The study of hand kinematics has developed into an important research area. Several
techniques have been proposed for recording hand movements, however the majority
suffer from poor accuracy and limited functionality. To overcome these limitations,
this research aims to develop a novel goniometric sensor for tracking articulated hand
motion.
This research is the first attempt to use Malus' law as a sensing principle for monitoring
human hand kinematics. Three distinct electro-optical sensors (sensor#1, sensor#2,
and sensor#3) with compact configurations are developed. They are coupled with the
rotation of the finger joints and detect angular motion by analysing the attenuation of
light transmitted through linear polarising films.
The three goniometric sensors are designed with different measurement capabilities
to suit different types of finger articulation. Sensor#1 has a single rotation axis and a
measuring range of 0◦ to 90◦, which can be used for the distal interphalangeal joints.
Sensor#2 can measure the movements spanning 180◦ with an improved sensitivity in a
single plane; this is ideal for the proximal interphalangeal joints. Sensor#3 consists of
two measurement axes, each having a measurement range up to 180◦. These properties
make sensor#3 suitable for monitoring the finger joints with two degrees of freedom
(DOFs), e.g. the metacarpophalangeal joints; this is unique in designing a single sensor
for monitoring the two-DOF finger joints.
In comparison with a commonly used commercial bend sensor, the electro-optical
sensors demonstrate higher measurement accuracy (mean absolute error: ≤0.28◦)
and faster response time under laboratory conditions. Furthermore, the developed
sensors all successfully tracked the dynamic finger motion when attached to human
finger joints. This work verifies that the developed electro-optical sensors offer a viable
sensing technique for tracking articulated human motion directly with high measurement
accuracy.


Phosphorus (P) is an essential plant nutrient, but its availability is often limited in soil. Here, we studied changes in the transcriptome and in nutrient element concentrations in leaves and roots of poplars (Populus × canescens) in response to P deficiency. P starvation resulted in decreased concentrations of S and major cations (K, Mg, Ca), in increased concentrations of N, Zn and Al, while C, Fe and Mn were only little affected. In roots and leaves >4,000 and >9,000 genes were differently expressed upon P starvation. These genes clustered in eleven co-expression modules of which seven were correlated with distinct elements in the plant tissues. One module (4.7% of all differentially expressed genes) was strongly correlated with changes in the P concentration in the plant. In this module the GO term "response to P starvation" was enriched with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinases, phosphatases and pyrophosphatases as well as regulatory domains such as SPX, but no phosphate transporters. The P-related module was also enriched in genes of the functional category "galactolipid synthesis". Galactolipids substitute phospholipids in membranes under P limitation. Two modules, one correlated with C and N and the other with biomass, S and Mg, were connected with the P-related module by co-expression. In these modules GO terms indicating "DNA modification" and "cell division" as well as "defense" and "RNA modification" and "signaling" were enriched; they contained phosphate transporters. Bark storage proteins were among the most strongly upregulated genes in the growth-related module suggesting that N, which could not be used for growth, accumulated in typical storage compounds. In conclusion, weighted gene coexpression network analysis revealed a hierarchical structure of gene clusters, which separated phosphate starvation responses correlated with P tissue concentrations from other gene modules, which most likely represented transcriptional adjustments related to down-stream nutritional changes and stress.


Orientation is a technique by which a new employee is rehabilitated when joining an organization and introduced to its practices, policies, purposes and predominance
expectations. The objectives were thus, to investigate on the methodologies used for the orientation/induction programme, to examine the effects of orientation/induction
on the employees' predominance and to identify the factors affecting effective orientation/induction programme and proposing measures to curb them. The study ought to come up with some measures to improve the orientation/induction in public service organizations. A case study approach was used to collect data. The unit of enquiry was employees
working with Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO). The findings of this study revealed that orientation/induction was conducted but it had not been given due attention in the public organizations in Tanzania. There was very much appreciation of improved predominance of employees due to orientation. Methods
used during the orientation process had positive influence over new employees' start up in the organization. In order to improve the orientation programme it was recommended that; for orientation process to be effective must involve human resource and line departments' staff both of whom need to undergo training on how to conduct it. The methods used should be objective so as to bring the intended impact to public organization's human resource capacity


Competent elastic fibers are critical to the function of the lung and right circulation. Murine models of elastopathies can aid in understanding functional roles of the elastin and elastin-associated glycoproteins that constitute elastic fibers. Here, we quantify together lung and pulmonary arterial structure, function, and mechanics with right heart function in a mouse model deficient in the elastin-associated glycoprotein fibulin-5. Differences emerged as a function of genotype, sex, and arterial region. Specifically, functional studies revealed increased lung compliance in fibulin-5 deficiency consistent with histologically observed increased alveolar disruption. Biaxial mechanical tests revealed that the primary branch pulmonary arteries exhibit decreased elastic energy storage capacity and wall stress despite only modest differences in circumferential and axial material stiffness in the fibulin-5 deficient mice. Histological quantifications confirm a lower elastic fiber content in the fibulin-5 deficient pulmonary arteries, with fragmented elastic laminae in the outer part of the wall - likely the reason for reduced energy storage. Ultrasound measurements confirm sex differences in compromised right ventricular function in the fibulin-5 deficient mice. These results reveal compromised right heart function, but opposite effects of elastic fiber dysfunction on the lung parenchyma (significantly increased compliance) and pulmonary arteries (trend toward decreased distensibility) and call for further probing of ventilation-perfusion relationships in pulmonary pathologies. Amongst many other models, fibulin-5 deficient mice can contribute to our understanding of complex roles of elastin in pulmonary health and disease.


To deal with the problems of complicated process, difficult operation and low efficiency for large-scale complex products assembly, a new immersive virtual environment (VE) with virtual reality (VR) technology is built in the process of assembly planning and training. The environment is composed of a free walk machine and spherical screen projection system. In this paper, a free walk machine with movement perception function is developed to achieve natural human-computer interaction. And an approach based on two viewpoints match is adopted to improve immersive effect of stereo projection in the projection system. On the basis of that, a geometry calibration method based on Bicubic NURBS(Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) surface matching target-controlled dot-matrix is proposed to achieve non-distorted image on spherical screen. Finally, the environment is applied in the process of satellite assembly process planning, and the display result shows that the VE development is feasible and valuable.


The generally flat landscape of the Memphis, TN, area hides a fascinating geologic history. Cambrian rifting resulted in the concealed faults of the Reelfoot rift, currently the active component of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, lying immediately northwest of the city. Memphis also sits within the Mississippi Embayment. Subsidence of the embayment brought about deposition of the thick Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic sedimentary sequence underlying the city. This sequence provides one of the finest groundwater aquifers in the world, the Memphis Sand. Pliocene ancestral Ohio River alluvium (Upland Complex) is an excellent source of sand and gravel for the region. Plio-Pleistocene fluvial degradation by the Mississippi River and its tributaries, in addition to deposition of Pleistocene loess sheets, have produced the subtle topography of Memphis and Shelby County. Memphis geology makes geotechnical engineering design challenging because loess is highly sensitive to disturbance. Exploratory sampling techniques tend to cause disturbance to loess during sampling and sample extraction. Thus, conventional sampling techniques yield variable engineering property test results (e.g., strength and compressibility). The city of Memphis and Shelby County have together become a major commodities distribution center for the United States, North America, and the global economy. The principal natural hazards are the frequent severe weather and the prospect of a repeat of the >7M 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes. These unavoidable exposures to severe weather, urban and riverine flooding, and earthquakes combined with social conditions tend to amplify the consequences of hazard events.


Summary Microarray technology produces vast amounts of data by measuring simultaneously the expression levels of thousands of genes under hundreds of biological conditions. Nowadays, one of the principal challenges in bioinformatics is the interpretation of this large amount of data using different sources of information. We have developed a novel data analysis method named CGGA (Co-expressed Gene Groups Analysis) that automatically finds groups of genes that are functionally enriched, i.e. have the same functional annotations, and are co-expressed. CGGA automatically integrates the information of microarrays, i.e. gene expression profiles, with the functional annotations of the genes obtained by the genome-wide information sources such as Gene Ontology. By applying CGGA to wellknown microarray experiments, we have identified the principal functionally enriched and co-expressed gene groups, and we have shown that this approach enhances and accelerates the interpretation of DNA microarray experiments.


Jordan has experienced a substantial influx of refugees from Syria since 2011. The Jordanian government and the international community have expended significant resources to address the urgent humanitarian needs of these refugees and to mitigate negative impacts on the Jordanian population. Although several data sources describe the number and characteristics of Syrians in Jordan, a systematic comparison of the similarities and differences among the data sources has not been made. This chapter seeks to fill this gap using several data sources: the Jordan Population Census of 2015, the UNHCR registration database as of 2016, the Ministry of Education Management Information System of 2016/2017, and the Jordan Labor Market Panel Survey of 2016. It examines the number of Syrians in Jordan and their characteristics, including registration status, geographic and age distribution, and children's enrollment status.


In my dissertation, I examine intraorganizational social networks and their antecedents and consequences. The first paper, jointly authored with Michael Tushman, is a theoretical discussion of the role of social networks in inter-divisional coordination. Most large organizations fail to develop new businesses that combine resources from disparate parts of the firm. I define and explore a brand of corporate entrepreneurship based on interdependent innovation - the deliberate creation of interdependence between autonomous divisions of multi-business firms to create new products. I argue that interdependent innovation is difficult because the social structures that promote exploration of new possibilities are inconsistent with the social structures needed to successfully execute interdependent innovation; I suggest that senior leadership plays a crucial role in transitioning the organization between different network structures.Empirically, there are at least two methodological hurdles to researching the complex interaction between formal structure and social structure in contributing to organizational outcomes. First, the kind and quality of data that have typically been collected to conduct network analysis are inadequate; and second, there is a paucity of research that accounts for the embeddedness of the informal structure in the formal. In the second dissertation paper, I begin to resolve these two issues. I argue for data collection methods relying on electronic communication archives (e.g., e-mail) for network analysis. I also empirically develop novel measures that use this data to quantify the social structural relationships between formal divisions; in doing so, I explicitly embed informal structure within formal structure in novel ways.The third dissertation paper, jointly authored with Toby Stuart and Michael Tushman, is an empirical study of the pattern of communications - and, by extension, the coordination that it enables - in a modern organization. We analyze a dataset with more than 100 million electronic mail messages, calendar meetings and teleconferences for a sample of more than 30,000 employees of a single, multidivisional firm. In dyad-level models of the probability that pairs of individuals communicate, we find very large effects of spatial proximity and formal organizational structure on the rate of communication; homophily effects based on gender, organizational tenure, and salary levels are much weaker.


. For UCM cold rolling mill, the intermediate roll shifting can enhance the ability of mill for better flatness control, but it will increase the non-uniform distribution of pressure between rolls, as result of a reduced roll life. In order to improve the contact state among rolls in rolling processes and to slow down the roll wear, the distribution of pressure between rolls under different forms of roll bending control has been calculated and analyzed by the influence function method in this paper. For the purpose of obtaining comprehensive information, not only the distributions of pressure between rolls with traditional work roll symmetrical bending and intermediate roll symmetrical bending have been analyzed, but also the distributions of pressure between rolls with non-symmetrical roll bending have been analyzed. All the analyses show that the work roll non-symmetrical bending as well as the intermediate roll non-symmetrical bending can play an important role in the slowing down of roll wear.


In previous work (c.f. Spector and Hendler, 1993), we have described a simulated household cleaning domain, with a simulated robot agent which performs cleaning tasks. Although this agent didn't vaccuum the floor, it was proposed for doing tasks such as putting dirty socks into the hamper, cleaning up spills, and even putting out a fire in the kitchen. The simulator divided the apartment into over twenty thousand spatial units, and sensing and effecting were based on these. Thus, the robot could only see what was in a projected cone of vision, could only move things it could reach, etc. Although a "robot" was used as the domain for this work, and although the simulation was more complex than most AI micro-worlds, the simulator didn't map well to real robotics. Although this was a fine domain for AI planning research, it's assumptions were unrealistic for real robotics work -sensors were assumed to be perfect, effectors had little or no error, and the robot's perceptions were "symbolic." Our claims that someday a reactive substrate on a real robot might provide something of this sort were not well received by the AI-based mobile robotics people. As one researcher 1 put it,


Given that application of the principle with full loss offset to all assets is impracticable, we may wish to consider provision of only a partial inflation-exclusion to assets for which it is feasible. The problem is examined in this paper by means of a simple model of anticipated inflation, in which individuals may invest either in assets for which full or partial inflation-exclusion is provided, or in cash, for which no loss offset is allowed. Among other issues, we shall examine the short and long run effects of taxation and of the provision of an inflation deduction on the rate of inflation and on the level of savings. We do not discuss the long-run optimum tax and deduction rates, because it turns out that for a given tax revenue, these instruments are perfect substitutes, i.e. their relative size does not affect the equilibrium configuration.


Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR) plays a crucial role in either thymic t-Treg differentiation and expansion, or peripheral p-Treg expansion, thus representing a potential tool to contrast the autoimmune process. AgMc are usually intended to constitute an immunobarrier to prevent rejection of the embodied islet/insulin producing cell grafts in T1D. We aimed to reverse this principle, and engineered the AgMc membranes, in order to make them permeable to outflowing rat anti-mouse GITR IgM MAb, derived from microencapsulated rat G3C hybridoma cells. To this end, we changed our AgMc original formulation to obtain thicker and looser membranes. We observed intra-AgMc IgM retention and their progressive release into the culture medium in vitro. Prediabetic NOD mice were divided into two groups: (1) n=20, received graft (TX) of G3C containing microcapsules; (2) n=10 received TX of empty microcapsules. Both (1) and (2) were monitored for the onset of DM. BG in basal and after IPGTT, morphological, immuno-molecular, and cell immuno-phenotyping testing, as well as G3C plasma levels assay in (1) were performed. In (2): 5/10 animals developed DM within 70d; in (1) no animals developed DM at 180 of TX. In the spleen of G3C-AgMc-treated mice either CD4+FoxP3+GITRbright, or CD4+CD25-GITR(sp), or CD8+CD25+GITRlowFoxP3+, or CD8+CD25-GITRintFoxP3+ Tregs significantly increased from 4 week of TX as compared to controls. Pancreatic histology at 26 week of TX was associated with either completely destroyed islets (1) or intact islets with minor insulitis (2). Significant diabetes-free time of (1) vs. (2) may relate to increase of islet B-cell specific Tregs, expanded by G3C-released MAb, and antigenic stimulation, at early stage of the autoimmune disease process. In conclusion, the newly engineered AgMc, by permitting GITR triggering by anti-GITR IgM, may represent a new approach to expand Tregs and inhibit Teff, and to avert the onset of autoimmune DM in NOD mice. Disclosure R. Calafiore: None. P. Montanucci: None. G.P. Basta: None. G. Nocentini: None. T. Pescara: None. C. Riccardi: None.


With the rapid transformation of the energy sector towards modern power systems represented by smart grids (SGs), microgrids (MG), and distributed generation, blockchain (BC) technology has shown the capability for solving security, privacy, and reliability challenges that hinder progress. Currently, the energy structure is forming a decentralized system that prioritizes customer satisfaction. BC technology undertakes power network stockholders in a secure energy market, transparent transactions, and fair competition and offers promising energy solutions. This paper is a comprehensive review of energy applications using BC integration. Firstly, we introduce the drivers of BC leverage that make it a potentially important component of the power network. Following that, we provide background information on BC and its application in areas other than the energy sector. Subsequently, we discuss studies and sort potential energy applications from various recent papers and surveys that have already adopted BC technology in the energy sector. Then, we summarize the pricing infrastructure for applying BC in the energy sector and identify the requirements to build it. Finally, energy security and privacy challenges based on BC are highlighted, along with potential drawbacks and concerns related to the pricing infrastructure.


Policy experts routinely assert that U.S. "leadership" in international affairs provides essential protection to the global economy; scholars uphold the same argument as part of the proposed grand strategy of "deep engagement." Specifically, they argue that the strongest power in the world needs to police the global commons and to tamp down global violence to enable trade and investment to flow. However, careful reasoning and a review of key historical evidence undermines the claim that military primacy provides vital support to commerce. While most merchants and investors prefer peace to war, they do not stop their pursuit of wealth when war breaks out. Instead, they adapt. So while belligerents suffer terrible economic consequences from war's direct destruction of productive capacity, from the negative incentive effects of higher government taxes and borrowing to pay for the war, and from the diversion of effort into making products for fighting rather than for consumption and investment, wars merely reshuffle trade and investment patterns in the rest of the world. They also yield some stimulus as belligerents pay high prices to import from neutrals. Commerce flows through the commons and even into war zones, despite political-military instability. Consequently, powerful countries should not attribute economic benefits to activist military policies; they will enjoy trade and investment whether they assert their power or not.


We study whether spin-independent scattering of weakly-interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with nuclei can account for the annual modulation signal reported by DAMA. We consider both elastic and inelastic scattering processes. We find that there is a region of WIMP parameter space which can simultaneously accommodate DAMA and the null results of CDMS, CRESST, and XENON. This region corresponds to an ordinary, elastically-scattering WIMP with a standard Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, a mass 3 GeV < m_{DM} <8 GeV, and a spin-independent cross section with nucleons 3 \times 10^{-41} cm^2 < \sigma_p^{SI} < 5 \times 10^{-39} cm^2. This new region of parameter space depends crucially on the recently discovered effect of channeling on the energy threshold for WIMP detection in the DAMA experiment; without the inclusion of this effect, the DAMA allowed region is essentially closed by null experiments. Such low-mass WIMPs arise in many theories of Beyond the Standard Model physics, from minimal extensions of the MSSM to solutions of the baryon-dark matter coincidence problem. We find that inelastic scattering channels do not open up a significant parameter region consistent with all experimental results. Future experiments with low energy thresholds for detecting nuclear recoils, such as CDMSII-Si and those utilizing ultra-low energy germanium detectors, will be able to probe the DAMA region of parameter space.


Previous studies on the relationship between income and mental health focus on lottery winners and find that positive income shocks may improve mental health. We focus on low-wage earners, who have a higher propensity of experiencing mental health problems, and exploit the policy experiment provided by the introduction of the 1999 UK minimum wage to identify the impact of a wage increase on mental health. Combining matching techniques with a series of difference-in-differences models we find that the minimum wage had only limited short-run effects on the mental health of those affected by the minimum wage. Our estimates do not appear to support earlier findings that indicate that monetary shocks improve an individual's mental health. Several robustness checks controlling for measurement error and treatment and control group composition appear to confirm our main results. Our findings suggest that policies aimed at improving the mental health of low-wage earners should consider either the non-wage characteristics of employment or larger wage increases.


Fouling and corrosion are probably the major engineering problems in process plants and in heat exchanger design and operation. Fouling is the formation of undesired deposits on heat transfer surfaces and corrosion is the deterioration and loss of material. The occurrence of these processes has strong adverse effects on the performance of heat exchangers and operating plants. In the present work, the influence of surface properties (surface free energy & surface roughness) on crystallisation fouling, biological fouling, wax deposition and corrosion has been investigated. In order to carry out the experimental investigations on crystallisation and biological fouling, the surfaces of several pairs of Alfa Laval M3 stainless steel heat exchanger plates have been modified. The experiments for the investigation on paraffin deposition on modified surfaces have been carried out using stainless steel tubes with various surface modifications, to change surface energy and roughness. The corrosion tests have been performed with modified carbon steel specimens. Test samples have been treated using different surface treatment technologies, namely ion beam implantation, magnetron & arc ion sputtering, carbo-nitriding & oxidising, electroplating, chemical vapour deposition, commercial coatings and Ni-P-PTFE coating. These treatment techniques have been used for the reduction of the surface free energy of the test surfaces. Two pairs of plates have been pickled and electropolished in order to achieve rougher and smoother surface conditions compared to the untreated plates. The surface free energy of the treated surfaces was calculated from dynamically measured advancing contact angles using the sessile drop method. For the 'high energy' surfaces (untreated, pickled, sand blasted, sanded and electropolished), a two-liquid method was applied using two different n-alcanes and water as test liquids. In case of 'low energy' surfaces (ion implanted, sputtered, carbo-nitrated & oxidised and Ni-P-PTFE coated), the contact angles were determined with a one-liquid method. Water, benzyl alcohol and ethylene glycol were used as test liquids, and air represented the embedding phase. Flow simulations in 3-dimensional heat exchanger ducts were performed, using a commercial CFD package. The objective was the prediction of local flow patterns; temperature distribution, pressure drop as well as local heat transfer coefficients and wall shear forces. Laminar and turbulent simulations with heat transfer were carried out for the corrugated section of plate heat exchanger ducts. The flow velocity was varied in the range from Re=1000 to Re=3000. The RNG k-E model was chosen for the turbulent simulations, because of its capability to solve complex swirling flows even at low Reynolds numbers. Periodic boundary conditions were applied to produce a fully developed flow in the computational domain. The simulations of turbulent flow in corrugated ducts with two different corrugation angles, namely 30°/30° and 60°/60° have shown that the flow conditions in the wake of the contact point cause vortex formation leading to re-circulation zones. Additionally stagnant zones around the contact point could be seen. Around the contact points high temperatures caused by heat accumulation were predicted. Since high temperature and low flow velocities are two criteria necessary for fouling to occur, the prevailing flow conditions are responsible for the risk of deposition due to CaSO4 crystallisation. Two new designs of plate corrugation were developed. The plates with asymmetrical corrugations have a corrugation angle of 60°/60°. The difference compared with a conventional Alfa Laval M3 duct (60°/60°) is that the sinusoidal wave is a combination of two different wavelengths leading to an asymmetrical shape of the corrugation. The comparison of pressure drop showed that the new design caused a higher pressure drop due to the strong vortex formation. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).


What can computer simulation contribute to the social sciences? Which of the many approaches to simulation would be best for my social science project? How do I design, carry out and analyse the results from a computer simulation? This is a practical textbook on the techniques of building computer simulations to assist understanding of social and economic issues and problems. Interest in social simulation has been growing rapidly worldwide as a result of increasingly powerful hardware and software and also a rising interest in the application of ideas of complexity, evolution, adaptation and chaos in the social sciences. This authoritative book details all the common approaches to social simulation, to provide social scientists with an appreciation of the literature and allow those with some programming skills to create their own simulations.New for this edition is a chapter on how to use simulation as a tool. A new chapter on multi-agent systems has also been added to support the fact that multi-agent modelling has become the preferred approach to simulation. Social scientists in a wide range of fields will find this book an essential tool for research, particularly in sociology, economics, anthropology, geography, organizational theory, political science, social policy, cognitive psychology and cognitive science. It will also appeal to computer scientists interested in distributed artificial intelligence, multi-agent systems and agent technologies.


Latino male bisexuality has been studied for the most part with a focus on men who have sex with men (MSM) and with little attention to sexual desire. The goal of this article is to present a comprehensive understanding of how sexual desire is organized, enacted through sexual activity, and interpreted in the sexual lives of bisexually-active Latino men. To achieve this aim, an analysis was made of 18 sexual histories of bisexually active Latino men who participated in a two-year ethnographic study. Four configurations of sexual desire were constructed to reflect what was found in this population of bisexually-active Latino men: (a) lifetime homoerotic desire and casual sex with women; (b) lifetime heteroerotic desire, but commercial sex with men; (c) lifetime heteroerotic/transgender desire; (d) lifetime sexual desire for women and men. These configurations are explored in detail in this article. The analysis presented here is intended to offer insights into the overall study of Latino male bisexuality and into the foundations for the design of HIV and STI prevention programs directed toward bisexually-active Latino men and their partners.


The effort to understand Sunnah by linking the function of Prophet Muhammad has done many times by a number of ulama, and one of them is Mahmud Syaltut, who classified Sunnah into sunnah tasyri' dan sunnah ghairu tasyri'. Even he is the first person who uses such a term, and devides sunnah tasyri' into tasyri' 'amm dan tasyri' khas. Sunnah tasyri' is a sunnah which is the consequence of syariah law which tie and should be done by all moslems in every period, place, and situation. Whereas sunnah ghairu tasyri' is sunnah which is not the consequence of syariah law which does not tie, so that the implementation can be matched with the situation and concition where such a sunnah is implemented. Included to sunnah ghairu tasyri' is sunnah in context of human management in anticipating certain condition, like the division of group to be placed in battle posts, managing the rank in a battle, in military shelter barrack, the stride to attack or retreat, choosing the place and stategy for the defense, and another policy based on certain situation and condition. Those factors are not the matter of syariah which has relationship to be done or left yet the matter of usual human. The attitude and action of Messenger for those matters are not believed as the law or the source of the law. While sunnah as tasyri' 'amm is all sunnah which is from the prophet in form of tabligh in his capacity as Messenger. For example, explaining the verse which is global, specifying general wording, limiting absolute wording, explaining the matters about worship, lawful, unlawful, and moral, or cases related to those matters. All of them is universal sunnah tasyri' until the hereafter. If the law is in form of prohibition, so automatically all people should keep away from it. It is impossible for someone to understand it without deep knowledge. While sunnah as tasyri' khass included sunnah which is from the Prophet as statesman and leader of moslems. For example, sending the troops at war, using the property of baitul mal well, collecting the property of baitul mal from certain sources, inaugurating the judges and officials, sharing the spoils of war, making treaty, etc which is included the duty of statesman and generral management for the benefit of citizens


Treatment of bacterial cultures with chelating agents such as 2,2'-dipyridyl (DPD) induces expression of iron-regulated genes. It is known that in the gamma-Proteobacteria, the Fur protein is the major regulator of genes encoding haem- or haemoglobin-binding proteins. Electrophoretic analysis of outer-membrane proteins of the gamma-proteobacterium Pasteurella multocida has revealed the induction of two proteins of 60 and 40 kDa in DPD-treated cultures in both wild-type and fur-defective strains. These two proteins have the same N-terminal amino acid sequence, which identifies this protein as the product of the PM0592 ORF. Analysis of the sequence of this ORF, which encodes a protein of 60 kDa, revealed the presence of a hexanucleotide (AAAAAA) at which a programmed translational frameshift can occur giving rise to a 40 kDa protein. Analyses conducted in Escherichia coli, using the complete PM0592 ORF and a derivative truncated at the hexanucleotide position, have shown that both polypeptides bind haemin. For this reason, the PM0592 ORF product has been designated HbpA (for haemin-binding protein). Expression studies using both RT-PCR and lacZ fusions, as well as electrophoretic profiles of outer-membrane protein composition, have demonstrated that the hbpA gene is negatively regulated by iron, manganese and haemin through a fur-independent pathway. Despite the fact that serum of mice infected with P. multocida contained antibodies that reacted with both the 60 and 40 kDa products of the hbpA gene, these proteins did not offer protection when used in immunization assays against this micro-organism.


Early stages of B cell development occur in the bone marrow, resulting in formation of immature B cells. From there these immature cells migrate to the spleen where they differentiate to mature cells. This final maturation step is crucial for the B cells to become responsive to antigens and to participate in the immune response. Recently, invariant chain (Ii), a major histocompatibility complex class II chaperone, as well as the transcription factors c-Rel and p65/RelA, were found to play a role in the final antigen-independent differentiation stage of B cells in the spleen. In this study, we investigated a possible link between Ii-dependent B cell maturation and the NF-κB pathway. Our studies indicate that Ii-induced B cell maturation involves activation of transcription mediated by the NF-κB p65/RelA homodimer and requires the B cell-enriched coactivator TBP-associated factorII105.


These papers present the implementations of measurements system of distance with infrared sensors and programmable logical dispositive for application of building environments maps. Shows obtained results from infrared sensors and
utilization of differents technological basis microcontroller and FPGAS, working shincronized


The focus of my research is an agent-based system for optimizing spatial arrangements of plants on a landscape to maximize their growth and minimize their water use. The optimization criteria include a natural phenomenon known as facilitation, which is observed in water-scarce environments when larger shrubs serve as benefactors to smaller annuals by generating conditions that protect them from harsh afternoon sun. In my modeling and optimization system each plant is an agent with growth requirements. A plant agent's fitness at a given location is defined by a fitness function that includes those growth requirements and a penalty term designed to force facilitation. The landscape design is formulated as a combinatorial optimization problem with a discrete set of locations for each plant on a grid, a fixed number of plants, and a fitness function that defines the performance of a plant at a location. To evaluate the effectiveness of this approach, I applied a variety of search strategies, including simulated annealing and a new agent-based approach that mimics how plant communities evolve over time, to different collections of simulated plant types and landscapes and compared the fitness scores and spatial arrangments in the solutions. The fitness scores from the search strategies were comparable. The search strategies produced different spatial distributions of the larger plants, and all designs exhibited facilitation and lower water use.


Production performance and economic efficiencies of broiler of Cobb 500, cockerel of ISA Brown, Fayoumi, and RIR (Rhode Island Red) and Sonali (derived from RIR♂ × Fayoumi♀) available in Rajshahi were investigated. Identical care and management practices were provided to chickens of all genetic groups reared for meat and egg production. Performance of four meat purpose chickens viz. , Cobb 500, ISA Brown, Fayoumi and Sonali were evaluated in terms of such important parameters as initial body weight (IBW), 5-wk rearing period (RP), achieved body weight (ABW), feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Performance of three egg purpose chickens viz . Fayoumi, RIR and Sonali included weight of day-old chick (WDOC), growth rate (GR), death rate (DR), fertility (FR), hatchability (HT), first laying age (FLA) and monthly egg production (MEP). Economic efficiency parameters viz ., total cost (TC), gross return (GRR), net return (NR) and cost-benefit ratio (CBR) were calculated for both types. In terms of FI, FCR and BWG values, broiler of Cobb 500 was the best preferred and cockerel of ISA Brown the least preferred chicken. Conversely, in terms of the CBR values for meat producers, the cockerel of ISA White (1.58) was the best and the broiler of Cobb 500 (1.15) the worst. Taking the FLA and MEP into account, RIR topped the list (19.1 wks and 23 eggs per month) whereas Cobb 500 ranked at the bottom (25.2 wks and 16 eggs per month). CBR for egg productivity, on the other hand, was highest in Sonali (1.11) followed by RIR and Fayoumi (1.10 each) and Cobb 500 (1.09). As regards the meat productivity, significant correlations existed between TC and NR for all chickens except Sonali , which exhibited a negative correlation between the traits. Negative and non-significant associations prevailed for egg productivity in all the chickens. Although broiler of Cobb 500 was found to be the most popular for meat and RIR for egg, the cockerel of ISA Brown was the chicken that earned the maximum CBR. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ujzru.v31i0.15374 Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 31, 2012 pp. 13-18


The arguments against centralized solutions focus on the performance bottleneck associated with a single central uniprocessor having a limited throughput and, possibly, a small number of ports. These limitations can be overcome to a large extent if the central processor is replaced by a modem SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) machine. Several order of magnitude gains in parallelism are thus achievable while maintaining the logical simplicity of a centralized control. We call such a scheme parallel synchronous control (PSC). In this paper, we explore this approach by presenting a PSC solution to the classical Dining Philosopher problem and by... Read complete abstract on page 2.


We study the statistical performance of the semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation approach for clustering under the binary symmetric Stochastic Block Model (SBM). We show that the SDP achieves an error rate of the form exp [ −(1− o(1)) 2 ] , where I is an appropriate information-theoretic measure of the signal-to-noise ratio. This bound matches the minimax lower bound on the optimal Bayes error rate for this problem, and improves upon existing results that are sub-optimal by a multiplicative constant in the exponent. As a corollary, our result implies that SDP achieves the optimal exact recovery threshold with the correct leading constant. We further show that this error rate of SDP is robust; that is, it remains unchanged under the so-called semirandom model where the graph is modified by a monotone adversary, as well as under the setting with heterogeneous edge probabilities. Our proof is based on a novel primal-dual analysis of the SDP.


Economics is a science of choice, of unlimited wants chasing scarce resources. In choosing the resources, human-beings leave a mark on the environment depleting it, degrading it and, sometimes, destroying it. The destruction is manifest in the tropical coastal waters where some of the world's richest ecosystems, characterised by extensive coral reefs and dense mangrove forests, exist. Large-scale destruction of valuable resources can cause serious degradation of the environment, thus affecting the economic life of coastal habitants. In economic terms then, is the 'supply' of coastal resources infinitely elastic? If not, what is the cost of achieving such elasticity, of building it into our development plans? What is the yardstick of sustainability and how can it be used to reach a trade-off'? These are the issues that this study tackles with respect to coastal zone development. The central idea is to juxtapose the net economic benefits of coastal development projects, namely development of port, coastal tourism and aquaculture, with the environmental implications. The analysis is aimed at developing a method to attach economic value to resources as inputs to economic development, and to the environmental damage resulting from such development. The study goes beyond normal quantifiable effects and utilises the input-ouetput analysis to account for the total environmental effects of an economic development so that cost-benefit analysis will not ignore the interdependent effects on the environment. Finally, the study undertakes to convince the potential decision maker of the utility of amalgamating the model for evaluation of environmental costs with environmentally ethical decision making. Table Of


The October 2008 issue of PS published a symposium of presidential and congressional forecasts made in the summer leading up to the election. This article is an assessment of the accuracy of their models. The Time-for-Change Model proved one of the most accurate of the 2008 presidential election forecasts run in the October PS symposium. Using three predictors—the president's approval rating at mid-year, the growth rate of real GDP during the second quarter, and the time-for-change dummy variable—the model predicted that Barack Obama would win the presidential election with 54.3% of the major-party vote. According to nearly final tabulations compiled by uselections.org, as of December 8, Obama has received just over 53.6% of the major-party vote. However, it is likely that Obama's final total will reach 53.7% of the major-party vote. Therefore, the model's current error of 0.9 percentage points is likely to decrease further. The model has now correctly predicted the winner of the popular vote in all six presidential elections since its creation in 1988.


ABSTRACT This article examines the challenges undocumented youths face when joining and leading social movement coalitions. It relies on a case study of New York and New Jersey to bridge the gap between the literatures on social movement coalitions and undocumented migration. I argue that the success of undocumented youths within a coalition depends on establishing and maintaining leadership over the movement. I show that leadership has implications on youths' ability to manage movement structure and the diversity of goals across partner organizations. Not without difficulties, the New Jersey coalition assembled behind a single 'face' of the movement, streamlined its decision-making process and all members agreed to keep undocumented youths as the leaders of the movement. On the other hand, undocumented youths in New York joined a pre-existing coalition made up of 'heavy weights' with vast resources. They struggled to establish clear leadership over a vast coalition of groups with diverse objectives, not all of whom agreed to sacrifice some of their goals for the sake of undocumented youths. Ultimately, the diversity of goals within the New York coalition proved to be too great of an obstacle for the movement to be successful. The article is based on 72 interviews conducted in 2015 with young immigrant activists (documented and undocumented), community organizers, union members and elected officials involved in the campaigns for in-state tuition and state financial aid in New York and New Jersey.


The main aim of this thesis is to begin to extend phonetic distance measurements to the domain of intonation. Existing studies of segmental phonetic distance have strong associations with historical linguistic questions. I begin with this context and demonstrate problems with the use of feature systems in these segmental measures. Then I attempt to draw strands from the disparate fields of quantitative historical linguistics and intonation together. The intonation of Belfast and Glasgow English provides a central case study for this. Previous work suggests that both varieties display nuclear rises on statements, yet they have never been formally compared. This thesis presents two main hypotheses on the source of these statement rises: the Alignment hypothesis and the Transfer hypothesis. The Alignment hypothesis posits that statement rises were originally more typical statement falls but have changed into rises over time through gradual phonetic change to the location of the pitch peak. The Transfer hypothesis considers that statement rises have come about through pragmatic transfer of rises onto a statement context, either from question rises or continuation rises. I evaluate these hypotheses using the primary parameters of alignment and scaling as phonetic distance measurements. The main data set consists of data from 3 Belfast English and 3 Glasgow English speakers in a Sentence reading task and Map task. The results crucially indicate that the origin of the statement rises in Belfast and Glasgow English respectively may be different. The Glasgow statement nuclear tones show support for the Alignment hypothesis, while the Belfast nuclear tones fit best with the Transfer hypothesis. The fundamental differences between Glasgow and Belfast are the earlier alignment of the peak (H) in Glasgow and the presence of a final low (L) tonal target in Glasgow and a final high (H) target in


The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) recently reconstructed a portion of Interstate 80 in eastern Nebraska between Lincoln and Omaha. Within a 12-mile stretch of the Interstate near the Platte River, DVCs ranged from 2.6-4.2 per mile per year and are among the highest in the state. As part of the reconstruction effort, 4 underpasses were modified to improve wildlife access and use in an effort to minimize DVCs. Fences were constructed along a 4-mile stretch encompassing all 4 underpasses to help funnel deer away from the roadway and toward the underpasses. The goal of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of fences and underpasses in reducing DVCs and associated impacts on human and wildlife populations in the I-80 corridor where it crosses the Platte River. We installed motion-activated cameras and monitored wildlife use of underpasses from May 2009December 2012. We installed cameras at the ends of fence wings upon completion of fence construction in November 2011 and monitored them through December 2012. Data on road killed deer was collected by NDOR from May 2009-December 2012.We observed approximately 12,000 individual deer using underpasses from May 2009-December 2012. From November 2011-December 2012, we observed roughly 600 deer circling fence wing ends. We recorded 77 road kill reports from May 2009-December 2012. The rate of road kills per month per mile decreased by 85% after completion of the fences, and we observed no increased rate of road kill at fence ends. A combination of deer-proof fences and deer-friendly underpasses can be used by NDOR to reduce DVCs in select areas. Monitoring road kill and DVC data throughout the state can help determine collision hotspots. When roadways are being redesigned, modifications can be made to reduce collisions in problematic areas. Using fences in conjunction with underpasses will help maintain connectivity on the landscape that might be lost if fencing alone is used. Additional monitoring of the area and analysis of DVCs and road kills need to be completed prior to drawing final conclusions.


Abstract Past research on peer victimization has focused on maltreatment through overtly aggressive behaviors. Although a relational form of aggression has been identified in recent research, studies of the victims of relational aggression have not yet been conducted. The present research was designed as a first attempt to address this issue. Four goals were pursued (n = 474; third- through sixth-grade children): (a) development of a self-report measure of victimization through relational and overt aggression; (b) assessment of the relation between overt victimization and relational victimization; (c) assessment of gender, grade, and sociometric status group differences in victimization; and (d) evaluation of the relation between victimization and social-psychological adjustment. Results showed that the newly developed victimization measure had favorable psychometric properties and that most of the identified victims were the targets of cither relational or overt aggression, but not both. Further, rejected children were more relationally and overtly victimized than their better accepted peers, and boys were more overtly victimized than girls. Finally, relational victimization, overt victimization, and the lack of prosocial treatment by peers were all significantly related to social-psychological adjustment difficulties (e.g., depression, loneliness).


Perceived risks of cyclists is a deterrent for increasing cycling activity in a mixed mode network. This fact is particularly relevant for networks where cycling is becoming popular. This paper presents an uncontrolled study in Cork where a number of cyclists kept a diary log of incidents and perceptions of risk for a period of time while traveling. The risk ratings were carried out based on a 10 point scale and the results of this study avoid the Hawthrone Effect. The cyclists provided self-reported data on risk ratings related for a range of routes in Cork and this paper forms a first evidence base around the perception of safety of cyclists in Cork. Interactions with motorists, conflict points, condition of the infrastructure and other factors were investigated and the study attempts to provide a better insight to the perceived Byrne, Comerford, Doorley, Ghosh, Groeger and Pakrashi: Dear Diary Cork Cycling 28-29th August, University College Dublin Proceedings of the ITRN2017 safety of cyclists in a city where interest and investment around cycling is on the rise. Several consistent themes emerged from the diary entries. These include, lack of awareness, lack of respect towards cyclists in a mixed mode network, lack of space and time given to the cyclists for manoeuvre, the state of cycling facilities, motor vehicles cutting across cyclists and late or no indication by motorists. The study provides insight to cyclistvehicle interaction in an emerging cycling network and encourages further research in the area of culpability and risk ratings.


THE TRANSORAL APPROACH for odontoidectomy is described in detail, and the operating room setup and surgical positioning are demonstrated. We also discuss our methods of retractor placement and techniques for optimal surgical exposure. The microsurgical technique used for decompression is presented in detail. The surgical pearls and pitfalls of transoral odontoidectomy, learned from a 70-case experience, are described and illustrated.


This study explores some of the sources of stress faced by students in higher education. Research identifies an association between stress levels and students' academic performance. This study aims to determine the sources, level and impact of perceived stresses among students in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, years of study and degree major. Participatory action research was explored as a means of developing strategies and solutions for students experiencing stress-related problems. Eleven undergraduate students were recruited initially as co-researchers with four academic staff and one research assistant. One student continued throughout the cycle with two others having to withdraw because of academic work pressures. A collaborative process took place using narrative storytelling and discussions alongside extra-sessional research. A range of outcomes is anticipated related to the students' experience and academic achievements. Academic staff responsiveness and concern for student wellbeing and successful achievement will contribute to increased student satisfaction. Identification and development of systematic and effective ways of managing anxieties and sharing this with other HEIs will contribute to student wellbeing. In terms of academic outputs, a paper based on the pilot will be developed and acknowledgement of co-authorship appropriately made. A wider research proposal - inclusive of other universities and programmes can be developed for the future.


Abstract In the mid-18th century, Qikertarmiut spotted "a giant whale" offshore Qikertaq [Kodiak Island]. Upon closer examination, however, they realized this creature held a Russian fur expedition. Over the next few months, Russians and Qikertarmiut fought, survived, and traded, which Elder Arsenti Aminak recounted to Henrik Holmberg in 1851. His testimony detailed important events from these first interactions but also involved knowledges concerning Qikertarmiut seasonal relations and storytelling practices. The kiak [summer] season influenced Qikertarmiut to view the arriving Russians through oceanic perspectives. In uksuaq [autumn], violence, either to remove intruders from beaches or to facilitate easier sea-mammal-fur extractions, shaped relations. During uksuq [winter], Russian ignorance of surviving on Qikertaq led to deaths and thefts from Qikertarmiut villages. By ugnerkaq [spring], Qikertarmiut engaged in trade with the Russians before the latter departed the island. Aminak's remembrances displayed a relational Qikertarmiut social world not often discussed, which exceeded and persisted through Russian colonialism.


In this paper, a case of testing public e-Service communicability is analysed in terms of process as well as outcomes. Key elements in test processes are defined, together with the meaning of communicability identified in terms of information-oriented metrics. The purpose of our paper is to develop knowledge about how e-Service providers should improve their ability to communicate and support users in finding, understanding and using e-Services. The reconstructed test process design is based of an analysis of gaze replays in citizen test sessions by means of eyetracking technology. Empirical findings on communicability metrics are further grounded in theory. Our main contribution to the research community and the field of practice, are a test process and a communicability framework to support the assessing of e-Service information. The use of wireframes for the e-Service five layers, together with a multifunctional template for data collection, analysis and presentation are introduced.


This article presents an ensemble parse approach to detecting and selecting high-quality linguistic analyses output by a hand-crafted HPSG grammar of Spanish implemented in the LKB system. The approach uses full agreement (i.e., exact syntactic match) along with a MaxEnt parse selection model and a statistical dependency parser trained on the same data. The ultimate goal is to develop a hybrid corpus annotation methodology that combines fully automatic annotation and manual parse selection, in order to make the annotation task more efficient while maintaining high accuracy and the high degree of consistency necessary for any foreseen uses of a treebank.


This chapter explores the problem of incorporating music and art into a theory of freedom of speech without also including a far wider range of human activities. Constitution writers and scholars of free expression agree that music and art are covered by principles of free expression. Exactly why they are is a bit unclear, but the unclarity has few practical implications. Examination of the coverage of music and art, though, may reveal something about free expression theory. It may show that that theory deals with subjects sharing a family resemblance rather than resting upon 'foundations'. If so, the examination has significant theoretical implications—and almost no practical ones. Democratic governments rarely attempt to coercively regulate art and music.


Reflection as a practice development strategy is an integral part of many professional development programmes. This paper documents and explores the reflection occurring at a range of levels as part of an action research study for an MA Education final dissertation. Triggered by reflective discussions that took place between Jane (the teacher and MA student) and her pupils, and Jane and Mary (the MA tutor), the paper explores and articulates the potency of reflection as a shared and collaborative activity. Drawing on the Ghaye and Ghaye typology for reflection, analysis of the challenges and benefits of helping her students to reflect on their own learning was to show unexpected outcomes on their achievement. As Jane articulated, 'In order to learn, there is more at play than the transference of subject based knowledge. Good teaching involves helping students to recognise how they can learn and make sense of their experiences.'


The tongue is the muscular organ found in the vertebrate mouth. It is attached via muscles to the hyoid bone, mandible, styloid process, palate, and pharynx and divided into two parts by the V-shaped sulcus terminalis. These two parts, an anterior two-thirds and a posterior one-third are structurally and developmentally distinct. The foramen cecum at the apex of the sulcus terminalis indicates the site of embryonic origin of the thyroglossal duct.The following papillae cover the tongue and are used for taste perception: Vallate papillae are arranged in a V-shape anterior to the sulcus terminalis and studded with numerous taste buds. Innervation is by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX). Fungiform papillae are mushroom-shaped papillae with erythematous domes located on the lateral aspects and at the apex of the tongue. Filiform papillae are slim, cone-shaped projections organized in rows parallel to the sulcus terminalis. Foliate papillae are rarely found in humans (vestigial). Another important part of the tongue is the lingual tonsil, a collection of nodular lymphatic tissue towards the posterior one-third of the dorsum of the tongue.


ABSTRACT:  Acolpenteron willifordensis n. sp. (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) is described from the ureters and kidney (presumably the renal tubules) of the spotted sucker Minytrema melanops (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) collected from the Econfina Creek in the panhandle of northern Florida. The new species is similar to Acolpenteron catostomi Fischthal and Allison, 1942 in body shape and size, position of the vaginal pore, and the general shape of the posteriorly notched haptor. It differs from A. catostomi by having a broad tubular shaft of the male copulatory organ that lacks a proximal double recurve immediately distal to its base. Possible biogeographic explanations for the occurrences of species of Acolpenteron in primary freshwater fishes of North America, Eurasia and South America are presented.


BACKGROUND
Family-based approaches using the parents as agents of change to treat childhood obesity are superior to programs targeting only children in achieving weight reduction and have a lower dropout rate.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the impact of two behavioral approaches (parents only vs children only) for the treatment of childhood obesity on parental weight, eating, and activity habits as well as cardiovascular risk factors.

DESIGN
A randomized 1-year clinical intervention study was performed.

METHODS
Sixty obese children (>/=20% over ideal weight for age, height, and sex), ages 6-11 years, were randomly allocated to the experimental (parents as sole agents of change) or conventional groups (children as sole agents of change). Fourteen (1-h-long) support/educational sessions were conducted by a clinical dietitian for the parents in the experimental group and 30 sessions for children in the conventional group. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were determined at the start and end of the program.

RESULTS
The experimental approach, when compared to the conventional intervention, was found to be superior in the reduction of fathers overweight (P < 0.05). The former approach resulted also in improved profile of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in both parents. These changes could be ascribed to a greater improvement in eating and activity behaviors observed in parents belonging to the experimental intervention group who participated in a family-based intervention to treat their children's obesity.

CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of childhood obesity targeting the parents as the sole agent of change, which is more effective for the treatment of childhood obesity when compared to a children-oriented program, may in addition award parents with the benefit of changing their own eating and activity patterns, thus making this program ideal for treatment of obesity in children and their overweight parents.


Drug trafficking in Australia is deemed a very serious offence, one for which legislators and courts have ruled general deterrence is paramount and 'little mercy' should be shown (Clune [1989] VR 567, O'Bryan and Marks JJ, 576). A principal challenge has been how to effectively differentiate and sanction participants in the drug trade particularly how to differentiate 'traffickers' from those who consume or purchase illicit drugs for personal use alone (people whom legislators and courts have determined ought be sanctioned more leniently; MCCOC 1998b). To assist in this endeavour, all Australian states and territories have adopted legal thresholds that specify quantities of drugs over which offenders are either presumed to have possessed the drugs 'for the purposes of supply' and liable to sanction as 'drug traffickers' (up to 15 years imprisonment in most states), or in the case of Queensland, liable to sanctions equivalent to drug traffickers (up to 25 years imprisonment). Yet, in spite of known risks from adopting such thresholds, particularly of an unjustified conviction of a user as a trafficker, the capacity of Australian legal thresholds to deliver proportional sanctioning has been subject to limited research to date. This paper summarises key findings from a Criminology Research Grant funded project. The broader project examined this issue in two different ways whether the thresholds are designed to filter traffickers from users and whether they enable appropriate sanctioning of traffickers of different controlled drugs. Herein, the focus is on the former to what extent Australian legal thresholds unwittingly place users at risk of unjustified and disproportionate charge or sanction as traffickers.


Abstract – The Internet is rapidly growing in number of users, traffic levels, and topological complexity. At the same time it is increasingly driven by economic competition. These developments render the characterization of network usage and workloads more difficult, and yet more critical. Few recent studies have been published reporting Internet backbone traffic usage and characteristics. At MCI, we have implemented a high-performance, low-cost monitoring system that can capture traffic and perform analyses. We have deployed this monitoring tool on OC-3 trunks within internetMCI's backbone and also within the NSF-sponsored vBNS. This paper presents observations on the patterns and characteristics of wide-area Internet traffic, as recorded by MCI's OC-3 traffic monitors. We report on measurements from two OC-3 trunks in MCI's commercial Internet backbone over two time ranges (24-hour and 7-day) in the presence of up to 240,000 flows. We reveal the characteristics of the traffic in terms of packet sizes, flow duration, volume, and percentage composition by protocol and application, as well as patterns seen over the two time scales.


To Be Out and In: Influencing factors in the recognition of SOGI-based asylum claims in South Africa and Kenya Marijke Kremin This thesis examines the relationship and influence of domestic law and culture on the recognition, respect, and adherence of international refugee law as it pertains to sexual orientation and gender based asylum claims in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using South Africa and Kenya as comparative case studies, the paper explores different factors that have contributed to a discovered lack of influence of policy and culture in the practice of refugee status determination, as domestic interests, bureaucratic structure and decision making, and international affairs and involvement. The purpose of the study is to better understand the fulfillment of sexual orientation and gender based claims within the context of differing legal contexts but similar cultural ones given the unacceptance of sexual and gender non-conforming individuals throughout African culture. By examining these contexts, the goal of the study was to ascertain what factors contribute to these differences so as best practices and strategies can be used and advocated for moving forward.


Editor,

I have had recent experience of three cases of solitary caecal diverticulitis which presented over an 18 month period to Causeway Hospital1 and wished to add to the case by Abogunrin et al.2 There have been over 1000 cases of caecal diverticulitis reported in the literature. A review of 881 cases showed that the average age was 43.6 years (range 7 to 87 years) with a 3:2 male to female ratio.3 85% present with symptoms similar to appendicitis.3 Cutajar 4 suggested clinical features which could help differentiate caecal diverticulitis from appendicitis. There is a relatively long history of abdominal pain with lack of toxicity. Tenderness is not as marked and only elicited on deep palpation, and vomiting is less frequent. Abogunrin et al2 suggested that CT scanning was the most useful pre-operative investigation as ultrasound was not sensitive. However, Chou5 proved the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing caecal diverticulitis. In a prospective study of 934 men with indeterminate right lower abdominal pain, ultrasound had a sensitivity of 91.3% and a specificity of 99.5% in differentiating right sided diverticulitis from appendicitis. Ultrasound also has the advantage of avoiding radiation exposure and being generally more accessible. Given the low incidence and difficulties with diagnosis, there have been no randomised trials comparing conservative with aggressive treatment. Most studies are retrospective note reviews comparing outcomes in those treated with antibiotics alone to diverticulectomy or hemicolectomy, and also tend to be from mainly Asian populations, which may not be truly representative of the UK.

Lane et al6 in a study of 49 patients with 78% of non-Asian descent, found that 40% of those treated with diverticulectomy or antibiotics alone required subsequent hemicolectomy due to an ongoing inflammatory process. In a US population, they recommended diverticulectomy in cases of a solitary inflamed diverticulum. Our cases, treated with diverticulectomy or inversion of the diverticulum had no postoperative complications or recurrence of symptoms. We agree with Abogunrin et al2 that surgery should be conservative when carcinoma is excluded and there is not extensive inflammation.


Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in infections, by modulating host immune responses and avoiding the overreactive immunity that in the case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leads to a marked erosion and deregulation of the entire immune system. Therefore, the suppressive function of Treg in HIV-infected patients is critical because of their implication on preventing the immune hyperactivation, even though it could also have a detrimental effect by suppressing HIV-specific immune responses. In recent years, several studies have shown that HIV-1 can directly infect Treg, disturbing their phenotype and suppressive capacity via different mechanisms. These effects include Foxp3 and CD25 downregulation, and the impairment of suppressive capacity. This review describes the functional mechanisms of Treg to modulate immune activation during HIV infection, and how such control is no longer fine-tune orchestrated once Treg itself get infected. We will review the current knowledge about the HIV effects on the Treg cytokine expression, on pathways implying the participation of different ectoenzymes (i.e., CD39/CD73 axis), transcription factors (ICER), and lastly on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), one of the keystones in Treg-suppressive function. To define which are the HIV effects upon these regulatory mechanisms is crucial not only for the comprehension of immune deregulation in HIV-infected patients but also for the correct understanding of the role of Tregs in HIV infection.


This article examines how and why employers cooperate in the provision of training. Such cooperation has a long history in Britain, but it has varied over time in extent and strength. It exists in a strong form in the German speaking countries where employers'' organisations and chambers of commerce are a fundamental part of the training system. In the UK, we argue that this form of training is more prevalent than is often thought and that it can have a positive effect on the quantity and quality of training. Case studies are presented of the following: an industry-wide body, namely an employers'' association; a local multi- industry body, namely a chamber of commerce; a traditional group training association; a local consortium of big employers; and a network of firms in a large company''s supply chain. Though such forms of organisation have much to commend them in the training field, in the UK coverage is uneven and its stability is fragile.


The recent deployment of smart grids has proven to bring numerous advantages in terms of energy consumption reduction in both homes and businesses. A more accurate measurement of up-to-date electricity necessities through smart meters utilization leads to an enhancement in the ability of monitoring, controlling and predicting energy use. Nevertheless, it has associated drawbacks related to the privacy of customers as well, since such management might reveal their personal habits and behavior, which electrical appliances they are using at each moment, whether they are at home or not, and so on. In this article we present a privacy enhanced architecture for smart metering aimed to tackle this threat by means of a new and novel protocol encrypting individual measurements while allowing the electricity supplier to access the aggregation of the corresponding decrypted values. The technique being used is named additively homomorphic encryption, and enables the direct connection and exchange of data between electricity suppliers and final users, while preserving the privacy of the latter.


Objective: Degranulation is an essential process for maintaining cellular homeostasis; it ensures the removal of pathogen and tumor cells. The activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes results in expression of CD107a/b on cell surface and release of cytolytic proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the internalisation of CD107a/b and the intracellular levels of IFN-γ in circulating iNKT cells, CD8+ T cells and γδ-T cells in CFS/ME patients. Furthermore, to determine Perforin, Granzyme A and Granzyme B expression in CFS/ME patients in comparison to a non-fatigued control group.
Method: 35 CFS/ME patients (age 49.32 ± 2.3) and 25 non-fatigued controls (age 48.79 ± 2.5) were recruited for the study. Inclusion into the CFS/ME group was based on the 1994 Centre for Disease Prevention and Control criteria or the International Consensus Criteria. PBMCs were isolated and treated with transport inhibitors in the presence of CD107a/b antibodies, prior to 6 hours stimulation with: K562 cells, PMA/I or PHA. Cells were then stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for iNKT cells, γδ+ cells and CD8+ cells, prior to flow cytometric analysis.
Result: The results demonstrated significant decreased of IFN- γ synthesis in activated total γδ-T cells; significant elevation in circulating total γδ –T and central memory expansion; and reduced iNKT cells intracellular perforin in the CFS/ME patients in comparison to the non-fatigued controls.
Conclusion: This is the first study to examine degranulation in iNKTs and γδ –T cells in CFS/ME patients. Immunological dysfunctions were observed in the minor T subsets in CFS/ME patient, which may contribute to and explain the current pathogenesis of CFS/ME.


The enormous increase in the volume of datasets acquired by lidar systems is leading towards their extensive exploitation in a variety of applications, such as, surface reconstruction, city modeling, and generation of perspective views. Though being a fairly new technology, lidar has been influenced by and had a significant impact on photogrammetry. Such an influence or impact can be attributed to the complementary nature of the information provided by the two systems. For example, photogrammetric processing of imagery produces accurate information regarding object space break lines (discontinuities). On the other hand, lidar provides accurate information describing homogeneous physical surfaces. Hence, it proves logical to combine data from the two sensors to arrive at a more robust and complete reconstruction of 3D objects. This paper introduces alternative approaches for the registration of data captured by photogrammetric and lidar systems to a common reference frame. The first approach incorporates lidar features as control for establishing the datum in the photogrammetric bundle adjustment. The second approach starts by manipulating the photogrammetric imagery to produce a 3D model, including a set of linear features along object space discontinuities, relative to an arbitrarily chosen coordinate system. Afterwards, conjugate photogrammetric and lidar straight-line features are used to establish the transformation between the arbitrarily chosen photogrammetric coordinate system and the lidar reference frame. The second approach (bundle adjustment, followed by similarity transformation) is general enough to be applied for the co-registration of multiple three-dimensional datasets regardless of their origin (e.g., adjacent lidar strips, surfaces in GIS databases, and temporal elevation data). The registration procedure would allow for the identification of inconsistencies between the surfaces in question. Such inconsistencies might arise from changes taking place within the object space or inaccurate calibration of the internal characteristics of the lidar and the photogrammetric systems. Therefore, the proposed methodology is useful for change detection and system calibration applications. Experimental results from aerial and terrestrial datasets proved the feasibility of the suggested methodologies.


Chronic inflammation in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) precipitates the development of cardiometabolic disorders. Although changes in T cell function associated with visceral obesity are thought to affect chronic VAT inflammation, the specific features of these changes remain elusive. Here, we have determined that a high-fat diet (HFD) caused a preferential increase and accumulation of CD44hiCD62LloCD4+ T cells that constitutively express PD-1 and CD153 in a B cell-dependent manner in VAT. These cells possessed characteristics of cellular senescence and showed a strong activation of Spp1 (encoding osteopontin [OPN]) in VAT. Upon T cell receptor stimulation, these T cells also produced large amounts of OPN in a PD-1-resistant manner in vitro. The features of CD153+PD-1+CD44hiCD4+ T cells were highly reminiscent of senescence-associated CD4+ T cells that normally increase with age. Adoptive transfer of CD153+PD-1+CD44hiCD4+ T cells from HFD-fed WT, but not Spp1-deficient, mice into the VAT of lean mice fed a normal diet recapitulated the essential features of VAT inflammation and insulin resistance. Our results demonstrate that a distinct CD153+PD-1+CD44hiCD4+ T cell population that accumulates in the VAT of HFD-fed obese mice causes VAT inflammation by producing large amounts of OPN. This finding suggests a link between visceral adiposity and immune aging.


In order to evaluate and compare the properties of type traits in Khuzestani and Azeri river buffaloes, 148 and 336 Khuzestani and Azeri buffaloes were used, respectively. Animals were evaluated for traits such as Height at Withers, Body depth, Body length, Heart girth, Hip width, Pin width and Hip to Pin length. The averages for these traits in Khuzestani breed were 145.2±6.63, 78.27±5.43, 140.5±10.05, 208.87±13.75, 57±4.44, 25.29±3.03 and 44±2.97 cm and in Azeri breed were 138.93±6.39, 76.4±5.61, 136.22±10.05, 184±13.66, 54.96±4.85, 26.43±3.94 and 43.8±3.44 cm, respectively. The effect of breed on height at withers, heart girth and hip width was quite significant (P<0.001) and values for these traits in Khuzestani breed was higher than Azeri. The effect of parity number for all studied traits was significant (P<0.001), except for the heart girth. Heifers had the lowest values among different age groups and differences in this group increased with increasing age and parity. Also, the effects of province as a factor for climate and culture circumstances on studied traits was quite significant (P<0.001), except for the heart girth and hip to Pin length. Buffaloes in Guilan province had lowest and buffaloes in Khuzestan and Kermanshah provinces had the highest values.


Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. While the main systemic treatment option is anthracycline-containing chemotherapy, chemoresistance continues to be an obstacle to patient survival. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1C (CPT1C) has been described as a poor-prognosis marker for several tumour types, as it favours tumour growth and hinders cells from entering senescence. At the molecular level, CPT1C has been associated with lipid metabolism regulation and important lipidome changes. Since plasma membrane (PM) rigidity has been associated with reduced drug uptake, we explored whether CPT1C expression could be involved in PM remodelling and drug chemoresistance. Liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) lipid analysis of PM-enriched fractions of MDA-MB-231 BC cells showed that CPT1C silencing increased PM phospholipid saturation, suggesting a rise in PM rigidity. Moreover, CPT1C silencing increased cell survival against doxorubicin (DOX) treatment in different BC cells due to reduced drug uptake. These findings, further complemented by ROC plotter analysis correlating lower CPT1C expression with a lower pathological complete response to anthracyclines in patients with more aggressive types of BC, suggest CPT1C as a novel predictive biomarker for BC chemotherapy.


A path planning algorithm based on multiresolution cell decomposition of the environment using wavelets is proposed. The environment is assumed to be given by an occupancy grid at fine resolution. The algorithm constructs a cell decomposition at several levels of resolution (cell sizes) and constructs an optimal path to the destination from the current location of the agent. At each step the algorithm iteratively refines a coarse approximation to the path through local replanning. The replanning process uses previous information to refine the original cell channel in the immediate area of the path. This is done efficiently using the wavelet coefficients. Numerical tests show a speed-up of an order of magnitude over the baseline algorithm with minimal impact on the overall optimality of the resulting path. A comparative study with the well-known D* algorithm is also provided.


"Machu Picchu: A Civil Engineering Marvel" takes readers inside the Lost City of the Incas for a groundbreaking perspective never before seen by tourists or archeologists. Built high in the Andes on a seemingly impossible site, Machu Picchu stands as a testament to Early Native Americans and their ability to plan and build. How was it possible to create a mountain-top city complete with running water, drainage systems, food production, and stone structures so advanced they have endured for over 500 years? Authors Kenneth R. Wright and Alfredo Valencia Zegarra explain these and other mysteries, based on their original engineering and scientific research. A fascinating book, "Machu Picchu: A Civil Engineering Marvel" is a must-have for civil engineers, archeologists, armchair travelers, and tourists alike. An illustrated walking guide and detailed map allow readers to become familiar with each building and pathway, and numerous photographs take readers on a breathtaking pictorial adventure.


Theories of distributive justice and of the aggregate social good typically require a method of assessing each individual's situation. Among the common measures are primary goods, capabilities, and well-being. This article advances the argument that approaches that focus on the means of fulfillment, where the means are multi-dimensional, are subject to an objection if advanced as ideal normative theories. In general, it is possible to raise every individual's well-being by deviating from the dictates of means-based theories. This result is problematic not only on welfarist grounds but also if freedom, autonomy, or consent is regarded to be important. It is suggested that means-based theories nevertheless have appeal, but for instrumental, not intrinsic reasons.


Magnetic fields can regulate disk formation, accretion, and jet launching. Until recently, it has been difficult to obtain high-resolution observations of the magnetic fields of the youngest protostars in the critical region near the protostar. The VANDAM survey is observing all known protostars in the Perseus Molecular Cloud. Here we present the polarization data of IRAS 4A. We find that with ∼0.″2 (50 AU) resolution at λ = 8.1 and 10.3 mm, the inferred magnetic field is consistent with a circular morphology, in marked contrast with the hourglass morphology seen on larger scales. This morphology is consistent with frozen-in field lines that were dragged in by rotating material entering the infall region. The field morphology is reminiscent of rotating circumstellar material near the protostar. This is the first polarization detection of a protostar at these wavelengths. We conclude from our observations that the dust emission is optically thin with β ∼ 1.3, suggesting that millimeter-/centimeter-sized grains have grown and survived in the short lifetime of the protostar.


Abstract This study reviews the direct and indirect effects of higher energy and bread prices (due to removing their subsidies and paying their equivalent in cash instead). Therefore, all consumer goods were classified into 6 groups and a linear expenditure system was estimated based on households' budget data of 2009 and 2011 for urban and rural areas separately. The results indicate that high-income households have lost more welfare than the low-income households; in other words, the cash subsidies for low-income households are more adequate to compensate for higher costs of living but severely inadequate for high-income households. These cash subsidies are very important for low income families.


Abstract Digital libraries (DLs) have evolved, and developments in information technology have changed the concept of the library from one of print and paper media to digital media. The success of a DL depends upon the computers, communication skills, and knowledge of library professionals in connection with modern technology. In the present scenario, we stand at a transition from the traditional library to a global DL. The technology-based idea is to provide universal access to digital content available only in a DL environment. Today the emergence of digital technology and computer networks has provided a means whereby information can be stored, retrieved, disseminated and duplicated in a fast and efficient manner. On a global level, DLs have made considerable advances both in technology and its application. India still has far to go if the nation is to benefit from this movement. Only sporadic and partial attempts have been made towards DL initiatives in India. The basic objective of DL initiatives in India has been to preserve the art, culture and heritage of this country. All projects aimed at creating DLs concentrate only on specialized collections. The DL initiative in India is still at a nascent or embryonic stage. But with the initiative like DL policy, it can also be said that the nation is serious about DL implementation.


Background: Similar to issues faced in health systems across the USA, AU Health faced a scenario of low physician engagement in and limited use of its Electronic Health Record (EHR) Medication Reconciliation (MedRec) technology, which translated to high rates of medication discrepancies and low accuracy of the patient's active medication list, during transitions of care. In fall 2016, a 2-year research grant was secured to pilot a Social Knowledge Networking (SKN) system on "EHR MedRec" to enable AU Health to progress from "limited use" of EHR MedRec technology to "meaningful use." Purpose: The aims of this study were to 1) examine dynamics of interprofessional knowledge exchange and learning related to EHR MedRec on the SKN system and 2) explore associations between "SKN Use" and "Meaningful Use (MU) of EHR MedRec," with the latter being assessed in terms of adherence to best practices in EHR MedRec. Methods: Over a 1-year period, 50 SKN Users (practitioners from inpatient and outpatient medicine settings), participated in discussing issues related to EHR MedRec, moderated by five SKN Moderators (senior administrators). Qualitative analysis was used to understand dynamics of interprofessional knowledge exchange and descriptive analysis was used to examine trends in two measures of MU of EHR MedRec, identified for the study. Results: Interprofessional knowledge exchanges related to EHR MedRec on the SKN system, progressed from "problem statements" to "problem-solving statements" to "IT system education" to "best-practice assertions" to "culture change assertions" to "collective learning (aha) moments" to lay a foundation for practice change. These interprofessional learning dynamics were associated with distinct improvement trends in both measures of MU of EHR MedRec technology. Conclusion: Results suggest that an SKN system could be a valuable tool in enabling MU of EHR MedRec technology. The study helps identify strategies for the creation of "learning health systems," to enable successful change implementation in healthcare organizations.


Understanding Lifestyle Behaviors and the Development of a Theory-Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Education Intervention for Latina Breast Cancer Survivors Rachel C. Paul Lifestyle behaviors, including diet and exercise, may mediate the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Large national and international organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the American Institute for Cancer Research, and the World Research Fund, recommend consuming a diet high in plant-based foods, specifically fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in dietary fat and added sugar for cancer recurrence prevention. In addition, these organizations recommend regular physical activity, typically 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day. However, many cancer survivors unfortunately fall short of meeting these recommendations. In addition, low-income, and racial/ ethnic minority populations, especially Latinas, are at increased risk of breast cancer recurrence due to a myriad of factors such as limited access to health care. Theory-based, behaviorally-focused, and culturally-tailored nutrition and physical activity education has been shown repeatedly to improve these lifestyle behaviors in other populations. Previous intervention studies by our research group have significantly improved dietary behaviors among Hispanic/ Latina breast cancer survivors. This dissertation consists of a review of the educational literature on diet and physical activity studies among breast cancer survivors, and three studies: (1) a methodological description on the development of a theory-based, behaviorally focused intervention with classroom and online education curricula, (2) an empirical validation study of a survey instrument, and (3) a cross sectional study of women's diet and physical activity behaviors and theory-based determinants. Taken together, these studies can inform future educational interventions with this population by using our culturally-tailored, theory-based, behaviorally-focused model as a framework and by using our validated assessment tools. These studies can also inform future educational interventions by understanding diet and physical activity behaviors and related potential mediators. These dissertation activities were conducted within the context of a larger, on-going, twoby-two factorial designed National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded educational intervention study, Mi Vida Saludable (My Healthy Life), which aims to change diet and physical activity behaviors of Hispanic/ Latina breast cancer survivors. The main study will examine the separate and synergistic effects of a) online education and b) in-class education. The intervention is based upon nutrition education curricula developed by the non-profit organization Cook for Your Life, which develops recipes and cooking education for cancer patients and survivors in New York City and a previous intervention conducted by this research group, that targeted fruit, vegetable, and dietary fat intake only. The on-going larger study, Mi Vida Saludable, involves cohorts of 30-40 Hispanic/ Latina breast cancer survivors who go through the intervention arms, at intervals of every 4-8 months, depending on recruitment. As of April 2018, two of the five planned cohorts have completed the study, and four of the five cohorts have been randomized. The purpose of the initial comprehensive review of the literature was to inform the development of this Mi Vida Saludable educational intervention. Three areas relevant to the intervention were reviewed. The first area was the varying dietary and physical activity guidelines, both for cancer survivors, and also for common simultaneously occurring lifestylerelated diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Similarities and differences were examined, and the resulting recommendations were used in the intervention development. The second area of review consisted of dietary and physical activity interventions that specifically targeted breast cancer survivors. Commonalities of successful interventions included the use of Social Cognitive Theory and the Stages of Change construct of the Transtheoretical Model. Finally, the text message literature was reviewed as it pertains to weight management, dietary, and physical activity behaviors, specifically among Hispanic/ Latina populations. Findings indicated that text message interventions were more successful if they decreased in frequency over time, included specific educational advice, and had the ability for two-way communication. The findings from these literature reviews were used to develop the Mi Vida Saludable intervention. (1). The methodological study involved the development of the content of the Mi Vida Saludable group education and electronic ("e-")-communication programs. These programs were developed using a systematic stepwise theory-based, behaviorally-focused process, the Nutrition Education DESIGN Procedure. Briefly, DESIGN stands for: 1. Decide behaviors; 2. Explore determinants or potential mediators of change; 3. Select theory; 4. Indicate objectives; 5. Generate plans; and 6. Nail down evaluation. DESIGN was applied to help assure the curricula a) enhance motivation and b) facilitate action to change the following behaviors: 1) increase fruit and vegetable intake, specifically focused on non-starchy varieties, 2) decrease dietary fat intake operationalized as less fatty meats, decreased fat added during cooking, and smaller portions of cheese, 3) decrease added sugar intake operationalized as fewer sugar sweetened beverages and less added sugar in processed food and cooking, and 4) increase daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The behavior-change theory applied was the Social Cognitive Theory. The resulting group education program consisted of 4 lessons, 4 hours each in length. Each lesson included a hands-on cooking component and facilitator-led nutrition education and discussion. Two of the four lessons included field trips to the local grocery store and farmers' market. The resulting e-communication program included 11-months of weekly text messages, biweekly emailed newsletters, and ongoing website access. The content of the online curriculum was developed after the classroom curriculum and mirrored the classroom curriculum so that mode of education would be the key variable tested. (2). A survey instrument was developed to assess two key psychosocial potential mediators of behavior change from Social Cognitive Theory, preferences and self-efficacy, separately for each targeted behavior. This survey was tested for validity and reliability. Expert panel review assessed scale validity by Content and Face Validity. Participants from the target population assessed scale validity and reliability by 1) cognitive interviewing, 2) convergent validity, 3) internal consistency reliability, and 4) test-retest reliability. Content and face validity, and cognitive interviews successfully improved the questionnaire before quantitative analysis. Modifications from content and face validity included the addition of pictures of fruits and vegetables and the addition of examples of different food types high in fat and added sugar. Results from the cognitive interviews indicated primarily that changes should be made in the questionnaire to examples of foods with and without dietary fat and added sugar. Study findings revealed that Cronbach alpha values were sufficient for all Preferences and Self-efficacy scales except for Preferences for Added Sugar Intake. Study findings also revealed that item-total correlations were sufficient for all reduced Preferences and Self-efficacy scales, and that ICC values were sufficient for all Preferences and Self-efficacy reduced scales except for Preferences for Dietary Fat Intake. (3). Psychosocial potential mediators and measures of quality of life were examined in a cross sectional study of Mi Vida Saludable participants as they relate to women's diet and physical activity behaviors at study entry. Outcome variables included diet, specifically servings of fruits and vegetables (both total and varieties specifically targeted by the intervention), percent dietary fat and added sugar, as well and average minutes of physical activity per week. Our study found that, among Hispanic/ Latina breast cancer survivors, decreased self-efficacy to choose lower sugar foods, increased locus of control of powerful others, and increased stress are related to increased added sugar intake. We also found that increased preferences for foods low in fat are related to decreased fat intake. Finally, we found higher mental health-related quality of life scores are related to increased fruit and vegetable intake, decreased fat intake, and increased physical activity. The results from these three studies will be used to understand behavioral outcomes of the Mi Vida Saludable study, as well as develop future interventions with this and other populations. Advancing our understanding of potential mediators and psychological variables can improve the development and success of interventions, especially among understudied populations such as Hispanic/ Latina breast cancer survivors.


Antibiotic pollutants in water have received remarkable attention due to the untold damage to human health and the environment, yet no approach has been used to solve the problem effectively. In this work, novel and efficient norfloxacin-molecularly imprinted composite membranes with an organic–inorganic structure (NFIcMs) were designed and developed using GO/PVDF blended membranes as substrates for selective separation and fast enrichment of norfloxacin from aqueous solution. The selectivity coefficient (α) of NFIcMs was up to 7.35 and more than 1.0, and the permeability factor β values were about 6.0 and more than 1.0, which indicated that the as-prepared NFIcMs possessed outstanding selectivity and permeability. Moreover, the synergistic effects of the specific surface area of GO, fouling resistance of TiO2 and high mechanical strength of PVDF membranes resulted in the fact that NFIcMs had a high adsorption capacity (44.81 mg g−1) for norfloxacin. Additionally, the facile and eco-friendly preparation of the demonstrated NFIcMs rendered them with the application potential in the treatment of antibiotic pollutants.