This master thesis uses process modelling to investigate energy efficiency measures
in the grate-kiln process for iron ore production; specifically, how waste heat contained
in flue gas could be recirculated in order to achieve a decrease in specific
fuel consumption. Consequently, fossil carbon emissions would be reduced as the
grate-kiln units are fired with coal or oil.
The implementation of flue gas recirculation is simulated with a process model in
EBSILON Professional 10.0. Process concepts which make use of available waste
heat are developed and their impact on fuel usage, pellet temperature profiles and the
magnetite oxidation process is evaluated. Aside from partial flue gas recirculation,
a heat recovery concept is investigated. Both concepts are applied to decrease the
fuel consumption by increasing the temperature and oxidation on the grate and to
recover heat at a high temperature. To minimize the effect of recirculation and heat
recovery on the pellet heat treatment process, concepts that use intercooling before
the grate are also evaluated.
The implementation of heat recovery affects the performance of the pellet cooler.
The cooler's operation is studied in detail with a cooler model developed in MATLAB.
The cooler model is evaluated, and a sensitivity analysis is made to determine
which parameters have a crucial impact on the pellet cooling.
The results indicate that waste heat utilization can reduce the fuel consumption by
up to 30% if a heat exchanger is used. It was revealed that increased temperature
into the cooler's hottest section elevates the temperature levels on the grate, which
lowers the fuel usage. Direct flue gas recirculation lowers the oxygen content in the
air passing the kiln and grate, which has a negative impact on the oxidation process
and the overall heat balance.
The cooler model showed that to maintain adequate pellet cooling, the mass flow
through cooler zones C3 and C4 should be increased by 70 %, or the area of the
C3 and C4 sections should be increased by 40% when heat recovery is used. The
direct flue gas recirculation concepts requires a 40% and 25% increase for the two
measures, respectively.
The thesis recommends three process designs, based on indirect heat recovery from
the flue gases.


This article is written with the aim that the reader can find out about student administration. where the administration of students is a process or activity carried out on students ranging from planning student acceptance to students complete their education in order to achieve educational goals effectively and efficiently.


Personality is an important factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia because it affects patients' symptoms, cognition and social functioning. Several studies have reported specific personality traits in patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy subjects. However, the results were inconsistent among studies, as the sample size in each study was not sufficient. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) measures five personality traits: Neuroticism (N), Extraversion (E), Openness (O), Agreeableness (A) and Conscientiousness (C). Here, we performed a meta-analysis of these personality traits assessed by the NEO-FFI in 427 patients with schizophrenia and 455 healthy subjects from the published literature and investigated possible associations between schizophrenia and these traits. There was no publication bias for any traits (P>0.10). Because we found evidence of significant heterogeneity in all traits among the studies (P<0.10), we applied a random-effect model to perform the meta-analysis. Patients with schizophrenia showed a higher score for N and lower scores for E, O, A and C compared with healthy subjects (P<0.05). The effect sizes of these personality traits ranged from moderate to large. These differences were not affected by possible confounding factors, such as age and gender (P>0.05). These findings suggest that patients with schizophrenia have a unique personality profile compared with healthy subjects. PM534 Longitudinal change in neurocognition and its relation to symptomatic and functional changes over 2 years in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis Ye Seul Shin a, So-Yeon Kim b, Tae Young Lee c, Ji-Won Hur d, Na Young Shin c, Sung Nyun Kim c,e, Min-Sup Shin e, and Jun Soo Kwon a,c,e,* 1Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea 2Department of Psychology, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea 3Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, SNUMRC, Seoul, Republic of Korea 4Department of Psychology, ChungAng University, Seoul, Republic of Korea 5Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea *Correspondence: Jun Soo Kwon, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-no, Chongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 110–744 Tel: +82 2 2072 2972; Fax: +82 2 747 9063 E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Abstract Background: Negative symptoms and functional disability represent the core of schizophrenia and both are associated with cognitive impairments. We explored the course of cognitive change and its relation to symptomatic and functional changes in individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis to identify cognitive indicators of long-term course. Such attempts may offer insight into the pathological changes associated with the development of illness in the prodromal state. Methods: Forty-seven CHR individuals completed neurocognitive, clinical, and functional assessments at baseline and 2-year follow-up; twenty-eight healthy controls were assessed for neurocognitive and functional measures at baseline and 2-year follow-up. The delta values of CHR individuals in neurocognitive, clinical, and functional domains were determined from differences between baseline and follow-up scores to estimate the degree of change. Results: Although overall longitudinal cognitive performance of CHR individuals improved, the magnitude of improvement was not statistically different from that of normal controls at the group level. However, the individual data yielded two groups of CHR subjects showing opposite trajectories of cognitive change in semantic fluency (i.e., improvement or decline), which was significantly associated with changes in negative symptoms and functional measures. Moreover, the relationship between negative symptoms and functioning were more strengthened over time than baseline. Conclusions: Our findings show that semantic fluency seems to be a neurocognitive indicator reflecting clinical courses in CHR individuals. The longitudinal relationship of negative symptoms and functioning with semantic fluency may represent ongoing pathological processes in neural systems involving aberrant fronto-temporal interaction in the early phase of schizophrenia.


The unprecedented scale of the 2019-2020 eastern Australian bushfires exemplifies the challenges that scientists and conservation biologists face monitoring the effects of biodiversity in the aftermath of large-scale environmental disturbances. After a large-scale disturbance there are conservation policy and management actions that need to be both timely and informed by data. By working with the public, often widely spread out over such disturbed areas, citizen science offers a unique opportunity to collect data on biodiversity responses at the appropriate scale. We detail a citizen science project, hosted through iNaturalist, launched shortly after the 2019-2020 bushfire season in eastern Australia. It rapidly (1) provided accurate data on fire severity, relevant to future recovery; and (2) delivered data on a wide range (mosses to mammals) of biodiversity responses at a scale that matched the geographic extent of these fires.


The waste-water of the chemical processes includes hundreds of hazardous pollutants with low concentration. Although the emission of trace amounts of these chemicals is allowed by the laws, they are quite harmful to the water ecosystem and the human health. These chemicals including the acetone, toluene, phenol, and esters are defined as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Separation of the VOCs from the large volume of industrial waste-water is required practically complicated and advanced processes. In this approach, more economically and efficient separation methods can be more favorable such as pervaporation. Pervaporation (PV) is an attractive and promising method for separation the small amount of dissolved chemicals from the waste-water. Pervaporative separation does not need any toxic solvent or external heat energy during the separation process. Therefore, it is defined as a cost effective and environmentally friendly process. In this study, acetone was selected as a VOC component and it was selectively separated from the model mixture (acetone-water) by pervaporation where the poly(hedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)(POSS) loaded poly(dimethyl siloxane) hydrophobic membrane was used. The structure of the membrane was characterized by scanning electron and polarized microscopy methods. The surface structure of the membrane was also analyzed by contact angle measurements. Effects of feed temperature and acetone-water concentration on separation performance were evaluated in terms of the total flux and acetone separation factor. Compared to the pristine PDMS membrane, 212% improvement on separation factor was achieved by 10 wt.% POSS incorporated membrane. The highest acetone separation factor was obtained as 237 when the temperature was 30 oC and the acetone concentration was 1%.


This study analyzes tax avoidance risk assessment including dimension and magnitude of tax avoidance risk exposure using several enterprise-related and government-related variables. Providing far-reaching analysis and examining a relatively unexplored area of conforming tax avoidance, this study employs two measurements of tax avoidance including non-conforming and conforming tax avoidance. As an extensive analysis, this paper also examines the magnitude of tax avoidance responsiveness with respect to different types of enterprises including Permanent Establishment and foreign-invested enterprises. The results drawn from this study are paramount as the empirical approach to in tax policy formulation. Risk profiles suggested in this research are pertinent to risk engine of Compliance Risk Management (CRM) and also beneficial for Risk-Based Audit strategy formulation. Ensuring the best-fit policy formulation, these results revealed that application of tax authority's strategy to hike tax compliance should be more likely to prevention rather than reaction. Furthermore, in the brain area of academic research, the findings also contribute to the field of tax literature by providing simultaneous empirical models including conforming and non-conforming tax avoidance model, which has been relatively unexplored in prior studies.


Using a comprehensive atmospheric GCM coupled to a slab mixed layer ocean, experiments are performed to study the mechanism by which displacements of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) are forced from the extratropics. The northern extratropics are cooled and the southern extratropics are warmed by an imposed cross-equatorial flux beneath the mixed layer, forcing a southward shift in the ITCZ. The ITCZ displacement can be understood in terms of the degree of compensation between the imposed oceanic flux and the resulting response in the atmospheric energy transport in the tropics. The magnitude of the ITCZ displacement is very sensitive to a parameter in the convection scheme that limits the entrainment into convective plumes. The change in the convection scheme affects the extratropical–tropical interactions in the model primarily by modifying the cloud response. The results raise the possibility that the response of tropical precipitation to extratropical thermal forcing, important for a variety of problems in climate dynamics (such as the response of the tropics to the Northern Hemisphere ice sheets during glacial maxima or to variations in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation), may be strongly dependent on cloud feedback. The model configuration described here is suggested as a useful benchmark helping to quantify extratropical–tropical interactions in atmospheric models.


A procedure to select the optimum fiber orientations and determine the maximum load-bearing capacity of the simply supported symmetrically laminated plates combined the bidirectional tension loads and bending moments is described. The fiber orientation is considered a design variable. The optimization problem consists of two stages. The objective of the first stage is to maximize the strength of the laminated plates by determining the fiber orientations optimally while the objective of the second stage is to maximize each of the bidirectional tension loads and bending moments subject to the Tsai—Wu failure criterion for the optimum fiber orientations obtained from the first stage. The modified feasible direction method (MFD) is used as an optimization procedure. Therefore, a FORTRAN program is used for the finite element analysis and optimization routine. Also, the optimum fiber orientations are obtained using the golden section (GS) method to compare the results. Finally, the effect of the different plate aspect ratio, width-to thickness ratio, the uncertainties in the material properties and the uncertainties in the fiber orientations on the optimum results is investigated and the results are compared.


BACKGROUND
Gene therapy in mammalian cells requires vectors exhibiting long-term stability and high expression. Episomal gene expression vectors offer a safe and attractive alternative to those that integrate into the host cell genome.

MATERIALS & METHODS
In the present study, we developed a new episomal vector based on the insulator, chicken hypersensitive site 4 (cHS4). The cHS4 element was artificially synthesized, cloned into the pEGFP-C1 vector, and used to transfect Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and human Chang liver cells. The stably transfected cell colonies were further cultured in either the presence or absence of G418 selection. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis and vector rescue experiments demonstrated that the vector replicated episomally in both CHO and human Chang liver cells. Compared with episomal vectors mediated by matrix attachment region sequences, the cHS4 element-containing vector yielded increased transgene expression levels, transfection efficiency, and stability during long-term culture. The vector was present at a very low copy number in the cells and was stably maintained over more than 100 generations without selection pressure.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, apart from a few free vector forms, the cHS4-containing vector mainly replicates episomally in mammalian cells and out- performs comparable systems in terms of yielding both higher expression levels and stability levels.


Most tobacco control laws were written to address the scourge of smoking--particularly smoking cigarettes. As a result, these laws frequently exclude non-cigarette tobacco products, which are becoming more prevalent on the market. These regulatory gaps jeopardize public health by increasing the possibility that these products will be used--particularly by minors and young adults. This article examines gaps in regulation using five products as case studies: dissolvable tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, little cigars, snus, and water pipes. In addition, this article presents policy options that state and local governments can adopt to regulate these products more effectively, including regulations relating to price, flavors, youth access, use in public places, point-of-sale warnings, and marketing. Furthermore, this article contains extensive discussion of the recently adopted federal Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which both limits and expands the power of state and local governments.


MEMS optical scanners are highly desired due to their low-power, high-speed scanning. The in-plane vibratory grating scanner is a development in this area which possesses several unique features. The in-plane scanning minimizes the dynamic deformation, allowing for higher-resolution displays. The dispersive element permits splitting the incoming beam into its constituents for analysis and imaging. Coupling a grating platform to an in-plane moving structure is useful for real-time motion measurement which would otherwise be difficult to analyze. These applications are described including a recent development in the structural design of a double-layer layout which further improves the performance of the grating scanner.


The main objectives of this work are to experimentally examine the enhancing mass transfer performance of FeO nanofluid on the bubble absorption and to find the optimal method to design highly effective compact absorber for NH3/H2O absorption refrigerator. Based on the microcosmic analysis of the factors affecting the stable performance of nanofluid, FeO nanofluid was prepared by using the ultrasonic dispersion method. The ammonia bubble absorption experiments with FeO nanofluid were carried out and the data of absorption height were acquired. The results showed that FeO nanofluid had an enhancing effect on mass transfer performance, and the absorption height was 2mm higher than that of the water based solution in 2 minutes of the experiment conditions. The curves of the solution temperature in absorption were also given. According to the data of the absorption height and the solution temperature, it is pointed out that there are two factors which might have negative influences on the mass transfer enhancing process.


The process of electron transfer from the special pair, P, to the primary electron donor, H(A), in quinone-depleted reaction centers (RCs) of Chloroflexus (Cf.) aurantiacus has been investigated over the temperature range from 10 to 295 K using time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopic techniques. The kinetics of the electron transfer reaction, P* → P(+)H(A)(-), was found to be nonexponential, and the degree of nonexponentiality increased strongly as temperature decreased. The temperature-dependent behavior of electron transfer in Cf. aurantiacus RCs was compared with that of the purple bacterium Rhodobacter (Rb.) sphaeroides . Distinct transitions were found in the temperature-dependent kinetics of both Cf. aurantiacus and Rb. sphaeroides RCs, at around 220 and 160 K, respectively. Structural differences between these two RCs, which may be associated with those differences, are discussed. It is suggested that weaker protein-cofactor hydrogen bonding, stronger electrostatic interactions at the protein surface, and larger solvent interactions likely contribute to the higher transition temperature in Cf. aurantiacus RCs temperature-dependent kinetics compared with that of Rb. sphaeroides RCs. The reaction-diffusion model provides an accurate description for the room-temperature electron transfer kinetics in Cf. aurantiacus RCs with no free parameters, using coupling and reorganization energy values previously determined for Rb. sphaeroides , along with an experimental measure of protein conformational diffusion dynamics and an experimental literature value of the free energy gap between P* and P(+)H(A)(-).


This paper comprises a continuation of computer simulation studies dealing with carrier ampholyte based CIEF in presence of narrow pH gradients. With this technique, amphoteric sample components with pI values outside the pH gradient are migrating isotachophoretically toward the cathode or anode whereas components with pI values within the gradient become focused. In order to understand the processes occurring in presence of the electric field, the behavior of both carrier ampholytes and amphoteric sample components is investigated by computer modeling. Characteristics of two pH unit gradients with end components having pI values at or around 7.00 and conditions that lead to the formation of a water zone at neutrality were investigated. Data obtained reveal that a zone of water is formed in focusing with carrier ampholytes when the applied pH range does not cover the neutral region, ends at pH 7.00 or begins at pH 7.00. The presence of additional amphoteric components that cover the neutrality region prevent water zone formation under current flow. This situation is met in experiments with narrow pH gradients that end or begin around neutrality. Simulation data reveal that no water zone evolves when atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolved in the catholyte causes the migration of carbonic acid (in the form of carbonate and/or hydrogen carbonate ions) from the catholyte through the focusing structure. An electrolyte change in the electrode solution does not have an impact on the focusing part but does change the isotachophoretic pattern migrating behind the leading ion.


This correction is issued to acknowledge the previous work by Dr Ulrike Koch and her colleagues which had stimulated our research and influenced our experimental approach but was unfortunately omitted from the list of cited references.

In her PhD thesis, Dr. Koch investigated food quality effects on and clonal differences in resting egg production of Daphnia sp. (Koch 2009). In a part of her thesis, she addressed the potential role of single amino acids for the reproductive mode of Daphnia. This work has stimulated our subsequent research presented in our paper (Fink et al. 2011). In her studies, Dr. Koch could demonstrate that the addition of specific dissolved amino acids (namely arginine and histidine) to a diet of the green alga Scenedesmus sp. (which together with crowding conditions induced resting egg formation in Daphnia, Koch 2009) triggered a change in Daphnia's reproductive strategy from the production of resting eggs to the production of subitaneously developing eggs; this change also increased the population growth rate of daphnids (Koch et al. 2011). In our study using a similar experimental setup, we corroborated several of Dr. Koch's findings, but also have extended her findings as well as reported some striking differences.

Using a different green algal genus (Chlamydomonas), we could confirm that addition of the amino acids arginine and histidine to a green algal diet induces a switch from resting egg production to the development of subitaneous eggs under crowding conditions. Interestingly, Koch (2009) has reported quite different effects of the two green algae Scenedesmus and Chlamydomonas on the reproduction of daphnids in her thesis: While she found daphnids to produce mostly subitaneous eggs on a diet of Chlamydomonas, but mostly resting eggs on a diet of Scenedesmus (under crowding conditions), our results suggest that also Chlamydomonas as a food organism leads to an increased resting egg production of daphnids compared to a high quality cryptophyte diet. Because of the effects of amino acid addition on the reproduction mode of Daphnia, Koch et al. (2011) investigated the effect of amino acid additions on the daphnids' population growth rate. In our study, we followed another, independent hypothesis that the amino acid addition could also affect somatic growth of Daphnia. In an extension to the investigations of Koch et al. (2011), we further have demonstrated that the addition of arginine and histidine also influenced either the the timing of the release of eggs from the ovary into the brood chamber or the actual embryonic development of cladoceran eggs.

The most striking differences in the results of Dr. Koch and our study lie in the reported relative difference of the amino acid contents in the hydrolysates of the food algae. Koch (2009) and Koch et al. (2011) related the effects of algal diets on Daphnia reproduction to these algae's amino acid contents. In contrast to their findings, we could not detect significant differences in the arginine and histidine contents of the algal diets in our experiment, despite their strongly different effects on the daphnids' reproductive strategy (Fink et al. 2011). This corroborates earlier work by Ahlgren et al. (1992) who found no taxon-specific amino acid profiles in numerous phytoplankton taxa. Hence, our data suggests that the algal amino acid composition cannot explain the observed effects of algal diet on the reproductive strategy of Daphnia (Fink et al. 2011). These partially contradicting results on the content of essential amino acids of freshwater phytoplankton species and their potential consequences for herbivorous zooplankton remain to be resolved by future studies.

Taken together, the results of Koch and colleagues (2009, 2011) and our findings (Fink et al. 2011) indicate a high, but previously overlooked importance of specific essential amino acids for the reproductive strategy of the aquatic keystone herbivore Daphnia. Unfortunately, the citation of the work of Dr. Koch was accidentally deleted from a previous version of our manuscript during the assembly of our paper and was therefore unintentionally not included in the paper.

These references, for the omitted acknowledgements, were not listed in the published References list:

52.Koch U (2009) Resting egg production in Daphnia: food quality effects and clonal differences. PhD thesis. Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Germany

53.Koch U, Martin-Creuzburg D, Grossart HP, Straile D. (2011) Single dietary amino acids control resting egg production and affect population growth of a key freshwater herbivore. Oecologia 167 (4): 981-989. DOI: 10.1007/s00442-011-2047-4


Land use legacies can have a discernible influence in present-day watersheds and should be accounted for when designing conservation strategies for riverine aquatic life. We describe the environmental history of three watersheds within the Grande Ronde subbasin of the Columbia River using General Land Office survey field notes from the 19th century. In the two watersheds severely impacted by Euro-American land use, stream channel widths—a metric representing habitat simplification—increased from an average historical width of 16.8 m to an average present width of 20.8 m in large streams; 4.3 m to 5.5 m in small, confined or partly confined streams; and 3.5 m to 6.5 m in small, laterally unconfined steams. Conversely, we did not detect significant change in stream widths in an adjacent, wilderness stream with minimal human impact. Using a mechanistic water temperature model and restoration scenarios based on the historical condition, we predicted that stream restoration in the impacted watersheds could notably decrease average water temperatures—especially when channel narrowing is coupled with riparian restoration—up to a 6.6°C reduction in the upper Grande Ronde River and 3.0°C in Catherine Creek. These reductions in water temperature translated to substantial changes in the percentage of stream network habitable to salmon and steelhead migration (from 29% in the present condition to 79% in the fully restored scenario) and to core juvenile rearing (from 13% in the present condition to 36% in the fully restored scenario). We conclude that land use legacies leave an important footprint on the present landscape and are critical for understanding historic habitat-forming processes as a necessary first step towards restoration.


Carbon sequestration experiments were conducted on uncemented sediment and lithified rock from the Eau Claire Formation, which consisted primarily of K-feldspar and quartz. Cores were heated to accentuate reactivity between fluid and mineral grains and to force CO(2) exsolution. Measured permeability of one sediment core ultimately reduced by 4 orders of magnitude as it was incrementally heated from 21 to 150 °C. Water-rock interaction produced some alteration, yielding sub-μm clay precipitation on K-feldspar grains in the core's upstream end. Experimental results also revealed abundant newly formed pore space in regions of the core, and in some cases pores that were several times larger than the average grain size of the sediment. These large pores likely formed from elevated localized pressure caused by rapid CO(2) exsolution within the core and/or an accumulating CO(2) phase capable of pushing out surrounding sediment. CO(2) filled the pores and blocked flow pathways. Comparison with a similar experiment using a solid arkose core indicates that CO(2) accumulation and grain reorganization mainly contributed to permeability reduction during the heated sediment core experiment. This suggests that CO(2) injection into sediments may store more CO(2) and cause additional permeability reduction than is possible in lithified rock due to grain reorganization.


This brief addresses the emission reduction of spark ignition engines by proposing a new control to regulate the air–fuel ratio (AFR) around the ideal value. After revisiting the engine dynamics, the AFR regulation is represented as a tracking control of the injected fuel amount. This allows to take the fuel film dynamics into consideration and simplify the control design. The lumped unknown engine dynamics in the new formulation are online estimated by suggesting a new effective unknown system dynamics estimator. The estimated variable can be superimposed on a commercially configured, well-calibrated gain scheduling like proportional–integral–differential (PID) control to achieve a better AFR response. The salient feature of this proposed control scheme lies in its simplicity and the small number of required measurements, that is, only the air mass flow rate, the pressure and temperature in the intake manifold, and the measured AFR value are used. Practical experiments on a Tata Motors Limited two-cylinder gasoline engine are carried out under a realistic driving cycle. The comparative results show that the proposed control can achieve an improved AFR control response and reduced emissions.


A virtual test blanket module (VTBM) has been envisioned as a utility to aid in streamlining and optimizing the US ITER TBM design effort by providing an integrated multi-code, multi-physics modeling environment. Within this effort, an integrated simulation approach is being developed for TBM design calculations and performance evaluation. Particularly, integrated thermo-fluid/thermal-stress analysis is important for enabling TBM design and performance calculations. In this paper, procedures involved in transient coupled thermo-fluid/thermal-stress analysis are investigated. The established procedure is omputation simulation applied to study the impact of pulsed operational phenomenon on the thermal-stress response of the TBM first wall. A two-way coupling between the thermal strain and temperature field is also studied, in the context of a change in thermal conductivity of the beryllium pebble bed in a solid breeder blanket TBM due to thermal strain. The temperature field determines the thermal strain in beryllium, which in turn changes the temperature field. Iterative thermo-fluid/thermal strain calculations have been applied to both steady-state and pulsed operation conditions. All calculations have been carried out in three tative


Objective To assess global health (GH) training in all postgraduate medical education in the UK. Design Mixed methodology: scoping review and curricular content analysis using two GH competency frameworks. Setting and participants A scoping review (until December 2017) was used to develop a framework of GH competencies for doctors. National postgraduate medical training curricula were analysed against this and a prior framework for GH competencies. The number of core competencies addressed and/or appearing in each programme was recorded. Outcomes The scoping review identified eight relevant publications. A 16-competency framework was developed and, with a prior 5-competency framework, used to analyse each of 71 postgraduate medical curricula. Curricula were examined by a team of researchers and relevant learning outcomes were coded as one of the 5 or 16 core competencies. The number of core competencies in each programme was recorded. Results Using the 5-competency and 16-competency frameworks, 23 and 20, respectively, out of 71 programmes contained no global health competencies, most notably the Foundation Programme (equivalent to internship), a compulsory programme for UK medical graduates. Of a possible 16 competencies, the mean number across all 71 programmes was 1.73 (95% CI 1.42 to 2.04) and the highest number were in paediatrics and infectious diseases, each with five competencies. Of the 16 core competencies, global burden of disease and socioeconomic determinants of health were the two most cited with 47 and 35 citations, respectively. 8/16 competencies were not cited in any curriculum. Conclusions Equity of care and the challenges of practising in an increasingly globalised world necessitate GH competencies for all doctors. Across the whole of postgraduate training, the majority of UK doctors are receiving minimal or no training in GH. Our GH competency framework can be used to map and plan integration across postgraduate programmes.


The main objective of the thesis is to analyse the development and structure of civil
service careers in small and large states, taking Estonia and the United Kingdom as
case studies. In the first part of the thesis, different disciplinary perspectives on
careers are examined, including public administration, management, organisation
theory, labour economics, sociology and psychology. A distinction is made between
career, job and network systems in civil services, as frameworks for career
development. Careers are analysed from two perspectives: individual and institutional.
Mobility within and between organisations is given special attention, leading on to an
investigation of boundaryless careers. The findings from different perspectives are
drawn together to develop an integrated approach to civil service careers. The thesis
also takes account of broader societal changes that have substantially affected the
understanding of careers in the 1990s by increasing their diversity. The case studies in
part two draw on documentary materials and interviews with civil servants in the United
Kingdom and Estonia to identify similarities and differences in the characteristics of
the development of careers in these two countries. The thesis shows how the reforms
in the British and Estonian civil services in the 1990s have affected the way in which
institutional and individual careers have evolved. An important objective of the thesis
is to analyse how the size of states influences career opportunities and structures. In
part three differences between larger and smaller countries are shown to be not merely
quantitative but also qualitative. The size of the state appears to have a number of
implications for the development of civil service systems and for career management
within them. The findings suggest that traditional bureaucratic models may not be
well suited to the small state context, as smaller institutions may have difficulty in
developing stable structures with formalised career paths. Network organisations can,
however, offer an opportunity for small states to develop further their civil services by
providing a large degree of flexibility in career management.


Good nutritional quality is a key for a successful Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) juvenile producer. Copepods are the natural prey for marine fish larvae, and its nutritional composition is believed to be optimal for the marine fish larvae. Despite the suitability for copepods in cod cultivation, only a few hatcheries have used this technique. When cultivating cod larvae and copepods intensively they can be produced in larger quantities and year-round, compared to the seasonal extensive cultivation. Intensive produced copepods have yet to be used in large-scale cod hatcheries. It has several times been documented that nutrition is important for survival, growth and the general quality of cod larvae. Even though these variables are something many farmers of juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) are struggling with, there has still not been developed any standard evaluation of quality. Codeggs were divided and after hatching given 4 different feeding regimes (3-28 dph). One was fed the copepod Acartia tonsa, a second fed the rotifer Brachionus ibericus enriched, a third fed Brachionus ibericus unenriched and a last with a mixture of copepods (7 days) and enriched rotifers. This was done to better see the effect of copepod feeding compared to the rotifer effect, and if there could be some benefits from only feeding with copepods for a small period. All treatments were fed Artemia sp. (20-40 dph) and dry feed (36-60 dph). In addition to growth and survival, the quality of the fish larvae was assessed. This was done by using the following quality parameters: Larval feeding activity, resistance to handling stress, skeletal deformations and shape variation. The study showed a clear trend where the larvae fed mostly copepods were the most successful in terms of growth, survival and quality, followed by those fed copepods for 7 days, and enriched and unenriched rotifers at the end. These results clearly showed that intensively cultivated copepods successfully could be used during intensive cod cultivation. All quality parameters gave results and combined gave a broad picture of the general quality of the cod larvae.


Two drums suitable for a Chase Machine were made of Al metal matrix composites containing 25vol.% SiCp with 3.5 μm and 34 μm in nominal diameter respectively. The same brake pads were measured on the Chase Machine installing each individual drum. It has been found that the brake pads had better frictional performance and wear resistance against the drum with the large-size SiCp than against the drum with the small-size ones. Friction fade took place at elevated temperatures - above 316 oC, but the original level of friction coefficient could be regained rapidly upon cooling with regard to the latter. The minor level of friction coefficient was attributable to soft Al crystal structure characteristics and thick tribofilms during the testing stages.


The effects of different management regimes on N2 fixation by subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) in annual pastures and lucerne (Medicago sativa) in perennial-based pastures were examined in 5 experiments and 55 commercial paddocks, in which the pastures were grown in phased rotation with crops. The objectives were to quantify the inputs of fixed N2 and to determine ways of increasing nitrogen (N) inputs into ley-farming systems of southern New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria. Estimates of annual amounts of N2 fixed, based on above-ground herbage production in grazed pastures, ranged from 5 to 238 kg N/ha for subterranean clover and from 47 to 167 kg N/ha for lucerne. Legume reliance upon N2 fixation for growth (Pfix) was high (>65%) in most annual and perennial pastures examined. The levels of Pfix were generally unaffected by management treatments. As a consequence the amounts of N2 fixed were predominantly regulated by the legume content and herbage yield of pastures rather than by any marked differences in the ability of the legume to fix N. When all experimental results were combined with on-farm measurements of N2 fixation, the data indicated that lucerne and subterranean clover fixed 22-25 kg N for every tonne of legume dry matter produced. Management inputs to annual pastures which improved the productivity of subterranean clover and the amounts of N2 fixed included applications of superphosphate and the removal of grass species with herbicide, although the response to these treatments was not consistent across all sites in all years. Potential inputs from N2 fixation were high in annual pastures, and improved management during a good clover season enhanced the levels of mineral N detected in the soil profile (0-200 cm) the following autumn by 100-200 kg N/ha. However, year-to-year variability in annual pasture productivity and clover content resulted in large fluctuations in amounts of N2 fixed. Perennial pastures containing lucerne provided consistently greater annual herbage production, had more stable legume contents, and fixed on average 90-150% more N2 than neighbouring subterranean clover-based pastures. Even during the 1994 drought when annual pastures failed, lucerne still managed to fix >70 kg N/ha. It is proposed that lucerne-based pastures could represent a more reliable means of improving soil fertility for subsequent crops than annual pastures.


ABSTRACT For many viruses, primary infection has been shown to prevent superinfection by a homologous second virus. In this study, we investigated superinfection exclusion of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a positive-sense RNA pestivirus. Cells acutely infected with BVDV were protected from superinfection by homologous BVDV but not with heterologous vesicular stomatitis virus. Superinfection exclusion was established within 30 to 60 min but was lost upon passaging of persistently infected cells. Superinfecting BVDV failed to deliver a translatable genome into acutely infected cells, indicating a block in viral entry. Deletion of structural protein E2 from primary infecting BVDV abolished this exclusion. Bypassing the entry block by RNA transfection revealed a second block at the level of replication but not translation. This exclusion did not require structural protein expression and was inversely correlated with the level of primary BVDV RNA replication. These findings suggest dual mechanisms of pestivirus superinfection exclusion, one at the level of viral entry that requires viral glycoprotein E2 and a second at the level of viral RNA replication.


Ahi poke (raw tuna salad) has significant role in Hawaii culture and economy. A consumer survey in Hawaii was used to examine consumers' purchasing intentions of ahi poke. A censored analysis was conducted to analyze the demand and tie with various consumer characteristics. Results show that many consumer eat ahi poke frequently and different consumer profiles will lead to large differences in their demand. Information obtained in study may help producers and retailers to better target their marketing strategies and increase sales.


Abstract In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, there have been a significant number of musical events in recent years that have been called 'underground'. These have formed an underground scene that offered a cosmopolitan alternative to established 'greenlandificated' popular music. This paper accounts for the building of this underground scene by Nuuk youth, and asks why these young people valued musical change informed by a cosmopolitan outlook, while at the same time holding firmly to the conviction that their activities were a part of the dominant Greenlandic nation-building project. Social agents, which played key roles in building the Nuuk underground scene, described their activities as attempts to come to terms with a history in which Greenland has been perceived as a subaltern nation. This enquiry explains the nationalist logic behind a concern with performing similarity with Western nations in the Nuuk underground scene, as opposed to the more widespread romantic nationalist logic concerned with expressing a distinguishable national character. This further leads to an expansion of a position of cosmopolitan nationalism.


In this paper, we re-examine the benefits of holding a portfolio of international real estate securities in the light of evidence of growing co-movement of securitised asset returns across markets. Do diversification benefits depend on how integrated or independent the firms and countries are at global or regional level? Specifically, can more risk reduction be achieved through holding international diversified investments in segmented markets rather than co-integrated markets? If so, is it possible to identify the extent of this effect, hence informing global investor strategy, particularly in the light of a growing integration within global securities markets? The paper develops studies such as Wilson and Zurbruegg (2003), Gerlach et al. (2006) and Gallo and Zhang (2010) in focussing on the cointegration between markets, but extends that work in seeking to identify the sources of difference and in investigating the impact of cointegration on the sensitivity of asset returns to factor risks. Cointegration is captured using a variety of techniques: ADF, PP, KPSS and Zivot and Andrews. From these tests, we produce two portfolios of "cointegrated" and "independent" indices and assess whether they differ in terms of risk-adjusted return. We examine Sharpe ratios and sensitivity to systematic risk, using a range of multi-factor models, decompose portfolio risk using a Fama-Macbeth approach and apply a canonical approach to test sensitivity to macro-economic and financial risk factors. The paper utilises data from GPR's international real estate company database. Monthly returns 1997 to 2011 from individual firms are aggregated to produce value-weighted indices for 19 countries) and five regions. We also examine company returns by sector and, separately, examine firms that are based or predominantly invested in international financial centres. In the analysis presented here, we focus on results for US$ returns, although local currency returns are reported.The results indicate substantial differences in factor sensitivity and risk between the cointegrated and independent portfolios although benefits from risk sensitivity may be offset by lower aggregate performance. We re-examine the results for different time periods and for sector-specific company indices and, finally, examine the results for companies focussed in global financial centres. Differences in the results shed light on the sources of integration and systematic risk.


As I sit down to write this paper, I cannot help but notice that my Facebook page is open, albeit in a minimized window within the background workings of my laptop. The seeming need to be connected to an online social network is so automatic, that it has almost become second in nature. Having an online presence – an online identity for that matter - fulfills a need so strong, that to be pulled away or disconnected becomes almost daunting to envision. This attachment to the artifact of Facebook provides grounds for discussing the topic of the use of media of social communications as a tool for the authentic betterment and progress of people and communities. By consulting a variety of scholarly sources on the topic, I will argue that while the use of Facebook and other similar mediums for communication can facilitate human discourse and enrich relationships, the non-conscious need for self-gratification is what ultimately attaches people to online social networking sites such as Facebook. Although some may say that self- gratification is an integral human need that must be fulfilled, such an approach to social media may indirectly result in an individual's isolation. Thus, this neglects the ethical principle of what the Church teaches media should be: a contribution to authentic human development, which allows individuals to be true to their transcendent destiny.


The Pierre Auger Observatory is a hybrid detector for ultra-high energy cosmic rays. It combines a surface array to measure secondary particles at ground level together with a fluorescence detector to measure the development of air showers in the atmosphere above the array. The fluorescence detector comprises 24 large telescopes specialized for measuring the nitrogen fluorescence caused by charged particles of cosmic ray air showers. In this paper we describe the components of the fluorescence detector including its optical system, the design of the camera, the electronics, and the systems for relative and absolute calibration. We also discuss the operation and the monitoring of the detector. Finally, we evaluate the detector performance and precision of shower reconstructions. & 2010 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.


The ability to capture cell-free DNA from the gastrointestinal tract, in a minimally invasive manner, could enhance our ability to diagnose gastrointestinal disease, or gain a better understanding of the spatial mapping of the intestinal microbiota. We, therefore, sought to identify a class of capture agents that could directly and efficiently sequester genetic material from intestinal fluids. As a particular case study, we examined the ability to capture DNA from pancreatic secretions, for potential application in enabling the sequestration of early, genetic biomarkers of pancreatic disease. We hypothesized that the cholestyramine series of strong cation exchange resins, which are FDA approved for the treatment of high cholesterol, may be capable of capturing DNA from pancreatic secretions. We identified a particular cholestyramine resin, DOWEX 1 × 2 100-200 mesh, which is able to efficiently capture and purify DNA from pancreatic fluid. Using only 200 μL of pancreatic secretions, we are able to recover 247 ± 182 ng of amplifiable human DNA, giving an estimated pancreatic fluid DNA content of 1.23 ± 0.91 ng/μL. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a material that can effectively capture and purify DNA directly from untreated pancreatic fluids. Thus, our approach could hold high utility for the in vivo capture of DNA and disease biomarkers if incorporated into an appropriate sampling device. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 934-938. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


This study focuses on the semantics of ditransitive constructions. Its main aim is to show that the semantics of this type of construction is made up of elements belonging to different conceptual domains. In order to fully analyze the complexity inherent in the semantics of this type of construction we draw on the concept of domain matrixes, proposed originally by Langacker. An analysis of different types of constructions shows that the matrixes are made up at the same time of elements from different domain types. It was also proven that a hierarchy or a difference in prominence can be identified among the domains that make up the matrix. This is so given that some of them are necessary to characterize the matrix of one type of construction whilst others are not. Given this observation, we propose the existence of basic domains and secondary domains in relation to their participation in the configuration of a ditransitive construction matrix.


What do popular media tell us about the way we perceive the rule of law in our society? What conceptions of legal norms and obedience to these norms control popular mass media? How do these conceptions shape and reflect the legal culture of a given society? This paper aims to explore empirically these questions, through the analysis of American TV shows and Israeli TV shows that became popular in Israel. To achieve this goal a dual empirical strategy was adopted — content analysis of popular TV shows, and an Internet survey among Israeli respondents. This approach addresses a methodological and substantive gap in existing literature on law and popular culture since it integrates the two elements of law and popular culture that are usually treated separately — the messages conveyed in the popular artifact and the way the audience actually perceives those messages.The content analysis seemed to reveal a disregard towards legal rules when doing so served an important interest for the characters, as well as undermining the competence of law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the research revealed differences between Israeli and American shows, suggesting that the legal cultures of these societies may well differ. This portrayal was supported by the survey results. Moreover, the survey suggested a correlation between viewing habits and the acceptance of illegality, contributing to the evolving literature on the cultivating effects of mass media. The comparative approach of this study suggests important insights about Israeli legal culture and legal cultures in general, and raises disturbing questions about the popular notion of normative order in modern western societies in the era of globalization.What can the apparent public contempt for legal rules tell us about the rule of law in modern democracies? Do these data provide new ways for thinking about law enforcement in an age of extreme individualism? This study sheds light on these contemporary issues. Furthermore, the study provides preliminary empirical support for the social role of popular media and its relevance in the study of cultures.


This paper investigates the laser piercing process which precedes nearly every laser cutting operation. The two most important aspects of the piercing process are: (a) How long does it take to pierce the material? and (b) How wide is the pierced hole? If the hole is no wider than the cut line, the material can be pierced on the line to be cut. In this paper, 10 mm thick stainless steel was pierced by a multikilowatt fiber laser to compare efficiency and quality when piercing with a continuous wave output and a selected range of power modulation parameters. The different processes were observed by high speed imaging and subsequently examined by visual observation. High speed imaging is used to time the penetration event and to study the laser-material interactions involved in drilling the pierced holes. The results show that appropriate laser power modulation settings can considerably reduce both the piercing time and the required energy to generate any piercing hole required for the subsequent cutting process. This pulse-pierce technique and the differences between piercing with a continuous and a power modulated laser beam are further explained and discussed. Also, the effect on the size of the entrance to the pierced hole depending on power modulation regimes was investigated in this paper.This paper investigates the laser piercing process which precedes nearly every laser cutting operation. The two most important aspects of the piercing process are: (a) How long does it take to pierce the material? and (b) How wide is the pierced hole? If the hole is no wider than the cut line, the material can be pierced on the line to be cut. In this paper, 10 mm thick stainless steel was pierced by a multikilowatt fiber laser to compare efficiency and quality when piercing with a continuous wave output and a selected range of power modulation parameters. The different processes were observed by high speed imaging and subsequently examined by visual observation. High speed imaging is used to time the penetration event and to study the laser-material interactions involved in drilling the pierced holes. The results show that appropriate laser power modulation settings can considerably reduce both...


This work aimed to investigate the functionality, limitations and stages of dialogue for the conservation of the Upper Paraguay River Basin (BAP), through the Latin American Network of Environmental Pro secutors, based on research, quantitative, exploratory, and descriptive and interviews semi-structured information for members of this network. It was found through the data collected, the process of dialogue and diplomatic actions to preserve in common to the countries belonging to the BAP is the real purpose of the network, dismissing the idea that his creation was to propose legislation and create unique conservation the three countries in this region. We also observed that by the promoters that the inclusion of environmental laws in the forest code and the federal constitution of each country would be the first step in a dialogue, homogeneous among members of different countries, the establishment of diplomatic agreements, which allow better integration and monitoring.


NdFeB permanent magnets are highly susceptible to corrosion in various environments. A new composite coating electrodeposited on NdFeB magnets was investigated in this paper. The Ni matrix film was firstly electrodeposited on NdFeB surface from watts nickel electrolyte, and then Ni/Al2O3 composite coating was successively electrodeposited on the Ni film. The microstructures of electrodeposited Ni coating and Ni/Al2O3 composite coating were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The corrosion behavior of Ni coating and Ni/Al2O3 composite coating in 3.5wt% NaC1 solution was studied by polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the Ni coating and Ni/Al2O3 composite coating could both provide adequate protection to NdFeB substrate. But the free corrosion potential of Ni/Al2O3 composite coating was more positive and the passivation region was more obvious when compared with Ni coating. Meantime, the capacitance loop diameter of Ni/Al2O3 composite coating was significantly larger than that of Ni coating ,which suggested that the anticorrosion resistance of Ni/Al2O3 composite coating was better than electroplated Ni coating.


Contact lens dispensing is an important addition to any dispensary. In fact, in today's general ophthalmology practice, dispensing all eyewear, including contact lenses, is practically a necessity. With excellent planning and efficient office procedures, the contact lens dispensing can be a profitable venture that enhances patient experiences, reminding them of the excellent medical care they are given at the office.


A configuration management database (CMDB) can be considered to be a large graph representing the IT infrastructure entities and their inter-relationships. Mining such graphs is challenging because they are large, complex, and multi-attributed, and have many repeated labels. These characteristics pose challenges for graph mining algorithms, due to the increased cost of sub graph isomorphism (for support counting), and graph isomorphism (for eliminating duplicate patterns). The notion of pattern frequency or support is also more challenging in a single graph, since it has to be defined in terms of the number of its (potentially, exponentially many) embeddings. We present CMDB-Miner, a novel two-step method for mining infrastructure patterns from CMDB graphs. It first samples the set of maximal frequent patterns, and then clusters them to extract the representative infrastructure patterns. We demonstrate the effectiveness of CMDB-Miner on real-world CMDB graphs.


Whole-rock rare-earth element (REE) abundances in the compositionally zoned Tuolumne Intrusive Series vary systematically from marginal quartz diorites with light REE at 60 times chondritic abundances and heavy REE at 8 times chondritic abundances to core granites with light REE at 100 times chondritic abundances and heavy REE at less than 3 times chondritic abundances. Similar highly fractionated REE distributions have been previously interpreted as resulting from (1) partial melting with residual garnet or hornblende or (2) fractional crystallization of hornblende. In the Tuolumne rocks, hornblende separation from the magma has caused systematic, relative depletion in heavy REE. We suggest that such hornblende fractionation may have been important in generating other granitoid rocks with highly fractionated REE abundances. Therefore, unusually low heavy REE abundances in granitoid rocks do not unequivocally indicate residual hornblende or garnet during melting.


A disturbance adding to the control law is a typical situation in practice because of actuator errors. In this paper, state feedback control laws which provide input-to-state stability of the closed loop system with respect to a disturbance adding to the control law are investigated for state feedback stabilizable (in the case of disturbance equal to zero) retarded nonlinear systems. The formulas for the input-to-state stabilizing state feedback control law are provided by employing the Liapunov-Krasovskii methodology. An example taken from the past literature is investigated in details, showing the effectiveness and the applicability of the proposed control design.


Due to exceptionally high strength and stiffness, carbon nanotubes have been attracted as promising materials for the applications to many nanoscale devices such as the ultrahigh frequency actuators and sensors. In this study, a dynamic continuum modeling method is used to evaluate the effective structural parameters of the armchair single-walled carbon nanotubes. The effective structural parameters obtained by the present dynamic continuum modeling method are shown to be in very good agreement with the results computed by using the Young's muduli reported in the existing references.


The prion diseases are a group of neuro- degenerative conditions affecting both humans and animals. They are transmissible after inoculation, have long incubation periods, and have been known as the spongiform encephalopathies, slow virus diseases, or transmissible dementias. The human diseases include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Straussler- Scheinker disease (GSS), and kuru. All are associated with the deposition in the brain of an abnormal, partially protease resistant, isoform of a host encoded protein, the prion protein (PrP). An impressive body of exper- imental evidence now argues persuasively that this abnormal isoform of PrP central and conceivably component of transmissible agent types coding mutations diagnosis


A numerical procedure for the design of impact damage resistant composite laminated structures is proposed in the present paper. This procedure, based on probabilistic analyses, is able to support the design of complex composite laminated structures by accounting for the scatter in composite materials' mechanical properties (related to the mutable environmental conditions experienced by an aircraft component during its service life) and by accounting for the uncertainty on accidental impacts locations. A failure criterion, based on the determination of the threshold critical impact energy for impact induced delaminations' onset, is adopted for the evaluation of the damage resistance of composite laminated structures, in the frame of the introduced probabilistic analyses. The proposed procedure has been implemented into a commercial FEM platform and composite panels have been used as numerical benchmarks to investigate the influence of the combined material properties and impact location uncertainties on composite laminated structures' impact damage resistance. A further comparison between two different stiffened composite panels designs have been introduced to highlight the added value of the proposed impact damage resistance probabilistic approach in terms of safety and effectiveness, with respect to the standard deterministic tools.


The two most influential traditions of contemporary theorizing about democracy, social choice theory and deliberative democracy are generally thought to be at loggerheads, in that one demonstrates the impossibility, instability or meaninglessness of the rational collective outcomes sought by the other. We argue that the two traditions can be reconciled. After expounding the central Arrow and Gibbard–Satterthwaite impossibility results, we reassess their implications, identifying the conditions under which meaningful democratic decision making is possible. We argue that deliberation can promote these conditions, and hence that social choice theory suggests not that democratic decision making is impossible, but rather that democracy must have a deliberative aspect.


Humanoid robots are designed to be used in daily life as assistance robots for people. They are expected to fill the jobs that require physical labor. These robots are also considered in healthcare sector. The ultimate goal in humanoid robotics is to reach a point where robots can truly communicate with people, and to be a part of labor force. Usual daily environment of a common person contains objects with different geometric and texture features. Such objects should be easily recognized, located and manipulated by a robot when needed. These tasks require high amount of information from environment. The Computer Vision field interests in extraction and use of visual cues for computer systems. Visual data captured with cameras contains the most of the information needed about the environment for high level tasks relative to the other sensors. Most of the high level tasks on humanoid robots require the target object to be segmented in image and located in the 3D environment. Also, the object should be kept in image so that the information about the object can be retrieved continuously. This can be achieved by gaze control schemes by using visual feedback to drive neck motors of the robot. In this thesis an object manipulation algorithm is proposed for a humanoid robot. A white object with red square marker is used as the target object. The object is segmented by color information. Corners of the red marker is found and used for the pose estimation algorithm and gaze control. The pose information is used for navigation to the object and for the grasping action. The described algorithm is implemented on the humanoid experiment platform SURALP (Sabanci University ReseArch Labaratory Platform).


High tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (p-MTJs) with tetragonal Mn-based electrodes is expected to play a key role in the realization of practical high-density magnetic memories, advanced THz devices, and magnetic sensors. In this study, we demonstrated the use of bcc-Co-based alloys, such as bcc-Co and bcc-CoMn binary alloys, as antiferromagnetically coupled interlayers for MnGa-based p-MTJs. The interlayer of bcc-Co enhanced the TMR ratio of MnGa-based MTJs by 70% at 300 K and 145% at 10 K. Furthermore, the TMR ratio of the MTJ with the bcc-CoMn interlayer was enhanced up to 85 (209)% at 300 (10) K at a thickness of 0.8 nm. The enhancement in the TMRs can be attributed to the electronic band with the Δ1 symmetry of the bcc-Co-based alloy. In addition, the Co-based interlayer supported the growth of a high-quality MgO barrier sufficient for sustaining the coherency of the tunnel electrons from the Bloch state in the ferromagnetic electrode. These results suggest that bcc-Co-based interlayers are promising interlayer materials for MnGa-based p-MTJs.


Game development is an ever growing interdisciplinary
field. A variety of different skill sets need to come together to
create a professional game. These range from art, audio and design
through programming and development. It is difficult to isolate the
different disciplines in game development since every aspect of the
game is co-dependent on everything else. Even in the programming
domain there are a number of sub-disciplines that a game can
require such as physics programming, environmental programming,
artificial intelligence and programming the core game engine, A
game can even be developed in a number of different ways depending
on the design of the final product. This daunting array of required
disciplines makes it difficult to offer effective instruction in
game development, The tendency is to divide the disciplines
according to traditional academic categories. This leads to
offering courses on game development that are too narrowly focused
to lead to any functional games or to courses that are purely
theoretical, This thesis attempts to outline the development of a
generic game engine and show how it can be implemented with minimal
skills, beyond those in programming. It is intended to serve as a
foundation for developers who will specialize in a particular area,
but will nonetheless need to understand what a game engine is and
how programmers in different fields can work with it.


Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 22 male patients for localisation of 27 nonpalpable undescended testes. The operative verification, carried out in 19 testes (15 patients) served as basis for checking on the accuracy of MRI results and for their comparison with those of sonography and laparoscopy. The impalpable testis was localised via MRI in 13 cases and its lack was correctly established in three cases. There were three false MRI diagnoses. The suspicion of two intraabdominal localised testes were not confirmed at surgery and one intracanalicular testes were not seen by MRI. The low signal intensity of the undescended testes on T2-weighted images is indicative for fibrotic changes and may be of value for more accurate planning of the operative volume. MRI offers a new promising opportunity for localisation and morphologic estimation of the undescended testis and should be performed before the invasive investigation methods.


At present there is no theory of sea and oceanic currents due to the lack of understanding of the driving forces. The currents have a vortex character, so only moments of force can set them in motion. In the article, it is shown that the gravitation field of the Moon affecting the rotating Earth produces two moments of force: associated and tidal. Although the gravitation field is potential, the rotating Earth is a nonenertial system, in which the moment can occur due to the external potential force. Estimates show that the associated force can be sufficient to produce the observed flow rates. The associated force field tends to increase the natural rotation of the Earth and slow down the speed of the revolution of the Moon around the Earth, i.e. bring the Moon nearer the Earth, its action is opposite to the action of the tidal force. The action of the associated force is examined by the example of the circumpolar and local currents. The associated force produces vortices counterclockwise in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern one. The associated force affects the atmosphere resulting in the observed predominance of western winds. It is necessary to take into account the above force when considering such atmospheric phenomena as cyclones and anticyclones, tradewinds, monsoons, etc. In the lithosphere, the associated force makes tectonic plates turn.


In this paper we present a new methodology for the formulation of efficient load signatures towards the implementation of a near-real time Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring (NILM) approach. The purpose of this work relies on defining representative current values regarding the 1st, 3rd and 5th harmonic orders to be utilized in the load signatures formulation. A measurement setup has been developed and steady-state measurements have been performed in a Low Voltage residence. A data processing methodology is proposed aiming to depict representative current values for each harmonic order in order to keep the load signature short and simple. In addition, a simple disaggregation scheme is proposed under linear equations for the disaggregation mode in order to examine the near-real time application of the methodology. The analysis indicates that the developed load signatures could be efficient for a per second application rate of the NILM algorithm. The results show that the higher harmonic currents facilitate the identification performance. Finally, the analysis concludes that for combinations that include appliances with intense harmonic content, the phase angle of the higher for harmonic currents should also be considered to the load signatures formulation.


Adoptive T-cell based therapy can promote dramatic tumor regressions in both pre-clinical tumor models and in patients with CD19+ hematological tumors. However, in the case of human solid tumors, anti-tumor effects are limited by T-cell tolerance and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Human data from cancer patients treated with oncolytic adenovirus indicated that lymphocytes traffic to tissues following virotherapy. Therefore, we hypothesized to enable successful T-cell therapy by arming viruses with immunostimulatory cytokines which can counteract tumor immunosuppression locally. Previously, we have identified interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFa) as the most promising factors to stimulate the graft used in adoptive T-cell therapy. Also, we have established that our arming approach results in long lasting, high level cytokine expression locally but low levels systemically in vivo and in patients, which is important for safety versus efficacy. One attractive aspect of this approach is the ease of combinations with standard therapies including checkpoint inhibiting antibodies (ongoing experiments). Non-replicating adenovirus vectors coding for murine TNFa and IL-2 were used together with intraperitoneally administered OT-I TCR transgenic T-cells in the murine B16.OVA melanoma model. The best antitumor efficacy was obtained when virally coded IL-2 and TNFa were both used with T-cell transfer. Moreover, IL-2/TNFa virus combination treatment was able to attract (111)In-labelled OT-I cells into B16.OVA tumors in SPECT/CT imaging experiments. In addition to mouse studies, we developed oncolytic adenoviruses expressing human TNFa and/or human IL-2 that were used in combination with intratumoral adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in immunocompetent and adenovirus-permissive Syrian hamsters. These viruses improved the efficacy of TIL therapy and protected animals from tumor rechallenge. Furthermore, we have shown that adenovirally delivered IL-2 is superior to systemically administered IL-2 with regard to antitumor efficacy and safety, in both mice and hamsters. TILT Biotherapeutics is in the process of confirming the results in clinical trials. Citation Format: Mikko Siurala, Riikka Havunen, Joao Santos, Siri Tahtinen, Dipongkor Saha, Markus Vaha-Koskela, Michael Behr, Dirk M. Nettelbeck, Anja Ehrhardt, Suvi Parviainen, Akseli Hemminki. Oncolytic adenoviruses armed with tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-2 enable successful adoptive T cell therapy of solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; 2016 Sept 25-28; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B063.


•  C assimilation (A) has been shown to limit the growth of young Lactuca sativa (lettuce) plants following an interruption in their external N supply. Further data from these plants were used to test two hypotheses: that N-limited growth of lettuce is associated with lower stomatal conductance (gs ); and that reductions in gs result from adjustments to stomatal frequency or distribution. •  The photosynthetic characteristics, nitrate and organic N-concentrations, as well as epidermal and stomatal distributions, were determined in leaves of hydroponically grown lettuce plants supplied continuously with N or with N removed for up to 14 d. •  Although N-limited plants had lower maximum rates of A, comparisons at equivalent values of gs showed that A was not directly limited by organic-N but by gs . Reductions in gs under N-limiting conditions did not associate with adjustments to stomatal frequency or distribution. •  Associations between plant N and A could arise either through stomata responding directly to signals induced by N deprivation or to increased CO2 partial pressure at the sites of carboxylation.


The principle of minimum dissipation rate is applied to tokamak plasmas with energy and helicity balances imposed as two constraints. The analytical solution on toroidal current distribution are derived from the resulting Euler-Lagrangian equation. Three typical forms of current profiles are found for low-aspect-ratio tokamaks like NSTX. One of them decreases with r on equatorial plane, the second peaks in the inner half part on equatorial plane and the third may have a hole or reverse in the central part.


This book explores the political emergence of the Imperial Japanese Navy between 1868 and 1922. It fundamentally challenges the popular notion that the navy was a 'silent,' apolitical service. Politics, particularly budgetary politics, became the primary domestic focus-if not the overriding preoccupation-of Japan's admirals in the prewar period. This study convincingly demonstrates that as the Japanese polity broadened after 1890, navy leaders expanded their political activities to secure appropriations commensurate with the creation of a world-class blue-water fleet. The navy's sophisticated political efforts included lobbying oligarchs, coercing cabinet ministers, forging alliances with political parties, occupying overseas territories, conducting well-orchestrated naval pageants, and launching spirited propaganda campaigns. These efforts succeeded: by 1921 naval expenditures equaled nearly 32 percent of the country's total budget, making Japan the world's third-largest maritime power. The navy, as this book details, made waves at sea and on shore, and in doing so significantly altered the state, society, politics, and empire in prewar Japan.


Introduction Sudden and unexpected, in-hospital deaths are a common occurrence. Currently, there are no national guidelines to assist staff with the management of these events and, providing optimal end-of-life-care in these circumstances is challenging. We designed a questionnaire to explore the experiences of relatives who had been bereaved in this way. Methods Over 17 weeks, a questionnaire was offered to recently, bereaved relatives who attended the Bereavement office at the University Hospital of Wales. The questionnaire explored how, who, where and when the death was disclosed; whether sufficient privacy was afforded, full explanation offered, time for questions allowed, and whether the communication was empathetic and caring. Other questions asked if relatives had been allowed to view the deceased, whether religious and cultural observances had been facilitated, tissue donation discussed, and explanation for coronial referral offered. Results Questionnaire response rate: 69/487=14%. Sudden, unexpected deaths: 33/69=48%. Sudden deaths communicated in face-to-face meetings: 28/33=85%. By telephone: 5/33=15%. Location of disclosure: at bedside 22/28=79%, private room 6/28=21%. Communication by: consultant 18/33=55%; nurses 8/33=24%; trainee doctor 1/33=3%; others 6/33=18%. Communication empathetic and caring 33/33=100%. Time of disclosure: immediately on arrival 17/33=52%; within 30 minutes 7/33=21%; within 1 hour 2/33=6%; within 1–2 hours 2/33=6%; > 2 hours after arrival 2/33=6% and present at `death 3/33=9%. Full explanation of the cause of death offered 32/33=97%. Sufficient time for questions 32/33=97%. Allowed to view deceased: 32/33=97%. Explanation for referral to Coroner: 14/21=67%. Religious and cultural observances facilitated: 16/33=48%. Organ and tissue donation discussed 7/33=21%. Conclusion In general, the process of disclosing unexpected hospital deaths to relatives is done well. Improvements could be made by expediting family meetings, prioritising privacy, discussing tissue donation and facilitating religious and cultural observances. A national guideline would be useful.


The work presented here describes an exhaustive search for minimum peak sidelobe level (PSL) binary codes, combining several devices for efficiency. These include combinatoric tree search techniques, the use of PSL-preserving symmetries to reduce search space, data representations and operations for fast sidelobe computation, and a partitioning scheme for parallelism. All balanced 64-bit minimum PSL codes are presented, and the upper limit on known consecutive lengths to have PSL = 4 codes is extended to 70. In addition, a technique for determining balance properties of a code for given PSL-preserving transformations is developed.


From the middle of the eighteenth century, with the growth of travel at home and abroad and the increase in leisure for the wealthier classes, the arts became the subject of more widespread appreciation and discussion. The rapid expansion of book and periodical publishing in this area both reflected and encouraged interest in art and art history among the wider reading public. This series throws light on the development of visual culture and aesthetics. It covers topics from the Grand Tour to the great exhibitions of the nineteenth century, and includes art criticism and biography.


Trichodynia has been defined as discomfort, pain or paresthesia of the scalp related to complaint of hair loss. It is a very common, relatively new and usually under diagnosed entity frequently related with diseases of hair loss. 300 subjects were taken for study, after taking written informed consent, including 100 cases of Telogen Effluvium, Alopecia Areata and control each. First each group was analyzed for the presence of Trichodynia then the patients with Trichodynia were evaluated for anxiety and depression by applying Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Trichodynia was found in significantly higher in patients of Telogen Effluvium and Alopecia Areata when compared with control. Trichodynia was significantly higher in Telogen Effluvium group when compared with Alopecia Areata. Anxiety was significantly higher in patients with Telogen Effluvium with Trichodynia and Alopecia Areata with Trichodynia when compared with Telogen Effluvium without Trichodynia and Alopecia Areata without Trichodynia respectively, while no statistically significant difference was found in terms of depression. Trichodynia is a very common problem in patients of Telogen Effluvium and Alopecia Areata and Anxiety is frequently associated with Trichodynia.


Abstract Actors in health organizations often participate in language games which encompass clinical, professional, and organizational subject matter. Such language games intersect within the hospital environment. This paper appraises issues of clinical risk through the re-examination of the language games which formed a part of one of Britain's worst medical disasters, namely the Bristol Royal Infirmary tragedy. A textual, grounded analysis of transcripts from the oral hearings of the 'Bristol Inquiry' (n = 74) provides the paper with a qualitative dataset, within which medical language games are analysed. The paper concludes that clinical actors work within discourses of risk (McDonald et al. 2005) that are partly constructed within, and by, participation in language games (Wittgenstein 1953). In the case of the Bristol Royal Infirmary tragedy, these games manifested contrasting interpretations of risk and safety which reflected a tainted interpretation of data by different parties at different times of the unfolding tragedy. Sensemaking of reputation appears to have played an important part in the construction of these interpretations of risk.


The modern concept of rural development implies the use of agricultural resources, primarily agricultural land, for other (nonagricultural) activities besides its agricultural purpose. The integral aim of this concept of rural development is the maximization of economic results, besides the sustainable development of rural areas, environmental protection and the production of strategic (staple) agricultural products. The objective of this paper is to define the general, theoretical, quantitative model for the determination of the size and quality of agricultural land which, considering the above-mentioned demands (criteria), is optimal for the utilization in agricultural production in certain regions. The remaining agricultural land would be available for the non-agricultural purposes. The economic optimal model for the selection of agricultural land in the traditional agriculture is the model of linear programming. The criteria of the land selection for traditional agriculture are the economic effectiveness (measured by net income or by gross national product) and the economic efficiency (measured by the production economy). The maximum economic effectiveness is determined by the standard method of linear programming and the maximum economy by the method of broken linear programming. The solution of compromise can be determined by multi-criteria programming, based on the minimum differences. The limitation groups in the mentioned variations of the model are: limitations of production quotas of agricultural products, minimum quantities of staple agricultural products, limitations of processing plants in a region (minimum and maximum), limitation of crop rotation, limitations of the needs in animal husbandry for bulky forage and limitations of agricultural land according to various types of utilization. By quantitative defining of the structure and size of agricultural land for traditional agriculture, "the surplus†and structure of agricultural land available for non-agricultural purposes is automatically determined.


This paper analyses the technology development of poplar and willow nursery production in Yugoslavia in the past 40 years. The study results of several nursery experiments refer to the problems of poplar and willow nursery production. Aiming at the production of quality reproduction and planting material for the establishment of the specific purpose plantations, the paper presents the main criteria for the selection of nursery soil elaborated technological procedures for the production of reproduction and planting stock, with the necessary tending measures which ensure the production of quality nursery stock of a definite type. The need of permanent research of growth characteristics of the newly selected clones in the conditions of nursery production has been emphasised.


This study explores learning and instruction within a technology-rich, collaborative, participatory learning environment by tracking the emergence of shared understanding and products through student and teacher practices. The focus is not only on the interactions among students or between students and teachers, but on student-resource interactions, especially student-technology interactions. In a 1-week camp, students worked in activity groups with 3-dimensional modeling software to develop virtual worlds. Holistic accounts of 2 activity groups in the camp are presented, emphasizing the focus of the activity, group dynamics including the role of the teacher, and the historical development of learner practices. Then, a network methodology is used to trace the history of interactions accounting for the emergence, evolution, and diffusion of learner practices. The findings suggest that becoming knowledgeably skillful with respect to a particular practice or concept is a multigenerational process, evolving in terms of contextual demands and available resources. The tracings further reveal the reciprocal nature of learning and doing, with building conceptual understanding occurring in relation to local conditions and practices, and doing practices being a part of student learning.


Hyperbranched glycopolymers were synthesized by self-condensing vinyl copolymerization (SCVCP) of an acrylic AB* inimer, 2-(2-bromopropionyloxy)ethyl acrylate (BPEA), with 3-O-acryloyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranoside (AIGlc) via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), followed by deprotection of the isopropylidene protecting groups. Homopolymerization of AIGlc with the CuBr/pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) catalyst system in solution resulted in linear poly(AIGlc) having controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distribution, which were characterized using GPC, GPC/viscosity, and MALDI−TOF mass spectrometry. The catalyst system could be applied for SCVCP to synthesize hyperbranched poly(AIGlc)s, in which the molecular weights, the composition of AIGlc segment, and the branched structures can be adjusted by an appropriate choice of the comonomer ratio, γ. Deprotection of the isopropylidene protecting groups of the branched poly(AIGlc)s resulted in water-soluble gly...


To study STEM and STEAM education as an innovative technology, the authors of the paper conducted a comprehensive theoretical and methodological study on the stated problem. A comprehensive theoretical and methodological study was directed towards the solution to the problem of developing a new model for the STEM and STEAM education system to make correct management decisions in the framework of the country's socio-economic development based on objective data. The object of the study was STEM and STEAM education as an innovative technology. The subject of this study is the mechanisms of STEM and STEAM-education in the system of higher professional education of the Russian Federation. The methodological foundation of the study was the general scientific ideas for holistic, systemic, and integrative approaches to the study, which gave an opportunity to assess a set of interrelated and interacting elements that form a certain integrity. The use of these approaches provided a comprehensive analysis and formulation of the research problem and determined the strategy for its study. Both theoretical and empirical methods of studying the indicated problem were used in the comprehensive theoretical and methodological study presented in the paper. The leading methods of scientific knowledge were the following: the method of comparison; phenomenological data analysis; discourse analysis of the text; theoretical analysis; empirical description (expert assessment method and in-depth interviews). The result of the study is the STEM education model developed by the authors as an innovative technology in the system of higher professional education of the Russian Federation. The materials of the paper will be useful for specialists in the field of higher professional education, teachers of natural sciences and humanities, the teaching method of which is based on the STEM approach.


Introduction: The earliest descriptions of abdominoplasties date back to the early 20th century and have been unchanged over time. However, only within the last three decades have there been major advances and innovations in the technique, largely because of the rising popularity of bariatric surgery. In certain patients, we observed a higher incidence of complications, including seroma development. The objective is to evaluate and compare the incidence of seroma between two abdominoplasty techniques, conventional and inverted T, in post-bariatric patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 30 patients with a history of bariatric surgery and body mass index (BMI) less than 30 who underwent abdominoplasty by a single surgeon between February 2009 and March 2015. Of these, 15 patients were treated by the conventional technique (conventional group), while the other 15 patients were treated by the inverted T technique (Inverted T group). During the postoperative clinical follow-up, the occurrence of seroma and other complications was assessed. Results: Thirty female patients with a mean age of 36 years, mean weight of 70 kg and a mean BMI of 25 kg/m2, without significant differences between groups, were studied. The overall occurrence of seroma in the study was 23%. A statistically significant difference (p = 0.04) was observed between the conventional group, in which six patients (40%) developed seroma, compared to the anchor group, in which one patient (6.7%) developed seroma. Dehiscence was observed, with no significant difference in occurrence between the two groups. Conclusion: The incidence of seroma was higher in patients who underwent conventional abdominoplasty compared to those who underwent inverted T abdominoplasty. ■ ABSTRACT


Introduction The benefits of breastfeeding are innumerable, such as a reduction in the risk of acute otitis media, gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, asthma (young children), obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, additionally may reduce the risk of psychological and behavioral disorders among children. Aim To evaluate the effect of breastfeeding on behavioral and mental health disorders of school-age children. Patients and methods This case–control comparative study was carried out on a group of children aged from 6 to 12 years, who were divided into two groups: the patient group included 50 children who were diagnosed with behavioral and mental health disorders according to DSM 5 criteria of diagnosis and were recruited from the outpatient psychiatry clinic of Al-Zahraa Hospital University during the period from March 2020 to September 2020 and a control group with apparently healthy children with no history of psychological manifestations matched in number, age, and sex with the patient group. Result The mean age was 8.4±2.2 years. There were 15 (30.0%) female and 35 (70.0%) male patients, with the highest percentage having attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) (72.0%), followed by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (24.0%), learning disorder (10.0%), and conduct disorder (2.0%). The majority of the cases (29) were mixed fed (58.0%), 11 (22.0%) were artificially fed, and 10 (20.0%) were breastfed. There was a highly statistically significant difference between artificial (bottle) feeding and mixed feeding regarding behavioral disease as ADHD and OCD were highly significant, with P value more than 0.001. Moreover, there was a highly statistically significant difference between the duration of breastfeeding less than or equal to 6 months and ADHD and OCD. Conclusions Breastfeeding has been demonstrated that is inversely associated to behavioral and mental health disorders as increase the duration of breastfeeding associated with decrease the incidence of psychological and behavioral disorders.


Data concerning lipid peroxidation and mechanism of the vitamin E inhibiting action are reviewed. Steps of initiated lipid autooxidation, formation of primary and secondary oxidation products, destabilizing the membrane structure and possessing cytotoxic effects are described. The mechanism of the antioxidant action of alpha-tocopherol, dependence of its activity on the structure and composition of the products of cooxidation of lipids and alpha-tocopherol in biological and model systems are also discussed.


Space Situational Awareness (SSA) is the characterization of the space environmentand of space activities. The fundament of SSA is the access to information about theorbit of space objects. There exist several techniques to determine the orbit of objects inspace, both from space-based and from ground-based observations. This Master's Thesisproject aims at investigating orbit determinations from ground-based radar observations.In particular, the use of the EISCAT Ultra-High-Frequency (UHF) incoherent scatterradar for orbit determination purposes is investigated. The radar data necessary forthis work were acquired during the \EISCAT Prisma Odin Experiments" (EPO-1 and2) in July 2014 and March 2015. During the experiments, the Swedish satellites Odinand Mango were tracked with the EISCAT system and their known GPS data wereused to validate the radar accuracy. The results of the analysis show that the EISCATUHF radar is aected by systematic errors in the range calculation: a constant osetand an error that increases when the target moves west from the radar. There is noevidence of systematic errors in the range rate calculation. However, the analysis showsthat between two dierent calculation methods, one seems to be more accurate. Thesecond part of this project analyzes the initial orbit determination problem (OD) basedon synthetic EISCAT data. The tool for this part of the thesis is the software SystemsTool Kit (STK). STK is used to simulate the observation of a satellite with EISCATand to propagate the orbit of the radar target from an initial state. The initial state(r,v) is derived via Lambert's initial orbit determination method based on the syntheticEISCAT observation of the satellite. The computed initial state from Lambert's methoddiers by several kilometers from the true initial state. This is a consequence of the factthat the method relies on the analytical solution of the Two-Body problem and can notbe expected to be more precise. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the Lambert's solverto perturbations of the initial radar observations is investigated. Based on expectederrors of the EISCAT radar observations, it is shown that the in-track range dierencequickly approaches several thousands of kilometers and several hundreds of kilometersin cross-track range dierence between the estimated orbit and the true orbit. Thus,the EISCAT UHF radar is not suitable for precise orbit determination but can only beused for initial orbit determination purposes of a previously known object to providecrude estimates of its initial state. Multiple target position and velocity measurementsare needed to improve the initial orbit determination.


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Short span compressive experiments of molded pulp specimens were carried out on the SHIMADZU material test machine, resulting in the stress-strain curves. The analytic results indicate that the material density and the loading rate are the two major factors that influence the stress-strain relationships of the molded pulp materials. With the increase of material's density, elastic modulus and ultimate strength both increase. With the increase of loading rate, elastic modulus decreases whereas ultimate strength increases. By analyzing the test results and the existing models, an improved stress-strain model for molded pulp material, with the two factors taken into consideration, has been proposed. The model coefficients are obtained by fitting against the short span compressive experimental data for the materials with different densities under different loading rate. Comparison made between the experimental results and calculated results indicates that the proposed model can well fit the stress-strain curves of molded pulp.