Abstract 1980-2012 IEEE. Through-the-wall radar imaging (TWRI) is a sensing technology that can be used for detecting, locating, and identifying targets inside enclosed building structures. Many of the existing target classification approaches focus on single-target scene. For multi-target classification, the radar signal has to be segregated into different target components. However, target separation in TWRI is a challenging problem since the radar signals consist of both strong wall reflections and weak target echoes. Furthermore, the target signals are attenuated and distorted when propagating through the wall. In this paper, a variational model with low-rank constraint is proposed for decomposing the radar signal into target components and removing the wall returns. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively separate the radar signal into different target components. Abstract —Through-the-wall radar imaging is a sensing tech- nology that can be used for detecting, locating, and identifying targets inside enclosed building structures. Many of the existing target classification approaches focus on single-target scene. For multi-target classification, the radar signal has to be segregated into different target components. However, target separation in through-the-wall radar imaging is a challenging problem since the radar signals consist of both strong wall reflections and weak target echoes. Furthermore, the target signals are attenuated and distorted when propagating through the wall. In this paper, a variational model with low-rank constraint is proposed for de- composing the radar signal into target components and removing the wall returns. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively separate the radar signal into different target components.


Presupposition triggers can be divided in two groups, 'soft' and 'hard,' based on whether the presuppositions they give rise to are easily defeasible and whether they project uniformly in quantificational sentences (Abusch 2002, 2010, Charlow 2009). Recently, two ideas have been put forward in the literature in connection to this problem. First, soft triggers should be thought of as non-presuppositional items associated with lexical alternatives (Abusch 2002, 2010). Second, the projection behavior of presuppositions can be accounted for by a theory based on scalar implicatures (Chemla 2009a, Chemla 2010). In this paper, building on these two ideas, I propose a scalar approach to the presuppositions of soft triggers. The contribution of the proposal is twofold. First, I propose a theory of soft presuppositions as scalar implicatures that provides an account of their behaviour in quantificational sentences that makes more accurate predictions than Chemla's (2009a), Chemla's (2010) and Abusch's (2010) proposals and other non-alternative-based theories that I am aware of. Second, I develop an account of the differences between soft and hard presuppositions, on the one hand, and the similarities between soft presuppositions and scalar implicatures, on the other. Finally, the proposed approach also reduces the pattern of presupposition suspension to independent principles needed in the theory of scalar implicatures.


OBJECTIVES
Our goal was to describe the experience at 2 centres with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using a left thoracotomy.

METHODS
From January 2002 to December 2017, a total of 2528 consecutive patients (578 women, mean age 62.3 ± 9.1 years) were operated on using this technique. Data were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS
There were no conversions to median sternotomy and 6 patients (0.2%) were converted to on-pump CABG. The mean number of grafts per patient was 2.8 ± 0. 9. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.0% (25 patients). Most patients were extubated in the operating theatre (97.3%), and 47 patients (1.9%) needed re-exploration for bleeding. Seven patients (0.3%) experienced a cerebrovascular event; 4 (0.3%) had a postoperative myocardial infarction; and 84 (3.4%) had new-onset atrial fibrillation. A total of 1510 patients (61.1%) were discharged from the hospital in the first 48 h after surgery. Long-term survival rates were 98.8%, 93.6% and 69.1% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively (central image). During the follow-up period, 60 patients (2.9%) were re-examined for recurrence of angina with a new coronary angiogram; of those, 24 (1.2%) required percutaneous coronary intervention and 11 (0.5%) had redo surgery.

CONCLUSIONS
A left thoracotomy is a safe alternative to a median sternotomy for coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart, with low early complications and good mid- and long-term results.


A combination of measurements using photoelectron spectroscopy and calculations using density functional theory (DFT) was applied to compare the detailed electronic structure of the organolead halide perovskites CH3NH3PbI3 and CH3NH3PbBr3. These perovskite materials are used to absorb light in mesoscopic and planar heterojunction solar cells. The Pb 4f core level is investigated to get insight into the chemistry of the two materials. Valence level measurments are also included showing a shift of the valence band edges where there is a higher binding energy of the edge for the CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite. These changes are supported by the theoretical calculations which indicate that the differences in electronic structure are mainly caused by the nature of the halide ion rather than structural differences. The combination of photoelectron spectroscopy measurements and electronic structure calculations is essential to disentangle how the valence band edge in organolead halide perovskites is governed by the intr...


Additive manufacturing (AM), 3D printing, is defined as a process of depositing materials layer by layer to create three-dimensional printed models, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies. It has the potential of revolutionizing field of manufacturing, which allows us to create more complex geometries with lower cost and faster speed in comparison to injection molding, compression forming, and forging. Therefore, 3D printing can shorten the design manufacturing cycle, reduce the production cost, and increase the competitiveness. Due to the improvements of processes and advancements of modeling and design, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technologies, a common 3D printing technique, have been involved in wide various applications in the past three decades and numerous studies have been gathered. This research work studies directional properties of FDM 3D printed thermoplastic parts per ASTM D638. Tensile strength and modulus of the coupons along and perpendicular to the printing direction are evaluated. It is observed that FDM 3D printing introduces anisotropic behavior to the manufactured part, e.g. tensile strength of 57.7 and 30.8 MPa for loading along and perpendicular
to the printing direction, respectively. FDM 3D printers are not ideal and introduce defects into the manufactured parts, e.g. in the form of missing material, gap. This study investigates the impact of gaps on tensile strength and modulus of 3D printed parts. A maximum reduction of 20% in strength is found for a gap (missing bead) along the loading direction.


Doline mapping is paramount in the vulnerability and risk assessment of the underground karst environment by identifying cave-ground connectivity points at the surface. However, manual mapping is labour-intensive, slow and subjective, especially on a large scale. Therefore, the present study adopted a GIS-based semi-automatic approach for mapping large and medium-sized depressions/dolines in the Corrente river basin in Brazil, with a particular focus on the environmentally preserved areas of river Vermelho (APANRV Portuguese abbreviation) using remote sensing (DEM and Google Earth imagery) and field-based observations. Seven typical dolines forms (e.g., cockpit with drain insertion, collapse, collapse with river capture, suffosion, solution, cover collapse, and buried) are found from extensive field surveys. As an outcome of the proposed approach, two hundred and thirty-two medium to large-sized dolines have been identified and categorised into three main groups based on the cave density and local geology G1, G2, and G3. The high density of identified dolines (164 known caves) in G1 provides reconnaissance for future speleological works in the preserved areas. Additionally, the presence of a considerable number of dolines in the adjoining areas (G2 and G3) stresses the need to revise the existing boundaries of the APANRV. Results correlate well with the dolines sites marked using field surveys and Google Earth images. This doline mapping may help researchers in the groundwater vulnerability assessment and the protection of speleological heritage preserved in the caves.


Embedded nonvolatile memory (eNVM) is considered to be a critical building block in future system-on-chip and microprocessor systems. Various eNVM technologies have been explored for high-density applications including dual-poly embedded flash (eflash), FeRAM, STT-MRAM, and RRAM. On the other end of the spectrum, logic-compatible eNVM such as e-fuse, anti-fuse, and single-poly eflash memories have been considered for moderate-density low-cost applications. In particular, single-poly eflash memory has been gaining momentum as it can be implemented in a generic logic process while supporting multiple program-erase cycles. One key challenge for single-poly eflash is enabling bit-by-bit re-write operation without a boosted bitline voltage as this could cause disturbance issues in the unselected wordlines. In this work, we present details of a bit-by-bit re-writable eflash memory implemented in a generic 65 nm logic process which addresses this key challenge. The proposed 6 T eflash memory cell can improve the overall cell endurance by eliminating redundant program/erase cycles while preventing disturbance issues in the unselected wordlines. We also provide details of special high voltage circuits such as a voltage-doubler based charge pump circuit and a multistory high-voltage switch, for generating a reliable high-voltage output without causing damage to the standard logic transistors.


The round table discussions dealt with standardisation and its role in PACS and medical imaging, and with the assessment of medical imaging and targeting R & D based on that. Two approaches to enable image files to be transferred were discussed in the standardisation sessions. Firstly, the standardisation efforts in Europe, USA and Japan which all focus on a single standard on image transfer and file format were discussed. A plea was made to merge these three approaches. It was also noted that the Japanese IS&C standard is essentially a standard for off-line PACS. Secondly, an argument was raised that as several i age file formats are already in existence (because of the different computer platforms in use), what is needed are converters between these de-facto formats instead of striving towards one common standard. The round table on assessment focused on the changes in the radiological practices which are already emerging following the introduction of new digital imaging modalities. It was argued that PACS will cause further organisational changes because a hospital-wide PACS enables images to be viewed everywhere. The radiology meetings have been the mechanism for discussing difficult cases. In the PACS world their role may change. However, PACS will only diffuse when it offers clear advantages over the present procedures. This means that PACS, digital imaging and radiology practices evolve in parallel and incrementally.


The inclusion and autonomy of older people in the society where large parts of the life is organized with computer and Internet use as means is addressed in an ongoing project in the rehabilitation and health domains. Part from investigating the potentials of using ICT for rehabilitation of older people with limited or no computer skills, the aim for the project is to develop methods and tools for the purpose, and also for the interaction design domain where systems are developed for older people. This paper reports results from using activity theory and the notion of ZPD for prototype development and evaluation of decision and activity support systems as a common tool for the patient and professional in the rehabilitation process. The results include a protocol for capturing the users' development of skills in Internet-mediated activity. The protocol is used for informing the design of the system in an iterative process.


This paper proposes a novel hybrid particle‐grid approach to liquid simulation, which uses the fluid‐implicit‐particle (FLIP) method to resolve the liquid motion and a grid‐based particle correction method to complement FLIP. The correction process addresses the high‐frequency errors in FLIP ensuring that the particles are properly distributed. The proposed approach enables the corrective procedure to avoid directly processing the particle relationships and supports flexible corrective forces. The proposed technique effectively and efficiently improves the distribution of the particles and therefore enhances the overall simulation quality. The experimental results confirm that the technique is able to conserve the liquid volume and to produce dynamic surface motions, thin liquid sheets, and smooth surfaces without disturbing artifacts such as bumpy noise.


Cooperative directors' perceptions of their roles, knowledge, and implementation of cooperative principles, business decision making, financial analysis, cooperative law, and division of responsibility with management were analyzed using data from forty-eight agricultural and thirty-one rural electric directors. Directors performed well in these areas with the best performance being related to decision-making scenarios. Self-assessments and performance for capabilities/situational items were consistent and favorable. However, opportunities exist to strengthen directors' informational bases, especially for cooperative law, roles and responsibilities of directors and managers, and financial analysis.


The code provisions on lap splices are critically assessed in the light of 203 beams without transverse reinforcement and 278 beams with transverse reinforcement. For comparison, the provisions given in the ACI 318, Eurocode 2, and TS 500 Codes are considered. The ACI Committee 408 recommended provision and a new proposal are also taken into account throughout the assessment. The comparison with real beam tests where the splice region was subjected to constant moment indicates that current provisions in the Codes do not agree acceptably with test results. The steel stress prediction graphs calculated by means of the Code provisions show high scatter and remain unsafe especially for test data without transverse reinforcement. Both the recent recommended provision by ACI Committee 408 and a new design expression proposed by the author have much less scatter with fewer unsafe predictions. The simplified design provision proposed by ACI Committee 408 does not yield similar results to that of the advanced design provision proposed by the same committee and therefore it could conveniently be replaced with the simpler equation proposed by the author.


Background. Historically, the clinical acceptability of pancreas-after-kidney (PAK) transplantation has been hampered by relatively high acute rejection rates and lower pancreas graft survival rates when compared with the more commonly performed simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation. The purpose of this study was to compare PAK transplantation to SPK transplantation in the Thymoglobulin induction era. Methods. The authors reviewed all bladder-drained PAK (n=47) transplants receiving rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction from June 1998 to June 2002 and compared them with SPK (n=25) transplants during the same time period at their institution. The authors retrospectively studied data on demographics, patient survival, graft (pancreas and kidney) survival, complications, and biopsy-proven rejection episodes. Results. The actuarial 1-year patient survival was 93% for the PAK group versus 100% for the SPK group (P =not significant [NS]). The actuarial 1-year pancreas graft survival was 87% for the PAK group versus 92% for the SPK group (P =NS). Waiting time for PAK was significantly shorter than for SPK (6.3±5.2 vs. 16.2±13.7 months, P <0.05). Clinical acute rejection rates were similar in the two groups (4.3% for PAK vs. 4.0% for SPK). PAK recipients demonstrated a greater decline in renal function after transplantation compared with SPK. A multivariate analysis failed to elucidate the cause. Conclusions. Newer immunosuppressive regimens allow PAK transplant patients to achieve immunologic outcomes similar to SPK transplant patients. Although the shorter waiting time and the ability to use living-donor kidneys make PAK an increasingly attractive alternative to SPK transplantation, its effect on renal allograft function deserves further attention.


Six coupled GCMs are assessed in terms of their ability to simulate observed characteristics of East African rainfall, the Indian Ocean dipole and their temporal correlation. Model results are then used to analyze the future behaviour of rainfall and the DMI. All models simulate reasonably well the spatial distribution and variability of annual and seasonal rainfall over the 1961–1990 period. Model simulation of observed DMI characteristics is less consistent with observations, however, five models reproduce similar correlations to those observed between the DMI and East African short rains (SON). In the future, there are no clear inter‐model patterns of rainfall or DMI behaviour. In this sample of models four (two) out of six simulate modest increases (decreases) in annual rainfall by the 2080s. For SON, three of the six models indicate a trend towards increasingly positive phase of the DMI, two indicate a decrease and one shows no substantial change.


Growth rates from 10 to 38 μm/h of single crystal 3C-SiC on planar Si (001) substrates have been obtained in a low-pressure horizontal hot-wall CVD reactor. The propane-silanehydrogen gas chemistry system with HCl added as a growth additive, which allows an increased amount of silane to be introduced into the reactor during growth, was used. The 3C-SiC film growth rate versus silane mole fraction was found to be a linear function in the range from 0.43x10-3 to 1.50x10-3. Nomarski optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the deposited layers. The X-ray rocking curve taken on the (002) diffraction plane of a 12 μm thick 3CSiC (001) layer displayed a FWHM of 360 arcsec, which indicates the films are mono-crystalline.


The author examined 22 patients with postinfarction heart aneurysm to evaluate the myocardial reserves of the preserved myocardium with the use of the strophanthine test. The time-course of changes in the central hemodynamics, contractile function and segmental myocardial contractility of the left ventricle was evaluated. It was disclosed that the positive inotropic effect of strophanthine depends on the degree of the atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary arteries supplying blood to the zone of the preserved myocardium. In patients with postinfarction heart aneurysm and multiple demonstrable lesions of the coronary artery, administration of strophanthine brought about the deterioration of myocardial contractility of the left ventricle. No relationship was found between the initial status of the hemodynamics and the inotropic effect of strophanthine.


Bcl2 has been reported to suppress DNA mismatch repair (MMR) with promotion of mutagenesis, but the mechanism(s) is not fully understood. MutSα is the hMSH2-hMSH6 heterodimer that primarily functions to correct mutations that escape the proofreading activity of DNA polymerase. Here we have discovered that Bcl2 potently suppresses MMR in association with decreased MutSα activity and increased mutagenesis. Exposure of cells to nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone results in accumulation of Bcl2 in the nucleus, which interacts with hMSH6 but not hMSH2 via its BH4 domain. Deletion of the BH4 domain from Bcl2 abrogates the ability of Bcl2 to interact with hMSH6 and is associated with enhanced MMR efficiency and decreased mutation frequency. Overexpression of Bcl2 reduces formation of the hMSH2-hMSH6 complex in cells, and purified Bcl2 protein directly disrupts the hMSH2-hMSH6 complex and suppresses MMR in vitro. Importantly, depletion of endogenous Bcl2 by RNA interference enhances formation of the hMSH2-hMSH6 complex in association with increased MMR and decreased mutagenesis. Thus, Bcl2 suppression of MMR may occur in a novel mechanism by directly regulating the heterodimeric hMSH2-hMSH6 complex, which potentially contributes to genetic instability and carcinogenesis.


Objective This study was aimed at analysing the long-term effects of weight-loss on mortality. Methods Studies available in the Pubmed database regarding the effect of weightloss on mortality were analysed. Possible causes for inconsistencies amongst different studies and the biological rationale for the available evidence were studied. Results Most studies have suggested that being overweight and obesity are common risk factors for chronic diseases. However, most studies have also suggested that, independently of weight, a change in weight (increase or reduction) increases the risk of mortality when compared to maintaining a stable weight. Conclusion The beneficial or adverse effect of weight-loss on mortality could depend on individuals' genetic characteristics, pre- and post-natal background, initial weight, the amount of weight lost, the time taken to lose weight and the strategies used for reducing weight.


Background There are well developed services for pregnant substance users maintained on opiate replacement therapies (ORT) both nationally and locally. Recently the problem of addiction to prescription drugs has been highlighted by the Home Affairs Select Committee report1 and has received national media attention. Locally an increase in pregnant women addicted to such prescription drugs, particularly opiates, has been observed. Whilst ORT are prescription medications, they are distinct in some ways from opiates prescribed for non replacement therapy. Such opiates are referred to in this report as "therapeutic" opiates. Methods Cases of infants born to mothers using "therapeutic" opiates over the last 2 years were reviewed. A literature review was performed looking specifically at the common substances used during pregnancy in such situations. Results 22 women delivered 23 infants over the 2 year period. The most commonly prescribed substances were codeine, oxycodone and buprenorphine patches, prescribed mainly for chronic pain. All infants were admitted to the neonatal service for observation/treatment of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Very few women had accessed the local multi disciplinary antenatal clinic for drug using women and antenatal communication and planning was poor. Conclusions The use of "therapeutic" opiates during pregnancy is not uncommon Women using "therapeutic" opiates are not accessing specialist local services, probably as they do not see themselves/are not seen as "addicts" in the classic sense of the word. There is clearly a need for improved services for this group of pregnant women. Reference House of Commons Home Affairs Committee. Drugs: new psychoactive substances and prescription drugs. Twelfth Report of Session 2013-14. 17/12/2013


The articulatory interpretation and transcription of lower-vocal-tract sounds in Caucasian languages has long been a source of confusion. The Russian literature, notably by Kibrik and Kodzasov, provides insight into the auditory distinctions in Archi, Agul, and Dargwa, among others. However, the model of vocal tract articulatory function and the experimental techniques available in their time lacked precision in identifying the laryngeal and pharyngeal strictures and movements responsible for laryngeal/pharyngeal sounds. We reinterpret the pharyngeal, epiglottal, and pharyngealized contrasts in Caucasian languages using a model of laryngeal articulation that specifies degrees of laryngeal constriction, vibratory effects, and larynx height parameters. We focus on Archi, Agul, and Dargwa languages Mehweb and Shiri. Phonetic categories in the earlier inventories are assigned remapped articulatory definitions. The Russian researchers' observations of degrees of epiglottis lowering are seen as an indication of the laryngeal articulatory mechanism constricting, with larynx raising, to form constriction.


Many cancers are variably resistant to radiation treatment: some patients die within months, while others with the same tumour type and equivalent radiation protocol, survive for years. To determine why some tumours are radiosensitive, while others return after radiotherapy, requires new non-traditional approaches to oncology. Herein we used laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to test the hypothesis that Mn functions as a metabolic radioprotector and is an apex predictor of tumour radioresponsiveness. The genesis of this hypothesis lies in microbial and in vitro chemical systems. We measured the levels and spatial distributions of Mn in tissue sections of 7 specifically chosen tumour types with distinct clinically documented radioresponsiveness and patient outcomes, namely testis, lung, brain, skin, mesothelium, prostate and breast. Mn levels varied nearly 60-fold between individual tumours, from 0.02 μg g-1 to 1.15 μg g-1. The most radiosensitive cancer type, (testis), had the lowest Mn levels and the highest patient survival. Tumours at the radioresistant extreme (glioblastomas and melanomas) had the highest Mn levels and lowest patient survival. A direct association was found between total Mn contents and their variation, and clinically-inferred radioresponsiveness in each of these 7 tumour types, while no such association existed with Cu, Zn or Fe. The LA-ICP-MS data provided unique patient-specific 2D maps of the spatial metallomic heterogeneity of cancer cells and their stroma. These maps have fundamental and far reaching clinical implications. For the first time, Mn-based tumour data may allow for more precise radiodosages and improved treatment for the individual patient.


Abstract Gymnolaemate bryozoans are common encrusters on bivalve shells from the early to middle Albian parts of the Glen Rose and Walnut formations of southcentral and northcentral Texas. Here, we report for the first time the presence of seven gymnolaemate bryozoans, all of which represent new species. They include the bioimmured ctenostome Simplicidium jontoddi n. sp., and the cheilostomes Rhammatopora glenrosa n. sp., Iyarispora ikaanakiteeh n. gen. n. sp., Iyarispora chiass n. gen. n. sp., Charixa bispinata n. sp., Charixa sexspinata n. sp., and Charixa emanuelae n. sp. The Glen Rose bryozoans slightly antedate the commencement of an explosive bryozoan radiation and the first appearance of neocheilostomes in the late Albian. Although the diversity of cheilostomes in the Glen Rose and Walnut formations is similar to that of cyclostomes, cheilostomes are more abundant and produced larger colonies. These formations therefore yield the oldest known bryozoan assemblage dominated in terms of biomass by cheilostomes. The genus concept of Charixa is discussed and amended.


New methods for the discovery and scoring of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) offer the potential for considerably improved methods for genetic analysis of complex biological phenomena, particularly common diseases. In this Policy Forum, the authors call for a publicly supported effort to discover a large number of SNPs and to place the information in public databases. Participation in this public effort by the private sector would be particularly desirable.


Using a large U.S. sample, we find a significant and positive relation between patents and corporate tax planning, and the effect is incremental to the effect of R&D on tax planning. We employ a quasi-natural experiment based on staggered industry-level innovation shocks to identify the positive causal effect of patents on corporate tax planning. We also find that patents are not associated with tax planning for domestic firms, but their association with tax planning is concentrated in multinational firms, which have the ability to shift domestic income to low-tax countries. Moreover, we find that the identified effect mainly exists in the post-check-the-box (CTB) rule period when shifting income among affiliates becomes more flexible and convenient. Finally, we use two income shifting models and find that patents, rather than R&D, facilitate tax planning through an income shifting channel. Overall, our results suggest that R&D and patents facilitate firms' tax planning in distinct ways: R&D facilitates tax planning as intended through tax credits and deductions, whereas patents are used to avoid taxes aggressively by taxpayers through income shifting.


Analog synthesis tools have traditionally traded quality for speed, substituting simplified circuit evaluation methods for full simulation in order to accelerate the numerical search for solution candidates. As a result, these tools have failed to migrate into mainstream use primarily because of difficulties in reconciling the simplified models required for synthesis with the industrial-strength simulation environments required for validation. We argue that for synthesis to be practical, it is essential to synthesize a circuit using the same simulation environment created to validate the circuit. In this paper, we develop a new numerical search algorithm efficient enough to allow full circuit simulation of each circuit candidate, and robust enough to find good solutions for difficult circuits. The method combines the population-of-solutions ideas from evolutionary algorithms with a novel variant of pattern search, and supports transparent network parallelism. Comparison of several synthesized cell-level circuits against manual industrial designs demonstrates the utility of the approach.


BACKGROUND
Type-1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized as a heterogenous autoimmune disease. Immune system factors are important in the pathogenesis of T1D. Chemokines as crucial members of the immune system are key factors in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, including T1D. They are potent chemotactic cytokines with various functions varied from maturation, trafficking of leukocytes, to angiogenesis, angiostasis, and homing of stem cells. Therefore, the current study was aimed to examine if the expression of pro-angiogenic CXC chemokines like CXCL1 and anti-angiogenic chemochines such as CXCL9 are associated with duration and complications of T1D in Iranian diabetic patients.

METHODS
In this experimental study, blood samples were collected from 209 T1D patients and 189 healthy controls. The serum levels of CXCL1 and CXCL9 were measured by ELISA. Demographic data were also collected on a questionnaire which was designed specifically for this study.

RESULTS
Increased plasma levels of chemokines studied (CXCL1 and CXCL9) were observed in T1D patients compared to controls. Current findings also demonstrated that there was a close association between chemokines and complications of T1D and chemokines were elevated in T1D patients suffering complications.

CONCLUSIONS
Our results probably suggest that the serum levels of CXCL1 and CXCL9 play important roles in T1D pathogenesis. It is also worth noting that these factors are useful prognostic and/or diagnostic biological markers in T1D patients.


Pieter Zeeman was born in Zeeland at the mouth of the Scheldt. He was the son of a Lutheran pastor and was educated at the University of Leyden. In 1890, when twenty-five years of age, he was appointed assistant on the physics staff. Among his duties at this time was to prepare lecture experiments for the elementary lectures, which, oddly enough, were given by H. A. Lorentz, the Professor of Theoretical Physics. It appears that these lectures would normally have been given by Kamerlingh Onnes, who was Professor of Experimental Physics and Director of the Laboratory. Onnes threw himself entirely into the organization of his cryogenic researches, which were no doubt very important and very successful, culminating, as they did, in the liquefaction of helium. He contrived to leave much of the work of routine teaching to Lorentz. Zeeman assisted Lorentz; he was set to prepare spectacular experimental demonstrations, such as the piercing of a thick block of glass by a powerful discharge. This, as he told me, did not commend itself to him as an adequate object for the considerable labour involved in drilling holes in the glass for the lead-in wires. This little anecdote struck me as curious, for it did not seem quite in character with what I knew of Lorentz otherwise. Zeeman was privat-docent in the University of Leyden when he made his great discovery, which the world calls the Zeeman Effect, but which he himself modestly referred to as 'the magnetic splitting of the spectrum lines'. It was made public on 31 October 1896 by communication to the Academy of Science at Amsterdam. The idea that a source of light might be in some way affected by magnetic force was not altogether new. Such an effect was looked for by Faraday in 1862, at the very end of his career as an experimentalist, but the result was negative.


ABSTRACT Silcretic duricrust is found capping scattered, isolated hills in the southern desert plain of Kuwait. It occurs in genetic association with surface and subsurface calcrete, dolocrete, and gypcrete deposits. Two main types of silcrete were found--quartzitic silcrete and massive silcrete. The first was developed by precipitation of microcrystalline drusy quartz cement in the intergranular pores of sandstones, whereas the second type was formed by replacement of calcrete, dolocrete, and freshwater limestone by microcrystalline quartz. Silica precipitation took place in two stages. In the first, primary silicification caused the development of the main silcrete mass which is usually composed of microcrystalline quartz, syntaxial quartz overgrowth, and quartzine spherulites. A second stag of secondary silicification was responsible for the precipitation of length-fast chalcedony and megaquartz in cavities. The field occurrence and the petrographic characteristics of the silcrete in Kuwait provide support for the Folk and Pittman (1971) hypothesis on the replacement of evaporite and carbonate by quartzine and lutecite. Calcretization of Kuwait Group clastic deposits, which resulted in complete or partial dissolution of siliciclastic grains and precipitation of carbonate minerals, is likely to have provided soluble silica for groundwater. A diagenetic model for the studied silcrete is proposed in which both vertical and lateral translocation of soluble silica in groundwater is considered. Silcrete has played an important role in the landscape development of the southern ar a of Kuwait.


The computing center GridKa is serving the ALICE, ATLAS, CMS and LHCb experiments as one of the biggest WLCG Tier-1 centers world wide with compute and storage resources. It is operated by the Steinbuch Centre for Computing at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. In April 2017 a new online storage system was put into operation. In its current stage of expansion it offers the HEP experiments a capacity of 34 PB of online storage. The whole storage is partitioned into few large file systems, one for each experiment, using IBM Spectrum Scale as software-defined-storage base layer. The system offers a combined read-write performance of 100 GB/s. It can be scaled transparently both in size and performance allowing to fulfill the growing needs especially of the LHC experiments for online storage in the coming years. In this article we discuss the general architecture of the storage system and present first experiences with the performance of the system in production use.


Minimalism and the Promotion of Substandard Medical Care . . . Semantics is a major challenge in medicine, as in most other fields. The term "minimalistic medical care approaches" utilized herein reflects how little effort is expended, in contrast to the effort-intensive process of medication minimalism. The latter is exemplified by utilization of the safest medications at the lowest effective doses, mindful of their continuing necessity and vigilance for drug interactions and development of side effects and obtaining consultations in a timely manner.


Daniel Ortega's electoral victory in 2006 brought hope that the re-vamped Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN) party would reverse neoliberal policies in rural Nicaragua. Yet, 11 years on, with the new FSLN firmly in power, such a reversal has not materialised. There is higher investment in agriculture and a deeper role for the State in creating safety nets for the poor, yet the economy remains virtually the same: an export-led, agricultural commodity-based, free-trade economy open to foreign direct investment and imports. A dominant media presence and the co-option of electoral institutions have allowed for Ortega to be re-elected, but it is the alliance with past military, political and economic adversaries that cements the governments' power, together with significant public support. Contradictions are emerging between the public socialist and antiimperialist rhetoric and progressive environmental and social legislation; and on the other hand, the realities of wealth accumulation, land evictions and environmental destruction. Protests and dissent, even from within the ranks of the FSLN are met with increased authoritarianism, either through direct or indirect violence, bureaucratic control or political and social ostracism. In rural areas, the FSLN have engaged in agrarian populism, obscuring class divisions in rural areas in their discourse. Some public investments reach poor and small-scale farmers, but government funds, tax incentives and credit are biased towards extractives (mining and wood) and large-scale commodity production and trade (coffee, sugar cane, grains). A change of party in government would do little to change these policies, and change from within is a challenge. Emancipatory action in Nicaragua should take the form of a grassroots social platform that makes the FSLN accountable to their historic constituencies: showing that not all agriculturalists are the same, breaking down the categories within 'rural people'; and proposing progressive policies that resonate with and mobilise the poorest citizens. ERPI 2018 International Conference Authoritarian Populism and the Rural World


We propose a novel concept of hybrid relay-reflecting intelligent surface (HR-RIS), in which a single or few elements are deployed with power amplifiers (PAs) to serve as active relays, while the remaining elements only reflect the incident signals. The design and optimization of the HR-RIS is formulated in a spectral efficiency (SE) maximization problem, which is efficiently solved by the alternating optimization (AO) method. The simulation results show that a significant improvement in the SE can be attained by the proposed HR-RIS, even with a limited power budget, with respect to the conventional reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS). In particular, the favorable design and deployment of the HR-RIS are analytically derived and numerically justified.


Wireless sensor networks have been deployed for environmental monitoring over the last twenty years. However, this application is not frequently deployed to solve the environmental problems (e.g. air pollution detection) encountered by many African countries. This paper develops an architecture based on a Wireless Mesh Network of Sensors (WMNS) to measure air pollution in African cities. We are motivated by the fact that air pollution in African cities is emerging as a key threat to health, environment, economy and the quality of life for millions of Africans as the level of urbanization, motorization and economic activity increases. We develop a model that takes into account the structure of African cities and the lack of Internet access in some urban or rural areas. As a result, the model could help with the implementation of regulations concerning air quality in Africa.


The placenta undergoes extensive angiogenesis and cellular proliferation to establish adequate blood supply to the fetus. The aim of this study was to compare and contrast the immunolocalization of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in both first trimester and term placenta and gestational decidua. Human choriocarcinoma cell line JEG-3 were employed as a model of cytotrophoblast and the effect of basic FGF on cell proliferation and phospholipase C and D activation investigated. Basic FGF-immunoreactivity (IR) was detected in or around cytotrophoblast cells and in extravillous trophoblast in first trimester placenta by immunohistochemistry using primary polyclonal rabbit antibodies. Identical staining patterns were produced by acidic FGF antibodies indicating colocalization of acidic FGF and basic FGF. At term, weaker and more diffuse staining was seen in the syncytiotrophoblast surrounding the placenta villi and strong staining was present in the smooth muscle cells of mid and large size placental vessels and in some endothelial cells. Endothelial cells and extravillous trophoblast stained strongly within the decidua at first trimester, whereas the glandular epithelium was weakly stained. Basic FGF induced [3H]thymidine incorporation in JEG-3 cells in a dose dependent manner and caused an increase in inosital phosphate accumulation in cells pre-labelled with myo-[3H]inosital at similar concentrations, suggesting a role of phospholipase C in JEG-3 cell proliferation. However, basic FGF failed to stimulate phospholipase D activity in cells pre-labelled with [3H]myristic acid. The detection of acid FGF and basic FGF on both maternal and fetal side of the placenta during early pregnancy suggests a role for FGF in angiogenesis, whereas localisation of the growth factor at term, when extensive angiogenesis has diminished, would indicate that FGF may be associated with more differentiated functions of the trophoblast. The nuclear localization of basic FGF in dividing but not non-dividing placental cells together with the effect of basic FGF on JEF-3 cells, strongly supports a role for basic FGF in cytotrophoblast proliferation in vivo.


The acoustic emissions from single cavitation bubbles have been measured with a state‐of‐the‐art needle hydrophone. The measurements correspond to a stable cavitation bubble driven below and above the sonoluminescence threshold. Previous measurements above this threshold indicated that the lower‐bound peak pressure at a distance of 1 mm from the bubble was nearly 2 bar [I. M. Hallaj et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 100, 2717(A) (1996)]. The measured pressure amplitude below the sonoluminescence threshold is much weaker. Comparisons of the measured amplitudes with calculations are considered. In one case the acoustic emission mechanism is considered as being due to internal shock waves diverging into the fluid. In a second case the acceleration of the bubble wall is considered as the mechanism for the acoustic pulse, assuming a spatially uniform gas pressure in the bubble. Both methods are consistent with the measured values. However, neither method agrees well with the measured pulse amplitudes of the afterbou...


The technique of curvilinear boundary-fitted coordinate system is used for the mathematical model of pressure underground seepage flow and the boundary conditions and the method of solving the transformed equations have been presented. The computing example shows that the computed hydraulic parameters conform to the physical laws. Compared with the finite element method, the presented method need not solve the large matrix equations, and the computer memories and the time for computing are less. The mathematical model is effective for numerical solution of pressure underground seepage flows with complicated boundaries, and can be used in practice hydraulic engineering.


Hypoglycaemia is the commonest and most feared side effect of insulin therapy for diabetes, which is increased during strict glycaemic control. It can have detrimental effects on many aspects of cerebral function, but also provokes widespread changes in blood components and vascular flow such that theoretical concerns have been raised regarding its potential effects on the vasculature of people with diabetes. The aims of this thesis were: (a) to further examine the effects of hypoglycaemia on cognitive function, specifically to assess the effects on spatial abilities, and (b) to explore the potential effects of hypoglycaemia on several parameters that influence vascular function. Spatial ability was assessed using the French and Ekstrom Kit of Factor Referenced (cognitive) Tests in 16 subjects with type 1 diabetes during euglycaemia and hypoglycaemia, which was induced using the hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamp technique. Vascular function was evaluated in a preliminary study by assessing the endothelin response to acute hypoglycaemia in 20 subjects with type 1 diabetes. Subsequently, 16 adult human subjects with type 1 diabetes and 16 subjects without diabetes were studied during hypoglycaemia and euglycaemia with measurement of an extensive battery of tests relevant to vascular function (soluble markers of platelet function, coagulation, and inflammation). Flow cytometry was used to assess the effects of hypoglycaemia and euglycaemia on platelet monocyte aggregation, CD40 expression on monocytes and CD40 ligand expression on platelets, as these parameters are known to play a role in the initiation and progression of atherogenesis and vascular disease. Results have indicated that spatial ability was significantly affected during hypoglycaemia, which is relevant to the everyday activities of people with diabetes. In response to hypoglycaemia, significant changes were observed in several intravascular indices that could compromise vascular function and exacerbate vascular disease. These findings are of concern given the fact that the main objective of optimal glycaemic control in diabetes is to prevent the development and progression of microand macrovascular disease. This research provides a basis for further studies to investigate this concept in greater detail, and adds to the body of evidence demonstrating the importance of avoiding hypoglycaemia while maintaining optimal glycaemic control.


To investigate its role as an intermediate in methanol-to-hydrocarbons (MTH) chemistry, the reaction of propene over H-ZSM-5 zeolite at temperatures of 473, 573 and 673 K is studied over a period of 6 hours and the post-reaction catalysts examined by inelastic neutron scattering and ancillary analytical techniques. Low temperatures favour production of gasoline-range alkanes and alkenes, whilst the product distribution shifts to a primarily aromatic product stream as reaction temperature increases, with cyclopentadienyl intermediates from the aromatic formation process being detected spectroscopically in the reacted catalysts. The 473 K reaction deactivates the zeolite due to pore blockage from the growth of large, branched oligomer chains but coke build-up at higher temperatures is minimal and primarily consists of pure carbon. No evidence of immobilised poly-methylated aromatic species is observed at any temperature. A scheme for the full propene reaction series is proposed that involves a dual-cycle hydrocarbon pool mechanism like that found in MTH chemistry and supporting propene's role as an intermediate in that process. Minor differences in the product distribution of the propene-only reactions compared to classical MTH chemistry are identified due to the lack of a significant methylation reaction pathway that results in a more restricted range of substituted products.


Latin America is faced with the challenge of achieving the Millennium Developmental Goal to halve poverty in the region by 2015. Historically, this region has experienced persistently high levels of inequality and poverty, and the situation has deteriorated considerably over the past few years. This book analytically examines both the causes and consequences of inequality in Latin America.

Overcoming Inequality in Latin America adopts a multidimensional approach to understanding the fundamental causes of inequality in the region, focusing on the mechanisms that lead to higher inequality and emphasising the role of macroeconomics, trade rules, capital flows and the political electoral process. This book analyses how inequality has hindered development, how it interacts with a nation's economic, social and political processes, and how inequality constrains the above processes in ways that weakens the prospect of establishing and sustaining a dynamic, wealthy and creative society. Examinining the key economic policies and reforms which have exacerbated the region's extremely high inequality levels, this book prescribes an alternative range of policy suggestion to help alleviate inequality and provide the foundations for more equitable development.

An international team of specialist contributors elucidate these crucial issues and the result is a book which will prove an invaluable resource across a number of fields including development economics and politics.


Significant progress has been made in cystic fibrosis (CF) treatment using new antibiotic (AB) therapy options. However, the spectrum of bacterial pathogens and their susceptibility to AB have changed as well. Study objective: to investigate microflora prevailing in CF subjects' respiratory tract (RT) change over 15 years. CF subjects' sputum culture test results collected from 2000 till 2015 were analyzed. There were 9774 samples reviewed, 16703 strains identified. "MYCROB" system of microbiological monitoring was used for entry, statistical processing and analysis of data. Study results: S. aur. identification dropped from 42% (2000-03) to 32% (2012-15). P. aerug. from 24% (2000-03) to 11% (2011-15), P. aerug. muc. from 17% (2000-03) to 9% (2012-15). Incidence of chronic P. aerug. infection in CF children decreased from 57% in 1999 to 26% in 2011 and even 14% in 2014. MRSA identification growth from 6% (2000-03) to 9,5% (2008-11) and further to 12% (2012-15) is worrisome. B. cepacia comp. identification grew from 1% (2000-03) to 11% (2008-11) and 7% (2012-15). S. maltophilia identification dropped from 6% (2000-03) to 3% (2012-15). A. xylosoxidans identification grew from 3% (2000-03) to 5% (2012-15). The data presented demonstrate significant change in the distribution of the species identified. In parallel with P. aerug, and P. aerug. muc. identification frequency drop and reduction of chronic P. aerug. infection cases, there is a tendency to higher incidence of B.cepacia complex, A. xylosoxidans and MRSA identification which is quite challenging for further CF subjects care.


In this paper we consider the coverage problem for target detection applications in wireless sensor networks. Unlike conventional coverage problems which assume sensing regions are disks around sensors, we define the sensing region according to detection constraints in terms of false alarm probability and missing probability. We show that exploiting cooperation between sensors can extend the overall sensing region while maintain the same constraints on false alarm probability and missing probability. We then propose an energy efficient cooperative detection scheme and study the trade-offs on energy consumption between cooperative and non-cooperative schemes. The cooperative scheme can use half the number of sensors to monitor the whole field compared to disk model in networks deployed on grids. We also study the communication overheads incurred by the cooperative scheme, and show that only cooperation between limited number of nearby sensors is profitable in terms of energy consumption. In our simulations on randomly deployed networks, cooperation reduces the number of sensors to cover the area by 30% and nearly doubles the number of disjoint sensor sets where each can fully cover the area. Appropriately trading off energy consumption with coverage extension, our cooperative detection scheme can increase the network lifetime by nearly 70%.


This series of the Israeli Sociological Society, whose object is to identify and clarify the major themes that occupy social research in Israel today, gathers together the best of Israeli social science investigation that was previously scattered in a large variety of international journals. Each book in the series is introduced by integrative essays. Each volume focuses on a particular topic; the first volume seeks out the dynamics of conflict and integration in a new society; the second volume is concerned with the sociology of a unique Israeli social institution--the kibbutz. The third volume presents sociological perspectives on political life and culture in Israel. Articles by leading scholars deal with: historical development; political culture and ideology; political institutions and behavior; the social basis of politics; and social change. Volume III also includes a select bibliography. Contributors to Volume III (tentative): Karl W. Deutsch, Yonathan Shapiro, Dan Horowitz, Moshe Lissak, Daniel Elazar, Asher Arian, Charles Liebman, Erik Cohen, Yoram Peri, Ephraim Yaar, S. Smooha.


More accurate modelling of physical phenomena involved in present and future nuclear reactors requires a multi-scale and multi-physics approach. This challenge can be accomplished by the coupling of best-estimate core-physics, thermal-hydraulics and multi-physics solvers. In order to make viable that coupling, the current trends in reactor simulations are along the development of a new generation of tools based on user-friendly, modular, easily linkable, faster and more accurate codes to be integrated in common platforms. These premises are in the origin of the NURESIM Integrated Project within the 6 th European Framework Program, which is envisaged to provide the initial step towards a Common European Standard Software Platform for nuclear reactors simulations. In the frame of this project and to reach the above-mentioned goals, a 3-D multigroup nodal solver for neutron diffusion calculations called ANDES (Analytic Nodal Diffusion Equation Solver) has been developed and tested in-depth in this Thesis. ANDES solves the steady-state and time-dependent neutron diffusion equation in threedimensions and any number of energy groups, utilizing the Analytic Coarse-Mesh Finite-Difference (ACMFD) scheme to yield the nodal coupling equations. It can be applied to both Cartesian and triangular-Z geometries, so that simulations of LWR as well as VVER, HTR and fast reactors can be performed. The solver has been implemented in a fully encapsulated way, enabling it as a module to be readily integrated in other codes and platforms. In fact, it can be used either as a stand-alone nodal code or as a solver to accelerate the convergence of whole core pin-by-pin code systems. Verification of performance has shown that ANDES is a code with high order definition for whole core realistic nodal simulations. In this paper, the methodology developed and involved in ANDES is presented.


In the current phase of global geopolitical transition, Ukraine finds itself – now more than ever – dependent on the macro-dimension dynamics, on the global dynamics and on the fast-changing balance of power of the international chessboard. A less cohesive Euro-Atlantic front, the return of a classic Machtpolitik of both regional and international powers – such as Russia, Turkey and China – and the return of sovereign-nationalist approaches in various central-western states, stand out on the future of the Slavic country, augmenting risks and uncertainties. A country placed on the sound binary of a democratic path and going towards an approximation to the European Union, although marked by internal crises, risks for its state-territorial cohesion, and continuous hardships in the implementation of the age-old structural reforms so badly needed. The only certainty left, in this delicate phase of the international system transition and (the relative) weakening of the unipolar western-led order – seems, however, the continuation of the process of integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.


A large experimental study was undertaken to determine the effect of hole making upon the strength, ductility, and fatigue performance of structural steel plates and connections. The variables included steel strength, plate thickness, hole size, punch to die clearance, galvanizing, temperature, and edge distance. Approximately 300 tension and fatigue tests were performed. The study agreed with the results of previous research that plates with punched holes have lower strength and ductility than ones with drilled holes. The fatigue performance of plates with punched holes was also less than ones with drilled holes. Galvanizing further reduced the fatigue strength of plates with punched holes. The effect upon hole making upon the fatigue strength and to some extent the tensile strength reduced when fully pretensioned bolts were used. Empty holes had a lower fatigue strength then holes used in a bolted connection. The practice of increasing the hole diameter by 1/16 in. when calculating the net section of a tension member did not account for the reduction in strength when the hole was punched. It is recommended that this increase in hole be eliminated and the tension strength of members with punched holes be taken as 90% of normal design values. Due to the low ductility of plates and connection with punched holes, punched holes should only be used in secondary members that do not need the ductility required in main members. The appendix of the report gives the recommended specifications.


While superpages are an efficient solution to increase TLB reach, strong requirements for using superpages hinder an actual utilization. Subblock TLBs release some of these requirements and thus increase the actual utilization of superpages by attaching afield per subblock (or base page) in a superpage. On the other hand, its superpage size is strongly restricted because the number of attached fields should be the same with the superpage size in base page unit. We propose VS-TLBs (Variable-size Subblock TLB), which extend subblock TLBs to allow a subblock to be multiple base pages, while the subblock size in subblock TLBs is a base page. Therefore, with the same number of the attached fields, the TLB reach of VS-TLBs becomes much larger than subblock TLBs. By virtue of the increased TLB reach, the number of TLB misses are reduced considerably. We propose two system configurations: VS-TLB alone and VS-hybrid. VS-hybrid replaces the subblock TLB with VS-TLB in the hybrid scheme of the subblock TLB and the shadow memory. The simulation results show that the two proposed configurations reduce 52% and 67% of TLB misses from the results of their parent systems.


: Metformin is the most commonly prescribed oral antidiabetic agent. Despite a good safety profile in most patients with diabetes, the risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is real if safety guidelines are ignored. Experience with 3 cases of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is reported. Two cases were caused by inappropriate use of metformin in the presence of renal, cardiac and hepatic failure and 1 case followed an intentional overdose. The literature was reviewed on the clinical presentation, prevalence, pathogenesis, prognosis and management of metformin-associated lactic acidosis. This report highlights the importance of proper patient selection, clinical and laboratory monitoring and recommendation on when to stop the drug in ambulatory and hospitalized patients to prevent this unusual but potentially lethal complication.


System design studies and detailed radar simulations have identified the utility of space-time adaptive processing (STAP) to accomplish target detection in cases where the target Doppler is immersed in sidelobe clutter and jamming. A recent US Air Force investment in STAP has produced a database of multichannel airborne data, through Rome Laboratory's Multichannel Airborne Radar Measurement (MCARM) program, to further develop STAP architectures and algorithms suited to operational environments. An aspect of actual data not typically incorporated into simulation scenarios is the nonhomogeneous features of real-world clutter and interference scenarios. In this paper we investigate the impact of nonhomogeneous data on the performance of STAP. Furthermore, we propose a preliminary scheme to detect and excise nonhomogeneous secondary data in the sample covariance estimation, thereby dramatically improving STAP performance as shown through a specific example using monostatic MCARM data.


The deployment of technology across the globe towards creating efficient learning environments is growing rapidly. In the United Kingdom, for example, the government is investing an enormous amount of money in primary school early years programming lessons. The ideology behind this push is to strengthen the link between the younger generation and the technological growth that will continue to have an ever-increasing impact on their lives and to fuel the pace of innovation. One of the core themes of this area is that of computer programming, which has now become a mandatory subject in early years' education. As a result of this change, many challenges are being faced by teachers and pupils; for example, teachers require more training and young students need appropriate tools that suit their level of learning. Therefore, this research aimed to help facilitate the process of teaching and learning programming for the young generation via the provision of a suitable technologically educational programming system whereby they can develop their programming skills. This proposed system has some pedagogical characteristics that distinguish it from other programming tutoring systems. The proposed system is based on assessment-driven learning whereby pupils are provided with suitable programming learning that fits their appropriate learning levels. Another characteristic of this proposed system is that pupils are learning programming through a deep learning approach, e.g. thinking and analysing how to solve the problem, not like other existing tools which have attempted only to achieve lower learning outcomes, e.g. remembering a concept and then answering multiple-choice questions. Two experimental studies were conducted on pupils from two UK primary schools to evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed system, and the results indicated that pupils found the proposed system helped them to learn programming, as well as they made good progress and they enjoyed what they were learning. Consequently, it can be interpreted from the research findings that an automated teaching and learning programming system that supports the right pedagogical aspects, e.g. assessment-driven learning with the inclusion of game-based learning, would make the learning process more successful and enjoyable for pupils in early years of education.


The mechanism for the nitrate removal from wastewater in a submerged fixed film filter is reviewed and evaluated to demonstrate that the denitrification process is significantly reduced by the presence of oxygen. The kinetics were developed for a fully nitrate penetrated biofilm, influenced by oxygen. It was demonstrated that there is a linear reduction of the denitrification rate with depth of oxygen penetration, proportional to the oxygen concentration to the half power. For a partly nitrate penetrated biofilm the influence of oxygen is a function of the ratio between the penetration of oxygen and the penetration of nitrate without the influence of oxygen. The phenomenon was investigated in laboratory scale with biocarbone and biostyr as media and at a full scale biocarbone plant. The investigation was performed with organic matter in excess on a thin biofilm taken directly from a full scale plant. The results of the experiments with influence of oxygen fit the kinetic concepts well.


Over the past quarter century, labor's share of income in the United States has trended downward, reaching its lowest level in the postwar period after the Great Recession. A detailed examination of the magnitude, determinants, and implications of this decline delivers five conclusions. First, about a third of the decline in the published labor share appears to be an artifact of statistical procedures used to impute the labor income of the self-employed that underlies the headline measure. Second, movements in labor's share are not solely a feature of recent U.S. history: The relative stability of the aggregate labor share prior to the 1980s in fact veiled substantial, though offsetting, movements in labor shares within industries. By contrast, the recent decline has been dominated by the trade and manufacturing sectors. Third, U.S. data provide limited support for neoclassical explanations based on the substitution of capital for (unskilled) labor to exploit technical change embodied in new capital goods. Fourth, prima facie evidence for institutional explanations based on the decline in unionization is inconclusive. Finally, our analysis identifies offshoring of the labor-intensive component of the U.S. supply chain as a leading potential explanation of the decline in the U.S. labor share over the past 25 years.


The fractal characteristics of the surface roughness are investigated by using fractal geometry. A three-dimensional model of laminar flow in microchannels with surface roughness characterized by fractal geometry is developed and analyzed numerically. The Weierstrass-Mandelbrot function is introduced to characterize the multiscale self-affine roughness. The effects of Reynolds number Re, relative roughness, and fractal dimension on Poiseuille number are investigated and discussed. The results show that, different from the conventional channels, Poiseuille number in rough microchannels is no longer constant for different Re, but increases approximately linearly with Re, and is larger than the classical value. The flow over roughness features with high relative roughness induces recirculation and flow separation, which plays an important role in flow pressure drop. More specifically, roughness with larger fractal dimension, which yields more frequent variation in the surface profile, also results in a significant increase in pressure loss, even though at the same relative roughness. In addition, the accuracy of Poiseuille number calculated by the present model is verified by the experimental data available in the literature.


For an accelerated electron, electrodynamics yields two self-forces on the electron, a radiation reaction force and a previously unappreciated retardation force. These forces are examined and compared. The traditional radiation reaction force exists only when there is radiation that produces a time rate of change of acceleration. A retardation force results whenever the electron's self-field changes due to acceleration, and is present even if there is no radiation and the acceleration is constant. It is found that the retardation force on the electron is >>> the radiation reaction force. In a new way, this circumvents problems of preacceleration, and energy run-away solutions. It is predicted that because the retardation force


Gentrification is described loosely as the return of the middle class to poor and workingclass urban neighborhoods, resulting in social and cultural changes to the surrounding community. The process of gentrification is tied to both capital (economic redevelopment) and culture (social life), with localized processes related to the way that residents, consumers, business owners and civic leaders negotiate the course of change. A study tracking several decades of change in one central St. Louis neighborhood reveals that even in one small locale gentrification may take multiple, simultaneous forms. The study critiques the divergent theses of "emancipatory" and "revanchist" gentrification, suggesting that the a "both/and" approach to evaluating the costs and benefits of redevelopment. It also reveals the role that religious and moral visions of urban living play in the return of middle-class populations. Finally, the research examines the forces of inclusion and exclusion created by the branding of neighborhoods to attract affluent consumer populations, often drawn from the White middle class. In sum, both cultural and economic redevelopment are shown to operate along lines of class and race, while offering a mixed bag of costs and benefits to the community at large. Gentrification involves the revitalization of spaces and the creation of places via a highly local and nuanced process. The research itself consists of a neighborhood ethnography accompanied by documentary photography of the neighborhood and local people.


This paper investigates the use of locally available organic mulch and organic fertilizer for the production of sweet corn in Barbados. It focuses primarily on the impact of locally produced coconut fiber, wood chip, and green waste mulches on sweet corn yield, weed control, moisture retention and soil temperature. The performance of these organic mulches is compared to synthetic mulch and a control (unmulched). The effect of the amendments and cropping density are also assessed. The variety of sweet corn grown was Golden Sweeter 93. Organic pest management practices were utilized throughout the production period. The use of organic mulches did not significantly increase yields in comparison with the control. Cropping densities used in the trial had no significant impact on yield. Weed control among all organic mulches was significant. Coconut fiber and wood chip provided the best weed control among these organic mulches. Organic mulches had 5-10 times less weeds than the control before first weeding. Weeds such as Commelina elegans, Euphorbia heterophylla L., and Mimosa spp. persisted within organic mulch treatments but below economic damage threshold levels. All treatments lead to an increase in moisture retention when compared to the control. Coconut fiber and Wood chip performed the best among the amendments in relation to water retention. Soil Temperature was significantly reduced by all organic treatments, a reduction of 1.3-1.9 °C. The Green Waste treatment resulted in the lowest average soil temperature. The implications and details of these observations in relation to organic crop production, weed management, and soil fertility management are discussed.


ABSTRACT This article aims to estimate the elasticity of taxable income (ETI), taking into account the nature of transfers and their use as a redistribution package (involving cash and in-kind transfers) to households in Brazil. Our contributions are twofold. First, we provide a simple model with balanced-budget government that reveals the role played by cash and in-kind transfers on the labour supply (and income tax revenues thereof). Next, in order to estimate ETI in the presence of cash and in-kind transfers, Brazilian population surveys (Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios [PNAD]) are used to explore a limited tax reform that was implemented between 1997 and 1998. This reform only affected the higher income tax bracket. Our findings suggest that in-kind (cash) transfers are positively (negatively) associated with reported taxable income and precise estimation of ETI requires estimates of both types of transfers. Last, we estimate the ETI for Brazil in the range from 0.4 to 1.3 not different from those that maximize income tax revenues.


This article provides commentary on the Supreme Court's decision relating to classwide waivers in arbitration clauses in American Express Co. v. Italian Colors Restaurant, and immediate reception of the Court's decision by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. In one of the most closely-watched classwide arbitration cases on the 2012-13 docket, the Supreme Court in Italian Colors Restaurant was asked whether the "effective vindication rule" required access to class arbitration in federal antitrust litigation where an individual plaintiff's claim was too small to be litigated separately. In a 5-3 decision (with Justice Sotomayor not participating) a divided Court ― led by its conservative wing ― responded with a resounding "no." The Court's majority in Italian Colors advanced the conservatives' harsh approach to classwide arbitration and represented a resounding setback for the plaintiffs' class action bar. Critics immediately attacked the decision as a pro-corporate, anti-plaintiff, anti-class action, denial-of-access-to-justice, ideologically-based decision. Justice Kagan dissented, joined by Justices Breyer and Ginsburg. Merely six weeks after issuance of the Italian Colors decision, the Second Circuit applied and extended the Italian Colors holdings to litigation under the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FSLA"). Sutherland v. Ernst & Young LLP, 2013 WL 4033844 (2d Cir. Aug. 9, 2013). The Second Circuit concluded that the Italian Colors decision abrogated the district court's previous basis for invalidating a class action waiver provision in an arbitration clause promulgated by Ernst & Young. The Second Circuit therefore concluded that the district court had erred in denying Ernst & Young's motion to compel arbitration. The Sutherland decision is significant because it heralds the Second Circuit's recognition of the Italian Colors repudiation of class action waivers, as well as the evisceration of the "effective vindication rule," which that Circuit previously had championed in several decisions. In addition, the Sutherland decision extends the Italian Color principles from Rule 23 antitrust class actions to FSLA wages and overtime litigation. By extending the Italian Colors holdings to FSLA litigation, the Sutherland decision embodies a further encroachment on plaintiffs' access to classwide arbitration.


Based on cellular automata, a model of simulating grain growth is established to study the effects of the second phase particle's size distribution on grain growth. The simulation results show that the second phase particles in the matix pin the grain boundary and then inhibit the grain growth. Different size distributions of the second phase particles have different pinning effect on the grain boundary, and the relationship of average grain size for the material with the second phase particles is RLognormal>RUniform>RNormal. The correlative laws obtained from the simulation is in accordance with the theoretical models.


Objectives It is not clearly known whether some benign (simple) ovarian cysts can convert into cancerous cysts. Size of cyst and wall abnormalities do predict the potentiality of malignancy. Not many studies have been done to explore the malignant potential of large-sized (> 5 cm) unilocular ovarian cysts without wall abnormalities. This study evaluated the correlation between ultrasonographic size of benign ovarian cysts and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125) levels. Methodology Sixty (60) premenopausal women were recruited for the study preoperatively, based on transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) findings present in the case record sheet received along with the CA-125 sample in the biochemistry laboratories. Those cases with elevated CA-125 levels were selected, where patients had unilocular ovarian cysts without wall abnormalities. CA-125 was done using ECLIA methodology (Cobas e411, Germany). Statistical correlation was calculated between the ovarian cyst size and CA-125 levels using Spearman's Rho coefficient. Results Mean age group of subjects were 29.7 ± 7.3 years and mean value of CA-125 (normal < 35 IU/mL) was found to be increased: 118.0 ± 147.1 IU/mL so was the mean diameter of cysts (cut off ≤ 5 cm): 48.6 ± 59.8 cm. No correlation was found between CA-125 levels and volume of ovarian cyst (r = 0.005, p = 0.680) for all subjects. Conclusions The lack of correlation between size of ovarian cysts and CA-125 levels provides a hint that the ovarian cyst epithelium does not directly express CA-125 and it may come from sites like the fallopian tube. Thus, raised level of CA-125 in benign ovarian cyst should be followed-up more closely, demanding assessment of fallopian tubes for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Also, algorithms can be explored to include size of ovarian cyst and CA 125 levels to predict ovarian cancer. Abstract


Change aversion is a natural response, which technology often exacerbates. Evolutionary changes can be subtle and occur over many generations. But Internet users must sometimes deal with sudden, significant product changes to applications they rely on and identify with. Despite the best intentions of designers and product managers, users often experience anxiety and confusion when faced with a new interface or changed functionality. While some change aversion is often inevitable, it can also be managed and minimized with the right steps. This case study describes how our understanding of change aversion helped minimize negative effects for the transition of the Google Docs List to Google Drive, a product for file storage in the cloud. We describe actions that allowed for a launch with no aversion.


In this paper, a novel data transmission method, Multiple MIMO system with Antenna Number Modulation (M-MIMO-ANM) is proposed to take the advantages of conventional antenna number modulation (ANM) one step further and increase the spectral efficiency, by increasing the number of antennas in the system and grouping them in blocks. With this improvement, M-MIMO-ANM creates an availability to convey more bits without any usage of bandwidth, while there is a noticeable improvement in the reliability of data transmission. With all these dynamics, M-MIMO-ANM concept is a candidate to create a new perspective to the Internet of Things (IoT) applications, with its energy efficient, spectrum efficient, robust, and both data and channel dependent data transmission nature that comes from ANM. The concept of M-MIMO-ANM is tested by using Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) symbol modulation over a Rayleigh fading channel. The validity of the system is investigated by numerical simulations and analytical calculations. As a result of the acquired throughput, it can be said that M-MIMO-ANM is promising a highly reliable and resilient system thanks to its cascaded simultaneous bit transmission by its different number of antenna blocks and antenna elements.


Abstract Probing light–matter interaction at the nanometer scale is one of the most fascinating topics of modern optics. Its importance is underlined by the large span of fields in which such accurate knowledge of light–matter interaction is needed, namely nanophotonics, quantum electrodynamics, atomic physics, biosensing, quantum computing and many more. Increasing innovations in the field of microscopy in the last decade have pushed the ability of observing such phenomena across multiple length scales, from micrometers to nanometers. In bioimaging, the advent of super-resolution single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) has opened a completely new perspective for the study and understanding of molecular mechanisms, with unprecedented resolution, which take place inside the cell. Since then, the field of SMLM has been continuously improving, shifting from an initial drive for pushing technological limitations to the acquisition of new knowledge. Interestingly, such developments have become also of great interest for the study of light–matter interaction in nanostructured materials, either dielectric, metallic, or hybrid metallic-dielectric. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances in the field of nanophotonics that have leveraged SMLM, and conversely to show how some concepts commonly used in nanophotonics can benefit the development of new microscopy techniques for biophysics. To this aim, we will first introduce the basic concepts of SMLM and the observables that can be measured. Then, we will link them with their corresponding physical quantities of interest in biophysics and nanophotonics and we will describe state-of-the-art experiments that apply SMLM to nanophotonics. The problem of localization artifacts due to the interaction of the fluorescent emitter with a resonant medium and possible solutions will be also discussed. Then, we will show how the interaction of fluorescent emitters with plasmonic structures can be successfully employed in biology for cell profiling and membrane organization studies. We present an outlook on emerging research directions enabled by the synergy of localization microscopy and nanophotonics.


Magnetic materials are of great importance for energy harvesting and conversion and information technologies, as exemplified by permanent magnets and spintronic applications, respectively. There is a strong impetus to develop new high performance magnets to satisfy the increasing requirements of such technologies. On the other hand, high-throughput (HTP) screening based on density functional theory calculations provides an efficiency way to predict novel materials with target properties. Therefore, it is meaningful to accelerate the development of functional magnetic materials by using the high-throughput screening method. In this thesis, we endeavored to perform HTP engineering of both 3D and 2D magnetic materials, focusing on spintronic and permanent magnet applications.

For the spintronic applications, based on HTP density functional theory calculations, we performed a systematic screening by examining peculiar electronic structure. For instance, we have done HTP screening for spin-gapless semiconductors (SGSs) in quaternary Heusler alloys XX'YZ. Following an empirical rule, we focused on compounds with 21, 26, or 28 valence electrons, resulting in 12000 possible chemical compositions. After systematically evaluating the thermodynamic, mechanical, and dynamical stabilities, we have identified 70 so far unreported SGSs, confirmed by explicit electronic structure calculations with proper magnetic ground states, of which 17 candidates have a distance to the convex hull smaller than 0.10 eV/atom. It is demonstrated that all four types of SGSs can be realized, defined based on the spin characters of the touching bands around the Fermi energy. Particularly, it is found that the type-II SGSs exhibit promising transport properties for spintronic applications, such as large anisotropic magnetoresistance and anomalous Nernst effects driven by spin-orbit coupling.

On the other hand, as to 2D materials, we carried out a systematic HTP screening for in-plane ordered MXene (i-MXene), which can be obtained by etching the main group element (A) away from the recently synthesized in-plane ordered MAX (i-MAX) phase. Such 2D i-MXenes provide us a new playground for 2D magnetic materials. It is observed that the spin configurations, hence the magnetic anisotropy, can be tuned by strain. We found that five i-MXenes have a significantly large out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy energy (>0.5 meV/f.u.), and the four ferromagnetic candidates have high Curie temperature based on the 2D Ising model. Additionally, we found i-MXene can realize large Seebeck effect, antiferromagnetic topological insulator, and spin-gapless semiconductors, making them interesting for future studies.

In terms of designing permanent magnets, we carried out a systematic HTP screening for rare-earth free permanent magnets by incorporating light interstitials (H, B, C, N) into magnetic full Heusler alloys. We successfully identified 32 candidates with an out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy larger than 0.4 MJ/m$^3$ as well as 10 cases with large in-plane anisotropy. Detailed analysis reveals that the interstitials are very efficient in inducing global tetragonal distortions, whereas the local chemical bonding and changes in the crystalline environment result in significant enhancement of MAE. We strongly believe this provides an efficient way to tailor MAE, and such newly predicted permanent magnet candidates are promising gap magnets between rare earth based Sm-Co and Nd-Fe-B and the transition metal based AlNiCo and ferrite.

To summarise, in addition to screening over various types of functional magnetic materials, my work provides valuable solutions to the pending challenges of HTP design of magnetic materials. We have established automated workflows, which can be easily applied on the other magnetic materials. This paves the way for further design of advanced magnetic materials with optimal performance


Starting from a Bäcklund transformation and taking a special ansatz for the function f, we can obtain a much more general expression of solution that includes some variable separated functions for the higher-order Broer–Kaup system. From this expression, we investigate the interactions of localized coherent structures such as the multi-solitonic excitations and find the novel phenomenon that their interactions have non-elastic behavior because the fission/fusion may occur after the interaction of each localized coherent structure.


Agrin induces the formation of highly localized specializations on myotubes at which nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) and many other components of the postsynaptic apparatus at the vertebrate skeletal neuromuscular junction accumulate. Agrin also induces AChR tyrosine phosphorylation. Treatments that inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation prevent AChR aggregation. To examine further the relationship between tyrosine phosphorylation and receptor aggregation, we have used the technique of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching to assess the lateral mobility of AChRs and other surface proteins in mouse C2 myotubes treated with agrin or with pervanadate, a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. Agrin induced the formation of patches in C2 myotubes that stained intensely with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies and within which AChRs were relatively immobile. Pervanadate, on the other hand, increased protein tyrosine phosphorylation throughout the myotube and caused a reduction in the mobility of diffusely distributed AChRs, without affecting the mobility of other membrane proteins. Pervanadate, like agrin, caused an increase in AChR tyrosine phosphorylation and a decrease in the rate at which AChRs could be extracted from intact myotubes by mild detergent treatment, suggesting that immobilized receptors were phosphorylated and therefore less extractable. Indeed, phosphorylated receptors were extracted from agrin-treated myotubes more slowly than nonphosphorylated receptors. AChR aggregates at developing neuromuscular junctions in embryonic rat muscles also labeled with anti- phosphotyrosine antibodies, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation could mediate AChR aggregation in vivo as well. Thus, agrin appears to induce AChR aggregation by creating circumscribed domains of increased protein tyrosine phosphorylation within which receptors become phosphorylated and immobilized.


Isogeometric analysis (IGA), an approach that integrates CAE into conventional CAD design tools, has been used in structural optimization for 10 years, with plenty of excellent research results. This paper provides a comprehensive review on isogeometric shape and topology optimization, with a brief coverage of size optimization. For isogeometric shape optimization, attention is focused on the parametrization methods, mesh updating schemes and shape sensitivity analyses. Some interesting observations, e.g., the popularity of using direct (differential) method for shape sensitivity analysis and the possibility of developing a large scale, seamlessly integrated analysis-design platform, are discussed in the framework of isogeometric shape optimization. For isogeometric topology optimization (ITO), we discuss different types of ITOs, e.g., ITO using SIMP (Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization) method, ITO using level set method, ITO using moving morphable components (MMC), ITO with phase field model, etc., their technical details and applications such as the spline filter, multi-resolution approach, multi-material problems and stress constrained problems. In addition to the review in the last 10 years, the current developmental trend of isogeometric structural optimization is discussed.


This paper uses a unique large-scale survey administered in April 2020 to assess disparities on several dimensions of wellbeing under rising COVID-19 infections and mitigation restrictions in the US. The survey includes three modules designed to assess different dimensions of well-being in parallel: physical health, mental and social health, and economic and financial security. The survey is unique among early COVID-19 data efforts in that provides insight on diverse dimensions of wellbeing and for subnational geographies. I find dramatic declines in wellbeing from pre-COVID baseline measures across both people and places. Place-level variation is not well explained by local characteristics that either precede or coincide with the pandemic. Analysis by demographic groups also shows large and unequal declines in wellbeing in the COVID era. Hispanic, younger, and lower-earning individuals all faced disproportionately worsening economic conditions, as did those with school-aged children. I conclude that place-based relief policies are unlikely to be efficient relative to support targeted to the neediest individuals. I also find that individual COVID-19 exposure and risk show concerning relationships with employment, protective behavior, and mental health. Those with direct COVID-19 exposure through their households face significantly greater employment loss, but those with recent fever symptoms or elevated risk for COVID complications are not reducing their work hours or taking additional precautions, despite negative mental health status changes indicating concern. These findings suggest that some support policies might be directly targeted to households with confirmed infections.


ACT recognises that as long term family practitioners, GPs are ideally placed to facilitate good communication in and between multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams. The GP has a major role to play in children's palliative care, in understanding its complexities, and the network of service providers involved. The GP remains the constant practitioner for the family, irrespective of the outcome of the child's condition. The project aimed to promote reflective practice and learning, encouraging GP's to build their knowledge and develop case studies. The handbook provides a practical guide for GPs across the UK who face the challenge of working with a child requiring palliative or end of life care, and their family. It addresses the following issues: ▶ How do I communicate with children and their families? ▶ How do I break significant news to children and their families? ▶ How do I handle strong emotions and difficult questions? ▶ How do I deal with ethical dilemmas in children's palliative care? ▶ How do I assess and manage all the needs of children and their families? ▶ How do I assess pain in children? ▶ How do I manage physical pain in children? ▶ How can I offer spiritual care to children and families? ▶ How do I provide good end of life care to children and their families? ▶ How do I manage acute, distressing terminal symptoms at the end of life? ▶ How do I deal with the practicalities arising after the death of a child? ▶ How do I help the family with grief and bereavement? ▶ How do I survive and thrive in children's palliative care?


Abstract Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease in cattle caused mainly by Mycobacterium bovis and to a lesser extent by Mycobacterium caprae. The other members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) can also cause the disease in domestic and wild animals and all of them have a zoonotic potential. The main purpose of the study was to determine the presence and distribution of the tuberculous lesions in reactor cattle, and to isolate and identify the causative agents of bovine tuberculosis in the Republic of Macedonia. Lymph nodes and affected organs from 188 reactor cattle slaughtered due to a positive intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test were analyzed by detection of tuberculous lesions, followed by isolation and molecular identification of the isolated mycobacteria. The isolation was performed on selective media - Lowenstein Jensen with glycerol, Lowenstein Jensen without glycerol and Stonebrink medium supplemented with pyruvate. The molecular identification of the MTBC members was performed by analysis of the Regions of difference (RD1, RD9 and RD4) and detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the lepA gene for Mycobacterium caprae. Typical tuberculous lesions were detected in 62 animals (33.0%) and the lesions were most prevalent in the mediastinal lymph nodes (47.5%). The isolated mycobacteria in the MTBC were identified as Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium caprae and were found in both animals with visible lesions (82.2%) and animals without visible lesions (27.7%). The slaughterhouse postmortem examinations and laboratory investigations should be included on regular bases in order to improve the National eradication program.


It is frequently commented that Heidegger writes impenetrable texts that are difficult to read and comprehend, but he also, as Barbara Bolt demonstrates in this guide to his work, provides an "artists' guide to the world". Heidegger Reframed grounds Heidegger's writings in the critical questions confronting contemporary visual artists and students of art. Barbara Bolt takes the most relevant of his texts, including his most famous work, Being and Time, and sets out ways of thinking about art in a post-medium, digital, technocratic and post-human age. Reviewed by Jacob Phillips.


Two nutritionally poor bacteriological media, prepared from phosphate-buffered saline and from bronchial secretions, support the growth of Haemophilus influenzae only poorly. The presence of tobacco or pure nicotine in these media stimulates the growth of the organism, and the component(s) responsible appear(s) to be volatile.


Our knowledge base regarding the presence and significance of chemicals foreign to the subsurface environment is large and growing-the papers in this volume serving as testament. However, complex questions with few answers surround the unknowns regarding the potential for environmental or human health effects from trace levels of xenobiotics in ground water, especially ground water augmented with treated waste water. Public acceptance for direct or indirect ground water recharge using treated municipal waste water (especially sewage) spans the spectrum from unquestioned embrace to outright rejection. In this paper, I detour around the issues most commonly discussed regarding ground water recharge and instead focus on some of the less-recognized issues-those that emanate from the mysteries created at the many literal and virtual interfaces involved with the subsurface world. My major objective is to catalyze discussion that advances our understanding of the barriers to public acceptance of waste water reuse with its ultimate culmination in direct reuse for drinking. I pose what could be a key question as to whether much of the public's frustration or ambivalence in its decision-making process for accepting, or rejecting, water reuse (for various purposes including personal use) emanates from fundamental inaccuracies, misrepresentation, or oversimplification of what water is and how it functions in the environment-just exactly what the water cycle is. These questions suggest it might behoove us to revisit some very elementary aspects of our science and how we are conveying them to the public.


Scheduling enjoyable daily activities is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy intervention used in the treatment of depression and substance abuse disorders that are prevalent disorders among inmates. To effectively use this intervention with inmates, an activities list with items ecologically sensitive to the correctional setting needs to be created. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate items; thus, establishing a content valid Daily Activities List for Inmates (DALI). Fifteen corrections professionals representing a wide range of disciplines and managerial backgrounds served as subject matter experts (SMEs). Each SME evaluated 403 daily activity items that were aggregated from 4 separate lists. Each item was evaluated in relation to appropriateness for corrections, availability to inmates, need for editing, and where the activity could take place (in cell, out of cell, or both) then analyzed for removal following a criteria-driven, stage-based approach. The final daily activity list consisted of a total 227 items with the majority of the items developed by inmates in a correctional environment enduring through each stage. The majority of all 227 final DALI items were also considered to be used as both in and out of cell activities. An additional 22 items were created through SME suggestions or edits and were reserved for possible future use. With an ecologically sensitive daily activities list for inmates developed, implications for using the DALI to deliver psychological services to inmates are discussed.