A total of five new cell lines were established from Helicoverpa armigera; including KU-HaEmb1 (HaEmb1) and KU-HaEmb2 (HaEmb2) from embryos, KU-HaPO1 (HaPO1) and KU-HaPO2 (HaPO2) from pupal ovaries, and KU-HaAO1 (HaAO1) from adult ovaries. These cell lines were examined for their permissiveness for homologous H. armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) and seven heterologous NPVs. Upon infection with HearNPV, the cell line HaAO1 yielded the highest productivity in terms of amounts of polyhedra, budded virus (BV), polyhedrin and viral DNA among the six cell lines, including the five newly established cell lines and the cell line from Helicoverpa zea (BCIRL-Hz-AM1), which is commonly used for in vitro studies and production of HearNPV. The cell lines HaPO1, HaPO2 and HaEmb2 were also permissive for HearNPV but they yielded lower productivity than that of the cell line HaAO1. Only the cell line HaEmb1 was nonpermissive for HearNPV infection among the cell lines established. Examination with seven heterologous NPVs showed that all the new cell lines continued to proliferate without any cytopathic effects (CPE), following infection with five NPVs from Bombyx mori, Hyphantria cunea, Lymantria dispar, Orgyia pseudotsugata and Spodoptera litura. Upon infection with NPVs from Autographa californica (AcMNPV) and Spodoptera exigua (SeMNPV), all the new cell lines, with the exception of HaAO1, manifested CPE to varying degrees, synthesizing significant amount of viral DNA. These cell lines, with the exception of AcMNPV-infected HaPO1 that produced significant amount of BVs, yielded negligible or very low level of BVs and polyhedrin following infection with AcMNPV and SeMNPV, indicating that they were semipermissive for these two NPVs. These results indicate that the newly established H. armigera cell line HaAO1 provide a promising candidate for in vitro production of HearNPV biopesticide, as well as a useful system for the analysis of molecular mechanisms of NPV-cell interactions.


We report a new fiber concept, which is a hybrid design between classical step-index and photonic crystal fibers (PFCs). The proposed structure has a centrally located Ge doped core surrounded by a set of smaller microinclusions distributed in the cladding. In numerical investigations, we demonstrate that such a combination allows to arbitrarily shape the dispersion profile in a 1 μm wide spectral range while reducing the confinement losses with respect to air-hole PCFs exhibiting similar dispersion characteristics. We present simple guidelines for optimizing the structure. Finally, as a proof of concept, we show an adequately designed fiber which, even though is based on fused silica glasses and is an all-solid construction, is still capable of providing flat and all-normal dispersion characteristics (−37 ± 2.5 ps/nm/km) in broadband range from 1.3–2.15 μm and ultra-flat (−37 ± 0.2 ps/nm/km) for wavelength values from 1.5–1.9 μm.


Heat requirements in greenhouses are calculated considering greenhouse type, the climate of the region and temperatures desirable for plant growth. Calculations made according to daily average temperature values lead to misleading results during periods when temperatures are high and under conditions when greenhouse temperature is kept low. For this reason, determining heat requirements according to hourly values provides more accurate results. Calculations of heat requirements in greenhouses are based on the difference between the desired temperature in the greenhouse and the outside temperature. However, in unheated greenhouses and those that are not ventilated until a specific temperature, actual temperature values are higher than outside temperatures. For this reason, heat requirement calculations should be made according to hourly climate values taking into account actual temperature in the greenhouse and temperature rise resulting from greenhouse specifications. This study aims to compare the amounts of fuel consumed under real conditions with fuel consumption calculated with conventional methods using inside and outside temperature difference and considering the above mentioned inconveniences. Daily fuel consumption calculated theoretically differs from actual consumption values. However, in comparisons based on fuel amounts consumed on an annual basis, best results were obtained when temperature rise in the greenhouse was taken into consideration. In the event that temperature rise is taken into consideration, a 3% difference is observed between calculated fuel consumption and actual fuel consumption.


Originally conceived as the target platform for Java alone, the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) has since been targeted by other languages, one of which is Scala. This trend, however, is not yet reflected by the benchmark suites commonly used in JVM research. In this paper, we thus present the design and analysis of the first full-fledged benchmark suite for Scala. We furthermore compare the benchmarks contained therein with those from the well-known DaCapo 9.12 benchmark suite and show where the differences are between Scala and Java code---and where not.


Introduction: The study included the development of a new high sensitivity method in the measurement of different pharmaceutical drug samples. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV detector was tested, and three narcotic components were tested in pharmaceutical tablets. The analysis used in the detection and qualitative evaluation of narcotic substances includes three phases of internationally approved measurements to confirm the validity of the results obtained. Materials and Methods: The first step is to use local color detectors under the light microscope and use a detector (20% HC2H3O2 and platinum chloride). This reagent reacts with the drug molecule and gives a specific color to this molecule that can be detected clearly under the optical microscope with a magnification of 200 megapixels and compared with standard images of these materials. HPLC-UV system with Ion Pac column; Arcus EP-C18; 5μm, 4.6×250 mm, with a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min at 25°C and maximum wavelength 275 nm where the number of samples is isolated and determination of type the narcotics in mixture. The third step in the diagnosis involved the use of the mass spectrometry (MS) of each material in the mixture using the gas chromatography (GC)-MS (MSDCHEM\1\METHODS\MUAFAQ.M) to identify negative M/Z ions at the range temperature (70–375°C). Results: The spots color tests revealed the nature of the drug compounds in the pharmaceutical product. The images and the morphology were compared with pictures of similar standard models for the purpose of inference. The HPLC revealed that the number of peaks in this method is three peaks that clearly indicate the number of substances in the mixture. The third detection was carried out using GC. The separation of the GC was done to identify the molecular masses of each component in the sample. Conclusion: The results of the microscopic analysis showed the appearance of three forms of narcotic compounds under study that closely resembles the standard images of the compounds themselves. Analysis of HPLC showed three clear peaks of compounds in this combination. Analysis of GC-Ms showed the molecular clusters of three compounds in pharmaceutical drug tablets. All the results of the analysis obtained indicate the accuracy and sensitivity of the method used in the analysis and measurement.


INTRODUCTION
Tomato is considered a healthy food due to its high content in lycopene and other health-promoting natural compounds. Tomatoes have, undoubtedly, assumed the status of a food with functional properties, considering the epidemiological evidence of reducing the risk of certain types of cancers.

OBJECTIVE
Samples of tomatoes from Morocco were analyzed for the mineral composition.

METHODS
94 tomato samples from Morocco were analyzed. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS) was used to determine essential elements (Copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn)) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry with Graphite Furnace (GAAS) was used to analyzed cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb).

RESULTS
The mean concentrations were 0.17 mg/kg, 0.73 mg/kg, 0.20 mg/kg, 0.44 mg/kg, 7.58 μg/kg and 15.8 μg/kg for Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb, respectively. The highest contribution to the intakes was observed for Cu (0.67% for adults) while that Zn showed the lowest contribution (0.14% for adult males and 0.20% for adult females).

CONCLUSIONS
Tomatoes are a good source of essential elements for the diet, mainly iron and zinc. Tomatoes consumption does not significantly affect the intake of heavy metals.


South Transdanubia is less developed and copes with more problems than the Middle and Northern part of Transdanubia. However, the crisis is not as extreme as in North East Hungary, and there is more hope for a better outcome than in regions in deeper crisis. Therefore, we need a comprehensive programme for the region. At the same time it is obvious that significant results cannot be achieved without co-operation based resolution and without the existence of suitable institutions and resources. lt was a promising sign in the planning and implementation of the programme that the various actors of the region did not expect development to be fostered by the sate only, but they themselves were eager to contribute. At the very beginning, many of these actors were drawn into the preparations of the programme. Also, the process of planning the concept proved quite significant in regard of regional integration a necessary element for development. Often, the process of planning also served as the framework within which interests were asserted. A further sign anticipating the success of the programme was that several organisations of several types and levels contributed to the implementation with information, co-operation and also with financial resources. Parallel to the completion of the concept, and because of the lack of a regional middle level, the South Transdanubian Foundation for Regional Development was established by the counties of Baranya, Somogy, Tolna and Zala. In the advisory board of this institution there are representatives of the government, but there are also representatives of the local governments, politicians, universities and the scientific and economic organisations of the region. These public funds may be the forerunner of the regional development board that has been recommended in the draft of the regional development bill now under negotiation. On the basis of these promising signs, the government decided that South Transdanubia would be the next major region for which it would prepare a development concept. The regional development concept was included in the 1994 government programme. The new government did not reinforce this task as specifically labelled one. The Ministry of the Environment and Regional Development, which is responsible for this task, based upon preliminary inquiries and from its poor resources for planning, ordered from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Centre for Regional Studies the preparation of an economy and competition based development concept. The paper summarises basic elements of the regional development concept, including priorities, programmes and institutional organisation of implementation.


Introduction: There are several risk factors for perinatal death. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of perinatal mortality at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya from 2014 to 2015. Methods: This was a descriptive study. Maternal and perinatal data were taken from the medical records. Results: The total perinatal death was 285 cases of all deliveries at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya in 2014-2015. Most women were in maternal age of 17-34 years. The maternal education was mostly high school, and most mothers were unemployed. More than a half of maternal parity was multigravida (63.5%), and the gestational age was preterm or under-month gestation at 81.4%. Most infants (73.3%) had low birth weight, and most cases were born vaginally. The majority of cases were non-booked case (NBC). Most of perinatal mortality was caused by prematurity followed by asphyxia, and the maternal factor was preeclampsia/eclampsia. Conclusion: Perinatal deaths mostly occurred in postnatal with the main causes of prematurity and asphyxia and the maternal factor was preeclampsia/eclampsia.


Alternative therapies for pain and anxiety are in high demand due to a multitude of problems including a lack of effective treatment modalities, nationwide drug shortages, and the implications from the opioid epidemic. A review of the current literature was performed to determine the effects of music therapy (MT) on pain and anxiety throughout the perioperative period. The results of the literature review found that MT is effective in treating both pain and anxiety. Furthermore, its use as an anesthesia adjunct can decrease narcotic and anxiolytic medication usage during the perioperative period. Additionally, MT can provide a better anesthetic, stabilize vital signs, and increase patient satisfaction. After the literature review, an educational PowerPoint was presented to the 2019 class of student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) at AdventHealth University (AHU). The objective of the presentation was to enhance SRNA knowledge base regarding the effects of MT on perioperative anxiety and pain. The efficacy of the educational presentation in increasing knowledge base was determined using a pre/post-test administered before and after the presentation. A paired samples t test was conducted to analyze the data from the pre/post-tests. The obtained t value of -9.165 is associated with a p value of < .001 which is statistically significant. Therefore, it can be concluded that the average scores between pre-test and post-test increased significantly. These results suggest that SRNAs' knowledge base increased after the PowerPoint presentation regarding the effects of MT on perioperative anxiety and pain.


Background: Moxifloxacin (MFLX) is one of the recommended drugs for the patients with low potentially drug-resistant pathogens according to Japanese healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) guideline. The difference between MFLX monotherapy and combination therapy of MFLX and β-lactam for Japanese HCAP patients was unclear. Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Matsushita Memorial Hospital in Japan. Eligible patients were diagnosed as mild or moderate grade HCAP with chest radiography findings and their history and treated with oral MFLX. The evaluation of efficacy was judged from improvement of clinical symptom, laboratory data and chest radiography findings within 7days. Result: Of 151 Japanese HCAP patients from December 2008 to October 2011 were eligible. Their mean age was 74.6 years (SD 11.4), and 101 patients (66.9%) were treated with MFLX monotherapy. Efficacy rate was 81.2% and 80% (p=n.s.). The rate of gastroenterological trouble in the combination therapy group was significantly higher than that of the trouble in the monotherapy group (p=0.05). Conclusion: Combination antibiotic therapy did not improve the outcome in HCAP patients with low potentially drug-resistant pathogens. If HCAP patients with low potentially drug-resistant pathogens can ingest, they should be treated with oral MFLX monotherapy.


This study shows that a relativistic Hall effect significantly changes the properties of wave propagation by deriving a linear dispersion relation for relativistic Hall magnetohydrodynamics (HMHD). Whereas, in nonrelativistic HMHD, the phase and group velocities of fast magnetosonic wave become anisotropic with an increasing Hall effect, the relativistic Hall effect brings upper bounds to the anisotropies. The Alfvén wave group velocity with strong Hall effect also becomes less anisotropic than the nonrelativistic case. Moreover, the group velocity surfaces of Alfvén and fast waves coalesce into a single surface in the direction other than near perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. It is also remarkable that a characteristic scale length of the relativistic HMHD depends on ion temperature, magnetic field strength, and density while the nonrelativistic HMHD scale length, i.e., ion skin depth, depends only on density. The modified characteristic scale length increases as the ion temperature increases and decreases as the magnetic field strength increases.


The single-chip crosspoint-queued (CQ) switch is a compact switching architecture that has all its buffers placed at the crosspoints of input and output lines. Scheduling is also performed inside the switching core and does not rely on latency-limited communications with input or output line-cards. Compared with other legacy switching architectures, the CQ switch has the advantages of high throughput, minimal delay, low scheduling complexity, and no speedup requirement. However, the crosspoint buffers are small and segregated; thus, how to efficiently use the buffers and avoid packet drops remains a major problem that needs to be addressed. In this paper, we consider load balancing, deflection routing, and buffer pooling for efficient buffer sharing in the CQ switch. We also design scheduling algorithms to maintain the correct packet order even while employing multi-path switching and resolve contentions caused by multiplexing. All these techniques require modest hardware modifications and memory speedup in the switching core but can greatly boost the buffer utilizations by up to 10 times and reduce the packet drop rates by one to three orders of magnitude. Extensive simulations and analyses have been done to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed buffering and scheduling techniques. By pushing the on-chip memory to the limit of current ASIC technology, we show that a cell drop rate of 10-8, which is low enough for practical uses, can be achieved under real Internet traffic traces corresponding to a load of 0.9.


This research investigates the effects of thermal cycling from room to cryogenic temperatures (300K–4K) on the thermal expansion coefficient of two ceramic substrates of Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) and alpha-Alumina/Sapphire (α-Al2O3). Due to the shortage of available data, a comparative study with reference materials, Copper, AISI Carbon Steel 1008 and Molybdenum, are compared to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) property data as a proof of concept. Accurate thermal contraction data of materials at low temperatures are important in material selection and thermal design of engineered systems, such as, space electronic devices. Thermal expansion mismatch causes substantial problems in space electronic device reliability because of the various stresses imposed on the joint materials undergoing extreme thermal cycles. Theory supports the advantage of utilizing Sapphire (Al2O3) and Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) within microchip configuration. However, there is limited data available that confidently supports this assertion beyond theory. An electro-mechanical method for in-situ strain measurements is presented as a tool to characterize thermomechanical behavior of Sapphire and Silicon Nitride at temperatures below 50 K. The calculated coefficient of thermal expansion for silicon nitride is 1.35 · 10−6 1/K and 0.994 · 10−6 1/K for sapphire at 5.7 K. The results from this validation have a mean error percentage of less than 6 %.


Granulometric curves of modern sediments of the Vilaine river basin, France, show a transition from parabolic to logarithmic shapes, following Riviere9s terminology. The latter obtain only for the fine muds toward the mouth of the estuary. From calculations of the indices of evolution (n), sorting (g), and facies (Ng), the history of the sedimentary material can be followed closely, and apparent anomalies in the curves explained. At least the detrital part (84 percent) of the estuarine muds of the Vilaine is of fluviatile rather than marine origin.


E-commerce applications generate and consume a tremendous amount of online information, which is typically available as textual documents. Conceivably, organizations and individuals generally use category sets or hierarchies to organize, archive, and access their documents. Meanwhile, organizations and individuals constantly acquire relevant documents from various Internet sources, each of which may organize its documents in a category set or hierarchy different from that used by the acquiring organization or individual. Consequently, the integration of source documents organized in a category hierarchy into an existing category hierarchy deployed by the acquiring organization or individual becomes an important issue in the e-commerce era. Existing category-integration techniques are mainly designed to integrate document catalogs, each of which is organized nonhierarchically (i.e., in a flat set). In this paper, we propose a clustering-based category-hierarchy integration (CHI) technique, which is an extension of the clustering-based category-integration (CCI) technique. Our empirical evaluation results show that the proposed CHI technique appears to improve the effectiveness of category-hierarchy integration compared with that attained by nonhierarchical category-integration techniques, particularly in homogeneous and comparable scenarios.


Introduction The Pipeline embolization device (PED) is an efficacious endovascular option for anterior circulation aneurysms with broad-based, fusiform involvement of the parent vessel. Endovascular treatment of such aneurysms has classically involved coil embolization with adjunctive use of a stent. However, stent-coiling can incur significant equipment and implant costs, particularly if the aneurysm is large and numerous coils are used. The authors hypothesized that PED embolization is a cost effective alternative to stent-assisted coiling. Methods A prospective single-center aneurysm database was retrospectively reviewed to identify consecutive patients with anterior circulation aneurysms who underwent aneurysm treatment with the PED or by single-staged stent-assisted coiling. Thirty consecutive patients were selected in each group, for a total of 60 patients. The hospital cost of equipment and implants were analyzed and compared for each group. Results Hospital equipment and implant costs were analyzed for 30 consecutive aneurysm treatments with the PED (mean aneurysm size 9.8 mm) vs 30 consecutive cases of stent-assisted coiling (mean aneurysm size 7.3 mm). The total combined cost of proximal access/guide catheters, microcatheters, and microwires were equivalent between the two groups (PED $3057±$102 vs stent-coiling $3199±$126, p=0.3927). The cost of implants, however, was significantly lower in the PED group ($13 175±$726 vs $19 069±$2015, p=0.0126), despite this group having a larger mean aneurysm size. Furthermore, the total cost (equipment, implants, and adjunctive devices) was significantly lower for the PED group vs the stent-coiling group ($16 445±$735 vs $22 145±$2022, p=0.0181), representing a 25.7% cost reduction. This represents a 27.1% reduction in the cost per millimeter of aneurysm treated in the PED group ($2261±$299) vs the stent-coiling group ($3102±$193, p=0.0202). Conclusion Treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms by flow diversion with the PED is a cost effective alternative to traditional stent-assisted coiling. Competing interests G Colby: None. L Lin: None. A Paul: None. J Huang: None. R Tamargo: None. A Coon: Covidien.


Abstract The methylation of hamster liver DNA was studied as a function of dose of dimethylnitrosamine. 7-Methylguanine levels were proportional to a dose over the range of 10 μg/kg to 25 mg/kg when measured 5 to 24 hr after treatment. This product was lost from the DNA at a rate greater than expected from spontaneous depurination at neutral pH, suggesting that enzyme-catalyzed excision takes place. O 6 -Methylguanine levels were not proportional to doses over this range but were much lower than expected (based on 7-methylguanine levels) when measured 5 to 24 hr after doses of dimethylnitrosamine below 0.5 mg/kg. It is suggested that this result may be due to the presence of an enzyme capable of removing O 6 -methylguanine from DNA efficiently, provided the level of methylation was low. The presence of such an enzyme in hamster liver extracts was demonstrated by incubation with methylated DNA. The extracts brought about a significant decrease in the content of O 6 -methylguanine present in acid-precipitable DNA. However, when doses of dimethylnitrosamine above 0.5 mg/kg were used, removal of O 6 -methylguanine occurred much more slowly, and the capacity of hamster liver to carry out removal of O 6 -methylguanine from DNA in vivo was considerably lower than that of rat liver. The possible relevance of these findings to the relative susceptibility of these species to liver cancer induction by single doses of dimethylnitrosamine is discussed.


In this work we derive an analytical expression for the efficiency of stimulated Raman conversion applicable to Gaussian pump and Stokes beams in a multiple-pass cell. Pump depletion and mirror reflectivity are taken into account. The result provides a simple expression for calculating the conversion efficiency versus the number of passes through a Raman cell. It is especially useful in the design of multiple-pass cells for infrared Raman conversion in which the gain is low and many passes are required.


Bayesian optimization is an effective surrogate-based optimization method that has been widely used for simulation-based applications. However, the traditional Bayesian optimization (BO) method is only applicable to single-fidelity applications, whereas multiple levels of fidelity exist in reality. In this work, we propose a bi-fidelity known/unknown constrained Bayesian optimization method for design applications. The proposed framework, called sBF-BO-2CoGP, is built on a two-level CoKriging method to predict the objective function. An external binary classifier, which is also another CoKriging model, is used to distinguish between feasible and infeasible regions. The sBF-BO-2CoGP method is demonstrated using a numerical example and a flip-chip application for design optimization to minimize the warpage deformation under thermal loading conditions.


The study investigated the relationship among Achievement Goals, Learning Strategies, and Academic Achievement. Achievement Goals are reasons for engaging in achievement activities and Learning strategies through which learners acquire and learn new information and skills. Literature suggested that students' Achievement Goals predict Learning Strategies but relationship between Achievement Goals and Academic Achievement was unclear (Atkinson, 1957). This study was carried out to explore the role of Learning Strategies as an explanatory mechanism between the relationship of Achievement Goals and Academic Achievement. A survey was conducted using Achievement Goals Questionnaire (AGQ), Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) and actual semester scores as an Academic Achievement. The sample consisted of 321 students of University. The results showed that Achievement Goals are positively related with Learning Strategies. There was a significant relationship found between Mastery Approach, and Performance Approach Goals, and Academic Achievement. The results also revealed that Resource Management Learning Strategies fully mediated the relationship of Achievement Goals and Academic Achievement but Cognitive/Metacognitive Learning Strategies did not mediate the relationship between Mastery Avoidanceand Performance Approach Goals, and Academic Achievement. The differences in demographic variables were also discussed and explained in the light of literature.


Individual municipal waste streams of Kaunas (Lithuania) in the period 2012-2015 period was found that mixed municipal waste collected in the city of Kaunas municipality, prefabricated containers, compared to the 2012 decreases. 2015. Collect points mixed municipal waste are reduced from 118,065.56 tons to 100,470.6 tons, accounting for 15%. Biodegradable (green waste) quantities of green waste collection a site does not increase compared in 2012 and 2015. (in 2014 these waste was not collected). The decrease may be affected by that green waste is used boiler house that green waste for energy recovery. The recyclable waste separate secondary maximum (4.5 times) Increased quantities of collected waste paper, plastic positive capture an increase of 1.5 times. Glass collection containers steadily decreasing (from 2.46 tons 2012 to 1094 tons 2015). The trend to rise only noticeable only after complementary systems and DGASA (deposit system). In particular increased textile waste collection (up to 10 times). Toxic waste collection Kaunas City Municipality is constantly increasing tire (up to 2 times); waste containing mercury and packages containing hazardous substances (up to 3 times.). Electrical and electronic waste collection throughout the 2012 -2015 year. Period effective complementary systems (collected 99 % of such waste), but the amounts vary from year to year, and substantial growth was observed. Population change shows that especially affect the population of secondary separate paper (r= 0.994, p = 0.04), plastic (r=0.923, p =0, 0.047), tires (r=0.960, p =0, 0.040), and toxic waste (lamps, and hazardous materials) collection. According to the results it can be said that some of the waste (green, glass, electrical equipment) gathers a group of people decided to lead.


The Tower of London (ToL) is a neuropsychological test used to assess several executive functions such as strategical reasoning, mental planning, and problem-solving. Like other cognitive tests, performance on the ToL can vary according to age, level of education, sex, and cultural background of individuals. The present study aimed to establish normative data for the Drexel version of the ToL among French-Quebec people aged 50 years and over. The normative sample consisted of 174 healthy individuals aged 50-88 years, all from the province of Quebec, Canada. Analyses were performed to estimate the associations between age, sex, and education level on one hand, and ToL performance, on the other hand. Results indicated that Total Execution Time was associated with age, whereas the Total Type II Errors and Total Rule Violation score (Type I + II Errors) were associated with both age and education level. All other scores were not significantly associated with the demographic characteristics of the participants. Since the distributions of the data were all skewed, the normative data are presented in the form of percentile ranks. To conclude, the present norms will ease the detection of executive impairments in French-Quebec middle-aged and older adults.


: The present study evaluates the use of iota -carrageenan as a potential tissue engineering scaffold. Cell viability and cell attachment studies were performed on 3T3 fibroblasts cultured for a period of 12 days on the surface and when encapsulated within a 2% iota -carrageenan hydrogel. It was found that 3T3 fibroblasts seeded onto the surface of the gel did not show signs of attachment and the proportion of live cells decreased by 33% over a period of 12 days. The proportion of live cells encapsulated within the gel remained constant and there was evidence of cell proliferation throughout the 12 day study (4-fold increase in cell number). The extent of degradation of the gel for both encapsulated and non cell-seeded forms was also evaluated and showing no significant degradation for both types. These results indicate that iota -carrageenan may be a suitable scaffold material for use in tissue engineering and a potential tool for studying cell proliferation in three dimensions.


This dissertation comprises a collection of self-contained game theoretical essays on different and detailed facets of power, freedom, and success.
Chapter 1 is a brief introduction to the basic meaning of these concepts and their importance in welfare economics. The chapter includes a brief tour of the essays and how they conceptually and methodologically tie together.
Chapter 2, 'Preferences and the Measurement of Power', which was written in collaboration with Manfred J. Holler and forthcoming in Journal of Theoretical Politics, examines a recent debate in the literature on power indices in which classical measures such as the Banzhaf, Shapley-Shubik, and Public Good indices have been criticized on the grounds that they do not take into account player preferences. It has been argued that an index that is blind to preferences misses a vital component of power, namely strategic interaction. In this vein there has been an attempt to develop so-called strategic power indices on the basis of non-cooperative game theory. This essay argues that the criticism is unfounded and that a preference-based power index is incompatible with the definition of power as a generic ability: 'the ability to effect outcomes'. It is claimed that power resides in, and only in, a game form and not in a game itself.
Chapter 3, 'The Measurement of Freedom', which has been submitted to the American Political Science Review (APSR), is about the measurement specific freedoms – the freedom of an agent to undertake some particular action. In a recent paper in the APSR, Dowding and van Hees discuss the need for, and general form of, a 'freedom function' that assigns a value between 0 and 1 to a right or freedom and that describes the expectation that a person may have about being in a position to exercise ('being free to perform') that freedom or legal right. An examination of the literature shows that such a measure has never been properly defined. Based on the framework of a game form, this essay develops a very simple and natural measure of specific freedom that turns out to be the conditional variant of 'success', a measure that we know from the literature on voting power. Some properties and characteristics of the measure are discussed.
Chapter 4, 'The Success of a Chairman', re-examines the so-called 'chairman's paradox' that was first noticed by Farquharson in his path breaking tract on sophisticated voting, Theory of Voting (1969). The Chairman's paradox is concerned with the case of a three member committee in which a particular player who has a regular and a tie-breaking vote – the 'chairman' – not only will do worse in specific instances under the plurality procedure for three alternatives than if he did not have such a vote, but will also do worse overall. That is, the chairman's a priori probability of success ('getting what one wants') for all possible games with linear (strict) preference orders is lower than that of the two regular members. It is demonstrated that this result, which comes about if voters act strategically rather than sincerely, is not as robust as it has been thought to be. By merely replacing the standard assumption of linear preference orders that do not allow for players to be indifferent with weak preference orders, which allow for indifference, we can escape from the paradox for the canonical case of three players and three alternatives. With weak preference orders, the a priori success of the chairman is now greater than that of the other two players. A new paradox of sophisticated voting is also detected and discussed.
Chapter 5, 'Voting Rules in Insolvency Law: A Simple-Game Theoretic Approach', which was written in collaboration with Frank Steffen and published in the International Review of Law and Economics concerns an analysis of the voting rules in modern insolvency law. A chief characteristic of this law in Canada, Germany, the UK, and the US is the provision for 'workouts' or 'schemes of arrangement' by which insolvent companies can attempt to rehabilitate the business. If reorganization is chosen, the debtor has to devise a plan of action which will be voted upon by claimants. The voting rules, however, differ in each jurisdiction to a greater or lesser extent and as yet have not been analysed in any rigorous manner. This paper provides an approach based upon the theory of simple games to analyse the rules in terms of the ease which each of these regimes can pass (or hinder) plans and how these rules distribute value among claimants. Particular attention is given to the role of classification and the effect of coalition formation.


Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease of joints and the main cause of elder patients' disability. Cartilage damage is a major problem in OA. To investigate the pathogenesis of OA, this study aimed to analyze the differential proteomics of chondrocytes in OA patients compared to normal chondrocytes. Materials and Methods: Protein extracts of cartilages prepared from 7 patients with endstage OA, who were candidates for arthroplasty, were compared to 7 samples from normal cartilages. Proteins were analyzed by fluorescent gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) method and the differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MS). Two samples were lost because of tissue insufficiency and the other because of mistransportation. Results: Among the 25 analyzed proteins, difference was seen for the 8 following proteins: osteonectine, cathepsin, chondroadherin, HSP, clustrine and collagen II, Activin A and carbonic Anhydrase. The levels of osteonectine, cathepsin, clustrine and collagen II were decreased in the OA samples compared to normal chondrocytes. Moreover, the levels of chondroadherin and Activin A were increased in the OA samples compared to normal chondrocytes. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the ability of the 2D-DIGE/MS platform to identify proteins with altered expression in chondrocytes of patients with OA. The identification of these proteins may open new lines of research for the pathogenesis of OA.


Zepeda and Pérez [41] have recently demonstrated the promise of the exemplar SVM (ESVM) as a feature encoder for image retrieval. This paper extends this approach in several directions: We first show that replacing the hinge loss by the square loss in the ESVM cost function significantly reduces encoding time with negligible effect on accuracy. We call this model square-loss exemplar machine, or SLEM. We then introduce a kernelized SLEM which can be implemented efficiently through low-rank matrix decomposition, and displays improved performance. Both SLEM variants exploit the fact that the negative examples are fixed, so most of the SLEM computational complexity is relegated to an offline process independent of the positive examples. Our experiments establish the performance and computational advantages of our approach using a large array of base features and standard image retrieval datasets.


Recently, systolic and diastolic blood pressure have been reported to be significantly lower for several hours after exercise than when measured at rest before exercise in individuals with essential hypertension. We sought to determine the hemodynamic mechanism underlying this reduction in blood pressure. Twenty-four men and women 60-69 yr of age with persistent essential hypertension completed one of the following protocols: exercise at 50% of maximum O2 consumption (VO2 max) followed by 1 h of recovery, exercise at 70% of VO2 max followed by 3 h of recovery, or a 4-h control study. Systolic pressure was significantly lower during recovery after both intensities of exercise, but diastolic pressure was unchanged. The lower blood pressure was primarily due to a reduction in cardiac output, since total peripheral resistance was increased throughout both recovery periods. Cardiac output was reduced in recovery because of a reduction in stroke volume. Heart rate was above, or no different from, that at rest before exercise. Changes in plasma volume could not entirely account for the reduction in stroke volume. Therefore, other mechanisms altering venous return and/or myocardial contractility appear to be responsible for the reduction in systolic blood pressure evident after a single bout of submaximal exercise in individuals with essential hypertension.


Narnia, Middle-Earth and the Kingdom of God tells the story of fantasy literature within the context of its complex relationship with the Christian tradition. In this book, Worthing looks at early influences on the genre, including European fairy tales and folklore, Northern and classical mythology, and Christian allegory. He also explores the contours of a variety of fantasy worlds from MacDonald's Faerie, Lewis' Narnia and Tolkien's Middle-Earth, to LeGuin's Earthsea, Pratchett's Discworld and Rowling's world of Hogwarts. In these worlds, and many more, we discover themes such as the battle between good and evil, the question of the existence of God, and the problem of suffering. Fantasy fans of all religious persuasions will find in this book a delightful and informative exploration of the rich history and profound themes of the fantasy genre.


This thesis consists of two parts. In Part I we give an introduction to some of the mathematical aspects of gauge theory. In particular we will introduce the concept of a connection, which allows one to define a notion of curvature and a notion of parallel transport in an arbitrary vector bundle. In this context we will treat Yang-Mills theory and Chern-Simons theory, where the notion of a connection is a fundamental one. We will introduce the notion of a principal fiber bundle, which is the right tool to formalize the notion of local symmetries, which is central in gauge theory in physics. After this, we will consider 4-dimensional BF -theory. First from the point of view of canonical quantization and Feynman path-integral quantization, and then from a categorical perspective. From the categorical perspective we will find a simple criterion that characterizes 4-dimensional BF -theory up to isomorphism. In Part II we start with a description and an explanation of the integer quantum Hall effect. The explanation we give starts from a description of a single electron in a magnetic field. If the magnetic field is extremely strong, then (in a quantum mechanical description) the coordinates of the electron cease to commute. After this we introduce the independent oscillator model for Brownian motion and quantize it. It turns out that there is an interesting way to combine this quantum mechanical version of Brownian motion, with the theory of an electron in a strong magnetic field. We compute the mean squared displacement of the particle as a function of time for this system. Consequently, we analyse the result in two different regimes for the friction constant, associated with the Brownian motion. If the friction constant is very large, then the result is very similar to classical Brownian motion. If, however, the friction constant is small, then the movement of the particle is suppressed. In particular, the mean squared displacement grows linearly with time, and the coefficient is proportional to the friction constant. We conclude with a final consideration of the integer quantum Hall effect, and in particular we point out a connection between the integer quantum Hall effect and the Chern class of a vector bundle.


Recent decades have shown the increased popularity of market-based instruments (MBIs) for conservation despite mixed social and ecological outcomes. This paper explores the extent to which two crucial MBIs, namely, ecotourism and sport hunting, are compatible with 'convivial conservation', a novel, integrated approach that explores conservation beyond capitalism. We developed an analytical framework of five key features for transformative change that can potentially contribute to conviviality: access and property rights, benefit-sharing, value operationalisation, institutional arrangements, and decision-making processes. We analysed the use of ecotourism and sport hunting in southern and eastern Africa in relation to the five features. Based on 'radical incremental transformation', we applied these features to analyse if, and if so how, incremental changes to these MBIs can be supportive in transitioning conservation towards (further) conviviality. With insights from our extensive research experiences in eastern and southern Africa, we highlight that the institutional design and contextual factors determining power relations are often more important than the choice of instrument in influencing its social and ecological outcomes. In conclusion, we propose a shift in the dialogue on conservation beyond its infatuation with commodification by integrating convivial elements into the design of conservation policies.


MMV390048 is an aminopyridine plasmodial PI4K inhibitor, selected as a Plasmodium blood‐stage schizonticide for a next generation of malaria treatments to overcome resistance to current therapies. MMV390048 showed an acceptable preclinical safety profile and progressed up to Phase 2a clinical trials. However, embryofetal studies revealed adverse developmental toxicity signals, including diaphragmatic hernias and cardiovascular malformations in rats but not rabbits.


T cells play key protective but also pathogenic roles in COVID-19. We studied expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in COVID-19 T cell transcriptomes by integrating previously published single-cell RNA sequencing datasets. The long intergenic non-coding RNA MALAT1 was the most highly transcribed lncRNA in T cells, with Th1 cells demonstrating the lowest and CD8+ resident memory cells the highest MALAT1 expression, amongst CD4+ and CD8+ T cells populations, respectively. We then identified gene signatures that covaried with MALAT1 in single T cells. A significantly higher number of transcripts correlated negatively with MALAT1 than those that correlated. Enriched functional annotations of the MALAT1- anti-correlating gene signature included processes associated with T cell activation such as cell division, oxidative phosphorylation and response to cytokine. The MALAT1 anti-correlating gene signature shared by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells marked dividing T cells in both lung and blood of COVID-19 patients. Focussing on the tissue, we used an independent patient cohort of post-mortem COVID-19 lung samples and demonstrated that MALAT1 suppression was indeed a marker of MKI67+ proliferating CD8+ T cells. Our results reveal MALAT1 suppression and its associated gene signature are a hallmark of human proliferating T cells.


In the present work computer simulations using a 3-D Potts Monte Carlo model are demonstrated and discussed as a tool to study the effects of a number of parameters related to the deformation conditions as well as process and material parameters related to the nucleation and growth conditions of recrystallisation, such as e.g. second phase particles, which may influence the kinetics and texture of recrystallisation. The MC simulations have been combined with a deformation texture model to provide the deformation structure from which the recrystallisation nucleates and models which provide the relative proportions of certain nucleation mechanisms and their orientation spectrum. All together this gives a simulation tool which allows for a multitude of numerical experiments and the possibility to study parameter relationships which are often not easily available from experiments. The potential of such a simulation tool is discussed in terms of a few generic examples.


There are more than twenty distinct software engineering tasks addressed with text retrieval (TR) techniques, such as, traceability link recovery, feature location, refactoring, reuse, etc. A common issue with all TR applications is that the results of the retrieval depend largely on the quality of the query. When a query performs poorly, it has to be reformulated and this is a difficult task for someone who had trouble writing a good query in the first place. We propose a recommender (called Refoqus) based on machine learning, which is trained with a sample of queries and relevant results. Then, for a given query, it automatically recommends a reformulation strategy that should improve its performance, based on the properties of the query. We evaluated Refoqus empirically against four baseline approaches that are used in natural language document retrieval. The data used for the evaluation corresponds to changes from five open source systems in Java and C++ and it is used in the context of TR-based concept location in source code. Refoqus outperformed the baselines and its recommendations lead to query performance improvement or preservation in 84% of the cases (in average).


The concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and employee engagement are growing in importance, both in academia and in practise. Research suggests that there is a strong correlation between the two with CSR linked to organisational advantages, including recruitment, retention, productivity, and morale, which relate specifically to employees. Furthermore, with employee engagement a well-established antecedent to obtaining objectives, employees are an integral stakeholder group in CSR adoption and dissemination. However, despite specific benefits of CSR relating to employees and their importance as stakeholders, it is noteworthy that a lack of attention has been paid to the individual level of analysis with CSR primarily being studied at the organisational level. Within research and practise of CSR, the organisation is often treated as a 'black box', failing to account for individual differences and the resulting variations in antecedents to CSR engagement or disengagement. This is a theoretical challenge shared by stakeholder theory, which often suggests internal homogeneity within stakeholder groups despite diversity of objectives and stakes in the organisation.
The primary objective of the study is to determine why employees engage and disengage from CSR interventions within the context of multinational hospitality and tourism organisations. In order to fully examine the subjective experience of employees engaging in organisational CSR, a qualitative methodology is employed. Data was drawn from three multinational tourism and hospitality case study organisations and involved extensive interview data collected from CSR leaders, engaged and disengaged employees, and industry professionals. This exploratory research subsequently contributes to the understanding of employee engagement in CSR by identifying opportunities and barriers for individual employee engagement in corporate responsibility policy and initiatives.
This research also contributes to emerging evidence within the literature that suggests disengagement is not the counterpart of engagement. Having studied individual differences in CSR engagement, findings suggests that the engagement and disengagement are not opposites and unique antecedents to both engagement and disengagement are identified as arising at the personal, activity, and organisational level. A multilevel analysis subsequently contributes to the advancement of employee CSR engagement understanding.
Critically, it is proposed that employees are situated along a spectrum of engagement from actively engaged to actively disengaged, with a key contribution of this research being a model that addresses variation in individual engagement and disengagement. Recognising that employees accept, interpret and operationalise corporate responsibility differently, this study draws on social identity theory to account for individual differences amongst employees. While there are some common drivers of engagement across the entire spectrum of employees, differences also exist depending on the degree to which employees support CSR within their organisations. Key antecedents to CSR engagement that vary depending on employees' existing level of broader engagement include: observed benefits of participation, CSR intervention design, organisational culture, employee CSR perceptions, and CSR leadership. Employee CSR engagement is also identified as being driven by the type of CSR intervention, communication, individual values, and person-organisation fit.


This paper uses the method of Quadratures in conjunction with the Maximum Entropy principle to investigate the effect of parametric uncertainties on the mean power output and root mean square deflection of piezoelectric vibrational energy harvesting systems. Uncertainty in parameters of harvesters could arise from insufficient manufacturing controls or change in material properties over time. We investigate bimorph based harvesters that transduce ambient vibrations to electricity via the piezoelectric effect. Three varieties of energy harvesters — Linear, Nonlinear monostable and Nonlinear bistable are considered in this research.This analysis quantitatively shows the probability density function for the mean power and root mean square deflection as a function of the probability densities of the excitation frequency, excitation amplitude, initial deflection of the bimorph and magnet gap of the energy harvester. The method of Quadratures is used for numerically integrating functions by propagating weighted points from the domain and evaluating the integral as a weighted sum of the function values. In this paper, the method of Quadratures is used for evaluating central moments of the distributions of rms deflection and mean harvested power and, then, in conjunction with the principle of Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) an optimal density function is obtained which maximizes the entropy and satisfies the moment constraints. The The computed nonlinear density functions are validated against Monte Carlo simulations thereby demonstrating the efficiency of the approach. Further, the Maximum Entropy principle is widely applicable to uncertainty quantification of a wide range of dynamic systems.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


Most stars form in some sort of stellar cluster or association. In such clusters the number density of stars can be very high. Thus, single stars in such clusters may undergo frequent close encounters with other stars and exchange encounters with binary systems. The perturbation caused by the other star in a close encounter or by the companion star in a binary can have significant effects on the evolution of any planetary system around the initially single star. If the planetary system which formed around the single star was originally solar-system-like, planet-planet interactions, induced by the perturbation from other stars, may change it significantly and leave it more like some of the planetary systems which are observed around other stars. Only if the host star of an initially solar-system-like planetary system never undergoes any encounters with other stars and is never exchanged into a binary may the planetary system remain solar-system like. We define such a star to be a SINGLETON. (Less)


This paper empirically examines the effect of firm-specific characteristics on the length of time required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review and approve new-drug applications between 1990 and 1992. The approach treats regulatory decisions as endogenous and explains the variation in regulatory behavior as a function of differences that exist between firms and drugs. Results show that, controlling for drug-specific characteristics, regulators respond to firm-specific characteristics when evaluating new drug applications. For instance, firms that are less diversified and more R&D-intensive receive shorter review times for their new-drug applications than more diversified and less R&D-intensive firms. The reason is that most firm characteristics signal information to reviewers about either firm reputation or application quality. This information reduces reviewers' uncertainty about approving a dangerous or ineffective drug and leads to faster review times. The results suggest that regulators respond to the heterogeneities among firms in the pharmaceutical market in systematic ways.


Beliefs are known to influence learning processes and thus become relevant in the instruction of pre-service mathematics teachers with regard to the pedagogical content knowledge taught in courses of mathematics didactics at university. In exploring beliefs about mathematics didactics of pre-service teachers training for secondary school, 50 bachelor students (ca. 5th semester) responded to two open-ended tasks in which they were asked to express their understanding of mathematics didactics. With the help of qualitative content analysis, topics related to mathematics didactics as identified by the participants are categorized. The category system shows that beliefs of participants differ in some respects from what selected research associates with mathematics didactics. Also, technical aspects of lessons like designing lessons are frequently mentioned within the answers, whereas topics with regard to learners or curriculum are rarely addressed.


BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of death in dialysis patients, and strongly associated with fluid overload and hypertension. It is plausible that low dialysate [Na+] may decrease total body sodium content, thereby reducing fluid overload and hypertension, and ultimately reducing CV morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVES
This review evaluated harms and benefits of using a low (< 138 mM) dialysate [Na+] for maintenance haemodialysis (HD) patients.

SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 7 August 2018 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), both parallel and cross-over, of low (< 138 mM) versus neutral (138 to 140 mM) or high (> 140 mM) dialysate [Na+] for maintenance HD patients were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two investigators independently screened studies for inclusion and extracted data. Statistical analyses were performed using random effects models, and results expressed as risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, and mean differences (MD) or standardised MD (SMD) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Confidence in the evidence was assessed using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS
We included 12 studies randomising 310 patients, with data available for 266 patients after dropout. All but one study evaluated a fixed concentration of low dialysate [Na+], and one profiled dialysate [Na+]. Three studies were parallel group, and the remaining nine cross-over. Of the latter, only two used a washout between intervention and control periods. Most studies were short-term with a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3 (3, 8.5) weeks. Two were of a single HD session, and two of a single week's HD. Half of the studies were conducted prior to 2000, and five reported use of obsolete HD practices. Risks of bias in the included studies were often high or unclear, lowering confidence in the results.Compared to neutral or high dialysate [Na+], low dialysate [Na+] had the following effects on "efficacy" endpoints: reduced interdialytic weight gain (10 studies: MD -0.35 kg, 95% CI -0.18 to -0.51; high certainty evidence); probably reduced predialysis mean arterial blood pressure (BP) (4 studies: MD -3.58 mmHg, 95% CI -5.46 to -1.69; moderate certainty evidence); probably reduced postdialysis mean arterial BP (MAP) (4 studies: MD -3.26 mmHg, 95% CI -1.70 to -4.82; moderate certainty evidence); probably reduced predialysis serum [Na+] (7 studies: MD -1.69 mM, 95% CI -2.36 to -1.02; moderate certainty evidence); may have reduced antihypertensive medication (2 studies: SMD -0.67 SD, 95% CI -1.07 to -0.28; low certainty evidence). Compared to neutral or high dialysate [Na+], low dialysate [Na+] had the following effects on "safety" endpoints: probably increased intradialytic hypotension events (9 studies: RR 1.56, 95% 1.17 to 2.07; moderate certainty evidence); probably increased intradialytic cramps (6 studies: RR 1.77, 95% 1.15 to 2.73; moderate certainty evidence).Compared to neutral or high dialysate [Na+], low dialysate [Na+] may make little or no difference to: intradialytic BP (2 studies: MD for systolic BP -3.99 mmHg, 95% CI -17.96 to 9.99; diastolic BP 1.33 mmHg, 95% CI -6.29 to 8.95; low certainty evidence); interdialytic BP (2 studies:, MD for systolic BP 0.17 mmHg, 95% CI -5.42 to 5.08; diastolic BP -2.00 mmHg, 95% CI -4.84 to 0.84; low certainty evidence); dietary salt intake (2 studies: MD -0.21g/d, 95% CI -0.48 to 0.06; low certainty evidence).Due to very low quality of evidence, it is uncertain whether low dialysate [Na+] changed extracellular fluid status, venous tone, arterial vascular resistance, left ventricular mass or volumes, thirst or fatigue. Studies did not examine cardiovascular or all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, or hospitalisation.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
It is likely that low dialysate [Na+] reduces intradialytic weight gain and BP, which are effects directionally associated with improved outcomes. However, the intervention probably also increases intradialytic hypotension and reduces serum [Na+], effects that are associated with increased mortality risk. The effect of the intervention on overall patient health and well-being is unknown. Further evidence is needed in the form of longer-term studies in contemporary settings, evaluating end-organ effects in small-scale mechanistic studies using optimal methods, and clinical outcomes in large-scale multicentre RCTs.


The wide‐bandgap, semiconducting ternary compound Hg3Se2I2 has shown promise as room‐temperature hard‐radiation detector. Since this compound was first reported, there has been significant improvement in crystal growth using a chemical vapor transport method with a polyethylene growth agent. To study the effects of this additional precursor on crystal quality, the nature of radiative and nonradiative defects using photoluminescence (PL) and photocurrent (PC) studies of Hg3Se2I2 single crystals are investigated. In contrast to earlier studies, excitation intensity‐dependence of PL emission shows that the near‐band‐edge (NBE) emission bands are all excitonic in nature. The PL intensity decreases with increasing temperature, with the higher energy peaks quenching by 40 K and the deeper levels quenched after 110 K. The PC spectra show a complex structure at room temperature related to NBE transitions in the band structure, while at low temperature only the direct gap transition is observed due to phonons freezing out. The PC spectra at low temperature also indicate several midgap levels that are attributed to native defects within the bulk crystal. These results indicate that the high quality of Hg3Se2I2 single crystals is maintained when the transport agent is used during growth, although there are still a variety of defects present.


Drawing on managerial theories (e.g. social learning theory, emotion contagion and broaden-and-build theory, conservation of resource theory, goal setting theory, and social exchange theory), this study proposes a comprehensive model that links authentic leadership to organizational citizenship behaviour by means of key mediating variables (i.e. role modeling, psychological capital, and work competence). Further, underpinned by the nature of psychological capital (PsyCap), which is state-like and open to development, this study proposesthat authentic leaders' PsyCap can be enhanced by PsyCap intervention, which in turn amplifies the transmission effect on the consequences of authentic leadership.

This study examines these propositions not only at individual but also at team level. Survey questionnaires have been conducted with multisource in 2 rounds in 3 manufacturing in China, including a sequential of activities including one pilot survey, 1st round survey (N=774 individuals; N=89 teams), PsyCap intervention training (N=39 leaders in the treatment group, N=48 leaders in the control group), and 2nd round survey (N=620 individuals; N=87 teams). This study is an experimental research using randomized controlled trials (RCT) to divide the control group and the treatment group who received the PsyCap intervention.

Several procedural techniques (e.g. incentive, protecting respondents' identification, blinding the treatment group) have been incorporated in order to increase response rate and reduce the risk of common method bias. This study is a longitudinal research included a complete panel design, making the possibility to reveal causality among the studied variables. These features build up its very high methodological quality of longitudinal research.

This study tests the propositions with powerful statistical techniques. Firstly, this study uses confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) to identify the best measurement model. Secondly, this study uses structure equation modeling (SEM) to test causal hypothesised models. Finally, Using SEM a 2-step group analysis has been conducted to test for the equivalence of causal structure between the treatment group and control group. The result indicates significant different effects in the causal paths in the structure models at both individual and team level. This provides strong support of the effects of PsyCap intervention.

The results from SEM reveal some substantial new findings. Key findings are that, authentic leadership does not directly predict employees' PsyCap, but transmits its effect through role modeling. Employees' PsyCap does not contribute to OCB, but transmits its main effects through work competence. These findings are more in-depth than corresponding prior studies. Another new finding is that training leaders' PsyCap has effects on their role modelling, which in turn influence employees' PsyCap, work competence and OCB. This finding makes its contribution unique and significant, as it is the first PsyCap intervention study examining the transmitting effect from team leader to team members. It is also the 1st study to examine developmental character of PsyCap as well as its behaviour impacts from PsyCap intervention in Chinese context.

The findings are discussed with respect to earlier findings. Suggestions for future research are proposed.


The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of Spain and England and their respective approaches to the emerging trend of shared custody. To begin with, this paper will seek to show that the movement towards shared custody arrangements in Spain has been a slow process despite the existence of a legal power to make shared custody orders. However, this paper will further seek to demonstrate that legislative and judicial changes currently taking place in this field in Spain show that there is a marked movement towards a greater acceptance of shared custody arrangements and to a limited extent the preferential treatment of this custody model in Spain Having considered the Spanish position, this paper will then concentrate on the English position. The English approach to shared custody provides an interesting comparison to that of Spain, as despite both countries having started with the same scepticism towards shared custody, the English courts have quickly overcome this, resulting in England now having perhaps the most developed jurisprudence in relation to this subject among European jurisdictions.


Management of a complex events such as hybrid ones, relies on understanding a modern market trends. The purpose of this study is to determine visitors' motives for attending a hybrid event, to identify clusters based on those motives, and to help organizers and exhibitors to meet visitors' expectations. Therefore, authors performed ANOVA analysis, factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. The findings clearly indicate elements of trade fairs and consumer exhibitions integrated in hybrid event and therefore, some of the main motives for visiting those two types of events are also present among hybrid event visitors. However, hybrid event tends to be more than just place for business meetings. It is also a venue for education and leisure time activities. Moreover, event organizers and exhibitors need to pay more attention on their strategic approach to managing their event activities. The paper suggests that hybrid event organizers should focus on establishing dialogue with both exhibitors and visitors.


The aim of the study was to estimate the therapeutic efficiency of complex: ACE inhibitor (perindopril) and traditional antiarrhythmic treatment of atrial fibrillation paroxysms after successful electric cardio version for prevention of repeated attacks of atrial fibrillation and for maintenance of normal sinus rhythm in patients. The proposed scheme of treatment reduced number of recurrences, maintained normal sinus rhythm and allowed reaching relatively rapid normalization of mechanical function of left atrium.


Presented is a microlens array (MLA) with long focal length (millimetre range) in various structures and arrangements using thermal reflow process for Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensors (SHWSs). The microlens focal length is usually of the same order of the lens diameter or several 100 µm. To extend the focal length, the authors made a photoresist MLA covered by polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) film on a glass substrate. Since the refractive index difference between the PDMS and MLA interface is lower than that of air and the MLA interface, the light is less bended when passing through it and focuses in a far distance. The exerimental result shows a 235 and 135 µm diameter MLA with 5.27 and 1.81 mm focal lengths, which is around six times longer than the conventional thermal reflow method. Other specific focal lengths could be realised by modifying the refractive index difference. After the long-focal-length MLA film was fabricated, it could be integrated with an image sensor to build a SHWS. The authors evaluated the performance of their sensor by measuring a progressive addition lens wavefront aberration.


In this article, the general principles of genetically modified (GM) plant risk assessment and the regulatory framework for contained use and open field production of plant-made pharmaceuticals/plant-made industrials (PMP/PMI) are described. While significant progress has been made for the containment grown (plant cell culture) production of PMPs, with the first regulatory approval made by the FDA in 2012, the commercialization of medicinal or industrial products produced in the field has yet to emerge in either Europe or the US. In the current paper, we discribe the regulatory environment in Europe and the US surrounding GM crops, and provide case studies for experimental field releases of PMP and PMI producing plants in both regions. Suggestions for reducing the regulatory burden for GM plants will be discussed, also in light of the emerging new technologies to modify the genetics of plants. Since regulations surrounding the commercialization of GM crops are very costly and not appropriate for most of the PMP/PMI applications in Europe, we propose that amendments to the EU Directive 2001/18/EC are necessary to allow for the commercialization of products from GM plants without the need of an 'authorization'. To fully acknowledge the overall outcome of adopting plants to produce PMP/PMI, the conclusion is that broader and more balanced legislative oversight is needed in Europe; while specific legislation is not needed in the US.


Objective: To extend recent research examining the impact of game-based activities on the learning experience of undergraduate psychology students. Design: A counterbalanced repeated measures design was employed to evaluate students' learning experiences following their involvement in active game-based learning activities. Method: Students on a Level 5 sport psychology module (N=134) were asked to participate in four practical classes demonstrating the impact of psychological factors (e.g. anxiety) on sports performance. Two sessions were designed for each practical: one included the use of active video games (e.g. Kinect Sports); the other included a traditional active game-based activity (e.g. Reaction Time Game). Students were randomly assigned to one of two groups in order to facilitate counterbalancing and to ensure that all students completed two active video game (AVG) and two non-AVG tasks. Following each practical, students provided ratings of perceived usefulness, interest/engagement, and enjoyment using a seven-point Likert scale. These data will be analysed via one way repeated measures analyses of covariance (ANCOVA), with students' experience of AVGs being the covariate. The impact of sessions on students' academic motivation and performance were also assessed and analysed via one-way ANOVAs. Results: Data is currently being collected alongside a semester one module. Results will be reported during the presentation. Conclusions: It is anticipated that the findings will provide further evidence to support the use of AVGs in the teaching of undergraduate psychology, and that the increased sophistication of AVG technology may be harnessed to provide multiple benefits for students in higher education.


The storage requirements of the array-dominated and loop-organized algorithmic specifications running on embedded systems can be significant. Employing a data memory space much larger than needed has negative consequences on the energy consumption, latency, and chip area. Finding an optimized storage of the usually large arrays from these algorithmic specifications is an essential task of memory allocation. This paper proposes an efficient algorithm for mapping multidimensional arrays to the data memory. Similarly to [1], it computes bounding windows for live elements in the index space of arrays, but this algorithm is several times faster. More important, since this algorithm works not only for entire arrays, but also parts of arrays - like, for instance, array references or, more general, sets of array elements represented by lattices [2], this signal-to-memory mapping technique can be also applied in hierarchical memory architectures.


The career progression of teachers of black, Asian and minority ethnic heritage is a matter of much debate and research. Over the past decade, a body of research has confirmed that race discrimination/race inequality is a factor in the progression of teachers of black, Asian and minority ethnic heritage in England. Although it has been argued that 'Britain is not a racist nation', it nonetheless has, as described by Phillips in 2016, a '…deep sensitivity to…ethnic and cultural difference'. According to Miller, this sensitivity remains at the heart of a 'deep-rooted and continuing struggle among black, Asian and minority ethnic teachers and academics for equality and mutual recognition'. Drawing on Miller's 2016 typology of educational institutions: engaged, experimenting, initiated and uninitiated, this paper presents evidence from three English headteachers of Multi-Academy Trusts who devise, implement and embed positive actions in the recruitment, development, retention and progression of staff of black, Asian and minority ethnic heritage. The objective of this study was to examine the work of school leaders/institutions in taking steps to improve black, Asian and minority ethnic teacher progression in England, by identifying and highlighting 'what works', and how. Furthermore, by treating each school/leader as a unique 'case', this paper shows their motivation (personal and professional), experiences of 'race', school contexts and the type/s of leadership required and used in these institutional contexts to change attitudes, cultures and behaviours.


The authors examine the effects of public subsidies on the living arrangements of the disabled elderly who choose among living independently, living in an intergenerational household, and entering a nursing home. After quantifying effects of state policies on each arrangement, they estimate the model using multinominal probit and data from the National Long-Term Care Survey. Direct subsidies for nursing home care and state policies which limit nursing home beds or reimbursement significantly affect the choice of living arrangement. State policies which subsidize community living have little effect on nursing home entry, although they increase the probability of living independently.


As these essays show, there is a lively debate over the future of world order. Sergey Chugrow offers a dark portrait of the breakdown of what he calls Western hegemony, driven in part by Russia's grievances and aggression in Ukraine. He points to a future where international order will have a mix of realist geopolitics and post-modern diversity. Keisuke Iida sees the debate over liberal international order as a return to older debates about the viability of hegemonic order and the role of regions and non-Western values in a post-hegemonic global system. Peter Haas sees the debate over liberal international order as a window onto various new forms of global governance. Behind these important observations is Amitav Acharya's vision of a post-American global order marked by diverse regional sub-systems; a world that is globalized, diversified, and localized. These developments lead Acharya to announce the 'end' of the American-led liberal international order.


Management of the urban environment and urban development require well organized data and information as a basis for decision making, planning and policy development. Such data and information needs to be up-to-date, reliable and complete, and moreover be available at the time of need. The latter is especially relevant in the case of disasters such as fires, flooding, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Current and future impacts of the on-going climate changes increase the need for geo-referenced data and information on environment, biodiversity and public health, in support of preparation, protection, mitigation and reconstruction. It is important that urban authorities devote more attention and resources to data and information management in order to be able to cope with the present and future challenges of ever growing cities with increasing impacts on their surroundings, and moreover to deal with the impacts of environment and biodiversity on the cities, their population and economies. SOD, Woerden has a long and successful track record of certified training and education in the field of data and information management for authorities, including urban government. The courses provided by SOD cover a wide range of subjects from metadata and digitizing, to enterprise content management and geo-information management. While focused on the Netherlands, SOD also has initiated similar training opportunities in Belgium and Surinam, and efforts are under way in other countries. P. Geerders Consultancy has considerable experience as a consultant and trainer in the field of methods and technologies for the provision of information in support of decision-making, planning and policy development related to integrated management and sustainable development of natural resources. Besides in various countries of Europe, he has worked in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Since several years, P. Geerders works as a freelance teacher with SOD. The paper presents a vision on training and education of urban authorities in information handling and management.


OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of obtaining an endocervical smear for cytologic examination immediately following cervical conization (by either the loop electrosurgical excision procedure or large loop excision of the transformation zone) in the detection of residual squamous dysplasia. STUDY DESIGN: Thirtyeight cases were identified in which cervical conization was immediately followed by endocervical sampling (most commonly using a brush) and smear. RESULTS: Twenty-one of the 38 postconization endocervical smears (55%) were either unsatisfactory or suboptimal for evaluation due to cellular distortion (i.e., cautery artifact), degeneration or obscuring blood. Histologic evaluation showed negative endocervical margins in 32 cases (84%) and positive endocervical margins in 6 cases (16%), including both low and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. The endocervical smears in the 32 cases with a negative surgical margin did not demonstrate evidence of dysplasia. However, in the six cases with histologically positive margins, postconization endocervical smears also failed to identify any evidence of dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Immediate postconization endocervical smears do not appear to be useful for the detection of residual disease in patients undergoing conization for squamous dysplasia of the cervix. (Acta Cytol 1998;42:1139–1143)


The data structure representing a mesh and the operators to create and query such a database play a crucial role in the performance of mesh generation and FE analysis applications. The design of such a database must balance the conflicting requirements of compactness and computational efficiency. In this article, 10 different mesh representations are reviewed for linear tetrahedral and hexahedral meshes. A methodology for calculating the storage and computational costs of mesh representations is presented and the 10 data structures are analysed. Also, a system for ranking different data structures based on their computational and storage costs is devised and the various mesh representations are ranked according to this measure. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


We develop and apply a novel methodology for quantifying the capability development of firms, and putting these capabilities (and hence also the firms) in a hierarchy, that we refer to as their position on the capabilities ladder. Our nestedness algorithm, inspired by biology and network science, defines a capability as complex if it is performed by only a few firms at the upper rungs of the ladder. We analyze balance sheet and innovation data of almost 40'000 Indian firms for the time period 1988-2015, and observe significant nestedness. Lower rungs of the capabilities ladder correspond to basic managerial and production capabilities. Mid-level rungs correspond to internationalization and acquiring absorptive capacity. Higher level rungs are more related to M&A and innovation. ICT capabilities have become more fundamental lower-level rungs on the capabilities ladder in recent years. We find that capability ranking can explain future growth patterns and survival probability of firms, summing up in one number their future potential trajectories.


High Z materials, as possible plasma facing components for a fusion reactor, are being re‐evaluated due to their advantages connected to the low sputtering yield and small erosion. A data base of experimental results related to their use on present Tokamak is missing. FTU has carried out a series of experiments with different medium and high Z limiter materials, Ni, Mo, and W, to improve the knowledge of the plasma behavior in these conditions. The results on plasma operation, core parameters, impurity content, and corresponding radiation losses are presented, and compared with those obtained with a low Z dominant impurity (siliconization). A simple model coupling the SOL and the plasma core is able to reproduce the experimental results, indicating that sputtering and self‐sputtering are the main physical mechanisms of impurity production.


Abstract : A turbulence model is developed to supplement the microburst quasi-steady wind shear model established earlier from the JAWS Doppler radar data sets. The wind shear model is, in effect, a quasi-steady, spatially varying wind field. The spatial scale of the wind variation is on the order of 500-750 ft (150-200 m). Airborne sensor response (i.e., angle of attack, stall warning, pitot tubes, etc,), structural dynamics, pilot workload, and other such factors, however, respond to much higher frequency wind effects. To account for these effects, a 'first-cut' turbulence model based on Doppler radar second moment data is presented. Superimposing the turbulent fluctuation from this turbulence model on the quasi-steady JAWS wind field is believed to provide a more realistic simulation of the microburst flow for aviation application. The Doppler radar second moments of spectral width data from the June 30, July 14, and August 5, 1982, JAWS microburst measurements are analyzed in considerable detail. Microburst turbulence intensity is calculated by subtracting the spectral width broadenings due to wind shear, antenna motion, and precipitation fall speeds from the radar spectra width. (Author)


[1] We derive Northern Hemispheric auroral brightness patterns using images from Polar Ultraviolet Imager Lyman-Birge-Hopfield long band emissions ( 170.0 nm). Pixels of these images are binned by the X and Y components of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) under the combinations of two seasonal (summer and winter) and two IMF Bz (northward and southward) conditions. Hemispheric auroral power is estimated from these images by an integration of auroral brightness over 60 –90 MLAT for all local times. It is found that the hemispheric auroral power is higher for negative Bx than for positive Bx under similar By conditions when the IMF is southward. This Bx asymmetry of the hemispheric auroral power is significant both in summer and winter. For the northward IMF the hemispheric auroral power is low and the Bx asymmetry is not statistically present in both summer and winter. Recent studies have shown that hemispheric auroral power for negative By is higher than that for positive By. In summary, hemispheric auroral power reaches its highest level when all the components of the IMF are negative.


Over the last few years the DSTO has been utilizing a ground based Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer for a number of applications. With the recent advances in a number of related technology areas there is now sufficient potential to progress from a ground based non-imaging system to an airborne imaging spectrometer. The main aim of this activity is to increase our understanding of the issues related to the design, construction, testing, calibration and efficient use of an airborne Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (IFTIRS). This paper describes the initial phases of our IFTIRS development.


Should a research article in Injury Prevention make policy recommendations in the discussion section?

Imagine that the Acme Auto Company has designed Device X to prevent death in a vehicle crash. You and I have completed the first randomized controlled trial of Device X; we studied 400 drivers who were randomly assigned to X or a placebo device at the time of their crash and ascertained which drivers died.

The risk of death among the drivers with Device X was 0.075 compared with 0.15 for drivers without X (table): risk ratio 0.5, 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.90. Our draft manuscript concludes: "We found that drivers who crashed in vehicles with Device X had a risk of death which was half that of similar drivers in similar vehicles without X. If our findings represent the casual effects of X, this device can prevent about half the driver deaths that would otherwise occur in a crash." After reading our draft, a colleague suggests we make a policy recommendation in the discussion section of our paper. Should we?

Interpreting results or stating preventive implications does not require a statement about policy; the two sentences in quotations above provide an adequate interpretation. Calls for more data or research are often unnecessary, but they are not my topic.1 A policy recommendation is advice that some action should be taken by someone to promote health : a behavior should be adopted, advice should be given, a public education campaign should begin, a product should be purchased, a law should be enacted, and so on.

I will offer three reasons for not giving a policy recommendation …


Most patients with a low spinal lesion (LSL) have intact erectile function but no penile sensation, which can lead to frustration. To tackle this problem, we designed TOMAX, TOMAXimize sensation, sexuality and quality of life, a surgical procedure in which a functional "groin" nerve is connected to the non-functional "penile" nerve on one side to bypass the LSL. Our goal was to increase LSL patients' sexual health by restoring penile sensation: we show that TOMAX can achieve dramatic improvements for such patients.

We operated on 30 patients with spina bifida or a spinal cord injury, who had no penis- but normal groin sensation. This resulted in unilateral glans-penis sensation, experienced as 'groin' or as 'glans', in 80% of them. Patients reported more satisfaction with their erections, masturbated more frequently, and had more pleasurable sensations and sometimes orgasms. Five patients masturbated for the first time ever, while three patients experienced their first orgasm. This led to more frequent and more satisfying sexual activities, and a more meaningful sexual relationship. The new sensation significantly enhanced their quality of life and sexual satisfaction.

Because the TOMAX procedure restores genital sensation unilaterally, we investigated if a bilateral procedure could be performed safely with a chance of full glans sensation. This would entail cutting both penile-nerves, risking patients' ability to have erections. We determined whether penile nerve function (intact Bulbocavernosus-reflex (BCR) and ability to have reflex erections (RE)) was still present in 30 LSL patients: we found that seven patients had RE ability, of which four had an intact BCR, and of nine patients with an intact BCR, four had RE. This shows that LSL patients can have remaining penile-nerve function, so that cutting both penile-nerves in a bilateral TOMAX procedure might be risky. We therefore developed a new protocol using both RE and BCR parameters to select patients; we operated on three bilaterally, resulting in full glans sensation for two of them.

Large numbers of LSL patients could benefit from the TOMAX procedure. Our technique has been described and a video made to extend this information to peripheral nerve surgeons worldwide. Strategies for providing realistic patient information are given. We have also analysed our experience with an expanded series of 43 nerve transfers. We found that no matter what the origin, all patients with no penile- but good groin sensation are eligible for the procedure, as long as their groin nerve has not been damaged by earlier surgery or is absent due to anatomical variations.

The brain-plasticity that remaps groin sensation to penis sensation takes at least one year and these sensations are often experienced as pleasant and/or erotic. To study this remapping we scanned three post-TOMAX patients using functional MRI, while penis, groin and finger were lightly stimulated. Our observations suggest that changing the origin of the groin nerve receptive field from groin to penis recruits a higher-order somatosensory pMCC-OIC network (middle cingulate cortex - right parietal operculum and insula), which presumably encodes enhanced meaning/salience, or a remapped body scheme, or both.


Rhizoliths, root casts, and rhizocretions are prolific in the geologic record, and their morphology and isotopic signatures can be important indicators of paleoenvironment and paleoclimate. In a semiarid playa in Nevada, the calcite plant encrustations preserved at the playa surface resemble rhizoliths (morphologically) and would seem to indicate pedogenesis and root activity. The features are preserved as short, thin, upright and/or overturned tubes that often exhibit an apron at the base. Branching is rare, and the tubes can be filled with sediment or calcite, or left open. However, detailed macroscopic, microscopic, and geochemical analyses of these features reveal that they are, instead, macrophyte (stem) encrustations that form in standing water. While these features form in a manner similar to paludal tufa, they do not resemble typical tufa deposits (e.g., barrages, mounds, cascades); instead, they mimic rhizoliths. This study describes the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of these features and distinguishes them from rhizoliths so that they can be accurately identified in the geologic record. Furthermore, this study identifies a more appropriate method of interpreting the stable-isotope values of these tufa-like plant molds. These types of carbonates are faithful recorders of ambient aquatic conditions (e.g., geochemistry) as well as local hydrologic parameters (e.g., water depth) when the playa surface is flooded, but their geological application is restricted to a partial annual signal (e.g., plant growing season, presence of standing water on the playa). It is important to correctly identify these types of plant encrustations in the geologic record, since (1) their presence indicates a shallow standing body of water (rather than a paleosol) and (2) their isotopic composition records not only an ambient, aquatic signal but an extremely restricted climatic signal that should not be interpreted with models for pedogenic carbonates.


The Data Deposit Recommendation Service (DDRS) intends to help the user to identify suitable research data repositories depending on case-specific requirements. As an added value service, the DDRS offers the initiation of the ingest and communication process between user and repository by forwarding a deposit request along with a structured description of the research data to the appropriate point of contact.

About the nature of this document: This deliverable follows the report "Deliverable 7.1 State of the Art Report on Open Access Research Data for the Humanities" in the Humanities at Scale (HaS) work package 7 "Open Data Infrastructure". It forms the concept for the "D 7.3 Open Data in the Humanities Platform" and prepares the implementation of the service. The Open Data Platform has been refined to a Data Deposit Recommendation Service (DDRS). The reasoning behind this process and the concept for the service are described in this document.


: Combined bacteriological, pathomorphological, luminescent-serological, and electron microscopic studies were used to elucidate some aspects of pathogenesis of glanders in animals with different susceptibility to this infection. The animals highly susceptible to glanders (golden hamsters) were shown to develop the infection of the sepsis type with granulomas of the exudative nature. In the animals highly susceptible to glanders the bacteria were proved experimentally to parasitize in a rod-shaped form within macrophages of the spleen, liver, and lungs as well as extracellularly. In white mice resistant to glanders the infection developed as chronic septicemia with granulomas of the exudative-proliferative nature. Glanders bacteria in this animal species undergo L-transformation.


As the world confronts global warming, there is a growing consensus that the TRIPS Agreement could be a more effective instrument for mitigating climate change. In this innovative work, Wei Zhuang systematically examines the contextual elements that can be used in the interpretation of the TRIPS Agreement with a view to enhancing innovation and transfer of environmentally sound technologies. Zhuang proposes a balanced and pro-competitive interpretation that could be pursued by policy makers and negotiators. This comprehensive, multidisciplinary study will help academics and policymakers improve their understanding of the contemporary international legal regimes governing intellectual property rights and innovation and transfer of environmentally sound technologies. It also offers practical guidance for further developing a legal system capable of responding to the challenges posed by climate change.


The familiar tools of Fourier analysis and Fisher matrices are applied to derive the uncertainties on photometric, astrometric, and weak-lensing measurements of stars and galaxies in real astronomical images. Many effects or functions that are ignored in basic exposure-time calculators can be included in this framework: pixels of size comparable to the stellar image; undersampled and dithered exposures; cosmic-ray hits; intrapixel sensitivity variations; positional and ellipticity errors as well as photometric errors. I present a formalism and a C++ implementation of these methods. As examples of their use, I answer some commonly arising questions about imaging strategies: What amount of dithering is ideal? What pixel size optimizes the productivity of a camera? Which is more efficient—space-based or ground-based observing?


ABSTRACT This article evaluates demand-side interventions aimed at reducing residential consumption during the peak energy periods. The interventions were applied to a sample of high-income households and included a set of text message reminders advising participants to reduce electricity use during peak hours. One group of participants received accompanying intra-day increases in peak-hour kWh rates, while another group of participants did not receive any price incentives. We find that intra-day price increases, though small in absolute magnitude, produced significant reductions in peak energy use. Reductions in use, as compared to a control group, were significantly higher among the pricing group compared to the group only receiving text messages, suggesting that pricing played a central role in influencing behaviour. Our results contribute to ongoing policy discussion about the effect of dynamic pricing on consumer energy demand.


Home care is a rapidly growing field that is beginning to attract greater physician interest and participation. Cost-containment pressures have led to reduced institutionalization in hospitals and nursing homes and to more patients, both acutely and chronically ill, being cared for in their own homes. Undergraduate and graduate medical education programs are developing home care curricula, and academic medicine is beginning to develop a research agenda, particularly in the area of clinical outcome measurements. Medical care in the home is highly diversified and innovative. The areas of preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, and long-term maintenance care are all well represented as physicians develop new practice patterns in home care.