The aim of this paper is to build on the current conceptions of professional identity formation which require a new way to view the subject and subjectivities (St. Pierre, 2004) and to provide an alternative lens on the formation of professional identities of Early Years Teachers. The application of Posthumanist theory (Deleuze and Guattari, 1987; Braidotti, 2011, Coleman and Ringrose, 2013; Jones and Holmes, 2014; Osgood, 2014) allows for a wider exploration of the complexity of the social world and can provide a new theoretical perspective on the experiences of Early Years Teachers as they negotiate a new professional identity which has been defined via the Teachers' Standards (Early Years) as stipulated by the Department for Education.

The notion of professional identity is used to define how a professional should act and behave. Hickey-Moody and Malins (2007) argue that the politics of identity, although enabling important socio-political change, have their limitations. Deleuze and Guattari (1987) described identity as a way society makes sense of a changing world. When bodies are stratified the stable sense of self allows for the production of 'the thinking, speaking political subject' (Hickey-Moody and Malins, 2007: 5). The politics of identity can have a limiting effect as they can promote the reproduction of a negative view of difference – the self, versus the 'other'. However, Deleuze (1994) argued difference is positive and productive and allows for an exploration of new ways of becoming. The development of the Early Years Teacher could be viewed as top down State mandated professionalism leading to a dominant view of professional practice which takes a molar form defining normative practice (Ringrose, 2012). Coupled with dominant discourses from policy as to how children should be taught and become school ready the view of suitable professional practice can take the form of a molar machine (Jackson, 2013) which attempts to dominate, territorialize and stabilise professional identity.

This paper draws on qualitative semi-structured interview data collected from Early Years Teachers in training. The data was (re)viewed using Posthuman concepts of the assemblage, the nomad and becoming (Delueze and Guattari, 1987). Charting becomings allowed for the opening up of possibilities 'a radical possibility of the unfinalised' (Jackson, 2013: 123) and provided an alternative conceptualisation of professional identity formation.


Bug localization is the task of determining which source code entities are relevant to a bug report. Manual bug localization is labor intensive since developers must consider thousands of source code entities. Current research builds bug localization classifiers, based on information retrieval models, to locate entities that are textually similar to the bug report. Current research, however, does not consider the effect of classifier configuration, i.e., all the parameter values that specify the behavior of a classifier. As such, the effect of each parameter or which parameter values lead to the best performance is unknown. In this paper, we empirically investigate the effectiveness of a large space of classifier configurations, 3,172 in total. Further, we introduce a framework for combining the results of multiple classifier configurations since classifier combination has shown promise in other domains. Through a detailed case study on over 8,000 bug reports from three large-scale projects, we make two main contributions. First, we show that the parameters of a classifier have a significant impact on its performance. Second, we show that combining multiple classifiers--whether those classifiers are hand-picked or randomly chosen relative to intelligently defined subspaces of classifiers--improves the performance of even the best individual classifiers.


Impregnation, drying, and varnishing are performed to increase the usage life of wood material by making it resistant to chemical, physical, and biological agents. The most common wood protection procedures are chemical methods. Therefore, it is essential to develop new impregnation substances that do not harm the environment and human health but are still economically efficient. In this study, oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) was impregnated with borax and boric acid in 1%, 3%, and 5% aqueous solutions. Quechua (Caesalpinia spinosa) was also used as a natural impregnation substance. The retention amount of the impregnated samples was examined for the oven-dried density, bending strength, elastic modulus, screw holding strength tests, compression strength parallel to the grain, and Bending strength parallel to the grain. The samples impregnated with borax had higher oven-dried density, bending strength, elasticity modulus in bending, and Bending strength parallel to the grain tests than samples treated with boric acid; however, the screw holding strength tests showed the opposite trend. The screw holding strength was higher in the impregnated samples than in controls. The bending strength, the elasticity modulus in bending, and the Bending strength parallel to the grain were lower in the control samples.


This paper considers the problem of testing many moment inequalities where the number of moment inequalities, denoted by p, is possibly much larger than the sample size n. There are a variety of economic applications where the problem of testing many moment inequalities appears; a notable example is a market structure model of Ciliberto and Tamer (2009) where p = 2m+1 with m being the number of firms. We consider the test statistic given by the maximum of p Studentized (or t-type) statistics, and analyze various ways to compute critical values for the test statistic. Specifically, we consider critical values based upon (i) the union bound combined with a moderate deviation inequality for self-normalized sums, (ii) the multiplier and empirical bootstraps, and (iii) two-step and three-step variants of (i) and (ii) by incorporating selection of uninformative inequalities that are far from being binding and novel selection of weakly informative inequalities that are potentially binding but do not provide first order information. We prove validity of these methods, showing that under mild conditions, they lead to tests with error in size decreasing polynomially in n while allowing for p being much larger than n; indeed p can be of order exp(nc) for some c > 0. Importantly, all these results hold without any restriction on correlation structure between p Studentized statistics, and also hold uniformly with respect to suitably large classes of underlying distributions. Moreover, when p grows with n, we show that all of our tests are (minimax) optimal in the sense that they are uniformly consistent against alternatives whose "distance" from the null is larger than the threshold (2(log p)/n)1/2, while any test can only have trivial power in the worst case when the distance is smaller than the threshold. Finally, we show validity of a test based on block multiplier bootstrap in the case of dependent data under some general mixing conditions.


Objective. To study pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards tobacco use and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, and exposure to advertising for and against tobacco products in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Design. Prospective cross‐sectional survey between November 2004 and September 2005. Setting. Antenatal care clinics in Lusaka, Zambia, and Kinshasa, DRC. Population. Pregnant women in Zambia (909) and the DRC (847). Methods. Research staff administered a structured questionnaire to pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics. Main outcome measures. Pregnant women's use of tobacco, exposure to SHS, knowledge of the harms of tobacco and exposure to advertising for and against tobacco products. Results. Only about 10% of pregnant women reported ever having tried cigarettes (6.6% Zambia; 14.1% DRC). However, in the DRC, 41.8% of pregnant women had tried other forms of tobacco, primarily snuff. About 10% of pregnant women and young children were frequently or always exposed to SHS. Pregnant women's knowledge of the hazards of smoking and SHS exposure was extremely limited. About 13% of pregnant women had seen or heard advertising for tobacco products in the last 30 days. Conclusions. Tobacco use and SHS exposure pose serious threats to the health of women, infants and children. In many African countries, maternal and infant health outcomes are often poor and will likely worsen if maternal tobacco use increases. Our findings suggest that a 'window of opportunity' exists to prevent increased tobacco use and SHS exposure of pregnant women in Zambia and the DRC.


In the last five years the Internet, intranets and search engines have brought unmanageable amounts of information to the average user's
fingertips. Since this growth will only continue, it is vital that users are supported in converting this universe of information into improved productivity and opportunity instead of being swamped and paralyzed. The OmniPaper
project is investigating ways for drastically enhancing access to many different types of distributed information resources. The key objective of OmniPaper is the creation of a multilingual navigation and linking layer on
top of distributed information resources in a self-learning environment, thus providing a sophisticated approach to manage multinational news archives with strong semantic coupling, delivering to the user more than the sum of
the individual service features.


Chest pain is a very common symptom; 20% to 40% of the general population will experience chest pain during their lives,1 and in the UK, up to 1% of visits to a general practitioner are because of chest pain.2 Approximately 700 000 visits (5%) to the emergency department in England and Wales and up to 25% of emergency hospital admissions are because of chest pain.3 There are many causes of chest pain, some of which are benign, while others are potentially life threatening. Importantly, in patients with chest pain caused by an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or angina, there are effective treatments to improve symptoms and prolong life, emphasising the importance of making timely and accurate diagnoses in patients in whom chest pain may be of cardiac origin. This guideline4 addresses the assessment and diagnosis of patients with recent onset chest pain/discomfort that may be of cardiac origin. Unlike many other National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guidelines it does not make recommendations for the management of the condition once the diagnosis is made. The NICE unstable angina and NSTEMI clinical guideline5 was published at the same time as the chest pain guideline, and a NICE clinical guideline for the management of angina is currently being prepared.6

The guideline has two separate diagnostic pathways. The first is for patients with acute chest pain who may have an ACS and the second for those with intermittent stable chest pain who may have stable angina. The guideline deals with chest pain of suspected cardiac origin. Thus, for example, the guideline does not apply to patients with pain considered to be caused by recent trauma to the chest. However, many patients presenting with chest pain do not have such clearly apparent alternative explanations and need …


Introduction: Natural Killer (NK) Cell - and Antibody Dependent (ADCC) Cell - Cytotoxicity has traditionally been assessed by the release of radioactive Chromium from target cells following lysis. This assay is laborious, and requires substantial quantities of patient blood to detect minor changes in cell lysis due to the inherent background noise (spontaneous release). We have developed an assay that can visualize individual target cells to detect cytolytic activity without involving radioactivity, via high-throughput imaging in microtiter well format. We also developed a miniaturized version of this assay using Terasaki plates to measure NK activity with one tenth of the blood needed for a classic Chromium Release assay, and with less labor. Methods: The assay we developed, Target cell Visualization Assay (TVA™) images individual fluorescence-labeled target cells. Labelled K562 tumor cells were used as targets, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as effector cells. In an assay setup similar to Chromium Release Assays (CRA), constant number of labelled target cells was incubated with serially diluted effector cells. Four hours later, the cells were transferred to flat bottom microtiter plates and the number of viable tumor cells was quantitated using a plate reader; CTL ImmunoSpot® Analyzer, S6ULT-00-9000. For the miniaturized version, one tenth of effector and target cells were plated in a Terasaki plate format and imaged directly in the assay wells. Results: Only viable target cells retain the fluorescent dye; it is lost upon cell death. When effector and target cells are mixed in various ratios, the % of target cell lysis is inversely proportional to the number of effector cells in the well. The TVA™ and CRA in a 96-well format provided equivalent results. However, the TVA™ is a non-radioactive system and can be performed with much less labor. The TVA™ assay exhibited high intermediate precision as well as inter-assay repeatability. The assay results obtained in Terasaki plates, miniaturizing the assay tenfold, paralleled those of the 96-well format. Conclusion: The miniaturized TVA™ uses only 100,000 effector cells for eight serial dilutions, for Effector:Target ratios starting from 100:1. We have demonstrated the feasibility of detecting and assessing NK function in a non-radioactive, high-throughput capable system using a fraction of the blood/effector cells as is required by traditional CRA. This is of particular value when access to PBMC is limited, such as pediatric, geriatric and immune deficient populations. The assay readout and analysis is automated by the CTL ImmunoSpot® software providing audit trails for each test condition. Citation Format: Srividya Sundararaman, Kinga Karacsony, Diana Roen, Jaya Ghosh, Paul V. Lehmann. NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity detection can be miniaturized by direct imaging in assay wells using a Terasaki plate format using only 100,000 effector cells (PBMC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B57.


Despite long histories of traditional food security, Indigenous peoples globally are disproportionately exposed to food insecurity. Addressing this imbalance must be a partnership led by Indigenous peoples in accordance with the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We report the co-design process and resulting design of a food security research project in remote Australia and examine how the co-design process considered Indigenous peoples' ways of knowing, being, and doing using the CREATE Tool. Informed by the Research for Impact Tool, together Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation staff, Indigenous and non-Indigenous public health researchers designed the project from 2018–2019, over a series of workshops and through the establishment of research advisory groups. The resulting Remote Food Security Project includes two phases. Phase 1 determines the impact of a healthy food price discount strategy on the diet quality of women and children, and the experience of food (in)security in remote communities in Australia. In Phase 2, community members propose solutions to improve food security and develop a translation plan. Examination with the CREATE Tool showed that employing a co-design process guided by a best practice tool has resulted in a research design that responds to calls for food security in remote Indigenous communities in Australia. The design takes a strengths-based approach consistent with a human rights, social justice, and broader empowerment agenda. Trial registration: The trial included in Phase 1 of this project has been registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12621000640808.


 Abstract — Martensitic texture-phase transition in Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Ti-6Al-4V (ELI) alloys was found. Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) analysis showed the initial cubic beta < 100 > (001) BCC texture. Such kind of texture is observed in BCC metals with flat rolling texture when axis is in the direction of rolling and the texture plane coincides with the plane of rolling. It was found that the texture of the parent BCC beta-phase determined the texture of low-temperature HCP alpha-phase limited the choice of its orientation variants. The {10-12} < -1011 > twinning system in titanium alloys after SLM was determined. Analysis of the oxygen contamination in SLM alloys was done. Comparison of the obtained results with the conventional titanium alloys is also provided.


High sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an established marker of low grade systemic inflammation. A chronic lowgrade inflammatory condition has been proposed to underline increased risk for atherosclerotic disease, including renal dysfunction and cardiovascular disease suggesting a possible link between the high incidence of macrovascular complications and diabetes. Insulin resistance results in high concentrations of serum lipids in diabetics due to increased mobilization of free fatty acids from fat depots. Because serum hs-CRP and serum lipid profile reflect closely related component of the same disease process, a strong relationship between these variables may be anticipated. We selected 50 patients of Type-2 diabetes mellitus and 50 normal healthy individuals to evaluate this association. Serum estimations showed a significant increase (p< 0.001) in hs-CRP, Total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) in diabetics when compared to controls. In contrast there was significant decrease (p< 0.001) in HDL-C in diabetics. The statistical analysis depicted a non significant correlation between serum hs-CRP and total cholesterol ( p= 0.909, r=0.017), serum triglyceride (p=0.294, r=0.151) and serum HDL (p=0.724, r=-0.051) in type 2 diabetic patients. This finding may therefore, suggest that hs-CRP act as an independent marker for cardiovascular risk factor.


Type systems for secure information flow aim to prevent a program from leaking information from H (high) to L (low) variables. Traditionally, bisimulation has been the prevalent technique for proving the soundness of such systems. This work introduces a new proof technique based on stripping and fast simulation, and shows that it can be applied in a number of cases where bisimulation fails. We present a progressive development of this technique over a representative sample of languages including a simple imperative language (core theory), a multiprocessing nondeterministic language, a probabilistic language, and a language with cryptographic primitives.
In the core theory we illustrate the key concepts of this technique in a basic setting. A fast low simulation in the context of transition systems is a binary relation where simulating states can match the moves of simulated states while maintaining the equivalence of low variables; stripping is a function that removes high commands from programs. We show that we can prove secure information flow by arguing that the stripping relation is a fast low simulation.
We then extend the core theory to an abstract distributed language under a nondeterministic scheduler. Next, we extend to a probabilistic language with a random assignment command; we generalize fast simulation to the setting of discrete time Markov Chains, and prove approximate probabilistic noninterference. Finally, we introduce cryptographic primitives into the probabilistic language and prove computational noninterference, provided that the underling encryption scheme is secure.


Now nine years into its life cycle, the life settlement industry is no longer a fledgling, early-stage sector of the financial community. Regulated by 30 state insurance departments (including Puerto Rico) and, in part, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), this industry has validated itself by creating a secondary market for life insurance policies to the benefit of consumers as well as an asset class for investors that is uncorrelated with the credit and investment risk of the typical money manager's portfolio. That said, the second half of 2008 through 2009 thus far has proven to be the most challenging of times this industry has experienced. For reasons brought about by the global economy as well as reasons indigenous to this industry, the life settlement community finds itself in a state of chaos. This article reviews the reasons behind such turmoil and examines the confluence of external and internal forces resulting in this financial perfect storm. It also explores the potential remedies and other factors that provide hope that this industry will not only survive, but prevail, in the long run.


Filling the gap for a systematic, authoritative, and up-to-date review of this cutting-edge technique, this book covers both low and high frequency EPR, emphasizing the importance of adopting the multifrequency approach to study paramagnetic systems in full detail by using the EPR method. In so doing, it discusses not only the underlying theory and applications, but also all recent advances -- with a final section devoted to future perspectives.


Cu electrodeposition in both underpotential and overpotential regimes on nanostructured MoS2 and WS2 prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition has been studied in detail. A combination of electrochemical methods, advanced characterization by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) as well as theoretical modelling were employed to reveal Cu adsorption modes on transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) from initial stages until bulk deposition. Since Cu UPD on TMDs has been used recently to evaluate the number of electrochemically active sites (N AS) for H2 evolution reaction, we evaluate and discuss here the implications of the Cu electrodeposition phenomena on nanostructured MoS2 and WS2 gauging the general applicability of the Cu UPD method for number of HER active sites determination in TMDs. Although an apparently better correlation of HER current density with Cu UPD charge than with double layer capacitance is found, the Cu UPD method cannot be used quantitatively because of the absence of a clear H UPD phenomenon on the studied nanostructured TMDs. This is in contrast to platinum group metal catalysts where H UPD and Cu UPD sites are strongly correlated.


Hypertonic saline (HTS) has been used for some years to treat elevated intracranial pressure in children in high income countries. There is limited safety data from low and middle income countries.
Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess the immediate response and safety of intravenous administration of hypertonic saline in children with acute brain injury presenting to the pediatric emergency department (PED) of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). The secondary outcomes were changes in outcome- predictive physiological parameters.
Methods: A retrospective, chart review of children who received intravenous HTS in the pediatric emergency department of AKU between January 2013 and December 2013 to treat acute brain injury (ABI). We studied both changes in physiological parameters and adverse effects related to HTS therapy.
Results: In the period studied, 216 children received intravenous bolus of 3% HTS as part of their initial management in the PED. The median age of the patients was 6.1 years (1 month to 16 years) and a median dose of 5 mL/kg with 98% of doses given via peripheral line between 30 minutes to one hour. Diagnosis included traumatic brain injury in 110 patients (50.9%) and non-traumatic injury 106 (49.1%) including CNS infection (43.4%), intracranial bleeding (7.5%), acute hepatic failure (10.4%), diabetic ketoacidosis with altered mental status (4.7%).
Clinical indications included: depressed consciousness (75.5%), seizures (24%) and shock (0.5%). Significant improvement was observed in both heart rate (p value < 0.05) and GCS (p value=0.001) after 3% HTS therapy No adverse events related to the HTS or its route of administration were noted in any child.
Conclusion: We found 3% HTS was safe in children with acute brain injury traumatic or non–traumatic brain injury.


Basing on the introduction of Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO), Multidisciplinary Design Optimization method based on iSIGHT is given, which includes one general process model and one optimization algorithm. Optimization of one bearing is selected as one example. According to its application, it approves that MDO methods can solve practical engineering problems more effectively because of comprehensive consideration of the internal problems in all disciplines.


Secrecy is often studied as a social phenomenon in which certain information is concealed from a targeted audience out of fear of the repercussions, if this information were to fall into the wrong hands. It is therefore surprising that people are relatively willing to share their secrets with others. Traditionally, this behaviour has been explained on the bases of the assumption that people are naturally inclined to reveal their secrets. However, new evidence from the cognitive sciences and social psychology calls this assumption, and thus the theories of secrecy which rely on it, into question. In this article I present a re-interpretation of secrecy in light of this new evidence and evaluate what implications this holds for the study of secrecy in religion.


Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse social media users' reactions to a celebrity's cancer announcement in order to inform future cancer-related campaigns. Design: A content analysis of Facebook users' written responses to the actor Hugh Jackman's 2013 post announcing his skin cancer diagnosis. Setting: Facebook's application programming interface (API) software was used to compile all 14,534 comments posted by Facebook users under Jackman's Facebook post between 21 November 2013 and 6 January 2014. Method: The Facebook API captured number of post likes and gender of the poster, while two trained coders also analysed the posts for emotional reactions, emoticon use and mentions of cancer-related behaviours. Results: Hope was the most common text-based emotional expression, and happy emoticons were the most used visual emotional expression in user comments in response to Jackman's diagnosis. Posts mentioning detection behaviours were more likely to receive likes than those that did not mention them. Additionally, female users were significantly more likely to mention detection behaviours related to skin cancer than were male users. Conclusion: Celebrity cancer announcements may serve as de facto cancer awareness campaigns as well as highlight how to effectively craft coordinating strategic campaigns launched after a celebrity cancer disclosure.


New multicomponent glasses in the system WO3-La2O3-B2O3-Nb2O5 doped with Eu , as a transparent active media for optical application were obtained. Physical parameters as density, molar volume, oxygen molar volume and oxygen packing density were determined. The thermal behavior of the obtained glasses was examined by differential thermal analysis (DTA). It was established that glass crystallization temperature is about 750C. Microstructural characterization was made by Raman and UV-VIS spectroscopies. Based on the obtained spectral data short-range order and connectivity in glass network were determined. High photoluminescence emissions due to the 4f transitions 5D0→ 7Fj (j=0-4) of Eu 3+ ions were observed. Colorless bulk tungstate glass, containing Nb2O5 with high transparency and high refractive index were prepared.


Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a condition characterized by a defect in the development of the midline embryonic forebrain. When detected prenatally, the diagnosis of HPE offers parents a poor but often uncertain prognosis. Since the majority of parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis of an abnormality terminate their pregnancies, few studies have examined parents' experiences and needs surrounding the decision to continue a pregnancy. We present a descriptive study of in-depth interviews with 24 parents who chose to continue their pregnancy after receiving a prenatal diagnosis of HPE. Parents were asked about their decision-making process to continue the pregnancy. Qualitative analysis was used to identify common themes that emerged from these parents' experiences. The results suggest that most parents did not make an active decision about continuing the pregnancy. Rather, they described a more subtle decision-making process that evolved over time and consisted of several factors. These factors included the parents' religious and personal beliefs, past experiences, and the uncertainty involved in the diagnosis of HPE. Throughout the decision-making process, they described informational, emotional, and supportive needs from family, friends, and health professionals. All of these factors contributed to the evolution of the parents' decision to continue the pregnancy and the acceptance of their decision. Results of this exploratory study suggest health care professionals need to work with parents as they make their decision to continue an affected pregnancy. The results also provide the groundwork for prospective investigation into parents' decision-making process as they receive and adjust to prenatal diagnoses of an abnormality.


Mobile traffics are becoming more dominant due to growing usage of mobile devices and proliferation of IoT. The influx of mobile traffics introduce some new challenges in traffic classifications; namely the diversity complexity and behavioral dynamism complexity. Existing traffic classifications methods are designed for classifying standard protocols and user applications with more deterministic behaviors in small diversity. Currently, flow statistics, payload signature and heuristic traffic attributes are some of the most effective features used to discriminate traffic classes. In this paper, we investigate the correlations of these features to the less-deterministic user application traffic classes based on corresponding classification accuracy. Then, we evaluate the impact of large-scale classification on feature's robustness based on sign of diminishing accuracy. Our experimental results consolidate the needs for unsupervised feature learning to address the dynamism of mobile application behavioral traits for accurate classification on rapidly growing mobile traffics.


In order to gain an improvement of safety or availability measures of the safety-relevant control system through employment of redundancy a redundant system has to comply with the requirement on independence of redundant parts. If the requirements on the independence of redundant parts are unfulfilled, then a common-cause failure can directly cause a hazardous state on a system level through its effects on multiple redundant parts. Identification of sources and quantification of the common-cause failure parameters has been proved to be a formidable task. The latter problem, including other major safety-affecting factors lays in the focus of this paper. Our proposed technical safety analysis concept is extended, so now it partially covers elusive problems related to the common-cause failures.


Abstract Alkaline water electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources is one of the most promising strategies for environmentally friendly hydrogen production. However, wind and solar energy sources are highly dependent on weather conditions. As a result, power fluctuations affect the electrolyzer and cause several negative effects. Considering these limiting effects which reduce the water electrolysis efficiency, a novel operation strategy is proposed in this study. It is based on pumping the electrolyte according to the current density supplied by a solar PV module, in order to achieve the suitable fluid dynamics conditions in an electrolysis cell. To this aim, a mathematical model including the influence of electrode-membrane distance, temperature and electrolyte flow rate has been developed and used as optimization tool. The obtained results confirm the convenience of the selected strategy, especially when the electrolyzer is powered by renewable energies.


Abstract. This study is focused on the comparison of catchment streamflow composition simulated with three well-known rainfall-runoff (RR) models (ECOMAG, HBV, SWAT) against hydrograph decomposition onto the principal constituents evaluated from End-Member Mixing Analysis (EMMA). There used the data provided by the short-term in-situ observations at two small mountain-taiga experimental catchments located in the south of Pacific Russia. All used RR models demonstrate that two neighboring small catchments disagree significantly in mutual dynamics of the runoff fractions due to geological and landscape structure differences. The geochemical analysis confirmed the differences in runoff generation processes at both studied catchments. The assessment of proximity of the runoff constituents to the hydrograph decomposition with the EMMA that makes a basis for the RR models benchmark analysis. We applied three data aggregation intervals (season, month and pentad) to find a reasonable data generalization period ensuring results clarity. In terms of runoff composition, the most conformable RR model to EMMA is found to be ECOMAG, HBV gets close to reflect specific runoff events well enough, SWAT gives distinctive behavior against other models. The study shows that along with using the standard efficiency criteria reflected proximity of simulated and modelling values of runoff, compliance with the EMMA results might give useful auxiliary information for hydrological modelling results validation.


The field of voice processing has seen great advancements thanks in part to the rise of deep learning. However, the application of these deep learning techniques with an audio input space leads to an interesting result not commonly found when dealing with other input domains. Namely, common techniques for generating auditory adversarial samples using gradient-based optimization have been observed to have extremely low transferability among even the same model structure. This implies an inherent difference in the latent representations of audio samples that may be worth investigating in the pursuit of a more resilient and interpretable voice processing framework. Our core contribution is an investigation of the decision-making processes of modern voice processing implementations. Specifically, we are interested in explaining the impacts of audio input features on the alphabetic character outputs of a modern speech-to-text system such as DeepSpeech2. We investigate this with the aid of the Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) explanation technique as applied to an appropriate and contextually-aware representation of the problem space. For every alphabetic character, we select samples of audio that center on the value and use them as inputs for the voice processing system. The model predictions of these inputs are explained via LIME and the collection of all letter-use clusters are aggregated for analysis. With an understanding of the reasoning behind the classification of characters, we will be able to better understand why attacks succeed or fail, develop novel new attacks, and better defend voice processing systems against adversarial attacks in general.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of rearrangement of the myeloid-lymphoid leukaemia gene in acute leukaemia in Hong Kong Chinese children.

DESIGN
Immunophenotyping, cytogenetic, and molecular analysis.

SETTING
Regional hospital, Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS
Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples were taken from 27 children aged 16 years or younger with acute leukaemia, from September 1995 through February 1998.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Gene rearrangement was analysed by Southern blotting of HindIII digestion products of mononuclear cell DNA, followed by hybridisation with the myeloid-lymphoid leukaemia P/S4 probe. Nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to detect and characterise duplication of the myeloid-lymphoid leukaemia gene.

RESULTS
Only one (4%) of 23 children whose marrow or peripheral blood samples contained adequate material for genetic study showed rearrangement in the myeloid-lymphoid leukaemia gene. No children were positive for partial tandem duplication of the myeloid-lymphoid leukaemia gene.

CONCLUSION
Myeloid-lymphoid leukaemia gene rearrangement is rare in Hong Kong Chinese children with acute leukaemia.


Abstract #6017 Background: Increasing evidence indicates the fundamental role of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer progression and this is viewed as an essential early step in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. One of the pivotal events of EMT is down-regulation of E-cadherin. Recent findings have demonstrated the importance of the miR-200 microRNA family in the regulation of E-cadherin and EMT. In view of these findings, we examined the relationship between expression of members of the miR-200 family and status of E-cadherin levels in various human breast cancer cell lines.
 Materials and Methods: Using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, we analyzed the expression of miR-200b,miR-200c, and miR-141 in 15 human breast cancer cell lines. Additionally, we measured the level of ZEB1, ZEB2, and E-cadherin proteins using Western blot analysis and E-cadherin promoter methylation by methylation-specific PCR.
 Results: We found a substantial down-regulation of miR-200b,miR-200c, and miR-141 in the breast cancer cell lines. The extent of down-regulation was correlated with metastatic potential of cells. The down-regulation of members of the miR-200 family was associated with up-regulation of ZEB1 and ZEB2, transcriptional repressors of E-cadherin, and a subsequent decrease in the E-cadherin levels. More importantly, inhibition of E-cadherin expression was not due to its promoter hypermethylation. Treatment of breast cancer cells with demethylating agent 5-aza-29-deoxycytidine resulted in over-expression of miR-200b and miR-200c, increase of the level of E-cadherin, and diminished metastatic properties of cancer cells.Discussion: Previous studies have revealed the important role of promoter methylation-related inhibition of E-cadherin in EMT in human breast cancer. However, the transcriptional silencing of E-cadherin is not always related to promoter hypermethylation, which indicates the existence of other mechanisms in E-cadherin down-regulation. In the present study, we demonstrated the crucial role of members of the miR-200 family in up-regulation of ZEB1 and ZEB2 proteins leading to subsequent E-cadherin down-regulation in human breast cancer cell lines. The extent of down-regulation of the miR-200 family was dependent of cancer stage and was associated with metastatic potential of cancer cell lines. This suggests that expression of miR-200 may be a powerful diagnostic marker determining breast cancer stage and cancer invasive phenotype. More importantly, the results indicate the great potential for reversing the invasive phenotype of cancer cells by up-regulation of miR-200 microRNAs. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6017.


Background: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are a critical factor in improving child nutrition. Methods: This study was conducted to document the promotion of optimal child feeding practices in the North and Central Plateau regions in Burkina Faso. Data were collected through a review of available program data, field visits and interviews with key stakeholders involved in the process. Results: A participatory approach was used to promote feeding practices in the two target regions. Interventions were delivered both at community level and through the health system. A mother-focused life cycle approach was used to deliver IYCF interventions at community level. The use of a participatory approach to scale up IYCF interventions fostered ownership and sustainability of the program. The development of a number of monitoring tools allowed the generation of real-time data about the program. In less than two years, the program reached 38,307 pregnant women and 63,955 mothers of children under two years of age with IYCF services in the Central Plateau region and 33,500 pregnant women and 67,200 mothers of children under two years of age in the North region. Despite this, much remains to be done to develop a full-fledged multi-sectoral system for addressing stunting in the two regions. Conclusion: Our data indicate that IYCF interventions were successfully developed and improved in two regions of Burkina Faso. Efforts should be made to accelerate the implementation of a comprehensive multi-sectoral package for addressing stunting in the two regions and also in the other regions of Burkina Faso


The effect of the adhesive thickness and elastic modulus on the stress distribution in the mid-bondline of the adhesively-bonded steel/steel joint under impact loading is analyzed using 3-D finite element method (FEM). The results show that the stress distributed in bondline near the interface was significantly affected by the adhesive thickness and the elastic modulus. When the thickness increased from 1 mm to 2 mm, the values of all the stress components increased evidently along the upper edge of the adhesive but decreased significantly along the lower edge near the loading face. When the elastic modulus of the adhesive was increased, all the stresses increased along either the upper or the lower edge. It is clear that the suitable thickness and the elastic modulus of the adhesive are very important when the adhesively bonded joints subjected to the impacting load.


10 Eisen A, Bertrand G. Isolated accessory nerve palsy of spontaneous origin. Arch Neurol 1972;27:496-502. 11 Krogness K. Serial conduction studies of the spinal accessory nerve used as a prognostic tool in a lesion caused by lymph node biopsy. Acda Chir Scand 1974;140:7-1 1. 12 Petrera JE, Trojaborg W. Conduction studies along the accessory nerve and follow-up of patients with trapezius palsy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1984;47:630-6.


This essay investigates the vision of two Jewish scholars of a shared
Arab-Jewish history at the beginning of the twentieth century.
The first part of the essay focuses on Abraham Shalom Yahuda's
(1877-1951) re-examination of the Andalusian legacy in regard
to the process of Jewish modernisation with respect to the symbolic
and the actual return to the East. The second part of the
essay centers on the work of Yosef Meyouhas (1863-1942), Yahuda's
contemporary and life-long friend who translated a collection
of Biblical stories from the Arab-Palestinian oral tradition, examining
the significance of this work vis-a-vis the mainstream Zionist
approach.


Systematic reporting of data about wrongful conviction cases in the United States typically begins with 1989, the year of the country's first post-conviction, DNA-based exonerations. Year-end 2018 thus concludes a full thirty years of information and marks a propitious time to take stock. In this article, we provide an overview of known exonerations, innocence advocacy, and wrongful conviction-related policy reforms in the U.S. during these three decades. First, we provide a brief history of wrongful convictions in the U.S. before turning to the modern era of innocence. We describe the key sources of data pertaining to wrongful convictions and exonerations. Then, using case data from the National Registry of Exonerations, we offer a detailed analysis of national and state-by-state trends in exonerations, including annual totals, DNA- and non-DNA-exonerations, and capital case exonerations. Our examination includes factors corresponding to sources of error, state death-penalty status, and regional differences. We then discuss innocence advocacy organizations, with a particular focus on Centurion Ministries and members of the Innocence Network. This is followed by an examination of state-by-state trends in innocence-related policy reforms on key issues as identified by the Innocence Project. The final section of the article discusses the many important matters we do not yet know about wrongful convictions and poses thoughts, questions, and ideas for continued scholarship focusing on miscarriages of justice. The Appendix provides state-by-state summaries of select information relating to wrongful convictions and innocence reforms.


Long term comparisons of 8 types of lemons (Citrus limon Bunn. F.) on Macrophylla (Alemow) (C macrophylla) rootstock regarding yield, tree growth, and quality under the arid conditions of the Southwest were studied. `Foothill Lisbon' showed significantly higher cumulative yield and total acid than `Monroe Lisbon, `Prior Lisbon, Eureka strains, and Villa Franca, and had larger fruit than other Lisbon strains. `Prior Lisbon' produced larger tree canopy than all other strains. Overall, Eureka strains and Villa Franca' had lower relative cumulative yield yield efficiency, canopy volume, soluble solids, total acid and fruit seed content , but higher soluble solids to acid ratio than Lisbon strains. All factors considered `Foothill Lisbon' and `Prior Lisbon' have good potential for planting in the arid climate and sandy soil of Southwest, when Macrophylla rootstock is to be used.


Visual Abstract The objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of staging PET/CT in early-stage follicular lymphoma (FL) from the Canadian health-care system perspective. Methods: The study population was FL patients staged as early-stage using conventional CT imaging and planned for curative-intent radiation therapy (RT). A decision analytic model simulated the management after adding staging PET/CT versus using staging CT alone. In the no-PET/CT strategy, all patients proceeded to curative-intent RT as planned. In the PET/CT strategy, PET/CT information could result in an increased RT volume, switching to a noncurative approach, or no change in RT treatment as planned. The subsequent disease course was described using a state-transition cohort model over a 30-y time horizon. Diagnostic characteristics, probabilities, utilities, and costs were derived from the literature. Baseline analysis was performed using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), costs (2019 Canadian dollars), and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Deterministic sensitivity analyses were conducted, evaluating net monetary benefit at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis using 10,000 simulations was performed. Costs and QALYs were discounted at a rate of 1.5%. Results: In the reference case scenario, staging PET/CT was the dominant strategy, resulting in an average lifetime cost saving of $3,165 and a gain of 0.32 QALYs. In deterministic sensitivity analyses, the PET/CT strategy remained the preferred strategy for all scenarios supported by available data. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the PET/CT strategy was strongly dominant in 77% of simulations (i.e., reduced cost and increased QALYs) and was cost-effective in 89% of simulations (i.e., either saved costs or had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio below $100,000/QALY). Conclusion: Our analysis showed that the use of PET/CT to stage early-stage FL patients reduces cost and improves QALYs. Patients with early-stage FL should undergo PET/CT before curative-intent RT.


This paper estimates technology growth using several variants of the Hall (1988, 1990) method on data for Swedish two-digit manufacturing industries. I first apply and evaluate two different approaches to control for varying factor utilization developed by Basu et al. (1998) and Burnside et al. (1995). Second, I propose a generalization of the latter specification. Finally, the cyclical behavior of the resulting technology measure is studied and the responses of hours and output to a technology shock are estimated using a variant of the standard VAR-approach. The main finding is that a positive technology shock has, on impact, a contractionary effect on hours and non-expansionary effect on output. This finding is inconsistent with the predictions of the standard real business cycle model.


The methane potential of activated sludge from six Swedish pulp and paper mills was evaluated. The methane production potential of sludge samples ranged from 100–200 NmL CH4 g−1 volatile solids (VS) and for four of the six sludge samples the potential exceeded 170 NmL CH4 g−1 VS. The effects of sludge age and dewatering on the methane production potential were evaluated. The effects of enzymatic and ultrasonic pre‐treatment on the digestibility of sludge were also investigated, but energy or enzyme inputs in viable ranges did not exert a detectable, positive effect. Long‐term, semi‐continuous trials with sludge from two of the mills were also conducted in attempts to develop stable biogas production at loading rates up to 4 g VS L−1. Cobalt addition (0.5 mg L−1) was here found to positively affect the turnover of acetate. High viscosity was a problem in all the experimental reactors and this limited the organic loading rate.


The isothermal remanence curve of a particulate recording medium is shown experimentally to depend upon the method used to achieve the demagnetized state. As-prepared powder samples exhibit larger initial remanence slopes than after AC field demagnetization. This can be interpreted in terms of a higher degree of correlation introduced by the particle-particle interactions during the demagnetization process. Theoretical calculations using a Monte Carlo model give good qualitative agreement with experimental data. >


Skill learning autonomously through interactions with the environment is a crucial ability for intelligent robot. A perception-action integration or sensorimotor cycle, as an important issue in imitation learning, is a natural mechanism without the complex program process. Recently, neurocomputing model and developmental intelligence method are considered as a new trend for implementing the robot skill learning. In this paper, based on research of the human brain neocortex model, we present a skill learning method by perception-action integration strategy from the perspective of hierarchical temporal memory (HTM) theory. The sequential sensor data representing a certain skill from a RGB-D camera are received and then encoded as a sequence of Sparse Distributed Representation (SDR) vectors. The sequential SDR vectors are treated as the inputs of the perception-action HTM. The HTM learns sequences of SDRs and makes predictions of what the next input SDR will be. It stores the transitions of the current perceived sensor data and next predicted actions. We evaluated the performance of this proposed framework for learning the shaking hands skill on a humanoid NAO robot. The experimental results manifest that the skill learning method designed in this paper is promising.


This thesis consists of three main investigations. The first of these is a study of the magnetic properties of Fe nanoparticles embedded in an Al matrix, with different volume fraction. Both Fe nanoparticles, with a diameter of ̴ 2 nm, and the Al matrix were deposited from the gas phase. The atomic Fe moment of the Fe nanoparticles in Al is much less than the bulk Fe value because of considerable alloying at the Fe nanoparticle and Al matrix interface. Two important parameters, the exchange field (Hex) and random anisotropy field (Hr), were investigated using the Random Anisotropy Model (RAM). Fitting the data to this model reveals that with increasing volume filling fraction (VFF) of Fe nanoparticles in Al, both Hex and Hr show an increase, with Hr showing a more significant increase than for Hex. The second main investigation in this thesis is a study of structure and magnetism in Co nanoparticles embedded in antiferromagnetic Cr. Co K edge and Cr K edge extended xray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) experiments were performed in order to investigate atomic structure in the Cr-embedded Co nanoparticles and Cr matrix respectively, whereas magnetism was investigated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The atomic structure of the Co nanoparticles is same as the host Cr matrix (bcc), although with a degree of disorder, rather than the bulk Co hcp structure. The net Co moment per atom in the Co/Cr nanocomposite films is significantly lower than bulk Co value, and decreases as the proportion of Co nanoparticles in the film is decreased; for the sample with the most dilute concentration of Co nanoparticles (4.9% by volume), the net Co moment was 0.18 μB/atom. Both the structural and magnetic results show that there is a degree of alloying at the nanoparticle/matrix interface, leading to a core/shell structure in the embedded nanoparticles consisting of an antiferromagnetic CoCr alloy shell surrounding a reduced ferromagnetic Co core. The final part of this work is an investigation into the structure and magnetism of Fe nanoparticles embedded in a Cu1-xAlx alloy matrix, where the structure of the matrix could be controlled by control over its composition. Cu K edge EXAFS measurements show that there is a slight stretch in the Cu-Cu interatomic distances in the alloy matrix, while the face centred structure in the Cu1-xAlx matrix is maintained, as the Al-content is increased. Fe K edge EXAFS measurements reveal that for low Al-content in the Cu1xAlx matrix, Fe nanoparticles have both fcc and bcc structures, but for higher Al-content the structure of Fe nanoparticles is consistent with bcc. The magnetism measurements, obtained from VSM and SQUID magnetometers, show that the Fe atomic moment increases sharply due to the increasing proportion of bcc Fe nanoparticles. However for Al-content higher than 0.13, the net atomic moment value of Fe decreases slightly, which is consistent with a high degree of alloying between Fe and Al atoms.


The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of enriched learning environments which have been developed in the framework of the "erosion and landslide" concepts on the conceptual understanding of students. A quasi-experimental method has been used in this research. The sample consists of 40 students. 5th grade students (aged 11-12) selected from a primary school in the province of Trabzon in Turkey. To collect data, the researchers used concept test, interview consisting of semi-structured questions and drawing test. When the post test results are examined, a significant difference is identified in favour of the experiment group (U=128,00, p<.05). However, the fact that students were not able to reflect this result to their drawings is striking. In the post drawings made on the concepts of erosion and landslide, the number of students who did not make any drawings in the experiment and control groups is quite high. This result can be stem from student's operational periods. 5th graders are in the process of transition from the concrete operational period to the abstract operational period. They had problems to reflect their thinking's to drawings. Ready-made pictures were utilized in the poster assignment used in this research. A poster activity which includes the drawings of students can be carried out in a future research.


The continuous replacement of durable consumer goods and disposal of functioning or repairable products into UK landfills or, increasingly, to developing countries, has resulted in global environmental and social consequences. Small appliances, which are easily disposed of in household waste, typically end up in UK landfills, are shipped to developing countries or otherwise 'lost'. Very few are recycled or repaired, yet many are still functioning when disposed of. Consumers' willingness, opportunity and ability to carry out repairs have historically been hampered by a range of complex factors. Design for Sustainable Behaviour (DfSB) aims to reduce the environmental and social impacts of products by moderating users' interaction with them. This paper explores how DfSB strategies can be used to encourage a behavioural shift towards repair of small electrical household appliances by overcoming identified barriers. The paper pulls together literature on repair practice, highlighting gaps in current knowledge and outlines the findings of an extensive UK household survey focused on both product breakage rates and consumer mending behaviour. Three mending typologies and associated personas resulting from the analysis are combined with three DfSB strategies to develop conceptual design interventions to encourage repair. The paper concludes with a discussion of the potential efficacy of the design outcomes from a consumer perspective and the potential ramifications for design practice, whilst considering the wider influences on repair practices beyond design and how these may be addressed.


Cig kofte is a special Turkish meal prepared from minced meat, bulgur, onions, garlic and different spices. In this study, a total of 50 cig kofte samples sold in Ankara were microbiologically analysed in order to determine their microbiological quality. The numbers of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, lactobacilli, micrococci/staphylococci, coagulase-positive staphylococci, enterobacteriaceae, coliform, enterococci, pseudomonas, yeasts and molds were determined by drop plating, whereas the B. cereus count was determined by spread plating, and the isolation of Salmonella involved enrichment procedures. The mean numbers of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, lactobacilli, and micrococci/staphylococci were 106 cfu/g, 105 cfu/g, 104 cfu/g, respectively. The mean number of coagulase-positive staphylococci was 102- 103 cfu/g in 18% of the samples analysed, and 82% of the samples were determined to be under the detection limit. The mean number of index microorganisms, including enterobacteriaceae, coliform and enterococci, was 104 cfu/g. The levels of pseudomonas, yeasts and molds were 103 and 104 cfu/g, respectively. The numbers of B. cereus, an important food intoxication agent, was 102- 104 cfu/g in 46% of the samples. Salmonella was not isolated from any of the samples analysed. We concluded that the cig kofte samples analysed were of very poor microbiological quality and could pose a risk to public health.


Fingerprint verification is an important biometric technique for personal identification. We describe the design and implementation of a prototype automatic identity-authentication system that uses fingerprints to authenticate the identity of an individual. We have developed an improved minutiae-extraction algorithm that is faster and more accurate than our earlier algorithm (1995). An alignment-based minutiae-matching algorithm has been proposed. This algorithm is capable of finding the correspondences between input minutiae and the stored template without resorting to exhaustive search and has the ability to compensate adaptively for the nonlinear deformations and inexact transformations between an input and a template. To establish an objective assessment of our system, both the Michigan State University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST 9 fingerprint data bases have been used to estimate the performance numbers. The experimental results reveal that our system can achieve a good performance on these data bases. We also have demonstrated that our system satisfies the response-time requirement. A complete authentication procedure, on average, takes about 1.4 seconds on a Sun ULTRA I workstation (it is expected to run as fast or faster on a 200 HMz Pentium).


In this paper, to solve the problem of detecting network anomalies, a method of forming a set of informative features formalizing the normal and anomalous behavior of the system on the basis of evaluating the Hurst (H) parameter of the network traffic has been proposed. Criteria to detect and prevent various types of network anomalies using the Three Sigma Rule and Hurst parameter have been defined. A rescaled range (RS) method to evaluate the Hurst parameter has been chosen. The practical value of the proposed method is conditioned by a set of the following factors: low time spent on calculations, short time required for monitoring, the possibility of self-training, as well as the possibility of observing a wide range of traffic types. For new DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) system implementation, algorithms for analyzing and captured traffic with protocol detection and determining statistical load parameters have been developed. In addition, algorithms that are responsible for flow regulation to ensure the QoS (Quality of Services) based on the conducted static analysis of flows and the proposed method of detection of anomalies using the parameter Hurst have been developed. We compared the proposed software DPI system with the existing SolarWinds Deep Packet Inspection for the possibility of network traffic anomaly detection and prevention. The created software components of the proposed DPI system increase the efficiency of using standard intrusion detection and prevention systems by identifying and taking into account new non-standard factors and dependencies. The use of the developed system in the IoT communication infrastructure will increase the level of information security and significantly reduce the risks of its loss.


The volume of sediment in the foreland basins, deltas and fans which are a consequence of the collision of India and Asia appears to require the removal of a vertical section c.35km high if the sediments were entirely derived from the Himalaya. It is argued that this is implausible and that it is likely that the Himalayan hinterland (e.g. Karakoram and Tibet) was an important source of sediment prior to c. 20 Ma when significant Himalayan uplift commenced.


Dystrophin, the product of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene, is tightly associated with the sarcolemmal membrane to a large glycoprotein complex. One function of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex is to link the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix in skeletal muscle. However, the molecular interactions of dystrophin with the membrane components of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex are still elusive. Here, we demonstrate and characterize a specific interaction between beta-dystroglycan and dystrophin. We show that skeletal muscle and brain dystrophin as well as brain dystrophin isoforms specifically bind to beta-dystroglycan. To localize and characterize the dystrophin and beta-dystroglycan interaction domains, we reconstituted the interaction in vitro using dystrophin fusion proteins and in vitro translated beta-dystroglycan. We demonstrated that the 15 C-terminal amino acids of beta-dystroglycan constituted a unique binding site for the second half of the hinge 4 and the cysteine-rich domain of dystrophin (amino acids 3054-3271). This dystrophin binding site is located in a proline-rich environment of beta-dystroglycan within amino acids 880-895. The identification of the interaction sites in dystrophin and beta-dystroglycan provides further insight into the structure and the molecular organization of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex at the sarcolemma membrane and will be helpful for studying the pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.


This study evaluates the potential of common pharmaceuticals (acetaminophen, caffeine, carbamazepine, diclofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen and metoprolol) as chemical markers for domestic wastewater. After ingestion, these compounds pass through the human metabolism largely unaffected, are quantitatively excreted via urine and faeces. As the occurrences of phannaceuticaIs in wastewater are considered low, a reliable, selective and sensitive analytical technique is required to concentrate and eliminate matrix effect, prior to chromatographic analysis. Therefore, in this study a simple and rapid tandem solid phase extraction (SPE) for the analysis of selected pharmaceuticals in wastewater was
developed. Since the compounds are different in physico-chemical properties, no single SPE sorbent was able to retain and concentrate these compounds, thus coupling of two SPE cartridges in tandem was proposed. By connecting two SPE cartridges (C18 ..and Oasis HLB) in tandem with Oasis HLB on top of C18., was able to simplify the SPE procedure using a single sample introduction step with the advantage of minimising
amount of sample required and reducing analysis time. The washing and elution of compounds were done separately. Carbamazepine, diclofenac, naproxen and metoprolol were trapped in the Oasis HLB and eluted using methanol. Acetaminophen, caffeine and ibuprofen were trapped in the second cartridge (C n~) whereby ethyl acetate: acetone (1:1)
was used to elute acetaminophen and caffeine, followed by second elution using methanol to elute ibuprofen. Separation of acetaminophen, caffeine, diclofenac and naproxen was done using high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) with CI8 column whereas separation of ibuprofen and metoprolol was done using high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD) with ODSHypersil column. The instrumental limits of detection ranged from 0.01 to 0.04 Jlg L-1 and satisfactory recoveries were obtained between 76 % to 104 %. The calibration curves were linear from 0.1 to 5.0 J.lg mL-1 with correlation coefficients (r2
) in the range of 0.995 to 0.999. The developed tandem SPE approach showed satisfactory precision. The method was applied to analyse pharmaceuticals in water samples from two wastewater
treatment plants; Mawar wastewater treatment plant of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam and Indah Water wastewater treatment plant of Section 7, Shah Alam and the concentration of selected pharmaceuticals detected in these wastewater samples varied. The high concentration of caffeine (7.8-24.5 Jlg mL-1) and acetaminophen (1.1-10.7 Jlg mL-1) detected demonstrated the suitability of these compounds as quantitative chemical markers. In addition, periodical sampling (February 2012 - June 2012) of UiTM's wastewater treatment plant showed good correlation between concentration of caffeine and acetaminophen and students activities indicating the potential ofthese compounds as source specific chemical indicators.


An important area of biomedical nanotechnology is based on the interaction of living systems with inorganic and organic materials at the nanoscale. Silica nanoshells (NS) are attractive biomaterials because of their advantages as readily functionalized transport and imaging devices. Some of the advantages of silica include: the porous structure of amorphous silica allows small molecule storage; the surface can be modified easily with trimethoxysilyl reagents; silica has low biotoxicity and good biocompatibility. In addition, titanium and titanium alloys have a long history in medical applications due to the excellent biocompatibility of its surface oxides, and more recently, titania (TiO2) nanomaterials have gained interest in cancer research due to TiO2 nanoparticles producing photo-induced electrons and holes under ultra- violet (UV) excitation leading to their possible use as photodynamic therapy agents. Consequently, silica and titania nanoshells potentially have multiple biomedical applications such as imaging agents, targeted drug delivery agents, or gene transferring motherships. Simple scalable methods to fabricate uniform luminescent europium -doped, hollow silica or titania NS with 200 nm diameters are reported in this thesis. Fluorophore reporter, Eu3+ ions, were incorporated directly into the NS matrix, leaving the surface free for targeting functionalization, while also leaving the nanoshell interior free for drug or other payload encapsulation. Amino polystyrene beads were used as templates and a 5-10 nm thick silica or titania gel coating was formed by the sol-gel reaction. After removing template by calcination, porous dehydrated silica gel or predominately anatase titania phase nanoshells of uniform size were obtained. The structure of the nanoshells were characterized by transmission electron microscopy measurements and XRD analysis, while particle size and zetapotentials of the particles suspended in aqueous solution were characterized by dynamic light scattering and their emission and excitation spectra were analyzed using a luminescence spectrometer. Furthermore, the surfaces of SiO2 NS were functionalized with folic acid in order to specifically target cancer cells. Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9 or folate, is essential for the synthesis of nucleotide bases and binds with high affinity to folate receptors, which are frequently over- expressed in tumor cells such as certain ovarian and cervical carcinomas, for example. With the use of fluorescent and confocal microscopy, it was found that as the amount of folate on the surface of the NS was increased, a higher amount of NS adhered and endocytosed into HeLa cancer cells, a cervical cancer cell line, when compared to non-targeted NS. In addition, a selectivity experiment demonstrated that folate targeted NS did selectively target the folate receptor rich HeLa cancer cells at a higher rate when they were mixed in with human foreskin fibroblast (HFF-1), a normal cell line. Nanoshell interactions with HeLa cervical cancer cells in vitro were also studied and quantified using a luminescence ratio analysis to assess nanoshells adhesion and cell endocytosis


This paper presents past and recent trends of optical networks and addresses the future directions. First, we describe path networks with the historical backgrounds and trends. path networks have advanced by using various multiplexing technologies. They include time-division multiplexing (TDM), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and wavelengthdivision multiplexing (WDM). ATM was later succeeded to multi-protocol label switching (MPLS). Second, we present generalized MPLS technologies (GMPLS). In GMPLS, the label concept of MPLS is extended to other labels used in TDM, WDM, and fiber networks. GMPLS enables network operators to serve networks deployed by different technologies with a common protocol suite of GMPLS. Third, we describe multi-layer traffic engineering and a path computation element (PCE). Multi-layer traffic engineering designs and controls networks considering resource usages of more than one layer. This leads to use network resources more efficiently than the single-layer traffic engineering adopted independently for each layer. PCE is defined as a network element that computes paths, which are used for traffic engineering. Then, we address software-defined networks, which put the designed network functions into the programmable data plane by way of the management plane. We describe the evaluation from GMPLS to software defined networking (SDN) and transport SDN. Fifth, we describe the advanced devices and switches for optical networks. Finally, we address advances in networking technologies and future directions on optical networking. key words: optical networks, path, traffic engineering, path computation, optical devises, optical switches, software defined networking


The agritourism can act as an engine for regional economic development. Since its implementation generates many positive externalities, make it a powerful tool for development and cultural diffusion. Properly trained and organized, farmers can find in this type of tourism new prospects to development and diversifying their products. The objective of this research was to develop an agritourism proposal on agricultural route of San Quintin Valley as a way to help boost regional development in conditions of limited agricultural resources. The methodology was to characterize the agricultural route to conduct a SWOT analysis. Among the main result a proposed concept of agritourism in the San Quintin Valley which basically describe trade and potential services to be performed within the agricultural farms, aimed at domestic and foreign tourists. Associated with the proposal a number of tourist routes are briefly described as additional tourist attractions. Finally we discuss different strategies to implement the model of agritourism in the valley which consist differentiate the tourist service, train farmers and involved for each ranch on three basic aspects: food, businesses and tourists service. The paper concludes highlighting the great potential of this tourism activity in the rural areas, suggesting some aspects of future research.


We have devised a new in vitro culture system in which cells from dissociated Drosophila leg and wing imaginal discs grow and differentiate. Primary cultures consist of epithelial and fibroblast-like cells, together with some lamellocyte-like cells. These cultures have given rise to continuously dividing leg and wing cell lines, in which epithelial, fibroblast-like, lamellocyte-like and distinct sickle-shaped cells are found. Vesicles composed of epithelial cells form in primary cultures and these differentiate imaginal cuticular structures under the influence of 20-hydroxyecdysone. Two types of cuticle-like material are formed spontaneously in established cultures. One type is present as thin, untanned sheets resembling apolysed pupal cuticle, while the other consists of thicker, tanned material similar to imaginal cuticle.


As the depth of oil and gas exploration increases, downhole electronics face the threat of high temperature failure. At present, passive cooling technology has the problem of short working time, while active cooling technology has low energy utilization. This paper presents a thermal management system of vapor compression with a combination of active and passive cooling. The system uses insulation materials to isolate the high-temperature environment, thermally conductive silicone grease to strengthen the heat exchange in the evaporator, and vapor compression refrigeration cycles to absorb internal heat.The coefficient of performance (COP), exergy destruction and exergy efficiency of octane, nonane and cyclohexane as refrigerants were examined, and the effects of different insulation materials on refrigeration performance were studied from both theoretical and numerical perspectives. The results showed that cyclohexane exhibited the best cooling capacity with a COP of 1.296 and a exergy efficiency of 49.21%. The thermal management system cooling performance is optimal when the insulation material is a vacuum flask, with an effective cooling capacity of 121.7W.


Abstract Fraxamoside, a macrocyclic secoiridoid glucoside featuring a hydroxytyrosol group, was recently identified as a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) comparable in potency in vitro to the standard antigout drug allopurinol. However, this activity and its considerably higher value than its derivatives oleuropein, oleoside 11-methyl ester, and hydroxytyrosol are not explained by structure–activity relationships (SARs) of known XOIs. To exclude allosteric mechanisms, we first determined the inhibition kinetic of fraxamoside. The resulting competitive mechanism prompted a computational SAR characterization, combining molecular docking and dynamics, which fully explained the behavior of fraxamoside and its derivatives, attributed the higher activity of the former to conformational properties of its macrocycle, and showed a substantial contribution of the glycosidic moiety to binding, in striking contrast with glycoside derivatives of most other XOIs. Overall, fraxamoside emerged as a lead compound for a new class of XOIs potentially characterized by reduced interference with purine metabolism.


– Ski Areas and Slopes in Romania. Reviewing Current State of Winter Sports Tourism Unfolding Possibilities within Carpathian Mountains. This study is reviewing nowadays Romania's tourism supply (2015) – laying special emphasis on the North-West Development Region's situation – in terms of winter sports potential (resources) and material and technical base (specific infrastructure). It calls into question a highly discussed topic within the domain of interest of Tourism Geography, whose recursiveness could be justified by countinuous changes that influence the quantitative and qualitative configuration of ski areas, ski tracks and related equipment2. The existence of favourable natural support in terms of relief and climate is an indispensable prerequisite to the development of winter sports tourism within any area. From this point of view, the presence of the Carpathians is a major advantage for Romania, the more so as the proportion of the mountain sector represents 30 percent of the national area (238,391 square kilometres). By occupying different amounts of the territory belonging to 6 development regions and 19 counties, heterogeneous tourism potential values have emerged, causing unequal exploitation opportunities within the mountain area. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general framework of Romanian ski slopes, areas and corresponding facilities for assessing their current state, from regional perspective, with emphasis on North-West's situation. On this line, the main objectives, starting from identifying and inventorising to classifying regions and ski tracks based on hierarchical categories, also deal with ranking slopes according to surface, length, width, elevation of departure point, difference in elevation, difficulty ratings, capacities of slopes and cable transportation means. In order to achieve these goals, quantitative research methods and techniques mostly refered to observation, analysis, synthesis and comparison of statistical data, well-synthesized within tables, graphical and cartographical representations. Aiming to highlight Romania's specificity concerning mountain tourism and winter sports unfolding possibilities, with an almost century-old tradition, came out that the best numerical and typological tourism supply representation belongs to the Central Region whereas for the North-West Development Region, Maramureş and Cluj counties impose themselves through the potential of their largest ski areas and resorts: Cavnic and Muntele Băişorii.


During a company acquisition, one of the advising investment banks' prime tasks is to valuate the target company. The potential value of the company is usually presented during a pitch when the investment bank try to convince the company owners that they should be chosen to advise on the sale. There are numerous factors affecting the company value, both internal such as revenues and earnings, and external factors like taxes and the region of origin.When presenting this indicative valuation to a prospective client, can multiple linear regression analysis provide a more accurate valuation than the Comparable Companies Valuation model, and how well does it fit the needs of the investment bank?These matters are investigated by using a robust regression model based on the factors mentioned above, and the appropriateness of the model is discussed with a professional from the financial industry. The thesis concludes in that the regression model indeed provides better accuracy than the Comparable Companies Valuation model, but that it is not suitable for all clients.


Five percents of patient presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, the etiology of bleeding could not be found by upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Almost 75% of which, the abnormality is detected in small bowel. One of the etiologies in small bowel bleeding is jejunal diverticle. In this paper, we reported a female, 38 years old, came with upper GI bleeding since one month ago. She had undergone several diagnostic procedures, such as abdominal ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography scan (CT-scan), upper and lower endoscopy, but there were no conclusion to explain the cause of bleeding. However, barium follow through examination found a diverticle, pouch-like shape, at jejunal proximal projection. Then, she underwent surgical treatment. Small intestine bleeding is best investigated by capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy. However, in limited conditions, small bowel follow through can be used to screen the source of bleeding in small intestine. The specific diagnosis of small intestine diverticle is possible by radiologic contrast study using various form of barium. Small bowel diverticle does not require surgical treatment, unless refractory symptoms or complications occur. Jejunal diverticle is one of sources in small intestinal bleeding. Small bowel follow through can still be used to diagnose jejunal diverticle. Keywords: diverticle, proximal jejunal, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, barium follow through


The paper aims to lay out a framework for evaluating value shifts in the international legal order for the purposes of a forthcoming book. In view of current contestations it asks whether we are observing yet another period of norm change (Wandel) or even a more fundamental transformation of international law — a metamorphosis (Verwandlung). For this purpose it suggests to look into the mechanisms of how norms change from the perspective of legal and political science and also to approximate a reference point where change turns into metamorphosis. It submits that such a point may be reached where specific legally protected values are indeed changing (change of legal values) or where the very idea of protecting certain values through law is renounced (delegalizing of values). The paper discusses the benefits of such an interdisciplinary exchange and tries to identify differences and commonalities among both disciplinary perspectives.


We introduce a class of L\'{e}vy processes subject to specific regularity conditions, and consider their Feynman-Kac semigroups given under a Kato-class potential. Using new techniques, first we analyze the rate of decay of eigenfunctions at infinity. We prove bounds on $\lambda$-subaveraging functions, from which we derive two-sided sharp pointwise estimates on the ground state, and obtain upper bounds on all other eigenfunctions. Next, by using these results, we analyze intrinsic ultracontractivity and related properties of the semigroup refining them by the concept of ground state domination and asymptotic versions. We establish the relationships of these properties, derive sharp necessary and sufficient conditions for their validity in terms of the behavior of the L\'{e}vy density and the potential at infinity, define the concept of borderline potential for the asymptotic properties and give probabilistic and variational characterizations. These results are amply illustrated by key examples.


Simultaneous interpreting requires efficient use of highly domain-specific terminology in the working languages of an interpreter. By necessity, interpreters often work in a wide range of domains and have limited time to prepare for new topics. To ensure the best possible simultaneous interpreting of specialised conferences where a great number of domain-specific terms are used, interpreters need preparation, usually under considerable time pressure. They need to familiarise themselves with concepts, technical terms, and proper names in the interpreters' working languages.
There is little research into the use of modern terminology extraction tools and pipelines for the task of simultaneous interpreting. A few previous studies mentioned the application of corpora as potential electronic tools for interpreters. For instance, Fantinuoli (2006) and Gorjanc (2009) discussed the functions of specific online crawling tools and explored ways to extract specialised terminology from disposable web corpora for interpreters. However, there has not been any empirical study to test how term extraction tools and the use of corpora can help interpreters increase their preparation efficiency and how these technologies and practices influence interpreters' simultaneous interpreting performance.
This study investigates a corpus-based terminology preparation pipeline integrating building small comparable corpora, using automatic term extractors and concordancers. We compared and evaluated several term extraction and concordance tools for Chinese and English, and a single term extractor and a concordancer with comparatively better performance were selected to be used in the empirical study of this research. With training on how to use the tools for interpreting preparation, interpreters are expected to develop the skills to build their own terminology resources and activate relevant terms for specialised simultaneous interpreting tasks.
This study also investigates the effect of using the tools on trainee interpreters' performances by looking at the quality of their simultaneous interpreting outputs. For this purpose, we ran two experiments with MA trainee interpreters at the University of Leeds using different preparation procedures (and tools) to prepare for simultaneous interpreting tasks (English and Chinese, both directions) on two specialised topics: Seabed Minerals (SM) and Fast Breeder Reactors (FR). I also collected data from focus groups to investigate the trainee interpreters' views on the use of different procedures (and tools).
Our results suggest that the preparation procedure using both the term extractor (Syllabs Tools) and the concordancer (Sketch Engine) yielded better preparation results compared with a traditional preparation procedure. It helped improve the trainee interpreters' terminological performance during simultaneous interpreting by significantly increasing term accuracy scores by 7.5% and reducing the number of omission errors by 9.3%. On the other hand, terminology preparation (through using both the term extractor and the concordancer) is not a "magical cure" for all errors. Our data shows that the preparation procedure (and the tools) only helped to improve the students' holistic SI scores by 2.8% (but not yielding any statistical significance).
This thesis demonstrates that training on terminology preparation for technical meetings could be a useful supplement to the already existing professional interpreting training. It is important for both students and trainers to be aware that electronic tools, when used properly, can assist the interpreters' terminology preparation and achieve an enhanced performance. It also offers directions for further research in the application of modern term extraction technology for conference interpreters.


Diabetic retinopathy is one of the major cause of blindness among the people. Many approaches are proposed by the authors to automate and detect the presence of diabetic retinopathy in fundus image. We propose a novel method of detection of the diabetic retinopathy using Gaussian intensity feature input to a VQ classifier. The underlying idea of using this technique in fundus imaging is that there are certain features which pertain only to diabetic retinopathy. These features are extracted in terms of diameter of the blood vessels expressed by sigma, and the height of the Gaussian profile across the cross-section, given by h. In this work, 30 images are taken as normal images and 25 pathological images are considered. A successful average diagnostic performance of 90% is achieved in this method


Recently Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are adopting more and more data-driven approaches to their work, yet NPOs often lack appropriate tools and expertise in such data related works. To compensate, many NPOs are using a new form of collaboration, civic data hackathons, to leverage on external volunteers' data expertise. In this paper, we sought to understand how civic data hackathons could generate impactful data analytics for NPOs' data-driven work, and how to support collaborative data analytics during hackathons. We collected various types of data (observations, surveys, and interviews) from two civic data hackathons with 9 NPOs and over 300 data volunteers in a Midwestern city in the U.S. Our results describe the collaboration activities and the types of actionable collaborative analytics outputs generated from these activities. We also identify a unique social group (i.e., client teams), who help with preparing and coordinating the event, perform brokering activities to support the collaborative analytics through the civic data hackathons. This broker role is vital for the success of the collaboration between domain experts and data experts. Our findings contribute to the CSCW research on the collaborative work of interdisciplinary hackathons, and to a broader understanding of civic data collaborations.


INTRODUCTION
This study aimed to compare anatomical outcomes of air and perfluoropropane gas (C3F8) tamponade in pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

METHODS
In this retrospective study, data were gathered from 578 patients (578 eyes) with RRD. The follow-up records of all 578 patients that underwent primary vitrectomy for RRD with air or C3F8 were examined and analyzed. Surgical outcomes of the two groups were compared.

RESULTS
A total of 342 eyes were treated with air and 236 with C3F8. The mean follow-up period was 37.65 ± 2.33 months. Baseline and preoperative clinical characteristics were similar between groups, but the period to intraocular bubble disappearance (P < 0.0001), intraocular pressure on the first postoperative day (P < 0.0001), number of cases with intraocular pressure > 21mmHg within three days post-surgery (P < 0.0001) and the number with intraocular pressure > 21mmHg during follow-up (P = 0.0002) differed significantly between groups. Primary reattachment rates for air and C3F8 groups were 95.03% and 95.34%, respectively. Clinical characteristics were similar in those with and without successful reattachment, and the frequency of new or unclosed breaks was similar between the two groups. There was no significant difference in two groups according to the presence or absence of inferior retinal breaks and inferior detached quadrants. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified no risk factor for surgical failure.

CONCLUSIONS
Air showed equivalent effects to C3F8, with a shorter period to intraocular bubble disappearance, less risk of post-operative intraocular hypertension, and less expense.


To succeed and survive in competitive markets, products need to be of the desired
quality. Quality is how well the product, in its entirety, satisfies the needs of the
intended customers. With products in industrial markets, there are many different types of customers to satisfy.
Research has been published that is of general use to help define the New Product
Development (NPD) process and the management of its activities and this was useful
as a basis for this research study. However, little previous work is available that
details the specific aspect of designing for customer needs compliance.
An exploratory investigation, using analysis of selected cases and experience surveys,
was undertaken to help direct conceptual work. A conceptual model was developed to
help describe the NPD process and customer needs compliance. The hypotheses that
guided the main study sought to understand the perceptions which the design team has
of the product in terms of different customer needs. They also aimed to determine
how information management during NPD may affect the final design and,
consequently, the quality of the product.
With the objective of drawing conclusions across the four companies involved in the
main study, collection methods and data analysis provided quantitative results on what
is essentially qualitative types of information.
The findings conclude that each of the companies do perceive a difference in the
needs of the customers between different product types. However, they also imply
that specific types of customers have similar needs, no matter what types of products
are involved. With a small set of respondents in each company, no evidence was
found to suggest that the different perceptions the people involved in the design and
development of the product had could be attributed to the functional, managerial or
customer involvement groupings under investigation. However, there was some
evidence that customer needs compliance may be affected by the way the company
handled its information management during the NPD process.


This paper examines how expected attachment to the labor market and expected tenure at a specific firm affect training participation. The results, based on cross-sectional data from Japan, indicate that expected attachment to the labor market affects participation in both employer- and worker-initiated training, while expected tenure at a specific firm mainly explains participation in employer-initiated training. These two attachment indices explain almost half of the gender gap in training participation. Employers in a less competitive labor market are more likely to offer employer-initiated training to their workers.


Unlike their macroscopic counterparts, microscopic systems do not evolve deterministically due to the thermal noise becoming prominent. Such systems are subject to fluctuations that can only be studied within the framework of stochastic thermodynamics. Within the last few decades, the development of stochastic thermodynamics has lead to microscopic heat engines, nonequilibrium relations and the study of anomalous diffusion and active Brownian motion. In this thesis, I experimentally show that the non-Boltzmann statistics emerge in systems that are coupled to an active bath. These non-Boltzmann statistics that result from correlated active noise also disturb the nonequilibrium relations. Nevertheless, I show that these relations can be recovered using an effective potential approach. Next, I demonstrate an experimental realization of a microscopic heat engine. This engine is referred to as the Brownian gyrator, which is coupled to two different heat baths along perpendicular directions. I show that when confined into an elliptical trap that is not aligned with the temperature anisotropy, the Brownian particle is subject to a torque due to the symmetry breaking. This torque creates an autonomous engine whose direction and amplitude can be controlled by tuning the alignment of the elliptical trap. Then, I show that the force fields acting on Brownian particles can be calibrated using a data-driven method that outperforms the existing calibration methods. More importantly, I show that this method, named DeepCalib, can calibrate non-conservative and time-varying force fields that no standard calibration methods exist. Finally, I show that a similar machine-learning-based approach can be used to characterize anomalous diffusion from single trajectories. This method, named RANDI, is very versatile and performs very well in various tasks including classification, inference and segmentation of anomalous diffusion. The work presented in this thesis presents novel experiments that advance microscopic thermodynamics as well as newly developed methods that open up new possibilities in analyzing stochastic trajectories. These findings increased the scientific knowledge at the nexus between microscopic thermodynamics, anomalous diffusion, active matter and machine learning. —————


The work in this exhibition is the result of philosophical contemplation and the concepts that followed from these moments. The moment that we find ourselves conscious, the moment in which we inhale or exhale is the focus of this work. Through the materiality and physicality of paint, I explore this moment. Paint thus acts as a metaphor for my body, having set parameters that dictate its cause and effect. The very nature of painting; its essence, is the moment of state change from a fluid material to a solid state. I use the method of process and tools that I invent to help express these concerns of eternal recurrence. I make paintings that make space visible and invisible.


Carbonate reservoirs, despite their simple chemical composition, are notorious for being highly heterogeneous at all scales. The susceptibility of carbonate minerals to chemical changes, mostly dissolution, creates macroscopic pore features like small vugs and big caves which are also collectively known as karst, and mechanical deformation of the brittle carbonate rocks generates natural fractures which may or may not connect those vugs and caves. Carbonate reservoirs may bear karst and fractures having a size range from millimeters to hundreds of meters. Such reservoirs are called naturally fractured carbonate karst reservoirs and commonly found all over the world. Free flow exists in the karst and fractures at multiple levels and couples with Darcy flow in the porous carbonate rocks, making the mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of flow performance in these reservoirs a very challenging problem. The Stokes-Brinkman equation has been pursued in recent years as a physical yet unified approach toward the simulation of coupled flow in naturally fractured carbonate karst reservoirs, but its application has been somehow restricted to steady-state flow. For the first time, we have proposed a transient Stokes-Brinkman model and lain the theoretical foundation for it, by discovering the applicability of the Stokes-Brinkman equation to transient flow through a detailed examination of its derivation process, and by incorporating a transient material balance equation which proves to be exact in the entire fractured karst reservoir. The finite difference formulation of the transient Stokes-Brinkman model has been derived, again for the first time, and an inhouse reservoir simulator is developed to actually solve this numerical problem.


Abstract This analysis indicates that generic advertising expenditures, ceteris paribus, generated rightward shifts in demand for fluid milk in the Texas Market Order over the period January 1980 to September 1988. Generally, the results from this study are in agreement with previous research efforts which suggest that generic advertising can increase the demand for fluid milk. Importantly, in this analysis, the impacts of television and radio advertising have been effectively disentangled. Television advertising generates a response that wears off more quickly than radio advertising. Also, the long-run effect of radio advertising is about 1.75 times greater than the long-run effect of television advertising.