Modern data of literature on microbial associations and their role in human health and diseases are presented. As pointed out in this work, the characteristic feature of the XX century is the emergence and the re-emergence of 36 new infections. The emergence of many infections is associated with such factors as the increased migration of the population, ecological environmental disasters, etc. Grounds for a new view on the etiology of a number of chronic somatic diseases are given. The task of preparation development for the immunoprophylaxis of 25-30 infections has been set by WHO as its target for the year 2025. Prospects of new approaches to the development of new generation vaccines against bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, virus hepatitides, malaria, etc., are shown.


Abstract For the implementation of thin ceramic hard coatings into intensive application environments, the fracture toughness is a particularly important material design parameter. Characterisation of the fracture toughness of small-scale specimens has been a topic of great debate, due to size effects, plasticity, residual stress effects and the influence of ion penetration from the sample fabrication process. In this work, several different small-scale fracture toughness geometries (single-beam cantilever, double-beam cantilever and micro-pillar splitting) were compared, fabricated from a thin physical vapour-deposited ceramic film using a focused ion beam source, and then the effect of the gallium-milled notch on mode I toughness quantification investigated. It was found that notching using a focused gallium source influences small-scale toughness measurements and can lead to an overestimation of the fracture toughness values for chromium nitride (CrN) thin films. The effects of gallium ion irradiation were further studied by performing the first small-scale high-temperature toughness measurements within the scanning electron microscope, with the consequence that annealing at high temperatures allows for diffusion of the gallium to grain boundaries promoting embrittlement in small-scale CrN samples. This work highlights the sensitivity of some materials to gallium ion penetration effects, and the profound effect that it can have on fracture toughness evaluation.


Usually, when testing the null hypothesis that a distribution has one mode against the alternative that it has two, the null hypothesis is interpreted as entailing that the density of the sampling distribution has a unique point of zero slope, which is a local maximum. In this paper we argue that a more appropriate null hypothesis is that the density has two points of zero slope, of which one is a local maximum and the other is a shoulder. We show that when a test for a mode-with-shoulder is properly calibrated, so that it has asymptotically correct level, it is generally conservative when applied to the case of a mode without a shoulder. We suggest methods for calibrating both the bandwidth and dip-excess mass tests in the setting of a mode with a shoulder. We also provide evidence in support of the converse: a test calibrated for a single mode without a shoulder tends to be anticonservative when applied to a mode with a shoulder. The calibration method involves resampling from a template density with exactly one mode and one shoulder. It exploits the following asymptotic factorization property for both the sample and resample forms of the test statistic: all dependence of these quantities on the sampling distribution cancels asymptotically from their ratio. In contrast to other approaches, the method has very good adaptivity properties.


BACKGROUND
Microtubules are dynamic filamentous cytoskeletal structures which play several key roles in cell proliferation and trafficking .They are supposed to contribute in the development of important therapeutic targeting tumor cells. Chalcones are important group of natural compounds abundantly found in fruits & vegetables that are known to possess anticancer activity. Now we have used QSAR and docking studies to understand the structural requirement of chalcones for understanding the mechanism of microtubule polymerization inhibition.

METHODS
Three dimensional (3D) QSAR (CoMFA and CoMSIA), pharmacophore mapping and molecular docking studies were performed for the generation of structure activity relationship of combretastatin-like chalcones through statistical models and contour maps.

RESULTS
Structure activity relationship revealed that substitution of electrostatic, steric and donor groups may enhance the biological activity of compounds as inhibitors of microtubule polymerization. From the docking study, it was clear that compounds bind at the active site of tubulin protein.

CONCLUSION
The given strategies of modelling could be an encouraging way for the designing more potent compounds as well as for the elucidation of protein-ligand interaction.


The purpose of this study was to test various search strategies for locating reports of research in the extant literature. Implications from the findings of this study are generalized into recommendations for how academic librarians can apply their professional skill sets to aid students whether undergraduate, graduate, profession or doctoral to effectively find reports of research. More specifically, the concept of "research hooks" is presented as a way for librarians to help students craft more effective database search strategies. Research hooks are complementary words to leverage database searching and identify reports of research in the literature. This recommended search strategy presents an opportunity for librarians to play an important role and assist students with constructing effective search strategies


Foldback DNA, prepared from mouse and Scilla sibirica main band DNA, and from rye (Secale cereale) total DNA, was characterised by denaturation, renaturation, and electron microscopy. 3H-cRNA of this DNA was hybridised in situ to nuclei and chromosomes of the respective species. There is no universal labelling pattern among the three species. In mouse, highly repetitive foldback DNA is present in the whole chromatin including the satellite DNA-containing regions. In Scilla sibirica, on the contrary, the highly repetitive foldback sequences are excluded form the satellite DNA loci and are arranged in clusters in the remaining chromatin. In rye, there is a clear preferential labelling of the chromocenters in the interphase nuclei as well as metaphase chromosomes, indicating that highly repetitive foldback DNA is preferentially located among other highly repetitive sequences.


Of 371 consecutive patients who underwent midtrimester diagnostic amniocentesis, 8 subsequently aborted spontaneously (2.2%), and 1 had a stillbirth at 24 weeks of gestation (0.17%). In 3 of the 9 patients who suffered fetal loss, infection appears to have played a significant role. Whereas midtrimester diagnostic amniocentesis is widely considered to be a safe and accurate procedure, the possibility of hazard to the patient and her fetus remains and should be considered during the preliminary counseling session.


Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War. By T. J. Stiles (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2003. Pp. xii, 510. Prologue, acknowledgments, illustrations, maps, notes, bibliography, index. $27.50.) On Sunday, April 6, 2003, a statue commemorating President Abraham Lincoln's only visit to a foreign country's capital city-Richmond, Virginia, Confederate States of America-was dedicated with the usual speeches and ceremony. The statue tastefully depicts the sixteenth president of the United States sitting on a bench with his son Tad, who had accompanied him on his visit 148 years before. Behind the pair is a stone wall emblazoned with the words: "To bind up the nations wounds," words derived from Lincoln's moving second inaugural speech. But here, nearly a century and a half after what some have characterized as the War for the Domination of White America, it was evident the nation's wounds had not yet been bound tightly enough. Sons of Confederate Veterans gathered at the nearby grave of Confederate president Jefferson Davis to denounce the Lincoln statue as an insult to the honor and memory of southern secession and independence. Two dozen more rabid protesters, some dressed in Rebel gray and carrying the thirteen-starred St. Andrews cross battle flag of yore, chanted and whistled in derision at this modern-day Yankee invasion. Overhead, a small airplane circled, towing a banner adorned with the words "sic semper tyrannis" (thus always to tyrants), the state motto of Virginia. These were the words presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth allegedly yelled as he executed Lincoln with the only shot that had to be fired in this bloodiest of American wars-four years too late to really matter to the over 600,000 dead, North and South. No doubt, most Americans in 2003 read this news story with amazement. If so, they ought to peruse T. J. Stiles' expertly-crafted tale of Jesse James as the last Rebel and how he carried on the Civil War in the state of Missouri from 1865 to the ultimate Confederate political victory in the centennial year of 1876. Indeed, his own assassination in 1882 by Robert Ford (better known as the "dirty little coward who shot Mr. Howard [Jesse's alias], and laid poor Jesse in his grave") served to revive "those halcyon days of yesteryear" as no other event could. But rather than tell the time-worn story of Jesse as Border Ruffian, Stiles wisely describes how Jesse, through his own and admirers' efforts in a sympathetic and formidable press, became more than the Robin Hood of the Confederacy, or what is called nowadays a social bandit. Jesse cleverly tailored his vicious robberies and murders into apparent defeats of exploiting Radical Republican politicians, tax collectors, bankers, and railroad barons (actually he robbed express companies which used railroads), who had set out to rape the Prostrate South under the guise of a beneficial Reconstruction of the Union. He was the Rebel hero against the Carpetbaggers, with all of the rampant stereotypes writ large. The result of Stiles' approach is that Jesse often seems to get lost among lengthy descriptions of national and regional history. But not to worry. Stiles soon ties it all together in a neat package that demonstrates how Jesse's actions in a Missouri state history not widely known have great significance to the Reconstruction era and the nation as a whole. Only sixteen when he joined William T. "Bloody Bill" Anderson's "black flag" guerrillas, Jesse went through what modern psychologists call a process of violentization. …


Tourism, airline, hotel are industries those can be affected much by environment and social risks. Vietnam hotel, entertainment, airline & tourism industries are growing fast and contributing much to the economic development and have been affected by inflation. This paper measures the volatility of market risk in Viet Nam Hotel, entertainment, airline & tourism industries after this low inflation environment (2015-2017). The main reason is the necessary role of these financial companies and their system in Vietnam in the economic development and growth in recent years always go with risk potential and risk control policies. This research paper aims to figure out how much increase or decrease in the market risk of Vietnam Hotel, entertainment, airline & tourism firms during the post-low inflation environment 2015-2017. First, by using quantitative combined with comparative data analysis method, we find out the risk level measured by equity beta mean values in the Hotel, entertainment, airline & tourism industries are acceptable, as they are lower than (<) 1. Then, one of its major findings is the comparison between risk level of hotel industry during the post-low inflation period 2015-2017 compared to those in the airline & tourism industries. In fact, the research findings show us market risk level of entertainment industry, one kind of financial risks, is the highest among 3 groups. Whereas risk fluctuation in airline & tourism industry is the highest. Finally, this paper provides some ideas that could provide companies and government more evidence in establishing their policies in governance. This is the complex task but the research results shows us warning that the market risk need to be controlled better during the post-low inflation period 2015-2017. And our conclusion part will recommend some policies and plans to deal with it.


This correspondence addresses compensation for nonlinearity in Hammerstein nonlinear systems. Specifically, we propose two predistortion methods that are based on coherence function criteria. The proposed methods carry out linearization without knowing the linear block in the Hammerstein system. This is particularly desirable for nonlinear acoustic echo cancellation applications, where dealing with the linear block can be computational cumbersome due to the long room acoustic impulse response.


Visually-guided arm reaching movements are produced by distributed neural networks within parietal and frontal regions of the cerebral cortex. Experimental data indicate that (1) single neurons in these regions are broadly tuned to parameters of movement; (2) appropriate commands are elaborated by populations of neurons; (3) the coordinated action of neurons can be visualized using a neuronal population vector (NPV). However, the NPV provides only a rough estimate of movement parameters (direction, velocity) and may even fail to reflect the parameters of movement when arm posture is changed. We designed a model of the cortical motor command to investigate the relation between the desired direction of the movement, the actual direction of movement and the direction of the NPV in motor cortex. The model is a two-layer self-organizing neural network which combines broadly-tuned (muscular) proprioceptive and (cartesian) visual information to calculate (angular) motor commands for the initial part of the movement of a two-link arm. The network was trained by motor babbling in 5 positions. Simulations showed that (1) the network produced appropriate movement direction over a large part of the workspace; (2) small deviations of the actual trajectory from the desired trajectory existed at the extremities of the workspace; (3) these deviations were accompanied by large deviations of the NPV from both trajectories. These results suggest the NPV does not give a faithful image of cortical processing during arm reaching movements.


Brilacidin, a mimetic of host defense peptides (HDPs), is currently in Phase 2 clinical trial as an antibiotic drug candidate. A recent study reported that brilacidin has antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) by inactivating the virus. In this study, we discovered an additional mechanism of action of brilacidin by targeting heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) on the host cell surface. Brilacidin, but not acetyl brilacidin, inhibits the entry of SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus into multiple cell lines, and heparin, an HSPG mimetic, abolishes the inhibitory activity of brilacidin on SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus cell entry. In addition, we found that brilacidin has broad‐spectrum antiviral activity against multiple human coronaviruses (HCoVs) including HCoV‐229E, HCoV‐OC43, and HCoV‐NL63. Mechanistic studies revealed that brilacidin has a dual antiviral mechanism of action including virucidal activity and binding to coronavirus attachment factor HSPGs on the host cell surface. Brilacidin partially loses its antiviral activity when heparin was included in the cell cultures, supporting the host‐targeting mechanism. Drug combination therapy showed that brilacidin has a strong synergistic effect with remdesivir against HCoV‐OC43 in cell culture. Taken together, this study provides appealing findings for the translational potential of brilacidin as a broad‐spectrum antiviral for coronaviruses including SARS‐CoV‐2.


The cereal crops are essential components to the human and animal food supply. Solutions to many of the problems challenging cereal production will require identifi cation of genes responsible for particular traits. Unfortunately, the process of identifying gene function is very slow and complex in crop plants. In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), this process is made very diffi cult by the very large size and complexity of their genomes and the diffi culty with which these crops can be genetically transformed. Addition- ally, the polyploidy of wheat greatly complicates any approach based on mutational analysis because functional, homeologous genes often mask genetic mutations. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is an important new tool that overcomes many of these obstacles and prom- ises to greatly facilitate the assessment of gene function. A VIGS system based on barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) has recently been devel- oped for use in wheat and barley. The BSMV- VIGS system allows researchers to switch-off or "knockdown" the expression of chosen genes so that the gene's function may be inferred based on the knockout phenotypes. This article describes the characteristics of the BSMV-VIGS system, relates examples of its application for functional genomics in wheat and barley, and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of this approach.


Detailed analysis of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate liver fibrosis has provided a framework for therapeutic approaches to prevent, slow down, or even reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis. A pivotal event in the development of liver fibrosis is the activation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to scar-forming myofibroblast-like cells. Consequently, HSCs and the factors that regulate HSC activation, proliferation, and function represent important antifibrotic targets. Drugs currently licensed in the US and Europe for other indications target HSC-related components of the fibrotic cascade. Their deployment in the near future looks likely. Ultimately, treatment strategies for liver fibrosis may vary on an individual basis according to etiology, risk of fibrosis progression, and the prevailing pathogenic milieu, meaning that a multiagent approach could be required. The field continues to develop rapidly and starts to identify exciting potential targets in proof-of-concept preclinical studies. Despite this, no antifibrotics are currently licensed for use in humans. With epidemiological predictions for the future prevalence of viral, obesity-related, and alcohol-related cirrhosis painting an increasingly gloomy picture, and a shortfall in donors for liver transplantation, the clinical urgency for new therapies is high. There is growing interest from stakeholders keen to exploit the market potential for antifibrotics. However, the design of future trials for agents in the developmental pipeline will depend on strategies that enable equal patient stratification, techniques to reliably monitor changes in fibrosis over time, and the definition of clinically meaningful end points.


This paper addresses interoperability a "super tool" to promote and preserve competition in digital platform markets where network effects are strong. As is widely acknowledged, these markets have an inherent tendency towards concentration, leaving consumers with little competition in the market. Mandated interoperability is a form of regulation that is less intrusive than many other forms and is particularly suited to digital business models and fast changing digital technology. We introduce the concept of "equitable interoperability," which means that not only can an entrant join the platform, but it can join on qualitatively equal terms as others, without being discriminated against by the dominant platform that might have its own competing service. Carefully implemented, equitable interoperability breaks down entry barriers which paves the way for new entrants, which in turn creates competition and consumer choice. Interoperability transforms what might have been competition for the market into competition in the market, which is a more efficient and effective form of competition.


Renewable energy technologies have a large role to play in
combating climate change. Wind power is the most costeffective
technology for producing zero-carbon electricity, and
therefore will become a leading technology to reduce human-made
greenhouse gas emissions.
But there is a danger for the micro-wind turbine industry that
overestimates of potential power yields will disappoint installers,
and damage the technology's reputation in the future.
At present, the NOABL database represents the most suitable
tool for estimating a site's wind speeds but it only provides an
average wind speed reading for a lkm x lkm grid area within the
UK.
A prospective micro-wind turbine installer requires an
estimation of the potential energy generation from mounting a
wind turbine on their site. The wind profile for the site is largely
dependent upon the surrounding terrain, and local obstructions
to wind flow, so that differing sites can generate a wide range of
results. It is therefore very difficult for manufacturers and installers
to estimate the output for all sites.
This paper presents two numerical models for estimating the
potential power yield from a micro-wind turbine, for a particular
site and specific micro-wind turbine. The model requires the user
to take a reading from a database (NOABL) provided by the UK Government for his or her area. The wind speed is then adjusted
by assessing the terrain type and installation height of the turbine.
A wind speed frequency distribution is generated, that can then
be matched to the chosen turbine's power curve, to estimate the
annual power generated. Comparison of the results with actual
power generation and weather data from a micro-wind turbine
trial gives an estimate of the accuracy of the model.
The results have shown that there are limitations to the accuracy
of the micro-wind turbine power yield estimation model. However
it does provide a potential installer with enough information to
assess if a micro-wind turbine is viable. By allowing the model user
to toggle with different turbines and mounting heights, the user can
assess which turbine and mounting height best suits their needs.
The model is of a suitable size so that it could easily be
downloaded, even if further graphics were added. The model could
also be an interactive web page, allowing access to the vast majority
of people for annual power yields estimation for a micro-wind
turbine at their site. There is also no reason that the model couldn't
be extended to incorporate medium and possibly even large-scale
wind turbines although noise and flicker advice would need to be
incorporated.
This paper was initially presented at IEMA's Knowledge
Exchange Event in Oxford, in January 2009.


BACKGROUND
Rhinophyma causes a nasal deformity and functional airway obstruction. Partial excision (eg, tangential) with secondary healing commonly removes hypertrophic soft tissues but does not improve nasal support. The subunit method for rhinophyma uses 6 nasal flaps to provide exposure for removal of rhinophymatous tissue and enhance structure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of subunit method.

METHODS
Medical records of patients with rhinophyma treated with the subunit method between 2013 and 2016 were analyzed. The technique comprises degloving the distal half of the nose by elevating 6 subunit-based flaps; debulking phymatous tissues to perichondrium; enhancing nasal support with sutures/cartilage grafts; trimming excess skin; and redraping the soft tissues. Patient age, gender, need for cartilage grafts or skin grafts, revisions, and follow-up were assessed.

RESULTS
The study comprised 8 patients (6 male). Mean age was 63 years (range 34-72). All individuals had interdomal sutures for tip enhancement and 4 patients underwent cartilage grafts (alar batten) to correct external valve collapse. One patient had 2 subunits (alar) replaced with skin graft. Average follow-up was 1.6 years (range 0.2-3.7). Six patients underwent revisional procedures primarily to modify the scar between the dorsum and tip subunits.

CONCLUSION
The subunit method addresses the 3 fundamental problems of the rhinophymatous nose: hypertrophic sebaceous tissues, excess skin, and destruction of support. Most patients may benefit from a minor revisional procedure to optimize the result. Individuals should be counseled that operation will likely require 2 stages.


The effect of superior cervical sympathetic ganglionectomy on cochlear blood flow (CoBF) was observed in 21 guinea pigs. The CoBF was measured with Laser Doppler Flowmeter. The systemic blood pressure (BP) was simultaneously recorded. The elevation of BP as well as the increase in CoBF following ganglionectomy were not statistically significant; the change in CoBF was somewhat consistent with the variation of BP. The results imply that there is no significant effect of superior cervical sympathetic ganglionectomy on CoBF of guinea pigs.


Physicochemical and biological properties were studied during the forced aeration composting of digested sludge and sawdust under ambient temperature between 9 and 15°C. The temperature above 55°C in the core of composting pile kept for 5d during the whole composting process. Total organic carbon and moisture content obviously declined with the increase of composting time, and the content of NO3--N increased. pH, electrical conductivity, NH4+-N, cellulose and urease activities originally increased and then declined. The germination index was 82.82% on day 35. The research results showed that forced aeration composting of digested sludge and sawdust under low ambient temperature could meet the demand of mature on day 35.


Gorrochategui's book is a revised and updated translation of the Spanish edition (Spanish Ministry of Defence, 2011). It sheds new light on an obscure, but fundamental, episode of the undeclared Anglo-Spanish War (1585-1604) that took place a year after the Spanish Armada. Interestingly, although Queen Elizabeth I was at first intentionally misinformed about this, once she knew the grim reality, she silenced it. The Queen prohibited any publication about the English Armada (also known as the Counter-Armada or Drake-Norris expedition) trying, successfully, to hide the disastrous result suffered by the English in that military campaign on the Iberian mainland. Only a few propaganda pamphlets were published in order to hide the truth, treating real but unfavorable facts as false rumors and instead showing a false aftermath of the campaign favorable to the English. According to the author, these pamphlets – the first by Anthony Wingfield (1) – were taken for reliable sources by British historians.


In past few years controlling and monitoring the machines remotely has seen an interesting field of study among researchers. This paper mainly focuses on reviews in the field of remote monitoring and control, the technology used and their potential advantages. The paper proposes an innovative GSM/Bluetooth based remote controlled embedded system for irrigation. The system sets the irrigation time depending on the temperature and humidity reading from sensors and type of crop and can automatically irrigate the field when unattended. Information is exchanged between far end and designed system via SMS on GSM network. A Bluetooth module is also interfaced with the main microcontroller chip which eliminates the SMS charges when the user is within the limited range of few meters to the designated system. The system informs users about many conditions like status of electricity, dry running motor, increased temperature, water content in soil and smoke via SMS on GSM network or by Bluetooth.


The one-letter code system proposed here is a simple method to accurately describe structurally diverse oligosaccharides derived from heteroxylans. Substitutions or 'molecular decoration(s)' of main-chain d-xylosyl moieties are designated by unique letters. Hence, an oligosaccharide is described by a series of single letters, beginning with the non-reducing d-xylosyl unit. Superscripted numbers are used to indicate the linkage position(s) of main-chain substitution(s) and, where necessary, superscripted lowercase letter(s) indicate the nature of non-glycosidic groups (e.g., methyl, acetyl, or phenolic derivative moieties) that can be present on the substituents. Although relatively simple and practical to use, this abbreviated system lends itself to the naming of a large number of different combinations of structural building blocks and substituents. In its present state, this system is, therefore, adequate to name and differentiate all currently known complex oligosaccharides derived from heteroxylans and is sufficiently flexible to accommodate new structures as they become available.


With the aim of analyzing which complementary tests are relevant in the diagnostic evaluation of individuals with pervasive developmental disorders, a protocol of clinical and laboratory evaluation was applied in 103 outpatients. The protocol included chromosomal analysis, screening for inborn errors of metabolism, cytogenetic and molecular study of the FRAXA, FRAXE, and FRAXF mutations, EEG, SPECT, and magnetic resonance imaging study. Eighty-four subjects concluded the complementary tests and were classified either as having autism, atypical autism or Asperger syndrome according to the DSM-IV criteria. Sixteen individuals, all bellonging to the two autistic groups, presented genetic or enviromental factors that may have lead to the behavioral disorders, showing the importance of diagnostic evaluation in this group of conditions. Neuroimaging and EEG findings were non-specific and occurred in similar proportion among the groups, being considered of relative low significance in the diagnostic evaluation of individuals with pervasive developmental disorders.


The coordinated regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional level is fundamental to organismal development and homeostasis. Inducible systems are invaluable when studying transcription because the regulatory process can be triggered instantaneously, allowing the tracking of ordered mechanistic events. Here, we use Precision Run-On sequencing (PRO-seq) to examine the genome-wide Heat Shock (HS) response in Drosophila and the function of two key transcription factors on the immediate transcription activation or repression of all genes regulated by HS. We identify the primary HS response genes and the rate-limiting steps in the transcription cycle that GAGA-Associated Factor (GAF) and HS Factor (HSF) regulate. We demonstrate that GAF acts upstream of promoter-proximally paused RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) formation, likely at the step of chromatin opening, and that GAF-facilitated Pol II pausing is critical for HS activation. In contrast, HSF is dispensable for establishing or maintaining Pol II pausing, but is critical for the release of paused Pol II into the gene body at a subset of highly-activated genes. Additionally, HSF has no detectable role in the rapid HS-repression of thousands of genes.


BETTER WATCH YOUR ASH: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE DETECTION STRATEGIES FOR EMERALD ASH BORER Michael Campbell Advisor: University of Guelph, 2014 Dr. Alfons Weersink Early detection of emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation is problematic, with indicators not appearing until late during an infestation, and detection methods often requiring tradeoffs between information yielded and cost. Decision makers must determine which detection methods provide information matching their objectives within budget constraints. Notably, objectives of decision makers may vary, hence also their perceptions of different options' costs and benefits. This thesis presents a conceptual framework on the detection strategy problem, developing a simulation model to investigate when each detection method for EAB is most economical. The most effective and expensive methods are found to be more efficient when the likelihood of a mid-level infestation is high, while inexpensive methods are efficient when infestation is less likely or severe infestation is likely. Accuracy of a detection method is found to be more important for infestation cost reduction than the characteristics of the information the method provides.


An artificial pit technique was developed to study the galvanic relationship between the substrate and coating metals for a number of systems. The systems studied are steel plated with nickel and chromium, steel coated with sprayed aluminium and steel given dip coating with aluminium and tin-M.S.
The study consisted in:
a) Measurement of galvanic current and potential flowing between the substrate and the coating metals by using zero resistance ammeter method and VTVM.
b) Potential decay when the current is cut off
These were done in several corrosive electrolytes. The most significant results obtained are given below:

a) In the Fe-Ni-Cr system the presence of nickel undercoat is necessary to eliminate the large galvanic current that flow between iron and chromium unlike the small current flow between nickel and chromium.
b) At pores in zinc-aluminium coated steel, steel behaves like hydrogen electrode as long as the pore diameter is small. This has been explained due to the well-known propensity of steels to be charged with hydrogen.
c) Sprayed aluminium gives more negative potential than steel in organic acids and can be considered as substitute for tin coating. The results are published.
A Comprehensive investigation into the mechanism of protection by primers so as to get insight into the scientific basis for the formulation of new and better primers. The whole range of chromate primers, red lead red oxide primers with different ratios, primers using CNSL and other resins were all taken up for study.
The investigation consisted in:
a) Analysis of aqueous extracts of pigment vehicle and paints.
b) Potential and polarization studies with bare metal in aqueous extract and with painted metal in salt solution.
c) Electrical resistance measurements with painted metal.
d) Accelerated corrosion rates and water absorption test with painted metal.
These investigations lead to the following new results:
a) The solubility of pigment in aqueous medium differs with nature of the vehicle employed.
b) Extenders can modify the amount of pigment extracted in aqueous solutions.
c) The inhibitive character of primers can be attributed to different reasons such as solubility of the pigment, formation of inhibitive soaps, formation of surface complex between the vehicle and metal surface.


We consider the separation of motion related to internal gravity waves and eddy dynamics in stably stratified flows obtained by direct numerical simulations. The waves' dispersion relation links their angle of propagation to the vertical θ , to their frequency ω , so that two methods are used for characterizing wave-related motion: (a) the concentration of kinetic energy density in the ( θ , ω ) map along the dispersion relation curve; and (b) a direct computation of two-point two-time velocity correlations via a four-dimensional Fourier transform, permitting to extract wave-related space-time coherence. The second method is more computationally demanding than the first. In canonical flows with linear kinematics produced by space-localized harmonic forcing, we observe the pattern of the waves in physical space and the corresponding concentration curve of energy in the ( θ , ω ) plane. We show from a simple laminar flow that the curve characterizing the presence of waves is distorted differently in the presence of a background convective mean velocity, either uniform or varying in space, and also when the forcing source is moving. By generalizing the observation from laminar flow to turbulent flow, this permits categorizing the energy concentration pattern of the waves in complex flows, thus enabling the identification of wave-related motion in a general turbulent flow with stable stratification. The advanced method (b) is finally used to compute the wave-eddy partition in the velocity–buoyancy fields of direct numerical simulations of stably stratified turbulence. In particular, we use this splitting in statistics as varied as horizontal and vertical kinetic energy, as well as two-point velocity and buoyancy spectra.


A high number of acute respiratory diseases was detected among children under one year admitted in a hospital of Havana City. 25 respiratory syncytial virus strains were obtained from 93 patients studied. Viral isolations were multiplied in HEP-2 cells and after observing a cytopathic effect of 80%, they were classified into subgroups by the indirect immunofluorescence technique, using anti-protein G antibodies from the respiratory syncytial virus. All the samples studied were classified within subgroup A. It is the first time a study like this is conducted in our country, which allowed us to deepen into the viral cause of these diseases and to know that the subgroup A of the respiratory syncytial virus circulated during the outbreak.


Abstract Number of i nternet users increase rapidly nowadays and according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Indonesia , 80% of internet users are between 15-19 years old, this means most of them are students at high school . In educational field, internet also  used to presents learning material to students. This known as electronic learning (e-learning). E-learning using the internet to present learning materials to students who access using a computer or laptop. Along with the advance of new communication technologies like smartphone, tablet and other mobile device , e-learning also use the new technology to access learning materials . E-learning that use mobile deivice known as mobile-learning (m-learning). The concept of mobile-learning is e-learning, which focuses on the use of mobile devices to access learning media. M-learning applications needed to access and present the materials or media that is accessible via mobile devices. Because the mobile data card has different characteristics to a desktop computer or laptop, then the m-learning applications also had to ad apt the device beeing used. Developing application for mobile device can be achieved throught web tecnology as a web base application. Web base application can build using HTML 5, a new version of HTML, a language to present information. Using HTML 5, we can build web base application more easier bacause this aplication can be accessed using diferent device with single code. This is very advantageous because the application does not need to be made in different versions for each device used to access the application. In this study ,we developed an application for m-learning based on a  HTML 5 framework  called Jquery Mobile. Model for developing application use the waterfall model , while stages in development process refers to system development life cycle (SDLC). The result is a web base application for m-learning . It is intended to use mobile device to access the learning materials . Keywords :  M-Learning, web base a pli cation, HTML5, Jquery Mobile .


While the preferred model for a web server at many institutions is to install, maintain, and support a single server for the entire organization, the University of Iowa Libraries uses an alternate model providing a number of different web servers across a number of different platforms in support of the Libraries' web project. This hybrid solution offers several advantages over a single-server solution. Such an implementation allows more content providers to deliver information in its existing format, and also allows the Libraries to offer new services quickly as more desktop applications integrate a web server component. Employing this type of solution, the University of Iowa Libraries currently provides information and services on 10 distinct web servers, with five additional servers either in development or under consideration. The solution enables the Libraries to embrace the web for delivery of important information and services to its clientele.


Both lobeline and lobelane attenuate methamphetamine self-administration in rats by decreasing methamphetamine-induced dopamine release via interaction with vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2). A novel derivative of nor-lobelane, cis-2,5-di-(2-phenethyl)-pyrrolidine hydrochloride (UKCP-110), and its trans-isomers, (2R,5R)-trans-di-(2-phenethyl)-pyrrolidine hydrochloride (UKCP-111) and (2S,5S)-trans-di-(2-phenethyl)-pyrrolidine hydrochloride (UKCP-112), were evaluated for inhibition of [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding and [3H]dopamine uptake by using a rat synaptic vesicle preparation to assess VMAT2 interaction. Compounds were evaluated for inhibition of [3H]nicotine and [3H]methyllycaconitine binding to assess interaction with the major nicotinic receptor subtypes. In addition, compounds were evaluated for inhibition of methamphetamine-evoked endogenous dopamine release by using striatal slices. The most promising compound, UKCP-110, was evaluated for its ability to decrease methamphetamine self-administration and methamphetamine discriminative stimulus cues and for its effect on food-maintained operant responding. UKCP-110, UKCP-111, and UKCP-112 inhibited [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding (Ki = 2.66 ± 0.37, 1.05 ± 0.10, and 3.80 ± 0.31 μM, respectively) and had high potency inhibiting [3H]dopamine uptake (Ki = 0.028 ± 0.001, 0.046 ± 0.008, 0.043 ± 0.004 μM, respectively), but lacked affinity at nicotinic receptors. Although the trans-isomers did not alter methamphetamine-evoked dopamine release, UKCP-110 inhibited (IC50 = 1.8 ± 0.2 μM; Imax = 67.18 ± 6.11 μM) methamphetamine-evoked dopamine release. At high concentrations, UKCP-110 also increased extracellular dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. It is noteworthy that UKCP-110 decreased the number of methamphetamine self-infusions, while having no effect on food-reinforced behavior or the methamphetamine stimulus cue. Thus, UKCP-110 represents a new lead in the development of novel pharmacotherapies for the treatment of methamphetamine abuse.


Soft-biometrics play an important role in face biometrics and related fields since these might lead to biased performances, threaten the user's privacy, or are valuable for commercial aspects. Current face databases are specifically constructed for the development of face recognition applications. Consequently, these databases contain a large number of face images but lack in the number of attribute annotations and the overall annotation correctness. In this work, we propose a novel annotation-transfer pipeline that allows to accurately transfer attribute annotations from multiple source datasets to a target dataset. The transfer is based on a massive attribute classifier that can accurately state its prediction confidence. Using these prediction confidences, a high correctness of the transferred annotations is ensured. Applying this pipeline to the VGGFace2 database, we propose the MAAD-Face annotation database. It consists of 3.3M faces of over 9k individuals and provides 123.9M attribute annotations of 47 different binary attributes. Consequently, it provides 15 and 137 times more attribute annotations than CelebA and LFW. Our investigation on the annotation quality by three human evaluators demonstrated the superiority of the MAAD-Face annotations over existing databases. Additionally, we make use of the large number of high-quality annotations from MAAD-Face to study the viability of soft-biometrics for recognition, providing insights into which attributes support genuine and imposter decisions. The MAAD-Face annotations dataset is publicly available.


The genetic variability for the fruit's shelf-life and weight was evaluated in twenty-six F3 families derived from an interspecific hybrid between the cv. Caimanta of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. and the line LA722 of L. pimpinellifolium (Jusl.) Mill. The means for fruit's shelf-life were 8, 15, 18 and 13 days and for fruit weight were 52.17 g; 0.94 g; 4.45 g and 6.41 g in 'Caimanta', LA722, the F1 and in the F3 generations, respectively. No family was similar to the progenitor 'Caimanta' for fruit's shelf-life and only one family showed a shelf-life similar to the F1 generation mean. For fruit weight, four families were similar to the F1 generation mean and the F3 families differed from both parent means. The F3 family with the greatest values for fruit weight and shelf-life showed a fruit weight mean of 20.15 g and shelf-life period of 21.55 days. The smaller fruit weight was 2.81 g and the smaller shelf-life period for another family was 9.98 days. The wide genetic variability found for both traits between the families will permit to select divergent genotypes.


The records of 68 adult patients, referred to a Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for extraction of one or more teeth, have been studied with regard to the complexity of the treatment and the postoperative course. In 11 patients surgical removal had to be performed, while in the remaining 57 patients treatment consisted of simple extractions. Forty-six patients of these 57 patients returned a questionnaire about postoperative problems and use of analgesics. These patients were divided into two groups, one consisting of 17 healthy patients without any medical disorder and/or use of drugs, and a second consisting of 29 medically compromised patients. The postoperative course did not differ between both groups. Four patients (1 healthy, 3 medically compromised) experienced postoperative complaints during more than 6 days. Remarkably, the number of patients who experienced pain but did not use analgesics was considerably higher in the healthy group (29%) compared with the medically compromised group (7%). On the other hand, medically compromised patients more often experienced pain in spite of the use of analgesics (52%) than healthy patients (41%). No differences in wound healing after simple tooth extractions were observed between healthy and medically compromised patients.


In the People's Republic of China, minority nationality peoples have the same formal rights as Han Chinese. However, in Xinjiang, the modernisation project is taking precedence over ethnic harmony as recruitment practices are increasingly disadvantaging the Uyghurs, despite earlier affirmative action policies. Ethnographic and survey research among Urumqi's floating population indicates that Uyghurs are excluded from certain sectors, earn lower incomes and reside in poorer accommodation than Han Chinese, from whom they remain spatially and socially segregated. As the state increasingly relies on the invisible hand of the market, so the commodification of labour relations and property is amplifying social rifts between nationalities. Uneven regional development prompts Han people to migrate into Xinjiang and Uyghurs to migrate to the cities within Xinjiang, bringing these two ethnic groups into competition within a labour market. This has resulted in an ethnic division of labour that exacerbates inter- and intra-ethnic tensions.


With NVIDA Tegra Jetson X1 and Pascal P100 GPUs, NVIDIA introduced hardware-based computation on FP16 numbers also called half-precision arithmetic. In this talk, we will introduce the steps required to build a viable benchmark for this new arithmetic format. This will include the connections to established IEEE floating point standards and existing HPC benchmarks. The discussion will focus on performance and numerical stability issues that are important for this kind of benchmarking and how they relate to NVIDIA platforms.


Antibacterial resistance is a major concern. Due to its new resistance mechanism, it is spreading and emerging globally and thereby threatening the treatment of common infectious diseases. There is no doubt to develop new antibiotic from natural sources to tackle antimicrobial resistance. This study involves, (1) ethnopharmacological survey in Bangladesh and (2) bioassay directed phytochemical investigation to explore antibacterial compounds against MRSA. In 2016, an ethnopharmacological survey conducted in Bangladesh led to the recommendation of 71 medicinal plants by 71 Ayurvedic/Unani practitioners, 21 Ayurvedic patients and 35 local inhabitants for the treatment of infectious diseases. Based on the review of literature, data analysis and ease of availability of the plants, 18 plants were initially selected and collected from Bangladesh. After initial antibacterial screening of 18 plants, five plants (MIC 32-512 μg/ml) were chosen based on potential antibacterial activity. These are (Zingiber montanum, Uraria picta, Diospyros malabarica, Cynometra namiflora, Swertia chirayita). Extensive phytochemical work using different chromatographic (VLC, Coloumn chromatography, SPE, TLC, PTLC) and spectroscopic (NMR, Mass spectromentry, IR) techniques on five Bangladeshi medicinal plants led to the isolation and identification of 25 compounds. Eight terpenes (zerumbol, zerumbone, buddledone A, germacrone, furanodienone, (-) borneol, camphor and 8(17), 12-labdadiene-15, 16-dial) were isolated from Zingiber montanum with the MIC (32- >128 μg/ml). Eugenol and steriods were isolated from Uraria picta (MIC 64- >128 μg/ml). Lupane type triterpenoids (Lupeol, botulin, betulinaldehyde, betulone and messagenin) were isolated and identified from Diospyros malabarica with the MIC (64- >128 μg/ml) while pentacyclic triterpene (glutinol, glutinone), simple phenolic (ethyl 4-ethoxybenzoate) and steroids were isolated from Cynometra ramiflora with MIC (64- >128 μg/ml). A series of xanthones (swerchirin, swertiaperenin, belidifolin and decussatin) were identified from Swertia chirayita with MIC (>128 μg/ml). Among these compounds, 4-ethoxybenzoate, messagenin were identified as new natural compounds. In terms of activity, 8(17), 12-labdadiene-15, 16-dial (32 μg/ml against ATCC 5941) and zerumbol (32 μg/ml against EMRSA 15) showed potential antibacterial activity.


Background: Lichen planus is a common dermatological condition. Many treatment options have been discussed in literature, each with its own risk profile. Betamethasone pulse therapy is one of the effective therapies mentioned.The objective of this study was to find out whether oral betamethasone mini pulse therapy is effective in lichen planus. Methods: A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty patients received 5mg of oral betamethasone daily for two consecutive days in a week for 6 weeks along with loratadine and the other twenty patients received a loratadine tablet daily for the same period. Results: The flattening of the existing lesions, appearance of the new lesions and persistence of itching were considered as the parameters of clinical evaluation. It was clearly observable that the number of lichen planus lesions were drastically decreasing in group A and only slightly increasing in group B during the follow-ups. Conclusion: Betamethasone oral mini-pulse therapy was found to be more effective than loratadine in the treatment of lichen planus. (Iran J Dermatol 2008;11:99-102)


Acute diarrhea in the adult is caused primarily by acute infectious organisms, mainly viruses but also bacteria and parasites. The majority of cases are self-limited and resolve without sequelae or specific intervention. Diagnostic evaluation should be restricted to those with severe symptoms such as significant volume depletion or dysentery or who are altered hosts due to immunosuppression or chronic illness. Diagnostic testing in less ill patients with probable viral illnesses is unrevealing and wasteful of patient resources. Therapy consists simply of correcting the major harm caused by organisms: volume depletion. Specific therapy with antibiotics should be restricted to situations in which proven efficacy has been demonstrated. The approach to the patient with acute infectious diarrhea is strictly a clinical one, with a careful and thoughful ordering of diagnostic tests in cases in which the information is likely to change management and outcome for the patient.


Soft-switching power supplies and their related application systems have attracted because soft-switching scheme has remarkable advantages such as lowered switching loss, reduced dynamic electrical stresses, reduced EMI noise and so on. However most of soft-switching power conversion systems include some inherent difficulties. For example, power conversion efficiency is lowered by conduction losses caused by significant circulating current and resonant current due to soft-switching operation. To solved their difficulties, authors have proposed a new phase-shift PWM control scheme and have already reported before about quasi-resonant high-frequency AC link DC-DC converter and single phase DC-AC converter applied for proposed control scheme. They have some features such as circulating current reduction, lowered conduction losses and easily achieved soft-switching and so on.In this paper, authors apply a proposed control scheme to a quasi-resonant high-frequency AC link three-phase DC-AC converter. Its new operation principle based on time shared space vector theory is proposed and unique features are described. Operating performance and evaluation of THD (Total Harmonic distortion) of this three-phase DC-AC converter in steady-state are illustrated by means of simulating results.


Health care reform, which is anticipated at the federal level and is ongoing at the state level, presents both challenges and opportunities for psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners. It is important that all the mental health professions examine their training programs in preparation for the changes that are likely to occur in the future. The author relates training and practice trends to trends in mental health services delivery that are likely to accelerate in the context of health care reform.


SYNOPSIS) This study was conducted with the objective of investigating on tho~e factors that influence consumers to shop for food in the supermarkets in Nairobi. To achieve these objectives, samples of 10 supermarkets and 100 consumers were picked. The questionnaires were admini~tered, which had both semi structured and likert matrix questions. The sample of supermarkets was to be carried out in all supermarkets in Githurai and Kahawa while systematic random sampling was used for customers where the fifth adult customer who had previous shopping experience at the supermarket was given a questionnaire. Questionnaire for the supermarkets were administered through self administration to ensure reliability of the selected sample, 7 (seven) supermarkets and 70 (seventy) customers filled the questionnaire.IO (ten) questionnaire were to be administered in each supermarket where some supermarket had been closed down due to stiff competition and economic constraint in the country. Data collected was analyzed using the percentages, means, and standard deviation. Percentages were mainly used to analyze part A of the questionnaires while means, standard deviations and variances were used to analyze part B of the questionnaire to aid the investigation of cues used by the customers while shopping in the supermarkets.


This paper focuses both on the competition process and the firms' liability in environmental protection and the demonstration is made by comparing two models of safety investment. The first one shows sensitive players to their environmental liability: they seek to minimize the technologies accident risk while the second one corresponds to a much more standard choice. The players' main preoccupation is about their market share even if they care about liability. Then, from a very simple duopolistic competition model with strict liability, we show, first, that the way the firms assess the environmental question is not neutral on their expected performances. Second, that the associated level of technology to the liability concern - i.e. a high level of care or a low one - have a different impact on profitability. Consequently, the competitors' general attitude, their beliefs and the institutional rules have strong effects on the environmental investment assessments. More precisely, the enforcing rule the players will adopt will play directly on the performance, not only of one firm, but on the whole set of industrial firms.


This report documents progress made regarding the development and validation of a class of models examining the reliability of nondestructive vibrational inspection tests of single-spanned bridges. Two important problems were identified for special consideration. The first concerned the development of a mathematical formulation of the nonlinear boundary conditions needed to accurately model the end support structures of single-span (stringer-based) timber spans. A computational algorithm for the numerical approximations of such systems was derived, implemented and tested with the commonly available Mathematica software package. The second focal problem involved the modeling and analysis of a newly-proposed vibrational testing method. The method seeks to predict bridge strength from vibrational data, and (most importantly) without the need to estimate overall bridge mass. Models developed in this project have provided the first steps towards developing mathematical understanding of these issues, as well as the creation of a new bridge testing protocol involving the measurement of bridge vibrational responses to forced vibrations both with and without controlled loading. This work has contributed to the development and application of new motion detection sensor technologies addressing the problem of monitoring and estimating bridge integrity.


Individually-controllable magnetic artificial cilia for microfluidic manipulation tasks Nathan Banka Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Professor Santosh Devasia Mechanical Engineering This thesis presents the design, modeling, and control of a magnetic artificial cilia system in which the cilia are individually controllable. In nature, cilia exhibit metachronal waves, or a phase difference between adjacent cilia that results in a traveling wave, which may improve pumping performance or efficiency of biological cilia. However, existing magnetic artificial cilia devices typically use actuation by a rotating field generated by Helmholtz coils or by a rotating permanent magnet. These field sources cannot apply a phase shift to the cilia array and therefore cannot generate a metachronal wave. Nevertheless, magnetic actuation remains desirable for cilia devices as it allows for biocompatibility, precise control of system inputs, and low-cost fabrication of the cilia. In this thesis, a new design for magnetic artificial cilia is presented in which the actuating magnetic field is localized, enabling individual actuation. However, this design decision leads to challenging research problems in input-pattern identification, nonlinear systems modeling, and control. In addressing these challenges, the contributions of this thesis are to (i) demonstrate that individual control can improve performance in cilia-based devices, (ii) present accurate nonlinear models for predicting the static response, and (iii) develop a machine-learning-based system identification and control strategy for output tracking.


A 4-year-old girl, the child of nonconsanguineous parents was referred for clinical assessment because of postaxial limb defects associated with mild facial dysmorphism. The overall phenotypic features were compatible with the Miller syndrome. The proband manifested distinctive bone defects, consisting of triangular-shaped terminal phalanges and cone-shaped epiphyses of the middle phalanges of the feet. Using the sequence analysis of the DHODH gene we identified compound heterozygous mutations in the proband. Furthermore, both the parents were found to be heterozygous carriers of one of the two mutations found in the proband. Interestingly, the father had a history of postaxial polydactyly. We speculated that the postaxial polydactyly in the father was either a heterozygote manifestation or is unrelated.


W ITH one or two exceptions, the references included in the list that follows were published between July I, i945, and June 30, 1946. These articles and reports discuss significant issues relating to the pre-service education of teachers. Four types of material were given preference in selecting references from the larger number published during the year: (i) objective analyses and statistical accounts of important aspects of teacher education; (2) comprehensive reports in the form of bulletins, yearbooks, and reports of proceedings; (3) preliminary analyses of significant issues; and (4) materials which are reasonably accessible.


Objective To examine the relationship between the prescribed target dose and the dose to healthy neurovascular structures in patients with vestibular schwannomas treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting SRS center from 2011 to 2013. Subjects Twenty patients with vestibular schwannomas treated at the center from 2011 to 2013. Methods Twenty patients with vestibular schwannomas were included. The average radiation dose delivered to healthy neurovascular structures (eg, carotid artery, basilar artery, facial nerve, trigeminal nerve, and cochlea) was analyzed. Results Twenty patients with vestibular schwannomas who were treated with fused computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging–guided SRS were included in the study. The prescribed dose ranged from 10.58 to 17.40 Gy over 1 to 3 hypofractions to cover 95% of the target tumor volume. The mean dose to the carotid artery was 5.66 Gy (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.53-6.80 Gy), anterior inferior cerebellar artery was 8.70 Gy (95% CI, 4.54-12.86 Gy), intratemporal facial nerve was 3.76 Gy (95% CI, 3.04-4.08 Gy), trigeminal nerve was 5.21 Gy (95% CI, 3.31-7.11 Gy), and the cochlea was 8.70 Gy (95% CI, 7.81-9.59 Gy). Conclusions SRS for certain vestibular schwannomas can expose the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and carotid artery to radiation doses that can potentially initiate atherosclerotic processes. The higher doses to the AICA and carotid artery correlated with increasing tumor volume. The dose delivered to other structures such as the cochlea and intratemporal facial nerve appears to be lower and much less likely to cause immediate complications when shielded.


Start-ups founded by university students and graduates play a substantial role in bringing new knowledge to the market and in employment creation; a role that appears to be even more important than the one played by the typical technology transfer activities carried out by universities, i.e. patenting and licensing activities, or spin-offs founded by academic staff. Indeed, robust empirical evidence suggests that entrepreneurs' education is a good predictor of firms' performance. Unfortunately, data show that the share of Italian entrepreneurs with tertiary educations is quite small, and this is especially the case of the younger generation. In this paper, we use a population-based approach to explore entrepreneurship among 61,115 graduates, alumni of the 64 Italian universities that belong to the AlmaLaurea consortium, in the second half of 2014, at the time when they completed their academic experience. We detect various levels of engagement and intentions to be involved in entrepreneurship, and we assess which factors appear to weigh more in a positive or negative manner. The bad news is that also our analysis finds that the share of Italian graduates who have started a business after their enrolment at university (1.3%) or who have taken concrete actions to start a business (4.5%) is quite small. The good news is that the number of intentional, i.e. potential highly educated, entrepreneurs among university students is much larger (at least 23%). On the basis of our results, we argue that the provision by universities of entrepreneurial education and training, internships, and ICT skills can be effective tools with which to cultivate entrepreneurial attitudes and skills, thereby fostering entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship among university graduates and enhancing their employability.


In this thesis, we investigate several relaying strategies for cooperative networks with the aim of finding techniques to improve the performance of such networks. The objective here is to increase the spectral efficiency while achieving full diversity. Therefore, we focus on two-way
relaying and relay assignment since they are both efficient ways in improving the spectral efficiency of cooperative networks. Specifically,we propose efficient relay strategies to cope with the asymmetric data rates in two-way relay channels and address practical issues in relay assignment.

In the first part of the thesis, we consider two decode-and-forward (DF) relaying schemes for two-way relaying channels where the two sources may have different rate requirements.
One scheme combines hierarchical zero padding and network coding (HZPNC) at the relay. The novelty of this scheme lies in the way the two signals (that have different lengths) are network-coded at the relay. The other scheme is referred to as opportunistic user selection (OUS) where the user with a better end-to-end channel quality is given priority for transmission. We analyze both schemes where we derive closed form expressions for the end-to-end(E2E) bit error rate (BER). Since the two schemes offer a trade-off between performance and throughput, we analyze and compare both schemes in terms of channel access probability and average throughput. We show that HZPNC offers better throughput and fairness for both users, whereas OUS offers better performance. We also compare the performance of HZPNC with existing schemes including the original zero padding, nesting constellation modulation and superposition modulation. We demonstrate through examples the superiority of the proposed HZPNC scheme in terms of performance and/or reduced complexity.

In the second part of the thesis, we consider a hybrid relaying scheme for two-way relay channels. As per the proposed scheme, if the E2E signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of both users is above a specified threshold, both sources transmit over orthogonal channels and the relay node uses hierarchical modulation and network coding to relay the combined signals to both sources in the third time slot. Otherwise, the user with the better E2E SNR transmits, while the other user remains silent. The advantage of the proposed scheme is that it compromises between throughput and reliability. That is, when both users transmit,
the throughput improves. Whereas when the better user transmits, multiuser diversity is achieved. Assuming asymmetric channels, we derive exact closed-form expressions for the E2E BER, access probability and throughput for this scheme and compare its performance to that of existing schemes. We also investigate the asymptotic performance of the proposed scheme at high SNRs where we derive the achievable diversity order of both users. We show
through analytically and simulation results that the proposed scheme improves 1) the overall
system throughput, 2) fairness between the two users, and 3) the transmission reliability. This all comes while achieving diversity two for both users, which is the maximal diversity.

In the third part of the thesis, we study relay assignment with limited feedback. In networks with many multiple source-destination pairs, it is normally diffcult for destinations to acquire the channel state information (CSI) of the entire network without feedback. To this end, we design a practical limited feedback strategy in conjunction with two relay assignment schemes, i.e., fullset selection and subset selection, which are based on maximizing
the minimum E2E SNR among all pairs. In this strategy, each destination acquires its SNR,quantizes it, and feeds it back to the relays. The relays then construct the E2E SNR table
and select the relay assignment permutation from all possible relay assignment permutations or only a subset of these permutations. We analyze the performance of these schemes over independent Rayleigh fading channels in terms of the worst E2E SNR. We derive closed-form
expressions for the E2E BER and investigate the asymptotic performance at high SNR. We show that relay assignment with quantized CSI can achieve the same first-order diversity as
that of the full CSI case, but there is a second-order diversity loss. We also demonstrate that increasing the quantization levels yields performance that is close to that of having full knowledge of the CSI.


Drylands cover about one-half of the land surface in China and are highly sensitive to climate change. Understanding climate change and its impact drivers on dryland is essential for supporting dryland planning and sustainable development. Using meteorological observations for 1960–2019, the aridity changes in drylands of China were evaluated using aridity index (AI), and the impact of various climatic factors [i.e., precipitation P; sunshine duration (SSD); relative humidity (RH); maximum temperature (Tmax); minimum temperature (Tmin); wind speed (WS)] on the aridity changes was decomposed and quantified. Results of trend analysis based on Sen's slope estimator and Mann–Kendall test indicated that the aridity trends were very weak when averaged over the whole drylands in China during 1960–2019 but exhibited a significant wetting trend in hyperarid and arid regions of drylands. The AI was most sensitive to changes in water factors (i.e., P and RH), followed by SSD, Tmax, and WS, but the sensitivity of AI to Tmin was very small and negligible. Interestingly, the dominant climatic driver to AI change varied in the four dryland subtypes. The significantly increased P dominated the increase in AI in the hyperarid and arid regions. The significantly reduced WS and the significantly increased Tmax contributed more to AI changes than the P in the semiarid and dry subhumid regions of drylands. Previous studies emphasized the impact of precipitation and temperature on the global or regional dry–wet changes; however, the findings of this study suggest that, beyond precipitation and temperature, the impact of wind speed on aridity changes of drylands in China should be given equal attention.


To simplify power-gating requirements in ultra-low-power architectures, design strategies for low-power non-volatile flip-flops (F/Fs) are sought, for which the utilisation of spintronic devices offers a promising option. A D F/F that utilises a five-terminal spintronic device for non-volatile state holding in an intrinsically self-complementing fashion is introduced. This self-complementing device can be exploited to reduce overhead interfacing circuitry in order to realise a compact ten transistors with one spintronic device D F/F with instant store and restore functionality, while consuming <9 µW of power.


Power system stabilizers (PSS) are used to generate supplementary damping control signals for the excitation system in order to damp the low frequency oscillations (LFO) of the electric power system. The PSS is usually designed based on classical control approaches but this conventional PSS (CPSS) has some problems. To overcome the drawbacks of CPSS, numerous techniques have been proposed in literatures. In this paper a PID type PSS is considered for damping electric power system oscillations. The parameters of this PID type PSS are tuned based on particle swarm optimization method. The proposed PSS (PSO-PSS) is evaluated against the conventional power system stabilizer (CPSS) at a single machine infinite bus power system considering system parametric uncertainties. The simulation results clearly indicate the effectiveness and validity of the proposed method.


ABSTRACT Previous investigators interpreted stromatoporoids to have been composed originally of aragonite; however, petrographic observations of stromatoporoid microstructure indicate that those within the Devonian Helderberg strata of New York State were originally composed of high-magnesian calcite. The delicate reticulate structure of pillars and growth laminations of the original stromatoporoid coenosteum is represented by a neomorphic fabric of microdolomite-rich zones of inclusions in low-magnesian calcite. In comparison, co-existing constituents that were originally composed of low-magnesian calcite (e.g., brachiopods) display 1) better preservation of their ultrastructure than do the stromatoporoids, and 2) an absence of microdolomite. Gastropods, originally composed of aragonite, are ll represented by micrite envelopes encompassing pore-filling spar accumulations, i.e., complete loss of ultrastructure. The style of preservation of the stromatoporoids is essentially identical to that of associated echinodermal debris, an original high-magnesian constituent. Both the stromatoporoids and echinoderms are preserved as microdolomite-bearing diagenetic low-magnesian calcite. Consequently, these stromatoporoids were originally composed of high-magnesian calcites.


This work addresses the ultrafast cis-trans photoreactions in retinal binding proteins using ab initio molecular dynamics and small protonated Schiff bases as retinal chromophore models. A new methodology to study the photochemistry of polyenic model systems was developed and compared with currently used methods. Factors that influence the photoreaction were investigated. For each model system an ensemble of starting conditions was generated to calculate excited state trajectories. The decay point was estimated with timedependent and with classical methods, results were analyzed statistically. The vacuum photoreaction of the model systems was found to be extremely fast and effective, in particular when all decay events take place at the first close approach of the two involved potential energy surfaces. The reaction is further
accelerated, when the isomerising double bond and an adjacent singe bond are initially twisted as found in the x-ray structure of rhodopsin. In these cases the product distribution is also affected.


This article is devoted to the everyday life of an Orthodox parish in a small town in Russia. Starting with a critical analysis of existing approaches to measuring religiosity, the author tries to find "communal" dimensions of religiosity, which typify Orthodox Christianity in today's Russia. The text traces the history of the local churchsince its restoration and analyzes a variety of interactions and the development ofrelations among Orthodox parishioners, as well as their relations with the priests. Drawing on ethnographic data and interviews, the author identifies indicators suitable for analyzing parish life and what it means to belong to the parish community. The conclusion is that the parish community is formed of extensive and continuous interactions among parishioners that are not limited to religious practices yet still initiated by clergy. It is suggested that the figure of the priest should take a central place when studying Orthodox parish communities. The article also describes how to incorporate these aspects into further investigations of Orthodox Christianity. In Russian .


This paper deals with a research work aimed to develop a new three degrees of freedom (DOF) mechanism for humanoid robots. The main idea is to build hybrid (3DOF) mechanism, which avoids the drawbacks of the serial and parallel mechanisms. The new solution has to merge the advantages of both classical (serial and parallel) structures in order to achieve optimal performances. The proposed mechanism can be used as a solution for several modules in humanoid robot. The hip mechanism is taken as an example to illustrate the contribution of this paper. To evaluate the performances of the system, simulation of this new mechanism is carried out with Adams software. Geometrical and Kinematic models are developed and included in the simulation tool. Based on biomechanical data, analysis of the new kinematic structure is carried out. The design of the proposed solution is then described. Finally the first prototype developed for the HYDROi¿D robot's hip is presented. This mechanism is a part of an International patent accepted at INPI- France.


Field experiments and regression discontinuity designs test whether voting is habit forming by examining whether a random shock to turnout in one election affects participation in subsequent elections. We contribute to this literature by offering a vast amount of new statistical evidence on the long-term consequences of random and quasi-random inducements to vote. The behavior of millions of voters confirms the persistence of voter turnout and calls attention to theoretically meaningful nuances in the development and expression of voting habits. We suggest that individuals become habituated to voting in particular types of elections. The degree of persistence appears to vary by electoral context and by the attributes of those who comply with an initial inducement to vote. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]


Aesthetics is not an area to which the Stoics are normally understood to have contributed. i adopt a broad description of the purview of Aesthetics according to which Aesthetics pertains to the study of those preferences and values that ground what is considered worthy of attention. According to this approach, we find that the Stoics exhibit an Aesthetic that reveals a direct line of development between Plato, the Stoics, Thomas Aquinas and the eighteenth century, specifically Kant's aesthetics. i will reveal an interpretation of the aesthetic of the Stoics which has more explanatory power for the history of aesthetic theory than a history of aesthetic theory which leaves out the Stoics.


New York's Challenge To Mattress Maker's Resale Pricing Policy Fails* The State of New York was not entitled to an order enjoining mattress manufacturer Tempur-Pedic International, Inc. from…


A Green function calculation for the impurity modes of single impurities and clusters of impurities in a photonic band structure is given. Specifically, a truncated two-dimensional periodic dielectric medium composed from a square lattice array of dielectric rods placed perpendicularly between two parallel perfectly conducting plates is studied. Impurities are introduced into this system substitutionally by replacing one (single impurity case) or a number (cluster impurity case) of the rods in the periodic system by impurity rods. Exact expressions for the impurity mode frequencies are obtained in terms of the Green functions of the pure system. These expressions are then evaluated for the case of impurities with small cross-sectional areas using numerically determined Green functions. Linear frequency-independent, linear frequency-dependent and non-linear impurity dielectric media are treated.


Abstract. Crevasses are affected by and affect both the stresses and the surface
mass balance of glaciers. These effects are brought on through potentially
important controls on meltwater routing, glacier viscosity, and iceberg
calving, yet there are few direct observations of crevasse sizes and
locations to inform our understanding of these interactions. Here we extract
depth estimates for the visible portion of crevasses from high-resolution
surface elevation observations for 52 644 crevasses from 19 Greenland
glaciers. We then compare our observed depths with those calculated using
two popular models that assume crevasse depths are functions of local
stresses: the Nye and linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) formulations.
When informed by the observed crevasse depths, the LEFM formulation produces
kilometer-scale variations in crevasse depth, in decent agreement with
observations. However, neither formulation accurately captures smaller-scale
variations in the observed crevasse depths. Critically, we find that
along-flow patterns in crevasse depths are unrelated to along-flow patterns
in strain rates (and therefore stresses). Cumulative strain rate is
moderately more predictive of crevasse depths at the majority of glaciers.
Our reliance on lidar limits the inference we can make regarding fracture depths. However, given the discordant patterns in observed and modeled crevasses, we recommend additional in situ and remote sensing analyses before Nye and LEFM models are considered predictive. Such analyses should span extensional and compressive regions to better understand the influence of advection on crevasse geometry. Ultimately, such additional study will enable more reliable projection of terminus position change and supraglacial meltwater routing that relies on accurate modeling of crevasse occurrence.


A parallel hybrid excitation flux-switching (PHEFS) generator dc power system is presented in this paper. The PHEFS topology is proposed to achieve good flux regulation capability of the system as well as capability of deexcitation at fault and avoid permanent magnet (PM) magnetic shortcircuit and demagnetization. In order to improve the system's steady state and dynamic performance, a direct torque linear control (DTLC) scheme is proposed then. This DTLC scheme, which contains a voltage loop only and develops the direct linear relationship between the torque and sinusoidal value of the torque angle, can regulate the instantaneous torque directly and smoothly without current loop. The flux-weakening control of the DTLC scheme is also studied; the PHEFS generator system with excellent dynamic performance and lower flux and torque ripple has been achieved experimentally.


See related article, pp 672–678

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is now recognized as a marker of increased cardiovascular risk both acutely and chronically and considered an early manifestation of generalized vascular disease predicting all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, coronary events, stroke, and peripheral artery disease in men with and without known coronary artery disease.1 Importantly, ED shares with coronary artery disease similar risk factors and is principally vasculogenic, reflecting the common denominator of endothelial dysfunction.2 ED is defined as the inability to obtain or maintain a penile erection to support satisfactory sexual performance, and when affecting men with and without cardiac symptoms in the age group 30 to 60 years seems to be a significant predictor of subsequent cardiovascular events.

Vlachopoulos et al3–5 have over several years studied the independent link between ED and cardiovascular disease (CVD) using biomarkers as a means of identifying the men most at risk of a cardiovascular event. Their latest contribution to the expanding and important literature identifies aortic stiffness as a marker of increased cardiovascular risk in men presenting with ED (this issue).6 Previously, the same workers have identified the unfavorable effect on the circulating levels of biomarkers …


In two-dimensional optical chip applications, the optical wave is classified to two modes according to its polarization: TE and TM. It is desirable to integrate multiple optical wave control devices for different polarizations onto the same plane at the scale of the wavelength. Here we demonstrate a periodic two-pattern photonic crystal with a large, complete photonic bandgap (PBG). It comes from the superposition of two substructures: one contributes the TM PBG and the other contributes the TE PBG. By purposely introducing defects into the substructures, photonic devices for different polarizations can be integrated to bend, split, and resonate TM/TE waves simultaneously on the same plane.


The proximal point algorithm (PPA) is classical, and the resulting proximal subproblems may be as difficult as the original problem. In this paper, we show that with appropriate choices of proximal parameters, the application of PPA to the linearly constrained convex programming can result in easy proximal subproblems. In particular, under some practical assumptions on the objective function, these proximal subproblems become implementable in the sense that they all have closed-form solutions or can be efficiently solved up to a high precision. We thus present a contraction method with implementable proximal regularization for linearly constrained convex programming, and its global convergence is proved easily under the analytic framework of contraction type methods.


: The constant increase of lung cancer incidence is confronted with the relatively low efficacy of drug therapy in patients with advanced stages of this disease. According to results of phase II studies interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) monotherapy used as palliative measure is ineffective in all histological types of lung cancer. However, in certain therapy settings IFN-alpha has some efficacy. In small cell lung cancer IFN-alpha therapy, when given as maintenance following chemo- and/or radiation therapy-induced remissions, has shown some clinical benefit as documented by a prolongation of remission-free intervals. In patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and especially of the squamous cell type the combination of IFN-alpha with cisplatinum achieved remissions in about 45%. The efficacy of locoregional administration, i.e. intrapleural, in patients with malignant effusions is currently under investigation.


Learning English is essential in Nigeria because English is used as the medium of
instruction and also taught as a subject in all Nigerian schools. Most of the school
curriculum's are planned and communicated in English, but the poor performance of
students in English at primary level has raised a lot of concern. This failure is
attributed to teachers method of language teaching. Therefore, an English teaching
approach was developed based on three (3) different methods (CALL, TBLT &
P-GENRE) named as Technology Task Based Approach (TTBA). This study aimed to
investigate the effect of TTBA on English proficiency skills in Nigerian primary
schools. A quasi-experimental was employed as the research design in this study. The
respondents of the study consisted of 62 primary school students in Nigerian primary
schools that form into two (2) groups which were experimental group and control
group. The experimental group was instructed using TTBA while the control group
was taught using the traditional method. The period of the treatment lasted for eight
(8) weeks. The collected data through pre-test and post-test was analyzed by using
independent t-test and paired sample test at .05 level of significance. The findings of
the study indicated that there is a significant effect of TTBA on the students' reading,
speaking and writing skills. The results of the study revealed statistically significant
differences in scores between the experimental group and control group. The result
also showed that teachers and students have positive attitudes towards the application
of TTBA. This teaching approach also proved that it is able to enhance students'
interest in studying English. Thus, it is recommended that primary school students
should reflect on the tasks, strategies, and activities of learning in TTBA and apply
them in learning English. Primary school teachers should integrate tasks with
technology in language teaching to improve students' language proficiency skills.
Teachers should encourage students to join in the tasks and group activities with
interest and attentiveness. Meanwhile the Nigerian Ministry of Education should
organize teacher training on how to apply TTBA in language teaching.


The Scholar-Practitioner has been defined as "an ideal of
professional excellence grounded in theory and research, informed
by experiential knowledge, and motivated by personal values,
political commitments, and ethical conduct" (McClintock, 2004,
p.393). Whilst such professionals emerged in the medical sciences,
the idea has gained increasing traction within business and
management contexts. This PDW will present the perspectives
on the scholar-practitioner concept as it relates to: management
education; management research; and business executives teaching
within business schools; as well as the meaning the concept has
acquired in other professional disciplines.
This PDW speaks to the perennial interest in the theory-practice
interface for business and management schools. Since 2014 the
Research Excellence Framework (REF) has placed significant
emphasis on the impact of academic research. The newly instituted
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) will also require business
schools to present the case for the impact of their teaching. In the
discourse surrounding the REF and TEF, a sharp division of academic
work between research and teaching seems increasingly untenable.
Indeed Stern's review of the REF argued that the "REF impact
element [should] more broadly recognise the impact of research
on teaching" (HEFCE, 2016, p. 31). It is our contention that these
debates relating to research, teaching and professional practice
are embodied in the ideal of the scholar-practitioner. We argue that
discussing the meaning of the concept, and case studies of actual
professional practice, are of important contemporary interest.


Multi-Disciplinary Rounding (MDR) is a leading practice and a promising process innovation that seeks to enhance both patient experiences and healthcare outcomes for hospitals. It requires multiple hospital staff involved in patientcare visiting patients as a team at their bedside, so that they can address various issues related to patientcare and care transition and answer any patient questions. This paper discusses the implementation of two different models of patient engagement through MDR to gain input from patients while they are still in the hospital, as opposed to relying on patient satisfaction data, so that hospitals can alter their strategies to educate patients on care plans and help empower them to self-manage their care post-discharge. The MDR is implemented as a process innovation at a comprehensive community teaching hospital in Michigan, with the expectation that it can lead to improved organizational outcomes in both the short run (e.g., reduced length of stay [LOS]) and the long run (e.g., reduced patient readmission and improved patient satisfaction). The hospital implemented MDR in various units as a process innovation to improve patient engagement and patient satisfaction. The initial phase of MDR implementation was nurse-led to gain feedback from patients at three time periods (30, 60 and 90 days) on patient services. The hospital revised the MDR process in the second phase into a doctor led patient education process. While the results to date are not conclusive, they do show how MDR can be used by hospitals to engage patients inside the hospital to gain feedback for continuous improvement, using technology when appropriate, and support patient education on care plans post-discharge.


THE population of the United States is increasing at a much more rapid rate than the increase in health personnel available to maintain health services at an optimum level. At present a large number of children are receiving grossly inadequate health care. Thus, between 20% and 40% of all children suffer from one or more chronic conditions, and about 30% of these handicapping conditions could be prevented or corrected by comprehensive care during the first five years of life; comprehensive care which was continued to the age of 18 would prevent or correct 60%. We are approaching the point when the health manpower available to care for children will be increasingly strained and the number of physicians now available for health care, plus those to be graduated from the present group of medical schools as well as from the new schools being developed, will still be grossly inadequate. It has


Estrogen regulates hippocampal dendritic spine density and synapse number in an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent manner, and these effects may be of particular importance in the context of age-related changes in endocrine status. We investigated estrogen's effects on axospinous synapse density and the synaptic distribution of the NMDA receptor subunit, NR1, within the context of aging. Although estrogen induced an increase in axospinous synapse density in young animals, it did not alter the synaptic representation of NR1, in that the amount of NR1 per synapse was equivalent across groups. Estrogen replacement in aged female rats failed to increase axospinous synapse density; however, estrogen up-regulated synaptic NR1 compared with aged animals with no estrogen. Therefore, the young and aged hippocampi react differently to estrogen replacement, with the aged animals unable to mount a plasticity response generating additional synapses, yet responsive to estrogen with respect to additional NMDA receptor content per synapse. These findings have important implications for estrogen replacement therapy in the context of aging.


: How ocean acidification (OA) interacts with other stressors is understudied, particularly for predators and prey. We assessed long-term exposure to decreased pH and low salinity on (1) juvenile blue crab Callinectes sapidus claw pinch force, (2) juvenile hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria survival, growth, and shell structure, and (3) blue crab and hard clam interactions in filmed mesocosm trials. In 2018 and 2019, we held crabs and clams from the Chesapeake Bay, USA, in crossed pH (low: 7.0, high: 8.0) and salinity (low: 15, high: 30) treatments for 11 and 10 wk, respectively. Afterwards, we assessed crab claw pinch force and clam survival, growth, shell structure, and ridge rugosity. Claw pinch force increased with size in both years but weakened in low pH. Clam growth was negative, indicative of shell dissolution, in low pH in both years compared to the control. Growth was also negative in the 2019 high-pH/low-salinity treatment. Clam survival in both years was lowest in the low-pH/low-salinity treatment and highest in the high-pH/high-salinity treatment. Shell damage and ridge rugosity (indicative of deterioration) were intensified under low pH and negatively correlated with clam survival. Overall, clams were more severely affected by both stressors than crabs. In the filmed predator−prey interactions, pH did not substantially alter crab behavior, but crabs spent more time eating and burying in high-salin-ity treatments and more time moving in low-salinity treatments. Given the complex effects of pH and salinity on blue crabs and hard clams, projections about climate change on predator−prey interactions will be difficult and must consider multiple stressors.


The conventional story of sovereignty told in the discipline of International Relations (IR) tells us that there is a "traditional" or "Westphalian" meaning of sovereignty that has prevailed since the seventeenth century and that accords states the right to govern themselves free from outside interference. In recent years, the tale goes, this meaning has been challenged for the first time by notions of conditional and responsible sovereignty. This article argues that the supposed "traditional" meaning of sovereignty is not as foundational and timeless as is often assumed. Rather than a right of non-intervention, it was the right to wage (just) war that was first conceived by political theorists to be the external corollary of the internal supremacy of the sovereign. This included the right of war to punish tyranny and rescue the oppressed. This article examines the initial absence and then the gradual emergence of the "traditional" meaning of sovereignty, arguing that it was only firmly established by international society for the first time in the twentieth century. It concludes by considering some of the implications of this revised story of sovereignty for the study of IR.


Impactful inventions carry forward combinations of components which depart from common practices: they remove restrictions in the knowledge space by breaking conventional rules. In this paper we present a novel measure of the extent to which combinations in the inventive process conform to established practices. We borrow an established approach from the literature on product market diversification and adapt it to measure how combinations are typical or unconventional. We find that most of the inventive activities are grounded in conventional efforts, with rare instances of unconventional connections. Unconventionality is more likely to occur with experience, in teams and in large organizations. Moreover, patents which cite a widespread spectrum of previous results have a higher chance to identify unconventional connections. We also observe that inventions carrying forward unconventional combinations are cited more by future patent applications than conventional inventions.


The findings are presented from a study of the job generating activities of fifteen rural counties in southern Maryland and the Delaware Peninsula. Nine specified informants, who were knowledgeable about economic developments, were interviewed in each county to learn what actions their counties are taking to develop economically and how much each activity contributes to jobs. The activities that impacted the most on jobs were industrial parks, economic developments units, and tourism promotion. Other major job generators were a county group for recruiting businesses, special capital arrangements, development bonds, location in county of state or federal government activities, and commercial sites. An analysis of county characteristics and activities related to job generating success is provided. In relation to sociological practice, community development as defined by Napier and Carter (1986:26, 27) is " . . . planned change for collective problem solving" involving "local groups in the determination of change priorities" (1986:26). (See also Chekki, 1979; Christenson and Robinson, 1980; Voth, 1979; and for an alternative point of view, though not necessarily an incompatible one, see Hobbs, 1980.) One of the major problems in rural America today is economic decline, high unemployment, and out migration of young people to seek greater opportunities elsewhere. Rural areas, through municipal and county governments and business associations, are taking collective actions to address these problems, and these actions are the focus of this paper. We This paper is based on a study funded by the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development and reported in Finsterbusch, et al. (1989). Support from the Computer Science Center of the University of Maryland also is