Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with a poor prognosis and low survival rates, providing a strong rationale for the development of new treatment options. The discovery of ALK gene rearrangements in a subset of NSCLC specimens and the identification and development of the first-in-class ALK inhibitor crizotinib provided a personalised treatment option for patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC. Crizotinib demonstrated rapid and durable responses in advanced ALK-positive NSCLC patients in phase I and II studies, leading to accelerated FDA approval. Subsequent evaluation in phase III studies showed that crizotinib improved progression-free survival compared with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy in previously untreated patients and compared with pemetrexed or docetaxel in previously treated patients. Crizotinib was shown to have an acceptable safety profile and also to improve quality of life and symptom scores. Overall, crizotinib has been shown to provide a valuable first- and second-line treatment option and is now the first-line standard of care for patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC.


SUMMARY We use the S receiver function method to study the lithosphere at the Dead Sea Transform (DST). A temporary network of 22 seismic broad-band stations was operated on both sides of the DST from 2000 to 2001 as part of the DESERT project. We also used data from six additional permanent broad-band seismic stations at the DST and in the surrounding area, that is, in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Cyprus. Clear S-to-P converted phases from the crust‐mantle boundary (Moho) and a deeper discontinuity, which we interpret as lithosphere‐ asthenosphere boundary (LAB) have been observed. The Moho depth (30‐38 km) obtained from S receiver functions agrees well with the results from P receiver functions and other geophysical data. We observe thinning of the lithosphere on the eastern side of the DST from 80 km in the north of the Dead Sea to about 65 km at the Gulf of Aqaba. On the western side of the DST, the few data indicate a thin LAB of about 65 km. For comparison, we found a 90-km-thick lithosphere in eastern Turkey and a 160-km-thick lithosphere under the Arabian shield, respectively. These observations support previous suggestions, based on xenolith data, heat flow observations, regional uplift history and geodynamic modelling, that the lithosphere around DST has been significantly thinned in the Late Cenozoic, likely following rifting and spreading of the Red Sea.


The present paper shows that people's compliance with a request can be substantially increased if the requester first gets them to agree with a series of statements unrelated to the request, but selected to induce agreement. We label this effect the 'mere agreement effect', and present a two-step similarity-based mechanism to explain it. Across five studies, we show that induced mere agreement subtly causes respondents to view the presenter of the statements as similar to themselves, which in turn increases compliance with a request from that same person. We support the similarity explanation by showing that the effect of agreement on compliance is suppressed when agreement is induced to indicate dissimilarity with the interviewer, when the request is made by some other person, and when the artificially high level of agreement is made salient. We also validate the practical relevance of the mere agreement persuasion technique in a field study. We discuss how the mere agreement effect can be broadly used as a tool to increase cooperation and be readily implemented in marketing interactions.


Abstract The pathogenesis of neonatal infection is incompletely understood. Neonatal immune immaturity and the microbial factors of virulence only partially explain the interindividual differences in the protective responses to the most common neonatal pathogens. Stratification of infants into high- and low-risk groups through epidemiological studies has been invaluable in designing preventive strategies and reducing the burden of neonatal infection. The discovery of the role of maternal antibodies (Abs) as, for instance, anti-capsular polysaccharide group B streptococcal (GBS) Abs, in protecting newborn infants against neonatal GBS sepsis, has been a milestone in the unraveling of the molecular underpinnings of susceptibility to infection in the neonatal age. Future work should aim at defining the cellular and molecular differences in the neonatal immune responses that account for individual susceptibility and resistance to common neonatal pathogens. The interplay between the genetic and immune backgrounds of the infant, changes in the infant's microbiome, maternal factors, and the pathogen's characteristics needs to be accurately described through human studies. Precise phenotyping and dissection of the clinical heterogeneity of neonatal infection should identify cohorts that can be studied through different study methodologies. Term and preterm infants should be investigated according to the most likely underlying mechanism, single-gene disorders and multifactorial predisposition, respectively. Novel technologies, including genotyping studies, exome and genome sequencing, analysis of the microbiome, and the study of the metabolome, are nowadays established and available and can be integrated to gain a better insight into the unexplained bases of individual susceptibility to neonatal infections.


This is a practical therapy manual which could prove to be a most useful tool in the specialized training of alcoholism counsellors. However, the treatment techniques based on learning principles, offer a structured problem-oriented approach which could be used to advantage by occupational therapists working in most areas of mental health. As the title indicates this book represents a social learning model, and is based upon a functional analysis of problems in living. It assumes that alcohol abuse is probably related to numerous sociological, physiological and psychological factors. The various chapters deal with the assessment of the client's/patient's problems, establishing a treatment plan, and discussion of methods including relaxation, assertion training and social and marital skills training The final chapter on evaluating the treatment plans emphasizes the importance of keeping records of data gathered during the treatment period. The authors have succeeded in producing a reference book which is stimulating for the student and practical for the experienced therapist. The numerous tables and sample forms accompanied by careful explanations and examples give the therapist an excellent base for improving his own skills while contributing in no ` small measure to the rehabilitation of his client/patient. The footnotes and technical glossary are useful to the student or therapist wishing to expand his knowledge in a specific area. I recommend this book as an important addition to the library of any occupational therapy department where social learning skills are a factor in the treatment program.


Heterogeneous networks, in particular cellular-relaying networks, have the potential to provide high data-rate services at low infrastructure costs. Macro and micro base stations have traditionally been used to provide coverage and capacity, respectively. In this paper, we analyze a new approach in which coverage is provided by means of inband relays. We show that compared with a traditional network based on macro base stations, a good outdoor coverage for a target data rate could be provided in a more cost efficient way by deploying a network based on pico base stations and relays. However, this is valid only for low data-rate because part of the spectrum is allocated to the backhaul and therefore the capacity of cellular-relaying networks is typically limited. Moreover, this break-even point depends on how the networks are deployed.


This paper focuses on the effect of machine vibration on the variation of excess pore water pressure and settlement of saturated sand. A special setup is designed and manufactures to simulate the vertical vibration of the machine. A total number of 36 model tests are conducted on sand using three relative densities (35, 60 and 85%) representing loose, medium and dense sand respectively. These tests were performed on saturated sand, and tested under dynamic load. Different load amplitudes (0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 kN) and different frequencies (0.16, 0.5, 1 and 2 Hz) were used. The results show that, the settlement in saturated sand under vibrating load increases with increasing load amplitude while it decreases with increasing frequency and relative density, but the rate of settlement decreases as the load increment increases. The maximum increase in settlement ratio reaches about 36% when the load amplitude changes from 0.4 to 0.6 kN while it is only 21% when the load amplitude changes from 0.6 to 0.8 kN. The excess pore water pressure increases with increasing the load amplitude, frequency and relative density. The rate of change in excess pore water pressure increases about 30% as the load amplitude increases from 0.4 kN to 0.6 kN while it increases only 21 % when the load amplitude increases from 0.6 kN to 0.8 kN under the same frequency and relative density.


Radio Frequency transmitters are becoming ubiquitous. For instance people often carry around a mobile phone containing several such transmitters. Having the ability to detect and locate such transmitters in noisy environments can there- fore be very beneficial in search and rescue and disaster management. By using amplitude measurements, simple hardware can be deployed on small and cheap Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The use of many cooperative Unmanned Aerial Vehi- cles should enable rapid search and more precise geolocation of such transmitters. This thesis explores different search strategies to use on autonomous agents trying to detect a hidden Radio Frequency transmitter. By testing different Swarm Intelligence strategies important insight into the search process is gained. The experiments were run on a simulator to enable rapid testing of different strategies. In addition to testing baseline algorithms from the literature, a new strategy is created, the Call-out strategy. The work done, shows that few cooperating searchers should prefer exploita- tion of the transmitted signal over exploration. However, as more agents are employed this focus is shifted over to exploration. In addition, this work show that several simple searchers can perform the task with high performance. This shows that Swarm Intelligence can be used to direct several cooperative searchers in detecting a hidden Radio Frequency transmitter.


PURPOSE
Early detection of glaucoma remains a challenging problem and needs long-term, prospective studies. The pattern electroretinogram (PERG) directly reflects retinal ganglion cell function. The PERG was evaluated by extending a prospective study of patients with ocular hypertension and evaluated amplitude, PERG ratio, peak time, and trends thereof.

METHODS
One hundred twenty eyes of 64 patients with intraocular pressure greater than 25 mm Hg (or ≥ 23 mm Hg with additional risk factors), normal visual fields, normal optic disc appearance, and visual acuity ≥ 0.8 were included in the study. Mean follow-up time was 10.3 years. The per-visit measures of amplitude at 15 reversals/s to 0.8° check size, PERG ratio (0.8°/16°), peak time, visual field, and their trends were analyzed.

RESULTS
Over the course of the study 13 eyes converted to glaucoma according to a visual field definition. Amplitude to 0.8° check size, PERG ratio, and peak time were significantly lower in converters. Amplitude and PERG ratio predicted conversion 4 years ahead with a sensitivity/specificity of 67%/64% and 75%/76%, respectively. At this time, the ROC area was already significantly above chance for the PERG ratio. Comparison of the trends of converters and nonconverters revealed significant differences in the PERG ratio; however, trends did not predict conversion as successfully as single-visit measures.

CONCLUSIONS
The PERG, especially the PERG ratio, detected glaucoma patients 4 years before visual field changes occurred, with a sensitivity/specificity of 75%/76%. Slope analysis required multiple visits, but provided little additional information in detecting converters.


Body composition, a term familiar to most Americans, is an important predictor of overall health. There are currently six common ways to assess an individual's body composition, and two of them can be done at home. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is one of the most common in-home assessments and can be completed in just a few minutes with the use of a bathroom scale. Another popular assessment, the BodPod, is known as the "gold standard" and is found only in laboratory settings. Reliability is a concern for many when using an at-home assessment when compared to an expensive piece of laboratory equipment.

Thirty-seven UNCP students' body composition was measured using both BIA and the BodPod. The results were then analyzed using a paired sample T-test (p=0.05) for males, females and the cohort. Cohort results were then compared using a Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The T-test was not statistically significant for male subjects (0.07896), but was statistically significant for the females (0.03318). The Pearson correlation showed a .8486 strong, positive correlation between BIA. With outliers (those with greater than 9% difference between scales) removed, the correlation improved to .9111. For a general population, BIA is an acceptable method of obtaining body composition measurements.


Quality and an emphasis on quality are must have ingredients for an organization to be successful. Therefore, in the present environment of fast pace software development, quality plays an essential role when it comes to the long term viability of IT organizations. As a result of continuous quality improvement, IT organizations have defined and implemented various quality processes and software development methodologies in order to achieve a higher quality standard. Currently, one of the most popular software development methodology is known as the Agile Software Development Methodology. Some IT organizations have been successful with the implementation of this new framework, while other IT organizations have experienced less success or complete failure. The purpose of this study is to provide some answers to the following thesis question that has not been answered yet by currently available literature related to Agile Software Development: in what ways does the implementation of Agile Software Development Methodology impacts quality within IT organizations? According to Dybå & Dingsøyr (2008, p.14), Agile Software Development, the innovative " movement " , has a considerable impact on organizations specialized in IT software development, and poses several hurdles that ultimately impact quality within IT organizations. This study takes a look at the impact of Agile Software Development on quality within the organizational, methodical, and cultural framework and provides industry standard recommendations to alleviate such impacts.


In the process of object-oriented change detection, the determination of the optimal segmentation scale is directly related to the subsequent change information extraction and analysis. Aiming at this problem, this paper presents a novel object-level change detection method based on multi-scale segmentation and fusion. First of all, the fine to coarse segmentation is used to obtain initial objects of different sizes; then, according to the features of the objects, Change Vector Analysis is used to obtain the change detection results of various scales. Furthermore, in order to improve the accuracy of change detection, this paper introduces fuzzy fusion and two kinds of decision level fusion methods to get the results of multi-scale fusion. Based on these methods, experiments are done with SPOT5 multi-spectral remote sensing imagery. Compared with pixel-level change detection methods, the overall accuracy of our method has been improved by nearly 10%, and the experimental results prove the feasibility and effectiveness of the fusion strategies.


In 1995, there were nearly 50,000 children removed from their families into the New York City Administration for Children's Services' (ACS) foster care system.1 The NYC ACS' forcible transfer of children from a protected group into another group may amount to genocide under Article 2(e) of the Genocide Convention if formal review can demonstrate an "intent to destroy" the group "as such" or at least "in part." Rather than pursuing a citizen's tribunal, or truth and reconciliation committee to assess the historic transfer of Black children to other groups during this period by the child welfare system, ACS has focused on collecting data from currently targeted populations in order to "predict who needs prevention" services. This paper examines the Family First Prevention Act's legislative mandate to calculate the "souls of Black folks" and the geographies of predictive analytics developed to serve this aim. Using an abolitionist lens grounded in the epistemology offered by W. E. B. Du Bois' Souls of Black Folks, this argument moves beyond the Fairness, Accountability and Transparency (FAT) framework to propose strategies for dismantling the "new modes of surveillance and social control" manifested in NYC ACS' preventive turn. I propose a Get Out mathematics drawing from Katherine McKittrick's proposal to "count it out different" as the fugitive's alternative to state sanctioned datafication.


In the present work, molecularly polymeric nanoparticles were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization procedure using Atrazine (ATZ) as imprinting molecule. Three different monomers and two different crosslinkers were investigated. The MIPs obtained were subsequently characterized in detail with rebinding investigation by HPLC-DAD UV. The results indicated that the polarity of both monomer and crosslinker play an important role for affinity and retention behavior to ATZ. The affinities of the polymers to ATZ increased with the decreasing polarity of crosslinker. It is illustrated that the monomer is much more important than the crosslinker, and that the hydrophobic interaction and π -π interaction between analytes and the MIP play a key role in the release process. This work focuses on synthesis of nano-particles and application of toxic contaminant material in water purification and using miniemulition polymerization method. Molecularly imprinted nanospheres (nanoMIPs) adsorbent for micropollutants were prepared using non-covalent templating technique. MIP nanoparticles has particle size about 140 nm were synthesized in toluene by using ATZ as a template, Itaconic acid (ITA) as functional group, and EDMA as the crosslinker polymer. The efficiency of the non-covalent molecular imprinting was examined by rebinding experiments and quantified by HPLC-UV. When compared with the non-imprinted polymer, the MIP shows an excellent affinity towards ATZ in the aqueous solution with imprinted factor (IF) 4.15 and the maximum capacity was about 20μg/mg.


Background: Asymptomatic carotid artery disease should be treated as soon as possible before the atherosclerotic disease progressed into ischaemic stroke. Diagnostic screening by measuring intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery using ultrasound is one possible way to evaluate earlier the progression compared to standard stenosis evaluation. Not only the necessity of carotid screening is still questioned by some experts, current guidelines also show conflicting results in certainty whether we should perform the carotid screening or not. It is necessary to conduct a literature review of relevant recommendations from the latest clinical practice guidelines (CPGs).

Method: The CPGs on the management of asymptomatic carotid artery disease published before October 2020 were retrieved from online databases and the rigor of guideline development assesed by using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II (AGREE-II) instrument. The quality of CPGs was assessed and categorized, and their reported evidences were also evaluated.

Results: Six eligible CPGs were included. Five of the CPGs recommends carotid screening for highly selective patient who has morbidity regarding atherosclerotic disease manifested in other organs. One CPG against the screening as further treatment considered cause more harms, although the recommendations mainly based on hypothetical outcomes and the CPG itself categorized into moderate quality.

Conclusion: Our critical review on those CPGs showed that screening for asymptomatic carotid artery disease should be performed for specific high-risk populations of atherosclerotic disease. Although IMT evaluation could be a promising technique, current guidelines didn't show any recommendation regarding the usage comparing standard ultrasound evaluation.


Karoo landscapes today are replete with evidence of recent human impacts. The Karoo is relatively pristine in the South African imaginary, but it is not untouched. Social and historic change in the last 300 years has been dramatic. The article looks to the evidence of human lifeways and land-use patterns in Karoo landscapes from the deeper past, from before this modern era. In contrast to the 'fabric heavy' traces of the colonial period – farmsteads and SKA dishes – those reflecting earlier human inhabitation are generally 'fabric-light' and ephemeral, with the odds stacked against their survival in the archaeological record. The Karoo also has a relatively low level of archaeological survey coverage. Yet, where studies have been conducted, research testifies to a remarkable richness in archaeological and rock art heritage, a millennia-long record of non-farming stone-tool-using people. The nineteenth-century Bleek–Lloyd archive of |Xam folklore from the region contains insights into precolonial animist perspectives on living in these landscapes, perspectives which also challenge the distinction conventionally made between 'the social' and 'the ecological'.


This thesis critically examines the practical and theoretical significance of autonomous learning
spaces that have experimented with alternative forms of no-fee, higher education provision in
the United Kingdom (UK). This thesis makes an original contribution to knowledge by: (i)
documenting and critically examining the importance of these autonomous spaces in a way that
can inspire and support others involved in similar projects now, or in the future; (ii) grounding
them within an Libertarian-Marxist theoretical framework that highlights their potential to
prefigure alternative models of higher education provision and self-organisation to crack or
rupture capitalist social relations by functioning in, against and beyond them; (iii) highlighting
their potential for people from different ideological and theoretical affiliations to work together
to overcome differences by working on concrete political projects that is referred to a process
of left-wing convergence; and, (iv) examining the use of participatory action research for
academics involved in political projects as a form of scholar-activism that supports and
encourages more overt political engagement under the concept of public sociology.
The autonomous learning spaces that feature in this thesis emerged out of the student protests
against increased tuition fees and proposed changes to higher education in England that were
announced by the UK Coalition Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government in 2010. While
these reforms were a tipping point for many involved in these protests, they are part of a much
longer ideological and political project that began in the late 1970s to impose a neoliberal
model of higher education on the sector. The culmination of these reforms has had a detrimental
impact on higher education, including a shift towards less democratic models of university
governance, the creation of an unsustainable funding model of higher education, increasingly
precarious and intensified working conditions for staff and growing levels of anxiety and debt
for students creating a crisis over the nature and purpose of higher education.
These changes have not gone unopposed and, in 2010, they triggered a wave of protests, trade
union strike action and the occupation of university property by students opposed to these
reforms. While these protests failed to prevent the Coalition's reforms to higher education
being implemented, they created a new form of student activism and politics that were part of
an attempt to prefigure alternative forms of education and self-organisation. One example of
this was the emergence of autonomous learning spaces that experimented with no-fee,
alternative models of higher education. This thesis focuses on these experimental spaces and
examines what, if anything, can be learned from them to create an alternative model of higher
education institution contra to the neoliberal model that has been imposed by successive
governments since the 1970s. The research focuses on seven autonomous learning spaces based
in the UK, including one, the Social Science Centre (Lincoln, UK), which I was an active
member of between 2012 and 2014. Indeed, the research stems from an attempt to document
and reflect on my own, and others, experience of being involved in creating and running an
autonomous learning space through a participatory action research project. The data was
gathered using a mixture of participant observation, 28 semi-structured interviews and web
based analysis of minutes of meetings, blog posts and websites.

The research found that while these autonomous learning spaces tended to be embryonic,
ephemeral and contested spaces, they functioned as places wherein people not only resisted the
neoliberlisation of higher education but also experimented with forms of critical pedagogy as
well as models of self-organisation that were underpinned by non-hierarchical and democratic
principles. The research found that these autonomous learning spaces were characterised by a
diversity of different theoretical, political and cultural perspectives and while this caused
friction within groups it highlights the potential for people to work together on concrete
political projects in a way that show left-wing convergence is possible. The research found that
these autonomous learning spaces also had an important affective, non-intellectual dimension. This was supported by bonds of friendship and trust that developed between people working
on these projects.

The practical and theoretical significance of these autonomous learning spaces, then, is that
they have the potential to inform the creation of new higher education institutions or the
transformation of old ones along more egalitarian, collectively owned and participatory
democratic lines as a response to the neoliberalisation of higher education. Moreover, these
autonomous learning spaces provide a fissure of hope and inspiration that alternative ways of
being exist that have the potential to challenge, question, rupture and crack the contradictory
and exploitative nature of capitalist social relations and create spaces wherein it is possible to
prefigure the idea of the university for a post-capitalist society.


Abstract The Chilean wine industry performed remarkably well over the past decades. Wines from Chile have found their way to consumers all over the world. This paper explores the factors that have supported the successful performance. In particular, through a questionnaire to key informants it tries to measure to what extent conscious collective action by local stakeholders to solve common problems of the industry in Chile and thereby create a shared basis for upgrading, have been relevant. The conclusion is that natural endowments, commercial and technological impulses from abroad and a favorable business climate do go a long way to explain past successes. It also concludes that these factors will not suffice to sustain continued success. The paper analyzes the issues that present collective action problems for the Chilean wine industry and assesses the capacity of local actors, their organizations and institutions to meet these challenges.


Since its development almost 2 decades ago, gene expression microarray technology has generated excitement and raised expectations for dramatic discoveries of underlying disease mechanisms. The general concept of a gene expression microarray is relatively straightforward. Messenger RNA is extracted from a biospecimen. Examples of biospecimens include cells grown in culture, tissue from animal models, and human tissue. The messenger RNAs are converted into DNA, labeled with a fluorescent dye, and hybridized to a slide containing probes corresponding to target genes of interest arranged in a matrix format. The level of gene expression is estimated from the raw intensities of the fluorescence emitted by the labeled sequence bound to probes representing genes from which messenger RNAs were transcribed. Various different platforms are available to measure gene expression levels. Some are single-channel arrays in which 1 sample is hybridized on each array; others are 2-channel arrays in which 2 samples are hybridized simultaneously on a single array with 2 different fluorescent dyes. Some platforms are all-purpose standard arrays manufactured on a large scale that typically interrogate the expression level of all known genes. There also are custom arrays available that measure the expression levels of genes known to be associated with a particular disease or genes of interest to an individual researcher. Throughout this article, the term microarray is used to refer to a gene expression microarray. The intent of the present article is to present an overview of the statistical components related to the design and analysis of a microarray experiment. In general, the usual statistical standards of scientific research apply to microarray studies. This article reviews common study objectives and designs, describes the typical analytical techniques, and concludes with a discussion of threats to the validity of a microarray study. Because articles in this statistics series have wordcount restrictions that necessarily limit their breadth and depth, readers wanting more detail are directed to more comprehensive reviews by Allison et al, 1 Dobbin and Simon, 2 and Dupuy and Simon. 3


In order to increase comparability among different regions, DEA-VRS model is applied to evaluate regional carbon efficiency. The innovation of this paper is selected relative amount input and output index to ensure the comparison objectively. The input indicators relevant to urbanization, the proportion of R & D and environmental investment, per capita road area and green area, green coverage rate, as well as the propitiation of tertiary industry, employees and high energy consumption industries. The output indicators relative to population, GDP and per capita disposable income of every one carbon emissions. Then 30 provinces from 2001 to 2011 are selected as case to be evaluated with the results that the overall efficiency of the cases upward after the first fall and the proportion of environmental protection investment, R&D investment and high energy consumption industry are main factors restricting carbon efficiency improved.


In the context of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and with the intention of contributing to the implementation of a future maritime spatial plan, it was decided to analyze data from the small scale coastal fisheries sector of Greece and estimate the actual extent of its activities, which is largely unknown to date. To this end we identified the most influential components affecting coastal fishing: fishing capacity, bathymetry, distance from coast, Sea Surface Chlorophyll (Chl-a) concentration, legislation, marine traffic activity, trawlers and purse seiners fishing effort and no-take zones. By means of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) conducted through a stepwise procedure, the potential fishing footprint with the corresponding fishing intensity was derived. The method provides an innovative and cost-effective way to assess the impact of the, notoriously hard to assess, coastal fleet. It was further considered how the inclusion of all relevant anthropogenic activities (besides fishing) could provide the background needed to plan future marine activities in the framework of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and form the basis for a more realistic management approach.


We report the effects of candidate gene growth hormone (GH) gene on antler production in the current study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GH gene were identified and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction followed by single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis and DNA sequencing in a deer population from the farm of Jilin Agricultural University. Correlation analysis between GH polymorphisms and antler production was carried out using the appropriate mixed model. Results showed an effect of GH gene on antler production. Deer with the SNP genotypes G-->A had a significant difference in antler production of the fifth saw (P<0.2). BB deer had a higher antler pro-duction than AA ones (P<0.2).


BACKGROUND
Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare, locally aggressive, potentially fatal neoplasm. While wide local excision has traditionally been the treatment of choice, recurrences following excision are common.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to review the traditional treatments of eccrine porocarcinoma as well as to introduce Mohs micrographic surgery as an alternative to wide local excision.

METHODS
We reviewed all cases of eccrine porocarcinoma seen at Emory University between 1985 and 1999. All cases were treated definitively with Mohs micrographic surgery. The clinical characteristics and outcome of each case are summarized.

RESULTS
Five patients with eccrine porocarcinoma were treated with Mohs micrographic surgery. There have been no recurrences to date, with an average follow-up of 2.1 years (ranging from 5 months to 4 years).

CONCLUSION
Follow-up of five patients supports the view that Mohs micrographic surgery may be an effective treatment for eccrine porocarcinoma.


This paper presents experimental and numerical investigation of mistuned forced responses of an integrally bladed disk with full set of underplatform dampers (UPDs). This research aims at providing: 1. An experimental benchmark for nonlinear dynamics of a mistuned bladed disks with UPDs. 2. A numerical model that can account for features of a mistuned forced response level. Accordingly, a detailed experimental campaign is conducted on a static test rig called Octopus. This rig is specifically designed to investigate the dynamics of a full-scale integrally bladed disk (blisk) with UPDs in a noncontact manner so that the dynamic response of the system is not modified. The effect of mistuning on experimental forced response levels is assessed and a linearized model is proposed to predict the modulation of frequency response functions (FRFs) due to the frequency splitting. In the development of the model, the mistuning pattern identified from the linear blisk without UPDs is used and it is assumed that adding the dampers does not change the structural mistuning of the blisk. In this study, the fundamental mistuning model identification (FMM ID) was employed to identify the mistuning pattern of the blisk. It is shown that the proposed model successfully predicts the modulation of linear mistuned FRFs. The linearized model is also able to predict the modulation of nonlinear mistuned FRFs in stick condition (when nonlinear friction damping is negligible) with a good accuracy validating this assumption that adding the dampers does not change the mistuning pattern.


A new enantioselective synthesis of furan-2-yl amines and amino acids is described, in which the key step is the oxazaborolidine-catalyzed enantioselective reduction of O-benzyl (E)- and (Z)-furan-2-yl ketone oximes to the corresponding chiral amines. The chirality of the furan-2-yl amines is fully controlled by the appropriate choice of the geometrical isomer of the O-benzyl oxime. Oxidation of the furan ring furnished amino acids in high yields.


Recommender systems have become increasingly popular in recent years because of the broader popularity of many web-enabled electronic commerce applications. However, most recommender systems today are designed in the context of an offline setting. The online setting is, however, much more challenging because the existing methods do not work very effectively for very large-scale systems. In many applications, it is desirable to provide real-time recommendations in large-scale scenarios. The main problem in applying streaming algorithms for recommendations is that the in-core storage space for memory-resident operations is quite limited. In this paper, we present a probabilistic neighborhood-based algorithm for performing recommendations in real-time. We present experimental results, which show the effectiveness of our approach in comparison to state-of-the-art methods.


Abstract After nearly 30 years of civil war, Angola gained peace in 2002. The country's diamond and oil wealth affords the national government the means to pursue economic reconstruction and urban development. However, in the diamond-producing region of Lunda Sul, where intense fighting between MPLA and UNITA forces was waged, the legacy of war lingers on in the form of livelihood uncertainty and uneven access to the benefits of the state's urban development programmes. There are three main interactive agents of urban change: the Angolan state, the mining corporations, and not least urban residents. The period has been one of shifting alignments of responsibility for urban housing, livelihoods and welfare provisioning. Beyond the pressures of post-war adjustment, the wider context of global capital investment and labour market restructuring has introduced a new surge of corporate mining investment and differentiated patterns of prosperity and precarity in Lunda Sul.


Since the middle of the twentieth century, employees have reasonably expected their employers to provide a major part of the means by which they can retire. The traditional pension plan, known as the defined benefit (DB) plan, and one of the legs of the "three-legged stool" of retirement security, is the focus of this article. All three legs of the stool are now arguably in crisis, but if you like to find encouragement in small blessings, the problems of DB plans are in principle the easiest to solve. This article examines the current crisis and makes suggestions on a plan of action to rectify it.


Synchronous cultures of Mycobacterium aurum were used to prove a close relationship between cellular division and active synthesis of mycolic acids (characteristic long-chain 3-hydroxyacids, branched at position 2), confirming previous proposals. Mycolic acid biosynthesis was studied in two species (Mycobacterium phlei and M. aurum) each producing three types of mycolic acids: di-unsatured mycolates, oxomycolates and wax-ester mycolates (ester of dicarboxymycolic acid and 2-icosanol or 2-octadecanol). It was shown that unsaturated mycolates and oxomycolic acids were not directly related, whereas a metabolic filiation was confirmed between oxomycolate and wax ester mycolate: the latter derived from the former by a Baeyer-Villiger oxidation step, as has been proposed on the basis of structural considerations. By observing the labelling of the different mycolate pools in the cell, i.e. the organic-solvent-extractable fraction (essentially containing esters of trehalose and of glycerol) and the cell residue (assumed to be the cell-wall polymers), it was clear that oxomycolates and unsaturated mycolates appeared first in the extractable lipids, then in the wall-linked mycolates while wax-ester mycolates appeared first as wall-linked derivatives. Thus, it is proposed that mycolates could follow separate routes involving differently located enzymes to reach their complex forms either in extractable lipids or in the wall-linked arabino-galactan.


Abstract. Representing fractures explicitly using a discrete fracture network (DFN) approach is often necessary to model the complex physics that govern thermo-hydro-mechanical–chemical processes (THMC) in porous media. DFNs find applications in modelling geothermal heat recovery, hydrocarbon exploitation, and groundwater flow. It is advantageous to construct DFNs from the photogrammetry of fractured outcrop analogues as the DFNs would capture realistic, fracture network properties. Recent advances in drone photogrammetry have greatly simplified the process of acquiring outcrop images, and there is a remarkable increase in the volume of image data that can be routinely generated. However, manually digitizing fracture traces is time-consuming and inevitably subject to interpreter bias. Additionally, variations in interpretation style can result in different fracture network geometries, which, may then influence modelling results depending on the use case of the fracture study. In this paper, an automated fracture trace detection technique is introduced. The method consists of ridge detection using the complex shearlet transform coupled with post-processing algorithms that threshold, skeletonize, and vectorize fracture traces. The technique is applied to the task of automatic trace extraction at varying scales of rock discontinuities, ranging from 100 to 102 m. We present automatic trace extraction results from three different fractured outcrop settings. The results indicate that the automated approach enables the extraction of fracture patterns at a volume beyond what is manually feasible. Comparative analysis of automatically extracted results with manual interpretations demonstrates that the method can eliminate the subjectivity that is typically associated with manual interpretation. The proposed method augments the process of characterizing rock fractures from outcrops.


This study was carried out within the framework of a multidisciplinary project for evaluating buffer zones for combating pesticide contamination of surface water. Such areas are effective in removing pesticides transported by run-off; however, little information is available about the fate of the pesticides so intercepted. Two herbicides having contrasting properties (isoproturon, moderately hydrophobic (log Kow = 2.5), diflufenican, strongly hydrophobic (log Kow = 4.9)) and isopropylaniline (an isoproturon metabolite) were used for characterising sorption and desorption from soil having three different land uses: grass buffer strip, woodland and cultivated plot. The experiments were carried out in controlled laboratory conditions using isoproturon labelled with 14 C in the benzene ring. The results demonstrated that diflufenican and isopropilaniline retention was more significant than isoproturon in three soils. The three molecules' Kd values revealed that isoproturon and diflufenicanil retention was more important in woodland soil where carbon content was more significant (ZB 0-2: Kd IPU = 15.1 Ls kg -1 ; Kd DFF = 169.2 Ls kg -1 ). Isopropilanilina Kd was higher in grass buffer strip soil (BE 0-2: Kd IPA = 53.1 L kg -1 ). These differences were related to different organic matter content and nature according to the type of land use.


This paper presents the results of a wood property and sawn board quality study performed on disc
samples and sawlogs taken from a 23-year-old Eucalyptus grandisl/Ig Nelder 1a spacing trial at J.D.M. Keet
plantation near Tzaneen. Ten trees from each of four markedly different planting densities were chosen
to provide contrasting material to study the effects of growth rate on the quality of the wood produced.
Spacing treatment diameter means ranged from 18.9 to 57.9 cm. An inverse relationship was found between planting density and wood density. Typical pith-to-bark
density profiles for trees at this age occurred in the trees with rapid growth, i.e. steep gradients from the
pith towards the bark during the early stages of growth, followed by a gradual transition into more
constant mature wood density values. Trees of which the growth had been curbed by higher planting
densities, on the other hand, showed little sign of levelling off. As a result, the faster growing trees
contained significantly larger proportions of relatively homogeneous wood compared to the slower grown
trees, giving them an obvious quality advantage over slower grown trees. Accelerated growth thus seems
to yield trees that can be utilized more effectively and converted into products with more reliable
performance characteristics. Fast growth seemed to promote interlocking grain, but the correlation with interlocking grain severity
was too poor to be of any practical significance. Mean splitting showed a downward trend with decreasing
planting density, but statistically the differences were non-significant. A statistically significant
correlation was found between the amount of splitting in logs and the proportional length of sawn boards
affected by splits immediately after wet-mill processing. At the end of the sawmilling process, however,
such correlation did not exist any longer, suggesting that the boards responded differently to drying
stresses and impacts during handling and transport with regard to further splitting. No significant effect
of planting density on sawn volume losses due to splitting or collapse could be detected.


The Schlemm's canal (SC) is a circular, lymphatic-like vessel located at the limbus of the eye that participates in the regulation of aqueous humor drainage to control intraocular pressure (IOP). Circumferential flow of aqueous humor within the SC lumen generates shear stress, which regulates SC cell behaviour. Using biochemical analysis and real-time live cell imaging techniques, we have investigated the activation of autophagy in SC cells by shear stress. We report, for the first time, the primary cilium (PC)-dependent activation of autophagy in SC cells in response to shear stress. Moreover, we identified PC-dependent shear stress-induced autophagy to be positively regulated by phosphorylation of SMAD2 in its linker and C-terminal regions. Additionally, SMAD2/3 signaling was found to transcriptionally activate LC3B, ATG5 and ATG7 in SC cells. Intriguingly, concomitant to SMAD2-dependent activation of autophagy, we also report here the activation of mTOR pathway, a classical autophagy inhibitor, in SC cells by shear stress. mTOR activation was found to also be dependent on the PC. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of class I PI3K increased phosphorylation of SMAD2 at the linker and activated autophagy. Together, our data indicates an interplay between PI3K and SMAD2/3 signaling pathways in the regulation of PC-dependent shear stress-induced autophagy in SC cells.


We describe a novel optical system for bidirectional color Doppler imaging of flow in biological tissues with micrometer-scale resolution and demonstrate its use for in vivo imaging of blood flow in an animal model. Our technique, color Doppler optical coherence tomography (CDOCT), performs spatially localized optical Doppler velocimetry by use of scanning low-coherence interferometry. CDOCT is an extension of optical coherence tomography (OCT), employing coherent signal-acquisition electronics and joint time-frequency analysis algorithms to perform flow imaging simultaneous with conventional OCT imaging. Cross-sectional maps of blood flow velocity with <50-microm spatial resolution and <0.6-mm/s velocity precision were obtained through intact skin in living hamster subdermal tissue. This technology has several potential medical applications.


In this work higher order sliding mode autopilots are designed for highly maneuverable nonminimum phase missile system. Nonminimum phase nature of tail controlled missiles prevents direct implementation of sliding mode control algorithms. To overcome this difficulty an output redefinition technique is developed. Then higher order sliding mode control algorithms used for autopilot design. Second and third order SMC algorithms are tried on missile system that ideally has relative degree of two. It is showed that parasitic input-output dynamics that have lower relative degree than ideal input-output dynamics have disruptive effect on control performance. Solution is found by increasing of order of the controller and generating control signal as derivative of input. Finally adaptation schemes are applied to control algorithms to reduce chattering and increase convergence rate. Results of numerical simulation runs are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control applications.


Several have challenged the idea that educating is a neutral endeavour. Following this line of thought, this article intends to examine a common concept often taken for granted: curiosity. The aim of the article is to show how curiosity is constructed as a value-loaded notion by tracing its understandings in an early-childhood-education-and-care (ECEC) context from a value perspective. Four official ECEC documents from different organisational levels will be analysed. Informed by qualitative content analysis with a concept-driven strategy, the document analysis seeks to establish connections between the notion of curiosity and prominent value fields in ECEC, such as competence, democracy and care. The analysis of the documents suggests that curiosity often has competence-related value and is frequently understood as a tool for gaining knowledge, especially in natural science and mathematics. Other value aspects, such as supporting democracy, are represented but seem to play a minor part. This suggests that the documents mainly reveal curiosity's instrumental worth based on the various associated values. At the same time, they neither include possible ethical aspects such as connections to interpersonal caring, nor curiosity's possible downsides, nor do they mention any existential or intrinsic value.
(Published, 21 September, 2017)
Citation: Soern F. Menning. "Tracing Curiosity with a Value Perspective." Nordisk tidsskrift for pedagogikk og kritikk, Vol. 3, 2017, pp. 1–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.23865/ntpk.v3.531


The thesis discusses the role of trade agreements as an instrument in effort to promote labour standards, particularly in the ASEAN countries in where workers' rights are still not considered much enough. The paper will elaborate the history of debate to link trade and labour standards. In addition, the differences between models of trade agreements with included labor provision are also addressed in this paper. Significantly, the objective is to assess the role of trade agreements in contribution to improve the labour standards in the region and why they should be considered as a truly powerful instrument for that. The frame of debate is about whether trade agreement could truly promote labour standards. On the one hand, the benefit offered in trade agreements will encourage developing countries to reform legislation in complying with labour standards. On the other hand, the lack of enforcement mechanisms or unfair dispute settlements are still key concerns in current trade agreements while some existing arguments point out that trade agreements are only products of politics rather than aiming to improve workers' rights. The thesis concludes that trade agreements play an utmost important role in improving labour standards in the ASEAN countries while there are still obstacles in practical.


The increasing usage of machine learning models raises the question of the reliability of these models. The current practice of testing with limited data is often insufficient. In this paper, we provide a framework for automated test data synthesis to test black-box ML/DL models. We address an important challenge of generating realistic user-controllable data with model agnostic coverage criteria to test a varied set of properties, essentially to increase trust in machine learning models. We experimentally demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique.


We report an experimental study of the emission statistics of excitonic complexes from a single quantum dot and their temperature dependence. The single photon emission from the exciton ground state is shown to persist up to $80\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. The deterioration of single photon statistics is attributed to new biexciton emissions, which emerge in the vicinity of the main single-exciton peak at rising temperatures. We identify these biexcitonic states as being formed by either one hole or two holes occupying excited states and analyze their specific polarization and power-dependent signature.


Collective operations on a network of spatially-separated quantum systems can be carried out using local quantum (LQ) operations, classical communication (CC) and shared entanglement (SE). Such operations can also be used to communicate classical information and establish entanglement between distant parties. We show how these facts lead to measures of the inseparability of quantum operations, and argue that a maximally-inseparable operation on 2 qubits is the SWAP operation. The generalisation of our argument to N qubit operations leads to the conclusion that permutation operations are maximally-inseparable. For even N, we find the minimum SE and CC resources which are sufficient to perform an arbitrary collective operation. These minimum resources are 2(N − 1) ebits and 4(N − 1) bits, and these limits can be attained using a simple teleportation-based protocol. We also obtain lower bounds on the minimum resources for the odd case. For all N4, we show that the SE/CC resources required to perform an arbitrary operation are strictly greater than those that any operation can establish/communicate.


The stated aim of many national mapping agencies (NMAs) is to build a master large-scale digital landscape model (DLM), from which medium- or small-scale DLMs are to be derived. The digital cartographic models (DCMs) and subsequent cartographic products are then compiled from the corresponding DLMs. Generalization is at the heart of such a production strategy. Meeting the challenge of integrating comprehensive generalization capabilities into ArcGIS (ESRI's core GIS software product family) to fully support the aims of NMAs requires more research focused on advanced and comprehensive solutions, while the development of fundamental generalization tools continues. Generalization is about representing the geographic reality as faithfully as possible under map scale restrictions. Although automated tools have been developed to perform specific steps of generalization, such as aggregation of polygons or simplification of lines, it is obvious that post-inspections and corrections would be necessary when putting the individually processed features in context at a target map scale. The increasing demands for contextual generalization have lead to our investigation into typical geographic contexts involved in generalization and into analysis and geoprocessing for deriving information to facilitate contextual generalization. Geographic features are spatially and semantically related, and interfere with each other in many ways - some are topologically connected, others in relative positions. Geographic patterns - natural subdivisions, cultural areas, clusters, or alignments, can be implicit or explicit. Both model and cartographic generalization share a common principle – they must recognize and preserve these characteristics. In the body of existing cartographic specifications, it is easy to find generalization requirements like these two: (1) - "A small building in a rural area should not be excluded if it serves as a landmark", which would require the determination of the rural area, the neighboring situation of the building within certain extent, and the visibility and significance of the building to travelers; and (2) – "In areas where numerous point features of the same class exist, a representative pattern should be used which will retain the general layout of the features", which requires measuring of density, recognition of the distribution pattern, and construction of a typified new layout. This paper discusses the various aspects and types of geographical contexts and illustrates the use of geoprocessing models to derive information for contextual generalization. As a parallel task, prototyping of an optimization mechanism for generalization is also in progress. This study and experience in defining and deriving contextual information will be an important input to the optimization process.


Parsa (to its Aryan builders) or Persepolis (to contemporary Greeks) was the national and spiritual sanctuary of the Achaemenid empire that stretched from Greece into India. Nine major structures were spread over an extensive levelled stone platform. Work was undertaken by Darius I about 515BC and carried forward by his son Xerxes I. Burned by Alexander the Great in 330BC, the masses of flaming debris melted the brick walls of the structures and, along with the wind-blown sand, actually preserved the stone columns, gates, and bas-reliefs from desecration during the ensuing centuries. Archaeological excavations have been carried on for many years and have uncovered royal treasures and some 30,000 cuneiform tablets in three ancient languages. The reliefs display 3,000 human figures, including the ruler as hero-king worshipped by his people and by delegates from the twenty-four lands of the empire bearing their distinctive tributes. Parsa still remains one of the marvels of the ancient world. Aside from the scarce and unwieldy reports of the excavations, this lavishly illustrated volume is the only comprehensive account of the site and its history. And Dr Wilber solves the great mystery of the site: Standing in majesty for many centuries, why is there no evidence of human occupation?


Cross wedge rolling valve roughcast is charactered by minor diameter, long stretching and heavy section shrinkage; however, it is hard to select a set of suitable machining process parameter and prone to rolling internal defect. In order to research this problem, a whole forming process of valve roughcast by single cross wedge rolling is simulated with finite element simulation software DEFORM-3D 6.0, which focuses on the stress and strain of the center point of rolled piece under different forming angles. The rolling experiment under different forming angles was done on H500 rolling mill to calculate and analysis of the areas of the centre holes for each rolled piece. The influence of forming angle on internal defect is discovered by a method combining finite element simulation and experiments. At last, it is concluded that forming angle of 28°can improve the internal defect of valve roughcast formed by single cross wedge rolling.


The purpose of this study was to determine whether changes had occurred in the work satisfaction of nursing services after the establishment of private initiative in health care due to the deregulation program currently conducted by the government. In a survey conducted in the latter part of 1988 700 questionnaires were sent out of which 213 were returned which gives a response of 30.43 percent. The analysis was based on this data. The attitudes of the members of the nursing services ranged from antipathy to lively enthusiasm. It was, however, clear from the response that there exists a strong negative view amongst the nursing profession regarding remuneration, communication, training and promotion. These are tendencies that can harm the profession as a whole on the long run and should therefore receive special managerial attention. Recommendations include market related remuneration, continued nursing training, and planned career paths, as well as an appeal that only minimum admission requirements should be accepted as preconditions to training in order to cope with the growing Third World demands on health care services.


Compared to traditional university network learning, MOOC teach-ing emphasized "student-centered", "knowledge modularity" and "interaction and communication". In order to construct a perfect college English network teaching environment, based on the in-depth analysis of the characteristics of the MOOC teaching model, a multimedia and multi-resources college English learning environ-ment was established. In this environment, students could make in-dividualized learning on their own pace. The system integrated learning platforms such as online learning, interactive communica-tion, online operation, curriculum publishing and news bulletin, which were in line with MOOC teaching ideas. The results showed that, based on the idea of MOOC teaching, the system effectively promoted students' learning desire to transform knowledge into ac-tive learning behavior under the support of learning environment and advanced learning tools. To sum up, the system effectively im-proves the effect of college English teaching on the Internet.


The problems in hospitals which led to the development of the clinical engineering profession are described along with recent changes in the hospital environment. The authors discuss how the profession is adapting to these changes. Also discussed is the tendency for BMETs to move into clinical engineering roles.


Abstract Contemporary economic theory is generally regarded as a scientific or at least potentially so. The replacing of the cardinal theory of utility measurement by the ordinal theory was supposed to prepare the groundwork for economics as a genuine science. But in adopting the ordinal approach, theorists saw fit to anchor ordinal theory to axioms of choice founded on principles of rational behavior. Behavior according to these axioms was embodied in the ideal type model of rational economic man. This model served the basis for scientific explanation of the choices made by actual economic agents. I argue though that the postulate of rationality is a normative principle and that this compromises the scientific pretensions of economic theory. Yet the theorist must rely on this principle to formulate predictive and explanatory theories. This raises questions as to whether it is possible that economic theory satisfy the same kind of scientific criteria set down for research in the natural sciences.


A chart sequence is used to describe a series of visualization charts generated in the exploratory analysis by data analysts. It provides information details in each chart as well as a logical relationship among charts. While existing research targets suggesting chart sequences that match human's perceptions, little attention has been paid to formulate task-oriented connections between charts in a chart design space. We present a novel chart sequencing method based on reinforcement learning to capture the connections between charts in the context of three major analysis tasks, including correlation analysis, anomaly detection, and cluster analysis. The proposed method formulates a chart sequencing procedure as an optimization problem, which seeks an optimal policy to sequencing charts for the specific analysis task. In our method, a novel reward function is introduced, which takes both the analysis task and the factor of human cognition into consideration. We conducted one case study and two user studies to evaluate the effectiveness of our method under the application scenarios of visualization recommendation, sequencing charts for reasoning analysis results, and making a chart design choice. The study results showed the power of our method.


The recognition of complex and subtle human behaviors from wearable sensors will enable next-generation human-oriented computing in scenarios of high societal value (e.g., dementia care). This will require a large-scale human activity corpus and much-improved methods to recognize activities and the context in which they occur. This workshop deals with the challenges of designing reproducible experimental setups, running large-scale dataset collection campaigns, designing activity and context recognition methods that are robust and adaptive, and evaluating systems in the real world. We wish to reflect on future methods, such as lifelong learning approaches that allow open-ended activity recognition. This year HASCA will welcome papers from participants to the Fifth Sussex-Huawei Locomotion and Transportation Recognition Challenge in a special session.


— The propulsion of a bacterial flagellum in a viscous fluid has attracted many interests in the field of biological hydrodynamics, but remains yet fully understood and thus still a challenging problem. In this study, therefore, we have numerically investigated the flow around a steadily rotating micro-sized spring to further understand such bacterial flagellum propulsion. Note that a bacterium gains thrust (propulsive force) by rotating the flagellum connected to the body through a bio motor to move forward. For the investigation, we convert the spring model from the micro scale to the macro scale using a similitude law (scale law) and perform simulations on the converted macro-scale model using a commercial software package, CFX v13 (ANSYS). To scrutinize the propulsion characteristics of the flagellum through the simulations, we make parameter studies by changing some flow parameters, such as the pitch, helical radius and rotational speed of the spring and the Reynolds number (or fluid viscosity), expected to affect the thrust force experienced by the rotating spring. Results show that the propulsion characteristics depend strongly on the parameters mentioned above. It is observed that the forward thrust increases in a linear fashion with either of the rotational speed or the fluid viscosity. In addition, the thrust is directly proportional to square of the helical radius and but the thrust force is increased and then decreased based on the peak value to the pitch . Finally, we also present the appropriate flow and pressure fields visualized to support the observations.


Abstract. The goal of this study is to identify major point sources that contribute to elevated particulate matter in the Columbia River Gorge, USA and to quantify their contribution. To answer this question we analyzed 14 years of aerosol data spanning 1993–2006 from the IMPROVE site at Wishram, Washington (45.66° N, 121.00° W; 178 m a.s.l.) in the Columbia River Gorge (CRG) National Scenic Area of the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Two types of analyses were conducted. First, we examined the transport for days with the highest fine mass (PM2.5) concentrations using HYSPLIT backtrajectories. We found that the highest PM2.5 concentrations occurred during autumn and were associated with easterly flow, down the CRG. Such flow transports emissions from a large coal power plant in Boardman, Oregon and a large agricultural facility into the CRG. This transport was found on 20 out of the 50 worst PM2.5 days and resulted in an average daily concentration of 20.1 μg/m3, compared with an average of 18.8 μg/m3 for the 50 highest days and 5.9 μg/m3 for all days. These airmasses contain not only high PM2.5 concentrations, but also elevated levels of aerosol NO3−. In the second analysis, we examined PM2.5 concentrations in the CRG during periods when the Boardman power plant was shut down due to repairs and compared these values with concentrations when the facility was operating at near full capacity. We also examined this relationship on the days when backtrajectories suggested the greatest influence from the power plant on air quality in the CRG. From this analysis, we found significantly higher PM2.5 concentrations when the power plant was operating at or near full capacity. We use these data to calculate that the contribution to PM2.5 mass in the CRG from the Boardman power plant was 0.90 μg/m3 averaged over the entire year, 3.94 μg/m3 if only the month of November is considered and 7.40 μg/m3 if only November days when the airflow is "down-gorge" (from east to west). This represents 14, 46 and 56% of the PM2.5 mass in the CRG for the full year, November only and November days with "down-gorge" transport, respectively.


The present experiment was carried out to assess the effectiveness of various insecticides against maize stem borer, Chilo partellus at research farm, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Muzaffarpur (Bihar) during Kharif 2016 under field condition. The application of chlorantraniliprole 20 SC @ 0.3 ml/l as spray followed by carbofuran 3G @ 7 kg/ha as whorl application at fortnightly interval starting from 15 days after sowing recorded highest plant height, number of cobs per plant and grain yield but did not differ statistically from flubendiamide 480 SC @ 0.2 ml/l followed by carbofuran 3G @ 7 kg/ha. Maximum plant height (175.0 cm), mean number of cobs per plant (1.50) and mean grain yield (45.4 q/ha) was recorded in maize with spraying of chlorantraniliprole 20 SC @ 0.3 ml/l followed by application of carbofuran 3G @ 7 kg/ha which might be due to effective reduction of pest attack. Among all the insecticides, novaluron 10 EC @ 0.1 ml/l was least effective but was significantly superior over untreated control in respect of all the above mentioned parameters.


The objective of this article is to establish short term forecasts (one year), on the level of groundwater using conventional time series models. The interest of this work is to give policy makers reliable information on the evolution of groundwater levels. The forecasts which are essentially based on previous levels of groundwater are quite satisfactory. Indeed, the maximum forecast error is about half percent.


The proportion of US food that is imported is increasing; most seafood and half of fruits are imported. We identified a small but increasing number of foodborne disease outbreaks associated with imported foods, most commonly fish and produce. New outbreak investigation tools and federal regulatory authority are key to maintaining food safety.


Studies on nuclear astrophysics, nuclear structure, and other interests have been performed using the radioactive-isotope (RI) beams at the low-energy RI beam separator CRIB, operated by Center for Nuclear Study (CNS), the University of Tokyo. A type of measurement to study astophysical reactions at CRIB is by the elastic resonant scattering with the thick-target method in inverse kinematics. An example is the α resonant scattering with 7Be beam, related to the astrophysical 7Be(α,γ) reactions, which is relevant in the hot p-p chain and νp-process in supernovae. Other α resonant scattering measurements with 30S, 10Be, 15O, and 18Ne beams have been performed at CRIB, using the thick-target method. There have also been measurements based on other experimental methods. The first Trojan horse method (THM) measurement using an RI beam has been performed at CRIB, to study the 18F(p, α)15O reaction at astrophysical energies via the three body reaction 2H(18F, α15O)n. The 18F(p, α)15O reaction rate is crucial to understand the 511-keV γ-ray production in nova explosion phenomena, and we successfully evaluated the reaction cross section at novae temperature and below experimentally for the first time.Studies on nuclear astrophysics, nuclear structure, and other interests have been performed using the radioactive-isotope (RI) beams at the low-energy RI beam separator CRIB, operated by Center for Nuclear Study (CNS), the University of Tokyo. A type of measurement to study astophysical reactions at CRIB is by the elastic resonant scattering with the thick-target method in inverse kinematics. An example is the α resonant scattering with 7Be beam, related to the astrophysical 7Be(α,γ) reactions, which is relevant in the hot p-p chain and νp-process in supernovae. Other α resonant scattering measurements with 30S, 10Be, 15O, and 18Ne beams have been performed at CRIB, using the thick-target method. There have also been measurements based on other experimental methods. The first Trojan horse method (THM) measurement using an RI beam has been performed at CRIB, to study the 18F(p, α)15O reaction at astrophysical energies via the three body reaction 2H(18F, α15O)n. The 18F(p, α)15O reaction rate is crucial to ...


Fluctuations in marine populations occur both in terms of abundance and distributional ranges, and this has major implications for marine ecology and fisheries management. However, little is known about the variability in, and factors influencing, spatial dynamics in marine groups other than fish. Using time series data from trawl surveys conducted in the western Mediterranean Sea from 1994 to 2012, we analysed the variability in population distribution (latitude, longitude and depth) of 2 cephalopod species with contrasting life histories, viz. the nektobenthic squid Illex coindetii and the benthic octopus Eledone cirrhosa. We investigated the influence of demographic information (population density and mean individual size) together with environmental variables (including chlorophyll a concentration, runoff, precipitation, temperature and climate) to identify the main drivers shaping the cephalopod distributions in 4 shelf regions with contrasting oceanographic and geographic conditions. Marked inter-annual fluctuations were found in the distribution of the 2 species. In general, squid and octopus populations were affected by the same variables, but the effect of each variable depended on the species and study region. Different life strategies resulted in contrasting responses to the environment, with I. coindetii associated with variables contemporary to spring surveys. In contrast, E. cirrhosa was primarily affected by conditions during the previous winter. Vertical distribution was mainly explained by individual body length, while chlorophyll, temperature or local climate proved to be more important for geographical displacements.


The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a disorder of diffuse lung injury secondary to a wide variety of clinical insults (eg, sepsis) and is manifested by impaired oxygenation, pulmonary edema, and decreased static and dynamic compliance. More recently, airflow resistance has been shown to be increased in humans with ARDS. We designed a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial to determine the presence and reversibility of increased airflow resistance in ARDS. We studied eight mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS (criteria: PaO2 < or = 70 mm Hg with FIO2 < or = 0.4; diffuse bilateral infiltrates; and pulmonary artery wedge pressure < or = 18 mm Hg). Each was intubated with a No. 8.0 orotracheal tube. We measured dynamic compliance (Cdyn), static compliance (Cstat), airflow resistance across the lungs (RL), shunt fraction (Qs/Qt on FIO2 = 1.0), minute ventilation (VE), PaO2/PAO2, and dead space to tidal volume ratio (VD/VT). Patients were blindly assigned to receive either metaproterenol (1 mL 0.5% in 3 mL saline solution) or saline solution (4 mL) aerosolized over 15 min 6 h apart and in random order so that patients served as their own controls. Metaproterenol significantly reduced RL, peak and plateau airway pressure, and increased Cdyn. Metaproterenol tended to increase PaO2/PAO2, but had no effect on pulmonary shunt or dead space ventilation. We conclude that the increase in airflow resistance of ARDS is substantially reversed by aerosolized metaproterenol without affecting dead space. These data suggest that abnormalities of RL are at lest partially due to bronchospasm.


Recently it has been shown that it is possible to design a power system stabilizer (PSS) as well as an unified power flow controller (UPFC) controller using a non-linear multi-machine system model in conjunction with Lyapunov's direct method. In this paper the features of two controllers implementing the proposed control laws have been compared: the PSS constitutes a supplementary loop to the main automatic voltage regulator (AVR) and UPFC controller. Theoretical analysis is supported by the results of eigenvalues analysis and simulations tests, which highlighted the differences between the actions of compared controllers. The tests performed on a multi-machine system model have shown a good performance of both proposed controllers.


A new familial syndrome of facial and limb anomalies was shown in a 4-month-old girl. Small mouth and jaw with limited jaw movement were seen in infancy, with growth to relatively normal size and movement in adulthood, but with a persistent, deep, horizontal depression just above the chin. Mild short stature and microcephaly as well as large ears with lack of the anthelix were present in family members. Severe flexion contractures of the hands and feet were present and led to subluxation of fingers and club feet in the most severely affect child. Marked variability among family members was seen, but a dominant inheritance seems likely.


Purpose: To describe a maneuver to facilitate percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation during venous arterialization procedures in patients with no-option critical limb ischemia. Technique: Following a failed arterial recanalization attempt, a balloon catheter is passed up to the tip of the guidewire. Venous access is gained distally, a 4-F sheath is antegradely passed, and a 4-mm GooseNeck snare is advanced through it. A fluoroscopic view that overlaps the snare and the inflated balloon is obtained. If the vein remains anterior with respect to the artery, a needle is inserted across the vein, passing through the snare loop and puncturing the intra-arterial balloon. A wire is inserted and placed inside the punctured balloon. The balloon is retrieved and the wire externalized through the femoral access. A catheter is advanced antegradely over this wire from the artery into the vein. If the vein remains posterior to the artery, a needle is inserted, puncturing the balloon and thereafter the vein (crossing through the snare). A wire is inserted, captured by the snare, and externalized through the vein sheath. A catheter is finally advanced over this wire from the vein into the artery. Conclusion: This maneuver is a simple alternative to create an arteriovenous fistula during venous arterialization procedures in patients with no-option critical limb ischemia.


A study of the occurrence of the first intense Geomagnetic storm (G4) to hit the Earth since the start of the Solar Cycle 25 is carried out. This study analyzed the Geomagnetic Storm that occurred between the 28th of October and the 7th of November 2021. The values of the Disturbance storm time (Dst) index of the storm reach -115 nT (G4) which occurred on the 4th of November at 1300UT. The storm is the first intense magnetic storm that occurred in the solar cycle 25. It is also a multiple-step storm with moderate two-step storm occurrence which occurred on the 5th and 6th of November at 1500UT and 0600UT respectively towards the recovery phase after the intense storm. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz (nT) during these storm events decreases. Our analysis shows that the rise in solar wind speed, temperature and the enhancement of pressure plays a significant role in the occurrence of the first intense Geomagnetic storm of Solar Cycle 25.


Abstract. The limb-scatter satellite viewing geometry is well suited to detecting low-concentration aerosols in the upper troposphere due to its long observation path length (~200 km), high vertical resolution (~1–2 km) and good geographic coverage. We use the fully three-dimensional radiative transfer code SASKTRAN to simulate the sensitivity of limb-scatter viewing Odin/OSIRIS satellite measurements to absorbing mineral dust and carbonaceous aerosols (smoke and pure soot), as well as to non-absorbing sulfate aerosols and ice in the upper troposphere. At long wavelengths (813 nm) the addition of all aerosols (except soot) to an air only atmosphere produced a radiance increase as compared to air only, on account of the low Rayleigh scattering in air only at 813 nm. The radiance reduction due to soot aerosol was negligible ( At short wavelengths (337, 377, 452 nm), we found that the addition of any aerosol species to an air only atmosphere caused a decrease in single-scattered radiation due to an extinction of Rayleigh scattering in the direction of OSIRIS. The reduction was clearly related to particle size first, with absorption responsible for second-order effects only. Multiple-scattered radiation could either increase or decrease in the presence of an aerosol species, depending both on particle size and absorption. Large scatterers (ice, mineral dust) all increased multiple-scattered radiation within, below and above the aerosol layer. Small, highly absorbing pure soot particles produced a negligible multiple-scattering response ( At short wavelengths, the combined effect of single scattering decreases and multiple scattering increases led to complex total radiance signatures that generally could not unambiguously distinguish absorbing versus non-absorbing aerosols. Smoke aerosols led to a total radiance decrease (as compared to air only) at all altitudes above the aerosol layer (15–100 km). This unique signature was a result of the aerosols' strong absorbing properties, non-negligible scattering efficiency, and number concentrations high enough to make multiple scattering effects due to the aerosol itself significant. Thus, in the limb-scatter viewing geometry scene darkening above the aerosol layer is unambiguously due to absorption whereas scene darkening within and below the aerosol layer can simply be the result of a reduction in single-scattered radiance. Our simulations show a greater scene darkening for decreasing wavelengths, increasing surface albedo, decreasing solar zenith angle, and increasing particle number concentration, however, at 337 nm this effect did not exceed 0.5% of the total radiance due to air only, making the unique identification of medium-sized carbonaceous aerosols, i.e., smoke, difficult. Scene darkening (or brightening) varies linearly with particle number concentration over three orders of magnitude. A fortuitous, unexpected implication of our analysis is that limb-scatter retrievals of aerosol extinction are not sensitive to external information about aerosol absorption.


MicroRNA (miRNA) actively participates in a broad range of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, cell survival and apoptosis. Deregulated expression of miRNA may affect cell growth and eventually lead to cancer. In this study, we found that hsa-miR491-5p (miR491-5p) displays a significantly high level of expression in normal human pancreas tissue versus pancreatic cancer cells. Targeted site prediction indicated that both Bcl-XL and TP53 contain miR-491-5p recognizing sites in their 3' UTRs. Overexpression of miR-491-5p in the pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 effectively inhibited both endogenous Bcl-XL and TP53 gene expressions. Mutagenesis at the seed match region of both targeted genes further confirmed the specificity of miR491-5p recognition. Cell proliferation rate was inversely related to the increased doses of miR-491-5p. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the proportions of total apoptotic and early apoptotic cells were significantly induced as the dose of miR491-5p increased. Moreover, a mechanistic study indicated that miR-R491-5p-mediated cell apoptosis was associated with the activation of intrinsic mitochondria mediated pathways. miR491-5p also markedly inhibited mitogenic signaling pathways such as STAT3 and PI-3K/Akt, but not Ras/MAPK. Thus, our results demonstrated that miR491-5p could effectively target both Bcl-xL and TP53 and induce cell apoptosis independent of TP53.


Acenes are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons consisting of linearly fused benzene rings. These compounds are currently the subject of great interest from both fundamental and applied perspectives, particularly for use in organic electronics. This review highlights the computational studies carried out to understand acene reactivity, their reaction mechanisms, and the relationship of the latter to acene length. Generally, as acene length increases, the reactivity of acenes increases, and a greater tendency towards a biradical mechanism is observed. For example, an interesting change in mechanism (from concerted to biradical) is observed for the reaction of acenes (benzene through pentacene) with molecular oxygen. A computational study of the addition of HCl (which behaves as an electrophile) and water (which behaves mostly as a nucleophile) to acenes revealed that acene reactivity increases along the series up to hexacene and remains constant from hexacene and above because of the biradical character of the ground state of higher acenes. Although the exothermicity of the addition of water and HCl to acene is similar, the activation barrier for the addition of water is significantly higher than that for HCl. There is a substantial substituent effect on the energy barriers for electrophilic and nucleophilic reactions. Phenyl substitution at the most reactive meso-carbon atoms of the central ring of acene blocks dimerization through this ring but does not efficiently prevent dimerization through other rings. With respect to the self-reactivity (such as dimerization, etc.) of acenes, a computational study showed that the preferred pathways are the formation of acene dimers via a central benzene ring and the formation of acene-based polymers. Interestingly, longer acenes are predicted to self-react to form polymers, rather than acene dimers, as the thermodynamically preferred product. These findings invite experimentalists to reinvestigate the dimerization of long unsubstituted acenes. Given that computational studies directly relate to the gas phase reactivity of acenes, whereas long acenes find application in organic semiconductor devices as solids, the next research challenge is to obtain an understanding of the solid state reactivity of long acenes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Difficult intubation, inadequate ventilation and esophageal intubation are the principal causes of death or brain damage related to airway manipulation. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to correlate a preanesthetic evaluation that may be capable of predicting a difficult intubation with the conditions encountered at laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. Eighty-one patients submitted to general anesthesia were evaluated at a preanesthetic consultation according to the modified Mallampati classification, the Wilson score and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) difficult airway algorithm. Findings were then correlated with the Cormack-Lehane classification and with the number of attempts at endotracheal intubation. No statistically significant correlations were found between the patients' Mallampati classification and their Cormack-Lehane grade or between the Mallampati classification and the number of attempts required to achieve endotracheal intubation. Laryngoscopy proved difficult in four patients and in all of these cases the Wilson score had been indicative of a possibly difficult airway, highlighting its good predicting sensitivity. However, the specificity of this test was low, since another 24 patients had the same Wilson score but were classified as Cormack-Lehane I/II. Moreover, two patients who had a Wilson score ≥ 4 were also classified as Cormack-Lehane grade I/II. The study concluded that the Wilson score, although seldom used in clinical practice, is a highly sensitive predictor of a difficult airway; its specificity, however, is low.


By elevating "Energy Union" to the status of a Commission mission statement, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker succeeded in forging a new EU consensus on energy and climate change at the October European Council meeting. In a move that was made possible by linking the internal energy market and climate change agendas to security of supply, solidarity and infrastructure, the initiative notably meets the interests of Central and Eastern Europe as well as the peripheral member states.

This commentary by a team of energy specialists at CEPS applauds this new development, but cautions that the European Commission will soon need to give it real meaning and substance before Energy Union can become reality. With this objective in mind, the authors outline six priorities to which Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic should give immediate attention.


Objective: To evaluate the role of cancer antigen CA15-3 in the diagnosis, prognosis, followup and treatment of breast cancer. Methods: The case-control study was done from October 2009 to February 2011 at the Al-Basrah Hospital in Basrah, Iraq. Blood samples were collected from 30 women with primary breast cancer before the invasive procedure. Another set of blood samples were collected from 23 of the cases after three cycles of chemotherapy. Besides, 20 serum samples were collected from apparently healthy women as a control group from the outpatient department. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used for detection of serum CA15-3. Results: Mean CA15-3 level for the cases (79.15±27.54U/ml) was significantly higher than the controls (24.34±11.68U/ml) (p<0.05), with 93.3% sensitivity and 96.6% specificity. There was a significant positive correlation with the disease stage and tumour size (p<0.05). After three cycles of chemotherapy, the CA15-3 level significantly decreased (p<0.05). Cases who developed recurrence were found to have a significantly higher CA15-3 level than those who did not (p<0.05). Conclusion: CA15-3 is an important diagnostic, prognostic indicator and good predictor for relapse.


The effect of static electricity on the deposition of radon daughters onto charged surfaces is determined by a combined experimental and theoretical analysis. Experiments with charged surfaces exposed to the air in a normal working environment are analysed to determine an empirical radon daughter deposition rate. This factor is utilized to estimate the daughter deposition on a human head which is exposed to similar conditions of air quality and static charging. The results indicate that typical levels of static electricity can enhance the deposition of radon daughters by orders of magnitude compared with the uncharged condition. The corresponding yearly alpha dose equivalents to the basal skin layer and to the eye exceed recommended limits. Beside having an important impact from the public health perspective, these results suggest that the obscure and contradictory correlations found between radon concentrations and adverse health effects may arise from a failure to account for the effects of static electricity.


In recent years there has been a growth in information and communication technology (ICT) investments within architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) organisations. Research from industries such as aerospace and manufacturing has confirmed that increased investments in ICTs have very little impact on organisational productivity unless coupled with good management practices. In the AEC sector, the project context raises additional issues of interoperability for the organisations and temporary project organisations collaborating across dynamic boundaries. Adopting technologies to achieve business targets requires (major) changes in organisational culture, current practices, systems, processes and people. Whether or not such changes should be imposed on people (top down) or emerge from the needs of the workforce (bottom up) remains an intriguing question. Changes need to be coupled with appropriate management practices and strategies to maintain competitiveness, while addressing various project characteristics. The six papers contained in this special issue, with authors representing institutions in Australia, Canada, UK, and the USA provide a number of insights into the role of technology strategies for collaborative working.


The titanium alloys are used for applications that demand high performance, including surgical implants and aerospace applications. Powder metallurgy is an advantageous alternative for titanium parts production with complex geometries at a relative low cost. Despite that, it is verified that the introduction of interstitial elements (oxygen, nitrogen and carbon) wile processing these alloys, though can increase hardness and mechanical resistance, which is frequently related to the reduction of ductility and fragility increase. The objective of this work is to investigate the influence of the interstitial elements in commercially pure Ti and Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy produced by powder metallurgy (P/M). Samples were produced by the mixing of hydrided metallic powders followed by uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing with subsequent densification by sintering at 1400 °C, in vacuum. Sintered samples were characterized for phase composition, microstructure and microhardness by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Vickers indentation, respectively. The interstitial content was analyzed by Leco equipment. It was shown that the samples were sintered to high densities with a Widmanstatten microstructure. The oxygen and nitrogen contents are above the ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) and the critical issues were identified in the original blended elemental route.


The recombinant DNA-derived Treponema pallidum membrane protein TmpA, purified from Escherichia coli K-12, was used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate its suitability in a screening test for syphilis and to monitor the effect of antibiotic treatment. The sensitivity of the TmpA ELISA was 76% for primary syphilis, 100% for secondary syphilis, and 98% for early latent syphilis. All except 1 of 15 serum samples positive for yaws were positive in this test. A specificity of 99.6% was found by testing more than 938 donor samples. The sensitivity and specificity of the TmpA ELISA are comparable to that of the T. pallidum hemagglutination assay, and therefore the test may be useful for the diagnosis of untreated syphilis. After antibiotic treatment, the level of anti-TmpA antibodies in sera of syphilis patients dropped sharply within 1 year. Thus, TmpA might be a useful antigen for monitoring successful treatment of syphilis.


We propose an all-optical nonlinear exciton-polariton implement utilizing a double barrier gate connected to two periodically modulated guides. An exploited semiconductor microcavity is driven nonresonantly in the middle of a two-barrier potential pattern, and thus a localized condensate forms on a discrete state that is energetically shifted on-demand subject to tuning the input intensity. A subsequent external coherent light beam is allowed to propagate along the frame provided that the condensate energy is resonant with a miniband of the guides or it is prone to be blocked if facing a gap. While a symmetric sample can serve as an optical switch, its asymmetric counterpart behaves as a router turned to be polarization selective under ancillary applied magnetic field. Furthermore, an output frequency may be boosted or reduced by virtue of the combined effect of nonlinear interactions and the passibility of the channel.


With the emergence of customisation services, business-to-business price negotiation plays an increasingly important role in economic and management science. Negotiation pricing aims to provide different customers with products/services that perfectly meet their requirements, with the "right" price. In general, pricing managers are responsible for identifying the "right" negotiation price with the goal of maintaining good customer relationship, while maximising profits for companies. However, efficiently and effectively determining the "right" negotiation price boundary is not a simple task; it is often complicated, time-consuming and costly to reach a consensus as the task needs to take a wide variety of pricing factors into consideration, ranging from operation costs, customers' needs to negotiation behaviours. This paper proposes a systematic fuzzy system (FS) approach, for the first time, to provide negotiation price boundary by learning from available historical records, with a goal to release the burden of pricing managers. In addition, when the number of involved influencing factors increases, conventional FS approach easily suffers from the curse of dimensionality. To combat this problem, a novel method, simplified FS with single input and single output modules (SFS-SISOM), is also introduced in this paper to handle high-dimensional negotiation pricing problems. The utility and applicability of this research is illustrated by three experimental datasets that vary from both data dimensionality and the number of training records. The experimental results obtained from two approaches have been compared and analysed based on different aspects, including interpretability, accuracy, generality and applicability.


This guide is designed to point you toward a variety of resources, both electronic and in print, that should help you with your biology thesis/project research. It is also general enough to help you with most other biology research.


Satellite imagery represents a unique opportunity to quantify the spatial and temporal changes of glaciers world-wide. Glacier velocity has been measured from repeat satellite scenes for decades now, yet a range of satellite missions, feature tracking programs, and user approaches have made it a laborious task. To date, there has been no tool developed that would allow a user to obtain displacement maps of any specified glacier simply by establishing the key temporal, spatial and feature tracking parameters. This work presents the application and development of a unique, semi-automatic, open-source, flexible processing toolbox for the retrieval of displacement maps with a focus on obtaining glacier surface velocities. SenDiT combines the download, pre-processing, feature tracking, and postprocessing of the highest resolution Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B satellite images into a semi-automatic toolbox, leaving a user with a set of rasterized and georeferenced glacier flow magnitude and direction maps for their further analyses. The solution is freely available and is tailored so that non-glaciologists and people with limited geographic information system (GIS) knowledge can also benefit from it. The system can be used to provide both regional and global sets of ice velocities. The system was tested and applied on a range of glaciers in mainland Norway, Iceland, Greenland and New Zealand. It was also tested on areas of stable terrain in Libya and Australia, where sources of error involved in the feature tracking using Sentinel-2 imagery are thoroughly described and quantified.