Since the emergence of Exobiology, back to the l960ties, this field drastically increased and, although differently named, is today a largely recognized scientific domain of wild interdisciplinarity. It includes not only the search for extraterrestrial living Systems, in particular by direct exploration of planetary bodies and studies of extraterrestrial materials, but also the study on the origins of life on Earth and, in connection to this field, the study of extraterrestrial organic chemistry. The exobiology programmes currently developed at LISA are related to this last aspect. They include the study of prebiotic-like chemistry in the gas and solid phases, based on laboratory simulation experiments, theoretical modeling and future in situ measurements in Titan's atmosphere and in cometary nuclei. A national program of exobiology, coordinated by LISA is under development in France, it covers many of the various aspects of Exobiology, including the study of life in extreme environments, as a reference tool for extraterrestrial life, the study of the primitive environment of the Earth, of the organic chemistry in comets and on Titan, of Mars and Europa and even of extrasolar planets as potential niches for extraterrestrial living systems, associated to the determination of the electromagnetic signatures of life. In parallel to this general program, a proposal for a large simulation chamber to be used as a national facility in particular to simulate the organic chemistry in various planetary environments, and in the interstellar medium, is under preparation. International cooperations linked to these programmes, in particular in the frame of the development of an exobiology facility on the International Space Station, would be of crucial interest.


The rates of thiolysis of cephalosporins were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Thiols catalyse the hydrolysis through the formation of a thioester intermediate and the catalytically reactive form of the thiol is the thiolate anion. Variation of nucleophilic reactivity by changing the basicity of the thiolate anion generates a Bronstednuc value of 1.22 with cephaloridine, indicating that the breakdown of the tetrahedral intermediate is the rate-limiting step. The effect of C3 0 substituents on the rate of thiolysis of cephalosporins generates a large Hammettof ca 12, which is compatible with C—N bond fission occurring without protonation of the � -lactam nitrogen. Solvent kinetic isotope effects kH2O=kD2O of ca 1.1 also indicate that solvent water probably does not act as a general acid catalyst facilitating breakdown of the tetrahedral intermediate by protonating the departing amine. Copyright # 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Occurrence of congenital toxoplasmosis in subsequent siblings after the birth of an affected child is discussed. Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis was found in 3 surviving siblings. The diagnosis was made by the typical fundus lesions in children, intracranial calcification in one child, and significant positive titer for toxoplasmic antibodies in all the children and the mother, who was asymptomatic. Serology for syphilis, skin tests for histoplasmosis and tuberculosis, blood studies with sedimentation rate, and chest roentgenograms were all negative in mother and all 3 children. The view that transmission of infection from mother to the fetus may result from a chronically infested uterine wall is supported and is thought to be the probable cause in the cases reported here. After the birth of one child with congenital toxoplasmosis, the parents may be reassured about the favorable prognosis of subsequent pregnancies with some reservation. However, it appears unwise to categorically refute the repetition of congenital toxoplasmosis in siblings. It is also suggested that because of possible danger of reactivation, the healed toxoplasmic chorioretinal lesions should be properly monitored if the patient is to be given corticosteroids for any other reason.


The purpose of this article is to develop more fully the notion of the international identity of the European Union (EU) in world politics. We will attempt to balance our previous focus of work on the "active dimension' of the EU' s attempts to "assert its identity on the international scene'; by looking at the "reflexive dimension'; of the EU's international identity from a more sociological perspective. Our article will argue that the distinctive polity perspectives and role representations of the EU can be thought of as a form of "difference engine'; which drives the construction and representation of the EU's international identity. Like Babbage's original difference engine, the EU's international identity is not a multiplier of difference, exaggerating the dissimilarities between the EU and the rest of the world through the generation of a new European supranational identity, but functions on the basis of addition - by adding an international EU element to Europeans'; complex and multifaceted identities.


Background: Since 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has moved rapidly across the United States, resulting in tens of thousands of human cases. Both the number of human cases and the level of mosquito infection (MIR) vary across time and space and are related to numerous abiotic and biotic forces, ranging from differences in microclimates to socio-demographic factors. Because the interactions among these multiple factors affect the locally variable risk of WNV illness, it has been especially difficult to model human disease risk across varying spatial and temporal scales. Cook and DuPage Counties, comprising the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs, are among the areas hardest hit by WNV in the United States. Despite active mosquito control efforts, there is consistent annual WNV presence, resulting in more than 285 confirmed WNV human cases and 20 deaths in the past 5 years in Cook County alone. Methods: A previous WNV model for the greater Chicago area identified the fifty-five most high and low risk study areas in the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District (NWMAD), an enclave ¼ the size of the previous study area. In these locations, human WNV risk was stratified by strength of predictive success, as indicated by differences in studentized residuals. Within these areas, an additional two-years of field collections and data processing was added to a 10-year WNV dataset and assessed by an ultra-fine-scale multivariate logistic regression model.Results: Multivariate statistical approaches revealed that this ultra-fine-scale model resulted in fewer explanatory variables while improving upon the fit of the existing model. Beyond mosquito infection rates and climatic factors, efforts to acquire additional covariates only slightly improve model predictive performance. Conclusions: These results suggest human WNV illness in the Chicago area may be associated with fewer, but increasingly critical, key variables at finer scales. Given limited resources, this study suggests a large variation in the significance to model performance, and provides guidance in covariate selection for optimal WNV human illness modeling.


Abstract The P&P theory of UG has come under heavy criticism, lately, from outside but also from inside generative grammar. The claim is that the search for 'deep parameters' underlying clusters of properties across languages has led nowhere, and should be given up. I have revisited a theory, now two decades old, which explained ten syntactic differences between Insular and Mainland Scandinavian as the effects of a single parametric difference (in a series of works by C. Platzack and A. Holmberg). The theory is shown to be fundamentally right, descriptively and theoretically. Later developments in generative theory only serve to sharpen the formulations, adding another layer of explanatory depth to the earlier theory. The conclusion is that there are parameters of the traditional kind. The problems encountered when the theory is tested on more distantly related languages is discussed on the basis of facts from Finnish. P&P theory is perfectly consistent with the minimalist approach to UG and variation when parameters are seen as points of under-specification in UG, and restrictions on variation are seen as, in part, third factor effects, in the sense of Chomsky (Linguistic Inquiry 36: 1–22, 2005).


Algorithms increasingly influence how the state treats its citizens. This thesis examines how the New Zealand public sector's use of algorithms in decision-making brings benefits, but also invites risks of discrimination, bias, intrusion into privacy and unfair decision-making.  This thesis's central conclusion is that these risks require a new response. New Zealand currently has a patchwork of existing protections which provide some deterrent against poor algorithmic decision-making. The Privacy Act 1993, Official Information Act 1982, New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, Human Rights Act 1993 and applicable administrative law principles can provide remedies and correct agencies' poor behaviour in certain cases. But important gaps remain. This thesis examines these protections to show that they do not adequately stem cumulative and systemic harms, and suffer from important practical drawbacks. They do not provide the sound preventative framework that is needed; that is, one which ensures good public sector practice.  This thesis proposes a new regulatory model for public sector use of algorithms. It argues that a key element of any effective regulatory response is the use of "algorithmic impact assessments". These assessments would mitigate potential risks, and legitimise proportionate public sector use, of algorithms. It is also proposed that an independent regulator complements these assessments by issuing guidance, undertaking algorithm audits, and ensuring political accountability through annual reporting to Parliament. Agencies would have new obligations to disclose how and when algorithms are used in decision-making. Meanwhile, citizens would gain an enhanced right to reasons for algorithmic decisions affecting them and a right to human review. Together these measures would establish a model which would safeguard responsible and effective use of algorithms in New Zealand's public sector.


The offspring of many animal species solicit food from parents using begging signals, while parents manipulate offspring behavior to optimize fitness using various signals. Female Parastrachia japonensis (Heteroptera) provision nests with drupes of the host tree. Provisioning females were recently heard emitting a low-pitched fluttering sound that we characterized in the field using a contact microphone. A single calling event consisted of multiple sound bouts of varying lengths. A fast Fourier transform analysis revealed a frequency range of 0~1 kHz. We hypothesized that the call is specific to provisioning behavior in the context of parent‐offspring communication, and tentatively designated it 'provisioning call'. To test this hypothesis, we observed nesting females in the laboratory to determine if and when they emitted the call, and the response of nymphs. In every case, the call was clearly coordinated with female provisioning behaviors: females emitted the call only upon returning to their nests with a drupe. Moreover, nymphs quickly gathered to the drupe while the female was calling. Because nymphs usually hide in crevices throughout the nest debris while the mother is foraging, we also hypothesized that the provisioning call functions to induce nymphs to gather and feed synchronously on newly provisioned drupes. A playback experiment indicated that significantly more nymphs gathered on a drupe with the playback call than without the call, supporting this hypothesis. Furthermore, observations through nymphal development revealed that the total length of all sound bouts in a single provisioning call was shorter for females with older nymphs. This is consistent with the assumption that older nymphs should gather on the provisioned drupe more quickly than young, less-motile nymphs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a parent producing sound and/or vibration signals directly to offspring at repeated progressive provisioning events in a subsocial insect.


For thousands of years, the contours of Western legal argument have remained unchanged. Since the time of the ancient Greeks, lawyers have been presenting arguments in the same basic format, with a heavy reliance on the concept of logos, the idea that arguments are most persuasive when presented in a clear deductive logical structure using clean-cut categories. Forming the basis for the terms that appear in logocentric legal arguments, categories allow humans to group facts and information together into classes. For instance, chairs, tables, and beds occupy the category of furniture and cars; trucks, and motorcycles occupy the category of vehicle. Since ancient times, humans have conceived of categories using a box metaphor — everything in the box is a member of the category. However, modern cognitive science holds that human categorization choices do not take the shape of a symmetrical box. Rather, categories take a more blurry, radial shape. When we study how categories affect legal meanings, it becomes apparent that the overuse of boxed-in legal categories can produce distortion and injustice. Although categories are helpful for converting law's messy landscape into a clean linear form, categories can be harmful because they tend to erase important context from the client's story, obscure the power relations that produce category choices, and oversimplify complex problems. If longstanding approaches to categorization and argumentation do not mirror how we really think and can also produce unjust legal outcomes, why have they remained in our legal culture for so long? Drawing upon legal history, jurisprudential trends, and cognitive science, this article theorizes that ancient legal-thought structures have endured so long because they offer a way to present complex information in a clean and structured way, which is optimal for how humans process information. This article draws on two separate areas of cognitive science: (1) categorization theory, which relates to how humans categorize facts that exist in the world, and (2) information processing, which explains how humans process information in a presented form. Ironically, the studies on categorization tell us that we do not actually categorize in a neat and orderly form, but the studies on information processing explain that we do respond positively when complex information is presented in a neat and orderly form. This article proceeds in three parts. Offering both explanation and critique, section I provides an overview of classical legal-thought structures, explains the infrastructural role this type of thinking plays in U.S. legal culture, and considers the potential for injustice when classical legal-thought structures are used uncritically. This section also draws upon the work of cognitive scientists to explain how classical legal thought patterns do not accurately represent how we really think. Drawing upon a different area of cognitive science, section II theorizes why law's ancient thought structures have remained unchanged for thousands of years. Although they do not mirror how we really think, these reasoning forms are resilient because they provide an optimal structure for the retention and understanding of complex information. Finally, from a professional development perspective, section III explains why critical category skills are necessary for effective legal advocacy and then offers examples designed to engender a critical and empathic understanding of how categories work in a practical legal context.


The effect of temperature on impact damage in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) tape laminates produced by low velocity impact was studied by numerical simulations made to model drop weight tower impact tests on carbon/epoxy laminate composites. The damage model was implemented into a user subroutine of the finite element code ABAQUS The model takes into account the thermal stresses resulting form the different thermal expansion coefficients in each ply of the laminate. The tests and simulations show how temperature affects the propagation of each damage mode. Matrix cracking and delamination are greatly affected by low temperature, while matrix crushing and fibre failure appear only in a small region at all the impact energies and test temperatures.


The paper deals with nonlinear Poisson neuron network models with bounded memory dynamics, which can include both Hebbian learning mechanisms and refractory periods. The state of the network is described by the times elapsed since its neurons fired within the post-synaptic transfer kernel memory span, and the current strengths of synaptic connections, the state spaces of our models being hierarchies of finite-dimensional components. We prove the ergodicity of the stochastic processes describing the behaviour of the networks, establish the existence of continuously differentiable stationary distribution densities (with respect to the Lebesgue measures of corresponding dimensionality) on the components of the state space, and find upper bounds for them. For the density components, we derive a system of differential equations that can be solved in a few simplest cases only. Approaches to approximate computation of the stationary density are discussed. One approach is to reduce the dimensionality of the problem by modifying the network so that each neuron cannot fire if the number of spikes it emitted within the post-synaptic transfer kernel memory span reaches a given threshold. We show that the stationary distribution of this 'truncated' network converges to that of the unrestricted network as the threshold increases, and that the convergence is at a superexponential rate. A complementary approach uses discrete Markov chain approximations to the network process.


Introduction As with other South Asian countries, injury is becoming a leading cause of death and morbidity among children in Vietnam. In response, government and non-government agencies in Vietnam have combined efforts during the last decade to develop and implement various child injury prevention strategies and programs. This study provides an overview of the burden of child injury, reviews relevant prevention strategies, and makes recommendations for child injury prevention in Vietnam. Methods A review of available information related to child injury prevention in Vietnam, including peer reviewed studies, policy documents and reports from various sources, was conducted using commonly utilised databases (Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, etc). Relevant grey literature was also solicited during semi-structured interviews with representatives of key stakeholders, including Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor, WHO, UNICEF, Vietnam Red Cross, Counterpart International, Hanoi School of Public Health. Results Drowning is the leading cause of fatal injury in Vietnamese children followed by road traffic crashes, falls, poisoning, burns and animal bites. There have been notable achievements in terms of increasing awareness of injury facing children at all levels in the community and developing a sound injury prevention policy framework in a relatively short period of time. However, much needs to be done to implement necessary environmental and legislative changes, strengthen child injury surveillance and injury prevention research; and to improve access to health services. Conclusion The insight into the experience of Vietnam could benefit other low and middle income countries with a high burden of child injury.


Phenotypic abnormalities in individuals with balanced chromosome rearrangements can be caused by loss of function at the break points and consequent functional homozygosity for recessive genes. This has obvious implications in prenatal diagnosis. Relevant cases are presented and discussed. Mendelian disorders and possibly also disorders which are under polygenic control may be assigned to certain chromosome regions or bands by means of such translocations. Several assignments have been accomplished lately, the approach being much the same as with deletion mapping.


"FLATWOODS", a forest hydrology model recently developed for predicting hydrologic impacts of different forest management practices in the southern Coastal Plain (SCP), provides advantages over alternative models. However, the "FLATWOODS" model was developed and tested using slash pine plantations, and differences in interception/ throughfall and evapotranspiration for natural flatwoods stands vs. pine plantations are not addressed by the model. More significantly, "FLATWOODS" does not account for the influence of anthropogenic alterations of hydrology due to municipal groundwater withdrawals in the vicinity of the site where the model was developed. Hydrologic perturbations are evident in many of the depressional, pond.cypress (Taxodium ascendens) wetlands m the site, which exhibit signs of subsidence and premature decline typically associated with regional groundwater withdrawals in similar areas of the SCP. Increased transmissivity of the karst aquifer reported at the nearby municipal wellfield since pumping was initiated is evidence of the dynamic nature of karst aquifers subjected to groundwater mining. This provides additional support that the hydrology at the site where the model was developed may have been altered significantly by groundwater mining prior to data collection for development of the "FLATWOODS" model. These factors limit the predictive ability of the "FLATWOODS" model for natural pine flatwoods stands, and for pine plantation stands where groundwater mining does not occur. However, an opportunity exists to evaluate some aspects of the influence that groundwater mining has on this site by incorporating additional data and refining the


This study focuses on the development of a fluorocarbon-free directional silicon etching process, called CORE (Clear, Oxidize, Remove, and Etch) in which a switching sequence of SF6 and O2 is operated at room temperature. This distinguishes it from the old-fashioned room temperature and cryogenic mixed RIE processes as CORE enables a higher selectivity, creates pattern independency of etching profiles and works excellent at room temperature. The CORE process resembles the well-known SF6based Bosch process, but the usual C4F8 inhibitor is replaced by O2 oxidation with self-limiting characteristics. Therefore the CORE result is similar to Bosch, however has the advantage of preventing the pile-up of fluorocarbon deposits at the topside of deepetched or nano-sized features. At the same time, process drift is minimized as the reactor wall is staying perfectly clean. The CORE process has shown an excellent performance in high aspect ratio (3D) nanoscale structures with an accurate and controllable etch rate between 1 and 50nm/min (and SiO2-selectivity of ca. 35) using the etch-tool in the RIE-mode. By adding the ICP source (DRIEmode), a directional etch rate up to 1μm/min (at 50sccm SF6 flow) and selectivity >200 for SiO2 is possible.


Context. Stellar feedback strongly affects the interstellar medium (ISM) of galaxies. Stellar feedback in the first galaxies likely plays a major role in enabling the escape of LyC photons, which contribute to the re-ionization of the Universe. Nearby starburst galaxies serve as local analogues allowing for a spatially resolved assessment of the feedback processes in these galaxies.
Aims.We aim to characterize the feedback effects from the star clusters in the local high-redshift analogue ESO 338-IG04 on the ISM and compare the results with the properties of the most massive clusters.
Methods. We used high quality VLT/MUSE optical integral field data to derive the physical properties of the ISM such as ionization, density, shocks, and performed new fitting of the spectral energy distributions of the brightest clusters in ESO 338-IG04 from HST imaging.
Results.We find that ESO 338-IG04 has a large ionized halo which we detect to a distance of 9 kpc. We identify four Wolf-Rayet (WR) clusters based on the blue and red WR bump. We follow previously identified ionization cones and find that the ionization of the halo increases with distance. Analysis of the galaxy kinematics shows two complex outflows driven by the numerous young clusters in the galaxy. We find a ring of shocked emission traced by an enhanced [O I]/Hα ratio surrounding the starburst and at the end of the outflow. Finally we detect nitrogen enriched gas associated with the outflow, likely caused by the WR stars in the massive star clusters.
Conclusions. Photoionization dominates the central starburst and sets the ionization structure of the entire halo, resulting in a density bounded halo, facilitating the escape of LyC photons. Outside the central starburst, shocks triggered by an expanding super bubble become important. The shocks at the end of the outflow suggest interaction between the hot outflowing material and the more quiescent halo gas.


For the majority of people, words are first learned and are communicated in high proportions in the auditory modality. However, the neural dynamics underlying speech perception are poorly understood. Even more limited, is knowledge of the neurophysiological processes and neuroanatomical structures that afford developing language abilities in infants. This dissertation investigates these issues in a series of related studies that are aimed at characterizing the spatial and temporal neural dynamics of auditory word processing in both developing 12-19 month old infants and adults. The first study, performed in adults, reveals new evidence for a neural response that is selective for auditory words, relative to acoustically- matched control sounds. This response appears to index a stage in speech processing wherein an incoming word sound is translated from an acoustic signal into a linguistically relevant code. This information can then be passed along the speech processing stream so that eventually the appropriate meaning of a word can be selected amongst representations stored within associative left fronto-temporal networks. The second study, performed in both adults and 12-18 month old infants, demonstrates that the neural mechanism responsible for encoding lexico-semantic word information has similar spatial and temporal characteristics in infants and adults. Prior work has not been able to establish whether infants and adults share similar neural substrates for language, and these findings suggest that the neurophysiological processes important for word understanding reside within similar neural networks throughout the lifespan. Finally, to gain a better understanding of the regional neuroanatomical changes that take place in the developing cortex of 12-19 month old- infants, the third study examines age-related changes tissues signal properties assessed with magnetic resonance imaging. This a period in development that is pivotal for emerging linguistic, cognitive and sensorimotor behaviors, however, the maturational changes that occur brain structures are poorly understood at these ages. This study reveals large changes in structural measures within precisely the specific areas that were demonstrated to generate lexico-semantic activity in study two. Together, these studies help to advance current understanding of neurophysiological processing stages and neural structures involved in auditory word processing in both the developing and mature brain. These findings invite a host of new studies that will continue to further knowledge of how speech processing is instantiated within the brain. Finally, with the use of multimodal imaging techniques such as those described in the present studies, there is increasing potential for new research aimed at understanding the neurobiological underpinning of language and other cognitive behaviors


Inducible promoters are one of cellular and molecular biology's most important technical tools. The ability to deplete, replete, and overexpress genes on demand is the foundation of most functional studies. Here, we developed and characterized a new xylose-responsive promoter (Pxyl), the second inducible promoter system for the model haloarcheon Haloferax volcanii. Generating RNA-seq datasets from cultures in the presence of four historically used inducers (arabinose, xylose, maltose, and IPTG), we mapped upregulated genomic regions primarily repressed in the absence of the above inducers. We found a highly upregulated promoter that controls the expression of the xacEA (HVO_B0027-28) operon in the pHV3 chromosome. To characterize this promoter region, we cloned msfGFP (monomeric superfold green fluorescent protein) under the control of two upstream regions into a modified pTA962 vector: the first 250 bp (P250) and the whole 750 bp intergenic fragments (P750). The P250 sequence drove the expression of msfGFP constitutively, and its expression did not respond to the presence or absence of xylose. However, the P750 promoter showed not only to be repressed in the absence of xylose but also expressed higher levels of msfGFP than the previously described inducible promoter PtnaA in the presence of the inducer. Finally, we validated the inducible Pxyl promoter by reproducing morphological phenotypes already described in the literature. By overexpressing the tubulin-like FtsZ1 and FtsZ2, we observed similar but slightly more pronounced morphological defects than the tryptophan-inducible promoter PtnaA. FtsZ1 overexpression created larger, deformed cells, whereas cells overexpressing FtsZ2 were smaller but mostly retained their shape. In summary, this work contributes a new xylose-inducible promoter that could be used simultaneously with the well-established PtnaA in functional studies in H. volcanii in the future.


The energetics of transition and noble metal (Rh, Pd, Cu) vicinal surfaces, i.e., surface energy, step energy, kink energy and electronic interactions between steps, is studied at 0K from electronic structure calculations in the tight-binding approximation using a {\it s, p} and {\it d} valence orbital basis set. Then, the surface phonon spectra of copper are investigated in the harmonic approximation with the help of a semi-empirical inter-atomic potential. This allows to derive the contribution of phonons at finite temperatures to the step free energy and to the interactions between steps. The last part is devoted to the stability of vicinal surfaces relative to faceting with special attention to the domain of orientations (100)-(111). Semi-empirical potentials are shown to be not realistic enough to give a reliable answer to this problem. The results derived from electronic structure calculations predict a variety of behaviors and, in particular, a possible faceting into two other vicinal orientations. Finally, temperature effects are discussed. Comparisons are made with other theoretical works and available experiments.


To unravel mechanistic details of the ion transport in liquid electrolytes, blends of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Pyr14TFSI), ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with the conducting salts lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) and lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) were investigated as a function of the IL concentration. Electrochemical impedance, Pulsed Field Gradient Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (PFG NMR) and Raman spectroscopy supported by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations allowed the structural and dynamic correlations of the ion motions to be probed. Remarkably, we identified that though the individual correlations among different ion types exhibit a clear concentration dependence, their net effect is nearly constant throughout the entire concentration range, resulting in approximately equal transport and transference numbers, despite a monitored cross-over from carbonate-based lithium coordination to a TFSI-based ion coordination. In addition, though dynamical ion correlation could be found, the absolute values of the ionic conductivity are essentially determined by the overall viscosity of the electrolyte. The IL/carbonate blends with a Pyr14TFSI fraction of ∼10 wt% are found to be promising electrolyte solvents, with ionic conductivities and lithium ion transference numbers comparable to those of standard carbonate-based electrolytes while the thermal and electrochemical stabilities are considerably improved. In contrast, the choice of the conducting salt only marginally affects the transport properties.


Multi-level marketing is a marketing approach that motivates its participants to promote a certain product among their friends. The popularity of this approach increases due to the accessibility of modern social networks, however, it existed in one form or the other long before the Internet age began (the infamous Pyramid scheme that dates back at least a century is in fact a special case of multi-level marketing). This paper lays foundations for the study of reward mechanisms in multi-level marketing within social networks. We provide a set of desired properties for such mechanisms and show that they are uniquely satisfied by geometric reward mechanisms. The resilience of mechanisms to false-name manipulations is also considered; while geometric reward mechanisms fail against such manipulations, we exhibit other mechanisms which are false-name-proof.


A new wavelets-based algorithm, FAST Vision (hcets stereo vision), is presented for an automatic and simultaneous determination of an object surface and its ortho image. Two families of orthogonal and C1-continuous (continuously differentiable) object gray-value models, called "S-D-model" and "S-model," respectively, were developed from the basic concept of multiresolution spaces. Both models establish two families of very simple gradient operators and enable FAST vision to do a very high resolution representation of an object surface and a fast solution of a very large system of normal equations. Test results using digitized aerial images at a scale of 1 :4000 show that FAST Vision is capable of a fast, highly resolved, reliable, and precise determination of an object surface in large windows and with rigorous error computations. The very high resolution of 2 by 2 pixels per height facet (0.12 by 0.12 m2 in these tests) was obtained with the S-model in practical tests. The precision of the determined object surface was k 0.02 to 0.06 m, i.e., 0.2 to 0.6 pixels or 0.03 to 0.1 '/OO of the flying height above ground, when compared with the control data measured by an operator on a Wild AC3 analytical stereoplotter. These figures correspond well with the natural roughness of the Earth's surface in the chosen test area.


: There are two principal types of stigma in mental illness, ie, "public stigma" and "self-stigma". Public stigma is the perception held by others that the mentally ill individual is socially undesirable. Stigmatized persons may internalize perceived prejudices and develop negative feelings about themselves. The result of this process is "self-stigma". Stigma has emerged as an important barrier to the treatment of depression and other mental illnesses. Gender and race are related to stigma. Among depressed patients, males and African-Americans have higher levels of self-stigma than females and Caucasians. Perceived stigma and self-stigma affect willingness to seek help in both genders and races. African-Americans demonstrate a less positive attitude towards mental health treatments than Caucasians. Religious beliefs play a role in their coping with mental illness. Certain prejudicial beliefs about mental illness are shared globally. Structural modeling indicates that conformity to dominant masculine gender norms ("boys don't cry") leads to self-stigmatization in depressed men who feel that they should be able to cope with their illness without professional help. These findings suggest that targeting men's feelings about their depression and other mental health problems could be a more successful approach to change help-seeking attitudes than trying to change those attitudes directly. Further, the inhibitory effect of traditional masculine gender norms on help-seeking can be overcome if depressed men feel that a genuine connection leading to mutual understanding has been established with a health care professional.


The genus Cephaloleia Chevrolat includes 215 species, known as rolled-leaf beetles, all of which are restricted to the Neotropics (Garcı́a-Robledo et al. 2015; Staines and Garcı́a-Robledo 2014). These beetles complete their entire life cycle in, and feed on the young, rolled leaves of plant species in the monocot clade, predominantly in the order Zingiberales (banana and ginger relatives) (McKenna and Farrell 2005; Staines and Garcı́aRobledo 2014; Strong 1977). This ecological interaction of Zingiberales and rolled-leaf beetles dates to ca. 40–60 Ma (Garcı́a-Robledo and Staines 2008; Wilf et al. 2000). The diet patterns of rolled-leaf beetles have been well described at the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, where 75% of the species are specialists at the family level, suggesting the similarities in plant defensive chemistry within families influences host plant use in this interaction (Garcı́a-Robledo et al. 2017). However, the role of top-down ecological forces such as parasitism and predation in determining host plant range remain much less understood in this system. In fact, next to no examples of predation and parasitism have been reported. The following are the only previously reported examples known to the author: (1) Casual egg predation by coinhabiting larvae and adults of the same species (cannibalism) (Strong 1977); (2) eggs parasitized by eulophid and trichogrammatid Hymenoptera (Morrison and Strong 1981; Strong 1977) and larvae by tachinid flies (Seifert 1982); (3) larvae eaten by the beetle Askalaphium depressum (Bates) (Carabidae) (Erwin and Medina 2003); (4) adults of Cephaloleia belti Baly predated by a wandering spider (Ctenidae) (Baer, in litt.; personal observation); (5) suspicious but not confirmed predation of larvae by the beetle Calophaena ligata Bates (Carabidae) (Schmitt and Frank 2013)—this enigmatic interaction requires further study because adults of C. ligata have been observed eating phoretic mites of Cephaloleia beetles (Garcı́aRobledo, in litt.); (6) other potential predators of Cephaloleia adults are birds, lizards, frogs, mantids and tettigoniid grasshoppers (Seifert 1982; Staines 1999). Here I report predation of an adult Cephaloleia kressi Garcı́a-Robledo by the rove beetle Phanolinus sp. (Staphylinidae: Staphylininae: Xanthopygina) (Fig. 1). Cephaloleia kressi is endemic to Costa Rica and has only been recorded feeding on the rolled leaves of Heliconia lankesteri Standl. (Heliconiaceae) (Staines andGarcı́a-Robledo 2014), which occurs in the old-growth montane forests of Costa Rica and Panama, from 1,300–2,400 m in elevation (Kress 2003) (Fig. 1B). Cephaloleia kressi has a black head, yellow pronotum, black scutellum and black elytra with two longitudinal yellow stripes (Fig. 1A). During October 2018, several rolled leaves of H. lankesteri were opened at "Sitio 2000" in Braulio Carrillo National Park (10°100340 0N, 84°604200W, 2,000 m) in search of individuals of C. kressi. Surprisingly, in one of the opened leaves, a blue metallic colored rove beetle (Staphylinidae) (later identified as Phanolinus sp.) was observed eating an adult of C. kressi (Figs. 1C, 2). The genus Phanolinus Sharp includes 34 species and is restricted to the Neotropics (Herman 2001). This genus has not been revised; therefore, identification to species level is not possible at this time (S. Chatzimanolis, in litt.).


INTRODUCTION
The incidence of cervical cancer (CC) in eastern European countries is high; however, uptake of available prevention strategies is suboptimal. We explored knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes toward CC prevention strategies in Latvian women.

METHODS
A mixed-methods study of Latvian women, consisting of surveys and semi-structured interviews, was conducted in Riga, Latvia in September and October 2015.

RESULTS
Altogether, 158 surveys were completed and 10 interviews were conducted. In total, 87% (n = 135) had previously had a smear test, and 67% (n = 105) correctly identified that cervical cytology was performed to identify precancerous changes. The practice of annual gynecological checkups was prevalent, and many believed it to be synonymous with cervical screening. Detailed knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the HPV vaccine was deficient, although 73% (n = 115) and 70% (n = 90), respectively, claimed to have heard of them. Negative attitudes existed regarding the HPV vaccine due to fear of potential side effects. On learning that HPV was transmitted through sexual contact, the notion of testing positive for HPV was met with shame and embarrassment.

CONCLUSIONS
A small proportion of Latvian women are over-screened, whereas many women remain unscreened. The main contributing factor for this was their poor understanding of the roles that cervical screening and HPV vaccination play in preventing CC.


Pyruvic acid (PA) is a model for amphiphilic oxygenated organic compounds, and together with its hydrogen-bonded (H-bonded) water complexes, their presence can alter atmospheric aerosol formation. However, the fundamental understanding of PA reaction mechanisms in different environments is still being debated. Here, the role of H-bonding on PA's degradation, complexation, and covalent hydration in bulk aqueous phase is investigated theoretically. Using CCSD(T)-F12/aug-cc-pVDZ-F12 on B2PLYP-D3BJ structures with solvation model based on density, we revealed the stabilization by intramolecular H-bonding of an intermediate, PA hydrogen-transferred tautomer, altered the PA degradation mechanisms compared to gas phase. We also found that the intramolecular H-bonding in the most stable gas phase conformer (Tc) is weakened due to bulk solvation, leading to slower acetaldehyde production rate. Natural bond orbital analysis characterized the primary intermolecular H-bond in PA-water complexes as electron donation of an Owater lone pair (p) to the σ* orbital of the OH group of PA. Stronger H-bonding is correlated to p to σ* interaction, wider OH-O angles, and larger differences in the H-bond lengths between phases. The less charge difference between phases on H-bonded atoms also indicates aggressive competition of H-bonding with solvation. Water's cooperative behavior was observed by lowering the water-complexed 2,2-dihydroxypropanoic acid (DHPA-H2O) barrier from PA-water complexes compared to DHPA in both phases, stabilizing the transition state and product with intermolecular H-bonding. PA is vital in atmospheric keto-acid chemistry; thus, changes in PA reaction mechanisms in different environments due to H-bond behavior will affect aerosol formation.


The existence of the learning effect in many manufacturing systems is undoubted; thus, it is worthwhile that it be taken into consideration during production planning to increase production efficiency. Generally, it can be done by formulating the specified problem in the scheduling context and optimizing an order of jobs to minimize the given time criteria. To carry out a reliable study of the learning effect in scheduling fields, a comprehensive survey of the related results is presented first. It reveals that most of the learning models in scheduling are based on the learning curve introduced by Wright. However, further study about learning itself pointed out that the curve may be an ldquoSrdquo-shaped function, which has not been considered in the scheduling domain. To fill this gap, we analyze a scheduling problem with a new experience-based learning model, where job processing times are described by ldquoSrdquo-shaped functions that are dependent on the experience of the processor. Moreover, problems with other experience-based learning models are also taken into consideration. We prove that the makespan minimization problem on a single processor is NP-hard or strongly NP-hard with the most of the considered learning models. A number of polynomially solvable cases are also provided.


Novel hydrophobic nanospheres with an average size of 100 nm utilizing N-methacryloyl-(l)-tryptophan methyl ester (MAT) as a hydrophobic monomer were prepared by surfactant free emulsion polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and MAT. MAT was synthesized using methacryloyl chloride and l-tryptophan methyl ester. Specific surface area of the nonporous nanospheres was found to be 1914 m2/g. Poly(HEMA–MAT) nanospheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Average particle size, size distribution, and surface charge measurements were also performed. Elemental analysis of MAT for nitrogen was estimated as 1.95 mmol/g polymer. Then, poly(HEMA–MAT) nanospheres were used in the adsorption of lysozyme in batch system. Using an optimized adsorption protocol, a very high loading of 1075 mg lysozyme/g nanosphere was obtained. The adsorption phenomena appeared to follow a typical Langmuir isotherm. It was observed that enzyme could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed without significant loss in adsorption amount or enzyme activity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010


'Career', as a term, has been described as difficult to define yet frequently used, as if it is commonly understood what it means. Its relevance as a topic of investigation lies in its prevalence in people's accounts of themselves and their work. There has been a growing awareness of the constructed nature of the term 'career' which merits new empirical research. In addition, the relationship between identity and career from a constructionist perspective has rarely been explored. In the present thesis an empirical investigation of graduate employees' talk about workplace experiences aims to add to understanding about career and identity as resources which may be drawn on in interaction.

In keeping with the social constructionist perspective of the thesis, a discourse analytic methodology was adopted. The data was selected from transcripts of fifty-four interviews, a group meeting with graduate employees and the recruitment literature of one, large, well known, high street retailer.

Given the assumption that career is drawn on as a resource in talk we see that it functions in order to account for work-appropriate behaviour. The implications of the findings are relevant to both theory and practice. In theoretical terms, in contrast to much of the previous work in the field, the fore grounding of the language of career and identity provides new insight into commonly held assumptions about meaning. In this way the findings of the study extend previous notions of career, for example through the exploration of how the participants constructed differentiation as one part of a tension between two desirable states, fitting in yet standing out. In addition, the exploration of how identity, or ways of talking about the self, is deployed in interaction highlights a new and important theoretical area for future research.

In practical terms the findings are of relevance to business and individuals. For business, a focus on the constructions of development, self, skill and career highlights one perspective of the relationship between the individual and the employing company. For individuals the findings have emancipatory potential as they illustrate how alternatives to a dominant understanding about career and progression may be made plausible in interaction.

NB. This ethesis has been created by scanning the typescript original and may contain inaccuracies. In case of difficulty, please refer to the original text.


Background: Telangiectasias are permanent dilations of blood capillaries which appear in a variety of medical conditions. Cutaneous palmar telangiectasias have been postulated to be associated with smoking. Objective: To determine whether a significant correlation exists between palmar telangiectasias and smoking habits. Patients and Methods: A total of 124 volunteers participated in this observational study by allowing physical evaluation of their palms and by completing a questionnaire. Results: Palmar telangiectasias were found to be associated with current or past smoking. Neither age nor gender was found to be a co-contributor. Discussion: Palmar telangiectasias were found to constitute highly specific and sensitive markers for prolonged smoking.


This paper tries to amplify the information about the poorly known fossil beaver Dipoides problematicus (Schlosser, 1902). This species has been found in several localities near the Mio-Pliocene boundary of the Granada Basin (southern Spain). During that time span, beavers are very scarce in southern Spain, but abundant in the Teruel region (northern Spain). Since they have specific ecological preferences, their presence in the Granada Basin and their absence in other southern Spanish basins have paleobiogeographical and paleoecological consequences.


PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the quality of sustainability reports (QSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP). Since the global reporting initiative (GRI) reporting guideline is widely adopted by organizations over the world, the reporting organizations that report their corporate social responsibility (CSR) information under GRI reporting guidelines. Design/methodology/approach-In this study total of 6,519 samples are obtained from the GRI report list in the reporting period from the year 2009 to 2013 for analysis. Findings-The results demonstrate higher QSR results in better profitability and CFP but QSR exceeding a certain level in return increase the utilization of the firm's resources and this leads to a decrease in overall profitability. Besides, the study proved that continuing investment in sustainability reporting and the decrease in a firm's profitability affect the overall profitability – Returns on asset (ROA) and Returns on sales (ROS) of the organization. Originality/value-Provides the empirical study on the relationship between QSR and CFP based on the GRI report list in the reporting period from 2009 to 2013. JEL: M41, Q01, Q56


In this paper we discuss the usage of the statistical software R to integrate software components for large-scale simulations. To this end, we show how to interface different components written in various programming languages under the umbrella of R. We base our study on well-known tools such as COPASI [HSG06] and connect it to our own R package SOMNIBIEN (Simulation Of Metabolic Networks Influenced By Internal And External Noise). In particular, we show the need to use Fortran code for fast simulation via stochastic differential equations. This implies the need to interface with code in C, while offering the opportunity to leverage the superior analysis capabilities of R and its plotting capabilities. Eventually, our system compiles models defined in an XML-dialect, translates them into C in the background and executes a Fortran solver for stochastic differential equations (SDEs) on them. Furthermore, we present the integration with downloadcapabilities from the XML-based BioModels Database [FH03a]. For the lessons learned, we describe pitfalls and performance bottlenecks and provide guidelines for future work on the integration of different code repositories into one R framework. Finally, we show performance evaluations on multi-core parallelization within our package.


Gradient descent is commonly used to solve optimization problems arising in machine learning, such as training neural networks. Although it seems to be effective for many different neural network training problems, it is unclear if the effectiveness of gradient descent can be explained using existing performance guarantees for the algorithm. We argue that existing analyses of gradient descent rely on assumptions that are too strong to be applicable in the case of multi-layer neural networks. To address this, we propose an algorithm, duality structure gradient descent (DSGD), that is amenable to a non-asymptotic performance analysis, under mild assumptions on the training set and network architecture. The algorithm can be viewed as a form of layer-wise coordinate descent, where at each iteration the algorithm chooses one layer of the network to update. The decision of what layer to update is done in a greedy fashion, based on a rigorous lower bound of the function decrease for each possible choice of layer. In the analysis, we bound the time required to reach approximate stationary points, in both the deterministic and stochastic settings. The convergence is measured in terms of a Finsler geometry that is derived from the network architecture and designed to confirm a Lipschitz-like property on the gradient of the training objective function. Numerical experiments in both the full batch and mini-batch settings suggest that the algorithm is a promising step towards methods for training neural networks that are both rigorous and efficient.


Purpose A novel disposable endovascular chemotherapy filter (CF) device was developed to remove excess doxorubicin (Dox) from the blood during intra-arterial chemotherapy delivery to prevent systemic toxicities. Previous proof-of-concept established the capacity of the filter to bind Dox in swine serum in vitro. In this study, CF navigation, deployment and in vivo Dox binding was evaluated in the porcine inferior vena cava (IVC). Materials and methods An 18 Fr CF device was constructed with an ion-exchange membrane attached to an expandable 28 mm diameter Nitinol frame. Under X-ray fluoroscopy and contrast venography, the CF was percutaneously introduced via the internal jugular vein and deployed in the porcine infrarenal IVC. 50 mg of Dox (2 mg/ml) was injected over 10 min in the IVC below the CF device. Venous catheters with tips proximal and distal to the CF device in the infrarenal IVC obtained pressures and blood samples for Dox concentrations over 90 min across the CF device membrane. Results The CF device was successfully introduced and deployed in the infrarenal IVC in vivo. Visualization under X-ray fluoroscopy verified the proper placement and mechanical expansion of the Nitinol framework. In a 90 min study, the device was biocompatible, not leading to hemodynamic disturbances: pressure measurements taken throughout the experiment yielded a max gradient of 17 mmHg across the CF membrane. Venography demonstrated non-flow-limiting thrombus associated with the CF device after 90 min of deployment (swine were not heparinized). Significant Dox binding was noted with an 85%, 74%, and 83% decrease in relative pre- versus post-filter Dox concentrations at times 3, 10, and 30 min, respectively after Dox injection. Conclusion: We developed a biocompatible CF device that can be safely introduced, deployed, and removed from the IVC in vivo. The CF device demonstrated significant Dox binding, and could serve as a platform technology in drug therapy to allow for higher regional doses of drug while limiting systemic toxicity. In future in vivo experiments, animals or the CF device itself may be heparinized in order to prevent thrombosis. When fully developed, indications for this device could include head and neck cancer, with the device deployed in the superior vena cava or internal jugular veins during selective IA chemotherapy. Disclosures A. Patel: 1; C; NIH-NCI. 4; C; ChemoFilter. A. Chin: 1; C; NIH-NCI. 4; C; ChemoFilter. J. Yang: None. B. Thorne: None. M. Saeed: None. M. Wilson: 1; C; NIH-NIBIB, NIH-NCI. 4; C; ChemoFilter. S. Hetts: 1; C; NIH-NIBIB, NIH-NCI, Siemens, Covidien. 2; C; Stryker, Penumbra, Silk Road Medical, Medina Medical. 4; C; ChemoFilter, Medina Medical, DriftCoast.


Hot springs water has been associated with healing of various types of skin diseases. Despite their therapeutic effects which are known worldwide, there are limited reports on the physicochemical characteristics of hot springs water in Peninsular Malaysia. Therefore, an attempt was made to determine the concentrations of major cations, anions and sulphur including naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). There are 43 locations of hot springs water with 67 sources identified in Peninsular Malaysia which cover almost all states. Chemicals and radionuclides compositions measured in this study include Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, S, Cf, SO42', U and Th. Concentrations of Na, K, Ca and S were analysed using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) while Mg2+, U and Th were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). Ion chromatography (IC) was used to analyse C1', HCO3 ' and SO42'. Results obtained from the analysis of Na, K, Ca and S done by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) were verified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). The results signified that locations of the hot springs water give different concentrations of chemical due to different geological formations that indirectly contributed to the different effects of therapeutic properties. From the PCA there could be two sources of the hydro chemicals in the hot water springs; granite rock for U and Th, and other cations and anions from other types of rock formation. Additionally, the hot springs water were also classified based on Piper diagram; which was later mapped based on the measured water hydrochemical data. The hot water springs generally can be classified into three types namely type I (Ca-HCOs), type II (Na-Cl) and type III (Na-HCOs). Out of 67 hot springs water sources, 61 of the locations fall into type III (Na-HCOs). Furthermore, ingestion toxicity dose and annual ingestion dose were calculated to identify the dose could obtain if it had been used as a drinking water. In term of health and safety, in general most of hot springs water does not comply with the guidelines use for balneotherapy as well as for drinking. Air Hangat Langkawi, Gersik and Air Panas Terong which falls in type II (Na-Cl) has been identified based on physicochemical properties has been identified the most potent to be used for balneotherapy.


The specific guidance simulation system for the infrared air-to-air missile is built. Seeker model including the target detection and tracking loop has simulated not only the different modes of field of view (FOV) according to the geometrical relationship between the target and missile, but also the jamming effect based on the equivalent target calculation; fuze model contains three different trigger mechanisms; guidance of missile is realized via three-dimensional proportional guidance law; the 6 DOF kinematics model and dynamic model of airframe are derived, through aerodynamic force and torque calculating, triple-channel autopilot model is set up by using the PID control method. Finally simulations under three different cases are implemented and the results show that the whole system is credible.


Portfolio-based algorithm selection has seen tremendous practical success over the past two decades. This algorithm configuration procedure works by first selecting a portfolio of diverse algorithm parameter settings, and then, on a given problem instance, using an algorithm selector to choose a parameter setting from the portfolio with strong predicted performance. Oftentimes, both the portfolio and the algorithm selector are chosen using a training set of typical problem instances from the application domain at hand. In this paper, we provide the first provable guarantees for portfolio-based algorithm selection. We analyze how large the training set should be to ensure that the resulting algorithm selector's average performance over the training set is close to its future (expected) performance. This involves analyzing three key reasons why these two quantities may diverge: 1) the learning-theoretic complexity of the algorithm selector, 2) the size of the portfolio, and 3) the learning-theoretic complexity of the algorithm's performance as a function of its parameters. We introduce an end-to-end learning-theoretic analysis of the portfolio construction and algorithm selection together. We prove that if the portfolio is large, overfitting is inevitable, even with an extremely simple algorithm selector. With experiments, we illustrate a tradeoff exposed by our theoretical analysis: as we increase the portfolio size, we can hope to include a well-suited parameter setting for every possible problem instance, but it becomes impossible to avoid overfitting.


Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems account for a significant portion of the energy consumed in commercial buildings. In this paper, an energy profiling methodology in a spatio-temporal framework is proposed through the development of a metric (called STEM) to gauge the performance of the HVAC systems. The metric takes into consideration both occupants' comfort and energy consumption, and is based on system identification approaches to find thermodynamic coefficients from measured data. It can be computed purely from data available through building management systems (BMS). The proposed methodology when tested in simulation, provided key spatial and temporal insights on the HVAC performance.


The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) contains a variety of specialized spatially-tuned neurons whose properties emerge during the third postnatal week onwards in rodents. How neuronal networks underlying the spatial firing patterns are formed is largely unknown but they are hypothesized to develop from topographic modules of synchronized neurons in superficial MEC. Here, we show that developing MEC neuronal networks in the second postnatal week are synchronously active in spatially-grouped modules. Network synchrony is intrinsic to MEC and desynchronized just prior to the emergence of spatially-tuned firing properties. The MEC network is modulated but not driven by the immature hippocampus and is tightly-coupled to neighboring neocortical networks. Unlike hippocampal networks, developing modules are dominated by glutamatergic excitation rather than GABAergic inhibition. Our results demonstrate that intrinsically synchronous modules exist in immature MEC: these may play a key role in establishing and organizing circuitry necessary for spatially-tuned firing properties of MEC neurons.


In the turning operation chatter or vibration is a frequent problem, which affects the result of the machining, and, in particular, the surface finish. Tool life is also influenced by vibration. Severe acoustic noise in the working environment frequently occurs as a result of dynamic motion between the cutting tool and the workpiece. In all cutting operations like turning, boring and milling vibrations are induced due to the deformation of the work- piece. This implies several disadvantages, economical as well as environmental. Many different solutions to minimize the problem have been developed but the fundamental problem is still there. The true nature of the vibrations, its causes, and implications were revealed in a doctor's thesis in 1999, (1). This has led to a break through in this research area. Since then, through recent research results at Blekinge Institute of Technology, a new approach to controlling vibrations in cutting operations in a lathe has been implemented in a product called Acticut ® , developed by Active Control Sweden AB. This new method controls vibrations in the cutting direction using embedded sensors and actuators and a filtered-x LMS algorithm. This paper will discuss the application but also the algorithm and its main numerical properties to accomplish a good result, still maintaining its stability properties.


ABSTRACT Because of differences in life histories between Puccinia triticina, a highly specialized, polycyclic, windborne pathogen with a shallow dispersal gradient, and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, a residue-borne pathogen with a steep dispersal gradient, wheat mixtures are expected to be more effective at controlling leaf rust than tan spot. The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of two-cultivar mixtures with varying proportions and different pathogen resistance profiles on the severity of tan spot and leaf rust, to evaluate yield of the mixtures in the presence or absence of disease, and to directly compare the relative effectiveness of cultivar mixing for tan spot versus leaf rust. In a field experiment at two sites in Kansas over two growing seasons, winter wheat cvs. Jagger and 2145, which have differential resistance reactions to leaf rust and tan spot, each were planted in proportions of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00. Plots were inoculated with each pathogen alone, both pathogens, treated with a fungicide, or exposed to ambient conditions. For both diseases for all siteyears, severity decreased substantially on the susceptible cultivar as the proportion of that cultivar decreased in mixture. Mixtures were significantly more effective at reducing leaf rust than tan spot in three of four site-years. Mixtures generally yielded the same as the weighted mean of components in monoculture although, in two of three site-years, at least one fungicide-treated and one diseased mixture each yielded higher than expected values. Although this particular mixture produced only modest yield benefits, the potential for simultaneous reductions in tan spot and leaf rust was demonstrated.


Institutional shareholder participation has long been considered as vital to good corporate governance in the UK, and increasingly recognized as, at least potentially, an important part of Chinese corporate governance too. But its potential does not yet seem to have been realised. The reasons for that are undoubtedly complex, and this thesis seeks to understand that complexity, and to offer some (modest) proposals to promote greater shareholder engagement.

At the core of the thesis' explanation of shareholder activism is the model it seeks to develop to explore the factors that determine institutional shareholders' propensity for activism. This model is built up in several stages, running across the whole thesis. The first 'setup' stage is composed of a two-step analysis. It first elaborates the collective benefits of activism as a means of achieving managerial accountability. The second step switches to the individual level of analysis, asking whether and when shareholder activism is individually rational i.e. rational for any individual shareholder. The thesis considers two inquires as essential to determine engagement for individual institutional investors: whether the temptation to free-ride that faces an individual shareholder can be overcome and whether a shareholder's individual benefits from action exceed its individual costs.

The model suggests that, in working out the strength of the temptation to free-ride, and the balancing of costs against benefits – much will depend upon the governance or regulatory environment, upon the type of institutional shareholder concerned, and upon the form of activism being undertaken. This thesis adds in as much empirical knowledge as can reasonably be currently gathered about these three variables both for the UK and for China.

The application of the model explains the remarkable contrast in respect of the level of institutional shareholder involvement between the UK and China. The small presence of institutional investment and the lack of awareness of the importance of institutional shareholder activism are considered as two of the most relevant contributory factors to the comparatively passive institutional shareholder involvement in China. Moreover, besides working as an explanatory model, identifying those factors which contribute most significantly to the form and level of shareholder activism, the model also allows prescriptions to be developed for improving the environment for shareholder activism primarily (although not exclusively) in China.


We analyze two joint decisions in the management of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy: how frequently to measure a patient's virus level, and when to switch therapy. The underlying stochastic model captures the initial suppression and eventual rebound of the virus level in the blood of a typical HIV-infected patient undergoing treatment. We consider two classes of policies: a viral load policy, which triggers a change in therapy when the current virus level divided by the smallest level achieved thus far exceeds a prespecified threshold, and a proactive policy, which is similar to the viral load policy but also switches drugs at a prespecified time if no evidence of viral rebound has been seen. We find approximate analytical expressions for the probability of switching before the virus reaches its nadir (minimum value) and the mean delay in detection of viral rebound (i.e., the time interval from when the viral nadir occurs until the switch in therapy). Numerical results show that the proactive policy outperforms (i.e., a smaller detection delay for a given probability of prenadir switching) the viral load policy and recent recommendations by an expert AIDS panel, and may delay the onset of multidrug resistance in a significant proportion of patients who experience drug failure.


In time for Christmas 1844, the first issue of the literary annual Svea: Folkkalender came out. The publisher and editor was Albert Bonnier (1820–1900), whose express intent was to make his annual one of national significance. It would contain only specially written works by Swedish authors. Svea was to become the most successful publication of its type in Sweden. My principal object is two-fold: in part to study the business of publishing the annual Svea, and in part to analyse its contents in an attempt to determine the view of reality and the values it communicated to its readers. The aspect of nationalism is an important consideration in this regard. To write for Svea seems to have often been popular amongst writers. The fees were relatively high and the annual was widely read. I put great emphasis on the relation between author and publisher. In the content analysis of Svea I try to penetrate the subject matter with a focus on two main topics that cast light on nationalism: historicism and modernity—anti-modernity. I also wish to find out whether the choice and leaning of its literary articles changed between the mid-1800s and the beginning of the twentieth century, and if so, in what way. Throughout the years in which Svea was published there appeared articles that used Swedish history as their raw material. Svea also captured the ideological and political trends and events of the day. Articles dealing with new technology and science can be found spread throughout the issues of Svea. Two prominent types of articles are those that express the character and ways of life of the various Swedish provinces as well as a romanticized view of life on farms and of nature. Ideas favouring emancipation are also given clear expression in Svea.


Since the early Chicago School, urban researchers have used residential proximity to assess contacts within and between racial and ethnic groups. This approach is increasingly limited. Diverse groups use email, social networking sites, instant messaging and mobile phones to communicate across urban zones and distant cities. These practices enable mutual support among far-flung family members and co-ethnics as they engage with an array of institutions throughout their day. Through interviews and observations that include women and men of diverse occupations, races and national origins, the author explores how and why cross-place enclosures of sociality and resources develop. Rather than framing the residential area as the locus of racial/ethnic concentration, the author focuses on cross-place concentrations in the technologically mediated workspace. This study enhances theorization of the structural negotiations, interpersonal pressures and group preferences that produce separate lifeworlds in globalizing cities.


Operators of complex systems must perform routine actions while attending to and responding to unexpected events. The current study extends previous laboratory experiments on the performance of such complex tasks to the analysis of the medical staffs actions in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Observations showed that the attendants usually do not respond directly to warnings given from monitors, but that the sequence and timing of actions is affected by the warnings. The staff initiated most actions. There was no evidence for discrete decision points, but rather a continuous flow of activities. However, the overall pattern of actions corresponds to the predictions from analytical scheduling methods. These results and other observations of the staffs actions were analyzed in terms of "naturalistic decision making" and analytic decision analysis.


Introduction This study aimed to determine whether an integrated approach, involving training of professional staff in maternity and child health services to deliver sustained brief intervention using Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques in a standardised way, was sufficient to affect change in smoking status or intensity in low-income pregnant and post-partum women. Methods 500 consecutive smokers were recruited at the first ante-natal visit to receive usual care (controls). Post staff training, 500 more women were recruited (intervention group). Data were recorded at 28–32 weeks gestation and 3–4 months post-partum. The primary outcome measure was self-reported smoking cessation verified by urinary cotinine. Changes in smoking intensity were also measured. Results There was no difference in the proportion of those who stopped smoking at 28–32 weeks pregnancy (8.8% vs 9.3%) χ2=5.9, d.f.=3, p=0.12, or 3–4 months post-partum 7.6% vs 7.2% (χ2=4.46, d.f.=3, p=0.21). In late pregnancy cases that had stopped at baseline were more likely to stay stopped (26% vs 42%). More cases who were light (<5 cigs per day) or medium intensity (5–10 per day) smokers at baseline were non-smoking in late pregnancy (light, 21.3% vs 15.8%, medium 6.3% vs 3.1%). At 3–4 months post-partum more cases smoking 5–15 cigarettes per day moved to a lower intensity (83.7% vs 52.1%) and fewer shifted to a higher smoking category. Conclusion Brief intervention of the intensity offered was ineffective in affecting quit rates in late pregnancy and 3–4 months post-partum. Subtle positive changes around smoking intensity were observed.


Abstract Weeds are often the major biological constraint to growing legume crops successfully, and an understanding of the critical period of weed control (CPWC) is important for developing environmentally sustainable weed management practices to prevent unacceptable yield loss. Therefore, we carried out two field experiments to identify the CPWC for two grain legume crops traditionally grown in Mediterranean areas: chickpea and faba bean. The experiments were conducted at two sites both located in the Sicilian inland (Italy). In chickpea, when weeds were left to compete with the crop for the whole cycle, the grain yield reduction was on average about 85% of the weed-free yield, whereas in faba bean the reduction was less severe (on average about 60% of the weed-free yield). The onset of the CPWC at a 5% yield loss level varied by species, occurring later in faba bean than in chickpea (on average, 261 and 428 growing degree days after emergence for chickpea and faba bean, respectively). In both species, the end of the CPWC occurred at the early full-flowering stage when the canopy of each crop enclosed the interrow space. On the whole, the CPWC at a 5% yield loss level ranged from 50 to 69 d in chickpea and from 28 to 33 d in faba bean. The results highlight the fact that faba bean has a higher competitive ability against weeds than chickpea. This could be attributable both to more vigorous early growth and to the plant's greater height, both factors related to a greater shading ability and, consequently, to a better ability to suppress weeds. Nomenclature: Faba bean, Vicia faba L. var. minor; chickpea, Cicer arietinum L.


Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fat inclusion to create two energy levels on reproductive performance, milk compositions and blood profiles in lactating sows. Twenty-four multiparous sows were randomly assigned to four treatments according to a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Two energy levels (3365 and 3265 kcal/kg) were created by supplementing different fat levels (high and low). Higher energy level resulted in less (P<0.05) body weight and backfat loss, shorter wean-to-estrus interval, and greater body weight gain of piglets. Sows fed higher fat diet had higher (P<0.05) fat concentration in colostrum. Higher concentrations of triglyceride and creatinine and lower concentrations of luteinizing hormone at weanling were noted (P<0.05) in sows fed lower energy diet than those fed higher energy diet. In conclusion, feeding of higher energy diet during lactation may improve the reproductive performance of sows during lactation.


The two experiments investigated stimulus novelty which may affect reward and nonreward in a discrimination learning situation at different ages. The first experiment compared two types of "trial one" stimulus procedures on error tendencies following reward and nonreward. The two procedures differed with respect to novelty effects. One group was presented on the first trial with one of the two "trial two" stimuli, while the other group was given two stimuli on both trials. Reward was more difficult for the "one stimulus" group. In the second experiment, two groups were given a series of 24 problems with varied presentation to alter familiarity with the stimuli. One group chose between a novel and a familiar stimulus with the familiar stimulus rewarded half of the time and nonrewarded the other half. The other group was given stimuli but did not know whether its choices were rewarded. The first group chose familiar stimuli more often than the second group suggesting that the learning situation was more favorable. Results were specific to the use of "two dimensional" patterned stimuli which have little tactual appeal to children. (EK)


This paper explores critical notions about how improved understandings of students learning experiences within practical learning environments could sensitise teachers to appreciate the complex influences more that affect how levels of challenge and perseverance are constructed by students. The authors, in furthering their critique, build on the model of constructivism developed by Ollis and Sproule. This model attempted in embryonic terms to recognise the specific situational factors that most influenced the minded ways in which students identified and responded to learning challenges. In refining these ideas further the authors specifically consider how teaching games for understanding (TGfU) methodologies could be enhanced by recognising the meta-cognitions of students when constructing rich task led learning episodes. In conclusion, it is posited that comprehending the complexity of learning theory holds considerable promise for the ongoing development of physical education as a valuable and integral part of the school learning experience.


: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation potentially damages the skin, the immune system, and structures of the eye. A useful UV sun protection for the skin has been established. Since a remarkable body of evidence shows an association between UV radiation and damage to structures of the eye, eye protection is important, but a reliable and practical tool to assess and compare the UV-protective properties of lenses has been lacking. Among the general lay public, misconceptions on eye-sun protection have been identified. For example, sun protection is mainly ascribed to sunglasses, but less so to clear lenses. Skin malignancies in the periorbital region are frequent, but usual topical skin protection does not include the lids. Recent research utilized exact dosimetry and demonstrated relevant differences in UV burden to the eye and skin at a given ambient irradiation. Chronic UV effects on the cornea and lens are cumulative, so effective UV protection of the eyes is important for all age groups and should be used systematically. Protection of children's eyes is especially important, because UV transmittance is higher at a very young age, allowing higher levels of UV radiation to reach the crystalline lens and even the retina. Sunglasses as well as clear lenses (plano and prescription) effectively reduce transmittance of UV radiation. However, an important share of the UV burden to the eye is explained by back reflection of radiation from lenses to the eye. UV radiation incident from an angle of 135 ° –150 ° behind a lens wearer is reflected from the back side of lenses. The usual antireflective coatings considerably increase reflection of UV radiation. To provide reliable labeling of the protective potential of lenses, an eye-sun protection factor (E-SPF ® ) has been developed. It integrates UV transmission as well as UV reflectance of lenses. The E-SPF ® compares well with established skin-sun protection factors and provides clear messages to eye health care providers and to lay consumers. for Uv transmission. spectral ellipsometry and variable angle spectrophotometry in both the Uv and visible range are used to characterize every material, be it substrate or thin layer. Spectral reflection measurements on concave (back side) were performed on antireflective lenses using a spectrometer (MCS501, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, D-Jena, Germany) and a specific lens holder designed by essilor international sA (F-Charenton-le-Pont, France) that allows measurements at different angles in the 30 ° –45 ° range, corresponding to real-life back side solar exposure for a wearer in the 135 ° –150 ° range.


In population learning studies, between-subject response differences are an important source of variance that must be characterized to identify accurately the features of the learning process common to the population. Although learning is a dynamic process, current population analyses do not use dynamic estimation methods, do not compute both population and individual learning curves, and use learning criteria that are less than optimal. We develop a state-space random effects (SSRE) model to estimate population and individual learning curves, ideal observer curves, and learning trials, and to make dynamic assessments of learning between two populations and within the same population that avoid multiple hypothesis tests. In an 80-trial study of an NMDA antagonist's effect on the ability of rats to execute a set-shift task, our dynamic assessments of learning demonstrated that both the treatment and control groups learned, yet, by trial 35, the treatment group learning was significantly impaired relative to control. We used our SSRE model in a theoretical study to evaluate the design efficiency of learning experiments in terms of the number of animals per group and number of trials per animal required to characterize learning differences between two populations. Our results demonstrated that a maximum difference in the probability of a correct response between the treatment and control group learning curves of 0.07 (0.20) would require 15 to 20 (5 to 7) animals per group in an 80 (60)-trial experiment. The SSRE model offers a practical approach to dynamic analysis of population learning and a theoretical framework for optimal design of learning experiments.


The objective of this study is to manufacture and investigate novel nanostructured polymer composites (NPC) based on oriented blends of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyamide 6 (PA6). Conventional polymer processing techniques are used for this purpose including extrusion blending, cold drawing and compression molding. Thus, various polymer blends are prepared comprising 10 and 20 wt% of PA6 and 0-10 wt% of a copolymeric compatibilizer. These blends are cold-drawn to high draw ratios and the oriented strands so produced are further compression molded at various temperatures between the melting points of HDPE and PA6. All NPC obtained are characterized by microscopy techniques, solid state NMR, mechanical tests and wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering from synchrotron. The mechanical and structural data of NPCs are discussed with relation with the polyamide fibrils' orientation, as well as with the effect of compatibilizer at the matrix-fibrils interface.


Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare disease, which is characterised by the rapid development of multiple, symmetrical brain lesions. These lesions affect the thalamus bilaterally, the brainstem tegmentum and the cerebellar medulla. The clinical picture consists of a rapidly deteriorating encephalopathy that develops 1–3 days after a prodromal febrile illness. Indeed, ANE has been related to influenza A virus infection, but to date it has also been associated with other viruses and mycoplasma.1

We report a case of ANE, characterized by a combination of unusual features.

### First episode

In July 2001, a 17-year-old previously healthy Italian boy was admitted to his local hospital due to a state of deep unconsciousness, with a sudden onset, after 1 day of high fever and cough. He had not been given any aspirin. Neurological examination revealed no pupil abnormalities, no abnormal postures or focal and lateralising signs, no Babinski sign and no signs of meningeal irritation. Computed tomography (CT) of the brain was normal. An electroencephalogram (EEG) showed generalised slow-wave activity. Urinalysis, and all biochemical and haematological parameters were normal. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed normal pressure, no increase in cells, normal glucose levels and an increase in proteins (55 mg/dl, normal values 20–40). CSF cultures showed no bacterial growth; immunoelectrofocusing for oligoclonal bands revealed a normal pattern. Serum antibody titres against common viruses …


In recent years, the emergence of new theoretical perspectives such as post-structuralism, post-colonialism and feminism in the study of colonial situations in the ancient Mediterranean have broken the hegemony long held by acculturation. Earlier perspectives focused mainly on the colonies, Greek or Phoenician, and considered them as the only active agents, while local populations were traditionally interpreted as static and monolithic entities, passive recipients of colonial innovations. Moving away from these interpretations and approaching new ways of reading colonial histories, the focus of this article is centered on the native Sicilian people, particularly on the recuperation of their agency, through an analysis of their ritual politics. In this case I examine processes of making social identities and the idea of community that these peoples constructed through the collective practices carried out in their main communal ritual settings, the acropoleis.


A novel Inorganic/organic hybrid light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been fabricated using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films as a transparent conductive electrode and graphene oxide (GO) as a hole transporting layer (HTL). ZnO nanowires (NWs) are obtained by low temperature solution-based procedure. The whole device is fabricated through simple approach of spin coating and screen printing. The results indicate that graphene can be a simple solution processable substitute for PEDOT: PSS as the effective hole transport (electron blocking) layer and the ITO as a transparent conductive electrode in optoelectronic devices.


After treated with different quenching processes near transition temperature of orthorhombic phase, PM Ti-23Al-17Nb alloys with different microstructures were obtained. Microstructures of the alloy were observed by optical microscope, and tensile properties were also tested. In order to analyze the relationship between microstructures and tensile properties at room temperature, fractures of broken test bars obtained in tensile tests were characterized by SEM. The results show that quenching process below transition temperature of orthorhombic phase has few effects on improvement of size and morphology of crystal grain. However, it may lead to an abnormal growth of partial crystal grain, which results in low tensile strength and poor ductility; Quenching process above transition temperature of orthorhombic phase can cause recrystallization of B2 phase, which make a remarkably improvement on size and morphology of crystal grain. Moreover, the alloy performs the max tensile strength of 1026 MPa and the max ductility of 5.8% after quenched at the temperature of 1020


ABSTRACT Many medical students are not comfortable recommending the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine because they do not feel prepared to discuss it with their patients. A prior study demonstrated that this is particularly a problem among unvaccinated students. Our purpose was to determine if medical student attitudes and comfort with counseling could be improved by attending a single lecture delivered by an expert on the topic. To assess the effects of the educational program, we conducted pre- and posttests on medical students before and after a single lecture on HPV vaccination. Changes in items related to attitude and comfort were examined. Student characteristics associated with changes in scores were also examined and compared. A total of 256 medical students participated in the pre- and posttests. Before the lecture, students demonstrated low knowledge of HPV vaccination and did not feel comfortable counseling parents of younger patients. However, students <30 years of age demonstrated significant improvements after the lecture in comfort. Asian and Hispanic students showed the greatest improvement in comfort with counseling, as did students who reported they had not received the HPV vaccine. Attending a single lecture given by an expert can improve medical students' attitudes and comfort with HPV vaccine counseling, especially if the students were not vaccinated themselves. This study suggests that including material on HPV vaccination in the standard medical student curriculum could help increase physician recommendation for the HPV vaccine.


Two-dimensional aperiodic tilings are collections of polygons, devoid of any translational symmetries, capable of covering a plane without gaps and overlaps. Although aperiodic, these structures can exhibit order and symmetry in an extended sense. In this paper, we study the radiation properties of planar antenna arrays based on certain categories of two-dimensional aperiodic tilings that illustrate diverse aspects of aperiodic order. Background material on aperiodic tilings and their known electromagnetic properties is reviewed. Results are illustrated to highlight the effects of aperiodic order in the antenna array radiation properties. Potential applications are also envisaged


Urgent care centers (UCCs) are a cost-efficient substitute to the emergency department (ED) for non-emergent conditions, but no study has identified their impact on ED demand. We address this gap using a novel strategy that exploits daily UCC operating times in a differencing framework. After UCCs close each day, local non-emergent ED visits increase by 1.43 percent (over the adjusted mean rate of 70.58 percent) in areas with multiple UCCs. This effect occurs only among the privately insured population, the target customers of UCCs. Our results suggest that UCCs are successfully substituting for EDs in the treatment of non-emergent conditions.


This booklet reflects the experience of the Within and Without the State (WWS) programme so far, and offers key learning for those working in the area of governance programming in fragile contexts. The booklet outlines a variety of approaches to governance programming in the WWS focus countries of Afghanistan, Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel, South Sudan, and Yemen. It shows that effective governance work IS possible in fragile contexts – and that it can achieve change. It demonstrates that working with civil society is an appropriate entry point but, beyond this, that empowering civil society actors to engage with duty-bearers is essential to achieving good governance and accountability. The booklet also explores: using the social contract model to enable constructive engagement between citizens and the state; the importance of considering gender inequality;  the importance of understanding informal power-holders and how to influence them; and  adapting civil society capacity building techniques from long-term development work.  This summary of key learning from WWS will be of interest to all programme staff and managers concerned with developing governance programming in fragile contexts.


This article challenges common assumptions and opinions regarding the use of the social web by cultural heritage institutions by framing the phenomenon of user-generated metadata within the larger context of the commodification and the engagement process of our cultural heritage. Theoretical reflections on both the negative and positive long-term outcomes of the social web for libraries, archives, and museums are presented and confronted with empirical observations regarding the use of social tagging and user comments. This combination of a theoretical and an empirical approach will provide original insights into the long-term implications of user-generated metadata for cultural heritage institutions.


Large longitudinal displacement would be generated by vehicle braking force in the girder of self-anchored suspension bridge, just as the floating system of cable-stayed bridge. In this paper, taking Pingsheng bridge as an engineering example, the vehicle braking force models are established according to traffic survey, furthermore dynamic response and vibration reduction of the bridge under vehicle braking force are investigated by finite element analysis. The results show that the longitudinal displacement of the girder is relatively large, and it can effectively be controlled by viscous dampers with optimal parameters.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an appropriate symbolic representation, as well as its metaphorical interpretation, to illustrate the special role of information in the knowledge acquisition process.

Design/methodology/approach

Besides the literature review, this is a speculative study based on a symbolic and metaphorical point of view.

Findings

The proposed symbolic representation was derived from the conceptual designation of information "as a flow" and, accordingly, by the corresponding redrawing of the data-information-knowledge-wisdom (DIKW) pyramid. The knowledge acquisition process is symbolically represented by the growth of a "tree of knowledge" which is planted on a "data earth," filled with "information sap" and lit by the rays of the "sun of the mind," a new symbol of the concept of wisdom in the DIKW model. As indicated, a key concept of this metaphorical interpretation is the role of "information sap" which rises from the roots of the "tree of knowledge" to the top of the tree and it is recognized as an invisible link between "world of data" and "world of knowledge." This concept is also proposed as a new symbolic representation of the DIKW model.

Originality/value

On the basis of specific symbolic-metaphorical representation, this paper provides a relatively new concept of information which may help bridge observed gaps in the understanding of information in various scientific fields, as well as in its understanding as an objective or subjective phenomenon.


The need to further explore the understanding of human behaviour as a strategic means of facilitating functional workplace outcomes has been stressed. This study therefore scientifically examined the empirical relationship between employee self-esteem and workplace spontaneity in the Nigerian hospitality sector. The cross-sectional survey design was deployed hence, the questionnaire instrument was primarily used to generate data from a sample of 286 participants. The data were analyzed descriptively using mean scores and standard deviation. Inferential analysis was also done using the Pearson Statistic and regression. The results indicates a positive and significant relationship between employee self-esteem and workplace spontaneity. It was also found that assertiveness has greater impact with β=0.638 and t=3.913 on work place spontaneity. The study concluded based on the findings that employee self-esteem correlates with workplace spontaneity and it was therefore recommended amongst others that managers and other employees should build capacity in terms of psycho-social element, that ensures assertiveness.