Surface-modified magnetic Ni2.33Fe alloy nanoparticles were prepared using a hydrothermal method. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests demonstrated that the surface was successfully modified by sodium citrate. The surface-modified particles can be used for removing nickel ions from aqueous solution. The adsorption kinetics studies were performed and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model successfully described the kinetic data. The diffusion model indicated the adsorption was regulated by both surface and intraparticle diffusion processes. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models were adopted for the mathematical description of adsorption equilibrium, and it was found that the experimental data fitted very well to the Freundlich model. doi: 10.2166/wst.2017.453 s://iwaponline.com/wst/article-pdf/76/10/2851/241834/wst076102851.pdf Yan Liu (corresponding author) Xiaoyi Shen School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


Silicon based sensors is a commonly used technology in digital cameras today. That has made such cameras relatively cheap and widely used. Unfortunately they are constructed to capture and represent image quality for humans. Several image applications work better without the restrictions of the visible spectrum. Human visual restrictions are often indirectly put on technology by using images showing only visible light. Thinking outside the box in this case is seeing beyond the visible spectrum.


Technical, industrial, vocational and entrepreneurship training Institutions (TIVET) are a key component to provide the required human resource to achieve Kenya's Vision 2030. This study sought to find out the effectiveness of technical training interns in skills application in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study sought to establish the industrial supervisors' attitude towards competence of technical training interns in the work-place.  The study was guided by Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) Theory.  The study adopted a descriptive survey research design with a target population was 10 Heads of Applied Sciences Department, 45 supervisors from the companies within Aberdare's Region that offers a technical and practical based internship to interns from technical training institutions. The sample used in the study comprised of 73 respondents comprising of 10 HODs and eight supervisors'. Purposive sampling was used to select the HODs and Supervisors' for the study. The questionnaire and the interview guide were piloted to test for reliability and validity. The reliability coefficient for the TIVET Heads of Department Questionnaire was 0.767. Inferential and descriptive statistics was applied to analyse data with aid of SPSS computer program. The study established a mean of 1.62 and standard deviation of 0.774 to the statement. The findings show that the supervisors' thought the TIVET curriculum was theoretical to some extent. 25% and 37.5% indicated that they strongly disagreed and disagreed respectively to the statement that TIVET curriculum was in line with the current technology in the country. The study concludes that technical and vocational education is the core driver for countries the world over to achieve envisaged steps in economic and technological development. Ensuring that curriculum of TIVET education be more practical based will make this education effective. The authors recommend that the attachment period should be extended to enhance the interns' effectiveness and application of knowledge through hands-on experience in real production work.


The goal of the presented work is to explore the interaction between gold nanorods (GNRs) and hyper-sound waves. For the generation of the hyper-sound I have used Azobenzene-containing polymer transducers. Multilayer polymer structures with well-defined thicknesses and smooth interfaces were built via layer-by-layer deposition. Anionic polyelectrolytes with Azobenzene side groups (PAzo) were alternated with cationic polymer PAH, for the creation of transducer films. PSS/PAH multilayer were built for spacer layers, which do not absorb in the visible light range. The properties of the PAzo/PAH film as a transducer are carefully characterized by static and transient optical spectroscopy. The optical and mechanical properties of the transducer are studied on the picosecond time scale. In particular the relative change of the refractive index of the photo-excited and expanded PAH/PAzo is Δn/n = - 2.6*10‐4. Calibration of the generated strain is performed by ultrafast X-ray diffraction calibrated the strain in a Mica substrate, into which the hyper-sound is transduced. By simulating the X-ray data with a linear-chain-model the strain in the transducer under the excitation is derived to be Δd/d ~ 5*10‐4.
Additional to the investigation of the properties of the transducer itself, I have performed a series of experiments to study the penetration of the generated strain into various adjacent materials. By depositing the PAzo/PAH film onto a PAH/PSS structure with gold nanorods incorporated in it, I have shown that nanoscale impurities can be detected via the scattering of hyper-sound.
Prior to the investigation of complex structures containing GNRs and the transducer, I have performed several sets of experiments on GNRs deposited on a small buffer of PSS/PAH. The static and transient response of GNRs is investigated for different fluence of the pump beam and for different dielectric environments (GNRs covered by PSS/PAH).
A systematic analysis of sample architectures is performed in order to construct a sample with the desired effect of GNRs responding to the hyper-sound strain wave. The observed shift of a feature related to the longitudinal plasmon resonance in the transient reflection spectra is interpreted as the event of GNRs sensing the strain wave. We argue that the shift of the longitudinal plasmon resonance is caused by the viscoelastic deformation of the polymer around the nanoparticle. The deformation is induced by the out of plane difference in strain in the area directly under a particle and next to it. Simulations based on the linear chain model support this assumption. Experimentally this assumption is proven by investigating the same structure, with GNRs embedded in a PSS/PAH polymer layer.
The response of GNRs to the hyper-sound wave is also observed for the sample structure with GNRs embedded in PAzo/PAH films. The response of GNRs in this case is explained to be driven by the change of the refractive index of PAzo during the strain propagation.


Most statistical tests for treatment effects used in randomized clinical trials with survival outcomes are based on the proportional hazards assumption, which often fails in practice. Data from early exploratory studies may provide evidence of non-proportional hazards which can guide the choice of alternative tests in the design of practice-changing confirmatory trials. We study a test to detect treatment effects in a late-stage trial which accounts for the deviations from proportional hazards suggested by early-stage data. Conditional on early-stage data, among all tests which control the frequentist Type I error rate at a fixed $\alpha$ level, our testing procedure maximizes the Bayesian prediction of the finite-sample power. Hence, the proposed test provides a useful benchmark for other tests commonly used in presence of non-proportional hazards, for example weighted log-rank tests. We illustrate the approach in a simulations based on data from a published cancer immunotherapy phase III trial.


Despite large investments by higher education institutions in technology for faculty and student use, instructional technology is not being integrated into instruction in higher education institutions including medical education institutions. While the diffusion of instructional technologies has reached a saturation point among early adopters of technology, it has remained limited among the mainstream faculty. This investigation explores instructional technology usage patterns and the characteristics of medical school faculty as well as contributing factors to IT adoption. The focus of the study was to explore the differences between faculty members who have adopted new technology and those reluctant or resistant to IT adoption, and to determine whether faculty characteristics contribute to the prediction of faculty adopter categories. Faculties from the disciplines of basic and clinical science at a state university Faculty of Medicine were surveyed to gather data concerning faculty characteristics, adoption patterns, perceptions of computer-use self efficacy, the value of IT, barriers and incentives to adoption and preferences related to help and support in technology adoption. The data analysis was based on Rogers' theories of diffusion and adopter categories. Significant differences were found between early adopters and the mainstream faculty in terms of individual characteristics, adoption patterns, perceptions of barriers and technology learning preferences The results indicated that computer use self efficacy and rank significantly contribute to the prediction of faculty adopter group.


BACKGROUND
Abdominal complaints after ingestion of cereals are not uncommon. We assessed how reliable such a history is as a marker for the presence of overt coeliac disease, and whether we should also take into account latent coeliac disease and cereal allergy.

METHODS
The study group comprised 93 consecutive adults from health centres spontaneously reporting abdominal symptoms after consumption of cereals. Small bowel mucosal morphology, CD3+, alphabeta+ and gammadelta+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), HLA DQ alleles and serum IgA-class endomysial (EmA), tissue transglutaminase (tTg) and gliadin (AGA) antibodies were determined. Skin prick and patch tests and serum radioallergosorbent tests for cereals were carried out. Thirty non-coeliac adults served as biopsy controls.

RESULTS
Eight (9%) patients had coeliac disease and one mild partial villous atrophy. Altogether 17 had an increased density of gamma delta+ IELs without atrophy. However, only seven (8%) showed evidence of latent coeliac disease, i.e. both an increase in gammadelta+ IELs and the presence of coeliac disease-type HLA. One or more of the allergy tests for cereals was positive in 19; 9 adopted a gluten-free diet and abdominal symptoms were alleviated in all. In non-coeliac patients, serum EmA and tTg tests were negative in all, whereas AGA was seen in 40%.

CONCLUSIONS
Intolerance to cereals is not a specific sign of overt or latent coeliac disease. All experimental dietary interventions before proper diagnosis of coeliac disease are therefore to be discouraged. Allergy to cereals, on the other hand, should be considered even in adults.


This study explores the sexual motivations, attitudes, beliefs and intentions (MABI) of men who have sex with men (MSM), utilizing qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study uses the theory of planned behavior for its theoretical framework. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 men between the ages of 18 and 39 years of age residing in the southwestern Pennsylvania area, who reported sexual activity with at least one male partner in the preceding year. These interviews provided information for the development of a survey instrument to measure response to various motivations, attitudes, beliefs and intentions (MABI) and how these correlate to numbers of sex partners in a twelve-month period along with the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a lifetime. For the quantitative component, a convenience sample of 150 MSM from a variety of venues was surveyed and the data analyzed through frequency distribution, crosstabs, correlations, factor analysis and logistic regression, Sample size and the number of variables created the need for factor analysis. Nine new variables related to MABI were created. Association between these variables and a series of key outcomes were assessed. Outcomes include low number of sex partners in 12 months (<4), no STIs in a lifetime, and no intention to have an open relationship. Results indicate that physical and emotional trust are significant predictors of a low number of sex partners in a twelve-month period considered, no lifetime STIs, and never having an intention to be in an open relationship. The public health relevance of this study is that an increased understanding of what drives the sexual partnering of MSM will provide the basis for improved HIV and STI prevention programs.


Since independence until now, the of public law, especially in the field of Indonesian administrative law, has not been able to serve as reinforcement in community empowerment and things connected with public control over the government. Empirically, it is evident, that the implementation of development activities requires at least five conditions simultaneously engaged in achieving the ultimate goal of equitable public welfare. The respective requirements are the rule of law and human rights; democratic governance, equitable laws, material, and non-material aspects of development, and a more genuine community empowerment. This article tries to necessitate, firstly, that the development activities cannot be carried out by ignoring each other of any such conditions. Secondly, it is a warning the failure to achieve the planned development goals in the result of a partial way of thinking, both at the level of policy formulation as well as its implementation. In addition, to eliminate the adverse impact on the implementation of the general welfare, development must be based on a development policy that is oriented to human development which requires wider participation of a people. That is, the main focus of planning humans in the development, in addition to having ethical arguments. Also has legal dimensions in the level of its implementation.


This investigation is concerned with the effectiveness of Distributed STATic COMpensators (DSTATCOMs) at providing voltage support in Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) networks. The reason for the focus on SWER lines is the high cost of upgrading them in the traditional way to solve voltage regulation problems that result from load growth in some of the feeders. A number of aspects of DSTATCOM installation and operation have been explored. These include their location, reactive power circulation, reactive power prioritising, four quadrant operation and the timing of installation and operation.

It has been possible to derive analytical expressions only for the case of a single Thevenin source equivalent and a single load in parallel with a DSTATCOM. From one of those expressions it was deduced that, on a voltage increment per kVAr basis, DSTATCOMs are most effective as voltage regulators when they are installed at the customer terminals rather than further upstream into the network. This result has been found to apply generally to all practical SWER lines. Another derived expression predicted a peak value of customer terminal voltage when active power (P) and reactive power (Q) are injected by the DSTATCOM at constant kVA (S). This maximum voltage represents a stability limit for the case where DSTATCOMs are controlled to operate at constant kVA. Load flow studies revealed that in general this stability limit exists for all practical SWER lines.

To avoid VAr circulation it is proposed that droop control with hysteretic band is used for DSTATCOM operation. The standard Newton-Raphson load flow formulation has been extended to accommodate DSTATCOMs operating under droop control and with operating point on a defined trajectory on the P-Q plane. Four defined trajectories have been investigated under given hourly load demand profile. These are the Q-only scheme, the constant kVA scheme with Q-priority, the load power factor follow scheme and the power factor correction scheme. For each one of those defined trajectories a modified Jacobian had to be derived. Load flow studies were based on each of the modified formulations. The load flow programs were designed to automatically provide a solution for each hour of a 24-hour demand profile representing the worst case peak demand for a particular year in the life of any practical SWER line. The customer DSTATCOM is either left on line, brought on line, left off line or taken off line, depending on the calculated customer voltage. Those special features of the load flow programs allowed them to be used to determine when and at what customer location DSTATCOMs should be installed and what their ratings should be. While the focus of the thesis has been on undervoltage problems; the proposed solutions and algorithms are applicable to overvoltage problems caused by the Ferranti Effect.


Background: Evidences exist that abdominal obesity is a difference in terms of body mass index (BMI) and these two factors have different effects on bone density. This study examined the association between body mass index, obesity, the history of fracture and bone mineral density in Iranian population. There exist evidences on the effects of body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity, and the role of this two factor on bone density. This study examined the association between body mass index, abdominal obesity, and the frequency of fracture with bone mineral density in Iranian population Methods: The Study was done as a cross-sectional, population-based retrospective study. People over 18 years were included in the third part of the IMOS project (National comprehensive plan for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis). Abdominal obesity was calculated based on waist to hip ratio that was considered positive > 0.95 in men and 0.85 in women. The linear regression test was used to examine the relationship between BMI and abdominal obesity with bone densitometry. Results: A total 2019 cases (717 men, 1302 women) with 41.85 ± 13.95 years enrolled in this study. Almost, 36% of men and women were obese based on waist circumference. Correlation coefficients of BMI with bone density were equal 0.236 for Hip, 0.133 for femoral neck, 0.138 for lumbar spine. Waist to hip ratio was inversely associated with bone density. Bone densities in the hip and lumbar spine, in individuals with a positive history of wrist fracture were significantly lower than those with a negative history of fracture. Conclusion: contrary to the total body fat, abdominal obesity based on waist to hip ratio is inversely associated with density. abdominal obesity increases the risk of fractures by reducing the bone density without creating protective shield of adipose tissue in vulnerable areas.


GEOPHYSICS
Violent volcanic eruptions are thought to be triggered, in part, by the rapid expansion of gases (and gas bubbles) in a magma chamber or conduit, but the causes of this process and what leads to a violent eruption versus a less hazardous outpouring of bubble-rich lava are subjects of debate. Because of the high pressures and temperatures at which real magmas exist, most laboratory simulations (and many science fair projects) have used analog systems that foam at conditions close to ambient, and thus there has been concern that the important dynamics of eruptions have not been simulated accurately.

Martel et al. have performed a systematic study of which factors contribute to fragmentation of a bubble-rich magma. In their experiments, they hydrated a sample of rhyolite (a Si-rich volcanic rock), raised it to high pressure and temperature where foaming occurred, then rapidly lowered the pressure by puncturing a diaphragm. The degree of decompression was more important in fragmenting the magma than the quantity of bubbles or their shape. These results are consistent with explosive dome-building eruptions, seen for example in Soufriere Hills, Montserrat.— BH

Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 178 , 47 (2000).


PURPOSE
Trastuzumab as a single agent has activity in metastatic breast cancer; however, the mechanism of action for this clinical activity is uncertain. Whereas interruption of erbB family member signaling occurs, trastuzumab also mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. Based on these data, a clinical trial was performed to test whether interleukin (IL)-2, by increasing FcRgammaIII(+) natural killer (NK) cell numbers and cytolytic function in vivo, when added to trastuzumab, can increase efficacy, be safely given, and avoid the use of chemotherapy.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
In this Phase I trial, 10 patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer were treated with IL-2 (1.75 x 10(6) IU/m(2)/day, s.c.) for 7 weeks and trastuzumab (4 mg/kg load and then 2 mg/kg weekly) for 6 weeks. Safety, in vitro immune responses, and clinical responses were assessed.

RESULTS
Ten women received a total of 12 cycles of therapy (each cycle lasted 7 weeks). No significant toxicities were seen, and one patient required an IL-2 dose reduction. Among the evaluable patients (10 cycles), the responses were one partial response, five cases of stable disease, and four cases of progressive disease. In vitro immune assays showed NK cell expansion and trastuzumab-mediated increased NK cell killing of breast cancer targets (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity) in a HER2-specific manner but did not correlate with clinical responses.

CONCLUSIONS
Trastuzumab + IL-2 is a well-tolerated outpatient regimen that results in NK cell expansion with enhanced in vitro targeted killing of HER2-expressing cells. These preliminary data suggest that this strategy may benefit heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients.


Herein, rational evenly distributed sulfur-doped nickel zinc hydroxyl carbonate (NZSC) nanoparticles are prepared by a simple two-step hydrothermal method, getting a high degree of dispersion of the nickel zinc hydroxyl carbonate (NZC) precursor and then sulfidizing to increase the conductivity. Meanwhile, its large specific surface area of 226 m2 g−1, resulting in a large number of redox sites, can effectively reduce volume change during the charge–discharge process. As a positive electrode material, NZSC-4 shows a high capacitance value of 1634 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and outstanding rate performance (73% rate retention at 20 A g−1). What's more, an all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was assembled, using NZSC-4 as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode. The ASC exhibits a high energy density of 36.17 W h kg−1 from a high voltage range of 0 to 1.7 V at a power density of 0.85 kW kg−1, appropriate leakage current and self-discharge. Interestingly, two fully charged ASCs (in series) can power the white light-emitting diodes (LED, working voltage greater than 3 V) effectively, and subsequently light yellow LED and then red LED after the white bulb consumes part of the energy. Hence, the NZSC-4 as a pseudocapacitive material looks promising.


We give a proof of the Jardine-Tillmann generalized group completion theorem. It is much in the spirit of the original homology fibration approach by McDuff and Segal, but follows a modern treatment of homotopy colimits, using as little simplicial technology as possible. We compare simplicial and topological definitions of homology fibrations.


This study investigates the relationship between dietary toughness and craniofacial variation in two groups of savanna baboons. Standard craniofacial and malocclusion data were collected from a captive, soft-diet experiment group (n=24) and a sample of wild-captured baboons, raised on tougher, natural foods (n=19). We tested the hypothesis that in the absence of normal masticatory stress experienced during the consumption of wild foods, the captive baboons would exhibit higher levels of facial and dental structural irregularities. Principal component analysis indicates separation of the two samples. The soft-diet sample exhibits significantly shorter palates, greater variability in palate position, and higher frequencies of occlusal irregularities that correlate with the shorter palates. Results offer further support that long-term dietary chewing stresses have a measurable effect on adult craniofacial variation.


We present an analysis of the quasistationary (QS) state of the contact process (CP) on annealed scale-free networks using a mapping of the CP dynamics in a one-step process and analyzing numerically and analytically the corresponding master equation. The relevant QS quantities determined via the master equation exhibit an excellent agreement with direct QS stochastic simulations of the CP. The high accuracy of the resulting data allows a probe of the strong corrections to scaling present in both the critical and supercritical regions, corrections that mask the correct finite-size scaling obtained analytically by applying an exact heterogeneous mean-field approach. Our results represent a promising starting point for a deeper understanding of the contact process and absorbing phase transitions on real (quenched) complex networks.


ABSTRACT Le Cozannet, G.; Bulteau, T., Garcin, M., Garnier, C., Müller, H., Hoareau, A. and Mallet, C., 2016. Detecting errors in coastal databases using Bayesian Networks. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 1162 - 1166. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. With growing concerns regarding coastal planning, management and adaptation, coastal observatories are collecting an increasing amount of geographical datasets such as historical shorelines, descriptions of hydrodynamic processes, coastal geomorphology or hydrogeology. Evaluating the integrity of such databases is difficult in practice due to the volume and heterogeneity of data, as well as the number of persons involved in data collection and management. Here, we adress the question of error detection in coastal databases. We test the utility of Bayesian Networks to guide users toward subsets of the database, where errors are more likely. The approach is applied to two coastal databases: (1) the French Basque Coast geographical database, managed by the Aquitaine Coastal Observatory; (2) the Eurosion database, describing European coasts and resulting from the synthesis and aggregation of multiple datasets. We show that the approach is more useful in the second case, but that the method can also help to derive a probabilistic information from a regional deterministic database. Finally, we highlight the utility of improving current coastal data models, especially for improving the description of coastal cliffs evolutions in large aggregated databases.


Laboratory animals exposed to feeding ticks develop resistance which is reflected by a decline in tick engorgement weight, egg-laying by adults and reduced egg viability. Serum antibodies from these hosts and their reaction with tick antigens have been detected by different methods, including precipitation techniques, immunofluorescent techniques, ELISA and Western blots. However, little is known about the effects of antibodies on ticks that engorge on resistant hosts, or which tissues of the tick body are possibly immunogenic. Some researchers, using immunohistochemistry, have detected host antibodies in the gut, salivary glands and haemolymph of ticks engorged on resistant animals. The same technique has helped considerably in determining antigenic sites or antibody targets in other arthropods. Consequently, immunohistochemistry techniques were used in this study to detect cross-reactivity between sera raised against Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) with Amblyomma hebraeum (Koch, 1844), and vice versa. The results show the existence of shared antigens between the 2 tick species. In general, our results point more to a 1-way cross-reactivity of A. hebraeum with A. cajennense than a reciprocal cross-reactivity, suggesting that A. hebraeum is more immunogenic than A. cajennense.


Patients with the autosomal recessive disorder ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) show the biallelic inactivation of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM ) gene. A-T patients exhibit a predisposition to the development of a wide range of lymphoid tumours, suggesting that the ATM protein normally plays an important role in the prevention of both T and B cell malignancies. The ATM protein is a 370 kDa protein kinase implicated in the integration of different cellular responses to particular forms of DNA damage. Several recent studies have reported the possibility that the ATM gene can act as a tumour suppressor gene in non A-T individuals. Frequent ATM inactivation was confirmed in three sporadic lymphoid tumours of mature phenotype: T cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (T-PLL), B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Here, we provide a summary of the published ATM mutations in sporadic lymphoid tumours, including our own study on the role of ATM mutations in the pathogenesis of sporadic B-CLL. The published results suggest possible differences in the origin, the nature and distribution of ATM mutations between sporadic B-CLL, MCL and T-PLL. While ATM mutations in mature B cell tumours (B-CLL and MCL) represent a mixture of missense and truncating errors distributed across the whole of the ATM coding sequence, mutations in sporadic T-PLL appear to be predominantly missense, clustering in the region encoding the PI-3 kinase catalytic domain of the protein. The reason for this difference is unclear, but the difference itself supports the notion that the pathogenesis of B and T cell tumours on an ATM deficient background might be different. In addition, in both B-CLL and MCL ATM mutation carriers have been reported, raising the possibility that ATM mutation carriers may have an increased risk of developing these tumours. The existence as well as magnitude of the risk, however, remains to be established. Furthermore, our own studies indicate that the presence of ATM mutations in sporadic B-CLL causes a distinctive defect in response to DNA damaging agents, offering a possible explanation for the poor response of ATM mutant tumours to standard treatment. Therefore, one of the future challenges will be to devise strategies to bypass the existing defect in response to DNA damage and activate apoptosis in ATM mutant sporadic lymphoid tumours.


This study was undertaken with the objective of evaluating the extent of convergence on the part of key stakeholders in the cocoa sector on the problems of cocoa extension and how to address it. The study was carried out in the Atwima Mponua and Amansie West districts of the Ashanti region in 2008 although some of the stakeholders interviewed were outside these districts. Survey research methodology was employed including focus group discussions to obtain information from policy makers, researchers, extensionists, licensed buying companies, input dealers and farmers. The key findings were that all concurred that productivity should be boosted to improve the lot of farmers and that information provision is central to this. However, there was no convergence as to how this could be achieved. It emerged that the state of cocoa extension was deplorable requiring urgent policy intervention. The implications and conclusions are that farmers are not benefitting sufficiently from many years of cocoa research; to move productivity to a higher pedestal, the acknowledged knowledge gap between researchers and farmers need to be bridged.


Objectives Potentially modifiable risk factors account for approximately 23% of breast cancers, with obesity and alcohol being the two greatest. Breast screening and symptomatic clinical attendances provide opportunities ('teachable moments') to link health promotion and breast cancer-prevention advice within established clinical pathways. This study explored knowledge and attitudes towards alcohol as a risk factor for breast cancer, and potential challenges inherent in incorporating advice about alcohol health risks into breast clinics and screening appointments. Design A mixed-method study including a survey on risk factors for breast cancer and understanding of alcohol content. Survey results were explored in a series of five focus groups with women and eight semi-structured interviews with health professionals. Setting Women attending NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) mammograms, symptomatic breast clinics and healthcare professionals in those settings. Participants 205 women were recruited (102 NHSBSP attenders and 103 symptomatic breast clinic attenders) and 33 NHS Staff. Results Alcohol was identified as a breast cancer risk factor by 40/205 (19.5%) of attenders and 16/33 (48.5%) of staff. Overall 66.5% of attenders drank alcohol, and 56.6% could not estimate correctly the alcohol content of any of four commonly consumed alcoholic drinks. All women agreed that including a prevention-focussed intervention would not reduce the likelihood of their attendance at screening mammograms or breast clinics. Qualitative data highlighted concerns in both women and staff of how to talk about alcohol and risk factors for breast cancer in a non-stigmatising way, as well as ambivalence from specialist staff as to their role in health promotion. Conclusions Levels of alcohol health literacy and numeracy were low. Adding prevention interventions to screening and/or symptomatic clinics appears acceptable to attendees, highlighting the potential for using these opportunities as 'teachable moments'. However, there are substantial cultural and systemic challenges to overcome if this is to be implemented successfully.


Approximately half of all mental health disorders begin by age 14, and three-quarters by age 24. Among adolescents, depression is one of the leading contributors to morbidity, while suicide and interpersonal violence are among the leading causes of mortality. Mental ill-health also reinforces poverty through decreased productivity and loss of earnings, increased health expenditures, and social stigma. Since the evidence on the effects of poverty-alleviation programmes on mental health have been inconclusive, there is a need for research on specific poverty-alleviation interventions for vulnerable groups who are more at risk for poor mental well-being.


Administering liposome-encapsulated drugs by aerosol is a feasible way of targeting drugs to the lungs. Prior to clinical application of aerosolized liposomes as drug carriers, their relative safety must be established. We evaluated the effects of inhaling nondrug-containing liposomes (15 and 150 mg of lipid per milliliter) for 1 h on pulmonary function and on oximetry in ten healthy nonsmoking volunteers. Spirometry was performed prior to and at intervals after inhalation, and subjects were monitored with pulse oximetry. Liposome inhalation was well tolerated, and no oxygen desaturation, decrements in pulmonary function, or side effects were noted. We conclude that inhalation of small particle aerosols of SPC liposomes produces no acute deleterious effects on pulmonary function in healthy subjects.


Purpose of reviewIn severe anaphylaxis, the cardiovascular system is often heavily involved. Preexisting cardiovascular disease may therefore influence the course of anaphylaxis in a negative way. Recent findingsSystemic mastocytosis and elevated baseline serum tryptase are associated with severe and fatal anaphylaxis to hymenoptera stings. This is due to an increased number of cardiac mast cells resulting in high concentrations of cardiotoxic mast cell mediators in cardiac tissue during anaphylaxis. Severe anaphylaxis in coronary heart disease, in particular, is explained by an increased load of cardiac mast cells together with coronary stenosis favouring myocardial hypoxia. Contraindications for the use of medications for cardiac disease in patients with anaphylaxis, especially β-blockers, have been questioned by epidemiologic studies considering the positive effects of these drugs on much more prevalent cardiac diseases. SummaryPreexisting cardiovascular disease, mastocytosis and elevated baseline serum tryptase are risk factors for fatal anaphylactic reactions or lasting morbidity due to myocardial or cerebrovascular infarction induced by anaphylaxis. Life-saving cardiac medications like β-blockers may increase the severity of anaphylaxis. Since life-threatening cardiovascular diseases are much more frequent than anaphylaxis, the relative risk of either disease with and without these drugs must be analyzed carefully together with the cardiologist.


The present study tested the hypothesis that the trigeminal (V) primary afferent projection to the contralateral dorsal horn originates in midline hairy skin. A prior study (Jacquin et al., 1990) showed that this crossed projection is heaviest to ophthalmic regions of medullary and cervical dorsal horns, and that it does not arise from V ganglion cells that innervate cornea, nasal mucosa, or cerebral dura mater. Here, retrograde double-labeling methods were used to show that many ophthalmic ganglion cells that innervate midline hairy skin via the supraorbital nerve project to the contralateral medullary and upper cervical dorsal horns. Diamidino yellow injections into the right dorsal horn labeled an average of 104 cells in the left V ganglion. Of these contralaterally projecting ganglion cells, an average of 45% were also labeled by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injections into the left supraorbital nerve, and 25% were also labeled by HRP injections into the midline opthalmic hairy skin. However, only 2% were labeled by HRP injections restricted to left supraorbital vibrissae follicle nerves. Almost all of the double-labeled cells were located in the dorsal one-half of the V ganglion, and they did not differ in size from single-labeled cells. On the basis of these and prior data, we conclude that a high percentage of contralaterally projecting V ganglion cells originate in midline hairy skin. It is also likely that the contralaterally projecting V ganglion cells serve a low-threshold mechanoreceptive function, given the relatively large ganglion cells and axons giving rise to this pathway and their central terminations in dorsal horn laminae III-V.


We report new demographic and genetic data on southern African camel (Camelus dromedarius) populations. Results from questionnaires on demography indicated that approximately 476 camels were extant in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana in 2003. We have sampled 234 camels for genetic analysis using a microsatellite marker set consisting of 12 loci. Results indicated little differentiation between camels from southern Africa, the Sudan or an outgroup from the family Camelidae, the alpaca (Lama pacos). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that -0.09% of total variation reside between species, 0.26% between the two southern African camel populations and 99.83% within populations. A coefficient of population differentiation (RST) indicated low levels of differentiation between southern African camel populations, with no specific pattern observed in pair-wise comparisons of 16 populations. An assignment test conformed to known population histories and provided additional support for the hypothesis of low differentiation between populations. There was no evidence of loss of genetic diversity in any individual population. Parentage analysis confirmed the utility of the microsatellite marker set for elucidating uncertain paternity. The results are discussed with reference to the management history of camels in the southern African region and the importance of population and parentage verification in the light of the many historic translocations.


Over the past three decades, homelessness has become an area of significant social concern in Alaska, the Canadian North, and most recently, Greenland. These three geographical contexts show both similarities and contrasts, but no effort has yet been made to review the research literature on homelessness from these three regions or to highlight key themes or gaps in current knowledge. We reviewed the literature in order to 1) understand the current state of knowledge of the dynamics of homelessness in Alaska, the Canadian North (here including Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), and Greenland and 2) conceptualize a northern geography of homelessness. The research literature identifies common themes across these contexts, which include chronic housing insecurity, overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples among those living homeless, and the significance of gendered experiences of homelessness. It identifies key interconnections between hidden homelessness and visible homelessness as the dynamics of urbanization in northern towns and cities reveal the social consequences of chronic housing insecurity in settlements. Across these northern regions, the high rates of chronic homelessness reflect the prevalence of northern housing insecurity and the lack of both adequate, appropriate support for people experiencing mental health or addiction problems and supportive or public housing options. Strategies that aim to diversify housing stock at various critical points along the housing spectrum are needed in northern regions, an idea that is promoted by Housing First and transitional housing programs in Alaska and the Canadian North.


We propose a human-centred model for abstraction, modelling and computing in function-driven spatial design for architecture. The primitive entities of our design conception ontology and computing framework are driven by classic notions of `structure, function, and affordance' in design, and are directly based on the fundamental human perceptual and analytical modalities of visual and locomotive exploration of space. With an emphasis on design semantics, our model for spatial design marks a fundamental shift from contemporary modelling and computational foundations underlying engineering-centred computer aided design systems. We demonstrate the application of our model within a system for human-centred computational design analysis and simulation. We also illustrate the manner in which our design modelling and computing framework seamlessly builds on contemporary industry data modelling standards within the architecture and construction informatics communities.


AIM
To critically appraise recent research into associations between periodontal disease and systemic diseases and conditions specifically respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cognitive impairment, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cancer.

METHODS
A MEDLINE literature search of papers published between 2002 and April 2012 was conducted. Studies that included periodontitis as an exposure were identified. Cross-sectional epidemiological investigations on large samples, prospective studies and systematic reviews formed the basis of the narrative review. A threshold set for the identification of periodontitis was used to identify those studies that contributed to the conclusions of the review.

RESULTS
Many of the investigations were cross-sectional secondary analyses of existing data sets in particular the NHANES studies. There were a small number of systematic reviews and prospective studies. There was substantial variability in the definitions of exposure to periodontitis. A small number of studies met the threshold set for periodontitis and supported associations; however, in some of the chronic diseases there were no such studies. There was strong evidence from randomized controlled trials that interventions, which improve oral hygiene have positive effects on the prevention of nosocomial pneumonias.

CONCLUSIONS
There was substantial heterogeneity in the definitions used to identify periodontitis and very few studies met a stringent threshold for periodontitis. Published evidence supports modest associations between periodontitis and some, although not all, of the diseases and conditions reviewed. There is a need to reach a consensus on what constitutes periodontitis for future studies of putative associations with systemic diseases.


This article describes the development of the Relationship Closeness Inventory (RCI), which draws on the conceptualization of closeness as high interdependence between two people's activities proposed by Kelley et al. (1983). The current "closest" relationship of individuals (N = 241) drawn from the college student population served as the basis for RCI development, with the closest relationship found to encompass several relationship types, including romantic, friend, and family relationships. The development and psychometric properties of the three RCI subscales (Frequency, Diversity, Strength), their scoring, and their combination to form an overall index of closeness are described. The RCI's test-retest reliability is reported and the association between RCI score and the longevity of the relationship is discussed. RCI scores for individuals' closest relationships are contrasted to those of not-close relationships, to a subjective closeness index, and to several measures of relationship affect, including Rubin's (1973) Liking and Loving scales. Finally, the ability of the RCI to predict relationship break up is contrasted to that of the Subjective Closeness Index, an index of the emotional tone of the relationship, and to relationship longevity. It is concluded that the RCI possesses acceptable internal and test-retest reliability, satisfactory discriminant and construct validity, and encouraging predictive validity, thus suggesting that it constitutes a viable means of assessing relationship closeness.


Make your library "the place to be." The library is still the best place to go for traditional information - and for everything from Internet access, database reference, video and CD check-out to engaging exhibits, entertaining events, and more. The challenge is getting your customers and community to believe that their library has more to offer today than it ever did. It's up to you to communicate that the home or work computer can't come close to delivering the unique services your library provides. And you can do this with Powerful Public Relations. Whether you have a lot of time to devote to a PR program or just a few hours here and there, communicating your library's many benefits is paramount to the satisfaction and number of customers you have each day. Here are just a few of the ways that savvy PR can work to sell your library's image. You'll learn how to: * Produce eye-catching brochures using desktop technology * Create a Web-based PR strategy and plan * Develop multimedia promotional programs that can be set up in the library * Plan special events and exhibits that will generate publicity and attendance With sample screen captures, press releases, public service announcements, and other PR tools, this hands-on book brings together a group of talented contributors who give you everything you need to execute effective public relations. Learn to attract customers to the new wealth of information and entertainment resources in your library with Powerful Public Relations.


Nature‐based Climate Solutions (NbCS) are managed alterations to ecosystems designed to increase carbon sequestration or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While they have growing public and private support, the realizable benefits and unintended consequences of NbCS are not well understood. At regional scales where policy decisions are often made, NbCS benefits are estimated from soil and tree survey data that can miss important carbon sources and sinks within an ecosystem, and do not reveal the biophysical impacts of NbCS for local water and energy cycles. The only direct observations of ecosystem‐scale carbon fluxes, for example, by eddy covariance flux towers, have not yet been systematically assessed for what they can tell us about NbCS potentials, and state‐of‐the‐art remote sensing products and land‐surface models are not yet being widely used to inform NbCS policymaking or implementation. As a result, there is a critical mismatch between the point‐ and tree‐scale data most often used to assess NbCS benefits and impacts, the ecosystem and landscape scales where NbCS projects are implemented, and the regional to continental scales most relevant to policymaking. Here, we propose a research agenda to confront these gaps using data and tools that have long been used to understand the mechanisms driving ecosystem carbon and energy cycling, but have not yet been widely applied to NbCS. We outline steps for creating robust NbCS assessments at both local to regional scales that are informed by ecosystem‐scale observations, and which consider concurrent biophysical impacts, future climate feedbacks, and the need for equitable and inclusive NbCS implementation strategies. We contend that these research goals can largely be accomplished by shifting the scales at which pre‐existing tools are applied and blended together, although we also highlight some opportunities for more radical shifts in approach.


In areas subject to drought and/or high population growth, measures to encourage conservation have become an important part of water management and planning. Residential consumers' low sensitivity to prices reduces the effectiveness and desirability of using price signals as a conservation tool. We hypothesize that consumers' sluggish response to prices is partly due to the fact that price information is not conveniently available to them. If the hypothesis is true, including clear price information on water bills should reinforce consumers' sensitivity to price and therefore increase the power of price-based policies in demand management strategies. A standard aggregate water demand model is augmented with qualitative variables describing the informational content of bills and estimated using a cross section of US utilities. Our results indicate that a utility that spells out unit prices on the water bill can achieve the same level of conservation as others with a thirty to forty percent lower rate increase. We find no evidence that non-price information such as history of use or conservation messages has a significant effect on demand.


Presented during Session 18: Performance, Monitoring, Reporting and Visualization, moderated by Brian Diefenderfer, at the 9th International Conference on Managing Pavement Assets (ICMPA9) in Alexandria, VA.


InMay 1965, mammoth remains were exposed during the excavation of a borrow pit for construction of Interstate Highway 40, 2 mi northeast of Hazen, Prairie County, Arkansas. The proboscidian remains consisted of a skull with tusks, mandibles, atlas and other skeletal elements. The vertebra material was scattered over approximately 150 m (1,600 sq ft) but was confined to a layer of red clayey-silt 6.7 m (22 ft) below the surface. No additional fauna or flora was recovered. The mammoth remains are referred to Mammuthus columbi (Falconer, 1857) on the basis of characteristics of the dentition, particularly the comparison of index of hypsodonty to functional plate density. Mammuthus columbi was widely distributed in southeast North America during the late part of the Pleistocene Epoch (Sangamon-Wisconsin Stages).


Background: Increasing emphasis is being placed on the economics of health care service delivery – including home-based palliative care. Aim: This paper analyzes resource utilization and costs of a shared-care demonstration project in rural Ontario (Canada) from the public health care system's perspective. Design: To provide enhanced end-of-life care, the shared-care approach ensured exchange of expertise and knowledge and coordination of services in line with the understood goals of care. Resource utilization and costs were tracked over the 15 month study period from January 2005 to March 2006. Results: Of the 95 study participants (average age 71 years), 83 had a cancer diagnosis (87%); the non-cancer diagnoses (12 patients, 13%) included mainly advanced heart diseases and COPD. Community Care Access Centre and Enhanced Palliative Care Team-based homemaking and specialized nursing services were the most frequented offerings, followed by equipment/transportation services and palliative care consults for pain and symptom management. Total costs for all patient-related services (in 2007 $CAN) were $1,625,658.07 – or $17,112.19 per patient/$117.95 per patient day. Conclusion: While higher than expenditures previously reported for a cancer-only population in an urban Ontario setting, the costs were still within the parameters of the US Medicare Hospice Benefits, on a par with the per diem funding assigned for long-term care homes and lower than both average alternate level of care and hospital costs within the Province of Ontario. The study results may assist service planners in the appropriate allocation of resources and service packaging to meet the complex needs of palliative care populations.


Brazilian native vegetation stands as one of the largest global carbon storages. Here is also where most of the emissions related to land use change take place, mostly driven by agricultural expansion. Policies of incentives and support to avoid deforestation are expected to play a significant role to improve the effectiveness of the prevailing command and control regulation and expand the protection of carbon stocks in the native vegetation. However, the limited available resources require wise targeting policies that maximise the outcomes regarding carbon protection. In this study, we conducted a quantitative assessment of the effect of command and control regulations in the protection of above-ground carbon (AGC) stocks employing a land use policy assessment (LUPA) model. The model enabled the construction of a land tenure dataset of national coverage and modelled the effects of the major pieces of land use legislation in the protection of AGC stocks. The outcomes suggest that roughly 70% of the AGC stock in Brazil is protected and additional 20% is expected to be protected after the tenure regularisation process of undesignated land. Private territory sustains about 30% of the AGC stocks, half within small or medium sized private properties which represent 98% of the Brazilian landholders and the other half in the 2% larger properties. Roughly 20% of the AGC in private land is under command and control protection, and the remaining 10% is unprotected. We argued that targeting policy may prioritise the unprotected AGC stocks; however, different biomes may require different policy settings considering the specificity of each biome.


Comparing intentions to migrate and actual migration of Mexicans, I intend to assess the impact of unexpected shocks and misevaluated costs on the materialization of migration plans. I show that both sets of reasons may explain discrepancies between intentions and subsequent actions without denying the rationality of intentions by resorting to the theoretical framework of the Roy model. I use intention and migration data from the Mexican Family Life Survey, together with precipitations monthly series, hurricane and crime data to represent different sets of shocks. Correlations between intentions and migration on the one hand, and between intentions and individual labor market characteristics show that intentions are not devoid of informational content. Then, modelling intentions and migration with a bivariate probit, I find that shocks, and in particular rainfall and hurricanes, affect the probability to migrate conditional on initial intentions. The key finding is nonetheless the much lower propensity for women to migrate abroad conditional on intentions, which suggests that women incur specific costs or constraints misestimated at the intention stage. Alternative explanations, such as gendered preferences are discussed, but convergent empirical evidence suggest that women are more constrained than men on the international migration market. Moreover the data suggest that migrant are positively selected with respect to their unobserved characteristics whereas those with intention to migrate abroad are negatively selected. The shift in selection between the two stages of the migration process may be due to the cost reducing effect of individuals' unobserved characteristics that explain their higher local wages.


Italy has a preeminent rank in kiwifruit industry, being the first exporter and the second largest producer after China. However, in the last years kiwifruit yields and the total cultivated area considerably decreased, due to the pandemic spread of the bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa). Several climatic conditions and cultural practices affect the development of the bacterial canker. This research work focused on the impact of agricultural practices and microclimate conditions on the incidence and epidemiology of Psa in the orchard. Therefore, the effect of fertilization, irrigation, use of bio-regulators, rootstock, training system and pruning were examined. The effect of different tunnel systems was analyzed as well, to study the plant-pathogen interaction. Considering the importance of insects as vectors in other pathosystems, the role of Metcalfa pruinosa in the spread of the bacterial canker was investigated in controlled conditions. In addition, quality and storage properties of fruits from infected plants were assessed. The study of all these aspects of the agronomic practices is useful to define a strategy to limit the bacterial diffusion in the orchard. Overall, excess nitrogen fertilization, water stress, stagnant water supplies, pruning before summer and the high number of Metcalfa pruinosa increased the Psa incidence. In contrast, tunnel covers may be useful for the control of the disease, with special attention to the kind of material.


Abstract The diversity of marine fungi is reviewed based on new data on their occurrence on various substrata, unexplored habitats especially in the tropics, undescribed species, endophytic and cryptic taxa. Various estimates have been proposed for the number of marine fungi and this depends on whether the taxa are obligate, facultative or marine derived by isolation from various substrata or from seawater by culture methods. The current number of obligate marine fungi (537 species) is a gross underestimate. So where can further species be found? In this review, several fungal groups are identified that have been poorly surveyed for marine representatives and therefore a potential source of more marine species; these are marine derived fungi isolated from soils, sand, and water, planktonic fungi, deep-sea fungi, unculturable fungi, and cryptic species or taxa with similar morphology. In accounting for these potential sources the number of marine fungi might be in excess of 10,000 taxa.


As part of our grant-funded research into the metallic artefacts excavated in Lumbe's garden cemetery at Prague Castle (a site where the members of the nobility were buried during the early Medieval period), a silver pearl (grave 100, object 27) dating from the ninth century and found in a grave of one of the wealthiest individuals was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, metallographic examination, and the manufacture of a replica enabled us to identify the process of the pearl's manufacture, the material which was used for its fabrication, and the extent of the pearl's deterioration. The pearl is a masterpiece of filigree and granulation work. Analyses have shown the nature of the soldering technique and the types of materials used by early Medieval craftsmen to manufacture it. The analyses also highlighted the nature of the pearl's deterioration, involving intergranular corrosion resulting in the embrittlement of the silver, as well as indications of an aggressive restoration treatment which had been performed on the pearl.


Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting more than 65 million people worldwide and manifested by recurrent unprovoked seizures. The unpredictability of seizures not only degrades the quality of life of the patients, but it can also be life-threatening. Modern systems monitoring electroencephalography (EEG) signals are being currently developed with the view to detect epileptic seizures in order to alert caregivers and reduce the impact of seizures on patients' quality of life. Such seizure detection systems employ state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms that require a considerably large amount of labeled personal data for training. However, acquiring EEG signals of epileptic seizures is a costly and time-consuming process for medical experts and patients, currently requiring in-hospital recordings in specialized units. In this work, we generate synthetic seizure-like brain electrical activities, i.e., EEG signals, that can be used to train seizure detection algorithms, alleviating the need for recorded data. First, we train a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) with data from 30 epilepsy patients. Then, we generate synthetic personalized training sets for new, unseen patients, which overall yield higher detection performance than the real-data training sets. We demonstrate our results using the datasets from the EPILEPSIAE Project, one of the world's largest public databases for seizure detection.


This paper presents a novel method for segmentation of bone structures in anterior-posterior (AP) radiographs based on active shape models. A priori global knowledge of the geometric structure of each hip is captured by a statistical deformable template integrating a set of admissible deformations. Then, to represent the image structure expected at each shape point, two statistical models are built: the first model contains knowledge about the edges extracted from the radiograph. This information is summarized in shape context histograms. The second model describes the local image structure around each model point. After gathering these two types of data over the training set, an independent component analysis allows us to derive two data representations for each contour part of the shape. The search is performed over a median pyramid using the shape context model. The obtained segmentation is refined at the original radiograph resolution using the more local model. A leave-one-out test was used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method and to compare it with other conventional methods. The results demonstrate that the method is very robust and precise, and that it can be useful in the context of preoperative planning of hip surgery.


Abstract Marketing is continuously changing and requires constant development to challenge consumers. Through the first blogs, a new marketing portal was created that was more penetrating than traditional advertising. From this, influencer marketing, i.e. marketing through social media, developed. Businesses can use an influencers platform as a catalyst for a commercial message, where, in addition, most influencers usually have higher credibility and are considered to be reliable in one or more niches. Influencer marketing sales were in 2016 half a billion, and is expected to increase further in the coming years. This essay is therefore relevant for future legal development and digital adaptation. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the established law's applicability within the marketing area and to clarify how the legal responsibility is to be distributed as there are several parties involved. Established marketing law applies to all types of pure marketing, but may, through certain exceptions, create difficulties. The legal responsibility is expected to lie on the business responsible for an advertisement, but this paper shows that there is no symbiosis between practice and legislation. The essay contains both a de lege lata-perspective and a de lege feranda-perspective to first and foremost understand applicable law, but also how the legal framework should be in order to maintain digital relevance. To illustrate this, legal texts and various legal cases are discussed and exemplified on this issue is addressed through current national and international legislation. The conclusion of the paper is that (1) there may be more active cooperation between KO and RO in advertising identification rules to set even clearer boundaries, (2) either KO uses its sanctions more frequently or that RO has more dissuasive sanctions and higher status, and (3) create a coherent management of legal responsibility and to find consensus in distributing responsibility equally between influencers and businesses. (Less)


A degradation model specifically for rock armour in coastal structures is proposed. The objective is to give the coastal engineer a new design tool. The model provides a prediction of the armourstone weight loss with time on the structure. This information can help in the assessment of alternative design costings while taking account of the quality of rock from different possible sources. Factors affecting the degradation rate are the intrinsic material properties of the rock source, the production-influenced geometric properties of the armourstone, the environmental boundary conditions at the coastal site and the armour layer design concepts used. To apply the model to a given rock source, a sample of the material is tested in an abrasion mill simulation of the wear process. This gives a weight versus laboratory time plot. Laboratory time is converted to years on site using an equivalent wear time factor which is derived from a combination of nine weighted parameters. The effects of the other principal degradation mechanisms, fracturing and spalling, are included as well as abrasion. For example by using parameter estimates which couple meteorological climatic conditions with particular rock type susceptibilities, the influence of physico-chemical degradation can be assessed.


Polymethacrylamide (PMAAm) and copolymers of MAAm with methyl methacrylate were synthesized and evaluated for their applicability to electron beam lithography. The sensitivity of PMAAm has previously been reported as less than 1 μC/cm2, with thermal stability at temperatures up to 330°C.' Despite these claims, further lithographic evaluation of this resist system is apparently absent from the literature. This research was conducted to further investigate the lithographic performance of these resists and to determine their sensitivity using current definitions. Using PMAAm homopolymer (Mw = 8.1 x 105), with a 15 minute prebake at 200°C, the lithographic results were much poorer than expected. Patterns exposed to doses of 10 μC/cm2 or lower could not be developed using water as the developing solvent. Forced developing with Na2SiO3 solution (pH=10) developed lower doses than water, but much greater thinning was observed. An unexposed thinning of 10% occurred when developing exposures of 15 μC/cm2 with water, and 40 μC/cm2 with Na2SiO3 solution (20 KV). Swelling of the unexposed polymer and some adhesion problems were observed. The high sensitivity previously reported for PMAAm' can not be attributed solely to chain scission efficiency (Gs), which has been reported to be only 1.5 times that of PMMA (Gs determined by Y-irradiation). An induction period in the dissolution of unexposed polymer has also been sugggested as contributing to the sensitivity of this resist. In the present work, dissolution induction periods were observed with laser interferometry for the unexposed films, but the magnitude of these induction periods could not account for a large enhancement of sensitivity. Imide crosslink formation may have been responsible for the previously reported sensitivity of PMAAm.' In the present work, imid formation was not observed, either after prebaking coated wafers at 180 to 240°C or heating of polymer solutions for 7 hours at 80°C. Apparently, the conditions for useful formation of imide are difficult to reproduce. Because of the problems encountered with the PMAAm homopolymer during lithography, a series of MMA MAAm copolymers were synthesized and evaluated as potential resists. These copolymers eliminated the problems of swelling and poor solubility of the homopolymer, but sensitivity enhancement over that of PMMA was minimal.


Purpose - – Trade and investment flows into less-advanced economies could bring about important technological spillovers that could boost firm-level productivity and bolster their long-term economic growth. However, learning by doing and various forms of innovation activities are typically underprovided in a laissez faire policy environment. This brief paper outlines some of the motivations for public sector interventions to support learning by doing and stronger technological spillovers. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - – To accomplish this, the paper provides a brief discussion of three key areas for policy attention, covering: the features that make international production networks fertile platforms for these spillovers; the opportunities for technology spillovers in the services sector; and the challenges associated with policies to link SMEs into these sectors that are fertile ground for technology spillovers and innovation. Findings - – This paper concludes by presenting a few possible guidelines on innovation and technology policy based on the lessons of industrialization attempts in the last several decades. A key insight tying these strategies together is that of creating incentives to compete and innovate, and ensuring that support is outcome oriented and temporary. Originality/value - – This paper contributes to the literature and practitioner-oriented scholarship by providing a clear framework for thinking about how to promote technology spillovers from trade and investments, as part of new industrial policies.


The Prolog programmer's needs have always been the focus for guiding the development of the SWI-Prolog system. This article accompanies an invited talk about how the SWI-Prolog environment helps the Prolog programmer solve common problems. It describes the central parts of the graphical development environment as well as the command line tools which we see as vital to the success of the system. We hope this comprehensive overview of particularly useful features will both inspire other Prolog developers, and help SWI-Prolog users to make more productive use of the system.


A sample stacking procedure to which a specific combination of electrolyte solutions is applied is isotachophoresis (ITP) superimposed on capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), a so‐called ITP/CZE system. In ITP/CZE some components migrate in an ITP fashion on top of a background electrolyte, and the other analytes migrate in a zone electrophoretic manner. For such a system, the leading electrolyte consists of a mixture of an ionic species, L1, of high mobility (the leading ion of the ITP system), an ionic species, L2, of low mobility (the coions of the CZE system), and a buffering counterionic species, whereas the terminating solution only contains the ionic species L2 and the buffering counterions. The zones of the components migrating in the ITP/CZE mode are sharp owing to the self‐correcting properties of the zones and the concentrations of the L1 ions of the system. Mobility windows can be calculated, indicating which ions can migrate in the ITP/CZE mode. In this article mobility windows are calculated by applying both strong and weak acids as L1 and L2 ions and it appears that mobility windows can be optimized by chosing different ratios of L1 and L2 as well as different pH values. It is possible to construct very narrow mobility windows, and thereby choose which component of a sample solution can be concentrated, and to what concentration, in a very selective way. The big advantage of ITP/CZE compared with applications such as transient ITP and transient stacking is that the stacked sample ionic species migrate in the ITP mode during the whole experiment; furthermore, they do not destack. Experimentally obtained electropherograms validate the calculated mobility windows for the ITP/CZE mode.


NASA's flight research is reliant on a combination of both ground and flight research facilities. By using state-of-theart techniques, measurement and data acquisition technologies, NASA will be able to operate its flight research facilities more effectively and also meet the challenges presented by NASA's cutting edge research and development programs. The scope of this subtopic is broad, with emphasis on emissions, noise, and performance. Research technologies applicable to this subtopic should address (but are not limited to): Western Aeronautical Test Range (WATR), Flight Loads Laboratory (FLL), Research Flight Simulation Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (HILS), Testbed and Support Aircraft (e.g. F-15, F-18, ER-2, Gulfstream-III, Ikhana), as well as modeling, identification, simulation, and control of aerospace vehicle applications in flight research, flight sensors, sensor arrays and airborne instruments for flight research, and advanced aerospace flight concepts. Safer and more efficient design of advanced aerospace vehicles requires advancement in current predictive design and analysis tools. The goal is to develop more efficient software tools for predicting and understanding the response of an airframe under the simultaneous influences of structural dynamics, thermal dynamics, steady and unsteady aerodynamics, and the control system. The benefit of this effort will ultimately be an increased understanding of the complex interactions between the vehicle dynamics subsystems with an emphasis on flight research validation methods for control-oriented applications. Proposals for novel multidisciplinary nonlinear dynamic systems modeling, identification, and simulation for control objectives are encouraged. Control objectives include feasible and realistic boundary layer and laminar flow control, aeroelastic maneuver performance and load control (including smart actuation and active aerostructural concepts), autonomous health monitoring for stability and performance, and drag minimization for high efficiency and range performance. Methodologies should pertain to any of a variety of types of vehicles ranging from low-speed, high-altitude long-endurance to hypersonic and access-to-space aerospace vehicles. Real-time measurement techniques are needed to acquire aerodynamic, structural, control, and propulsion system performance characteristics in-flight and to safely expand the flight envelope of aerospace vehicles. The scope of this subtopic is the development of sensors, sensor systems, sensor arrays, or instrumentation systems for improving the state-of-the-art in aircraft ground or flight research. This includes the development of sensors to enhance aircraft safety by determining atmospheric conditions. The goals are to improve the effectiveness of flight research by simplifying and minimizing sensor installation, measuring new parameters, improving the quality of measurements, minimizing the disturbance to the measured parameter from the sensor presence, deriving new information from conventional techniques, or combining sensor suites with embedded processing to add value to output information. This topic solicits proposals for improving airborne sensors and sensor instrumentation systems in all flight regimes – particularly transonic and hypersonic. These sensors and systems are required to have fast response, low volume, minimal intrusion, and high accuracy and reliability. This subtopic further solicits innovative flight research experiments that demonstrate breakthrough vehicle or system concepts, technologies, and operations in the real flight environment.


The origin of plastid in eukaryotes and the minimum age of this event based on microfossil recordare indirectly inferred by recognizing green algae among organically preserved, unicellularmicrofossils other than cyanobacteria. Single primary symbiosis of cyanobacterium establishedalgae and led to divergence of Archaeplastida, including Chlorophyta. The reproductive cystsof extant microalgae share characters derived from their early green algal ancestors. The geneticinheritance and eventually its phenotypic expression are universally shared. Similarly, the enzymesbinding specific compounds in photosynthesis evolved from cyanobacteria and are present in allphotosynthesising organisms since the Archean. Molecular clock analyses suggest that primaryplastid was established by c. 1.5 Ga, whereas by fossil record c. 1.8 Ga (Leiosphaeridia) or 2.1 Ga(Grypania). The fossil record of stem group eukaryotes without assignment to living groups isat 2.1 Ga by carbonaceous compressions (Grypania), however, the recognition as an alga is notexcluded, and it would provide the minimum age of the origin of plastid. Spheroidal microfossils(Leiosphaeridia) with multilayered cell-wall and trilaminar sheath structure that is the algal character ofChlorophyceae are documented throughout the Proterozoic into Cambrian. Because of the presenceof this character and interpreted as algal cysts, some leiosphaerids show record of chlorophyceanspersistently since 1.8 Ga. Microfossils with phycoma-like morphology suggesting prasinophyceanaffinity are known at minimum age of 1.4–1.2 Ga (Pterospermopsimorpha, Pterospermella, Simia,Tasmanites). Microfossils of the Proterozoic to Cambrian ages assessed by body plan, ornamentation,excystment structure, cell wall resistance and ultrastructure, and internal bodies defined by theirown walls, are recognized as algal zygotic cysts and phycomata by comparison with extant greenalgae. Internal bodies are a part of reproductive cysts, resembling those known in Chlorophyta.They are inferred to be endocysts containing zygote, if single, or offspring cells, if multiple, insexual and asexual generations of ancient taxa of the classes Chlorophyceae and Prasinophyceae.Based on the earliest occurrence of microfossils with morphologic characteristic of a zygoticcyst, multilayered cell-wall structure indicative of the primary and secondary wall, and with aninternal body in the Dictyosphaera-Shuiyousphaeridium plexus, the sexual reproduction is evident atc. 1.4-1.2 Ga. It became common in the Neoproterozoic (Cymatiosphaeroides, Trachyhystrichosphaera,Vandalosphaeridium, Tanarium, Asterocapsoides, Ancorosphaeridium, Densisphaera), and the Cambrian(Skiagia, Polygonium). The divergence of Chlorophyta from the lineage of Chloroplastida occurredat the minimum age of 1.8 Ga, and the origin of primary plastid prior to this time.


Abstract. This paper aims to indicate a new methodological approach, based on generative algorithms, to attempt a more in-depth and transversal understanding of the behavior of these wooden structures. The developed method accelerates modeling procedures and brings on new tools for analyzing these structural systems when surveyed through TLS devices. The main topic of this work is the most recent step of a wider research project that has analyzed a few wooden roofing structures in the area of bologna. These case studies are represented by a set of important churches in Bologna, all built between the 16th and 18th centuries, whose pitched roofs are supported by timber trusses. Among them, the most impressive is the wooden truss in the St. Peter Cathedral that has approximately 26 meters of span, 7 meters of height for nearly 9 tons of weight. It also shows a complex static conception with the coexistence of an external nondeformable triangle and an internal virtual discharging arc. The focus is on the transformation of the point cloud into 3D models using parametric modeling tools such as Grasshopper generative algorithms. These algorithms, once created for a single truss, allow to automatically generating 3D models of all trusses, changing only input parameters.


FBG sensors have excellent compatibility with CFRP sheets. It can be embedded into CFRP sheets to fabricate the "smart" CFRP. This paper conducted 4 pieces of CFRP-strengthened RC beams, and embedded FBG sensors and strain gauges on the steel, concrete and CFRP of RC beams. The simulation program of flexural load effects of RC beams is compiled based on the theory of reinforced concrete and ANSYS. The experimental results show that during the load bearing process: the compatibility is perfect between FBG sensor and CFRP; the linear relationship of FBG sensor and strain gauge is uniform; the numerical simulation results and the measuring results of strains of tensile steel and compressive concrete, the load agree well. So utilizing the smart CFRP strengthened RC structures can realize the dual function of advanced rehabilitation and real-time health monitor and evaluation.


B cell–T cell interactions are terminated by EPH receptors and ligands Protective, high-affinity antibodies are a crucial component of immune defense against pathogens. They are produced by plasma cells that originate from antigen-specific B cells, which get activated and selected in the germinal centers (GCs) of lymph nodes. Despite advances in our understanding of GC biology in recent years—facilitated in particular by the use of two-photon microscopy—several aspects of the spatiotemporal dynamics of cellular interaction in the GC are still unclear. On page 716 of this issue, Lu et al. (1) recognize a role for the cell surface protein ephrin B1 in regulating the longevity of interactions between B cells and follicular T helper (TFH) cells in GCs. This may control T cell homeostasis in GCs as well as support the selection of high-affinity antibody-producing plasma cells.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an affect-based perspective to explain levels of social media engagement.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses face-to-face long interviews and online observation of the Facebook profiles of respondents over an eight-month period.

Findings
Social media engagement varies depending on a user's current and desired affective state. When individuals are in a low to moderately aroused negative affective state (such as feeling bored or upset), individuals tend to spend time passively consuming content: the lowest level of engagement. In a low to moderately aroused positive mood state (such as happiness), users both passively consume and actively participate with relevant content by liking and commenting on existing content. When users are in a highly aroused positive affective state, the propensity to create original content is greater, reflecting the highest level of engagement. When users are in a highly aroused negative affective state (such as being angry at a brand), users are motivated to vent on social media to manage the mood. Conversely, when users are in a highly aroused negative affective state related to personal trauma, the avoidance of engagement on social media is evident.

Practical implications
Brands can increase the likelihood of consumers creating positive consumer–brand stories offline and online by priming consumer affect.

Originality/value
This study explores how a desired affective state motivates varying levels of user engagement with different types of content on social media.


Palliative care (PC) subspecialists and clinical ethics consultants often engage in parallel work, as both function primarily as interprofessional consultancy services called upon in complex clinical scenarios and challenging circumstances. Both practices utilize active listening, goals-based communication, conflict mediation or mitigation, and values explorations as care modalities. In this set of tips created by an interprofessional team of ethicists, intensivists, a surgeon, an attorney, and pediatric and adult PC nurses and physicians, we aim to describe some paradigmatic clinical challenges for which partnership may improve collaborative, comprehensive care.


It has been reported that in rat and human hypertension the erythrocyte volume is reduced while platelet volume is increased. Data from the Gubbio Study, a population-based study involving over 5000 people (response rate greater than 84%), were analysed in order to address this issue among adult participants. The erythrocyte volume was significantly greater in male and female hypertensives compared with sex-matched normotensives. Female hypertensives also had a slightly but significantly reduced platelet volume while no significant difference in platelet volume was found between male hypertensives and male normotensives. Contrary to data from previous clinical studies based on small series of patients and controls, the findings of this study indicate a positive association between hypertension and erythrocyte volume.


The Yakhot and Orszag RNG theory of turbulence has generated a number of scaling law constants in reasonable quantitative agreement with experiments. The theory itself is highly mathematical, and its assumptions and approximations are not easily appreciated, particularly since several rather unconventional artifices are employed. The present paper reviews the RNG theory and recasts it in more conventional terms using a distinctly different viewpoint. A new formulation based on an alternative interpretation of the origin of the random force is presented, showing that the artificially introduced in the original theory is an adjustable parameter, thus offering a plausible explanation for the remarkable record of quantitative success of the so-called e-expansion procedure.


Remittances have emerged as an important source of external development finance for developing countries in recent years. This paper examines the causes and implications of remittance flows. It first highlights the severe limitations in remittance data, in sharp contrast to other sources of external finance. It then examines the key trends in remittance flows, and their importance relative to other sources of external finance. The paper subsequently analyses the many complex economic and political effects of remittances. It highlights the fact that remittances are the most stable source of external finance and play a critical social insurance role in many countries afflicted by economic and political crises. While remittances are generally pro-poor, their effects are greatest on transient poverty. However, the long-term effects on structural poverty are less clear, principally because the consequences of remittances on long-term economic development are not well understood. The paper then concludes with some policy options. It suggests a role for an international organization to intermediate these flows to lower transaction costs and increase transparency, which would both enhance these flows and maximize their benefits


Immunologic challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin-1β (IL-1β) produces a functional response within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and leads to changes in gene expression within PVN neurons. Regulated expression of neuropeptide genes within neurons of the PVN is a potential mechanism by which an organism can adapt to stressful challenges. Here, the authors used a transgenic mouse model in which expression of a readily measurable β-galactosidase reporter was driven in PVN neurons by human proenkephalin regulatory sequences. This proenkephalin-β-galactosidase transgene has been demonstrated previously to respond appropriately to a variety of stressors. It is demonstrated that expression of the proenkephalin transgene product was up-regulated significantly in a subset of PVN neurons 6 hours following intraperitoneal LPS (16–400 μg/kg) administration, remained elevated at 12 hours, and fell below basal levels by 24 hours. A more rapid and transient pattern of transgene up-regulation in the PVN followed administration of intraperitoneal IL-1β (10 μg/kg) with significant induction by 2 hours, peak levels reached by 4 hours, and a return toward basal levels by 6 hours. IL-1β (10–50 ng/mouse) administered intracerebroventricularly also led to up-regulation of the transgene 6 hours following infusion. Transgene expression was not up-regulated in hypothalamic slice cultures treated directly with IL-1β (5–10 ng/ml media). Up-regulation of transgene expression does not appear to result from local action of IL-1β at the level of the PVN but, rather, through as yet unidentified intermediates. The authors demonstrate phosphorylation of the cyclic amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate response element binding protein, a transcription factor known to interact with proenkephalin regulatory sequences within the transgene, in the PVN following LPS administration. LPS induced up-regulation of the transgene was blocked by pretreatment with naltrexone, indicating an additional role for endogenous opioid systems in regulation of the PVN response to immune challenge. J. Comp. Neurol. 405:199–215, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.


BACKGROUND
We have previously shown that galantide, a non-specific galanin receptor antagonist, ameliorates acute pancreatitis (AP) induced in mice. Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, has been used in the treatment of AP with inconsistent outcomes. This study set out to compare the efficacy of a combined treatment of galantide and octreotide with the efficacy of each agent individually in experimental AP.

METHODS
Acute pancreatitis was induced in mice with 7-hourly caerulein injections. Galantide and/or octreotide were co-administered with each caerulein injection commencing with the first injection. Control animals received galantide, octreotide or saline alone. Pancreata were harvested for histological examination and estimation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Plasma amylase and lipase activities were measured.

RESULTS
Galantide significantly reduced AP-induced hyperenzymaemia by 39-45%. Octreotide alone, or in combination with galantide, did not significantly alter AP-induced hyperenzymaemia. Plasma enzyme activity in the control groups was comparable with pre-treatment activity. Galantide and octreotide administered individually reduced MPO activity by 79% and 50%, respectively; however their combination was without effect. Galantide, octreotide and their combination significantly reduced the percentage of abnormal acinar cells by 28-45%.

CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with galantide alone ameliorated most of the indices of AP studied, whereas treatment with octreotide reduced pancreatic MPO activity and acinar cell damage. Combining the two peptides appears to negate their individual benefits, which suggests an interaction in their mechanism of action.


In our everyday tasks context plays an important role, we act based on the information we have or based on what we can see, hear or feel about surrounding. Using this information about context we use to adapt ourselves and our behavior for example in class room we usually whisper when we want to communicate with other class fellow, but in cafeteria we talk normally. Due to the advancements in technology and mobile computing, we are now able to carry computers and smart phones with us, almost everywhere and use them as an alternative to desktop computers. Ubiquitous computing goes step further and refers to the world where computation is being weaved into every day object. In typical ubiquitous computing scenario many invisible computers interact with each other to help user in getting his task done. The ability of being carried easily, i.e. mobility and their presence almost everywhere make it necessary for computer systems, taking part in ubiquitous computing environment, context-aware. If computers can sense the environment they are being used in, they can help user in providing only relevant information, information at correct place and time and such systems can also adapt their behavior according to their surroundings. For example, if would be nice if our mobile phone automatically set to silent profile, whenever we are in class room or in a meeting room. Ubicollab is a platform for supporting collaboration and is a result of research work done in the areas of mobility and ubiquitous computing. Mobility and ubiquity being the inherent properties of UbiCollab, requires it to be aware of context just like another ubiquitous system. It will help UbiCollab applications to adapt their behavior as per surrounding and will enhance the experience of collaboration by using the resources nearby. I researched in the area of context-aware ubiquitous computing and used the results of my research to design and implement a solution for making UbiCollab context-aware. The proposed solution answers research problem related with context itself and different aspect of context. Context definition for UbiCollab has already been defined in work previously done; my solution addresses how to represent this contextual information in simple and effective manner, how to gather location information using different and heterogeneous sensors in understandable and standard format. The outcome of this work comprises of proposed context model, design and implementation of Space Manager for working with spaces, design and usage of flexible data store for storing space information and design and implementation of Location Service Manager for gathering location information using different location sensing technologies.


Abstract This paper describes the Kestrel text normalization system, a component of the Google text-to-speech synthesis (TTS) system. At the core of Kestrel are text-normalization grammars that are compiled into libraries of weighted finite-state transducers (WFSTs). While the use of WFSTs for text normalization is itself not new, Kestrel differs from previous systems in its separation of the initial tokenization and classification phase of analysis from verbalization. Input text is first tokenized and different tokens classified using WFSTs. As part of the classification, detected semiotic classes – expressions such as currency amounts, dates, times, measure phases, are parsed into protocol buffers (https://code.google.com/p/protobuf/). The protocol buffers are then verbalized, with possible reordering of the elements, again using WFSTs. This paper describes the architecture of Kestrel, the protocol buffer representations of semiotic classes, and presents some examples of grammars for various languages. We also discuss applications and deployments of Kestrel as part of the Google TTS system, which runs on both server and client side on multiple devices, and is used daily by millions of people in nineteen languages and counting.


Nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons play an essential role in the central regulation of motor functions. These functions are initiated through the release of dopamine from axon terminals in the striatum or from dendrites in the substantia nigra (SN) and are terminated by the reuptake of dopamine by the sodium- and chloride-dependent dopamine transporter (DAT). DAT also can transport dopamine neurotoxins and has been implicated in the selective vulnerability of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in major models of Parkinson's disease. We have used electron microscopic immunocytochemistry with an N-terminal domain anti-peptide antibody to examine the subcellular distribution of DAT in the rat SN and dorsolateral striatum. In the SN, immunogold labeling for DAT was localized to cytoplasmic surfaces of plasma membranes and smooth endoplasmic reticulum of dendrites and dendritic spines, few of which contained synaptic vesicles. Neuronal perikarya in the SN contained immunogold-labeled pleomorphic electron-lucent tubulovesicles but showed immunolabeling of plasma membranes only rarely. Axon terminals in the striatum contained extensive immunogold labeling of cytoplasmic surfaces of plasma membranes near aggregates of synaptic vesicles and less frequent labeling of intervaricose segments of plasma membrane or small electron-lucent vesicles. In sections dually labeled for DAT and the catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, both markers were colocalized in most profiles in the SN and striatum. These findings support the proposed topological model for DAT and suggest that this transporter is strategically located to facilitate uptake of dopamine and neurotoxins into distal dendritic and axonal processes of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons.


The good performance of Cu displayed in CO2 conversion promotes the study on how to disperse Cu into 2D materials for better catalysis. Inspired by the recent studies on new 2D porous B sheets [Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2017, 56, 10093; Adv. Mater., 2018, 30, 1704025; Phys. Rev. Lett., 2017, 118, 096401], here for the first time we have explored the catalytic properties of Cu atomic chains on β-borophene sheets, and have found that the Cu-B sheet can break the scaling relationship through providing secondary adsorption sites, thus leading to small overpotentials in the preferable reaction pathway CO2 → COOH* → CO* → CHO* → CH2O* → CH3O* → CH3OH. The Cu atomic chains also lower the energy barrier by forming assistant adsorptions of H*. Electronic structure analyses further show that the Cu atomic chain structure stabilizes the CHO* bonding through an enhanced σ bonding-π back-bonding mode. Our study not only sheds light on the design of new catalysts for effective CO2 conversion but also expands the applications of B sheets.


There is a growing body of research on the positive outcomes associated with participation in intergroup dialogue (IGD), a group intervention providing opportunities for sustained communication across social groups (Gurin, Nagda, & Zúñiga, 2013). Less research has examined the experiences of IGD facilitators. To better understand these experiences, we examined perceptions of critical incidents (CIs) in 7 consecutive IGD sessions among 13 IGD facilitators-in-training. We used latent semantic analysis (Landauer & Dumais, 1997) on 77 CI reports to derive pairwise similarity ratings. We then conducted a cluster analysis on these ratings and identified 6 clusters of CIs: (a) managing anxiety and promoting safety, (b) development of the group and the cofacilitator relationship, (c) learning from and with others, (d) vulnerable/meaningful disclosures, (e) difference and conflict, and (f) emotional openness. These clusters of CIs are discussed in terms of their relationships to the IGD literature, the literature on group counseling leadership, and the types of CIs identified by group members in previous research (Kivlighan & Arseneau, 2009).