Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by abnormalities hendaya which appears before age 3 years, with characteristic abnormalities of function in 3 areas, namely social interaction, communication and restricted and repetitive behavior. Although children with autism have problems, they remain the same through the process of development of normal children. What distinguishes them is the least fast, normal-impaired children with autism in the past during its development, including children with autism also through sexual development. Children with autism also have a sexual interest that eventually evolved into sexual behavior as normal children. Some people think that autistic children can not perform sexual behavior, so that the process concerns and education about sexuality in children with autism is very minimal given. So when mature they develop behaviors that are less in accordance with the rules in society. This study aims to know the description of the sexual behavior of autistic children. This research is qualitative research. The process of data mining is done by non-participant observation and interviews. Observations are made directly by observing sexual behavior by autistic children. This research was carried out at home each research subject on November 28, 2005 until January 4, 2006, with research subjects and the two men both aged 9 years. Interviews were conducted with the subject's parents, family members who live with the subject, the subject caregivers, and therapists subject. The procedure involves the pre field research, field work phase and the data analysis phase. Checking the validity of data is done by checking the data of observation and interview data. Results of research on sexual behavior of autistic children, include a picture of their sexual behavior, where the condition of autism does not interfere with or impede the emergence of their sexual behavior. Because it is this sexual behavior is on children's development phase, especially during falik, and stopped at the latent period, but in children with autism they still cause sexual behavior to the latent period. This shows that the sexual development of children with autism is more delayed than normal children. This is because the barriers pervasiv developments in communication, social interaction and behavioral barriers they experience. As for other forms of sexual behavior that is raised is the exploration of genitals in the form of manuals and ekshibisionisme exploration, and masturbation. On the whole it can be concluded that autistic children showed sexual behavior as well as children without autism barriers, which differentiates them is the expression of autistic children tend to be naive and lacking understanding of environmental rules.


We contend that some people of color express anti-Black prejudice to cope with their own marginalization. Individuals stationed along an in-group's periphery are often motivated to exclude others to bolster their own belonging in a community. Yet this process is sometimes triggered when individuals feel they are losing their marginal position. We examine these dynamics in the context of Latino prejudice toward Black individuals, with American as the in-group. Study 1 shows stronger American identity among Latinos is associated with anti-Black racism, which then correlates with weaker support for Black-centered policies. Studies 2 and 3 induce Latinos to feel more American, which sometimes increases anti-Black prejudice and decreases support for pro-Black policies. Study 4 causes Latinos to feel less American, which powerfully heightens anti-Black racism and drastically undercuts support for Black-centered policies. These patterns are generally conditioned by ideology, with liberal Latinos exhibiting more sensitivity to their rank as American.


The changeover to the metric system in the United States is motivated by our manufacturing industry. The basic reason for the changeover is economic necessity, which dictates also that changes to metric be made only wherethey are advantageous. In the transition timetable, our manufacturing industry and our educational institutions are already well started. Now, then, is the time also for the development of national metric engineering standards to supersede or supplement our customary engineering standards. Government procurement will keep in step with industry changeover. Consumer products will be changed some years hence, the specific time being dependent on the enactment of national metric legislation, but early programs should be initiated to keep our public informed as to why the changeover is taking place and how it is progressing. The principal role of Government in the changeover is to keep SI, the modernized metric system, as clean as possible. When metric legislation is enacted, a National Metric Conversion Board will have the responsibility for coordinating the changeover. Meanwhile the American National Metric Council has undertaken this role.


The present contribution addresses an infrastructural issue of universal relevance, addressed in the specific context of the TEI. We describe a combination of open-source tools and an open-access approach to creating knowledge repositories that have been employed in building a bibliographic reference library for the "TEI for Linguists" special interest group (LingSIG). The authors argue that, for an initiative such as the TEI, it is important to choose open, freely available solutions. If these solutions have the advantage of attracting new users and promoting the initiative itself, so much the better, especially if it is done in a non-committal way: no one using the LingSIG bibliographic repository has to be a member of the LingSIG or a "TEI-er" in general.


Nonunions occur in 5–10% of fractures and are characterized by the failure to heal without further intervention. Low intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy has been developed as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of nonunions. We describe a systematic review on trials of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy for healing of nonunions. We searched the electronic databases Medline and the Cochrane library for articles on ultrasound and healing of nonunions published up to 2008. Trials selected for the review met the following criteria: treatment of at least one intervention group with low intensity pulsed ultrasound; inclusion of patients (humans) with one or more nonunions (defined as "established" or as a failure to heal for a minimum of eight months after initial injury); and assessment of healing and time to healing, as determined radiographically. The following data were abstracted from the included studies: sample size, ultrasound treatment characteristics, nonunion location, healing rate, time to fracture healing, fracture age, and demographic information. We found 79 potentially eligible publications, of which 14 met our inclusion criteria. Of these, eight studies were used for data abstraction. Healing rates averaged 87%, (range 65.6%-100%) among eight trials. Mean time to healing was 146.5 days, (range 56-219 days). There is evidence from trials that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound may be an effective treatment for healing of nonunions. More homogeneous and larger controlled series are needed to further investigate its efficacy.


Time resolved droplet size and velocity measurement was made using Phase-Doppler anemometry in an effervescent spray at GLR of 6 % and operation pressure drops 21 – 52 kPa. The spray shows a size dependent variation of mean as well as fluctuating axial and radial velocities of droplets similarly for all operation regimes. Particles under 13 μm follow the gas flow, axially decelerated due to gas expansion. Velocity of medium sized particles is positively size correlated and larger particles keep high velocity, given them during discharge. Fluctuating radial velocity of small particles is larger than that of large particles while fluctuating axial velocity increases with size. Small particles thus reach a ratio of radial to axial velocity fluctuations ~ 0.6 but large particles only ~ 0.1, which indicates large transverse dispersion of small particles. Overall fluctuating velocity ratios smaller than 0.5 document an anisotropic character of the liquid mass fluctuations. Power spectral density (PSD) of axial velocity fluctuations of large droplets is uniform up to 1 kHz, while PSD of smaller particles drops down with frequency for frequencies > 100 Hz. Large particles thus preserve the fluctuations imposed during discharge while the gas turbulence drops with frequency. Turbulence intensity reaches 14 to 21 % depending on pressure. Such high-turbulence character of the flow probably results from a heterogeneous gas–liquid mixture at the discharge.


Effects of ifenprodil tartrate, a potent vasodilator, on the autonomic, peripheral and central nerve system were studied in experimental animals. In isolated vas deferens of guinea pigs, the contraction in response to noradrenaline and sympathetic nerve stimulation was competetively antagonized by ifenprodil 10(-7)--10(-5) M (pA2: 7.69 against noradrenaline). Ifenprodil (50 approximately 1,000 mug/kg i.v.) inhibited the contraction of cat nictitating membrane and dog urinary bladder induced by sympathetic nerve stimulation. Ifenprodil (250 approximately 1,000 mug/kg i.v.) lowered adrenaline-induced lethality (ED50: 360 mug/kg). The drug produced a hypermotility of guinea pig uterus, and showed a transient hypertonus of dog gut which was abolished by atropine. Ifenprodil (10 approximately 20 mg/kg i.v.) inhibited the propulsion of charcoal meal in mice. In Shay rats, more than 10 mg/kg i.m. of the drug inhibited the secretion of acid gastric juice and the ulceration. Ifenprodil showed a potent local anesthetic action in the guinea pig cornea and skin. The spontaneous EEG of rabbits showed a resting pattern (0.25 approximately 2 mg/kg i.v.) followed by an arousal pattern (5 approximately 10 mg/kg). Ifenprodil (20 approximately 100 mg/kg p.o.) potentiated a hypnosis induced by barbital, and potentiated pentylenetetrazol, strychnine and picrotoxin induced convulsion. The drug (20 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) lowered the body temperature of rats. From these results it is concluded that ifenprodil produces a blocking action of alpha-adrenoceptors in various smooth muscle preparations and a direct relaxation of the smooth muscle itself without affecting the motor and central nerve systems.


The aim of this study was two-fold: (i) to describe the training/match ratios of different external load measures during a full professional soccer season while analyzing the variations between different types of weeks (three, four and five training sessions/week) and (ii) to investigate the relationship between weekly accumulated training loads and the match demands of the same week. Twenty-seven professional soccer players (24.9 ± 3.5 years old) were monitored daily using a 10-Hz global positioning system with a 100-Hz accelerometer. Total distance (TD), running distance (RD), high-speed running (HSR), sprinting distance (SD), player load (PL), number of high accelerations (ACC), and number of high decelerations (DEC) were recorded during training sessions and matches. An individual training/match ratio (TMr) was calculated for each external load measure. Weeks with five training sessions (5dW) presented meaningfully greater TMr than weeks with four (4dW) or three (3dW) training sessions. Additionally, TDratio (TDr) was significantly greater in 5dW than in 3dW (mean differences dif: 1.23 arbitray units A.U.) and 4dW (dif: 0.80 A.U.); HSRr was significantly greater in 5dW than in 3dW (dif: 0.90 A.U.) and 4dW (dif: 0.68 A.U.); and SDr was significantly greater in 5dW than in 3dW (dif: 0.77 A.U.) and 4dW (dif: 0.90 A.U.). Correlations between the weekly training loads and the match demands of the same week were small for PL (r = 0.250 [0.13;0.36]), ACC (r = 0.292 [0.17;0.40]) and DEC (r = 0.236 [0.11;0.35]). This study reveals that ratios of above 1 were observed for specific measures (e.g., HSR, SD). It was also observed that training sessions are not adjusted according to weekly variations in match demands.


Transitioning to more sustainable energy technologies is a vital step in the move toward reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. However, several physical constraints could hinder the implementation of these technologies, and many of the raw materials required to produce new infrastructure are scarce, nonrenewable, and nonsubstitutable. Various factors relating to material extraction and processing activities may also affect the security and sociopolitical aspects of future supply lines. Here, we introduce methods for quantifying three key indicators relating to raw material supplies for specific production processes: (1) overall supply risk, (2) environmental impacts from sourcing raw materials, and (3) environmental justice threats at sourcing locations. The use of the proposed methods is demonstrated via an exploratory case study examining projected electricity production scenarios within the European Union. Results suggest that renewable sources of electricity—particularly wind, solar, and geothermal technologies—are more likely to exacerbate supply risks and environmental issues than other technologies. Furthermore, projected expansions of wind and solar technologies mean that all three indicators appear likely to rise significantly systemwide by 2050. Ultimately, the methods represent a much-needed first attempt at providing practitioners with simple and robust approaches for integrating factors relating specifically to raw material supply into energy modeling and other applications.


The thesis on 'Geochemical and isotopic studies of the Swarna-Madisal River and its estuary, Southwest coast of India' investigates the chemical weathering aspects, working
of hydrological cycle and biogeochemical cycling of trace elements in the riverine and estuarine environment of the small tropical river basin, Swarna-Madisal basin, Southwest
coast of India. The Swarna-Madisal river basin lies on the western part of the Western Ghats and receives higher rainfall mainly during the south-westerly summer monsoon
season. The river basin is dominated by the silicate rock lithology with the Peninsular Gneiss covering the major part and the Dharwar Schists in the eastern edge of the basin.
The short river length with the steep gradient particularly at the initial stage near the Ghats and higher surface runoff in the basin could support rapid transport of water and sediments to the nearby Arabian Sea. These characteristics feature the Swarna-Madisal river basin as
an ideal setting to carry out chemical weathering and biogeochemical studies using advanced geochemical and isotopic tracers. Moreover, no geochemical and isotopic studies have been carried out earlier in the Swarna-Madisal river basin, even as half a million people of Udupi district use it for domestic and irrigational purposes. As large community in this region depends on freshwater of the Swarna River, the study on the geochemistry of
this west flowing river becomes essential for better water management and sustainable development. With these views, the geochemical and isotopic studies have been carried
out in the Swarna-Madisal river basin. Chemical weathering in river basin forms the key process to study the global climate change on a long term scale due to its association with the carbon sequestration. Water samples from the surface and sub-surface regions were collected for a period of two years to study the chemical weathering process and to quantify silicate weathering and associated carbon-dioxide consumption rates in the Swarna river basin. Physico-chemical aspects, major ion composition and radiogenic strontium isotopic ratio measured in the
Swarna river water reflect the dominance of silicate rocks in the river basin. The river water chemistry is found to be least affected by the anthropogenic impact; however, the
effect of evaporation is observed on few samples during the pre-monsoon. The delineation of percentage contribution from different sources shows that the dissolved major ion is
mainly from the weathering sources. The chemical weathering rate (CWR), silicate weathering rate (SWR) and carbon-dioxide consumption rate (CCR) in the Swarna river


Abstract Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), also named as autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) type 1, is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. It is distinguished by an immune-mediated damage of endocrine tissues, chronic candidiasis, and ectodermal disorder. APECED has been shown to be frequent in some populations including Iranian Jews. Here we report three cases of APECED from two independent Iranian Muslim families. Addison's disease, hypoparathyroidismand mucocutaneous candidiasis were shared clinical manifestations in all patients. Mutational analyses have demonstrated a novel homozygous splice site mutation (c.1095+2T>A) in intron 9 and a previously identified homozygous nonsense mutation (c.415C>T) in exon 3 of patients respectively. Future studies are needed to evaluate the frequency of these variants in Iranian APECED patients which would facilitate genetic counseling as well as prenatal diagnosis.


Skin prick tests (SPT) with latex extracts are commonly used in the diagnostic approach of natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy. Non‐ammoniated latex extracts are commonly utilized for this purpose. There is only one commercially available ammoniated latex extract for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. To our knowledge, no direct clinical comparisons have been made so far comparing sensitivity and specificity of different latex extracts in patients with clinically confirmed latex allergy. The objective of this study was to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of non‐ammoniated or ammoniated SPT of latex extracts in children with a clinical history suggestive of NRL allergy. Forty‐two subjects (age 4–15 yr), referred to our Allergy Clinic Center, with suspected clinical signs of NRL allergy were evaluated. Patients were selected according to the following inclusion criteria: pediatric patients of age above 4 yr with a suspected clinical history of urticaria, rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma due to sensitization to NRL. A definitive NRL allergy diagnosis was made on the identification of latex‐specific IgE (>0.7 kU/l), positive glove use test and a highly indicative clinical history. NRL allergy was confirmed in 26 (62%) subjects. SPT for latex were performed with three different SPT solutions containing non‐ammoniated NRL extracts (product A: Lofarma SpA, Milan, Italy and product B: Stallergenes, Milan, Italy) or an ammoniated extract (product C: ALK‐Abellò, Madrid, Spain). A positive result was considered as the appearance of a wheal with a diameter >3 mm. In patients with confirmed NRL allergy, wheal mean (s.d.) diameters were 7.3 (2.1) with product C, and 5.7 (2.3) and 4.4 (1.8) with products B and A respectively (p = 0.004 C vs. B and A). Mean wheal diameters were significantly higher for product C in comparison with product B and A (p < 0.04). Sensitivity according to the different products tested was 65% (product A); 81% (product B) and 96% (product C) (p = 0.0084; C vs. A). No difference between the three products was observed regarding diagnostic specificity (94%, 88% and 94%, product A, B and C, respectively). Our study shows that diagnostic sensitivity of different latex extract for SPT could differ. In this particular clinical setting (i.e., children with NRL allergy) ammoniated latex extract shows a higher sensitivity in comparison with non‐ammoniated products. This aspect should be considered in the diagnostic approach in subjects with suspected NRL allergy. In children with clinical confirmed latex allergy, sensitivity and specificity of different commercially available skin prick test could vary. Ammoniated latex extract has shown a higher sensibility in comparison with non‐ammoniated products.


Since 2003, the EU has been conducting missions and operations in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy. Over the years, the crisis management structures, now located within the European External Action Service, have established well-functioning processes based on lessons learned. One of the recurring conclusions is the lack of training and education. These issues can be solved using eLearning tools, specifically developed for the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), with the same content for every participant. Through the ESDC, a certain standardization process can be guaranteed and the eLearning tools are independent from time and location constraints.
The main challenges are the different training environments within the EU Member States, but also the various training landscapes at more or less specialized training providers/institutes at local, regional and European level. Somehow 'United in Diversity' could be a catchphrase for this situation.
Another issue concerns the content of training, with Europe-wide standardized training given only at the European Security and Defence College. This College is devoted to training on CSDP issues, not only for EU Member States, institutions and missions, but also for in-country missions and operations. Other training providers' activities are based on national or regional standards, but not on agreed European ones.
The final issue concerns the lack of time available before the launch of each mission or operation. People are ideally recruited with the appropriate education and training, but in the worst case they are recruited without, just to reach the required number of personnel. For European missions and operations, the personnel can be recruited from anywhere, hence the difficulties in finding common ground and time for training.


We explore the potential of the kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (kSZ) effect as the cornerstone of a future observational probe for halo spin bias, the secondary dependence of halo clustering on halo spin at fixed halo mass. Using the IllustrisTNG magneto-hydrodynamical cosmological simulation, we measure both the kSZ and the thermal SZ (tSZ) effects produced by the baryonic content of more than 50,000 haloes within the halo mass range $11 < \log_{10} ({\rm M_{vir}}/ h^{-1} {\rm M_{\odot}}) \lesssim 14.5$. First, we confirm that the magnitude of both effects depends strongly on the total gas and virial mass of the haloes, and that the integrated kSZ signal displays a significant correlation with the angular momentum of the intra-halo gas, particularly for massive haloes. Second, we show that both the integrated kSZ signal and the ratio of the integrated kSZ and tSZ signals trace total halo spin, even though significant scatter exists. Finally, we demonstrate that, in the absence of observational and instrumental uncertainties, these SZ-related statistics can be used to recover most of the underlying IllustrisTNG halo spin bias signal. Our analysis represents the first attempt to develop a future observational probe for halo spin bias, bringing forward alternative routes for measuring the secondary bias effects.


Energy consumption for cooling purposes has increased significantly in recent years, mainly due to population growth, urbanization, and climate change consequences. The situation can be mitigated by passive climate solutions to reduce energy consumption in buildings. This study investigated the effectiveness of the green roof concept in reducing energy demand for cooling in different climatic regions. The impact of several types of green roofing of varying thermal conductivity and soil depth on energy consumption for cooling school buildings in Egypt was examined. In a co-simulation approach, the efficiency of the proposed green roof types was evaluated using the Design-Builder software, and a cost analysis was performed for the best options. The results showed that the proposed green roof types saved between 31.61 and 39.74% of energy, on average. A green roof featuring a roof soil depth of 0.1 m and 0.9 W/m-K thermal conductivity exhibited higher efficiency in reducing energy than the other options tested. The decrease in air temperature due to green roofs in hot arid areas, which exceeded an average of 4 °C, was greater than that in other regions that were not as hot. In conclusion, green roofs were shown to be efficient in reducing energy consumption as compared with traditional roofs, especially in hot arid climates.


: Anaphylaxis during anesthesia is an unpredictable, severe, and rare reaction. It has an incidence of 1/10 000 to 1/20 000 surgeries. In most series, the responsible drugs include neuromuscular blocking agents, latex, or antibiotics. The frequency and etiology of systemic allergic reactions in other medical procedures are largely unknown. The identification of responsible drugs of anaphylaxis is a complex task, requiring testing of all medications and substances used during surgery. We describe our experience in a retrospective study of 15 patients. Ten subjects developed anaphylaxis during surgery, two in endoscopic studies and one in a trans-vaginal ultrasound. The remaining two subjects, one in a trans-vaginal ultrasound and another during a dental procedure had a systemic allergic reaction. We studied all patients with all medications administered during the procedures, including latex and detergents and disinfectants. Three surgeries had to be suspended at induction of anesthesia, five were stopped incomplete and two were completed. Both patients that presented a reaction during endoscopy required intensive care unit admission and the rest were observed in a Hospital. The responsible drugs during surgery anaphylaxis were neuromuscular blocking agents, latex, patent blue, and ranitidine. Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) was identified during endoscopic studies; latex was responsible in transvaginal ultrasounds; and amoxicillin in the dental procedure. The aim of the present article is to review our experience studying allergic systemic reactions and anaphylaxis during general anesthesia and medical procedures, emphasizing the severity of these reactions and the need for causative drug identification.


Expression of the tryptophanase operon ofEscherichia coli is regulated by catabolite repression and tryptophan-induced transcription antitermination. An induction site activated by l-tryptophan is created in the translating ribosome during synthesis of TnaC, the 24-residue leader peptide. Replacing the tnaC stop codon with a tryptophan codon allows tryptophan-charged tryptophan transfer RNA to substitute for tryptophan as inducer. This suggests that the ribosomal A site occupied by the tryptophanyl moiety of the charged transfer RNA is the site of induction. The location of tryptophan-12 of nascent TnaC in the peptide exit tunnel was crucial for induction. These results show that a nascent peptide sequence can influence translation continuation and termination within a translating ribosome.


Abstract Co-managed territorial use rights for fishers (TURFs) have shown promise for small-scale fisheries management. The territorial use rights help clarify access and ownership rights, while co-management arrangements create formal relationships between fishers and government. However, there is limited research into the governance processes that influence the interactions and complementarities of TURF zones that are clustered together. In a network of 16 co-managed TURFs in the Cau Hai lagoon, Vietnam, we analyzed management decentralization and the relationship between spatial and networked (social) proximity. Our findings draw attention to several broad lessons for co-managed TURFs: (1) TURFs may operate as isolated silos if co-management agreements do not address relationships among TURF leaders; (2) spatial proximity does not automatically translate to social proximity; and (3) leaders of individuals TURFs need capacity for communication and coordination with other local fisheries leaders. These findings highlight the importance of consideration to the ways that TURF design and implementation influences the relationships and collaboration between fishers, government officials, and other actors.


Si3N4 ceramics with V2O5 based glasses as sintering additives were successfully fabricated by a powder mixing process and rapid sintering by the PECS method. The fabricated materials by Pulsed Electric Current Sintering (PECS) exhibited very fine microstructure with α and β grains. Electric conductivity for the Si3N4/(V2O5-B2O3) and the Si3N4/(V2O5-B2O3-Al2O3) at room temperature were four and six orders of magnitude higher at room temperature, and two and three orders of magnitude higher at 1000 oC than the conventional Si3N4, respectively


This paper presents the field oriented vector control scheme for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives, where space vector modulation is used. The field oriented vector control, that regulates the speed of the PMSM, is provided by a quadrature axis current command developed by the speed controller. The simulation includes all realistic components of the system. This enables the calculation of currents and voltages in different parts of the voltage source inverter (VSI) and motor under transient and steady state conditions. Implementation has been done in MATLAB/Simulink. A study of space vector modulation scheme associated with current controllers has been made. Experimental results of the PMSM control using TMS320F24X DSP board are presented. The speed of the PMSM is successfully controlled in the constant torque region. Experimental results show that the PMSM exhibits improved speed stability especially in very low speed range. The validity and usefulness of the proposed control scheme are verified through simulation and experimental results.


In an attempt to reduce the use of synthetic fungicides, extensive investigations into the possible exploitation of plant compounds as natural commercial products were performed. The present paper describes the antifungal activity of botanic extracts on the development of Fusarium oxysporum, f.s.p. lycopersici. The tests in vitro were carried out in a multi-well plate assay. The tested plants were classified based on the optical density reached by germinating conidia 24, 48 and 72 hours after inoculation. Among 500 plant species tested, about 84% did not exert significant inhibition, 7.6% showed low inhibition, 5.2% had an intermediate level of antifungal activity, and only 3% inhibited fungal germination completely. These findings suggest that some botanic extracts tested possess antifungal activities against Fusarium oxysporum and could be used as potential antifungal agents for the control of fungal plant diseases.


© 2016 International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy.Behavioral and cognitive therapies for addictive behaviors have shown clinical utility, however, many patients continue to experience residual symptoms, particularly craving, a major precipitating factor in relapse. We review a desire-related cognitive elaboration, termed desire thinking, which has been found to play an important role in the perpetuation and escalation of both craving and addictive behaviors. We argue that novel treatment approaches, rooted in metacognitive therapy, may help to interrupt the perseveration of desire thinking and improve the well-being of populations suffering from addictive behaviors.


The wear rates of sliding surfaces are significantly reduced if mild oxidational wear can be encouraged. It is hence of prime importance in the interest of component life and material conservation to understand the factors necessary to promote mild, oxidational wear, The present work investigates the fundamental mechanism of the running-in wear of BS EN 31!EN 8 steel couples. under various conditions of load. speed and test duration. Unidirectional sliding experiments were carried out on a pin-on~disc wear machine where frictional force, wear rate, temperature and contact resistance were continuously monitored during each test. Physical methods of analysis (x-ray, scanning electron microscopy etc.) were used to examine the wear debris and worn samples. The wear rate versus load curves revealed mild wear transitions, which under long duration of running, categorized mild wear into four distinct regions.α-Fe20s. Fe304, FeO and an oxide mixture were the predominant oxides in four regions of oxidational wear which were identified above the Welsh T2 transition. The wear curves were strongly effected by the speed and test duration. A surface model was used to calculate the surface parameters, and the results were found to be comparable with the experimentally observed parameters. Oxidation was responsible for the transition from severe to mild wear at a load corresponding to the Welsh T2 transition. In the running-in period sufficient energy input and surface hardness enabled oxide growth rate to increase and eventually exceeded the rate of removal, where mild wear ensued. A model was developed to predict the wear volume up to the transition. Remarkable agreement was found between the theoretical prediction and the experimentally-measured values. The oxidational mechanjsm responsible for transitjon to mild wear under equilibrium conditions was related to the formation of thick homogenous oxide plateaux on subsurface hardened layers, FeO was the oxide formed initially at the onset of mild wear but oxide type changed.during the total running period to give an equilibrium oxide whose nature depended on the loads applied.


The present chapter covers the production and properties of carbon soot nanoparticles (CSNPCs) and their doped carbon soot polymer nanocomposites (CSPNCs). The first part of this chapter will provide a brief introduction of carbon soot, its morphology, production and synthesis methods. The second part will explain the investigation of carbon soot nanoparticles by flame deposition method and their properties. The third part will provide a short knowledge on polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) and their processing methods. The last part will illustrate the production of carbon soot polymer nanocomposites by solution casting method and their important properties. At the end, the chapter concludes with future scopes.


This paper assesses the cashmere quality in different Iranian cashmere goat breeds to determine the scope for improvement of fiber quality. In April 2009 midside cashmere samples were taken from a total of 168 male and female cashmere goats of 1, 2, 3, and 4 yr of age. The goats were randomly chosen from Raeini, Birjandi, and Nadoushan breeds respectively from Kerman, South Khorasan, and Yazd provinces. Cashmere yield (CY) was determined from the percentage of weight of dehaired cashmere to weight of shorn fibre. Cashmere fiber diameter was analyzed using a projection microscope instrument. A general linear model including sex and age as fixed effects and breed as random effect was used to analyze the data and measure the relationships between different cashmere characteristics and fleece attributes. The overall means ± standard deviations were for cashmere yield (CY) 51.4%±1.5%, mean fiber diameter (MFD) 18.7±0.2 µm, coefficient of variation of fiber diameter (CVFD) 19.1%±0.3% and staple length (SL) 42.8±1.6 mm. One year old goats had finer cashmere than older goats. CVFD were higher in males and CY and SL were higher in young animals. Iranian cashmere goat breeds have an excellent SL but are relatively coarse. Given the differences between goats there seems to be substantial scope to improve the commercial value of cashmere.


The human flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) sends tendons to all 4 fingers. One might assume that this multitendoned muscle consists of 4 discrete neuromuscular compartments each acting on a different finger, but recent anatomical and physiological studies raise the possibility that the human FDP is incompletely subdivided. To investigate the functional organization of the human FDP, we recorded electromyographic (EMG) activity by bipolar fine-wire electrodes simultaneously from 2 or 4 separate intramuscular sites as normal human subjects performed isometric, individuated flexion, and extension of each left-hand digit. Some recordings showed EMG activity during flexion of only one of the 4 fingers, indicating that the human FDP has highly selective core regions that act on single fingers. The majority of recordings, however, showed a large amount of EMG activity during flexion of one finger and lower levels of EMG activity during flexion of an adjacent finger. This lesser EMG activity during flexion of adjacent fingers was unlikely to have resulted from recording motor units in neighboring neuromuscular compartments, and instead suggests incomplete functional subdivision of the human FDP. In addition to the greatest agonist EMG activity during flexion of a given finger, most recordings also showed EMG activity during extension of adjacent fingers, apparently serving to stabilize the given finger against unwanted extension. Paradoxically, the functional organization of the human FDP-with both incomplete functional subdivision and highly selective core regions-may contribute simultaneously to the inability of humans to produce completely independent finger movements, and to the greater ability of humans (compared with macaques) to individuate finger movements.


It is known that the pleiotropic cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) has a regulatory role in the process of tissue repair and remodelling following injury. As reports on these molecules in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion with different lesional activity are rare, we studied the cellular localization of TGF-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3 isoforms, and TGF-beta receptor type I (TGF-betaR-I) and TGF-betaR-II expression by immunohistochemistry on postmortem brain tissue from MS and normal control cases. To validate the TGF-beta staining results we demonstrated that cultured human adult astrocytes that produce biological active TGF-beta2, and to a lesser extent TGF-beta1, were immunoreactive for all 3 TGF-beta isoforms. Moreover, at mRNA level TGF-beta1 was detected in MS and normal control brain tissue. In normal control brain tissue, TGF-beta isoforms were expressed in ramified microglia and TGF-beta2, and -beta3 on neuronal cells in the gray matter TGF-betaR-I and TGF-betaR-II expression was found on endothelial cells, astrocytes, microglia, and neurons. In active demyelinating MS lesions a strong to intense immunoreactivity was detected for all 3 TGF-beta isoforms in perivascular and parenchymal (foamy) macrophages and in hypertrophic astrocytes. Strong immunoreactivity for TGF-betaR-I and TGF-betaR-II was found on macrophages in both parenchymal and perivascular areas and on hypertrophic astrocytes and endothelial cells in active demyelinating MS lesions. In chronic active and inactive MS lesions, all 3 TGF-beta isoforms and their receptors were strongly expressed in hypertrophic astrocytes. Our findings strongly suggest that the expression of the various TGF-beta isoforms and their receptor types found in MS lesions with different cellular activity participate in reactive processes leading to the formation of chronic MS lesions.


Freaking Out: Has Anger Fallen Out of Fashion?Has art lost its critical power because any form of critique is automatically neutralized by capitalism? Current issues such as trafficking, global warming, the AIDS crisis, violence, homelessness, militarisation, poverty, homophobia, sexism, racism and disrespect for human rights demand proactive measures if philosophers not only wish to interpret the world in various ways, but also to change it, as Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels once so memorably. Certain theories and terms are more marketable than others in specific historical situations. What is hip today will inevitably be outmoded tomorrow, but not necessarily forever. Ideas come and go, and unexpected forms of theoretical and artistic continuities and coalitions appear. Central to feminist and activist theorizing is anger, and this paper deals with the feminist tradition of such anger. Feminist theorist Sara Ahmed classifies feminist emotions as anger, wonder and hope. Anger awakens the feminist and keeps her going. Wonder is about seeing the world in a way that encounters 'as if' for the first time. The third component is hope, and when thinking about feminist futures we also must attend to the legacies of feminist pasts. As Ahmed has written, "for feminists, a political and strategic question remains: When should we let go? And what should we let go of? Such a question has no immediate resolution: we must decide, always, what to do, as a decision that must be made again and again, in each present we find ourselves in."


BackgroundVarious studies have shown that Hemostatic disturbance, including high fibrinogen levels, are associated with coronary heart disease in patients with diabetes. However relation between fibrinogen level and microangiopathic complications is not clear. So we choose this sudy. Aims and objectives-To correlate the association of serum fibrinogen level with different clinical parameters and complication of diabetes. To correlate the level of serum fibrinogen with glycemic control (HbA1C).To correlate the association of serum fibrinogen level with duration of Diabetes mellitus. To correlate the association of serum fibrinogen level with different biochemical parameters. To compare the serum fibrinogen level in patient of type-2 DM with oral hypoglycemic agent and insulin therapy. Material and methods – All the patients were diagnosed case of Type 2 diabetes mellitus patient or newly detected Type 2 diabetes mellitus patient with or without microvascular complications (age group 25-85 yrs either sex) which admitted J.A. Group of Hospitals Gwalior M.P. and who attend Medicine OPD were included. Total no. of 88 patients were selected randomly divided in three groups. Group A – (n=34) type-2 diabetes mellitus with microvascular complication, Group B– (n= 26 type-2 diabetes mellitus without microvascular complication, Group C(n=28) non diabetic healthy control. Results Maximum number of patients in study were between 40-60 yrs age group. Mean age was 53±13, 48±15 and 49±12 among group A, B and C.M:F ratio was almost equal in all three group was 2.9:2, 3.2:2 & 2.7:2 in group A,B & C respectively. Most common presenting symptom was tingling & numbness (41.17%) followed by polyuria (38.23%) and blurring of vision (29.41%) in group A patient while polyuria (29.92%) was presenting symptom of group B. Most common microvascular complication found was nephropathy followed by retinopathy and neuropathy in type-2 DM patient. Mean duration of diabetes was 5.5±3.14 yrs and 2.8±1.8 yrs among group A and B respectively. Micro vascular complication (nephropathy, retinopathy & neuropathy) increased with duration of diabetes. Serum fibrinogen level was found higher in Type-2 DM patient with microvascular complication as compared to non diabetic control (515±138.7, 308.53±52.65 p value <0.003).Type-2 DM without microvascular complication group patients also had higher fibrinogen level in comprasion of non diabetic control (437±137, 308.53±52.65 p value-0.002).Serum fibrinogen level was more elevated in type-2 DM patients with microvascular complication groups as compared to patients without microvasuclar complication (515±138.7 vs 437±137, p value 0.02).No statistically significant positive correlation was found between serum fibrinogen and age, gender and duration of diabetes.. Serum fibrinogen level was higher in overweight (23-27.49) patients as compared to the normal patient (18.5-22.94) in all groups. A positive correlation was seen with BMI. Serum fibrinogen level was linearly related to urine albumin excretion rate (p <0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between hyperfibrinogenemia and hypercholesterolemia (p value <0.01) but did not found any correlation with LDL, HDL and TG. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was positively correlated with fibrinogen level. A majority of type-2 DM patients had poor diabetic control and had high fasting and post prandial blood sugar. No significant linear relationship was seen between serum fibrinogen and FBS & PPBS. Serum fibrinogen level was higher in patient who taking insulin. ConclusionOn the basis of observations of present study its concluded that Serum fibrinogen level was found to be higher in Type-2 diabetic patients as compared to non diabetic controls and further increase in patients who having microvascular complication.


Studies of the early modern exchange market have usually focused on the strategies of traders who made profits from differences in exchange rates. This article instead focuses on the inventory management practices of exchange dealers, who traded almost exclusively on behalf of third parties while acting as market makers in the Lyon fairs in the sixteenth century. Using evidence from 1 937 transactions performed by one of the major Lyon banks (Salviati), it uncovers a specific rebalancing technique based on the use of the bill of exchange as a netting instrument. Thanks to a system of limit orders, the Lyon exchange dealers were able to offset order flows, thus minimizing their credit risk while remaining exposed to reputational risk. Such a rebalancing mechanism involved multiple clients and markets and contributed to the clearing of international payments once bills reached maturity. Double-entry bookkeeping both facilitated and limited the use of the bill of exchange as a multilateral netting instrument.


In the garden of the world. Italy to a young 19th century Chinese traveler. On September 14th, 1859, at the first light of dawn, a young Chinese traveler named Guo Liancheng 郭連城 (1839-1866) landed in Civitavecchia, Italy, after a long journey of overland travel and months of navigation. Coming from a small village far from the capital, he was only 20 years old and was in the company of an Italian priest, Luigi Celestino Spelta. Guo was not the first Chinese man to visit Europe but before leaving, he decided to keep a daily journal of his experience, published soon after his return with the title of Xiyou bilue西游筆略 (Brief Account of the Journey to the West). This book presents for the first time the story of Guo Liancheng, exploring a still little-known aspect of the history of the contacts between Italy and China. Following the pages of Guo Liancheng's journal, the author tries to shed light on its contents and features and to analyze the image of Italy described in the pages of Brief account of the Journey to the West, the earliest firsthand account on the Bel Paese ever published in China.


Engineers must consider the usage context of a product in order to both predict its technical performance and model customer preferences. An emerging body of work in Decision-based Design (DBD) has elaborated various approaches for modeling the usage context in order to better predict customer choice behavior and select optimal product attributes. Building on this prior work, this study proposes a new method for formulating DBD problems in which product attribute values can change contextual factors. Results from a vehicle design case study demonstrate the utility of the proposed method for understanding how phenomena such as the rebound effect and induced travel demand connect system-level outcomes to design changes. This study suggests that the Design for Coupled Usage Contexts framework is a promising tool to further explore as a way to support designers making decisions which involve these types of mechanisms. Further exploration should include additional case studies to investigate other coupling mechanisms and design tasks.


Abstract In this paper the main objective is to examine whether the selection of the performance measure influences the evaluation of individual investments and the performance rankings generated on that basis. This study presents the values of 16 performance indicators along with their detailed descriptions. All calculations were made using the R program, and the source code can be found at the end of the article. Nine selected stock indices were analysed during the period January 1997–December 2015, and the monthly logarithmic rates of return for these indices were calculated. For 14 out of the 16 measures analysed it was shown that the choice of effectiveness measure had no influence on the evaluation of individual investments; therefore it is not important whether the investor uses the Sharpe ratio or the Calmar ratio as an indicator of efficiency since both measures are almost identical in rank for a particular investment. This has not been confirmed for the Upside Potential ratio, which means that using this indicator may lead to different investment decisions in which the objective is to maximize efficiency. Moreover, based on the analysis it was found that the OMXC 20, DAX 30, and OMXS 30 indexes had the highest efficiency during the period January 1997–December 2015, while the AEX, WIG 20, and PSI 20 indexes were characterized with having the lowest levels of efficiency.


This study describes the response of common coral taxa at 15 sites to a warm-water anomaly in Mauritius in March 2004. Sites circumscribed the island and differed in their water flow and thermal history as a result of variation in local current patterns. We observed 2 distinct positive responses of coral taxa to the anomaly that correlated with their local abundance, with a group of sparse (22 taxa covering 5 cm m -1 ). The 2 most dom- inant taxa Acropora and Montipora were among the most susceptible genera in the abundant group, while Seriatopora and Alveopora were the most susceptible taxa in the sparse group. This suggests that a temperature anomaly that is sufficient to cause mortality will remove taxa from 2 positions in the community spectrum with consequences for both ecological functions and diversity. We found that bleaching intensity at the sites was positively associated with water flow, with the most intense bleaching and highest currents on the windward and offshore sites. The algal symbiont communities in nearly all of the corals sampled on both sides of the island and 2 depths were dominated by diverse Symbiodinium in Clade C, indicating that the observed differences in response among coral taxa and sites were unlikely to be greatly affected by the types of symbionts they contained. We suggest that high water flow reduces background stress and acclimation, and results in corals that are less tolerant of rare temperature anomalies.


We consider several radical classes of noncommutative rings. In particular, we provide new results regarding the radical theory of semigroup-graded rings, monomial algebras, and Ore extensions of derivation type. In Chapter 2 we prove that every ring graded by a torsion free nilpotent group has a homogeneous upper nilradical. Moreover, we show that a ring graded by unique-product semigroup is semiprime only when it has no nonzero nilpotent homogeneous ideals. This provides a graded-analogue of the classical result that says a ring is semiprime if and only if it has no nonzero nilpotent ideals. In Chapter 3, the class of iterative algebras are introduced. Iterative algebras serve as an interesting class of monomial algebras where ring theoretical information may be determined from combinatorial information of an associated right-infinite word. We use these monomial algebras to construct an example of a prime, semiprimitive, graded-nilpotent algebra of Gelfand-Kirillov dimension 2 which is finitely generated as a Lie algebra. In Chapter 4, the Jacobson radical of Ore extensions of derivation type is discussed. We show that if R is a locally nilpotent ring which satisfies a polynomial identity, then any Ore extension of R of derivation type will also be locally nilpotent. Finally, we show that the Jacobson radical of any Ore extension of derivation type of a polynomial identity ring has a nil coe cient ring.


In this work, we investigate fractals in arrays of carbon nanotubes modeled by an evolution equation derived by using a rigorous application of the reductive perturbation formalism for the Maxwell equations and for the corresponding Boltzmann kinetic equation of the distribution function of electrons in such nanomaterials. We study the integrability properties of our dynamical system by using the Weiss-Tabor-Carnevale analysis. Actually, following the leading order analysis, we write the solution in the form of series of Laurent. We also use the Kruskal ' s simplification to find the solutions. Using the truncated Painlevé expansion, we construct the auto-Backlund transformation of the system. We take advantage of the above properties to construct a wide panel of structures with fractals properties. As a result, we unearth some typical features, namely the fractal dromion, the fractal lump, the stochastic and nonlocal fractal excitations. We also address some physical implications of the results obtained.


The level of food security in South Africa is largely being influenced by income inequalities and food prices with a large part of the population that has access to food but do not have the financial means to obtain it. Despite ever increasing food inflation, South Africa is still adopting policies and strategies which may contribute towards even higher levels of food inflation and consequently food insecurity in the near future. These include amongst others the National Bio-Fuel Industrial Strategy. Previous studies suggest that indigenous and traditional food crops play a substantial role in ensuring food security in several African countries. The question that arises is whether these alternative food crops do not hold the answer towards balancing the trade-off between fuel and food in South Africa. In order to answer that question, a literature review was conducted to understand the inter-linkages between food and bio-fuel as well as to understand the role that indigenous and traditional food crops are currently playing in Africa. To analyse the current status and potential of indigenous and traditional food crops in South Africa, a topical survey amongst 600 African households in the North-West Province was conducted. Contrary to other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, the survey showed that current production and consumption of indigenous and traditional foods crops in South Africa is modest. This is mainly due to ignorance and unavailability of these specific crops. Despite this, the potential of these crops is evident in the South African context due to affordability, positive perceptions, and land availability near poor rural and peri-urban communities. Hence, indigenous and traditional food crops hold significant opportunities for South Africa to pursue bio-fuel production without compromising food security. To achieve this, specific interventions are needed to stimulate the production and consumption of indigenous and traditional food crops.


Here, we study the temperature structure of flaring and non-flaring coronal loops, using extracted loops from images taken in six extreme ultraviolet channels recorded by Atmospheric Imaging Assembly/Solar Dynamics Observatory. We use data for loops of an X2.1-class-flaring active region (AR 11283) during 22:10 UT until 23:00 UT, on 2011 September 6; and a non-flaring active region (AR 12194) during 08:00:00 UT until 09:00:00 UT on 2014 October 26. By using the spatially synthesized Gaussian differential emission measure (DEM) forward-fitting method, we calculate the peak temperatures for each strip of the loops. We apply the Lomb–Scargle method to compute the oscillation periods for the temperature series of each strip. The periods of the temperature oscillations for the flaring loops ranged from 7 to 28.4 minutes. These temperature oscillations show very close behavior to the slow-mode oscillation. We observe that the temperature oscillations in the flaring loops started at least around 10 minutes before the transverse oscillations and continue for a long time duration even after the transverse oscillations ended. The temperature amplitudes increased during the flaring time (20 minutes) in the flaring loops. The periods of the temperatures obtained for the non-flaring loops ranged from 8.5 to 30 minutes, but their significances are less (below 0.5) in comparison with the flaring ones (near to one). Hence the detected temperature periods for the non-flaring loops' strips are less probable in comparison with the flaring ones, and maybe they are just fluctuations. Based on our confined observations, it seems that the flaring loops' periods show more diversity and their temperatures have wider ranges of variation than the non-flaring ones. More accurate commentary in this respect requires more extensive statistical research and broader observations.


Background Dopamine and dopamine transporters (DAT, which regulate extracellular dopamine in the brain) are implicated in the modulation of attention but their specific roles are not well understood. Here we hypothesized that dopamine modulates attention by facilitation of brain deactivation in the default mode network (DMN). Thus, higher striatal DAT levels, which would result in an enhanced clearance of dopamine and hence weaker dopamine signals, would be associated to lower deactivation in the DMN during an attention task. Methodology/Principal Findings For this purpose we assessed the relationship between DAT in striatum (measured with positron emission tomography and [11C]cocaine used as DAT radiotracer) and brain activation and deactivation during a parametric visual attention task (measured with blood oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging) in healthy controls. We show that DAT availability in caudate and putamen had a negative correlation with deactivation in ventral parietal regions of the DMN (precuneus, BA 7) and a positive correlation with deactivation in a small region in the ventral anterior cingulate gyrus (BA 24/32). With increasing attentional load, DAT in caudate showed a negative correlation with load-related deactivation increases in precuneus. Conclusions/Significance These findings provide evidence that dopamine transporters modulate neural activity in the DMN and anterior cingulate gyrus during visuospatial attention. Our findings suggest that dopamine modulates attention in part by regulating neuronal activity in posterior parietal cortex including precuneus (region involved in alertness) and cingulate gyrus (region deactivated in proportion to emotional interference). These findings suggest that the beneficial effects of stimulant medications (increase dopamine by blocking DAT) in inattention reflect in part their ability to facilitate the deactivation of the DMN.


In this article, we offer a manifesto for a progressive twenty-first century land-grant mission in an era of rising authoritarian populism in the United States. We explore the historical context of this mode of political engagement, argue that scholars based at land-grant universities are uniquely positioned to address this political moment, and offer examples of land-grant scholars who have embraced this political obligation directly. In the midst of the U.S. Civil War, the federal government provided grants of land to one college in every state to establish universities especially with extension-oriented missions committed to agricultural research and training; today, there are seventy-six land-grant universities. Just as the constitution of these universities at a significant moment in the country's history served a political purpose, the current political climate demands a robust political response from contemporary land-grant scholars. Given the mandate for land-grant universities to serve their communities, how can a critical land-grant mission respond to the current political moment of emergent authoritarian populism in the United States and internationally? What responsibilities are entailed in the land-grant mission? We consider some strategies that land-grant scholars are employing to engage with communities grappling most directly with economic stagnation, climate change, and agrarian dispossession. We also suggest that, amid the dramatically shifting political climate in the United States, all scholars regardless of land-grant affiliation should be concerned with land-grant institutions' capacities to engage with the country's most disenfranchised populations as a means to pushing back against authoritarian populism. Key Words: authoritarian populism, higher education, land-grant institutions, public geographies, United States.


: In clinical observation on 248 patients with breast cancer IIb-III-b stages given radiotherapy on breast gland, parasternal and axillary-subclavian regions (total doses 40 Gr for each) before mastectomy was shown, that use LF im 2-3 times a week through the course of therapy decreases statistically significant pancytopenia, induced by radiation. Quantity leukocytes was even increase in a process of therapy. Frequency of anemia and lyphopenia was decreased almost 3 times. E-RFC were depressed also more slight, then in the group without immunocorrection and after mastectomy practically, restored. IFN-gamma production by T-lymphocytes was not changed and essentially more high then in the comparative group. The presented data are shown, that LF provides a defensive action on hematological indices and immune effectors function in oncological patients during radiotherapy.


Paspalum is a large genus that contains several important forage and turf grasses. Little or no information is available concerning the cytology and reproductive behavior of many of these species. The objectives of this study were to determine the cytology, method of reproduction, and fertility of accessions of eight different Paspalum species. Paspalum modestum Mez., P. monostachyum Vasey, P. repens Bergius, and one P. alcalinum Mez. accession were sexual diploids with 2n = 2x = 20 chromosomes. Meiosis was regular with primarily bivalent pairing. Even though P. modestum was sexual, the female gametophyte deteriorated in 43% of the ovules. Two P. alcalinum, one P. falcatum Nees, two P. paucifolium Swallen, three P. polyphyllum Nees, and one P. unispicatum (Scribn. et Merr.) Nash accessions were tetraploids with 2n = 4x = 40 chromosomes. During meiosis their chromosomes associated primarily as bivalents, quadrivalents, and univalents. Regardless of the species, all tetraploids were facultative aposporous apomicts. One P. alcalinum accession was a pentaploid with 50 chromosomes. Meiosis was irregular with the chromosomes associating as univalents, bivalents, trivalents, and quadrivalents. This accession reproduced as an obligate aposporous apomict. Seed set in P. modestum and P. monostachyum was very low but was high enough in the other species that they could be propagated by seed. These findings demonstrate the cytological and reproductive diversity within this large complex genus.


This paper generalizes Huang's cohomology theory of grading-restricted vertex algebras to meromorphic open-string vertex algebras (MOSVAs hereafter), which are noncommutative generalizations of grading-restricted vertex algebras introduced by Huang. The vertex operators for these algebras satisfy associativity but do not necessarily satisfy the commutativity. Moreover, the MOSVA and its bimodules considered in this paper do not necessarily have finite-dimensional homogeneous subspaces, though we do require that they have lower-bounded gradings. The construction and results in this paper will be used in a joint paper by Huang and the author to give a cohomological criterion of the reductivity for modules for grading-restricted vertex algebras


The aim of this study is to explore the possibilities to implement 'Building with North Sea Nature' in offshore infrastructures in the North Sea by providing guidelines for the eco-friendly design of scour protection structures around monopiles in planned wind farms to enhance ecological functioning. The guidelines include specifications on: The type of hard substrate material or products available and how these can potentially enhance ecological functioning (and have added value compared to regular types used); How different types of hard substrates and configurations can be (experimentally) designed to vary spatially, in such a systematic manner that the effect on ecological enhancement can be determined empirically; How the effects of these scour protection structures can be monitored and evaluated; Whether site-specific conditions apply to wind planned farm locations in the Dutch North Sea. Eco-friendly design in this study entails optimising the scour protection of offshore wind farms to enhance its ecological functioning. Enhancement of ecological functioning has been defined as: increasing habitat suitability for species (or communities) occurring naturally in the Dutch North Sea, in particular, for policyrelevant (from a conservation perspective) and endangered species, such as those listed in the EU Habitats Directive, OSPAR or national red lists (see Annex 2 in Bos et al. in prep.). Where previous work has explored the more general possibility for enhancement of ecological functioning in offshore wind farms (van Duren et al. 2016; Smaal et al. in prep.), this study provides explicit steps towards realising an eco-friendly design of scour protection and a practical field experiment to allow for scientific evaluation. From an analysis of physical conditions in the North Sea that influence both biodiversity and scouring mechanisms at wind farm locations, it is concluded that scour protection will be required in most, or all, future offshore wind farms on the Dutch Continental Shelf. It is also concluded that scour protection design could be altered to benefit the ecology, but that new designs will require additional testing for anti-scouring effects. Based on a selection of policy-relevant species for the North Sea, two umbrella species were selected: Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis). Focussing design variables and principles on these two umbrella species is expected to result in optimising the habitat for a wide range of native hard substrate biodiversity. Based on existing data from current wind farm scour protection, other artificial hard substrates and natural hard substrates from the North Sea, it is hypothesized that an optimised design of scour protection will yield increased populations of umbrella species or increased native biodiversity in general, including policy-relevant species. Based on available knowledge on ecological principles and expert judgement of North Sea hard substrate ecologists, four design variables for optimised scour protection are defined: 1. Adding larger structures than conventional scour protection to create large holes and crevices, to provide adequate shelter / holes for large mobile species. 2. Adding more small-scale structures than conventional scour protection to create more small-scale holes and crevices but also attachment substrate and settlement substrate. 3. Providing or mimicking natural (biogenic) chemical substrate properties to facilitate species. An example is to provide chalk-rich substrate such as concrete with added chalk, or even natural substrate such as shell material. 4. Active introduction of specimens of target species to enhance establishment of new populations. This is to facilitate recruitment at locations where reproduction by naturally occurring adults is These design variables are made practically applicable by providing example materials and specifications for implementation in the field and, a cost overview is provided for example materials. Combining the above information, this study provides design guidelines for wind farms with optimised scour protection to enhance ecological functioning. In addition it defines a minimum and a standardized approach for deployment and monitoring of a subset of locations to allow for scientific evaluation. The monitoring techniques that are required to do so, are described and a cost estimate for the monitoring is provided. In conclusion, this study provides eco-friendly design principles for scour protection and a first experimental design to implement 'Building with North Sea Nature': ecological enhancement by optimising scour protection in offshore wind farms. This is considered as a first step in a process that should result in 'learning by doing'.


Pulmonary diseases are one of the significant conditions and influence the lifestyle for a majority of the population in today's world. From ancient times, inhalational drug delivery is being utilised to target the lungs for the management and treatment of pulmonary diseases with reduced side effects. Factors like the physiology of the respiratory system, selection of devices, particle characteristics, and formulation characteristics affect the efficiency of inhalational drug delivery. The precise usage of the inhaler device is indispensable for the efficient delivery of drugs. The characteristic particle impacts the region of drug deposition and in turn influences drug dissolution. Drug dissolution is also affected by the physiological aspect of the respiratory tract, which is concerned primarily in disease states. Formulation type and characteristics decide the release mechanism and influences the inhalational pattern. Liposomes, nanoparticles, microparticles, micelles, dendrimers, etc. can be utilised for passive and active targeting of drugs to the lungs. Inhalational drug delivery can be harnessed to deliver therapeutic agents to systemic circulation for diseases apart from pulmonary diseases. The inhalational drug delivery techniques and devices are being continuously researched upon and reworked to acquire better drug loading with minor loss during drug delivery. The review focuses on the significance and factors associated with pulmonary drug delivery.


Background:Care remains suboptimal for many patients with hypertension. Purpose:The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of quality improvement (QI) strategies in lowering blood pressure. Data Sources:MEDLINE, Cochrane databases, and article bibliographies were searched for this study. Study Selection:Trials, controlled before–after studies, and interrupted time series evaluating QI interventions targeting hypertension control and reporting blood pressure outcomes were studied. Data Extraction:Two reviewers abstracted data and classified QI strategies into categories: provider education, provider reminders, facilitated relay of clinical information, patient education, self-management, patient reminders, audit and feedback, team change, or financial incentives were extracted. Data Synthesis:Forty-four articles reporting 57 comparisons underwent quantitative analysis. Patients in the intervention groups experienced median reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) that were 4.5 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.5 to 11.0) and 2.1 mm Hg (IQR: −0.2 to 5.0) greater than observed for control patients. Median increases in the percentage of individuals achieving target goals for SBP and DBP were 16.2% (IQR: 10.3 to 32.2) and 6.0% (IQR: 1.5 to 17.5). Interventions that included team change as a QI strategy were associated with the largest reductions in blood pressure outcomes. All team change studies included assignment of some responsibilities to a health professional other than the patient's physician. Limitations:Not all QI strategies have been assessed equally, which limits the power to compare differences in effects between strategies. Conclusion:QI strategies are associated with improved hypertension control. A focus on hypertension by someone in addition to the patient's physician was associated with substantial improvement. Future research should examine the contributions of individual QI strategies and their relative costs.


Violence against women is now well recognised as a public health problem and human rights violation of worldwide significance. It is an important risk factor for women's ill health, with far reaching consequences for both their physical and mental health. This glossary aims to describe various forms of interpersonal violence that are directed towards women and girls. Terms and basic concepts used in research and policy on this public health problem will be explained.


We evaluate experimentally and theoretically the role of the residual ligands and ambient environment refractive index in the optical response of a single spherical gold nanoparticle on a substrate and demonstrate the changes in the near- and far-field properties of its hybridized modes in the presence of the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) layer. Particularly, we show that the conventional bilayer scheme for CTAB is not relevant for colloidal nanoparticles deposited on a substrate. We show that this CTAB layer considerably changes the amplitude and localization of the confinement of the electric field, which is of prime importance in the design of plasmonic complex systems coupled to emitters. Moreover, we numerically study the influence of the CTAB layer on the modification of sensitivity of plasmonic resonances of a gold nanopshere to local refractive index changes.


Throughout history, many attempts have been made to construct femininity. Women were chained to their homes by various rituals, customs and traditions that acted as unwritten laws which must be complied with. The construction of femininity was the most intense in times of industrialisation when migration from the countryside to the city was at its height. Social relations became more complex, with private life in rural communities no longer being subject to an effective social control. The modernization and emergence of new roles and power centres during the late 19th century deprived women of even those rights that they had enjoyed until then. There were several ways in which they were restricted and their roles and social positions determined. The most important were those that were a result of discourses on femininity. In this article, we will concentrate on the ideologies of motherhood and their impact on early social services for women and single mothers. We will restrict ourselves to early 20th century Europe, when contemporary divisions into the east and west, the north and the south had not yet been in place. Although in many ways the constructions of reality have specific local features, feminist theory has shown that the ideologies of motherhood place women in similar positions in the most part of the world. This article will therefore adhere to the general overview that does not comprise specific dimensions of the construction of motherhood within different and specific cultural, social and political contexts.


The conductors on a printed wiring board can play a significant role in removing heat from electrical components. This paper describes a method of estimating the impact such conductors have on component temperatures. It provides a series of equations and charts for estimating the thermal resistance from one end of a conductor, through the major heat paths to the ambient. The analysis accounts for the effects of temperature gradients within the conductor and within the board. Curves of thermal resistance for typical printed wiring board conductors in a natural convection environment are given. An example problem is also given and the result, using the charts, is compared to the result obtained using a finite difference computer solution. Agreement from the two approaches is within 4 percent.


The DNA alkaline elution technique provides a sensitive assay for the effects of DNA-damaging drugs in mammalian cells. We have adapted this method to permit measurements of effects on DNA in solid tumors. Human colon carcinoma xenografts in nude mice were treated with a single i.p. injection of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea, and the effects on the DNA were followed for 19 hr. Drug doses in the pharmacological range produced significant reductions in DNA alkaline elution rates in assays in which X-ray was used to introduce a standard frequency of single-strand breaks. These changes in alkaline elution rate were attribute to the production of both DNA interstrand and DNA-protein cross-links, which were distinguished from each other on the basis of the extent to which the effect on elution could be reversed by proteinase K. Crosslinking increased for about 8 hr after treatment with little change thereafter up to 19 hr. A drug-resistant tumor line exhibited substantially less cross-linking than did a drug-sensitive line at all time points examined.


Twenty one years ago, copyright died. More accurately, it was killed. In 1996, in ProCD v. Zeidenberg, Judge Easterbrook, writing for the Seventh Circuit, held that a contract that restricted the use of factual information was not preempted by the Copyright Act and therefore enforceable. The reaction among copyright scholars was swift and passionate. In dozens of articles and books, spreading over two decades, scholars cautioned that if the ProCD approach is broadly adopted, the results would be dire. Through contracts, the rights of copyright owners would run amok, expand, and in doing so they would invade, shrink, and possibly destroy the public domain. Contracts, we were repeatedly warned throughout the years, would kill copyright law.
This Article challenges this scholarly consensus by studying the court opinions that have dealt with the copyright-contract conflict over the past four decades. This examination reveals surprising facts: notwithstanding the scholars' warnings, ProCD's approach won the day and was embraced by most federal circuit courts. The doomsday scenarios scholars warned against, however, did not materialize. The overall effect of contracts on the size and scope of the public domain, or over copyright law as a whole, seems minimal. The Article explains this discrepancy and shows that contracts are an ineffective tool to control information because they are too weak of a device to threaten or replace copyright law. Indeed, to paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of the death of copyright were greatly exaggerated.
The Article concludes by placing this analysis in context, as part of a broader ongoing discussion on the desirability and enforceability of standard-form agreements.


Remarkable progress has been made to date in the discovery of material binding peptides and their utilization in nanotechnology, which has brought new challenges and opportunities. Nowadays phage display is a versatile tool, important for the selection of ligands for proteins and peptides. This combinatorial approach has also been adapted over the past decade to select material-specific peptides. Screening and selection of such phage displayed material binding peptides has attracted great interest, in particular because of their use in nanotechnology. Phage display selected peptides are either synthesized independently or expressed on phage coat protein. Selected phage particles are subsequently utilized in the synthesis of nanoparticles, in the assembly of nanostructures on inorganic surfaces, and oriented protein immobilization as fusion partners of proteins. In this paper, we present an overview on the research conducted on this area. In this review we not only focus on the selection process, but also on molecular binding characterization and utilization of peptides as molecular linkers, molecular assemblers and material synthesizers.


Since the late 1990s by providing services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV many countries have made significant progress toward eliminating new HIV infections in children. The introduction and rollout of Option B+ was a contributing factor in these achievements and an important step toward achieving an AIDS-free generation. Nonetheless access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and retention in care remain challenges. Given the low levels of PMTCT service coverage many governments and development organizations are reaching out to nontraditional partners including the private for-profit sector community-based organizations (CBOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) to scale up and expand access to PMTCT services. This literature review compares PMTCT programs implemented by CSOs with those implemented by public sector providers and the private commercial sector in order to determine the relative cost-effectiveness of each facility ownership model.


This paper forms part of a wider project looking at the history of the legal treatment of cohabitants over the past 400 years. It begins with an examination of a set of cases often discussed under the umbrella of 'cohabitation contracts', and discusses how a contextual historical approach provides a different perspective on those cases. It then goes on to consider the legal approach to such arrangements, and the reasons, norms and assumptions that underpinned that approach. Finally, it discusses the relationship between law and behaviour – how far did the facts of these cases reflect the practice of the time?


Energy regenerative suspension can transform the shock energy produced in the driving process into electrical or hydraulic energy. This paper proposes a new hydraulic electromagnetic energy regenerative suspension design, and makes a comparison with the other two energy regenerative suspension designs by studying their structures and working principles, and makes an evaluation system by using fuzzy comprehensive judgment. According to the importance of the evaluating indexes, their subjective weights are gotten by using analytical hierarchy process (AHP); according to the performance statistics data, their objective weights are gotten by using entropy method; the general weights can be gotten from the subjective and the objective ones; and the evaluating value of suspension comprehensive performance can be calculated according to the general weights and the performance statistics data of evaluating indexes. The result reveals that the hydraulic electromagnetic energy regenerative suspension design has obvious advantages and is the most feasible design.


The present work is concerned with a phenomenon referred to as contextual cueing. In visual search, if a searched-for target object is consistently encountered within a stable spatial arrangement of distractor objects, detecting the target becomes more efficient over time, relative to non-repeated, random arrangements. This effect is attributed to learned target-distractor spatial associations stored in long-term memory, which expedite visual search. This Thesis investigates four aspects of contextual cueing:
Study 1 tackled the implicit-explicit debate of contextual cueing from a new perspective. Previous studies tested explicit access to learned displays by applying a recognition test, asking observers whether they have seen a given display in the previous search task. These tests, however, typically yield mixed findings and there is an on-going controversy whether contextual cueing can be described as an implicit or an explicit effect. The current study applied the new perspective of metacognition to contextual cueing and combined a contextual cueing task with metacognitive ratings about the clarity of the visual experience, either of the display configuration or the target stimulus. Bayesian analysis revealed that there was an effect of repeated context on metacognitive sensitivity for configuration, but not target, ratings. It was concluded that effects of contextual memory on metacognition are content-specific and lead to increased metacognitive access to the display configuration, but not to the target stimulus. The more general implication is that from the perspective of metacognition, contextual cueing can be considered as an explicit effect.
Study 2 aimed at testing how explicit knowledge affects memory-guided visual search. Two sets of search displays were shown to participants: explicit and implicit displays. Explicit displays were introduced prior to the search experiment, in a dedicated learning session, and observers should deliberately learn these displays. Implicit displays, on the other hand, were first shown in the search experiment and learning was incidental through repeated exposure to these displays. Contextual cueing arising from explicit and implicit displays was assessed relative to a baseline condition of non-repeated displays. The results showed a standard contextual cueing effect for explicit displays and, interestingly, a negative cueing effect for implicit displays. Recognition performance was above chance for both types of repeated displays; however, it was higher for explicit displays. This pattern of results confirmed – in part – the predictions of a single memory model of attention-moderated associative learning, in which different display types compete for behavior and explicit representations block the retrieval of implicit representations.
Study 3 investigates interactions between long-term contextual memory with short-term perceptual hypotheses. Both types of perceptual memory share high similarities with respect to their content, therefore the hypothesis was formulated that they share a common memory resource. In three experiments of interrupted search with repeated and non-repeated displays, it was shown that contextual cueing expedites performance in interrupted search; however, there was no interaction of contextual cueing with the generation or the confirmation of perceptual hypotheses. Rather, the analysis of fixational eye movements showed that long-term memory exerts its influence on search performance upon the first glance of a given display, essentially affecting the starting point of the search process. The behavior of approaching the target stimulus is then a product of generating and confirming perceptual hypotheses with these processes being unaffected by long-term contextual memory. It was concluded that long-term and short-term memory representations of the same search display are independent and exhibit additive effects on search performance.
Study 4 is concerned with the effects of reward on perceptual learning. It was argued that rewarding repeated displays in a contextual cueing paradigm leads to an acceleration of the learning effect; however, it was not considered whether reward also has an effect in non-repeated displays. In these displays, at least the target position is kept constant while distractor configurations are random across repetitions. Usually this is done in order to account for target position-specific probability learning in contextual cueing. However, it is possible that probability learning itself is modulated by reward. The current experiment introduced high or low reward to repeated and importantly, also non-repeated displays. It was shown that reward had a huge effect on non-repeated displays, indicating that rewarding certain target positions, irrespective of the distractor layout, facilitates RT performance. Interestingly, reward effects were even larger for non-repeated compared to repeated displays. It was concluded that reward has a strong effect on probability-, and not context learning.


This study used Rosen's methodology of deriving a marginal implicit price series from traditional hedonic modeling and then using this series to estimate a demand model. This procedure was applied to Kansas Hard Red Winter wheat protein. Results were mixed. Own-district protein level was not economically significant; however, an increase in other Kansas district's protein level and the North Dakota Hard Red Spring protein level may have a slight economic impact on own-district protein premium. The results of this study indicate that new varieties of wheat developed that increase protein content without loss of yield and that are regional specific can impact the price or wheat in other areas.


When analyzing options returns, most papers tend to focus on the expected and realized return from strategies where the investors are long on those financial instruments. We conduct a test searching for excess returns on passive options investment strategies resorting to a four factor model, evaluating the case of an investor who launches options and evaluates returns to the light of capital invested in the form of margins requirement. The main point of our research work is to continue the line of research where we evaluate options returns using the metrics with respect to margin requirements. We find that there are excess returns not explained by the four factor model, which in turn may indicate the strategy generates extra returns, or that the investor going short on options provides insurance to events not captured by the traditional models.


In order to empirically verify the impact of public debt on economic growth we have chosen an empirical model that is based on a conditional convergence equation that relates the GDP per capita growth rate to the level of income per capita and the savings as a percentage of the GDP. We are checking the non-linear impact of government debt on the economic growth of a country. We have chosen a sample of 9 Western Balkan countries, namely, Albania, Bosnia - Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia. We find that public debt has a negative effect on the economic growth, yet, this effect is dependent on the cost of debt. If the debt is used to create jobs that will eventually stimulate consumption, then the capital repayment and the interest costs will most probably not jeopardize the economic situation or increase the taxes to repay the debt. Additionally, if the growth of the real interest rate of debt is higher than the real GDP growth, this will lead to the increase of the debt/GDP ratio.


U.S. consumption of fresh tomatoes has been increasing steadily over the last 10 years despite a recent declining trend in domestic production (USDA-NASS 2015). The international market plays a key role in meeting U.S. consumers' demand for fresh tomatoes. Over the last ten years, in volume terms, U.S. imports accounted for about 50% of the U.S. consumption (USITC DataWeb, 2015). Our U.S. NAFTA partners are our main markets for fresh-tomatoes. Unlike previous studies, this study analyzes the U.S. principal supply sources of five tomato cultivars (greenhouse, cherry, grape, Roma, and other) and estimates a source-differentiated almost ideal demand system (SAIDS). The study explores if U.S. consumers' preferences for these five tomato varieties are heterogeneous and if source of origin is an intrinsic quality attribute. Source-differentiated Marshallian and Hicksian price and expenditure elasticities are estimated and compared to source-undifferentiated and aggregated estimates. The elasticity estimates reported in this study could be useful to decision makers in establishing U.S. fresh-tomatoes import taxes and price floors, and may also assist growers in monitoring imports and implementing relevant marketing strategies. The elasticity estimates can also be used to project likely import scenarios among our NAFTA partners.


Purpose: the purpose of the study was to increase the validity of the indicator of asymmetry in the frontal plane of the body in relation to the prevention of scoliosis in first graders.

Material & Methods: thirty-four students aged six to seven years – 18 boys (with body length and weight M±SD=118,9±2.1 cm; 21,6±1,1 kg) and 16 girls (118,2±1,8 cm, 21,2±0,9 kg) were randomly divided into the main group and the comparison group. In addition to standard physical education lessons, students of the main group completed a program of physical rehabilitation in order to prevent the development of posture asymmetry. At the beginning (September) and the end of the academic year (May), the students were measuring the curvature of the spine in the frontal plane according to the Moshkov test and bending to the sides.

Results: in addition to the well-known model of the Moshkov rhombus, the asymmetry of the students' bodies was determined using an improved indicator equal to half the sum of the absolute values of the differences in the lengths of the upper and lower sides of the Moshkov rhombus. There was no statistically significant difference between the boys, both according to the results of the Moshkov test (δ=0,3%; p=0,512), and according to the results of bending to the sides (δ=1,4%; р=0,379). At the beginning of the academic year, the value of the asymmetry indicator in the main group was practically equal to the corresponding value in the comparison group (δ=2,2%; р=0,815). At the end of the academic year, the value of the indicator in the main group was significantly less than its value in the comparison group. (δ=32,8%; р=0,031).

Conclusions: the indicator of asymmetry in the frontal plane of the body proposed in this work, due to taking into account the magnitude of the curvature of both the upper and lower parts of the spine, made it possible to obtain a significantly higher validity (p=0,02) compared to the well-known indicator of the Moshkov rhombus, which in one parts of the spine – upper or lower (р=0,05).


The photocatalytic decolorizing of Brilliant green was carried out in the presence of semiconducting lead chromate and the progress of the reaction was observed spectrophotometrically. The effects of various operating variables like pH, concentration of dyes, amount of semiconductor and light intensity on the rate of bleaching was observed. A tentative mechanism has been proposed for the photocatalytic degradation of Brilliant green.


Have you ever wondered how birds flock or forest fires spread? For thousands of years people - from DaVinci to Einstein - have created models to help them better understand patterns and processes in the world around them. Computers make it easier for novices to build and explore their own models - and learn new scientific ideas in the process. Adventures in Modeling introduces you and your students to designing, creating, and investigating models in StarLogo. Computer modeling, the use of computer programs to simulate complex, dynamic systems or events (like population growth or environmental conservation), is a powerful learning tool that is finding a rapidly growing audience among teachers in middle and high school science and mathematics classes, especially since the NCTM Standards 2000 advocates its use in the curriculum. This valuable resource: Provides educators with a rich and accessible introduction to the use of computer modeling in the classroom using the popular StarLogo computer programming language; Takes readers step-by-step through the process of using computer models to simulate complex relationships; Shows how and why computer modeling can lead to powerful and enduring learning outcomes for all students. Provides explicit links between various state and national math and science content standards and the use of computer models, to enable educators to see how this work may enhance standards-based instruction; As computer use gains in currency and value in the middle and high school classroom, Adventures in Modeling will give teachers and students a very effective way to build curiosity and boost learning outcomes in a standards-based curriculum.


We present a review of modern optical techniques being used and developed for the field of gravitational wave detection. We describe the current state-of-the-art of gravitational waves detector technologies with regard to optical layouts, suspensions and test masses. We discuss the dominant sources and noise in each of these subsystems and the developments that will help mitigate them for future generations of detectors. We very briefly summarise some of the novel astrophysics that will be possible with these upgraded detectors.


This paper proposes a new fusion method for multiespectral (MULTI) and panchromatic (PAN) images that uses a highly anisotropic and redundant representation of images. This methodology join the simplicity of the Wavelet transform, calculated using the à trous algorithm, with the benefits of multidirectional transforms like Contourlet Transform. That has permitted an adequate extraction of information from the source images, in order to obtain fused images with high spatial and spectral quality simultaneously. The new method has been implemented through a directional low pass filter bank with low computational complexity. The source images correspond to those captured by the IKONOS satellite (panchromatic and multispectral). The influence of the filter bank parameters in the global quality of the fused images has been investigated. The results obtained indicate that the proposed methodology provides an objective control of the spatial and spectral quality trade-off of the fused images by the determination of an appropriate set of filter bank parameters.


This article provides a brief (non-exhaustive) overview of some possibilities for recreating fundamental effects which are relevant for black holes (and other gravitational scenarios) in the laboratory. Via suitable condensed matter analogues and other laboratory systems, it might be possible to model the Penrose process (superradiant scattering), the Unruh effect, Hawking radiation, the Eardley instability, black-hole lasers, cosmological particle creation, the Gibbons-Hawking effect, and the Schwinger mechanism. Apart from an experimental verification of these yet unobserved phenomena, the study of these laboratory systems might shed light onto the underlying ideas and problems and should therefore be interesting from a (quantum) gravity point of view as well.


The books reviewed in this section explore feminist politics in a global frame. These will include writings in feminist international relations, but will also feature multi-disciplinary scholarship pertaining to global gender relations. The reviews section comprises three distinct elements: a think-piece, review essays and book reviews. The think-piece, entitled 'Rethinking the Canon', gives space for an individual to reflect on one text that they feel ought to be essential reading, but which is likely to be marginalized by existing disciplinary boundaries: they are invited to bring the text to our attention and explain why it is essential reading. The review essays will survey several texts on a single theme, aiming either to explore a recent debate that has generated a range of new publications or to survey the best of the literature covering a more established area of research. The book reviews will provide brief introductions to and evaluations of as broad a range of new publications as space allows. Anyone with suggestions for texts to be reviewed, or requests to contribute to the section, are encouraged to contact the Reviews Editor, Judith Squires on firstname.lastname@example.com