Land development is the process of converting land from one use to another, and is typically applied to residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial lands. Land development process involves many entities including, but not limited to the land use planner, landscape architect, civil engineer, land surveyor, developer, realtor, and land owner. From an engineering and design perspective, the land surveyor and the civil engineer are essential parts of this process, as they are usually the first to arrive at the site and the last to leave the site after the completion of the development. Some of the major components of land development and subdivision design include street design, sidewalk and trail design, storm-water drainage design, water distribution systems design, sewage collection design, on-site and off-site sewage treatment design, utility systems and easements, erosion and sediment control design, lot and open space grading, and installation of survey monuments and markers (Dewberry and Davis, 1996). With rapid environmental concerns and issues in modern societies, robust and efficient land development practices and management are increasingly more vital in community development.


This paper posits the use of a well-established standard approach to Federal compliance, which can be easily adapted to satisfy all legal and regulatory requirements for protection of patient personally identifiable information (PII) in health organizations. This approach is embodied in the three standards that dictate how to comply with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). These standards also provide an excellent foundation for organizing a secure operation anywhere. The discussion revolves around the application of the FIPS 199 and FIPS 200/NIST 800-53(4) standard approach to the satisfaction of the present and upcoming legal and regulatory requirements for health care PII. The outcome would provide a proven, systematically secure and cost efficient solution to those protection needs. The general approach will be explained and justified.


The electron-lattice interaction of BaPb1-xBixO3 (BPB) and BaxK1-xBiO3 (BKB) is studied microscopically by using the realistic electronic bands of BaBiO3 reproduced by the tight-binding model. It is found that the electron-lattice coupling coefficients have strong wavevector and mode dependences. The electron-lattice interaction causes a remarkable renormalization of the longitudinal oxygen stretching and/or breathing mode vibration. Superconductivity is discussed in the framework of the strong-coupling theory of the phonon mechanism. The spectral function alpha 2F( omega ) has some prominent structures in the frequency range of the oxygen stretching/breathing mode. As x increases, some of the main peaks in alpha 2F( omega ) shift to the lower-frequency side, reflecting the phonon frequency renormalisation. The transition temperature Tc and the energy gap function Delta ( epsilon ) at T=0 K have been evaluated by solving the Eliashberg equations. The calculated Tc increases rapidly with increasing x, and reaches about 30 K for x=0.7. The oxygen isotope shift of Tc in BKB is calculated and the characteristic exponent alpha defined by Tc varies as MOalpha (MO is oxygen atomic mass) is evaluated to be 0.35-0.45. The superconducting energy gap Delta 0 is evaluated to be 4.8 meV for x=0.7. The ratio 2 Delta 0/kBTc is found to have a value close to that predicted by the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer weak-coupling theory (2 Delta 0/kBTc=3.5). However, the calculated tunnelling differential conductance dI/dV and its derivative d2I/dV2 show behaviours that are characteristic to the strong-coupling superconductor.


Abstract. In this article we explore the utility of dynamical systems tools for visualizing transport in oceanic flows described by data sets measured from satellites. In particular we have found the geometrical skeleton of some transport processes in the Kuroshio region. To this end we have computed the special hyperbolic trajectories, and identified them as distinguished hyperbolic trajectories, that act as organizing centres of the flow. We have computed their stable and unstable manifolds, and they reveal that the turnstile mechanism is at work during several spring months in the year 2003 across the Kuroshio current. We have found that near the hyperbolic trajectories takes place a filamentous transport front-cross the current that mixes waters from both sides.


Aim: To evaluate the medium-term survival and the progression of marginal bone loss by determining the statistical relationship between the explanatory variables for dental implants with internal hexagonal connection in native bone and with guided bone regeneration. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study was carried out on a total of 218 implants (143 implants in native bone and 75 implants with guided bone regeneration) placed in 53 patients selected without restrictive inclusion criteria. Clinical and radiographic variables, including marginal bone loss, were recorded up to 46 months of follow-up. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare annual bone loss and total marginal bone loss. The cumulative survival rate was calculated according to the lifetable method and illustrated with Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the association between study variables and the time to implant failure. Additional factors influencing marginal bone loss were also evaluated. Results: The cumulative survival rates for implants placed in native bone and with guided bone regeneration at 46 months were 97.9% and 97.3%, respectively. In our cohort, the univariate analysis identified marginal bone loss, gingival thickness, and bleeding on probing as risk indicators of implant failure. Moreover, bone loss was correlated with gingival thickness and implant depth. Conclusion: No statistically significant differences in survival rates were reported between two types of implants. On the other hand, the correlation of marginal bone to implant insertion depth and gingival thickness, suggests that the biological width measurement should be respected.


Over the past decade, most countries in the Latin America and Caribbean Region have stabilized their economies and lowered barriers to international trade. Many of the policies aimed at reducing poverty and tackling inequality in the 1960-1980 period were well intentioned, but the region made little or no progress in improving income distribution. With the recent shift toward market orientation and openness to international trade, these countries will need a new approach to labor policy as well as different instruments for addressing income distribution goals. This report gives special attention to four areas of labor policy: 1) change from direct government intervention in wage determination and strict seniority rules to a system that rewards effort, high productivity, and good management within a framework that relies on voluntary negotiation of working conditions between workers and firms; 2) replacement of job security legislation by a more effective mechanism that protects workers when they change jobs; 3) careful design of mandatory contributions to social security and other programs in order to minimize the distortionary effect of labor taxes; and 4) redirecting of government subsidies for training and education to the demand side and targeting to those who cannot afford to pay.


Abstract An episodic memory is specific to an event that occurred at a particular time and place. However, the elements that constitute the event—the location, the people present, and their actions and goals—might be shared with numerous other similar events. Does the brain preferentially represent certain elements of a remembered event? If so, which elements dominate its neural representation: those that are shared across similar events, or the novel elements that define a specific event? We addressed these questions by using a novel experimental paradigm combined with fMRI. Multiple events were created involving conversations between two individuals using the format of a television chat show. Chat show "hosts" occurred repeatedly across multiple events, whereas the "guests" were unique to only one event. Before learning the conversations, participants were scanned while viewing images or names of the (famous) individuals to be used in the study to obtain person-specific activity patterns. After learning all the conversations over a week, participants were scanned for a second time while they recalled each event multiple times. We found that during recall, person-specific activity patterns within the posterior midline network were reinstated for the hosts of the shows but not the guests, and that reinstatement of the hosts was significantly stronger than the reinstatement of the guests. These findings demonstrate that it is the more generic, familiar, and predictable elements of an event that dominate its neural representation compared with the more idiosyncratic, event-defining, elements.


Wind power is one of the most potential energies and the major available renewable energy sources. Precisely predicting wind power production is essential for the management and the integration of wind power in a smart grid. The goal of this study is to predict wind power production with sufficient accuracy based on various factors using ensemble learning-based methods that consider the time-dependent nature of the wind power measurements. Essentially, the ensemble learning methods combine multiple learners to obtain an enhanced prediction performance in comparison to conventional standalone learners. In addition, they reduce the overall prediction error and have the capacity to merge various models. At first, this paper investigates the prediction capability of the well-known ensemble approaches Boosted Trees, Random Forest, and Generalized Random Forest for wind power prediction. We compared the prediction performance of these ensemble models to two frequently used prediction methods: Gaussian process regression, and Support Vector Regression. Experimental measurements recorded every ten minutes from actual wind turbines located in France and Turkey are used to test the prediction efficiency of the studied models. Experimental results have shown that the ensemble methods can predict wind power production with high accuracy compared to the standalone models. Furthermore, the findings clearly reveal that the lagged variables contribute significantly to the ensemble models, and permits constructing more parsimonious models.


The spread of non-native species is a global threat and the rate at which biological invasions occur is likely to increase in the future. This thesis examines the implications of the invasive signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), for instream communities and abiotic processes within lowland rivers in England. The potential effects on lotic macroinvertebrate communities and fine sediment dynamics are investigated at a range of spatial and temporal scales, from the examination of national long-term datasets through to short-term detailed mesocosm experiments. Interrogation of macroinvertebrate community data from three English regions was undertaken to understand the temporal and spatial extent of signal crayfish effects. Invasive crayfish had significant long-term and persistent effects on resident macroinvertebrate communities regardless of the lithology or other environmental characteristics of the region. The resultant modifications to community composition had repercussions for several widely employed freshwater biomonitoring tools which employ faunal abundance in their derivation. A reach-scale field study was undertaken at two sites, one invaded by crayfish and one which did not support populations of crayfish (control), to assess the potential contribution of signal crayfish for fine sediment dynamics (ingress, fluxes and ultimately the overall implications for sediment budgets). Reach-scale field experiments examining the effect of crayfish invasion on resident macroinvertebrate communities over a 126-day period indicated that once crayfish populations are well-established their effects are persistent. However, separating the effects of crayfish from wider macroinvertebrate community dynamics and life-history characteristics of the invader and resident taxa means that attributing the effects is far from clear. The thesis presents the results of a series of novel mesocosm experiments which examined the dynamic and two-way interactions of predator-prey relationships and potential zoogeomorphological effects of signal crayfish and the freshwater shrimp, Gammarus pulex. Signal crayfish had a significant effect on the mass of fine sediment infiltrating into the gravel matrix associated with foraging and predatory activity; however this was strongly controlled by prey availability. Finally, through the development of conceptual models, the thesis illustrates the need for greater integration of ecological and geomorphological theories, at relevant environmental scales (temporal and spatial) to achieve truly interdisciplinary research.


Fibroblasts are essential for tissue repair due to producing collagens, and lysosomal proteinase cathepsin B (CatB) is involved in promoting chronic inflammation. We herein report that CatB regulates the expression of collagens III and IV by fibroblasts in response to a TLR2 agonist, lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g. LPS). In cultured human BJ fibroblasts, mRNA expression of CatB was significantly increased, while that of collagens III and IV was significantly decreased at 24 h after challenge with P.g. LPS (1 μg/mL). The P.g. LPS-decreased collagen expression was completely inhibited by CA-074Me, the specific inhibitor of CatB. Surprisingly, expression of collagens III and IV was significantly increased in the primary fibroblasts from CatB-deficient mice after challenge with P.g. LPS. The increase of CatB was accompanied with an increase of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and a decrease of IκBα. Furthermore, the P.g. LPS-increased 8-OHdG and decreased IκBα were restored by CA-074Me. Moreover, 87% of CatB and 86% of 8-OHdG were colocalized with gingival fibroblasts of chronic periodontitis patients. The findings indicate the critical role of CatB in regulating the expression of collagens III and IV by fibroblasts via prolonging TLR2/NF-κB activation and oxidative stress. CatB-specific inhibitors may therefore improve chronic inflammation-delayed tissue repair.


With the rapid growth of the Internet and database technologies in recent years, question answering systems (QAS) have emerged as important applications. As most evaluation models focus on system-centered evaluation, user-centered evaluation has attracted little attention. Although many QAS have been implemented, little work has been done on the development of a user-centered evaluation for QAS. User-centered evaluation is used to understand a userpsilas needs and identify important dimensions and factors in the development of an information system in order to improve its acceptance. The purpose of this study is to develop a user-centered evaluation model for QAS from the userpsilas perspective. The proposed user-centered evaluation model provides a framework for the design of question answering systems from the userpsilas perspective to enhance user satisfaction and acceptance of QAS.


Abstract The effects of soil gravimetric water content on emergence and early growth of plants derived from durum wheat [T. turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf) Husn.] with red smudge or black point/dark smudge symptoms were determined under controlled environmental conditions. Three soil gravimetric water content levels (1%, 5% and 20%) were used to simulate a range of field conditions which might occur in the spring in southern Saskatchewan. Plant emergence and growth were affected in a similar manner by the soil gravimetric water content, regardless of whether the seeds were affected by red smudge or black point/dark smudge. Lower soil gravimetric water content resulted in slower emergence of seedlings, reduced plant emergence and decreased development of above-ground and root tissue. Rate of emergence, number of plants emerged, and number of leaves were negatively affected by red smudge regardless of the soil gravimetric water content, while length of the longest seminal root and total plant dry weight were lower in the red smudge compared with the healthy treatment at the 20% soil gravimetric water content. A negative effect of black point/dark smudge on seedling emergence was observed only at the 1% soil gravimetric water content, while negative effects on the length of the longest leaf and total plant dry weight were observed in the black point/dark smudge treatment regardless of the soil gravimetric water content. We conclude that seed discolouration, especially red smudge, and soil gravimetric water content were important factors in the emergence and growth of durum wheat plants, with soil gravimetric water content compounding the negative effects of seed discolouration on plant emergence and growth.


SUMMARY With significant under funding of public defined benefit pension plans, public debate often focuses on funding problems, neglecting benefit-side factors that contribute to under funding. In this study we examine the benefit side by calculating the value of deferred compensation, using a unique dataset of salary histories for recent university retirees covered by the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association plan. We find sizable levels of deferred compensation that is associated with retirement age and period, job class, service years, and to some extent gender, with administrators receiving the highest levels. We also find wage–earning profiles to underestimate salary growth for higher-paid employees.


Background: Multilevel inverters are very exciting alternative for intermediate and other high power drives. The Multicell group is widely growing owing to its advantages such as simplicity in circuit configuration with modularity and expandable. This paper proposes a new circuit configuration of 15 level cascaded H bridge Multicell Inverter which is the mixed form of flying capacitor and cascaded group. Methods: This work suggests a novel structure of new multilevel multicell inverter. The conventional structure uses two positive switch and two negative switch. Here the proposed inverter uses only one positive switch and only one negative switch. The circuit with one DC voltage along with one positive and negative switch forms a cell. Interconnection of more than one cells form multicell structure which is used to generate multilevel output. This multilevel inverter uses asymmetric voltage sources to produce multiple levels at the output. Here, Level Shifting Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) system is used to generate the switching signals to the inverter. Findings: The simulation of the proposed work shown with few number of semiconductor switches, is capable of achieving 15 levels at the output. Incorporating the Level Shifting PWM technique, the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) has been reduced. Application: The proposed Multicell Multilevel inverter is used to drive the induction motor. Further controllers like PI, Fuzzy and Neuro can be added to reduce the THD and to develop the power quality.


BACKGROUND
Anxiety disorders are very common mental health problems in the general population and in primary care settings. Herbal medicines are popular and used worldwide and might be considered as a treatment option for anxiety if shown to be effective and safe.

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the effectiveness and safety of valerian for treating anxiety disorders.

SEARCH STRATEGY
Electronic searches: The Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCDANCTR-Studies and CCDANCTR-References) searched on 04/08/2006, MEDLINE, Lilacs. References of all identified studies were inspected for additional studies. First authors of each included study, manufacturers of valerian products, and experts in the field were contacted for information regarding unpublished trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised trials of valerian extract of any dose, regime, or method of administration, for people with any primary diagnosis of general anxiety disorder, anxiety neurosis, chronic anxiety status, or any other disorder in which anxiety is the primary symptom (panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, other types of phobia, postraumatic stress disorder). Effectiveness was measured using clinical outcome measures and other scales for anxiety symptoms.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently applied inclusion criteria, extracted and entered data, and performed the trial quality assessments. Where disagreements occurred, the third review author was consulted. Methodological quality of included trials was assessed using Cochrane Handbook criteria. For dichotomous outcomes, relative risk (RR) was calculated, and for continuous outcomes, the weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated, with their respective 95% confidence intervals.

MAIN RESULTS
One RCT involving 36 patients wih generalised anxiety disorder was eligible for inclusion. This was a 4 week pilot study of valerian, diazepam and placebo. There were no significant differences between the valerian and placebo groups in HAM-A total scores, or in somatic and psychic factor scores. Similarly, there were no significant differences in HAM-A scores between the valerian and diazepam groups, although based on STAI-Trait scores, significantly greater symptom improvement was indicated in the diazepam group. There were no significant differences between the three groups in the number of patients reporting side effects or in dropout rates.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Since only one small study is currently available, there is insufficient evidence to draw any conclusions about the efficacy or safety of valerian compared with placebo or diazepam for anxiety disorders. RCTs involving larger samples and comparing valerian with placebo or other interventions used to treat of anxiety disorders, such as antidepressants, are needed.


This paper reviews the research in progress in Oxford on the chemical, spectroscopic and redox properties of bis(thiosemicarbazonato) complexes of zinc and copper in the context of the hypoxia selectivity of the copper(II) complex. Also, covered are synthetic strategies for modified complexes with a range of functional substituents and the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of two of these derivatives are described. Finally, the synthesis of some new bifunctional macrocyclic ligands is described and some of these give Cu(II) derivatives which cannot be reduced and are therefore resistant to reductive loss of copper in vivo.


Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was commissioned by United Utilities to carry out an archaeological watching brief during groundworks associated with the construction of a new wastewater treatment works and water transfer pipeline at Swarthmoor, Ulverston, Cumbria (SD 2788 7787).
The site of the proposed treatment works lies between the A590 Barrow road and Pennington Lane to the west of Ulverston, Cumbria. The proposed pipeline runs north
and north-east from the treatment works site immediately adjacent to the A590, terminating to the west of Stone Cross School.
A programme of desk-based assessment and walkover survey (OA North 2004; OA North 2009 respectively) was initially undertaken across the whole of the pipeline corridor to identify areas of archaeological potential within the proposed development area.
Following the results of this earlier programme of archaeological works, the Specialist Advisor (Archaeology) at Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Services
(CCCHES) recommended that a watching brief be undertaken during ground disturbance associated with the proposed development, including topsoil stripping activities. This was duly undertaken in February and August 2009.
No archaeological features of any significance were observed during the watching brief, and no further work is recommended.


Cone-rod homeobox (CRX) protein is a "paired-like" homeodomain transcription factor that is essential for regulating rod and cone photoreceptor transcription. Mutations in human CRX are associated with the dominant retinopathies Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Cone-Rod Dystrophy (CoRD) and Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), with variable severity. Heterozygous Crx Knock-Out (KO) mice ("+/−") have normal vision as adults and fail to model the dominant human disease. To investigate how different mutant CRX proteins produce distinct disease pathologies, we generated two Crx Knock-IN (K-IN) mouse models: CrxE168d2 ("E168d2") and CrxR90W ("R90W"). E168d2 mice carry a frameshift mutation in the CRX activation domain, Glu168del2, which is associated with severe dominant CoRD or LCA in humans. R90W mice carry a substitution mutation in the CRX homeodomain, Arg90Trp, which is associated with dominant mild late-onset CoRD and recessive LCA. As seen in human patients, heterozygous E168d2 ("E168d2/+") but not R90W ("R90W/+") mice show severely impaired retinal function, while mice homozygous for either mutation are blind and undergo rapid photoreceptor degeneration. E168d2/+ mice also display abnormal rod/cone morphology, greater impairment of CRX target gene expression than R90W/+ or +/− mice, and undergo progressive photoreceptor degeneration. Surprisingly, E168d2/+ mice express more mutant CRX protein than wild-type CRX. E168d2neo/+, a subline of E168d2 with reduced mutant allele expression, displays a much milder retinal phenotype, demonstrating the impact of Crx expression level on disease severity. Both CRX[E168d2] and CRX[R90W] proteins fail to activate transcription in vitro, but CRX[E168d2] interferes more strongly with the function of wild type (WT) CRX, supporting an antimorphic mechanism. E168d2 and R90W are mechanistically distinct mouse models for CRX-associated disease that will allow the elucidation of molecular mechanisms and testing of novel therapeutic approaches for different forms of CRX-associated disease.


The friction coefficient of carbon nanotube reinforced the nitrile composites under water lubricated condition was investigated using a ship propeller bearing friction tester at different condition. The mechanical properties of the composites were also tested. The results showed that CNTs could improve the mechanical properties and reduce the friction coefficient of nitrile rubber considerably under water lubricated conditions, due to the effective reinforcing and self-lubricating effects of CNTs on the nitrile matrix. With the increasing pressure, the friction coefficient of the nitrile/CNT nanocomposites decreased under the water lubricated condition, which is because that the surface deformation of the nanocomposites was in favor of the water films forming. However, with the increasing temperature of water, the friction coefficient of the nitrile/CNT nanocomposites increased under water lubricated condition, owing to the thinner operating film and the increasing real contact area.


The interpretation and implementation of large-scale genetic profiles into clinical practice remains a challenge despite substantial growth in our understanding of genetic contributors to drug response. Most current omic studies focus on identifying genetic features that are distinct between normal and tumor samples, but fail to capture the dynamics of association between omic profiles, treatment response and disease progression over time. The focus of this research is to analyze the longitudinal transcriptomic profile of chronic myeloid leukemia patients (CML) in context of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment and clinical status. The main objectives were to compare a series of post-TKI treatment transcriptome profiles to their baseline levels, and characterize the impact of TKI treatment and CML disease status on the individual9s transcriptome over time. Our ultimate goal is to develop TKI response predictors using the longitudinal expression data collected over the treatment course. Peripheral blood samples, buccal swabs and detailed clinical data were collected from each study participant (screened for BCR-ABL1 translocation) for a period of 6 months, in addition to pre-therapy baseline. RNA was extracted from granulocytes isolated from peripheral blood samples, and profiled using RNA sequencing. RNAseq profiles over TKI treatment course were compared to baseline, as well as against hematologic response (complete blood count), cytogenetic response (FISH), and clinical disease progression. We investigated dynamic trends in RNAseq profiles associated TKI response, as well as with the clinical status of the patient over time. We identified genetic features that were either 1) Differentially expressed between baseline and post-TKI time points; 2) Showed non-random spikes in expression levels at specific time points; 3) Associated with hematological and clinical phenotypes, including white blood cell count, percentage granulocytes and percentage cells with BCR-ABL1 translocation; 4) Demonstrated highly correlated patterns of expression over time. Through clustering and enrichment analysis of the selected transcripts, we identified several pathways and molecular features associated with TKI-response, and altered disease state. Of note, we found mTOR signaling, and pro-apoptotic pathways to be significantly altered between baseline and TKI-responding individuals. In addition, we observed significant changes in transcription regulatory network of several transcription factors, notably AP-1, over the treatment time course. To our knowledge, this is the first study to establish the utility of comprehensive longitudinal multiple transcriptome profile analysis of TKI-response in CML. We believe this study will pave way for future large-scale longitudinal omic profiling of CML and other cancer-types. Citation Format: Aritro Nath, Fan Wang, Divya Lenkala, Bonnie LaCroix, Nancy Glavin, Kristen Kipping-Johnson, Paul Geeleher, Michael Thirman, Lucy Godley, Gordana Raca, Richard Larson, R. Stephanie Huang. Exploring the longitudinal transcriptomic landscape of tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment response in chronic myeloid leukemia patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2039.


Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are prototypical stem cells that remain undifferentiated in culture for long periods, yet maintain the ability to differentiate into essentially all cell types. Previously, we have reported that ES cells oscillate between two distinct states, which can be distinguished by the transient expression of Zscan4 genes originally identified for its specific expression in mouse two-cell stage embryos. Here, we report that the nascent protein synthesis is globally repressed in the Zscan4-positive state of ES cells, which is mediated by the transient expression of newly identified eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1A (Eif1a)-like genes. Eif1a-like genes, clustered on Chromosome 12, show the high sequence similarity to the Eifa1 and consist of 10 genes (Eif1al1–Eif1al10) and 9 pseudogenes (Eif1al-ps1–Eif1al-ps9). The analysis of the expressed sequence tag database showed that Eif1a-like genes are expressed mostly in the two-cell stage mouse embryos. Microarray analyses and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses show that Eif1a-like genes are expressed specifically in the Zscan4-positive state of ES cells. These results indicate a novel mechanism to repress protein synthesis by Eif1a-like genes and a unique mode of protein synthesis regulation in ES cells, which undergo a transient and reversible repression of global protein synthesis in the Zscan4-positive state.


Sustainable hydrogen production is an essential prerequisite of a future hydrogen economy. Water electrolysis driven by renewable resource-derived electricity and direct solar-to-hydrogen conversion based on photochemical and photoelectrochemical water splitting are promising pathways for sustainable hydrogen production. All these techniques require, among many things, highly active noble metal-free hydrogen evolution catalysts to make the water splitting process more energy-efficient and economical. In this review, we highlight the recent research efforts toward the synthesis of noble metal-free electrocatalysts, especially at the nanoscale, and their catalytic properties for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We review several important kinds of heterogeneous non-precious metal electrocatalysts, including metal sulfides, metal selenides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal phosphides, and heteroatom-doped nanocarbons. In the discussion, emphasis is given to the synthetic methods of these HER electrocatalysts, the strategies of performance improvement, and the structure/composition-catalytic activity relationship. We also summarize some important examples showing that non-Pt HER electrocatalysts could serve as efficient cocatalysts for promoting direct solar-to-hydrogen conversion in both photochemical and photoelectrochemical water splitting systems, when combined with suitable semiconductor photocatalysts.


The COL4A5 gene encodes the alpha5 (type IV) collagen chain and is defective in X-linked Alport syndrome (AS). Here, we report the first systematic analysis of all 51 exons of COL4A5 gene in a series of 201 Italian AS patients. We have previously reported nine major rearrangements, as well as 18 small mutations identified in the same patient series by SSCP analysis of several exons. After systematic analysis of all 51 exons of COL4A5, we have now identified 30 different mutations: 10 glycine substitutions in the triple helical domain of the protein, 9 frameshift mutations, 4 in-frame deletions, 1 start codon, 1 nonsense, and 5 splice-site mutations. These mutations were either unique or found in two unrelated families, thus excluding the presence of a common mutation in the coding part of the gene. Overall, mutations were detected in only 45% of individuals with a certain or likely diagnosis of X-linked AS. This finding suggests that mutations in noncoding segments of COL4A5 account for a high number of X-linked AS cases. An alternative hypothesis is the presence of locus heterogeneity, even within the X-linked form of the disease. A genotype/phenotype comparison enabled us to better substantiate a significant correlation between the degree of predicted disruption of the alpha5 chain and the severity of phenotype in affected male individuals. Our study has significant implications in the diagnosis and follow-up of AS patients.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to document the diffusion of license plate readers (LPRs) in the USA, examining the variety, evolution and tracking of their uses through a national survey.

Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a national, stratified, representative survey of US law enforcement agencies with 100 or more officers.

Findings
LPR technology is currently used by at least two-thirds of larger police agencies, which represents a more than threefold increase in LPR acquisition in the last 10 years. The number of LPRs per agency, while small (about eight on average), has also more than doubled. Federal and state funding, advocacy by law enforcement leaders, and the intuitive appeal of LPRs have likely contributed to this rapid adoption. While LPRs are still primarily used to detect and recover stolen automobiles in patrol, their use has expanded into other types of investigative and security functions. Despite the increased use and numbers of LPRs in policing, their use is highly discretionary and infrequently tracked.

Practical implications
LPRs continue to be widely used in law enforcement, despite a lack of strong research evidence for their crime prevention benefits. Further studies are needed on the most effective ways for agencies to utilize small numbers of LPRs and the potential return on investment for acquiring larger numbers of the devices.

Originality/value
This study tracks the history of LPR diffusion and use and goes beyond prior law enforcement surveys by examining specific uses of LPRs and the extent to which agencies track their uses and outcomes.


The fungal enzyme galactose oxidase is a radical copper oxidase that catalyzes the oxidation of a broad range of primary alcohols to aldehydes. Previous mechanistic studies have revealed a large substrate deuterium kinetic isotope effect on galactose oxidase turnover whose magnitude varies systematically over a series of substituted benzyl alcohols, reflecting a change in the character of the transition state for substrate oxidation. In this work, these detailed mechanistic studies have been extended using a series of stereospecifically monodeuterated substrates, including 1-O-methyl-alpha-D-galactose as well as unsubstituted benzyl alcohol and 3- and 4-methoxy and 4-nitrobenzyl derivatives. Synthesis of all of these substrates was based on oxidation of the alpha,alpha'-dideuterated alcohol to the corresponding (2)H-labeled aldehyde, followed by asymmetric hydroboration using alpha-pinene/9-BBN reagents to form the stereoisomeric alcohols. Products from enzymatic oxidation of each of these substrates were characterized by mass spectrometry to quantitatively evaluate the substrate dependence of the stereoselectivity of the catalytic reaction. For all of these substrates, the selectivity for pro-S hydrogen abstraction was at least 95%. This selectivity appears to be a direct consequence of constraints imposed by the enzyme on the orientation of substrates bearing a branched beta-carbon. Steady state analysis of kinetic isotope effects on V/K has resolved individual contributions from primary and alpha-secondary kinetic isotope effects in the reaction, providing a test for the involvement of an electron transfer redox equilibrium in the oxidation process. Multiple isotope effect measurements utilizing simultaneous labeling of the substrate and solvent have contributed to refinement of the relation between proton transfer and hydrogen atom transfer steps in substrate oxidation.


by SARAH ELAINE HRANAC (Under the Direction of Jean Martin-Williams) ABSTRACT Dana Wilson (b. 1946) is a contemporary American composer. His compositions encompass a variety of ensembles including works for orchestra, band, chorus, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. Due to his jazz background and interest in non-Western rhythms and tonalities, Wilson's unique compositional voice provides both a challenge for the performer and a provocative listening experience for the audience. This document focuses on Wilson's works for horn and piano, with its goal being to describe the characteristic Dana Wilson horn sound in terms of the elements of music. It will also provide a guide to performance practice specifically for his works involving horn and piano. The pieces to be examined in this document are Deep Remembering (1995) for horn and piano; Musings (2003) for horn and piano; and Shallow Streams, Deep Rivers (2007) for horn, violin, and piano. It is the intent that the resultant information will provide horn players and teachers with a resource that will help facilitate a greater knowledge and understanding of Dana Wilson's music as well as promote thoughtful and satisfying performances of that literature.


Background: Plant-derived phytochemicals have been of emerging interest as anti-obesity compounds due to their apparent effects on promoting reduced lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Despite such promising evidence, little is known about the potential mechanisms behind their anti-obesity effects. The aim of this study is to establish potential anti-obesity effects of the phytochemical guggulsterone (GS). Methods: Mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with GS, derived from the guggul plant native in northern India, to investigate its effects on mitochondrial biogenesis and adipocyte "beiging." Further, to explore the relationship between macrophages and adipocytes, 3T3-L1s were treated with conditioned media from GS-treated RAW264.7 macrophages. Markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and beiging were measured by western blot. Results: GS treatment in adipocytes resulted in increased mitochondrial density, biogenesis (PGC1α and PPARγ), and increased markers of a beige adipocyte phenotype (UCP1, TBX1, and β-3AR). This upregulation in mitochondrial expression was accompanied by increases oxygen consumption. In GS-treated macrophages, markers of M2 polarization were elevated (e.g., arginase and IL-10), along with increased catecholamine release into the media. Lastly, 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with conditioned media from macrophages induced a 167.8% increase in UCP1 expression, suggestive of a role of macrophages in eliciting an anti-adipogenic response to GS. Conclusions: Results from this study provide the first mechanistic understanding of the anti-obesity effects of GS and suggests a role for both direct GS-signaling and indirect stimulation of M2 macrophage polarization in this model.


Abstract The effect of applied pressure on microstructures and properties of an in-situ formed Mg2Si/Al-Si-Cu reinforced metal matrix composite fabricated by squeeze casting are investigated. Due to the wide solidification range and the high viscosity, this type of composites is prone ro shrinkage and gas porosity. In order to improve cast ability and to obtain better properties, the squeeze casting technique has been used. The results showed that primary Mg2Si crystals are formed by adding pure Mg into the hypereutectic Al-Si-Cu alloy (A380). It was found that, with the application of 30 MPa and 40 MPa pressure during solidification, the average size of primary Mg2Si particulates decreases from about 87 µm to about 21 and 18 µm and that the average porosity values of the cast samples is significantly decreased from 8.75 % to 0.50 and 0.35 %, respectively.


With interest we read the Letter-to-the-Editor by Suwalski regarding our short communication in the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon and would like to take the opportunity to response to some of the issues raised.

First of all, we would like to refer to our article and our response to the letter on this subject by van Putte et al.

Once again, not all three patients had their TTMAZE surgery in our center. This is clearly described in our short communication. Second, our center has a proven track record, extending over 15 years, in performing surgery for lone atrial fibrillation and concomitant surgery for atrial fibrillation by a dedicated surgeon. In our open procedures, we have never encountered this complication.

We also like to state that the TTMAZE procedures were performed after a formal training and introduction program and were applied according to the instructions given by AtriCure.

The difficulty with this complication is the low rate of occurrence and the relatively long time frame between initial surgery and the occurrence of the complication. In this light, we advocate that our communication is seen as a matter of caution. There is a small potential of a highly devastating, even lethal, complication with this procedure.

We are convinced that these fistulas are not a single-center problem. The exact mechanism of this complication remains unclear. As we described, the lesion is seen centrally in the posterior wall of left atrium, away from the ablation lines.[3] The fistula needs several weeks (6–8) to develop and to cause septicemia and air embolism. This, in our view, seems to exclude a lesion caused by wrongly applied pressure or manipulation of tissue. Moreover, relatives of all the three patients reported well-being of patients until a day or even hours before collapse or neurological impairment.

To conclude, we agree that TTMAZE shows good results in treating lone atrial fibrillation. We also agree that the track record of TTMAZE is excellent in high-volume centres.[4] We do, however, warn about the potential complication of an atrio-esophageal fistula and emphasize the need for stringent follow-up of all patients and further research into the pathogenesis of this complication.


Objective Pathophysiology of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is poorly understood. Functional neuroimaging data in various functional neurological disorders increasingly support specific neurobiological dysfunction. However to date no studies have been reported of positron emission tomography in patients presenting PNES. We aimed to examine resting state cerebral metabolism using 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET) in patients presenting PNES. Method Sixteen patients being evaluated in a specialist epilepsy centre underwent18FDG-PET because of suspected intractable epileptic seizures. However in all patients the diagnosis was subsequently confirmed to be PNES with no co-existing epilepsy. 18FDG-PET was also performed in 16 healthy controls. A voxel by voxel inter-group analysis was performed to look for significant differences in interictal (resting state) cerebral metabolism. In addition, metabolic connectivity was studied using voxel-wise interregional correlation. Results In comparison to healthy subjects, group analysis of patients with PNES exhibited significant PET hypometabolism within the right inferior parietal and central region, and within bilateral anterior cingulate cortex. Significant increase in metabolic correlation was found in patients with PNES, in comparison to healthy subjects, between right inferior parietal/central region and bilateral cerebellum, and between bilateral anterior cingulate cortex and left parahippocampal gyrus. Conclusion This is the first study describing FDG-PET alterations in PNES patients. Although we cannot exclude that our data reflect changes due to co-morbidities, they may indicate dysfunction of neural systems in patients with PNES. Hypometabolism regions might relate to two of the pathophysiological mechanisms that may be involved in PNES, i.e. emotional dysregulation (anterior cingulate hypometabolism) and dysfunctional processes underlying consciousness of self and environment (right parietal hypometabolism).


The European parliament has strongly backed moves to make smoking less attractive to young people but has rejected the health commissioner's call to have electronic cigarettes classified as medicines.

The MEPs' vote in Strasbourg on Tuesday 8 October came after months of lobbying by major tobacco manufacturers to try to water down and delay the European Union's attempts to strengthen the existing legislation on tobacco products.

MEPs agreed that in future clear health warnings should cover at least 65% of both sides of a pack of cigarettes. At present they must cover at least 30% of the front of a pack and 40% of the back. The warnings would be placed at the top of the packet, with the brand name at the bottom. Packs of fewer than 20 cigarettes would …


Four-dimensional or time-lapse microgravity monitoring has been used effectively on volcanoes for decades to characterize the changes in subsurface volcanic systems. With measurements typically lasting from a few days to weeks and then repeated a year later, the spatial resolution of theses studies is often at the expense of temporal resolution and vice versa. Continuous gravity studies with one to two instruments operating for a short period of time (weeks to months) have shown enticing evidence of very rapid changes in the volcanic plumbing system (minutes to hours) and in one case precursory signals leading to eruptive activity were detected. The need for true multi-instrument networks is clear if we are to have both the temporal and spatial reso-lution needed for effective volcano monitoring. However, the high cost of these instruments is currently limiting the implementation of continuous microgravity networks. An interim approach to consider is the development of a collaborative network of researchers able to bring multiple instruments together at key volcanoes to investigate multitemporal physical changes in a few type volcanoes. However, to truly move forward, it is imperative that new low-cost instruments are developed to increase the number of instruments available at a single site. Only in this way can both the temporal and spatial integrity of monitoring be maintained. Integration of these instruments into a multiparameter network of continuously recording sensors is essential for effective volcano monitoring and hazard mitigation.


SUMMARY The current study looked at the distracting effects of 'pop music' on introverts' and extraverts' performance on various cognitive tasks. It was predicted that there would be a main effect for music and an interaction effect with introverts performing less well in the presence of music than extraverts. Ten introverts and ten extraverts were given two tests (a memory test with immediate and delayed recall and a reading comprehension test), which were completed, either while being exposed to pop music, or in silence. The results showed that there was a detrimental effect on immediate recall on the memory test for both groups when music was played, and two of the three interactions were significant. After a 6-minute interval the introverts who had memorized the objects in the presence of the pop music had a significantly lower recall than the extraverts in the same condition and the introverts who had observed them in silence. The introverts who completed a reading comprehension task when music was being played also performed significantly less well than these two groups. These findings have implications for the study habits of introverts when needing to retain or process complex information. & 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


DNA methylation varies across genomic regions, tissues and individuals in a population. Altered DNA methylation is common in cancer and often considered an early event in tumorigenesis. However, the sources of heterogeneity of DNA methylation among tumors remain poorly defined. Here, we capitalize on the availability of multi-platform data on thousands of molecularly-and clinically-annotated human tumors to build integrative models that identify the determinants of DNA methylation. We quantify the relative contribution of clinical and molecular factors in explaining within-cancer (inter-individual) variability in DNA methylation. We show that the levels of a set of metabolic genes involved in the methionine cycle that are constituents of one-carbon metabolism are predictive of several features of DNA methylation status in tumors including the methylation of genes that are known to drive oncogenesis. Finally, we demonstrate that patients whose DNA methylation status can be predicted from the genes in one-carbon metabolism exhibited improved survival over cases where this regulation is disrupted. To our knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive analysis of the determinants of methylation and demonstrates the surprisingly large contribution of metabolism in explaining epigenetic variation among individual tumors of the same cancer type. Together, our results illustrate links between tumor metabolism and epigenetics and outline future clinical implications.


Antibody to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus was determined by the indirect immunofluorescence test in immune sera of guinea pigs and immune ascitic fluids of rats and mice. Among 135 patients with aseptic meningitis serum antibody was found in 11 patients in titers of 1 : 64 to 1 : 128 and in the cerebro-spinal fluid of these patients in considerably lower titers. By the indirect immunofluorescence test antibody in maximum titers was found early after the appearance of meningeal symptoms.


An alpha-tubulin cDNA clone, pTUB5 (1496 bp), encoding a protein of 444 amino acids (mol. wt. 48,840), has been isolated from the brain of Pacific salmon, Oncorhynchus keta. Partial sequence data were also obtained for two other alpha-tubulin isotypes, pTUB6 and pTUB9, which are similar in sequence to pTUB5 except in the carboxy region of the protein. This region of alpha-tubulin has previously been shown to be important for the binding of microtubule associated proteins suggesting that the isotypes described in this study may represent differentially controlled elements of the neural tubulin population. The isotypes show brain-specific expression and are the first tubulins to be reported for this tissue in fish.


Background: While the benefits of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) are well known in maxillofacial imaging, the use of this modality is not risk-free. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure doses received by patients during maxillofacial imaging with CBCT. Methods: Entrance surface dose (ESD) was measured by using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) attached to the eyes lids, parotid glands and thyroid of 64 patients in two imaging centers (A and B). Phantom dosimetry was performed by a cylindrical poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) head-size phantom and an ionization chamber for different exposure parameters. NewTom VGi and Planmeca Promax 3D CBCT scanners were used at centers A and B, respectively. Results: The mean ESD of the eyes, parotid glands and thyroid were 2.57, 2.33 and 0.28 mGy in center A, 0.35, 2.11 and 0.37 mGy in center B, respectively. ESD of the eyes revealed a significant difference in two centers; in center B, it was 86.4% lower than center A. In the phantom dosimetry, the measured doses of NewTom VGi were 2.63 and 2.08 mGy, respectively by changing field of view (FOV) size from 8×8 cm2 (height × diameter) to 6×6 cm2. For Planmeca Promax 3D, it ranged from 0.98 to 3.24 mGy depending on exposure parameters. Conclusion: There is a wide range of radiation doses dependent on the units, patients and selected scan parameters. Inappropriate selection of exposure settings, especially FOV size, can seriously increase patient dose.


Most of the existing weight-learning algorithms for Markov Logic Networks (MLNs) use batch training which becomes computationally expensive and even infeasible for very large datasets since the training examples may not fit in main memory. To overcome this problem, previous work has used online learning algorithms to learn weights for MLNs. However, this prior work has only applied existing online algorithms, and there is no comprehensive study of online weight learning for MLNs. In this paper, we derive new online algorithms for structured prediction using the primaldual framework, apply them to learn weights for MLNs, and compare against existing online algorithms on two large, real-world datasets. The experimental results show that the new algorithms achieve better accuracy than existing methods.


The December 1995 discussion of Bianca's age on pynchon-I, an Internet discussion group (at www.waste.org ), shows that a deep concern about child molesting makes readers worry about whether child characters are presented as sexually abused. However, this preoccupation with sexual molestation is only the tip of the iceberg, because Pynchon deals with an abuse of the child more deeply ingrained in our rational and scientific Western culture. The images of children and childhood in Gravity's Rainbow can be interpreted as a reflection on the use of the child as the Other, the use which consists of reducing an archetype to a signifier.


Cross Correlation Function Amplitude Vector(CorV) is a method of damage detection which is based on random vibration .In this paper, CorV is introduced in the damage detection of historic timber structure according to the characteristics of structure and damage.Meanwhile,the research has been done. CorV of structural damage before and after the change has been expressed that is based on Cross Correlation function amplitude Vector Criterion(CVAC) .Results show that there is a remarkable decrease of CVAC among the CorVs between damaged and intact structures.Damage locations can be determined through the relative change of CorVs which is before or after the damage of the structure . A basis can be provided for the damage of buildings and the ancient structure protection through this paper.


As a general rule, optimum design problems can be written in terms of non linear constrained minimization statements. In many engineering problems the required underlying analysis can involve quite sophisticated numerical techniques. This should rocket the computational cost associated to repeatedly sampling the objective function and the constraints. On the other hand, the tools provided by the existing CAD systems do not allow one to define parametric designs for any kind of object with enough flexibility. Moreover, most of the available commercial computer programs for engineering problems do not include the corresponding sensitivity analysis techniques. And, in any case, the computational cost associated with performing a full high-order sensitivity analysis should normally be unacceptable in practice. For all of these reasons, we are still far from being able to develop a kind of universal purpose optimum design system for real engineering problems. However, we can think of developing specific purpose optimum design systems for particular families of engineering problems. In this paper we present a specific purpose shape optimization system for a particular family of high tension towers. The system conforms to the corresponding Spanish Standard. The shape optimization problem is solved by means of an improved sequential linear programming algorithm with quadratic line search. The system performs the sensitivity analysis up to the second order by means of analytical techniques. Finally, several application examples are presented and discussed. © 2005 WIT Press WIT Transactions on The Built Environment, Vol 80, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3509 (on-line) Computer Aided Optimum Design in Engineering IX 105 Campus de Elvina, Spain


Psychophysical procedures are applied in various fields to assess sensory thresholds. During experiments, sampled psychometric functions are usually assumed to be stationary. However, perception can be altered, for example by loss of attention to the presentation of stimuli, leading to biased data which results in poor threshold estimates. The few existing approaches attempting to identify non-stationarities either detect only whether there was a change in perception, or are not suitable for experiments with a relatively small number of trials (e.g., < 300). We present a method to detect inattention periods on a trial-by-trial basis to improve threshold estimates in psychophysical experiments using the adaptive sampling procedure Parameter Estimation by Sequential Testing (PEST). The performance of the algorithm was evaluated in computer simulations modeling inattention, and tested in a behavioral experiment on proprioceptive difference threshold assessment in 20 stroke patients, a population where attention deficits are likely to be present. Simulations showed that estimation errors could be reduced by up to 77% for inattentive subjects, even in sequences with less than 100 trials. In the behavioral data, inattention was detected in 14% of assessments, and applying the proposed algorithm resulted in reduced test-retest variability in 73% of these corrected assessments pairs. The algorithm complements existing approaches and can be adapted to sampling procedures other than PEST. Besides being applicable post-hoc, it could also be used online to prevent collection of biased data. This could have important implications in assessment practice by shortening experiments and improving estimates.


This work aims to develop a physically based numerical model to predict the microstructure evolution and residual yield strength of high Cu/Mg ratio Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys after thermal exposure. Based on the established interfacial energy model and the classical nucleation and growth theories, a thermodynamically based precipitation model had been established to describe competitive precipitation of two phases, being of different stability, in under-aged and the subsequent thermally exposed Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys. And the strengthening model based on Orowan mechanism was deduced to predict the residual yield strength after thermal exposure. The microstructural evolution and yield strength predictions of the model in this work are generally in good agreement with the experimental result.


The interaction between fiscal and monetary policies evolves over time and differs from country to country. In this study, we first present the case of Turkey. During the 1990s, the country's fiscal deficits and public debt ballooned. Monetary policy was severely constrained by the resulting high-risk outlook for the economy, combined with the underdevelopment of domestic financial markets. In the 2000s, however, a significant fiscal consolidation has allowed fiscal policymakers to move from a procyclical to a countercyclical stance, increasing the effectiveness of monetary policy. In the second part of the paper, we discuss the implications of globalisation for the interaction between fiscal and monetary policy. One possible channel comes from the interplay of the inflation rates, policy rates and real exchange rates between emerging and advanced countries. Structural factors such as differences in consumer baskets and quality measurement error, or convergence processes might lead to higher inflation rates and currency appreciation in emerging countries. It might be desirable to smooth this appreciation and contain excessive exchange rate volatility. In this regard, monetary policy in emerging countries might be constrained by inflation differentials and the low level of policy rates in developed countries. In this case, a possible policy option would be to use fiscal consolidation, a strategy that has been observed in emerging countries over the past decade.Full publication: Fiscal Policy, Public Debt and Monetary Policy in Emerging Market Economies


The species of Stenothemus Bourgeois, 1907 from Southwest China are reviewed. Three species are transferred to this genus, S. davidi (Pic, 1926) comb. nov. (from Malthacus Kirby, 1837), S. minutissimus (Pic, 1933) comb. nov. (from Micropodabrus Pic, 1920) and S. singularicollis (Pic, 1933) comb. nov. (from Lycocerus Gorham, 1895). Two new synonyms are suggested, S. dinshuiensis Švihla, 2011 syn. nov. is synonymized with S. davidi and S. melleus Švihla, 2005 syn. nov. with S. singularicollis. Stenothemus shaanxiensis Švihla, 2004 stat. nov. is raised to species level from a subspecies of S. benesi Švihla, 2004. Five new species are described, S. gracilis Y. Yang & X. Yang sp. nov., S. chongqingensis Y. Yang & H. Liu sp. nov., S. flavicollis Y. Yang & S. Ge sp. nov., S. jindraimimus Y. Yang & X. Yang sp. nov. and S. laticornis Y. Yang & H. Liu sp. nov., which are illustrated with photographs of habitus, aedeagi, abdominal sternites VIII and internal genitalia of the female. Characters of the female reproductive system are described for the first time for the following species: S. diffusus Wittmer, 1974, S. dundai Švihla, 2004, S. grahami Wittmer, 1974, S. jindrai Švihla, 2004, S. tryznai Švihla, 2004 and S. singularicollis. Some additional distribution information is added for previously known species. A key for the identification of all studied species is provided.


A COUPLE of months ago, lawyers launched a remarkable human rights case against the British government. One of the plaintiffs is a six-year-old girl, loved by her parents, healthy and normal in all respects. There's just one problem: Emma (not her real name) may never be allowed to know the name of her genetic father. Not because no one knows who he is, but because 12 years ago the British government decided it should be a closely guarded secret


Political events tend to have an impact on human geographical mobility. Using the Mexican Migration Project (MMP) and the Latin American Migration Project (LAMP) datasets, this study looks at whether there is an association between electoral cycles and emigration and return migration flows in 6 Latin American countries: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru and Guatemala.  Results showed that there is a statistical association between election years and emigration and return migration flows, but that the electoral cycles of the Nicaraguan, Peruvian, and Mexican flows are the only ones with the expected pattern.  The political business cycle modified the effects of the electoral years on return migration in all the studied countries, except in Nicaragua.  Fewer changes were observed in first emigration flows, when the models controlled for economic performance indicators. The article showed that first emigration and return migration are associated with the timing of elections in several Latin American countries.  However, the direction of this association is not uniform across the studied countries. Gilbert BRENES-CAMACHO, PhD Assistant Professor, School of Statistics; Researcher in Demography, Centro Centroamericano de Poblacion (CCP), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de  Oca, San Jose 2060, Costa Rica. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com , email@example.com .


In 2002, the Ministry of Education in New Zealand released Pathways to the Future: Nga Huarahi Arataki. This 10year strategic plan for early childhood education was the culmination of years of advocacy, research and consultation within the early childhood sector. A key component of the plan is a staged requirement for teachers in early childhood centres to have a Diploma of Teaching ECE or equivalent qualification. The study analyses the impact on the Montessori early childhood sector of the requirement that teachers in a centre be qualified with a Diploma or equivalent. This thesis draws on the results of a qualitative study involving interviews with key policy informants and focus groups of teachers and the story that emerges describes the complexities, frustrations and positive outcomes for centres and their teachers. The story points to a need for support, intervention and creative strategies to ensure no part of the early childhood sector is left behind, and diversity within early childhood education in New Zealand is maintained. The final outcome of the study raises the dilemma faced by the Montessori community; how can the approach accommodate the current ideas of early childhood education brought to centres through the policy requirement and remain identifiably Montessori?


Purpose: Based on two instances of qualitative research, this paper aims to develop some considerations on the meanings given by women to the term "reparation" after female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). The various aspects involved and the importance of integrating a comprehensive approach in medicine are all explored.

Methods: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with a group of 8 immigrant women of sub-Saharan origin living in Switzerland with Type III FGM/C (infibulation) and 32 first and second generation immigrant women living in France with Type II FGM/C (excision) who have undergone or asked for clitoral reconstruction. In total 40 women were questioned on the meaning they give to the term "reparation" within their health and sexual life.

Results: While the group of women with infibulation and the group of women with excision differed in their sociodemographic characteristics and the context of FGM/C, both groups affirmed their desire to improve, or at least change, their condition. Reparative approaches were then evoked by women who would "repair" something "lost" or "stolen"; the word" reparation" acquires a wide range of meanings and dimensions which are not only physical, but also psychosexual, social and moral.

Conclusion: Specific healthcare services in term of reparative approach allow for the development of a discussion with women with FGM/C. Medicine is called upon to engage in a dialogue with the patients and their narratives. Reparative approaches may be able to offer more comprehensive healthcare and take an ethical stand when an element of injustice is present.


To determine the selectivity of gill nets with 22, 23, 25 and 28 mm nominal mesh size (bar length) for bluefish (Pomatamus saltatrix, L. 1766), the study was conducted at three different stations between 20 and 30 m water depths at Canakkale Strait, Turkey, between February 2007 and April 2012. Gill net with 22, 23, 25 and 28 mm mesh size (bar length) each having same twine thickness (210 denier / 3) and 100 mesh depth vertically were rigged for this purpose. The fish samples were obtained by drive-in fishery method during winter season. The SELECT method was used in determining selectivity parameters. By comparing the deviances of five different models of SELECT method, lognormal model gave the best fit. The modal lengths of the gill nets with 22, 23, 25, and 28 mm mesh size were estimated 22.24, 23.25, 25.27 and 28.30 cm, respectively. The results of the trials indicated that minimum gill net mesh size for this fish should use larger than 25 mm


This study was carried to investigate the molecular taxonomy of associated microbes from sea slug Kalinga ornata and its bioactivity form Indian coastal waters. In this study, totally 27 associated microbes isolated from sea slug K. ornate. Morphologically 5 different isolates were selected for sequencing and submitted to NCBI. Further these 5 sequences were analysed for the phylogenetic relationship and percentage of the nucleotide contents with few isolates sequences extracted via FASTA format from NCBI. The sequenced isolate was assigned to Psychrobactetr celer. Bacillus flexus, Acinetobacter radioresistens. The isolated associated bacteria displayed hopeful antimicrobial properties. These results depict that not only the sea slug exhibits biologically active metabolites but also its associated microbes show potent antimicrobial activity against tested pathogens. The haemolytic activities of associated microbes were tested against chicken, goat and cow erythrocytes. The result proved that the sea slug associated microbes are rich in producing the metabolites and it possesses cytotoxic activity. The current study shows that bacterial isolates from K. ornata possess bioactive properties. All the tested isolates were potential inhibition against human bacterial pathogens. Thus, this investigation highlights the importance of bacteria associated with the K. ornata as a valuable resource for the discovery of novel bioactive molecules.


: The clinical features of 10 children, in whom the diagnosis of a cardiac tumor has been made, are reviewed. There were nonspecific systolic murmurs in 9 patients, depression of the S-T segment in the ECG of 7 children, and premature extrasystoles or supraventricular tachycardia in 4 children. X-ray always showed mild to moderate enlargement of the heart, but an abnormal contour could be detected only in 2 of the patients. While findings of cardiac catheterization were unspecific, the diagnosis could be made angiographically in 8 cases. Invasive studies, however, are now only indicated, if a proper diagnosis cannot be made by means of echocardiography. The diagnosis should be suspected in children with a nonspecific murmur, cardiomegaly and ECG-changes. Usually the diagnosis of a cardiac tumor is an indication for operation.


We present medium-resolution K-band long-slit spectroscopy of 29 true, likely, possible, and candidate Galactic Plane planetary nebulae (PNe) from the UWISH2 survey, many of which have only been recently discovered. These objects are bright in molecular hydrogen (H2) emission, and many have bipolar morphologies. Through the detection of the Brγ emission line, which traces ionized hydrogen, we find that the majority of the candidate PNe are indeed likely to be PNe, while 2 of the targets are more likely young stellar objects (YSOs) or pre-planetary nebulae (pPNe). We detect Brγ in 13 objects which have no detection in IPHAS or SHS Hα surveys. This implies that they are potential members of the little-known optically obscured PN population, hidden from wide-field optical surveys. We use the spatial extent of the H2 1-0 S(1) and Brγ lines to estimate the evolutionary stage of our targets, and find that W-BPNe (bipolar PNe with pinched waist morphologies) are likely to be younger objects, while R-BPNe (bipolar PNe with large ring structures) are more evolved. We use line ratios to trace the excitation mechanism of the H2, and find the 1-0 S(1) / 2-1 S(1) and 1-0 S(1) / Brγ ratios are higher for R-BPNe, implying the H2 is thermally excited. However, in W-BPNe, these ratios are lower, and so UV-fluorescence may be contributing to the excitation of H2.


The effects of sucrose and oil preloads were explicitly compared in a single-blind controlled trial using a between-subjects design. Eighty adult subjects (forty-three male, thirty-seven female) aged 18–50 years received at 11.00 hours one of four yoghurt preloads. All were 80 g low-fat, unsweetened yoghurt (188 kJ), containing additionally (1) saccharin (control, 23 kJ), or (2) 40 g sucrose (859 kJ), (3) 40 g maize oil (1569 kJ), (4) 20 g sucrose, 20 g maize oil (1213 kJ). Subjects were normal eaters and of normal weight (male mean weight: 68·8 (sd 3·2) kg, BMI 21·8 (sd 1·6) kg/m2; female mean weight: 53·7 (sd 5·1) kg, BMI 20·4 (sd 1·2) kg/m2). Food intake was measured with a food diary and mood with ten single Likert scales. ANOVA was conducted using preload type (saccharin, sucrose, oil, sucrose + oil), sex (male, female) and early v. late breakfast times as factors. Mood was analysed using the same design, with time of rating (immediate, 60 min, 120 min) as an additional factor. Men ate more after the saccharin preload than after the other preloads, but did not vary the time of their next solid food. Women increased the intermeal interval only after the oil preload, which also had the highest energy content value, but did not vary the energy content of their next solid food. The saccharin preload decreased rated tiredness at 2 h compared with the sucrose preload, possibly due to its lower energy content. The preloads containing sucrose or sucrose + oil increased calmness between 1 and 2 h afterwards, compared with the saccharin preload. It is concluded that both sucrose and oil increase the intermeal interval in men, but that women are less sensitive to preloading. The mood effects suggest that tiredness after carbohydrate at 2 h may in part be a decrease in rated energy compared with the increased rated energy found after a preload with low energy content. Carbohydrate may genuinely increase calmness. These effects apply to non-restrained eaters of normal weight.


academic) The Virginia Runoff Reduction Method (RRM) was adopted in 2014 as a compliance tool for evaluation of stormwater volume and quality, and necessitates use of urban stormwater best management practices (BMPs) to meet regulatory standards. Coastal Virginia is characterized by flat terrain, shallow water tables, and low permeable soils that may limit the application of BMPs as recommended by state regulations. Soil morphological features are often used to estimate the seasonal high water table (SHWT) for initial feasibility, but existing soil data misrepresented expected SHWT depths in the Virginia Beach, VA, study area. A GIS-based methodology relying on perennial surface water elevations and USGS groundwater monitoring data was developed to estimate the SHWT depth in Virginia Beach. The SHWT map was shown to be consistently more reliable than available predictions based on soil morphology, and was used as input to a BMP siting tool. The tool, known as BMP Checker, was developed to explore how flat terrain, shallow water tables, and poor soils influence BMP siting in coastal Virginia. The BMP Checker algorithm was validated on 11 Virginia Beach sites before application on 10,000 ft (929 m) area sections across the city. Citywide application showed that the most widely applicable BMPs in the study area include wet ponds that intercept groundwater and constructed wetlands. Conversely, sheet flow to conservation area and infiltration practices are the least applicable. Because the RRM assigns more credit to infiltration-based practices, sites in Virginia Beach may find it difficult to meet regulatory standards. Applicability of Stormwater Best Management Practices in the Virginia Coastal Plain Rachael Diane Johnson


Growth in Islamic banking has gained lot of interest and attention during last fewyears. The debate currently shifts from theoretical to empirical framework. Thegrowth in empirical work has given rise to a new concept, which can be called as"Islamic banking development" (IBD). It will be interesting to test nexus betweenIBD and growth, since literature suggests a positive result for conventionalfinance and growth. Our study uses a panel of 24 countries for a period of 11years using annual data (2004-2014) to test conventional hypothesis of supplyleading or demand following between IBD and growth. In addition, we alsoinvestigate direction of causality in a panel setting between the two. Apart fromthe topic, this paper differs from existing limited literature, on the basis of datasetused and the estimation procedure to assess the nexus. Our results suggest thatIBD affect growth positively. Comprehensive tests suggest the presence of a longrun relationship between IBD and growth. Moreover, the direction of causalityseems to follow supply leading hypothesis: IBD affects economic growth, and thatevidence on a reverse causality was not found. This is true, even when we controlfor CFD.


These thirty-three essays, many of them previously unpublished, illustrate the broad range of Warren Nutter's thought. There are essays on the Soviet economy and international relations as well as essays exploring the economic institutions that support a society of free people. One finds in these essays a man of intellect and judgment ever ready to look at the evidence and ever willing to admit imperfections of even the best human institutions. He defends capitalism not because it is perfect but because for this imperfect world it is superior to the attainable alternatives.


This study focuses on the impact of branding on Gen Y's choice of clothing as it is hypothesised that they are brand conscious. This research looks specifically at college students aged between 18-24 years old located in the Klang Valley. This study aims to determine if this group of Gen Y are brand conscious in their choice of clothing. Survey questionnaires were developed to obtain quantitative data from one hundred respondents for statistical analysis and personal interviews were conducted on eight interviewees for qualitative implications. The findings suggest that Gen Y are brand conscious as the right choice of clothing helps them create an image and identity for themselves. Peer influence plays a crucial role in their choice of brands as it aids in their socialisation process. In addition, advertising is an important variable in conferring brand values and establishing an image for the brand. Celebrity endorsements have a huge impact on branded clothing too as they promote certain attributes like image, quality and status. The results of this study are, however, limited as it was conducted within a single segment. In addition, the research does not follow the individuals over time to see how brand choices change. The researcher recommends that to retain Gen Y's loyalty, brand managers need to build an emotional attachment to make the brand special and bring lasting competitive advantage. Additionally, advertising should be used to not only create awareness but influence brand image and preference. A buzz should be created through celebrity endorsement to reach out to this segment. Gen Y establishes their brand preferences between the ages of 15 and 25 and therefore targeting this consumer group is rewarding because with careful promotions marketers can create a pool of brand loyal customers for the future. However, young people do not like being manipulated by marketers, have short attention spans and are media-savvy in choosing what messages they wish to receive. Therefore, marketers of branded clothing need to act ethically as brands should hold up a window, not a mirror, and let youth understand the brand and decide for themselves.


Objective: To identify predictors of medication-placebo differences in double-blind placebo-controlled antidepressant trials in children and adolescents with anxiety and depression. Methods: Clinical trials in patients <18 years of age with major depressive disorder or generalized, separation or social anxiety disorders were obtained from PubMed, the Cochrane Database and clinicaltrials.gov searches from inception through 2019. Forty-nine trials (43 published and 6 unpublished) of anxiety (κ = 13) and depression (κ = 36) evaluated 19 antidepressants in 8642 child and adolescent patients; placebo and medication response rates, trial characteristics, disorder, medication class, and funding source were extracted. Antidepressant-placebo differences were examined using Bayesian hierarchical models and estimates of response were determined for trial design, disorder, and medication class variables. Using meta-regression, correlates of antidepressant-placebo difference and placebo response were examined. Results: Funding source differentiated medication-placebo differences regardless of disorder. Industry trials had larger placebo response rates (mean difference: 0.189 ± 0.066, credible interval [CrI]: 0.067 to 0.33, p = 0.0008) and smaller medication-placebo differences (-0.235 ± 0.078, CrI: -0.397 to -0.086, p = 0.005) compared with federally funded trials. However, medication response was similar for industry- and federally-funded studies (-0.046 ± 0.042, CrI: -0.130 to 0.038, p = 0.252). Conclusions: The impact of study sponsorship on trial outcome supports the assertion that industry-funded trials with high placebo response rates and small drug-placebo differences are "failed trials" and should not be described as "negative trials" or used to determine public health estimates of antidepressant efficacy in children and adolescents with anxiety and depression. Identifying the proper role and value of industry-funded trials is critical to establishing the evidence base for antidepressants in youth.


Traditional cryptography techniques require our data to be unencrypted and to be processed correctly. This means that at some stage on a system we have no control over, our data will be processed in plain text. Solutions that allow the computation of arbitrary operations over data securely in the cloud are currently impractical. The holy grail of cryptography, fully homomorphic encryption, still requires minutes to compute a single operation. To provide a practical solution, this chapter proposes taking a different approach to the problem of securely processing data. This is achieved by each cloud service receiving an encoded part of the data, which is not enough to decode the plain-text value. The security strength is shifted from a computation problem to the sheer number possible options. Given the greater threat to data stored in the cloud is from insiders, this is the primary attack vector the presented schemes Bin Encoding and FRagmenting Individual Bits (FRIBs) aim to protect against.


The thermal response of white fibrous atheromatous plaque to argon laser irradiation was compared with the thermal response of yellow fatty plaque and normal aortic wall to the same type of radiation. Samples of normal aorta, fibrous, and fatty plaque were irradiated in air with 3.5 Watts of laser power on a 2 mm spot for 5 and 10 seconds. Heterogeneous foci, each covering normal aorta and either fibrous or fatty plaque, were additionally irradiated with 7 Watts on a 1 cm spot for 30 seconds to 2.5 minutes. Tissue surface temperature was monitored during laser irradiation via a 3‐5 μm infrared camera. For the 2 mm spot and 5 second exposure time, argon laser irradiation of normal aorta produced popping and surface tearing at a peak temperature of 145 ± 10°C. Irradiation of fatty plaque produced popping and crater formation at a peak temperature of 200 ± 10°C. However, fibrous plaque was nonablatively discolored by the same dose of laser radiation with a peak temperature of only 85 ± 10°C. Irradiation for 10 seconds caused crater formation and carbonization in the fatty plaque but failed to produce ablation in the fibrous plaque. Irradiation of the heterogeneous foci confirmed the disparity in the temperature attained by these two types of plaque and their degree of damage. Therefore, this study suggests that the ablation threshold for soft atheroma is strongly dependent on the optical properties of the particular type of tissue. Yellow fatty plaque preferentially absorbs argon laser radiation, but white fibrous plaque absorbs this radiation less readily than normal aortic wall.


Following the 2008 financial crisis, Congress required residential mortgage lenders to make a reasonable determination of borrowers' ability to repay before extending credit. Most regard this ability-to-repay rule as a consumer protection provision. But what is less well appreciated is the rule's importance in protecting financial stability.

We respond to a landmark 2015 critique in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review arguing that the rule will fail to limit bubbles because mortgage lenders will ignore it when home prices are rapidly appreciating by underestimating their liability exposure. On the contrary, we argue that the ability-to-repay rule acts as a circuit breaker that helps prevent poorly underwritten loans from fueling a future bubble in housing prices, with the risk of financial collapse.

Without that rule, loan-to-value limits are not enough to curb property bubbles. While loan-to-value limits are important to constraining risk, the denominator — the value — will be artificially elevated during a bubble, and will only fall after the bust is in process, failing to provide information at origination of the elevated default risk, and giving false confidence that mortgage risk is contained. Moreover, we know from the crisis that it is the inability to repay that makes foreclosure and the resulting further depression of housing prices inevitable. The ability-to-repay rule is a collective action solution to this source of systemic risk and a vital mainstay of financial stability.


With the widespread clinical use of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), biopsy of the prostate has become one of the most commonly performed urological procedures. In general it is well tolerated, although there is some morbidity and risk of infection. In recent years, there have been increasing concerns that prostate biopsy may lead to tumour seeding along the needle tract. The aim of the present paper was to review the evidence on the prevalence of tumour seeding after prostate biopsy and to define the risk of this event in the context of current clinical practice. A PubMed literature search was conducted in January 2014 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) statement. Literature was examined with emphasis on the incidence of seeding, clinical presentation and on risk factors including type of needle used, transrectal vs transperineal approach, as well as tumour grade and stage. In all, 26 publications were identified reporting needle‐tract seeding after prostate biopsy. In all, 42 patients with needle‐tract seeding were identified. In most cases, seeding was reported after transperineal biopsy of the prostate, while nine cases occurred after transrectal biopsy. Based on the reviewed series the incidence of seeding appears to be <1%. The increase in the number of biopsies and cores taken at each biopsy over the years has not resulted in an increase in the reported cases of seeding. In conclusion, seeding along the needle track is a rare complication after prostate biopsy. Its actual incidence is presently difficult to quantify. It is reasonable to advise appropriate counselling and take measures to reduce this event where possible; however, we do not advocate avoidance of biopsies as the benefits of appropriate cancer diagnosis and management outweigh any potential risks from seeding.


This retrospective study was performed to determine if the chest radiograph could serve as a predictor for acute lung rejection in heart-lung transplantation patients. The findings on chest radiographs were correlated with the results of transbronchial biopsies in 16 heart-lung transplantation patients. The chest radiographs immediately preceding 83 biopsies were evaluated for a variety of findings. The histopathologic results of the lung biopsies were divided into five categories: (1) acute lung rejection (n = 25); (2) suggestive, but not diagnostic, of acute lung rejection (n = 8); (3) nonspecific (n = 26); (4) infection (n = 17); and (5) normal lung (n = 9). Biopsies from two patients showed both acute lung rejection and cytomegalovirus infection and were included in both categories. These histopathologic results were then correlated with the radiologic observations. We found that the combination of septal lines and new or increasing pleural effusions, without concomitant increase in cardiac size or vascular pedicle width, or evidence of vascular redistribution, indicated acute lung rejection with a sensitivity of 68% (17/25), specificity of 90% (52/58), and overall accuracy of 83% (69/83). We conclude that the chest radiograph is a useful indicator of acute lung rejection.


Prostate cancer and its treatment have long-term implications for men's lives. We aimed to describe the content, extent, and frequency of written comments to the open-ended question, "Further comments?" in the patient-reported outcome measures questionnaire. During the study period, 897 men participated; 372 wrote 747 free-text comments in the questionnaire. These comments were analysed using qualitative content analysis and were grouped into four categories: 1) prostate cancer's influence on health; 2) clarifications of answers to the survey; 3) descriptions of well-being despite the cancer; and 4) experiences of care and the need for contact with health care. The distribution of the comments shifted over time. The open-ended question not only allowed the participants to explain their other responses and describe important aspects of their lives during and after treatment, something not normally covered by a questionnaire, but it also indicated their experiences of health care services along the patients' PC-trajectory. This further raises the issue of including an open-ended item in a forced-choice survey into the ethical realm to ensure that proper care is taken of participants' answers and thoughts.


Social media have transformed social interactions and now look set to transform workplace communications. In this exploratory study, we investigate how employees use and get value from a variety of social networking technologies. The context of this research is 4 software firms located in China. Notwithstanding differences in corporate attitudes toward social networking, we identify common themes in the way Web 2.0 technologies are leveraged as value is created by employees at all levels. We draw on the communication ecology framework to analyze the application of various technologies. We inductively develop 5 propositions that describe how social networking technologies contribute directly to horizontal and vertical communication in organizations, and ultimately to individual, team, and organizational performance. Implications for research and practice are discussed.


Abstract Variegated patterns on the caudal fin are a common and popular trait in guppy strains commercially cultured in Singapore. Gene control of this highly variable mosaic pattern of black spots and patches of different shapes and sizes on a brightly colored tail fin was elucidated by reciprocal crosses between the Green Variegated (GV) strain and wild-type (WT) stock. F1 progenies were produced by single-pair crossing between GV and WT, while the F2 generation was obtained from full-sib mating between F1 males and F1 females. Data for the F1 and F2 generations were segregated according to phenotypes and sex, and tested by chi-square analyses. Inheritance of variegated tail patterns appears to be determined by a single locus on the X- and Y-chromosomes. Genotypes of males and females of the GV strain are proposed to be X VarYVar and XVarXVar, respectively. The allele for variegated tail patterning, Var, is dominant over that of the wild-type, Var+, which does not exhibit these patterns. Recombination frequency between the Var locus and sex-determining region (SdR) in male guppies was estimated to be about 1.9% (map distance ≈1.9 map units). The segregation and mode of inheritance of the Var gene are illustrated by genetic models.


Previous research in regional energy efficiency by using macro statistical data has demonstrated that technology development could improve regional energy efficiency. Since the start of reform and opening up in 1978, China has mainly adopted energy import and foreign direct investment to promote economic growth. At the same time, the country has also increased the input of technology and R&D to prompt technological reformation and imported technology absorption. However, there is limited research on the relationship between technology development and energy efficiency. Using the grounded theory method, the authors of this paper study the relationship between technology input-output and energy utilization efficiency in Shanghai over the past 30 years. They conclude that although the tactics of technology import and foreign direct investment can improve energy efficiency in the initial stages of modern industrialization, they cannot improve it continuously. In the more advanced stages of modern industrialization, the improvement of energy efficiency relies not only on increased R&D investment but also on R&D investment structure optimization and independent technological innovation.


In this article, I derive estimates of migrants' expected years of residence in each of 31 countries in the European Union and European Free Trade Association each year from 2002 to 2007. A country-level measure summarizing the temporal dynamics of international migration, I compare my results against the often used compositional measure of the percent foreign born, and show that these two measures reflect different population processes. I likewise demonstrate the utility of the measure derived here as a tool to assess countries' integration policies on long-term residence per their scores in the Migrant Integration Policy Index. Key theoretical and policy implications are discussed.


The goal of this study was to determine the optimal location for ultrasound-guided centesis of the bovine abomasum and to assess the safety of the procedure. In the first part of this study, the technique was applied to 50 clinically healthy cows which were slaughtered within two hours of the procedure. The abomasum and peritoneum were then examined for lesions. In all but one cow, the location for abomasocentesis was 10 to 27 cm caudal to the xiphoid and on the ventral midline or up to 10 cm to the right of it. No peritoneal lesions were observed in any of the cows. In all cases, the site of centesis was visible as a localised haemorrhage on the serosal surface of the abomasum. In 41 of the cows, a haematoma was visible on the mucosal surface of the abomasum. In the second part of the study, 10 cows were monitored clinically for 10 days after abomasocentesis, to assess the safety of the procedure. The appetite, general behaviour, attitude and rectal temperature of the cows remained normal. The haematocrit, total and differential leucocyte counts, and the concentrations of total solids and fibrinogen were determined daily and remained within their normal ranges. At slaughter minimal changes, such as localised reddening and adhesions between the site of the puncture in the abomasum and the abdominal wall, were visible in three of the cows.


This short article discusses some of the legal and market risks in using the bail-in resolution tool, as it is defined and applied in the EU Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive. The BRRD's bail-in tool provides resolution authorities with wide discretion to impose losses on the creditors and shareholders of a distressed bank while it is a going concern. The article argues that the rules governing when and how resolution authorities can use the bail-in tool are vague and provide inadequate guidance for market participants. The bail-in tool represents an ad hoc regulatory measure that undermines market confidence and potentially infringes on fundamental property rights under EU and ECHR jurisprudence.


With this work, Louis A. Perez Jr. seeks to transform the way we view Cuba and its relationship with the United States. "On Becoming Cuban" is a sweeping cultural history of the sustained encounter between the peoples of the two countries and of the ways that this encounter helped shape Cubans' identity, nationality and sense of modernity from the early 1850s until the revolution of 1959. Using a range of Cuban and US sources - from archival records and oral interviews to popular magazines, novels and motion pictures - Perez reveals a powerful web of everyday, bilateral connections between the United States and Cuba and shows how US cultural forms had a critical influence on the development of Cubans' sense of themselves as a people and as a nation. He also articulates the cultural context for the revolution that erupted in Cuba in 1959. In the middle of the 20th century, Perez argues, when economic hard times and political crises combined to make Cubans painfully aware that their American-influenced expectations of prosperity and modernity would not be realized, the stage was set for revolution.