In France, the steel transportation network for natural gas is connected to the distribution network which operates at lower pressure. This one (total length of 165 000 km) is mainly made of polymer pipes like polyethylene. With the introduction of hydrogen in mixture with natural gas and finally the transport of pure hydrogen, the key challenge is the high level of permeability that is to say the flow rate of hydrogen through polymer infrastructures (pipes or components like connecting parts). This high flow rate of hydrogen has to be taken into account for safety and economic requirements. Long-term behaviour must be carefully assessed: permeation/diffusion properties, thermo-mechanical behaviour and ageing. It is important to characterize the existing distribution network and to propose more innovative materials than polyethylene that could meet the targets for future hydrogen distribution applications. The aim of this project was to develop and assess material solutions to cope with today problems in term of high flow rate of hydrogen and ageing under a hydrogen environment. Polyethylene is considered as a reference material since it is used today in natural gas distribution pipes. Test benches and protocols for testing materials in term of mechanical and barrier properties were first developed. On the other hand, technical polymers (multi-layers, other thermoplastics, polymer blends) have been proposed and studied to improve gas-barrier performances compared to polyethylene. Step by step, permeation and basic mechanical tests have been performed and then more specific characterisations have been done (for long-term ageing under various conditions) in order to choose one or several materials that could meet the specifications required by hydrogen distribution. The design of a pipe prototype was also carried out at the end the project and an economic study was performed for the different potential solutions.


Fibrates act to attenuate atherogenic dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients. However an increase of serum homocysteine (tHcy) after fenofibrate treatment has been reported, compromising its cardiovascular benefit. The effect of polymorphisms in cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), apolipoprotein A5 (apo A 5), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genes on fenofibrate treatment in type 2 diabetic patients. Patients are taking lipid lowering drugs for the first time. Polymorphisms are studied by RFLPPCR (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism-Polymerase Chain Reaction). Biochemical parameters are measured by enzymatic methods. CETP activity is determined by exogenous way. Total plasma homocysteine levels (tHcy) were assessed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. After fenofibrate use, a significant decrease of Triglyceride (TG) level (29 %) and a decrease of total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.081) and CETP activity (p = 0.089) were noted. However, the High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration has increased (p= 0.081) while Low Density LipoproteinCholesterol (LDL-C) levels did not vary. Moreover, the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia rose to 100 %. Both apo A5 TT and TC carriers showed significant decrease of TG levels. Whereas the HDL-C variation is better in TT genotype (23.5 % vs -1.3 % for TT and TC respectively; p = 0.062). The decrease of TG levels after fenofibrate treatment is more important in B1B1 than in B2B2 genotype of CETP polymorphism. Only B1B1 homozygous showed a decrease of CETP activity and an increase of HDL-C. After fenofibrate use, the increase of tHcy levels was more important in MTHFR T carriers than in CC homozygous (39.97 ± 14.77 vs. 28.02 ± 8.59 µmol/l, respectively). The TT apo A5, B1B1 CETP and CC MTHFR carriers benefit the most from lipid lowering fenofibrate treatment. Pharmacogenomic studies have a great economic and health interest for a better treatment of type 2 diabetic patients.


Each of four monkeys (Macaca mulatta) was operantly conditioned to slow and to speed heart rate through a shock-avoidance procedure. During these sessions, electrical brain stimulation that produced tachycardia and pressor responses was delivered on alternate, 64-second segments to one of several brain regions. All animals were able to attenuate the increases in heart rate produced by brain stimulation during the slowing sessions when posterior hypothalamic and striatal regions were stimulated but not when anterior hypothalamic or subthalamic areas were stimulated. During speeding or control sessions during which heart rate was monitored, brain stimulation continued to increase heart rate.


This Sheet Explanation provides a summary of the district covered by the geological 1:50 000 Series Sheet 196 Builth Wells. The map is published in two editions, Solid, and Solid and Drift, in 2005.
The district lies mainly in the county of Powys but also includes parts of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. The sparse population is concentrated in Builth Wells, Llangammarch Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells, situated in the broad belt of undulating low ground, that divides the district from north-east to south-west along the course of the River Irfon. To the north-west of this tract, lies the dissected upland plateau of the Cambrian Mountains. To the south-east is the steep escarpment of Mynydd Eppynt, which is cut at the eastern margin of the district by the deeply incised valley of the River Wye. Today, the local economy is based on agriculture and tourism. Major hard rock resources are currently worked for aggregate at Cribarth and Llanelwedd.
The geology of the district has a long history of research and was a key area in the development of Lower Palaeozoic stratigraphy. Influential British geologists who contributed to the early understanding of the area include Murchison (1839), who discussed the geology around Builth and Aberedw in The Silurian System. Measured sections were produced by De la Beche (1846), and advances in understanding the stratigraphy were made by Charles Lapworth (1880).


Cambodia is undergoing dramatic political, economic and social changes, placing new pressures on minority groups and vulnerable peoples. Some changes are driven by Cambodia's uniquely troubled history. Other forces are global, affecting Cambodia and all other nations in the region. This essay introduces a volume of edited papers presented at an International Conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia, sponsored by the Center for Khmer Studies with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation as part of their Capacity Building in Cambodian Higher Education Program. Important insights can be gained by looking at the lives of those living on the margins. An appreciation of margins, minorities and borderlines teaches a number of object lessons, but it also suggests an enlightening method of analysis. Margins identify fault lines, demarcating borders where powerful tectonic plates rub against each other, whether these plates represent conflicting social institutions or the forces of transcendent, but ill-defined processes like nation-building, economic development or globalization. Engaging the lives of real people caught on these margins can lead to new understandings of the often invisible forces shaping and reshaping Cambodia and the region.The problems of ethnic groups are one concern. Transnational and cross-border influences are creating new challenges and opportunities for ethnic minorities. The Cham and other Muslim communities are reconnecting to international Islam. Labor markets cross national boundaries. Vietnamese migrant workers travel to Cambodia, as Cambodian workers travel to Thailand. International loans, agencies and programs targeting "development," itself an often disruptive cross-border force, are transforming many Cambodian institutions and redefining traditional social margins in the process. This clash of forces is most profoundly felt by the indigenous peoples of the northeast, but the papers also examine other minorities and vulnerable groups who have been systematically denied access to important social resources. Theories of social exclusion teach that the landless, street children, victims of domestic violence and gay and lesbian persons are on the margins of different Cambodian institutions and that borders are not only of a geographic nature.


Copper-based high strength nanofilamentary wires reinforced by Nb nanofilaments are prepared by severe plastic deformation (repeated hot extrusion, cold drawing and bundling steps) for the winding of high pulsed magnets. The effects of microstructure refinement on the plasticity mechanisms were studied via nanoindentation, in-situ deformation in TEM and under neutron beam: all results evidence size effects in each nanostructured phase of the nanocomposite wires, i.e. single dislocation regime in the finest regions of the Cu matrix and whisker-like behaviour in the Nb nanofilaments. The macroscopic high yield stress is thus the results of the combination of the different elastic-plastic regimes of each phase that include size effects.


According to spiral bevel gear machining process, use the method of computer simulation to get the discrete points' three-dimensional coordinates of Gleason spiral bevel gear tooth surface, and then solve the tooth surfaces' NURBS surface as the unified mathematical model. On this basis, research the curvature of tooth surfaces of various types of Gleason spiral bevel gear, draw the mean curvature diagram, and study the link between the adjustment of processing parameters and the change of tooth surfaces' mean curvature. Establish a theoretical foundation for the processing error adjustment based on tooth surface's curvature diagram.


ABSTRACT Deficiency of a modified nucleoside in tRNA often mediates suppression of +1 frameshift mutations. In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain TR970 (hisC3737), which requires histidine for growth, a potential +1 frameshifting site, CCC-CAA-UAA, exists within the frameshifting window created by insertion of a C in the hisC gene. This site may be suppressed by peptidyl-tRNAProcmo5UGG (cmo5U is uridine-5-oxyacetic acid), making a frameshift when decoding the near-cognate codon CCC, provided that a pause occurs by, e.g., a slow entry of the tRNAGlnmnm5s2UUG (mnm5s2U is 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine) to the CAA codon located in the A site. We selected mutants of strain TR970 that were able to grow without histidine, and one such mutant (iscS51) was shown to have an amino acid substitution in the l-cysteine desulfurase IscS. Moreover, the levels of all five thiolated nucleosides 2-thiocytidine, mnm5s2U, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, 4-thiouridine, and N-6-(4-hydroxyisopentenyl)-2-methylthioadenosine present in the tRNA of S. enterica were reduced in the iscS51 mutant. In logarithmically growing cells of Escherichia coli, a deletion of the iscS gene resulted in nondetectable levels of all thiolated nucleosides in tRNA except N-6-(4-hydroxyisopentenyl)-2-methylthioadenosine, which was present at only 1.6% of the wild-type level. After prolonged incubation of cells in stationary phase, a 20% level of 2-thiocytidine and a 2% level of N-6-(4-hydroxyisopentenyl)-2-methylthioadenosine was observed, whereas no 4-thiouridine, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, or mnm5s2U was found. We attribute the frameshifting ability mediated by the iscS51 mutation to a slow decoding of CAA by the tRNAGlnmnm5s2UUG due to mnm5s2U deficiency. Since the growth rate of the iscS deletion mutant in rich medium was similar to that of a mutant (mnmA) lacking only mnm5s2U, we suggest that the major cause for the reduced growth rate of the iscS deletion mutant is the lack of mnm5s2U and 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine and not the lack of any of the other three thiolated nucleosides that are also absent in the iscS deletion mutant.


Creative industries produce many one-hit wonders who struggle to repeat their initial success and fewer hit makers who sustain success over time. To develop theory on the role of creativity in driving sustained market success, I propose a path dependence theory of creators' careers that considers creators' whole portfolios of products over time and how their early portfolios shape their later capacity to sustain success. The main idea is that a creator's path to sustained success depends on the creativity in their portfolio at the time of their initial hit—relatively creative portfolios give creators more options for leveraging their past portfolios while adapting to market changes, increasing their odds of additional hits. I tested the proposed theory using an archival study of the U.S. music industry from 1959–2010, including data on over 3 million songs by 69,050 artists, and the results largely support the hypotheses. Artists who reached their initial hits with relatively creative (novel or varied) portfolios were more likely to generate additional hits, but a novel portfolio was less likely to yield an initial hit than was a typical portfolio. These findings suggest that new creators face a tradeoff between their likelihood of initial versus sustained success, such that building a relatively creative early portfolio is a risky bet that can make or break a creator's career.


We characterise computationally and experimentally a three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic passive mixer for various Reynolds numbers ranging from 1 to 100, corresponding to primary flow rates of 10–870 µl min−1. The 3D mixing channel is composed of multiple curved segments: circular arcs situated in the substrate plane and curved nozzle/diffuser elements normal to the substrate plane. Numerical simulation provides a detailed understanding of the mixing mechanism resulting from the geometrical topology of the mixer. These Comsol software-based simulations reveal the development of two secondary flows perpendicular to the primary flow: a swirling flow resulting from tangential injection of the flow into the nozzle holes and Dean vortices present in the circular arcs. These phenomena are particularly important at a Reynolds number larger than 30, where mixing occurs by chaotic advection. Experimentally, the 3D mixer is fabricated in a monolithic glass substrate by powder blasting machining, exploiting eroding powder beams at various angles of impact with respect to the substrate plane. Experimental mixing was characterised using two coloured dyes, showing nearly perfect mixing for a microfluidic footprint of the order of a few mm2, in good agreement with the simulations.


This article reviews the rationale for groupwork projects, particularly as they apply to business-related courses. It describes some of the pedagogical issues that faculty must address and highlights inherent weaknesses, particularly in the assessment of student effort, that often occur when groupwork is required in a course. The problem of evaluating individual student's contributions to their group is particularly troublesome given that all students do not always contribute equally to a group's success. Faculty members normally have little to no data or observations to assist them in valuing one student's contribution over another student's contribution to the group's ultimate success. The evaluation problem can be solved by gathering and using student input regarding the contributions of their peers. This, too, can be problematic if not done in a manner that requires each student to distinguish amongst the different levels of contribution provided by each of their fellow group members. A conceptual solution for solving the 'group member contribution' problem and a detailed methodology for implementing the solution is offered for this problem. The solution uses peer evaluations solicited from all group members as a component of each individual student's groupwork grade. Using a web-based form, student peer assessments are gathered anonymously and are easily integrated into the faculty member's electronic gradebook.


A compilation of copper isotopic compositions (δ 65 Cu) from supergene systems suggests distinct differences in the mean δ 65 Cu of Cu in leach cap (δ 65 Cu = −1.2 ± 3.5‰), enrichment zone (mean δ 65 Cu = +1.2 ± 4.2‰), and fluids (mean δ 65 Cu = +0.9 ± 1.3‰) relative to the high-temperature sulfides that comprise the primary ore (δ 65 Cu = +0.1 ± 0.6‰). These isotopic differences can be explained by the oxidative dissolution of primary ore minerals, such as chalcopyrite, and the subsequent precipitation of oxides in the near-surface system and of sulfides at depth. A dynamic mass balance model predicts the observed Cu isotopic compositions of the Cu reservoirs in nature and constrains the temporal isotopic evolution of supergene systems. From the model, these systems isotopically evolve to substantial extents over 500 ka to 5 Ma time scales. In relatively closed systems, percent-level loss of Cu from the solid (with δ 65 Cu values >>0‰) is possible, suggesting that supergene systems are important components of the global Cu cycle.


A broadly applicable method for the quantitative and continuous measurement of airway resistance in man is described. It permits the simultaneous measurement of air flow (breath velocity) and alveolar pressure during any breathing pattern. Alveolar pressure is calculated from body plethysmograph pressure (plethysmogram) changes coincident with the compression and expansion of lung air during expiration and inspiration, respectively. The plethysmograph interior is maintained at body temperature and complete H2O saturation. This avoids the errors in measurement due to plethysmograph pressure changes produced by temperature and humidity changes in the inspired and expired breath and also obviates the necessity of using only a panting type breathing pattern. Data on three normal subjects at near resting and near maximum breathing efforts are presented and discussed. This improved method, permitting airway resistance measurements during any breathing pattern, should find application in diagnosis and assessment of treatment of pulmonary diseases as well as in the investigation of several basic pulmonary function problems.

Submitted on June 17, 1958


Relaxor ferroelectrics (0.94 − x)(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–0.06BaTiO3−x(Sr0.7Bi0.2□0.1)TiO3 (BNT–BT–xSBT) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5), were prepared by a solid-state reaction process, and their structures were characterized by the transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The BNT–BT–0.3SBT has a very high electrostrictive strain S = 0.152% with hysteresis-free behavior, much more than the reported S in other ferroelectrics. S–P2 profiles perfectly follow the quadratic relation, which indicates a purely electrostrictive effect with a high electrostrictive coefficient (Q11) of 0.0297 m4/C2. Even, its Q11 keeps at a high level in the temperature range from ambient temperature to 180°C. The field-induced large electrostrictive strain of BNT–BT–0.3SBT was attributed to the existence of ferroelectric nanodomains.


Introduction: Molecular dynamics, in which molecules are allowed to interact over time at a given temperature following the laws of classical mechanics has been shown to be highly successful in simulating various biological phenomena down to atomic detail. When applied to complexes of protein targets and potential binders, this technique, provides a detailed description of the stability of the protein-ligand complexes, thereby throwing light on the binding potential of the ligands to probable target proteins.
Materials and Method: In the present study we have explored the mechanism of protein synthesis inhibition by the antibiotic thiostrepton with the combination of manual docking followed by molecular dynamics simulations to two molecular targets – the L11/23S-rRNA interface and the elongation factor Ef-Tu. Cross-docking runs on the two native co-crystallised ligands of the target proteins were done as a further probe.
Results: Docking of thiostrepton at the L11/23S-rRNA interface as well as Ef-Tu indicated stable binding during 10-ns molecular dynamics simulations, whereas LFF571 binds stably only to its native protein EF-Tu which is in accordance to literature reports. Thus, molecular dynamics simulation studies indicate that thiostrepton has binding potential to two targets of protein synthesis translation, the elongation factor (Ef-Tu) and L11 protein and 23S-rRNA interface.
Conclusion: This study corroborates that thiostrepton inhibits Ef-Tu in addition to the L11-ribosomal RNA complex. Binding to multiple targets probably enhances its inhibitory effect on protein translation.

Keywords: Thiazolyl peptide, Macrocyclic, Ef-Tu, Molecular dynamics simulations, Thiostrepton, Ribosome


Axonal damage has been highlighted recently as a cause of neurological disability in various demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis, either as a primary pathological change or secondary due to myelin loss. To characterize and quantify axonal damage and loss in canine distemper demyelinating leukoencephalomyelitis (DL), formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded cerebella were investigated histochemically and immunohistochemically using the modified Bielschowsky's silver stain as well as antibodies against nonphosphorylated (n‐NF), phosphorylated neurofilament (p‐NF) and β‐amyloid precursor protein (β‐APP). Injured axons characterized by immunoreactivity against n‐NF and β‐APP were detected in early distemper lesions without demyelination. In subacute and chronic demyelinating lesions the number of injured axons increased. Moreover, a significant decrease in axonal density was observed within lesions and in the normal appearing white matter in DL as determined by morphometric analyses using Bielschowsky's silver stain and p‐NF immunohistochemistry. Summarized, the observed findings indicate that axonal damage (i) occurs early in DL; (ii) can be detected before myelin loss; and (iii) represents a pivotal feature in advanced lesions. It must be postulated that axonal damage plays an important role in the initial phase as a primary event and during progression of nervous distemper as a result of demyelination.


In this paper, we investigate the propagation of an ultra‐wideband electromagnetic pulse in a homogeneous, cold plasma which is used to represent a simplified model of the atmosphere. The standard procedure for the computation of the corresponding transient field involves the application of a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to a well‐known, analytical, frequency‐domain solution. However, because of the long tails in both the time and frequency domains, a large number of sample points are required to compute the transient response using this FFT approach. In this paper, we introduce a new asymptotic extraction technique which dramatically reduces the number of sample points required by the FFT. First, we review the recently derived closed‐form expression for a double‐exponential pulse propagating in a homogeneous, collisionless, cold plasma. Since the high‐frequency behavior does not depend on the electron collision frequency, an analytical frequency‐domain expression, which is similar in form to the one encountered for the collisionless, cold plasma and encompasses this high‐frequency behavior, can be subtracted from the exact expression for the plasma with a nonzero collision frequency. The extracted term is evaluated analytically. The remaining expression, which can be transformed to the time domain with a FFT, requires only a modest number of sample points. This dramatically improves the numerical efficiency of the approach. We find that the extracted analytical term provides a very good approximation for the early‐time behavior of the transient pulse.


This paper describes a robust real-time blind source separation (BSS) method for moving speech signals in a room. Our method employs frequency domain independent component analysis (ICA) using a blockwise batch algorithm in the first stage, and the separated signals are refined by postprocessing using crosstalk component estimation and nonstationary spectral subtraction in the second stage. The blockwise batch algorithm achieves better performance than an online algorithm when sources are fixed, and the postprocessing compensates for performance degradation caused by source movement. Experimental results using speech signals recorded in a real room show that the proposed method realizes robust real-time separation for moving sources. Our method is implemented on a standard PC and works in real time.


Pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor ([PBEF] also known as Nampt/visfatin) is a pleiotropic 52-kDa cytokine-like molecule whose activity has been implicated in multiple inflammatory disease states. PBEF promotes polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) proinflammatory function by inhibiting constitutive PMN apoptosis. We investigated whether PBEF activates or primes for PMN respiratory burst. We found that although PBEF did not activate respiratory burst on its own, it primed for increased reactive oxygen species generation through the NADPH oxidase. PBEF promoted membrane translocation of cytosolic NADPH oxidase subunits p40 and p47, but not p67, induced p40 phosphorylation on Thr 154 , and activated the small GTPase Rac. Priming, translocation, and phosphorylation were dependent on activation of p38 and ERK MAPKs, but not of PI3K. Priming by PBEF occurred independent of its NAD-generating capacity because neither nicotinamide mononucleotide or NAD could recapitulate the effects, and a specific inhibitor of PBEF, APO-866, could not inhibit priming. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PBEF can prime for PMN respiratory burst activity by promoting p40 and p47 translocation to the membrane, and this occurs in a MAPK-dependent fashion. The Journal of Immunology , 2011, 186: 6474–6484.


Krugman has recently revitalized IS-LM with a number of succinct analytical pieces on his blog. The reverberations were remarkable. Economists, however, are known often not grasp the full content of their own and, a fortiori, of others' models. This happened to Keynes in the days of high theory and to Krugman in these days. Keynes applied a defect formalism, which is here replaced by objective-structural axioms. This yields the correct relationship between retained profit, saving, and investment which in turn makes it clear after the event that the IS-part of the IS-LM construct never could bear any substantive theoretical load.


Older urban landscapes present unique and complex stressors to urban streams and their habitats through the introduction of legacy and emerging toxic contaminants. Contaminant sources are often associated with various developed land uses such as older residential areas, active and former industrial sites, contaminated sites, and effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plant discharges. These landscapes have a history of legacy contaminant use such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) resulting in impacts to sediment and water in these complex environments. Despite the ban of PCBs in new commercial use in 1979, PCB contamination is still widespread in the environment, with many fish consumption advisories throughout the Chesapeake Bay region based on elevated PCBs. Several watersheds in the Baltimore region have mandated reductions in PCBs per total maximum daily loads in tidal waters of the watersheds in order to promote compliance with water quality standards. Some of these mandated reductions (for example, regulated watershed runoff) specified in the total maximum daily loads are the responsibility of the local jurisdictions as part of their phase 1 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System municipal separate storm sewer system permit. In cooperation with the Baltimore City Department of Public Works and Maryland Department of the Environment, the U.S. Geological Survey and University of Maryland, Baltimore County conducted a study from 2018 to 2020 to refine the sources of PCBs from the City of Baltimore into Back River and to use the results to improve the conceptual site model of PCBs in the Back River watershed. PCB concentrations in the water column of the nontidal streams in Back River watershed are relatively consistent throughout both tributaries, with greater concentrations detected in samples collected from Moores Run but greater loads estimated in samples collected from Herring Run. PCB concentrations measured in the bed sediments and analysis of 1U.S. Geological Survey. 2University of Maryland, Baltimore County. the flux between sediment porewater (hereafter porewater) and surface water within the tributaries suggest that there are no stationary legacy sources within the stream channels. The bulk of PCB mass entering the system from these nontidal tributaries appears to be introduced primarily during storm events. While only one storm event was sampled and concentrations were quantified only in Herring Run, solids captured during the storm were characterized by increases in PCB mass and overall suspended solids concentrations. Although the bioavailability of the PCB-associated sediment is unknown, this mechanism appears to warrant additional attention to better understand how concentrations vary under different storm conditions and temporally. The importance of contaminated stormwater in loading to Herring Run is further supported by the PCB concentrations in storm drain sediments collected near the tributary, which were present in higher concentrations and were characterized by different homolog signatures compared to that in bed sediments. The observations in the tributaries differed from PCB concentrations and sediment characteristics downstream from the City of Baltimore boundary, in the upper tidal area of the main stem of Back River, particularly at the passive sampler locations BRT–1 and BRT–3. This depositional environment is characterized by higher organic content in sediments and higher concentrations of PCBs in porewater, which result in the possible flux of contaminants from sediment to the water column. This flux is generally opposite of that observed in the nontidal tributaries and the farthest upstream tidal site (BRT–2) and may be a result of the possible settling of sediment particles introduced via suspended solids in stormwater. Despite an observed considerable reduction in overall PCB mass loading to and from the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant (BRWWTP) (and similar reductions observed in biosolids) compared to the estimates previously reported from 2015, effluent from the BRWWTP continues to be a primary source of PCBs to Back River. The current study confirmed the likeliness of fat, oil, and grease deposits within the miles of sewer pipe as a source of PCBs to the BRWWTP influent. The differences between PCB concentrations in fat, oil, and grease deposits found in pipes (during replacement) compared to that of the BRWWTP suggest that legacy deposits may contain higher PCB concentrations and may act as a 2 Refining Sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in the Back River Watershed, Baltimore, Maryland, 2018–2020 source of PCBs to passing sewage, eventually entering the BRWWTP. Variation in freely dissolved concentrations in the sewer system was apparent through the analysis of PCBs in the primary pump stations using passive sampling, with the largest contribution to the influent attributed to a single pump station and associated piping. The contribution of PCBs to Herring Run and Moores Run via sanitary sewer overflows compared to the BRWWTP effluent is negligible, similar to reports from another large urban wastewater treatment plant. Therefore, decreased occurrence of sanitary sewer overflows is not expected to largely decrease PCB loads. Results of this study suggest that targeted, sedimentcapture best management practices in Back River watershed could be an effective way to reduce PCB mass loading assuming that deposited contaminated sediments are effectively isolated. Recent studies of some common urban best management practices such as bioretention have shown removal of PCBs within the stormwater control structures. In addition, appropriately timed street sweeping practices with appropriate collection equipment may be an effective way to reduce contaminants such as PCBs from road runoff sources. Reductions in concentrations and mass loading within the sewer system measured in this study compared to that estimated 5 years prior reflect the possible success of ongoing gray infrastructure management actions. Reductions may be attributable to enhanced nutrient reduction upgrades to the BRWWTP and extensive capital improvements and maintenance to the sewer system. This study employed a combined sampling approach and a variety of sampling methods to include low-density polyethylene passive samplers, high-volume water samples, and grab samples of both water and sediment to characterize the PCB inputs to Herring Run, Moores Run, and Back River. Incorporating the passive samplers provided a time-weighted average of the freely dissolved concentration in the surface water, porewater, WWTP influent and effluent, and pump station influent over the deployment period with picogram per liter detection limits. A similar monitoring approach from this study could be implemented within other subwatersheds or municipal separate storm sewer system jurisdictions to assist in refining primary sources of PCBs in order to inform appropriate mitigation approaches.


Titanium dioxide nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 10 nm are fabricated using a sintering method. The degradation of methyl orange indicates that the photocatalytic efficiency is greatly enhanced, which is measured to be 62.81%. Transmission electron microscopy is used to investigate the microstructure of TiO 2 nanoparticles in order to correlate their photocatalytic properties. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy examinations show that all the nanoparticles belong to the anatase phase, and pure edge dislocations exist in some nanoparticles. The great enhancement of photocatalytic efficiency is attributed to two factors, the quantum size effect and the surface defects in the nanoparticles.


European statistics show that one of the most widespread source of health risks related to food is mycotoxins. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the Italian consumers' perception of the mycotoxins' risk and, more specifically, their willingness-to-pay (WTP) for a hypothetical bottle of milk obtained by cows in which the feed ration contains maize certified for the 'good practices' that reduce such risk. For this purpose, a web-based stated choice (SC) experiment involving a representative sample of 973 Italian consumers has been carried out and WTP has been measured using the panel data version of a Random Parameters Logit (RPL) model. The results show that Italian consumers are willing to pay a rather high average price premium for "reduced-micotoxin" milk. This premium becomes even higher for female, middle-age and low-education consumers.


Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) of steel has gained increasing attention in recent years because the damage caused by this process is a significant cost factor for industry. Consequently, inhibition of corrosion and especially the development of corrosion protective films is an important present-day research topic. In this connection, application of microbially produced EPS for mitigating steel corrosion is an innovative idea. However, observations of "protective" biofilms on metallic surfaces have been previously reported. Their inhibiting effect is generally thought to be caused by oxygen depletion or the formation of passivating layers. In contrast to many conventional corrosion protective methods, EPS or EPS-derived agents would be a cheap and environmentally friendly solution. Extensive research activities are still required, before biofilms or cell-free EPS can be used for corrosion protection on larger scale. In this study, we are developing a novel EPS-based corrosion protection method for unalloyed and corrosion resistant steel in aqueous media, which is based upon the application of microbial metabolic products. EPS of various sulfatereducing bacteria and other microorganisms are investigated for their inhibiting effect. The extent of such inhibition is evaluated in a model test system, in which different steels are subjected to corrosive conditions under sulfate-reducing conditions. To elucidate the protective mechanisms, comparative analyses of the chemical composition of the applied EPS are performed.


Objective While opioids are known to cause unintended adverse effects, they are being utilized by a number of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of patient familiarity and perceptions regarding efficacy and risks with opioid medication use for OA. Methods A total of 362 adults with knee and/or hip OA were surveyed in this cross-sectional study. Patients' familiarity with and perceptions of benefits/risks of opioid medications were measured to evaluate potential associations with the utilization of opioid medications for OA within the last 6 months. Logistic regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Results In this sample, 28.7% (100/349) reported use of an opioid medication for OA-related symptoms in the last 6 months. Those who were on an opioid medication, compared to those who were not, were younger (mean age 62.5 vs 64.8 yrs), were more likely to have a high school education or lower (48.0% vs 35.3%), and had higher mean depression (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ]-8 7.2 vs 4.9) and OA-related pain (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index [WOMAC] 54.8 vs 46.8) scores. After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical variables, the following were associated with opioid medication use: higher perception of medication benefit (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.18–2.41), lower perception of medication risk (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.51–0.88), and having family or friends who received the medication for OA (OR 3.88, 95% CI 1.88–8.02). Conclusion Among adults with knee/hip OA, opioid use was associated with being familiar with the treatment, as well as believing that the medication was beneficial and low-risk.


Four new species, Cheirostylis calcarata X. H. Jin & S. C. Chen, C. malipoensis X. H. Jin & S. C. Chen, Gastrochilus alatus X. H. Jin & S. C. Chen, and G. malipoensis X. H. Jin & S. C. Chen, together with seven new records, Bulbophyllum rolfei, B. ovatilabellum, Eria cristata, G. affinis, Listera micrantha, Luisia macrotis, and Oberonia teres, of Orchidaceae are reported from Yunnan, China. Cheirostylis calcarata differs from its ally C. spathulata by having a vertical rhizome, a spurred lip, and stylidia much longer than rostellum arms; Cheirostylis malipoensis from C. yunnanensis by its internodes with constricted ends, hypochile with a longitudinal septum, and stylidia shorter than rostellum. arms; Gastrochilus alatus from G. distichus by having yellow flowers, and wider and membranous epichile with longitudinal ridge centrally; Gastrochilus malipoensis from G. calceolaris by its racemose inflorescences, and glabrous and semicircular epichile. The new record, Bulbophyllum rolfei, is characterized by its dorsal sepal half as long as the lateral sepals, inflorescence equaling or exceeding leaves, lateral sepals connate for at least part of their length; Bulbophyllum ovatilabellum by its forked lateral veins in dorsal sepal and a U-shaped callus on the lip; Eria cristata by its purple and reflexed bracts, white to cream lip with three calli adaxially; Gastrochilus affinis by its dentate-margined epichile with two ridges ranging from base to apex; Listera micrantha by its trilobed-tipped lip; Luisia macrotis by lateral sepals as long as lip, petals less than 5 mm wide, and lip dark purple with cordate epichile; Oberonia teres by its terete leaves and emarginated midlobe.


In this thesis, a full repertoire of model formulation, model analysis, numerical analysis, sensitivity analysis and Bayesian method for parameter identification are presented, that seek to describe faithfully the temporal dynamics of GEF–Rho– Myosin signalling pathway as observed experimentally. The thesis is based on rigorous mathematical and numerical analysis to provide robust models and numerical results that exhibit the temporal dynamics as observed in experiments. We also explore the effect of spatial inhomogeneity on two of the models formulated. The modelling is based on experimental observations, and therefore three different mathematical models are formulated from first principles depending on the constitutive laws for the interaction between chemical species, entailing that new mathematical models are obtained. Detailed mathematical analysis of the stability of uniform steady states using nullcline theory, linear stability theory and sign pattern analysis is carried out, to characterise mathematically the key temporal dynamics of stability, oscillations, excitability and bistability as observed in experiments. Numerical bifurcation analysis using Matcont and numerical simulations carried using MATLAB illustrate theoretical analytical results through parameter variations for the key temporal dynamics. Rigorous sensitivity analysis provides a powerful tool for investigating the effects of parameter variations through local and global sensitivity. In particular, we use local sensitivity theory to characterise the limit cycle behaviour of an oscillatory dynamical system in terms of parameter variations and therefore, the thesis provides premises to characterise or study amplitude and period sensitivity to parameter variations. A full Bayesian approach is applied to the model for the identification of parameters that best-fits the model to experimental results. Therefore, the thesis provides a new framework for incorporating prior knowledge about parameters, which results in obtaining full probability distribution for parameters. Finally, the thesis explores and studies the spatially extended version on the ODE models. We analyse the existence of Turing instability for some parameter values. This proof-of-concept set premises to extend the temporal models to include spatial variations in the form of coupled bulk-surface reaction-diffusion systems through compartmentalisation of the spatial domain.


Background Acupuncture treatment of chronic insomnia (CI) was effective. Anxiety and depression symptoms of the CI patients were improved to varying degrees after acupuncture treatment. Corticosterone (CORT) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) are involved in the occurrence and development of comorbidity of insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Whether acupuncture can treat insomnia and accompany anxiety and depression symptoms by regulating CORT and 5-HT is still unclear. Methods This was a randomized, single-blind (participant), parallel, placebo-controlled trial. Sixty CI patients were randomly divided into acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups, with 30 patients in each group. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV29), Shenmen (HT7, bilateral), and Sanyinjiao (SP6, bilateral), while in the sham acupuncture group, superficial needles were used on non-disorder-related acupoints. Both groups were treated 3 times a week (once every other day) for 4 weeks and at the 3-month follow-up. The patients were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). The serum concentrations of CORT and 5-HT were also measured before and after treatment. Results After treatment, the decrease in serum CORT and the increase in serum 5-HT were significantly greater in the acupuncture group than in the sham acupuncture group. At follow-up, the PSQI, HAMA, and HAMD scores in the acupuncture group were significantly lower than those in the sham acupuncture group. Conclusions Elevated serum CORT and decreased serum 5-HT levels may be associated with mood regulation disorders in CI patients. Acupuncture can significantly improve the sleep quality, efficiency, and latency of CI patients, and it can alleviate anxiety and depression in such patients. Compared with the sham acupuncture group, the acupuncture group showed a stable long-term efficacy. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trials Register ChiCTR1800020298.


Personalised memorials often provoke a process of formalisation. As motives behind the development of a proper place of death we may find given social, cultural, religious or aesthetic structures. However, I propose there are hidden motives for these value judgements other than aestheticism, religiosity or cultural authenticity. Even if, as Akesson describes it, personalised memorials may serve as a positive and graspable connection between the symbolic and diabolic reality, the opposite may also be true. Negative experiences of personalised memorials might, for instance, lie implicit in various value judgements and may perhaps be explained by what Kristeva calls abjection. Abjection, for Kristeva, is something confusingly horrible which suddenly breaks through in a moment of revelation when the expected is turned upside down. Certeau presents a related view, stating that the instantaneous flashes of memory can only find catalysts in spaces that enable unpredictable situations to occur whereas memory becomes static in autonomous proper places. If we move Kristeva's and Certeau's discussion to the context of persona-oriented memorials, we may well find that standardised and impersonal grave lots for some people enhance emotional control and thus help tame the fear of death, whereas the more unpredictable encounters with roadside memorials or memorial decorations from "the living world", like toys, photographs or personal items, function as catalysts, hence, revealing the ever-present powers of death and turning the space of ordinary life upside down by exposing its temporariness and fragility. Thus, the borders of the cemetery, originally enclosing the churchyard to separate the consecrated earth from the unconsecrated, continues, in current secular and large-scale cemeteries, to keep death in order, inside well-trimmed hedges and proper grave lots. Outside there is life - and the protection works both ways. (Less)


Many colleges, universities, and educational institutions regularly include online music classes in their schedule of courses. However, such courses do not focus on teaching the physical aspects of playing a musical instrument. The purpose of this instructional design project is to design and evaluate the effectiveness of an online module structured to teach beginning level students basic symbols and terminology associated with playing the guitar. The module was accompanied with a pre-module survey, pre-test, post-test, and an attitudinal survey. Twelve individuals from the University of Hawai'i's College of Education and Educational Technology Departments participated in testing the module and evaluating its ability to deliver guitar instruction in an online learning environment. Group scores from the pre-test and post-test indicate that the module was fairly successful in reaching its teaching objectives. Collected data from the tests and surveys suggest that revisions to the module include additional examples and student rehearsal of the concepts linked to the imperfect test scores. Implications from the research are discussed and highlight the many tasks associated with designing and implementing online guitar instruction.


The helium refrigeration system (HRS) of the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR), which was designed to provide an energetic equivalent cooling power of 9 kW at 4.5 K, has been operated successfully during the last three years since 2008. For the operation of KSTAR, all of the cold components, such as the superconducting (SC) magnets, magnet structure, thermal shields, SC buslines, and current leads, were cooled down to the aimed cryogenic temperature by generated helium in the HRS. The supercritical helium (4.5 K and 5.5 bar) of 300 g/s was delivered for cooling of the SC magnet (poloidal field (PF) magnet: 14; toroidal field (TF) magnet: 16) and magnet structure and was circulated by the PF and the TF circulators. Thermal loads due to magnet operation are removed at the thermal damper installed in the distribution box of the HRS. Moreover, the pressure change in the magnet will directly affect the circulators. In particular, the pressure drop of the PF circulator drastically changed due to the PF magnet operation depending on the plasma generation scenario. In the 2010 campaign, the operating range of the PF magnet expanded from ±4 to ±10 kA, and the plasma scenario was improved. Accordingly, the mass flow rate of the PF circuit was increased from 350 to 369 g/s in order to achieve cryogenic stability. However, the operating range of the PF circulator exceeded the allowable range during shot #2526 and shot #3878. Nevertheless, the circulator successfully operated without any significant fault. The operating plan of the PF magnet that will be further expanded in the operating range may cause damages to the circulator continuously. Consequently, the influence of PF operating scenarios on the PF circulator was analyzed to investigate the safety margin of the HRS.


A discontinuous fiber-reinforced thermoset material produced by the Sheet Molding Compound process is investigated. Due to the process-related fiber orientation distribution, a composite with an anisotropic microstructure is created which crucially affects the mechanical properties. The central objectives are the modeling of the thermoelastic behavior of the composite accounting for the underlying microstructure, and the experimental characterization of the pure resin and the composite material.


We have developed a highly flexible anthropomorphic 7-DOF robotic arm for a mobile humanoid robot. The kinematics of the arm such as workspace, singularity, the number and physical nature of self-motion are presented. The concepts and methodology of the inverse kinematics base on the self-motion of the arm are described. By this method the task and motion scheduling can simply be done. The formulations of dynamics and the dynamic effect due to the arm's dead weight were analyzed.


This article features a reflexive iteration of engaged scholarship regarding the Queer Liberation Theory Project, a community-based research study with the social justice group Queer Ontario, which involves academics, activists, and artists, a number of whom are cross affiliated. We explore the tensions and challenges involved in developing and creating knowledge via an engaged scholarship process that must respect the historical philosophical perspectives of a social movement as well as today's academic theories. This article addresses the challenges of developing new knowledge (a theory) that counters a powerful, neoliberal, mainstream segment of today's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movements, with implications for society at large. The layered issues associated with engaged scholarship are disentangled, including vulnerability to neoliberalism, navigating competing perspectives, and how academics/activists/artists both understand and engage in knowledge creation.


Fabrication of catalytically active electrodes by electrodeposition is attractive due to its in situ nature, easy controllability, and large-scale operation capability. Most recently, modifying the electrodes with phosphate ligands through electrodepositing electrode materials has shown promising results in improving the kinetics of some reactions. However, it is unclear how the presence of phosphate anions affects the electrodeposition process and functions in catalyzing reactions. Here, we report a systematic study on electrodeposition of Cu in the presence of phosphate anions. The phosphate anions form a complex with free Cu(II) cations, competing with the electrodeposition process. The competition between the two processes results in an insufficient supply of free Cu(II) for electrodeposition, especially at the diffusion layer. This is evidenced by the calculation of free Cu(II) concentration and the electrodeposition current at identical applied potentials. We also found that the electrodeposition of Cu in the presence of phosphate generates Cu-oxyo/hydroxyo-phosphate species on the deposited copper surface. The modified electrodes with phosphate species exhibit higher selectivity for HCOOH formation (faradaic efficiency ∼80%) from the electrochemical reduction of CO2 as compared with Cu foil (faradaic efficiency ∼33%). The effect of phosphate ligands promoting HCOOH selectivity is further verified by stripping off the ligands and regenerating the ligands.


Understanding the dynamics of expanding biological tissues is essential to a wide range of phenomena in morphogenesis, wound healing and tumor proliferation. Increasing evidence suggests that many of the relevant phenomena originate from complex collective dynamics, inherently nonlinear, of constituent cells that are physically active. Here, we investigate thin disk layers of proliferating, cohesive, monoclonal tumor cells and report the discovery of macroscopic, periodic, soliton-like mechanical waves with which cells are collectively ratcheting, as in the traveling-wave chemotaxis of dictyostelium discodium amoeba cells. The relevant length-scale of the waves is remarkably large (∼1 mm), compared to the thickness of a mono-layer tissue ( ∼ 10 μ m ). During the tissue expansion, the waves are found to repeat several times with a quite well defined period of approximately 4 h. Our analyses suggest that the waves are initiated by the leading edge that actively pulls the tissue in the outward direction, while the cells within the bulk tissue do not seem to generate a strong self-propulsion. Subsequently, we demonstrate that a simple mathematical model chain of nonlinear springs that are constantly pulled in the outward direction at the leading edge recapitulates the observed phenomena well. As the areal cell density becomes too high, the tissue expansion stalls and the periodic traveling waves yield to multiple swirling vortices. Cancer cells are known to possess a broad spectrum of migration mechanisms. Yet, our finding has established a new unusual mode of tumor tissue expansion, and it may be equally applicable for many different expanding thin layers of cell tissues.


How might organisms grow into their desired physical forms in spite of environmental and genetic variation? How do they maintain this form in spite of physical insults? This article presents a case study in simulated morphogenesis, using a physics-based model for embryonic epithelial tissue. The challenges of the underlying physics force the introduction of closed-loop controllers for both spatial patterning and geometric structure. Reliable development is achieved not through elaborate control procedures or exact solutions, but through crude layering of independent, overlapping mechanisms. As a consequence, development and regeneration together become one process, morphological homeostasis, which, owing to its internal feedbacks and partially redundant architecture, is remarkably robust to both knockout damage and environmental variation. The incomplete nature of such redundancy furnishes an evolutionary rationale for its preservation, in spite of individual knockout experiments that may suggest it has little purpose.


This paper presents a method for automatically generating user interfaces to programs. All possible legal strings of input to a moderately interactive program, taken together, specify the input language of that program. A grammar for such a language is fundamentally knowledge about the language, and that knowledge can be used to assist the program's user in constructing legal program input. The set of words which can appear next in an input sentence, the 'Next set', is defined and a technique for calculating it with a modified version of Prologs's Definite Clause Grammar parser is given. One type of interface this method can generate is a menu-based front-end. The concept of menus is used very generally to include any method that allows a user to make a choice from among several options. The main difficulty with this technique is that menus may become very large (or may on occasion be infinite). This problem is overcome by the introduction of 'pre-terminals'-classes of language terminals defined by predicates. When a preterminal is chosen from a menu,... Read complete abstract on page 2.


The study investigates the nature and degree of influence of the range of application usability variables on the learning experience of the students at a specific institution of higher education institution in Oman. The study was carried out via eDify implementation encompassing the usability variables and learning experience of the students. Literature does little to suggest the aforementioned relationship in the context of the Omani higher education. The current study would reveal the variables that are critical to effective technology-based learning of the students. The implications generated through the study would allow the institution involved in the study to effectively implement the variables required for enhanced teaching and learning. The methodology used in the study is divided into an exploratory and the main research. Principal component analysis and a range of regression analyses are conducted to test the relationships between the independent and the dependent variable, "learning experience". Results suggest that the usability variables have both positive and significant effects on the dependent variable of the learning experience. One usability variable that stands out more than others is the usage of mobile media.


BACKGROUND
There are few Norwegian recommendations for quality and efficacy of ambulance performance. A report commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs concluded that the ambulance service was the weakest link in the chain of survival. The report proposed standards for response intervals in emergencies: 90% of the population in cities and urban areas should be reached by an ambulance within eight minutes. In rural areas, 90% should be reached within 25 minutes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
This study describes the ambulance response interval for the 2,589 red code emergencies in the 15 municipalities in Vestfold County in 1998, a county with a population of 208,687, or 97.5 inhabitants per square kilometre, with seven ambulance stations. A retrospective analysis was made of data for the year 1998.

RESULTS
The proposed standard was not reached in any municipality in the county. The city of Tønsberg had the best performance, but even here only 48.9% of the population were reached by ambulance within eight minutes. The worst performance was found in the rural municipality of Tjøme; here, only 63.3% were reached within 25 minutes.

INTERPRETATION
Achieving the standards proposed will require a major restructuring of existing ambulance services.


While widely used in research, the 1991 Rome criteria for the gastroduodenal disorders, especially symptom subgroups in dyspepsia, remain contentious. After a comprehensive literature search, a consensus-based approach was applied, supplemented by input from international experts who reviewed the report. Three functional gastroduodenal disorders are defined. Functional dyspepsia is persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen; evidence of organic disease likely to explain the symptoms is absent, including at upper endoscopy. Discomfort refers to a subjective, negative feeling that may be characterized by or associated with a number of non-painful symptoms including upper abdominal fullness, early satiety, bloating, or nausea. A dyspepsia subgroup classification is proposed for research purposes, based on the predominant (most bothersome) symptom: (a) ulcer-like dyspepsia when pain (from mild to severe) is the predominant symptom, and (b) dysmotility-like dyspepsia when discomfort (not pain) is the predominant symptom. This classification is supported by recent evidence suggesting that predominant symptoms, but not symptom clusters, identify subgroups with distinct underlying pathophysiological disturbances and responses to treatment. Aerophagia is an unusual complaint characterized by air swallowing that is objectively observed and troublesome repetitive belching. Functional vomiting refers to frequent episodes of recurrent vomiting that is not self-induced nor medication induced, and occurs in the absence of eating disorders, major psychiatric diseases, abnormalities in the gut or central nervous system, or metabolic diseases that can explain the symptom. The current classification requires careful validation but the criteria should be of value in future research. (Gut 1999;45(Suppl II):II37–II42)


When producing a duration, for instance by pressing a key for one second, the brain relies on self-generated neuronal dynamics to monitor the "flow of time". Converging evidence has suggested that the brain can also monitor itself monitoring time. Here, we investigated which brain mechanisms support metacognitive inferences when self-generating timing behavior. Although studies have shown that participants can reliably detect temporal errors when generating a duration (Akdogan & Balci, 2017; Kononowicz et al., 2017), the neural bases underlying the evaluation and the monitoring of this self-generated temporal behavior are unknown. Theories of psychological time have also remained silent about such self-evaluation abilities. How are temporal errors inferred on the basis of purely internally driven brain dynamics without external reference for time? We contrasted the error-detection hypothesis, in which error-detection would result from the comparison of competing motor plans with the read-out hypothesis, in which errors would result from inferring the state of an internal code for motor timing. Human participants generated a time interval, and evaluated the magnitude of their timing (first and second order behavioral judgments, respectively) while being recorded with time-resolved neuroimaging. Focusing on the neural signatures following the termination of self-generated duration, we found several regions involved in performance monitoring, which displayed a linear association between the power of α (8-14 Hz) oscillations, and the duration of the produced interval. Altogether, our results support the read-out hypothesis and indicate that first-order signals may be integrated for the evaluation of self-generated behavior. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT When typing on a keyboard, the brain estimates where the finger should land, but also when. The endogenous generation of the when in time is naturally accompanied by timing errors which, quite remarkably, participants can accurately rate as being too short or too long, and also by how much. Here, we explored the brain mechanisms supporting such temporal metacognitive inferences. For this, we contrasted two working hypotheses (error-detection vs. read-out), and showed that the pattern of evoked and oscillatory brain activity parsimoniously accounted best for a read-out mechanism. Our results suggest the existence of meta-representations of time estimates.


The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been increasing worldwide. It continues to present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. It accounts for approximately 3% of adult malignancies and 90-95% of neoplasm arising from kidney. RCC originates from proximal tubular epithelium of adult kidney. Alkaline phosphatase is abundantly expressed on the BBM and serves as an excellent marker for its integrity. Earlier reports have demonstrated that the activities of brush border membrane (BBM) enzymes are altered in cancer cells. The present study was conducted to find out the molecular basis of altered expression/activity of ALP in BBM from RCC in comparison to normal renal BBM. Total 30 histopathologically confirmed cases of RCC were included in the present study. The specific activity of ALP was drastically reduced in homogenate as well as in BBM from RCC as compared to BBM from adjacent normal kidney parenchyma. SDS-PAGE study showed that the BBM proteins of higher molecular weights were poorly expressed in BBM from RCC as compare to BBM from adjacent normal kidney parenchyma. Incubation of gel with BCIP/NBT dye showed that the expression of ALP in BBM from RCC was reduced as compared to adjacent normal kidney BBM. Western blot analysis using anti ALP antibody also confirmed the reduced expression of ALP in RCC BBM. Further, to check whether this reduced expression of ALP occurs at mRNA level, a semi quantitative RT-PCR was done, which showed markedly reduced expression of ALP mRNA in RCC as compared to adjacent normal kidney.


Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) are a step to mainstream climate concerns in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). National and Regional RDPs for 2014 – 2020 include instruments that promote mitigation and adaptation strategies for agriculture to enhance biodiversity, environmental value of rural landscapes, efficient water management and the transition to a low carbon bio-based economy with reduced rates of GHG and ammonia emissions. This contribution presents a comparative assessment of actions undertaken by two EU Member states, the Netherlands (NL) and Hungary (HU) (national programmes), and two regions, Emilia Romagna (ER) and Valencia (VLC), which represent distinct agricultural and forest systems. It shows that EU regions selected for the case studies move towards mainstreaming climate concerns in Pillar II policies. In the sample, actions on ecosystems under Priority 4 ('Restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems') represent between 30 and 50% of the foreseen RDP expenditure for the whole period 2014- 2020. Actions under Priority 5 ('Resource efficiency and shift to a low carbon and resilient economy') account for less than 20% of the RDP expenditure. Implementation and monitoring become key factors of success to guarantee that measures are not cosmetic and they actually influence the transition to a sustainable bio-economy. Further efforts should contribute to progressively integrate innovative solutions in future adjustments of RDPs. Finally, further analysis of the regulatory framework, red tape, cultural change, and social innovations will be required to improve RDP effectiveness to face climate change challenges.


The diagnosis chylothorax is based on a chemical analysis of the pleural effusion. According to the literature, this analysis can be rather straightforward, comprising measurements of triglycerides, chylomicrons, and cholesterol. In this report we present an autopsy case that alerted us to interpret these results critically. Although the laboratory tests of the pleural effusion in this patient with parenteral nutrition suggested chylothorax, additional tests (potassium (11.3 mmol.L(-1)) and glucose (128 mmol.L(-1)) proved otherwise. Comparison of the pleural effusion analysis and the content of the parenteral nutrition led to the final conclusion that the effusion was due to a leakage of parenteral nutrition instead of chylothorax. We therefore suggest adding glucose and potassium measurements to the biochemical work-up of a patient under suspicion of chylothorax.


Aero-engine alloys (also as known as superalloys)are known as difficult-to-machine materials, especially at higher cutting speeds, due to their several inherent properties such as low thermal conductivity and their high reactivity with cutting tool materials. In this paper a finite element analysis (FEA) of machining for Incoloy907 is presented. In particular, the thermodynamical constitutitve equation(T-C-E) in FEA is applied for both workpiece material and tool material. Cutting temperature and cutting force are predicted. The comparison between the predicted and experimental cutting temperature and cutting force are presented and discussed. The results indicated that a good prediction accuracy of both principal cutting temperature and cutting force can be achieved by the method of FEA with thermodynamical constitutitve equation.


iii The ~45-32 ka Mangaone Subgroup eruptions followed the Rotoiti and Earthquake Flat caldera collapse events from Okataina Volcanic Centre, North Island, New Zealand. The deposits reveal a significant difference in compositional and physical parameters between early (~45-36 ka) and late deposits (33-31.5 ka), and between all other deposits erupted from within Okataina Volcanic Centre in the last ~61 kyrs. Early Mangaone Subgroup deposits are less evolved and display a wide range of compositions (65-73 wt. % whole rock SiO2, 49-78 ppm Rb) compared to the late deposits (7377 wt. % whole rock SiO2, 83-97 ppm Rb). All Mangaone Subgroup deposits are less evolved than the Rotoiti, Earthquake Flat and post-26 ka deposits. They became increasingly evolved over a short time. In addition, early deposits yield hotter temperatures and higher oxygen fugacities (8001000 °C, 0.4-1.2 ΔNNO) than the late deposits (760-910 °C, 0.2-0.9 ΔNNO). High resolution crystal traverses reveal wide variations across single phenocrysts (up to An20 in plagioclase, En13 in clinopyroxene and 4.8 wt. % Al2O3 in amphibole). A model consisting of a mid-crustal (~8-10 km) crystal mush frequently underplated by mantlederived mafic magma is proposed as a source for the Mangaone Subgroup eruptions. Based on whole rock trends, the crystal mush is viewed to consist largely of amphibole and plagioclase, becoming increasingly mafic with depth. Buoyant hot mafic melts intrude the mush and rise to boundaries within the crust. Pockets of silicic melts are formed by the reheating and partial melting of localised areas of the crystal mush, coupled with the release of silicic interstitial melt. The mantle-derived mafic melts provide physical and chemical energy to the system, promoting crystal mush-melt separation. Frequent, repeated mafic underplating of the crystal mush kept the mush from crystallising to completion. Occasionally a mafic melt penetrated the silicic melt, leading to an eruption. The transition from high-SiO2 rhyolite magmas during the caldera collapse events to dacite-rhyolite magmas during the Mangaone Subgroup eruptions, and returning to high-SiO2 rhyolite magmas during post-26 ka eruptions is interpreted as a result of relative deepening of the system immediately following the caldera collapse events and progressive shallowing over the duration of the Mangaone Subgroup occurred. The upper part of the mush transitioned from anhydrous as a result of decompression after the caldera collapse events to cooler, more hydrous, reflected by the mineral assemblages observed and a melt-rich cap began to re-develop over the crystal mush during the later Mangaone Subgroup eruptions. Similarities between the Mangaone Subgroup and other post-caldera events indicate that caldera collapse events cause a major change in the physiochemical structure of the magma system. The Mangaone Subgroup provides an example of how rapidly a silicic system can transition from hot, dry dacitic compositions to cool, hydrous high-SiO2 rhyolitic compositions.


Controlling molecular building blocks and their placement at the nanoscale is an important issue for assembly from the bottom up. Manipulating single molecules on the surface using self-assembly can be used in creating novel molecular devices. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) form when molecules spontaneously assemble on a surface from either solution or vapor deposition. Cage molecules, specifically carboranethiols have many advantages such as rigid three-dimensional structures, high-stability to chemical and heat degradation, symmetry, rigidity, straightforward functionalization and controllable intermolecular interactions. Using the unique properties, we can fine tune SAMs and gain a fundamental chemical and physical understanding at the nanoscale. Assembling carboranethiols onto Au{111}, creates pristine monolayers with minimal defects and are made rigid through intermolecular interactions. Difunctionalized carboranes have gained interest due to the second thiol group. Assembling carboredithiol on Au{111} reveals a hexagonally close packed monolayer with two different intensity protrusions. We attribute these two protrusions as two distinct binding sites on the surface: with both thiols bound or one thiol bound and one unbound. Controlling the directionality of these binding sites is possible through protonation. Using strong acids and bases we can direct binding modalities in either direction. Functionalizing carboranethiols provides even greater tunability over the surface. P-carborane and its functionalized analog, p-mercaptobenzoic acid are analyzed using STM. These assemblies pack in a hexagonally close packed lattice which adsorb primarily as thiolates and thiols. Contact angle measurements confirm the hydrophilic character of p-mercaptobenzoic acid monolayers containing the carboxylic acid group. Mixed monolayers of p-carborane and p-mercaptobenzoic acid provide an excellent foundation for two and three dimensional structures. Using STM's local barrier height (LBH) mode we can track dipoles on a surface. Assembling various carboranes with different dipoles allows us to visualize how these dipoles align and interact with neighboring molecules. Dipoles align based on intermolecular interactions with surrounding molecules and across different monolayer and surface defects, and locally align at low temperatures. Finally we look at place-exchange reactions involving alkanethiolates and alkaneselenoates through STM. Alkanthiolates are rapidly replaced by alkaneselenoates, as selenol coverage increases. The monolayer structure changes as selenoate coverage increases and with positive sample bias in STM, the selenolate-gold complex becomes labile and exchanges positions with neighboring thiolates.


Introduction: Minimal residual disease (MRD) status reflects depth of response and informs prognosis after first-line therapy in patients (pts) with follicular lymphoma (FL). In the GALLIUM study (NCT01332968), the primary endpoint of investigator (INV)-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) in previously untreated FL pts was significantly improved with obinutuzumab (GA101; G)- versus rituximab (R)-based immunochemotherapy treatment. We previously reported consistently higher MRD response rates with G- versus R-based treatment at the end of induction (EOI) (92% vs 85%, respectively; p=0.0041; Pott et al. ASH 2016). Here we report the correlation of MRD response at EOI with updated PFS data and the results of MRD response assessment during maintenance treatment and follow-up. We also assessed MRD responses and outcome in pts who remained MRD-positive at EOI.
 Methods: Previously untreated pts aged ≥18 years with FL requiring treatment were randomized 1:1 to receive 6-8 cycles of G (1000mg IV on days [D] 1, 8, and 15 of cycle [C] 1 and D1 of C2-6 or 8) or R (375mg/m2 IV on D1) plus standard chemotherapy (CHOP, CVP, or bendamustine). Responding pts received the same antibody as maintenance every 2 months for up to 2 years. MRD status was assessed by real-time quantitative (RQ)-PCR assays at mid-induction (MI) in peripheral blood (PB), at EOI in PB and bone marrow, at 4-monthly intervals during maintenance in PB, and at 6-monthly intervals during follow-up in PB, and was defined as negative (MRD response) if RQ-PCR and subsequent nested PCR were negative in all samples analyzed at the respective time point. INV-assessed PFS was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods (data cut-off, February 12, 2018). Pts were included in the various analyses if they had evaluable MRD data and achieved a complete or partial response at EOI.
 Results: After 57 months' median follow-up, MRD evaluable pts (n=634/1202 randomized FL pts) who had a MRD-negative response at EOI (n=564) continued to have a longer PFS than those who had a MRD-positive response at EOI (n=70; hazard ratio 0.38; 95% confidence interval 0.26, 0.56; p<0.0001; Figure 1), which was irrespective of treatment arm (Figure 2). Of the MRD evaluable pts who continued on maintenance treatment, a MRD-negative response was observed at EOI in 300/324 (92.6%) pts in the G arm versus 264/310 (85.2%) in the R arm (p=0.0034). The majority of the MRD-negative pts remained negative during maintenance. No difference in the MRD relapse rate (conversion to MRD positivity) was observed between pts treated with G or R maintenance (6.3% vs 6.1%, respectively). Two-thirds of MRD-negative responses were sustained throughout the maintenance period (G, 67.0%; R, 63.2%), with a rate of disease progression or death of 11.4% in the G arm and 15.5% in the R arm. Twenty-four pts in the G-chemo arm and 46 pts in the R-chemo arm were MRD positive at EOI but eligible for maintenance treatment based on clinical (CT-based) response. Of these, 22 (92%) pts in the G-chemo arm (18 within the first 4 months of maintenance treatment) and 36 (78%) pts in the R-chemo arm (27 within the first 4 months) achieved MRD negativity during maintenance. Of the 12 pts who never achieved an MRD response, 8 progressed or died within 7 months of EOI, 1 progressed after 15 months, 1 progressed after 26 months, and 2 remained MRD positive during maintenance up to month 8 and month 12, respectively, but had no documented tumor progression until D1348 and D1709.
 Conclusions: These data confirm the prognostic value of MRD status at EOI in previously untreated FL pts receiving immunochemotherapy. Analysis of MRD kinetics revealed that most of the pts who achieved MRD negativity at EOI sustained their responses during maintenance. The majority of pts who were MRD positive at EOI achieved MRD negativity during the first 4 months of maintenance. While this is likely to be indicative of the efficacy of continued treatment, it also suggests that response kinetics can be slower than in those pts who have an early MRD response at MI, and that responses that are beyond the sensitivity of the MRD assay may be less deep. Importantly, pts who failed to achieve MRD negativity at EOI or during early maintenance had a high chance of experiencing early progression or death. These data demonstrate the prognostic value of MRD response assessments in previously untreated FL pts receiving immunochemotherapy.

 Hoster: F. Hoffman-La Roche: Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Roche Pharma AG: Other: Travel support, Research Funding. Unterhalt:F. Hoffman-La Roche: Other: Travel support. van der Jagt:F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd: Employment, Honoraria, Research Funding. Janssens:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Ad board, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi-Genzyme: Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Ad board, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Kneba:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria. Mayer:Affimed: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Pocock:Kent & Canterbury Hospital: Employment. Knapp:Roche: Employment. Danesi:F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Employment. Nielsen:F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Employment, Other: Ownership interests PLC. Brown:PAREXEL, external business partner with Roche Products Ltd, Welwyn, UK: Employment. Mundt:Roche: Employment, Other: Ownership interests PLC. Marcus:Gilead: Consultancy; F. Hoffman-La Roche: Other: Travel support and lecture fees; Roche: Consultancy, Other: Travel support and lecture fees . Hiddemann:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding; F. Hoffman-La Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.


A new method, called barrier coupling, for coupling light into ion-implanted waveguides is presented in analogy to prism coupling. Light is coupled by frustrated total reflection at the barrier region of decreased refractive index by proper variation of the incident angle. Effective indices of guided modes are determined by the minima of the non-incoupled reflected light. The method is used for the determination of the effective indices of an ion-implanted waveguide in KNbO3. It is simpler than most other techniques, more accurate, and nondestructive.


When the symptoms of hyperandrogenism are mild in an adolescent girl, it is difficult to establish whether they are related to the physiological androgenization of puberty or to an incipient disease. The most frequent etiology is the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Its diagnosis is defined in adult women by precise criteria which need to be adapted to the particular case of the adolescent girl. Nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia is the main differential diagnosis to PCOS. Although much less frequent, other etiologies of peripubertal hyperandrogenism such as adrenal or ovarian tumors or Cushing's disease must be considered by analyzing the rapidity of installation and intensity of hyperandrogenic symptoms and by a systematic hormonal work-up. In addition to etiologic measures, the treatment consists of administration of an anti-androgen, mainly cyproterone acetate. In the case of PCOS, the patient needs to be educated regarding the metabolic risks.


419 Abstract—Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) is a functional capability that has been developed to allow the United Kingdom Fire and Rescue Service to deal with 'major incidents' primarily involving structural collapse. The nature of the work undertaken by USAR means that staying out of a damaged or collapsed building structure is not usually an option for search and rescue personnel. As a result there is always a risk that they themselves could become victims. For this paper, a systematic and investigative review using desk research was undertaken to explore the role which structural engineering can play in assisting search and rescue personnel to conduct structural assessments when in the field. The focus is on how search and rescue personnel can assess damaged and collapsed building structures, not just in terms of structural damage that may been countered, but also in relation to structural stability. Natural disasters, accidental emergencies, acts of terrorism and other extreme events can vary significantly in nature and ferocity, and can cause a wide variety of damage to building structures. It is not possible or, even realistic, to provide search and rescue personnel with definitive guidelines and procedures to assess damaged and collapsed building structures as there are too many variables to consider. However, understanding what implications damage may have upon the structural stability of a building structure will enable search and rescue personnel to better judge and quantify risk from a life-safety standpoint. It is intended that this will allow search and rescue personnel to make informed decisions and ensure every effort is made to mitigate risk, so that they themselves do not become victims.


This dissertation addresses the problem of parameter and state estimation of nonlinear dynamical systems and its applications for satellites in Low Earth Orbits. The main focus in Bayesian filtering methods is to recursively estimate the state a posteriori probability density function conditioned on available measurements. Exact optimal solution to the nonlinear Bayesian filtering problem is intractable as it requires knowledge of infinite number of parameters. Bayes' probability distribution can be approximated by mixture of orthogonal expansion of probability density function in terms of higher order moments of the distribution. In general, better series approximations to Bayes' distribution can be achieved using higher order moment terms. However, use of such density function increases computational complexity especially for multivariate systems. Mixture of orthogonally expanded probability density functions based on lower order moment terms is suggested to approximate the Bayes' probability density function. The main novelty of this thesis is development of new Bayes' filtering algorithms based on single and mixture series using a Monte Carlo simulation approach. Furthermore, based on an earlier work by Culver [1] for an exact solution to Bayesian filtering based on Taylor series and third order orthogonal expansion of probability density function, a new filtering algorithm utilizing a mixture of orthogonal expansion for such density function is derived. In this new extension, methods to compute parameters of such finite mixture distributions are developed for optimal filtering performance. The results have shown better performances over other filtering methods such as Extended Kalman Filter and Particle Filter under sparse measurement availability. For qualitative and quantitative performance the filters have been simulated for orbit determination of a satellite through radar measurements / Global Positioning System and optical navigation for a lunar orbiter. This provides a new unified view on use of orthogonally expanded probability density functions for nonlinear Bayesian filtering based on Taylor series and Monte Carlo simulations under sparse measurements. Another new contribution of this work is analysis on impact of process noise in mathematical models of nonlinear dynamical systems. Analytical solutions for nonlinear differential equations of motion have a different level of time varying process noise. Analysis of the process noise for Low Earth Orbital models is carried out using the Gauss Legendre Differential Correction method. Furthermore, a new parameter estimation algorithm for Epicyclic orbits by Hashida and Palmer [2], based on linear least squares has been developed. The foremost contribution of this thesis is the concept of nonlinear Bayesian estimation based on mixture of orthogonal expansions to improve estimation accuracy under sparse measurements.


The mobile proton model (Dongre, A. R., Jones, J. L., Somogyi, A. and Wysocki, V. H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118 , 8365-8374) of peptide fragmentation states that the ionizing protons play a critical role in the gas-phase fragmentation of protonated peptides upon collision-induced dissociation (CID). The model distinguishes two classes of peptide ions, those with or without easily mobilizable protons. For the former class mild excitation leads to proton transfer reactions which populate amide nitrogen protonation sites. This enables facile amide bond cleavage and thus the formation of b and y sequence ions. In contrast, the latter class of peptide ions contains strongly basic functionalities which sequester the ionizing protons, thereby often hindering formation of sequence ions. Here we describe the proton-driven amide bond cleavages necessary to produce b and y ions from peptide ions lacking easily mobilizable protons. We show that this important class of peptide ions fragments by different means from those with easily mobilizable protons. We present three new amide bond cleavage mechanisms which involve salt-bridge, anhydride, and imine enol intermediates, respectively. All three new mechanisms are less energetically demanding than the classical oxazolone b(n)-y(m) pathway. These mechanisms offer an explanation for the formation of b and y ions from peptide ions with sequestered ionizing protons which are routinely fragmented in large-scale proteomics experiments.


In this paper the concept of a new method for the estimation of the heat flux distribution and the total power in CSP applications is presented. This method requires appropriate analysis of the temperature evolution on a target, or directly on a receiver. A 3-D thermal conduction model with boundary conditions to take into account the convection and radiation losses has been developed. A parametric analysis was performed and we checked how the physical parameters affect the applicability of the method. Having proven numerically the potential of this method, it was experimentally implemented in the central tower CSP plant of The Cyprus Institute at PROTEAS facilities successfully. The experience gained from the numerical and experimental application of this method is discussed.


Integrating residential photovoltaic (PV) power generation and energy storage systems into the Smart Grid is an effective way of utilizing renewable power and reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. This has become a particularly interesting problem with the introduction of dynamic electricity energy pricing models since electricity consumers can use their PV-based energy generation and controllable energy storage devices for peak shaving on their power demand profile from the grid, and thereby, minimize their electricity bill cost. A realistic electricity price function is considered in this paper with billing period of a month, comprised of both the energy price component and the demand price component. Due to the characteristics of the realistic electricity price function and the energy storage capacity limitation, the residential storage control algorithm should properly account for various energy loss components during system operation, including the energy loss components due to rate capacity effect in the storage system as well as power dissipation in the power conversion circuitries. A near-optimal storage control algorithm is proposed accounting for these aspects, based on the PV power generation and load power consumption prediction results in the previous papers. The near-optimal control algorithm, which controls charging/discharging schemes of the storage system, is effectively implemented by solving a convex optimization problem at the beginning of each day with polynomial time complexity. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed near-optimal residential storage control algorithm achieves up to 36.0% enhancement in electricity cost reduction than the baseline control algorithm.


This study investigated the determinants of dividends policy in the Nigerian stock exchange market. To achieve the objectives of this study, a total of 50 listed firms in the Nigerian stock exchange market were selected and analyzed for the study using the judgmental sampling technique. Also, the corporate annual reports for the period 2006-2011 were used for the study. The paper was basically modeled to examine the effects of financial performance of firms, firm size, financial leverage and board independence on the dividend payout decisions of listed firms operating in the Nigerian stock exchange market using the regression analysis method. The study in its findings observed that there is a significant positive relationship between firms' financial performance, size of firms and board independence on the dividend payouts decisions of listed firms in Nigeria.


Delivering some tendencies regarding the future of eLearning represents a strong and effective tool for eLearning researchers and users from the entire world. Nowadays the Maturity Models became some tailored solutions for measuring the development of eLearning. This pessimistic-mercantile way of making science did not offer some prospective layers to adapt to future technology, but to adapt to a static point that fore sure will be outdated when achieved. Therefore, although it is agreed among scientific community that eLearning represents a "mantra" that affects efficiency and value, there are few interests in discovering the future tendencies of eLearning. Peculiar, in the practice of eLearning in security studies those tendencies do not exist at all. Some world-wide events demonstrated us that the ability to anticipate and to respond to security changes is a compulsory asset for a state. Therefore, eLearning must deal with this asset. A pragmatic way of shaping a better perception of security is by developing and applying eLearning trends. This article presents the main propensities and weak signals of the eLearning environment as MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses), IOT (Internet of Things), VRT (Virtual Reality Technologies), BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), mobile learning, gamification and others. This article concludes that identifying the main propensities of eLearning is a key factor in the continuous education of security practitioners. Therefore, by cultivating newest technology in eLearning in the field of security studies, an added-value is achieved. This allows security practitioner to prepare and respond to sudden disrupts and changes of the environment.


In recent years, management of large, state owned irrigation projects in Turkey have been transferred to water users such as farmers cooperatives or associations in order to reduce the financial burden on the government and to increase irrigation efficiency and farmer participation. Water table depth and groundwater salinity are important factors in irrigation systems, not only for plant growth but for human health as well. The objective of this study was to determine the impact on water table depth and groundwater salinity for transferring management of the Mustafakemalpasa irrigation project (19,370 ha) in north-western Turkey to local, farmer controlled irrigation districts. Maps of water table depth and groundwater salinity were created for the month of July (averaged over several years), the month with the highest amount of applied irrigation water, based on measurements made in 200 wells in the project area before and after transfer of managerial control. Both depth of the water table and salinity decreased after transfer The area with average water table depth of 100-200 cm was 25.41% of total area before turnover and 79.45% after, and the area with water table depth 200-300 cm was 73.84% before turnover and 20.50% after Before turnover; the area with average groundwater salinity 1.5-2.0 dS/m was 26.16% of total area, and that with average salinity 2.0-2.5 dS/m was 61.73% of total area; after turnover, average groundwater salinity was 1.5-2.0 dS/m in over all areas. Both changes were the consequence of an increased amount of applied water after transfer of the control of irrigation management from the state to local irrigation districts controlled by farmers. In the short run, the farmers will get benefit from increased irrigation. However over the long term, if water table depth continues to decrease then secondary salinization could become a major hindrance to irrigation sustainability


Liquidation of Biophysical Capital The term commons was first used during the enclosure period in Britain when people were removed from their communal lands. Since then, commons have come to represent areas of cogovernance and co-production that lie outside of the market and state sectors (or Market State), including food, water, clean air, energy, information, internet, culture, indigenous peoples' rights and other concerns. The recent failures of the Doha Round of world trade talks, the UN Conference on the global economic crisis and the Copenhagen Summit on climate change have brought the commons into sharper focus. Since these community-managed resources are a primary source of economic, social and creative value, could they provide a meta-level context for global negotiations? Commons have different meanings, of course, because we associate them with different levels of scale. At community and regional levels, the commons are largely a territorial concept involving the local appropriation, use and benefit of a particular property; at the global level, it's more of a functional concept involving sovereign resource management rather than questions of use and benefit. But the increasing openness of political systems and interconnectivity of economies and information networks has created new possibilities for multi-level management of the commons, requiring principles and linkages that reach from the local levels of social and political organization to higher levels of multilateral governance. This article focuses on why the international community has been unable to bring the full range of commons issues and their representatives into strategic discussions. It calls for a new framework of global interaction and dialogue based on natural law. To create this metalogue on the global commons, world society must engage in a kind of non-dualism—a recognition that the various beliefs, qualities, or practices which appear separate are actually part of the same phenomena. As on the individual level of consciousness and being where the 'mind-body split' is healed through introspection, global non-polarity will also require collective self-inquiry, dialogue and reconciliation on the ontological nature of world community. Ontology means being present. If global citizens, their representatives and institutions are sourcing the vast potentials of their mental, natural and physical commons, this would be a significant step toward global non-polarity.


Despite the benefits offered by smart grids, energy producers, distributors and consumers are increasingly concerned about possible security and privacy threats. These threats typically manifest themselves at runtime as new usage scenarios arise and vulnerabilities are discovered. Adaptive security and privacy promise to address these threats by increasing awareness and automating prevention, detection and recovery from security and privacy requirements' failures at runtime by re-configuring system controls and perhaps even changing requirements. This paper discusses the need for adaptive security and privacy in smart grids by presenting some motivating scenarios. We then outline some research issues that arise in engineering adaptive security. We particularly scrutinize published reports by NIST on smart grid security and privacy as the basis for our discussions.