levels of PAF with different incubation periods. With increasing PAF concentration, acrosome reaction was enhanced, while sperm motility was reduced (P<0.001). As the period of incubation increased, there was a gradual decrease in sperm motility and increase in acrosome reaction percentages. There were high correlation between PAF concentrations and incubation times on induction of acrosome reaction (R = 0.86) and reduction in sperm motility (R = 0.82). In addition, it was found that a PAF level of 10 and incubation time for 30 min is the best optimum for inducing acrosome reaction in ram spermatozoa without drastically decreases in sperm motility. The present study optimized for the first time the concentration and incubation time of PAF for induction of acrosome reaction in fresh ram spermatozoa.


Last fall, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sent the message to PHOs that when negotiating with third parties, they need to be careful not to break antitrust laws, or they could face heavy monetary damages--or even criminal liability. In settlements with PHOs in Danbury, Connecticut, and St. Joseph, Missouri, the DOJ said that PHOs could not become involved in pricing decisions unless they acted in one of two ways: as a qualified managed care plan in which providers share financial risk or as a messenger between providers and third parties. The two cases show how networks may and may not engage in negotiations with payers.


This paper presents mathematical modeling procedure of three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic inverter. It presents synchronous PI current control strategy and the method for adjuster design. The typical waveforms of grid voltage, grid current and harmonics of grid current are carried out on a 100kW photovoltaic inverter, which can provide some guidelines for engineers to analyze, design and implement.


Blood vessels identified by laminin staining were studied in uninjured spinal cord and at 2, 4, 7, and 14 days following a moderate contusion (weight drop) injury. At 2 days after injury most blood vessels had been destroyed in the lesion epicenter; neurons and astrocytes were also absent, and few ED1+ cells were seen infiltrating the lesion center. By 4 days, laminin associated with vessel staining was increased and ED1+ cells appeared to be more numerous in the lesion. By 7 days after injury, the new vessels formed a continuous cordon oriented longitudinally through the lesion center. ED1+ cells were abundant at this time point and were found in the same area as the newly formed vessels. Astrocyte migration from the margins of the lesion into the new cordon was apparent. By 14 days, a decrease in the number of vessels in the lesion center was observed; in contrast, astrocytes were more prominent in those areas. In addition to providing a blood supply to the lesion site, protecting the demise of the newly formed vascular bridge might provide an early scaffold to hasten axonal regeneration across the injury site.


Laser excitation of nanometer-sized atomic and molecular clusters offers insight into complex many-particle dynamics from several perspectives. Whereas weak laser fields allow the analysis of photoionization, excited-state relaxation, and structural modifications on these finite quantum systems, violent collective electron motion and Coulomb explosion can be explored with intense laser pulses. This review provides an overview of key phenomena arising from laser-cluster interactions with focus on nonlinear optical excitations and discusses underlying processes according to the current understanding. A brief general survey covers basic cluster properties and excitation mechanisms relevant for laser-driven cluster dynamics. Then, after an excursion in theoretical and experimental methods, results for single-and multiphoton excitations are reviewed with emphasis on signatures from time-and angular-resolved photoemission. The broad spectrum of phenomena arising from clusters in strong fields is closely related to the creation of dense nanoplasmas, the dynamics of which is a major issue of this review. The implications for technical developments include the controlled generation of ion, electron, and radiation pulses as will be addressed along with corresponding examples. Finally, future prospects of laser-cluster research and experimental as well as theoretical challenges are discussed.


The use of PPCPs is on the rise on the globe. PPCPs enter into the environment through individual human activity and as residues from manufacturing, agribusiness, veterinary use, and hospital and community use. Individuals may add PPCPs to the environment through waste excretion and bathing as well as by directly disposing of unused medications to septic tanks, sewers, or trash. Because PPCPs tend to dissolve relatively easily and don't evaporate at normal temperatures, they often end up in soil and water bodies. Some PPCPs are broken down or processed easily by a human or animal body and/or degrade quickly in the environment. However, others do not break down or degrade easily. The likelihood or ease with which an individual substance will break down depends on its chemical makeup and the metabolic pathway of the compound. Varying concentrations of drugs found in water sources can have ill effect on the aquatic life and human health. For pharmaceutical pollution, the solution calls upon all health care sectors to participate in preventing pharmaceutical pollution. Green Pharmacy aims at zero pharmaceutical waste in our environment. It offers an opportunity for social action that will greatly benefit our environment at all levels of our society. It encourages health providers and clients to focus on healthy lifestyle and prevention to ensure their well-being through regular wellness practices. It provides education and opportunity for everyone involved with the life cycle of medicine to participate in reducing pharmaceutical pollution. With relatively simple yet firm commitments to change our habits, becoming stewards of medicine rather than consumers of medicine we effectively become part of the solution. This review paper delineates about the powerful approaches of green pharmacy that provides comprehensive solution to pharmaceutical pollution affecting much of well being on globe. Research to date points to the ubiquity of PPCPs in aquatic environments. Existing wastewater treatment facilities are inadequate and aren't designed to remove them from the waste stream. Our current system of quantifying their toxicological effects is inadequate. Now is the time to prevent further harm to living organisms and the environment.


Aortic arch and hemiarch surgery necessitate the temporary interruption of blood perfusion to the brain. Despite its complexity, hemiarch and ascending aortic surgery can be performed via a minimally invasive approach. Due to the higher risk of neurological injury during circulatory arrest, several techniques were developed to further protect the brain during this surgery. We searched the Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases and identified articles reporting outcomes of antegrade and retrograde cerebral perfusion strategies. Herein, we outline surgical approaches, intra-operative technical considerations, and clinical outcomes of hemiarch and ascending aortic surgery.


Micrometer-thin rims of hydrothermally altered zircon preserve significant geological information regarding the timing and nature of fluid infiltration. The research presented in this thesis details an investigation of the isotopic and geochemical composition zircon rims from deformed Archean meta-sedimentary rocks proximal to the world class Musselwhite gold deposit. A continuous ablation Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb technique is proposed in conjunction with Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) U-Pb and LA-ICP-MS REE depth profile methods. These techniques are capable of identifying and analyzing isotopic and chemical modification of zircon rims that are <5 μm thick by ablating directly into the surface of unpolished crystals. The age of analyzed rims is >100 m.y younger than crystal interiors and corresponds to periods of regional magmatism and hydrothermal activity. The measured thickness of rims is variable across single grains and between grain suites suggesting that they do not form as a uniform mantle around the crystal interior. Instead the interacting fluids exploit pre-existing structural weaknesses caused by sedimentary transport and the α-decay of uranium. A novel LA-ICP-MS single element grain 2dimension mapping technique for unpolished zircon demonstrates preferential element mobility along fractures and in isolated patches. Pressure-temperature experiments were conducted on a zircon reference material under lower greenschist facies conditions to better understand the low temperature incorporation of REEs into the zircon structure. LA-ICP-MS element mapping of unpolished grains reveals that zircon are chemically modified under these conditions, as characterized by an increase in Ce and Y concentration (up to an order of magnitude enrichment) in CePO4-bearing and YPO4-bearing experiments, respectively, when compared with the concentrations of unaltered primary grains. The integration of these micro-analytical techniques


The increasing involvement of women in politics over past decades has highlighted distinct gender differences in positions on political issues (Eagly & Diekman, 2006; Vowles, 1993). More men than women tend to support issues such as longer prison sentences, while more women than men tend to support government spending on social welfare, health and education (Pratto, Stallworth & Sidanius, 1997). The gender gap in political issues often divides along the lines of conservative versus liberal, and right versus left, with men tending to be more conservative and right-wing, and women more liberal and left-leaning (Feather, 1977; McCue & Gopoian, 2000; Pratto et al., 1997; Rippl & Seipel, 1999; Sidanius & Liu, 1992). Women tend to be less supportive of military spending and involvement in war than men (Conover & Sapiro, 1993; Pratto et al., 1997; Sidanius & Liu, 1992), score lower on measures of prejudice and support for discriminatory policy (e.g., Altemeyer, 1998; Eagly, Diekman, Johannesen-Schmidt, & Koenig, 2004; Ekehammer, 1985), are less militaristic (e.g., Doty, Winter, Peterson, & Kemmelmeier, 1997; Heskin & Power, 1994; Pratto et al., 1997; Sapiro, 2001; Shapiro & Mahajan, 1986), hold less negative attitudes towards homosexuals (e.g., Eagly et al., 2004; Whitley & AEgisdottir, 2000), and generally hold less punitive attitudes (e.g., Ekehammer, 1985; Sears, Lau, Tyler, & Allen, 1980; Stack, 2000), to name but a few. These sex differences appear to translate into voting behaviour, with women seven points less likely to support George W. Bush than John Kerry in the 2004 US election, and 10 points less likely in 2000 (Center for American Women and Politics, 2004). This pattern is also evidenced in New Zealand with the support for Labour as the traditional party of the left comprising more than 55% women since 1993. In contrast, National party support comprises between 45% and 50% women, while women represent as little as 30% of those voting for the Act party, the most far-right of the elected parties (e.g., Banducci & Karp, 2000; Levine & Roberts, 2000; Vowles, 1993; 2004). These trends continued in 2005 (Young, 2005). In addition, support for New Zealand's anti-nuclear policy was stronger among women than men (Bain, 2005). Particularly promising as a potential explanatory factor in the range of socio-political sex differences is Social Dominance Orientation (SDO: Pratto, Sidanius, Stallworth, & Malle, 1994; Sidanius & Pratto, 1999), a relative newcomer to the pantheon of hot individual difference constructs in social psychology. According to Social Dominance Theory (SDT: Pratto et al., 1994; Sidanius, 1993; Sidanius & Pratto, 1999) post-industrial societies tend to develop group-oriented social hierarchies which assist in the maintenance of long-term human survival. In these hierarchies, intergroup conflict and oppression function to maintain the social system. Together with Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA, a syndrome of punitive and traditional social attitudes: Altemeyer, 1981; 1998) SDO is an important predictor of socio-political attitudes (Altemeyer, 1998; Sibley, Wilson & Duckitt, 2007). Unlike RWA, however, there is consistent evidence of a sex difference in SDO (Pratto et al., 1994; Sidanius & Pratto, 1999). One of the characteristics of contemporary hierarchical systems is that they are overwhelmingly 'andrarchical'--males tend to hold the lions' share of political power (Sidanius & Pratto, 1999) allowing males to act to maintain their privileged social position. It follows, then, that males should favour social systems that perpetuate hierarchies as they tend to occupy privileged positions in them. In other words there should be a sex difference with males endorsing anti-egalitarian beliefs more than females. Indeed, this 'invariance hypothesis' is a foundational hypothesis of SDT though, at the same time, the authors of SDT would argue that is all it is--an hypothesis open to refutation. …


Background: It is estimated that over ten percent of the 36.7 million people living with HIV (PLWHIV) globally, are those aged ≥50 years. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for HIV among adult aged 50 years and above in Rombo district, northern Tanzania. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted from April to June 2015 among older adults aged ≥50 year in Rombo district. Interviews were conducted to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive and sexual health characteristics of the participants, knowledge on HIV transmission, prevention and risk perception and on awareness and knowledge on voluntary and counselling testing services. In addition, a blood sample was taken for HIV diagnosis. Results: A total of 600 people were enrolled. Their age ranged from 50 to 90 years with mean of 64.9 (±SD 10.3) years. The HIV prevalence was 1.7% (n=10) and it was higher among women (2.1%) than men (1.3%). Sixty-percent (n=350) were knowledgeable on HIV transmission and only 40% (n=216) on HIV prevention. In bivariate analysis, age of partner <50 years, ever use of condoms, poor knowledge on HIV prevention and perception of risk on HIV were significantly associated with HIV. However, only partner's age of <50 years remained significant after controlling for confounders. Conclusion: HIV prevalence and overall knowledge on its transmission among older adults in this rural population were low. There is a need for strategies to improve HIV preventive knowledge and testing in this group in order to continue keeping the transmission at low levels.


Online guide specifically for students enrolled in Modern Korean History at LaGrange College. Contains links to resources and recommended library items for this course handpicked by the History liaison librarian.


In 1997 the Saudi Government took a forward step to implement privatisation and to
promote the process and its implementation in different public enterprises. They issued
various resolutions and decisions for implementing and managing the programme
but the process is moving slowly and rate of the implementation is limited.
Implementation of privatisation is related to several matters, such as condition of
the enterprise, content of the privatisation strategy, etc.
This research concentrates on investigation and analysis of the privatisation
programme in Saudi Arabia, with particular reference to the process of managing
and implementing the programme. The main objectives of the study are: (1) to
establish the reasons for the delay in implementing; (2) to investigate the barriers
hindering the process in several enterprises and the level at which these barriers
are hindering the programme; (3) to develop an "Efficient Models" to help the
Government in smooth implementation of the programme.
The research uses the literature review, survey opinions of a group of the public
and private sector managers and various case studies as sources of data for the
research. The methodology of the study evaluates whether the barriers to
implement the programme in the country lie at the privatisation strategy level or
at the enterprise level. It includes investigation of the barriers hindering of the
programme, development of a main model and the other models based on analysis
of the international experiences and their comparison with the actual
implementation of the programme at Saudi Arabia.
This study is designed to fill the gap in knowledge about planning and managing
privatisation and monitoring the process of implementation. The study develops
an "Efficient Models" which makes managing the process clear for all the
organizations involved in the process. These models are allowing the Saudi
government to implement, manage and monitor the privatisation strategy,
employees' matters, restructuring and regulation policy.


Part I: The Interaction of Basic Scientific Disciplines on Contaminant Fate and Transport in the Environment. Chapter 1: Chemistry. Aquatic Chemistry Environmental Chemistry of the Atmosphere Soil Environmental Chemistry Environmental Biochemistry Toxicological Chemistry Geochemistry Chapter 2: Classes of Chemicals. Hydrocarbons Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls Chlorinated Solvents Radionuclides Chapter 3: Geology. Geologic Principles Chapter 4: Hydrology. The Hydrologic Cycle Precipitation and Runoff Streamflow and Flood Control Groundwater Flow Well Hydraulics Real-Time Soil Water Dynamics Fate and Transport Modeling - Effectively Using Isotopes of Wtaer to SOlve Practical Hydrogeological Problems Fate and Transport in Fractured Rock Chapter 5: Physical Transport. Air Pollutants and Fugitive Dust Mixing and Transport of Pollutants in Surface Water Chapter 6: Biology. Biology Chapter 7: Contaminant Effects. Toxicity Testing Ecological Risk Assessment Ecological Effects of Toxicants Air Pollutant Sources and Effects Chapter 8: Analysis and Modeling. Geochemical Modeling Groundwater Flow Modeling Solute Transport Modeling Fate and Transport in Rivers, Lakes, and Estuaries Geostatistics Pharmacokinetic/Dynamic Modeling Appendix A: Selected Computer Codes, Software Description and Availability Appendix B: Software for Compartmental Models Appendix C: Computer Codes Geographic Information Systems Computing Optimal Pumping Strategies for Groundwater Contaminant Plume Remediation Appendix A: Formation of Constraint Equations for Repsonse Matrix Models Appendix B: Unique Features of REMAX Economics Part II: Site Based Environmental Science, Health and Technology. Chapter 9: Pollution Prevention Concepts and Policies. Pollution Prevention Science and Technology Plant Operations Urban Stormwater Management and Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Chapter 10: Environmental Regulations. Basics of Environmental Law Chapter 11: Assessment Sampling and Monitoring. Site Evaluation, Auditing, and Assessment Applications of Global Positioning Systems in the Environmental Sciences Indoor Air: Sick and Healthy Buildings Stream Sampling Sediment Collection Monitoring Well Construction and Sampling Techniques Aquifer Testing Soil Vapor Principles Applications and Interpretation of Soil Vapor Data to Volatile Organic Compound Contamination Neutron Probes Direct Sensing of Soils and Groundwater Direct Push Technology Sampling Methods Borehole Geophysics Surface Geophysical Methods for Site Characterization Chapter 12: Toxicology and Risk. Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty Variability and Uncertainty Selecting Indicator and Surrogate Compounds Selecting Indicator Pathways The Dose Makes the Poison: Some Common Misconceptions Low Dose Response-Hormesis Microorganisms, Molecules, and Environmental Risk Assessment: Assumptions and Outcomes Chapter 13: Control Technologies. Hazardous Waste Handling and Disposal Hazardous Waste Dumping as it Relates to a Japanese Risk Management System Medical Waste Incineration Control Technologies: Particulate Controls Control Technologies: Gas Controls Fundamentals of Odor Management Water Supply Treatment A: Design Flow and Loads B: Screens C: Chemical Reactors Water Supply Treatment A: Coagulation, Flocculation, Mixing, and Mixers B: Sedimentation and Filtration Chapter 14: Remediation Technologies. Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) Passive In Situ Remediation Technologies Phytoremediation: A Promising Path to the Elimination of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides in Groudwater and Soil Bioremediation of Hazardous Wastes: History and Applications Bioremediation Pump-and-Treat Technologies Electrokinetic Treatment of Hazardous Wastes Surfactant-Enhanced Aquifer Remediation Remediation of Metals-Contaminated Soils and Groundwater DNAPL Investigation and Remediation Vertical Passive Groundwater Barrier Systems Aquifer Restoration via In Situ Air Sparging Chapter 15: Ubiquitous Environmental Contaminants. Endocrine Disruptors Radon in Air Radon and Radon Daughters Chlorofluorocarbons Methyl Bromide Subsurface Petroleum Spills Ionizing Radiation Mortality in Male and Female Capacitor Workers Exposed to Polychlorinated Biphenyls Part III: Place Based Environmental Science, Health and Technology. Chapter 16: Managing Place Scale Problems. Decision Making Ecosystem Management Brownfields Guidelines for Emergency Response Environmental Communication Ecological Engineering Chapter 17: System Level Risk Assessment. Probabilistic Safety in Government and Industry Risk Assessment in the Broader Context Risk Management in View of Economic Aspects Weighing the Risks of Remediation Chapter 18: Environmental Science in the Legal System. Environmental Science, Toxic Torts, and the Legal System Chapter 19: Sensitive Environmental Systems. Karst Systems Alpine Lakes Wetlands Plants and Population: We Have the Time. Do They Have the Will? Chapter 20: Sensitive Environmental Problems. Agricultural Runoff Test of the Validity of the Linear-No Threshold Theory of Radiation Carcinogenesis with a Survey of Radon Levels in U.S. Homes Acid Rain-The Whole Story to Date The Ozone Layer Greenhouse Warming (GHW) Controversies Surrounding the Endangered Species Chapter 21: Misconceptions About Environmental Pollution. Misconceptions about Pollution, Pesticides, and the Prevention of Cancer Science, Pesticides, and Politics Simple Truths of Environmental Facts and Fallacies Chapter 22: Global Perspectives and Trends. The Road from Rio to Kyoto: How Climate Science Was Distorted to Support Ideological Objectives Natural Forces versus Anthropogenic Change Controlling Hazardous Pollutants in a Developing Context: The Case of Arsenic in Chile Emerging Environmental Issues from the Perspective of Industry


The melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) and inhibin alpha subunit (INHA) genes play a significant role in the reproductive characteristics of animals. Blood samples were collected from 371 goats (Honamli and Hair) reared in Antalya and Burdur. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested by RsaI for the MTNR1A gene and HaeII for the INHA gene. Two alleles (A and G) and three genotypes (AA, AG, and GG) were observed for the INHA gene, while two alleles (R and r) and two genotypes (RR and Rr) were observed for the MTNR1A gene. The highest allelic frequency value for G (91.8%) was found in Honamli goat breeds for the INHA gene while the highest value for R (98.1%) was found in Hair goat breeds for the MTNR1A gene. The GG genotype for the INHA gene and the RR genotype for the MTNR1A gene were identified as the most common genotypes of the Honamli and Hair goat breeds. The rr genotype for the MTNR1A gene could not be determined in the breeds. Both Honamli and Hair goat breeds were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for the genes that were studied. In conclusion, this study confirms the existence of genetic polymorphism in the MTNR1A and INHA genes as detected by PCR-RFLP analysis in Honamli and Hair goat breeds.


During the last 25 years in law enforcement in the United States, there has been a universal practice of foot and/or bicycle patrols used to accomplish the goal of police patrol enforcement and the philosophy of community policing in metropolitan areas. These tactics of patrol have also been used in police departments in and around the State of Texas. This report is a research project on six major metropolitan police departments in the State of Texas, analyzing their allocation of foot and/or bicycle patrol units within their urban cities. The study assesses their early history in using these two police tactics to address criminal activity and their progression from foot patrol to bicycle patrol. The findings of this research support the proposition that major Texas police departments have adopted the practices and philosophies of other major urban police departments around the US, by using foot and/or bicycle patrols in their cities. There is evidence that major Texas police departments were using foot patrol during the early 1980s in support of community policing and gradually phased out this practice in the early 1990s to adopt the new enforcement tactic of policing on a bicycle.


Networks of ground-based and satellite borne instruments to measure ultraviolet (UV) sunlight and total column ozone have greatly contributed to an understanding of increased amounts of UV reaching the surface of the Earth caused by stratospheric ozone depletion. Increased UV radiation has important potential effects on human health, and agricultural and ecological systems. Observations from these networks make it possible to monitor total ozone decreases and to predict ozone recovery trends due to global efforts to curb the use of products releasing chemicals harmful to the ozone layer. Thus, continued and expanded global monitoring of ozone and UV is needed. However, existing automatic stratospheric ozone monitors are complex and expensive instruments. The main objective of this research was the development of a low-cost fully automated total column ozone monitoring instrument which, because of its affordability, will increase the number of instruments available for ground-based observations. The new instrument is based on a high-resolution fiber optic spectrometer, coupled with fiber optics that are precisely aimed by a pan and tilt positioning mechanism and with controlling programs written in commonly available software platforms which run on a personal computer. This project makes use of novel low-cost fiber optic spectrometer technology. A cost advantage is gained over available units by placing one end of the fiber outdoors to collect sunlight and convey it indoors, thereby allowing the spectrometer and computer to be placed in a controlled environment. This reduces the cost of weatherproofing and thermal compensation. Cost savings also result from a simplified sun targeting system, because only a small pan and tilt device is required to aim the lightweight fiber optic ends. Precision sun-targeting algorithms, optical filter selection, and software to derive ozone from spectral measurements by the spectrometer are a major contribution of this project. This system is a flexible platform which may be adapted to study other atmospheric constituents such as sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and haze.


Retinoids have been shown to modulate inflammation and the immune response in many cell types including macrophages, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. However, present knowledge of whether inflammatory mediators modulate vitamin A status in these cells is limited. To identify the role of inflammation on retinoid metabolism in vascular smooth muscle cells, the cells were exposed to a combination of proinflammatory cytokines: interleukin-1beta, interferon-gamma, and lipopolysaccharides. Without stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines, vascular smooth muscle cells expressed retinol dehydrogenases-2 and 5 mRNA detected by RT-PCR. Stimulation with the combination of cytokines induced a substantial increase of retinol dehydrogenase-5 mRNA. This was associated with increased production of ligands for retinoic acid receptors, when assayed in a retinoic acid receptor-dependent luciferase reporter system. Our results demonstrate that inflammatory mediators activate the retinoid metabolic pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells, which potentially may modulate the inflammatory response in the vascular wall.


Real-world objects (and the world) are usually not flat. It is unfortunate, then, that mobile augmented reality (AR) applications often concentrate on the interaction with 2D objects. Typically, 2D markers are required to track mobile devices relative to the real-world objects to be augmented, and the interaction with these objects is normally limited to the fixed plane in which these markers are located. Using platonic solids, we show how to easily extend the interaction space to tangible 3D models. In particular, we present a proof-of-concept example in which users interact with a 3D paper globe using a mobile device that augments the globe with additional information. (In other words, mobile interaction with the "real world".) We believe that this particular 3D interaction with a paper globe can be very helpful in educational settings, as it allows pupils to explore our planet in an easy and intuitive way. An important aspect is that using the real shape of the world can help to correct many common geographic misconceptions that result from the projection of the earth's surface onto a 2D plane.


The study sought to analyze school climate, leadership, and faculty-efficacy towards sustaining effectiveness in the private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the City of Meycauayan, Bulacan for the School Year 2015-2016 using descriptive method and questionnaires as specific techniques.The study was geared to describe the school climate of the HEIs as perceived by the faculty and school heads. It investigated the leadership of the heads in terms of School Management Team (SMT) composition, significant responsibility, and involvement in school tasks. It was undertaken to find out the faculty's efficacy level in student engagement, classroom management, and instructional practice. It intended to explore the significant difference between the perceptions of school heads and faculty in school climate as to school staff's relationship, capacity to provide quality instruction, and school climate issues. Major findings revealed that HEIs fostered good relationship status. Heads and the faculty perceived that HEIs' capacity in providing quality instruction is only "moderately good." The findings showed that HEIs utilized SMT composition and a School Governing Board (SGB). Heads' major tasks include determining course content both national and regional curricula, appointing, or hiring teacher, and establishing student disciplinary policies and procedures. Heads allocated most of their time in administrative duties, like curriculum and teaching-related tasks while least of their time was spent on interactions with students, parents, local, regional, and business industries. On faculty-efficacy, the data confirmed that teachers were "highly efficacious" in student engagement and "very highly efficacious" in instructional practice and classroom management. The perceptions of the heads and faculty on school climate as to relationships among school staff do not differ significantly. In contrast, the perceptions of heads and faculty differ significantly on the school climate in terms of school's capacity to provide quality instruction school climate issues.


The impact of sectoral or economy wide policy scenarios is often of strong political and public interest, yet it is a scientific challenge. When analyzing different levels of aggregation, the use of single models may not be sufficient. In this paper we establish an interface between the European Simulation Model (ESIM) and the Farm Modelling Information System (FARMIS). The linkage of the two models allows us to quantify adjustment processes both at the sectoral level and at the farm group level for the German agricultural sector. Different liberalization scenarios are presented and compared to a reference scenario. The abolishment of market price support leads to a reduction of farm incomes, especially if direct payments are also reduced. The low absolute level of return to labor, particularly in grazing livestock farms, suggests strong changes in farm structure as well as the farm input industry in Germany under the full liberalization scenario.


Network approaches provide sensitive biomarkers for neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mouse models can help advance our understanding of underlying pathologies, by dissecting vulnerable circuits. While the mouse brain contains less white matter compared to the human brain, axonal diameters compare relatively well (e.g., ~0.6 μm in the mouse and ~0.65–1.05 μm in the human corpus callosum). This makes the mouse an attractive test bed for novel diffusion models and imaging protocols. Remaining questions on the accuracy and uncertainty of connectomes have prompted us to evaluate diffusion imaging protocols with various spatial and angular resolutions. We have derived structural connectomes by extracting gradient subsets from a high-spatial, high-angular resolution diffusion acquisition (120 directions, 43-μm-size voxels). We have simulated protocols with 12, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 80, 100, and 120 angles and at 43, 86, or 172-μm voxel sizes. The rotational stability of these schemes increased with angular resolution. The minimum condition number was achieved for 120 directions, followed by 60 and 45 directions. The percentage of voxels containing one dyad was exceeded by those with two dyads after 45 directions, and for the highest spatial resolution protocols. For the 86- or 172-μm resolutions, these ratios converged toward 55% for one and 39% for two dyads, respectively, with <7% from voxels with three dyads. Tractography errors, estimated through dyad dispersion, decreased most with angular resolution. Spatial resolution effects became noticeable at 172 μm. Smaller tracts, e.g., the fornix, were affected more than larger ones, e.g., the fimbria. We observed an inflection point for 45 directions, and an asymptotic behavior after 60 directions, corresponding to similar projection density maps. Spatially downsampling to 86 μm, while maintaining the angular resolution, achieved a subgraph similarity of 96% relative to the reference. Using 60 directions with 86- or 172-μm voxels resulted in 94% similarity. Node similarity metrics indicated that major white matter tracts were more robust to downsampling relative to cortical regions. Our study provides guidelines for new protocols in mouse models of neurological conditions, so as to achieve similar connectomes, while increasing efficiency.


As environments are becoming more and more complex, and less and less predictable, resilience and safety lie on ad hoc actions, decided by individuals in actual situations, in addition to adequate system design. We build on the work of a contemporary philosopher, Paul Ricoeur, to develop an approach of safety which articulates a system of rules with the confront them with the singularity of specific situations, through a process of "deliberation" which superior goal is to respect the principle of "solicitude" towards others, hence contributing to the ultimate goal of leading an ethical life. Such an approach requires that rules are applied autonomously by individuals, and that more broadly, they can express their "practical humanity". This possibility depends on the organizational environment in which they are set. Ricoeur calls the ideal-typical environment "just institution". We build on data gathered in the work practices of a gas distribution company to show that traces of practical humanity and deliberation are indeed present, although the organizational environment prevents them from developing fully. We term "practical safety" the approach of safety developed using Ricoeur's philsophy. A factor of "successful action", practical safety is favourable to organizational resilience.


Alcohol is a sedative/hypnotic with effects similar to those of barbiturates.1 The type of alcoholic beverages consumed depends on the social context and financial capability. Alcoholic beverages may be in form of beer, wine, dry gin. Drinking alcohol is an activity that many people enjoy; taking a few drinks occasionally is generally harmless. Most people do not have problems as a result of drinking alcohol in this manner, although this may predispose to heavy use. Heavy alcohol consumption has been shown in observational studies to have a strong positive association with elevated blood pressure.2-4 Further evidence have been shown by clinical trials5,6 that have demonstrated that reduction in alcohol intake among individuals who drink heavily (i.e. three or more drinks per day) can lower blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive men. Some studies have recorded a linear dose-response relationship sometimes starting with a consumption threshold of three drinks per day (30 g of ethanol).7-13 In others, the relationship has been non-linear especially in women, and some authors have speculated that ingestion of small quantities may reduce blood pressure.14-22 These discrepancies may reflect differences in investigational design, methods and populations.23 Many studies have been done in this area in developed countries like the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. This is however, not a commonly researched area in this part of the world. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure of drivers of commercial vehicles.


Abstract Fault data from the central Apennines (Italy) were integrated with earthquake information from seismic catalogues in order to derive an empirical relation between the magnitude of the strongest historical earthquake and the fractal dimension of active fault patterns. We show that the assessment of earthquake magnitude from fault data has given good results, hence suggesting that the relation may be used to evaluate the potential hazard of seismic source areas in the Apennines using a low-cost methodology. We also suggest that a similar approach may be used in other seismic belts worldwide, provided that the basic seismological and geological information needed is adequate to constrain the appropriate relation between these two size parameters.


This Special Issue of IJART is devoted to the 3rd International Conference on Intelligent Technologies for Interactive Entertainment (INTETAIN 09). This 3rd conference was held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in June 2009. It was organized by the Human Media Interaction (HMI) department of the University of Twente in the Netherlands and the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering (ICST), Ghent (Belgium). The global theme of INTETAIN 09 was 'Playful interaction, with others and with the environment'. Authors were asked to contribute to this theme by focusing on intelligent computational technologies used to build interactive systems, by discussing interactive applications for entertainment, or by focusing on supporting device technologies underlying interactive systems.
Previous INTETAIN conferences were held in Madonna di Campiglio (Italy) in 2005 and in Cancun (Mexico) in 2007. The 3rd conference saw the gathering of a diverse audience with broad and varied interests, with a certain focus on topics such as emergent games, exertion interfaces and embodied interaction, but it also covered important topics of the previous editions, such as, affective user interfaces, storytelling, sensors, tele-presence in entertainment, animation, edutainment, and (interactive) art. During the conference there were special activities on game design, demonstrations, and excellent invited speakers. Matthias Rauterberg of Eindhoven University, in his contribution titled 'Entertainment Computing, Social Transformation and the Quantum Field', took a broad view as he discussed positive aspects of entertainment computing regarding its capacity for social transformation. Michael Mateas, of the University of California, Santa Cruz, talked about his work in interactive art and storytelling. Antonio Camurri, of InfoMus Lab, Genova, discussed an approach to Human Music Interaction that assigns a more active role to users listening to and interacting with music, in his contribution titled 'Non-verbal full body emotional and social interaction: a case study on multimedia systems for active music listening'.
For this special issue of IJART we invited a selection of the INTETAIN 09 authors to submit revised and extended versions of their papers. All papers had in common that they addressed physical movements in the interaction with an application. In addition to the INTETAIN 09 authors we invited a few other researchers to contribute. After an additional reviewing process we selected four papers for inclusion in this special issue. The papers that have been selected for this Special Issue cover topics such as interactive toys, open-ended play, game experience, exertion interactions, bodily interactions, shared experiences, affective interactive art, emotion visualization, and interacting with 3D game environments.


Next-generation networks (NGNs) are embracing two key principles of software defined networking (SDN) paradigm functional segregation of control and forwarding plane, and logical centralization of the control plane. A centralized control enhances the network management significantly by regulating the traffic distribution dynamically and effectively. An eagle-eye view of the entire topology opens up the opportunity for an SDN controller to refine the routing. Optimizing the network utilization in terms of throughput is majorly dependent on the routing decisions. Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS) are well-known traditional link state routing protocols proven with operation over operator networks for a long time. However, these classical protocols deployed distributively fall short of expectation in addressing the current routing issues due to the lack of a holistic view of the network topology and situation, whereas handling enormous traffic and user quality of experience (QoE) requirements are getting critical. IP routing in NGN is widely expected to be supported by SDN to enhance the network utilization in terms of throughput. We propose a novel routing algorithm–CentFlow, for an SDN domain to boost up the network utilization. The proposed weight functions in CentFlow achieve smart traffic distribution by detecting highly utilized nodes depending on the centrality measures and the temporal node degree that changes based on node utilization. Furthermore, the frequently selected edges are penalized thereby augmenting the flow balancing and dispersion. CentFlow reaps greater benefits on an SDN controller than the classical OSPF due to its comprehensive view of the network. Experimental results show that CentFlow enhances the utilization of up to 62% of nodes and 49% of links, respectively, compared to an existing Dijkstra algorithm-based routing scheme in SDN. Furthermore, nearly 6.5% more flows are processed networkwide.


Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is an uncommon entity that most commonly involves nasopharynx and upper repository tract. Involvement of GIT occurs in approximate 10% of cases. According to WHO plasma cell tumors have been classified into two main groups: Multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma. Plasmacytoma includes solitary plasmacytoma of bone and solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma. EMP can be either primary without evidence of bone marrow involvement or may occur simultaneously with multiple myeloma representing extramedullary spread of the disease. It may occur in association with multiple myeloma and it may precede, accompany or follow the onset of multiple myeloma. Diagnosis of primary EMP requires the exclusion of associated multiple myeloma as shown by negative Bence Jones Proteins in urine, normal serum electrophoresis, normal bone marrow biopsy, normal skeletal survey and normal calcium levels. Here we present a case of 55-year male who came to Nephrology Department for urinary tract infection and pain abdomen. Patient was referred to Radiology for ultrasonography which revealed bilateral renal parenchymal disease with a well-defined mass in the mesentry which was further confirmed on computed tomography. Patient was surgically operated and diagnosis of primary EMP of mesentry was made on histopathological examination. Only three cases have been reported so far in the literature.


Whether policies shift preferences is relevant to policy design. We exploit the random assignment of U.S. federal judges creating geographically local precedent and the fact that judges' politics, religion, and race predict decision-making in abortion jurisprudence. Instrumenting for abortion jurisprudence with exogenous judicial characteristics, we estimate the impact of abortion jurisprudence on state laws, campaign donations, and abortion attitudes. We verify information transmission in that pro-life abortion jurisprudence caused restrictive state laws and increased campaign donations to pro-choice causes. Pro-choice abortion decisions shifted preferences against legalized abortion in the short-run, but in the longer-run, abortion views followed court decisions. Pro-choice decisions affected Republicans while pro-life decisions affected Democrats. Counterfactual exercises suggest that had abortion cases in the last half-century been decided the opposite way, the increase in pro-life attitudes among Republicans would have been steeper and Democrats would have been more pro-choice. Our estimates complement a historical narrative that turning to the courts to vindicate rights often led to resistance and subsequent acceptance and we present a model consistent with these facts.


The fact that Citarum River is polluted is undoubtable. This condition is affecting human's health who live around Citarum watershed and also causing humanitarian disasters. We believe that the effective policy implementation should be taken to tackle this problem. Sadly, even though there is Presidential Regulation which regulates Citarum rejuvenation, those instructions yet state the roles of some parties who involve in rejuvenation process. Collaborative governance can be the way to link many parties to explore their roles and look at the same perspective of how to manage Citarum River. Lately, the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo launched One Command Program as an approach to managing Citarum River watershed from upstream to downstream. It is believed that this approach is a new perspective of instruction comprising many parties including Indonesian National Army and Republic of Indonesia Police. The study analyzes complicated situation using social network analysis as a systems approach. Social network analysis will describe all the important actors and their roles based on Presidential Regulation Number 15 Year 2018. The result from that analysis is that we know the gap between One Command approach and Presidential Regulation; and what should be done to rejuvenate the river. Keywords—Citarum river; presidential regulation; one command approach; collaborative governance; social network


Clinical interest in spinal compression and resultant paraplegia due to metastases has mounted in recent years. This has stimulated attention to the neuropathology of the condition. 14 cases of spinal cord compression due to vertebral metastases are compared with over 100 traumatic cases. In the traumatic lesions there is central haemorrhagic necrosis leading to cavitation and gliosis with nerve root regeneration in the late stages. In the metastatic cases, lesions are often peripheral, pie-shaped and are related to vascular factors. The neuropathology of cord necrosis due to metastatic spinal disease is therefore different from that caused by trauma. These observations have clinical importance in planning treatment.


Geomembrane liners are used in all types of containment structures. Evaluating the performance of a geomembrane liner is a challenge. While zero leakage into the ground is a legitimate goal if the leaking liquid may pollute the ground and the ground water, or if the soil integrity can be impaired, zero is unrealistic and impossible to measure. Furthermore, zero leakage is not an appropriate goal in some applications such as geomembrane-lined dams. In this paper, it is shown that the difference between acceptable and unacceptable leakage should result from a rational analysis of the potentially detrimental consequences of leakage. Also, it is shown that the specified leakage must be achievable and measurable. Therefore, emphasis is placed on the quantitative evaluation of leakage. Practical guidance is provided for leakage reduction at construction stage and design stage; and typical leakage rates are mentioned. Potential failures associated with leakage control measures are described. Case histories illustrate both failures in case of misuse of geomembranes and the durability of geomembranes. This paper is intended to contribute to the appropriate design and the safety of geomembrane-lined structures.


An independent set is a useful structure because, in some situations, it defines a set of mutually compatible operations, i.e., operations that can be executed simultaneously. We design a fault-containing self-stabilizing algorithm that finds a maximal independent set for an asynchronous distributed system. Our algorithm is an improvement on the self-stabilizing algorithm in Shukla et al. [1995]. In the single-fault situation, the worst-case stabilization time of Shukla's algorithm is /spl Omega/(n), where n is the number of nodes in the system, whereas the worst-case stabilization time of our algorithm is O(/spl Delta/), where /spl Delta/ is the maximum node degree in the system. Compared also with the fault-containing algorithm that is induced from applying the general transformer in Ghosh et al. [1996] to Shukla's algorithm, our algorithm is also seen to be faster in stabilization time, in the single-fault situation. Therefore, our algorithm can be considered to be the most efficient fault-containing self-stabilizing algorithm for the maximal independent set finding up to this point.


The received wisdom is that cheaper foreign inputs may replace tasks previously done by domestic labor, and cause displacement of workers at the home country. However, using the U.S. multinational enterprises data, the empirical evidence in this paper does not support the idea that the imported intermediate input from foreign affiliates necessarily substitutes the domestic labor force at the sector-level. In order to better elucidate the offshoring employment relationship, this paper develops a general equilibrium model with monopolistic competition and firm heterogeneity. The model features (i) a fair wage condition where firms pay a real wage that exceeds the market clearing level and varies with productivity; (ii) an open economy in which firms can move a part of their production process to foreign countries. This model allows us to examine how a production-side shock that changes firms' offshoring decision can influence the local economy and its labor market.


Abstract. Within the framework of the World Meteorological Organization Solid Precipitation Intercomparison Experiment (WMO-SPICE), the Thies tipping bucket precipitation gauge was assessed against the SPICE reference configuration at the Formigal–Sarrios test site located in the Pyrenees mountain range of Spain. The Thies gauge is the most widely used precipitation gauge by the Spanish Meteorological State Agency (AEMET) for the measurement of all precipitation types including snow. It is therefore critical that its performance is characterized. The first objective of this study is to derive transfer functions based on the relationships between catch ratio and wind speed and temperature. Multiple linear regression was applied to 1 and 3 h accumulation periods, confirming that wind is the most dominant environmental variable affecting the gauge catch efficiency, especially during snowfall events. At wind speeds of 1.5 m s−1 the tipping bucket recorded only 70 % of the reference precipitation. At 3 m s−1, the amount of measured precipitation decreased to 50 % of the reference, was even lower for temperatures colder than −2 °C and decreased to 20 % or less for higher wind speeds. The implications of precipitation underestimation for areas in northern Spain are discussed within the context of the present analysis, by applying the transfer function developed at the Formigal–Sarrios and using results from previous studies.