A fundamental study was undertaken in order to establish the mechanisms of the leaching of pre-reduced nickel laterites in ammonia-ammonium carbonate solution. Although the process has undergone various improvements since it was first introduced, the total recoveries are still relatively low, averaging at 80% for nickel and 45-50% for cobalt. The lack of sound fundamental information regarding the mechanisms and the kinetics of the dissolution of nickel and cobalt from iron-alloy grains produced by the reduction roasting of lateritic ores is seen as the main obstacle to establishing the reasons for the lack of adequate recovery and to defining alternative processing strategies which would lead to improved extraction and better process optimisation. Based on fimdamental electrochemical studies and bench scale leaching tests, as well as on-site measurements at an industrial plant where this process is applied, the work presented in the thesis introduces significant new evidence and sheds more light on the understanding of the mechanism of the dissolution process and on the reasons for the low extractions of nickel and cobalt.

It has been established that the oxidative dissolution of the iron-alloy grains formed during the reduction roasting takes place primarily via a reaction involving reduction of dissolved cobalt (111) to cobalt (11), and also that the reduction of water is not a significant component of the reactions involved in the dissolution process. Open-circuit potential measurements with various metals and iron-alloys selected to model the reduced material in various solutions which simulated the leaching conditions were also

conducted and revealed that passivation takes place during the leaching process. This brings to light a possible new reason for the low recoveries of nickel and cobalt which has not been previously considered. In addition, a kinetic study was conducted, in which the dissolution rates for the various metals, iron-alloys and solutions were measured as a function of time, and the results of which shed more light on the development of the process of passivation.

The passivation itself is attributed to formation of iron-oxide on the surface of the dissolving iron-alloy grains, which restricts the transfer of electrons to the reduced metal and brings the oxidative leaching reaction to an end. It has been shown that the passivation can occur in two ways.

On the one hand, particularly high concentration of dispersed and dissolved oxygen in the leaching reactors causes passivation by overcoming the limiting current density for the oxidation of iron to divalent iron ions and taking the potential to the region where the direct oxidation to trivalent ions becomes favourable resulting in the formation of an iron-oxide film on the surface.

On the other hand, in normally aerated solutions, the passivation of the dissolving ironalloy grains occurs due to the formation of a cobalt and nickel sulphide layer, as a byproduct of the reduction of thiosulphate on the metal surface, which in turn gradually shrinks the area available for the oxidation of iron, again leading to a situation where the oxidising agents present in the solution under standard aerated conditions become sufficient to shift the mixed potential to the region where the iron-oxide forming reaction becomes favourable.

The presence of thiosulphate has a decisive role in the second type of passivation. What is more, besides preventing further dissolution of the nickel and cobalt locked in the iron-alloy matrix, the loss of nickel and cobalt by precipitation in the presence of thiosulphate can further reduce the recovery of these metals. For this reason, a method was developed for the oxidation and removal of thiosulphate fkom the actual plant liquor.


Author(s): Love-Tulloch, Joanna Katherine | Advisor(s): Fink, Robert W.; Taylor, Timothy D. | Abstract: Prior to the 1980s it was uncommon for marketers to incorporate pre-existing popular music into television commercials. But following the rise of MTV as an innovative commercial endeavor and Pepsi-Cola's groundbreaking 1984 "Choice of a New Generation" campaign featuring Michael Jackson, musicians and corporations began to realize the benefits of incorporating new songs into commercials. Once considered taboo by many musicians and fans, television commercials have now become such a lucrative medium for the dissemination of new popular music that by the second decade of the twenty-first century, performing songs in them has become commonplace. Despite the fact that discussions about the use of popular music in commercial culture have proliferated among music critics and trade press publications for three decades, music scholars largely continue to overlook this phenomenon. This dissertation contributes to the small amount of academic literature available on this topic and engages with recent publications by ethno/musicologist Timothy D. Taylor and sociologist Bethany Klein that warn that the convergence of popular music and corporate brands will have detrimental consequences for future of cultural production and reception. I hypothesize that what Taylor has termed as advertising's "conquest of culture" is a result of the industry's attempt at appropriating and reforming musical texts by manipulating their structures and signifiers in commercials to change their meanings and serve branding imperatives. This dissertation focuses on Pepsi's attempts to inscribe itself into music history, using its 2011-12 X Factor commercials as bookends for historicizing the corporation's pioneering transition from jingles to the use of new popular music in its 1980s television commercials. More specifically, the project analyzes the aesthetic effects of rearranging songs to fit branded environments, examining how advertising forges new contexts for familiar songs by focusing on 1980s spots that borrow MTV tropes and "re-present" musical and visual signifiers from the biggest pop stars of the day, Michael Jackson and Madonna. I integrate interdisciplinary methodologies that combine formal musical analyses, historical research, archival work, and ethnographic interviews. This dissertation draws from musicological studies on musical meaning and cultural and social theories about popular culture, music, advertising, and media.


ABSTRACT The poor performance of Pacific students at university is a concern for every level of society. Conventional models of teaching, learning and assessment have overlooked the cultural background of students, yet the effects of this oversight have been disastrous, alienating and disempowering. Studies of and developments in education in the Pacific and elsewhere offer opportunities to rethink the methods of teaching, learning and assessment of Pacific students in ways that are congruent with their home culture. Informed by the principle of so'a lau pule (the Samoan concept of consensus through consultation and conversation) and ethnographic research methods, this study describes an attempt to rethink ways of teaching, learning and assessing student performance in a third-year course on Resource Conservation and Management in the School of Geography, Earth Science and Environment at the University of the South Pacific. Introduced in 2007, the Student Innovative Contribution to Knowledge (SICK) allows students to participate in key decisions concerning teaching, learning and assessment. SICK is grounded in the principles of inclusiveness and participation. It takes account of the skills and abilities of Pacific students and is aligned with the philosophical basis of Pacific cultures. One hundred and fifty-eight students took part in this study over a 5-year period. Analysis was based on students' written reviews of the semester's work, in-depth conversation with individual students and the end-of-the-course evaluation. The findings show that, while students embrace the need for non-conventional forms of teaching, learning and assessment, the most frequently cited responses for non-participation are poor time management and varying perceptions of what is considered an innovative assessment. This study shows that understanding the cultural background of students is critical to creating culturally inclusive learning environments.


MOTIVATION FOR COSTLY MISSIONS: A COMPARISON OF THE JOURNALS OF THOMAS COKE AND WILLIAM CAREY Barry Mark Morris, Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2014 Chair: Dr. George H. Martin Contemporary missions senders can employ expediently lessons regarding risk and self-sacrifice learned through the journals of Thomas Coke and William Carey. This dissertation explores these lessons, applies them to the contemporary context, and considers the consequences of applying said lessons. Fundamental to this discussion is the question Are the motivations, attitudes, and practices of Carey and Coke representative of historical and contemporary pioneer missions? Chapter 2 builds the case by turning to the biblical precedent of men and women who sacrificed much on God's mission. Old and New Testament and historical examples are tendered, demonstrating risky obedience in fulfillment of God's mission. Chapters 3 and 4 form the heart of the dissertation, contributing journal entries from Thomas Coke and William Carey. Chapter 3 highlights and describes Thomas Coke's journal, while chapter 4 addresses William Carey and his journal. Journal entries are gathered and analyzed according to three themes: risk and sacrifice, evangelism and the gospel, and resolute motivation for risky missions. Chapter 5 compares and contrasts observations from the two journals. Coke's and Carey's motivation for missions is examined in light of the resultant risks and sacrifices experienced in the advance of Christ's kingdom. In this chapter recent examples of risky missions found in the correspondence and journals of contemporary missionaries and indigenous workers are highlighted. The final chapter presents lessons learned as related to implications for global gospel advance. Insights and reflections from the journals lead to acumens for contemporary missionaries and senders. Recommendations for churches, senders, and missionaries are offered. Specific proposals are proffered to strengthen the decisionmaking processes for risk-management in mission settings. The investigation calls for the examination of other missionary journals and correspondence from various traditions and regions.


Competent cells of Bacillus subtilis AC870 (purB, leuB, trpC, ald-1) were transformed to Ade+, Trp+, or Ade+ Trp+ with DNA in protoplast lysates of B. subtilis AC819 (hisH, tet-1, rpsL, smo-1). The contransfer ratio of purB to trpC was constant at 7-9% (Ade+ Trp+/Trp+) or 3% (Ade+ Trp+/Ade+) at protoplast concentrations of 2.7×103∼2.7×106 per ml. The whole chromosomal DNA must be certainly incorporated into competent cells from the following reasons; (1) purB is opposite to trpC on the chromosome, (2) 2.7×103 protoplasts per ml is about 100 times lower than 3.2×105 competent cells per ml, and (3) the cotransfer ratio is constant at all the concentrations. Similar results were obtained with the cotransfer ratio of purA to trpC. The transformation requires several Com proteins including ComK.


Al2O3-30vol%ZrO2 nano-submicron structured ceramics has been obtained from high-temperature melts produced by SHS metallurgical process, SEM images show that the multiphase ceramics is mainly composed of Al2O3 matrix eutecticums in which ZrO2 fibers are up to nano-submicron scale, resulting in formation of intra-granular structures. Vickers hardness test indicates that critical value of indentation load which induces median crack to extend is 30kg, and morphologies of Vickers indentation indicate that the ceramics is performed with high fracture toughness and high plasticity. Meanwhile, SEM images show that crack extension is mainly controlled by fiber eutecticums of intra-granular structures with nano–submicron ZrO2 phases, XRD demonstrates that toughening mechanism of stress induced ZrO2 phase transformation is considered weak through comparing volume fraction of m-ZrO2 before fracture to the one after fracture, and toughening behavior of multiphase ceramics is mainly controlled by nano-submicron phase toughening mechanism.


When characterizing surfaces and searching for correlations to functional properties, such as friction, finding the right scale of roughness for evaluation can improve correlations. However, in traditional roughness parameter analysis, a wide range of scales, or all scales of topography in the surface roughness measurements are evaluated together. In this study a multi-scale method using a series of band-pass filters is employed for finding scales of topography with strong correlations to friction.


This thesis performed on master level covers an assignment given by the cab division at Volvo Construction Equipment (Eskilstuna, Sweden). The thesis has been carried out by Josefin Hult during the period 2014-01-23 to 2014-05-30 at Malardalen University.Volvo Construction Equipment manufactures products including wheel loaders, backhoe loaders and articulated haulers. The assignment involves developing the standard door for larger wheel loaders. The current door has a welded frame surrounding the glass that is considered outdated and not cost effective. Volvo Construction Equipment wishes that the door was made in glass in a greater extent. The aim of the assignment has been to generate concepts regarding a glass door that fulfills given requirements. Three research questions have been stated and answered during the process.The product development process has consisted of three phases: information gathering, concept development process and development of detailed concept. For example, field studies and benchmarking have been performed to gather information about competitors' products and the manufacturing and assembling of the current door. Concepts for handrails, sealant and overall door design have been generated in an iterative process. All components of the door have been developed into a detailed concept during the last phase of the process. The process has resulted in a frameless glass door. The concept suggestion consists of; a tempered sheet of glass, a clip list (sealant) that covers the edges of the glass, two different handrails, inner and outer handles, a gas spring, components to attach handrails against the glass, a cover and a lock mechanism.The major conclusion that is drawn is that it is fully possible to develop a door made in glass in a greater extent than the current door. Many competitors have machines where the door is made in glass in a large extent. This makes it believable that the glass door also will be perceived as timely and more modern and clear.Recommendations have been developed if there is interest in further development. The recommendations include, among others, development of handrail and test of prototype to ensure that all requirements are fulfilled.Figures are produced by the author if not stated otherwise.


In recent years, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) has become a critical observation system for global operational numerical weather prediction. Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, Climate (COSMIC) 2 (COSMIC-2) has been a backbone RO mission for NOAA. NOAA also began to purchase RO data from commercial sources in 2020. To ensure the consistent quality of RO data from different sources, NOAA Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) has developed capabilities to process all available RO data from different missions. This paper describes the STAR RO processing systems which convert the pseudo-range and carrier phase observations to excess phases and bending angles (BAs). We compared our COSMIC-2 data products with those processed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) COSMIC Data Analysis and Archive Center (CDAAC). We processed more than twelve thousand COSMIC-2 occultation profiles. Our results show that the excess phase difference between UCAR and STAR is within a few centimeters at high altitudes, although the difference increases towards the lower atmosphere. The BA profiles derived from the excess phase are consistent with UCAR. The mean relative BA differences at impact height from 10 to 30 km are less than 0.1% for GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS) L2C signals and Global Positioning System (GPS) L2C and L2P signals. The standard deviations are 1.15%, 1.15%, and 1.32% for GLONASS L2C signal and for GPS L2C and L2P signals, respectively. The BA profiles agree with those derived from European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) reanalysis version 5 (ERA5). The Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) plays an essential role in the processing. The STAR BA profiles with higher L1 SNRs (L1 at 80 km) tend to yield more consistent results than those from UCAR, with a negligible difference and a smaller deviation than lower SNR profiles. Profiles with lower SNR values tend to show a more significant standard deviation towards the surface during the open-loop stage in the lower troposphere than those of higher SNR. We also found that the different COSMIC-2 clock solutions could contribute to the significant relative BA difference at high altitudes; however, it has little effect on the lower troposphere comparisons given larger BA values.


Abstract This paper shows two ways to improve the accuracy of the transport calculations. These improvements, implemented in the APOLLO2 code, concern the fission source calculation and the self-shielding models. The calculation of the fission source was generalized to fission spectra including an incident neutron energy dependence. The subgroup self-shielding model was updated for a mixture of resonant nuclides. Some tests on fast neutron systems like a critical sphere without reflector, a sodium-cooled cell, and a helium-cooled cell show that the use of four optimized incident macro groups for fission spectra guarantees a correct representation of the fission source. The tests on a critical sphere with a thick steel reflector and on a water-moderated mixed oxide cell prove that the subgroup self-shielding, accounting for the mutual shielding of several resonant nuclides, allows us to improve the accuracy of the neutron transport solution.


We study the half-duplex multiple-relay channel (HD-MRC) where every node can either transmit or listen but cannot do both at the same time. We obtain a capacity upper bound based on a max-flow min-cut argument and achievable transmission rates based on the decode-forward (DF) coding strategy, for both the discrete memoryless HD-MRC and the phase-fading HD-MRC. We discover that both the upper bound and the achievable rates are functions of the transmit/listen state (a description of which nodes transmit and which receive). More precisely, they are functions of the time fraction of the different states, which we term a schedule. We formulate the optimal scheduling problem to find an optimal schedule that maximizes the DF rate. The optimal scheduling problem turns out to be a maximin optimization, for which we propose an algorithmic solution. We demonstrate our approach on a four-node multiple-relay channel, obtaining closed-form solutions in certain scenarios. Furthermore, we show that for the received signal-to-noise ratio degraded phase-fading HD-MRC, the optimal scheduling problem can be simplified to a max optimization.


Two types of welding methods were performed on austenitic 304 stainless steel: laser welding and TIG welding. The differences of the corrosion characteristics of the welded zones from the two welding methods were investigated with electrochemical methods, such as measurement of the corrosion potential, polarization curves, cyclic voltammogram, etc. The Vickers hardness of all laser-welded zones (WM:Weld Metal, HAZ:Heat-Affected Zone, BM:Base Metal) was relatively higher while their corrosion current densities exhibited a comparatively lower value than those which were TIG welded. In particular, the corrosion current density of the TIG-welded HAZ had the highest value among all other welding zones, which suggests that chromium depletion due to the formation of chromium carbide occurs in the HAZ, which is in the sensitization temperature range, thus it can easily be corroded with an active anode. Intergrenular corrosion was also observed at the TIG-welded HAZ and WM zones. Consequently, we can see that corrosion resistance of all austenitic 304 stainless steel welding zones can be improved via the use of laser welding.


Current spreading and carrier diffusion in vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) critically affect the threshold current density, transverse gain profile, and optical modal characteristics of the devices. We have numerically analyzed these effects for four popular long-wavelength VCSEL structures with wafer-bonded GaAs-AlGaAs Bragg bottom mirrors. The results show that current confinement for p-mirror VCSELs is approximately twice as effective as the corresponding n-mirror VCSEL's although the confinement factor for all practical VCSEL structures studied here is considerably lower than the "ideal" structure. Calculations also show a strong dependence of current confinement on device aperture size and a tradeoff between the optical modal property and the current confinement efficiency for different apertured devices.


Educational virtual worlds can give students opportunities that would not otherwise be possible in face-to-face settings. The SciEthics Interactive simulations allow learners to conduct scientific research and practice ethical decision-making within a virtual world. This study examined the in-world behaviors that identify students who perceive learning in virtual worlds as effective. Participants include 53 students in higher education coursework. This study indicated that there is a positive relationship between learning and a feeling of presence, specifically with avatar identification. Movement in-world that is explorative and open is also correlated to presence. These findings indicate if learning in virtual worlds is to be perceived as a worthwhile activity by students, then learners require support to develop identification with their avatar and to build a sense of immersion within the virtual world.


U sing fluorescently conjugated antibodies to identify specific antigens in or on cells is a well-documented, simple, and straightforward procedure. In contrast to staining cells with various broad-range dyes, staining with antibodies (immunophenotyping) provides high sensitivity and specificity. Three major approaches to immunophenotyping are immunohistochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry. In immunohistochemistry, which is used most commonly by clinical pathologists, cells on microscope slides are stained with a specific antibody and counterstained with a secondary reagent to develop a color reaction using an absorptive dye. Presence or absence of color can then be observed with a standard light microscope. This approach has two drawbacks. First, nonspecific binding can lead to misinterpretation, making the test somewhat subjective. Second, because only one antibody is used per slide, it is not possible to determine precisely the coexpression of antibodies.


We propose a Full-plane AWE Routing with Driver Sizing (FAR-DS) algorithm for performance driven routing in deep sub-micron technology. We employ a fourth order AWE delay model in the full plane, including both Hanan and non-Hanan points. Optimizing the driver size simultaneously extends our work into a two-dimensional space, enabling us to achieve the desired balance between wire and driver cost reduction, while satisfying the timing constraints. Compared to SERT experimental results showed that our algorithm can provide an average reduction of 23% in the wire cost and 50% in the driver cost under stringent timing constraints.


This guide contains basic library information for new students, including how to register your Westlaw and Lexis passwords, logon to the wireless network, and print to network printers.


In this paper, we report on a qualitative study that investigates the impact of using a popular Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to complement the vocational training of students with intellectual disability (ID). We have been investigating this problem for several months in partnership with a Brazilian NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) for people with ID. Our methodology integrates different aspects of human-computer interaction (i.e., requirement gathering sessions and observation of real subjects). Potential users were involved since the beginning of this research, starting with focus groups and interviews with experts, followed by the observation of a traditional vocational training session, and then the assessment of a popular MOOC in the classroom. In this paper, we discuss the process and present our preliminary results, providing some indications on how MOOCs could better support instructors and students with ID.


This paper reports on the temperature dependence of Ni/Au Schottky contacts on AlGaN/GaN heterostructures. The electrical properties of the Schottky barrier were monitored by means of forward current-voltage (I–V) measurements, while capacitance-voltage measurements were used to determine the properties of the two dimensional electron gas. The forward I–V characteristics of Schottky diodes revealed a strong deviation from the ideal behavior, which could not be explained by a standard thermionic emission model. Thus, the Ni/AlGaN/GaN system has been described by a "two diode model," considering the presence of a second barrier height at the AlGaN/GaN heterojunction. Following this approach, the anomalous I–V curves could be explained and the value of the flat-band barrier height (at zero-electric field) could be correctly determined, thus resulting in good agreement with literature data based on photoemission measurements.


RATIONALE
Telomere dysfunction is associated with multiple fibrotic lung processes, including chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)-the major limitation to long-term survival following lung transplantation. Although shorter donor telomere lengths are associated with an increased risk of CLAD, it is unknown whether short telomeres are a cause or consequence of CLAD pathology.

OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to test whether telomere dysfunction contributes to pathologic changes observed in CLAD.

METHODS AND RESULTS
Histopathologic and molecular analysis of human CLAD lungs demonstrated shortened telomeres in lung epithelial cells quantified by teloFISH, increased numbers of surfactant protein C immunoreactive type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), and increased expression of senescence markers (beta-galactosidase, p16, p53 and p21) in lung epithelial cells.Telomere repeat binding factor 1 flox/flox (TRF1F/F) mice were crossed with tamoxifen inducible SCGB1a1-cre mice to generate SCGB1a1-creTRF1 F/F mice. Following 9 months of tamoxifen-induced deletion of TRF1 in club cells, mice developed mixed obstructive and restrictive lung physiology, small airway obliteration on micro-computed tomography, a 4-fold decrease in telomere length in airway epithelial cells, collagen deposition around bronchioles and adjacent lung parenchyma, increased type II AEC numbers, expression of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase in epithelial cells and decreased SCGB1a1 expression in airway epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that telomere dysfunction isolated to airway epithelial cells leads to airway-centric lung remodeling and fibrosis similar to that observed in patients with CLAD and suggest that lung epithelial cell telomere dysfunction may be a molecular driver of CLAD.


A 16/spl times/24 dispenser that prints in a micro-array format at a 500 /spl mu/m spacing is presented. The dispenser is built from laminated flexible Polyimide sheets to form a 2-d printing array. The dispenser is continuously loaded from a 384-well plate format and shoots upward. This makes the device very easy to handle without any robotics. Droplets of 65 pL are dispensed parallel at a speed of 1.78 m/s at 180 Volts. A single channel has a CV value of 8.6% and a 24-channel dispenser has a CV value of 20% for a common driving signal.


The thick-billed grasswren (Amytornis textilis) has a disjunct distribution in the Shark Bay region, with one population confined to Peron Peninsula and the other further inland on Woodleigh Station and the north-eastern corner of Hamelin Station. Grasswrens were found in several vegetation types, including acacia shrublands, Triodia spinifex and the dense vegetation in drainage depressions. Vegetation characteristics that appeared important determinants of grasswren presence were recumbent acacias and low shrubs within the 0–1-m height category, and shrub clumps of high foliage density. These shrub clumps comprised climbers and recumbent low shrubs with interwoven branches, often in association with other plant species. Habitats with this shrub structure may provide the grasswren with ideal nesting sites. The possible effects of grazing and fire on this shrub structure are discussed.


The objective of this study was to prospectively document the incidence of meatal stenosis in boys. The study included a consecutive sample of boys whose visit with the physician included a genital examination in a private primary care pediatric practice in rural northern Wisconsin. Meatal stenosis was diagnosed in boys from 1.94 to 12.34 years of age. The diagnosis was made in 24 of 329 circumcised boys who were Tanner I development and older than 3 years of age (7.29%, 95%CI=4.48-10.10%). Nearly all required meatotomy to resolve their symptoms. All of the boys with meatal stenosis were circumcised neonatally (exact OR=3.54, 95%CI=0.62-∞). The ratio of circumcised boys to noncircumcised boys in this study provided 80% power to demonstrate a 21.4% difference in the incidence of meatal stenosis between circumcised and noncircumcised Tanner I boys 3 years and older. Meatal stenosis may be the most common complication following neonatal circumcision. The frequency of this complication and the need for surgical correction need to be disclosed as part of the informed consent for neonatal circumcision. A careful meatal examination is indicted in any circumcised boy with abdominal or urinary complaints.


This paper engages Sylvia Wynter's theory of the hybrid human as a prism for reading Leslie Marmon Silko's 1977 novel Ceremony. Wynter's work aims at decolonizing Western categories of knowledge, positing the notion of an Autopoetic Turn/Overturn to unsettle the coloniality of Man as an epistemo-ontological category. The epistemic break Wynter envisions to catalyze this unsettling involves an understanding of the human as a hybrid species, made up of biological as well as symbolic life, bios and mythos. Such an understanding of the human is revealed in Silko's novel, as its protagonist, Tayo, undergoes a ritual of ceremonial healing that mirrors Wynter's Autopoetic Turn/Overturn, disentangling himself from Western modes of knowledge by scripting a new story for himself and his people. Drawing on two of Wynter's essays that carry "Ceremony" in their titles, my paper explores the intersections between Wynter's theory and Silko's fiction. By showing how Silko fictionally reenvisions new futures of being hybridly human beyond the category of Man, this essay points to epistemic pathways of decoloniality not predicated on anger.


Abstract In order to fully understand galaxy formation we need to know when in the cosmic history are supermassive black holes (SMBHs) growing more intensively, in what type of galaxies this growth is happening and what fraction of these sources are invisible at most wavelengths due to obscuration. Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) population synthesis models that can explain the spectral shape and intensity of the cosmic X-ray background (CXRB) indicate that most of the SMBH growth occurs in moderate-luminosity (LX~ 1044 erg/s) sources (Seyfert-type AGN), at z~ 0.5−1 and in heavily obscured but Compton-thin, NH~ 1023cm−2, systems. However, this is not the complete history, as a large fraction of black hole growth does not emit significantly in X-rays either due to obscuration, intrinsic low luminosities or large distances. The integrated intensity at high energies indicates that a significant fraction of the total black hole growth, 22%, occurs in heavily-obscured systems that are not individually detected in even the deepest X-ray observations. We further investigate the AGN triggering mechanism as a function of bolometric luminosity, finding evidence for a strong connection between significant black hole growth events and major galaxy mergers from z~ 0 to z~ 3, while less spectacular but longer accretion episodes are most likely due to other (stochastic) processes. AGN activity triggered by major galaxies is responsible for ~60% of the total black hole growth. Finally, we constrain the total accreted mass density in supermassive black holes at z > 6, inferred via the upper limit derived from the integrated X-ray emission from a sample of photometrically selected galaxy candidates. We estimate an accreted mass density <1000 M⊙Mpc−3 at z~ 6, significantly lower than the previous predictions from some existing models of early black hole growth and earlier prior observations.


: A new technology is evolving that has the potential of improving patient management while substantially reducing the overall cost of health care. This new technology is based on biosensors, analytic microelectronic devices that use biologic detector molecules (e.g., antibodies, enzymes, receptor proteins, lectins, nucleic acids) as the sensing or signal transducing elements. An array of different biosensor configurations are under development, spurred on by recent advances in biotechnology and solid-state electronics. Although not all biosensors can detect their target analytes instantaneously, nor perform continuous measurements, certain biosensors embody both capabilities. Real-time, on-line biochemical monitoring will offer important information heretofore unavailable to the physician. It is also inevitable that biosensor-based instruments will decentralize patient testing, but telemetric systems can maintain the active and necessary involvement of the clinical pathologist.


One issue hindering the deployment of integrated ubicomp environments is the lack of a shared model for applications to utilize resources across administrative and network domains. Through the use of concrete examples, we describe our proposed common model for ubicomp environments to address this issue. We then present use cases and additional examples for how our ubicomp common model (UCM) is used by our integration framework. The ubicomp integration framework (UIF) uses an ontology driven architecture (ODA) (P. Tetlow et al., 2001) and enterprise application integration (EAI) techniques to integrate existing ubiquitous computing middleware to the common model. The use cases illustrate how the integrated model and reasoning is used to maintain a dynamic integrated model of an environment


Background: Nigeria has high maternal mortality ratios, and women of high parity are at higher risk of obstetric complications. Understanding barriers to the uptake of contraception is thus important. Methodology: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was done at the antenatal and postnatal clinics of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital between September and December 2015. Questionnaires were administered to 400 married consenting women of high parity (five or more deliveries). The questionnaire extracted general and demographic information, history of contraception, and possible barriers to contraceptive uptake. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22. Descriptive analysis was done using frequencies, percentages, and cross-tabulation. Chi-square test was used as a test of association where relevant, and P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: About 353 questionnaires were retrieved; respondents were mainly aged between 30 and 39 years, educated up to secondary level, Hausa and Muslims, and homemakers or traders. Women had a mean parity of 7 deliveries and highest, 15. There was high level of awareness of contraception, adequate spousal communication, and approval but a perception of high risk and side effects with contraceptive use. Conclusion: Fear of side effects was a major barrier to contraceptive use. However, a window of opportunity exists because they would be willing to use contraception in future. Hence, specific and individualized contraceptive counseling and patient selection is needed, as well as further education of women.


Anthocyanins are flavonoids widely spread in various plant species as a major phyto-pigment. In recent years, interest in using anthocyanins as a feed ingredient has increased markedly owing to their health and other benefits. Anthocyanins possess various pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, anti-obesity and antioxidant effects. Dietary consumption of anthocyanins has revealed benefits in animal performance. Little is known about health-promoting effects of anthocyanins in avian species, but anthocyanin-rich dried fruits have shown positive effects on certain pathological conditions and health promoting markers in human and other animals. This review aims to gather information regarding health benefits of anthocyanins and highlight therapeutic and potential health beneficial effects of anthocyanins for poultry. Additionally, it explores these biologically important flavonoids as alternative ingredients in poultry feed to replace synthetic nutrients and medicines. The available literature reports studies involving use of anthocyanins focused on human, mice and in vitro models. However, there is a need to explore mechanism of action at molecular level to understand potential beneficial effects of anthocyanins in avian species.


Object-order rendering techniques present an attractive approach to run-time visualization of structured grid data, particularly when combined with a parallel rendering paradigm such as image composition. The ability of this combination to exploit hardware exceeds that of parallel image order methods. However, certain configurations of grid boundaries prevent composition from being performed correctly. In particular when the boundary between two partitions contains concave sections, the partitions may no longer be depth sorted correctly, a requirement for some visualization techniques such as direct volume rendering. This occurs because the concave boundary prevents even the simple ordering of two adjacent partitions. If the data may be repartitioned such that it can be depth sorted correctly then an image composition approach is a viable option. To facilitate such an operation, we present an algorithm to analyze the geometric structure of a grid boundary and extract knowledge about how the boundary impacts depth sorting and therefore image composition. We then show through examples how this knowledge may be applied to create a set of partitions that may be properly depth sorted.


Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection induces the expression of host matrix metalloIproteinases (MMPs) capable of tissue degradation. We show that infection of mice with Mtb results in differential expression of MMPs in the lung. MMP-9 activity increased by week 1 post-infection, while MMP-2 activity increased after week 2. RT-PCR analysis for gene expression of gelatinases and their respective inhibitors showed: a small increase in MMP-9 by week 1, no change in TIMP-1 and MMP-2, and a significant decrease in TIMP-2 by week 4. The increase in MMP-2 could be due to a decrease in TIMP-2 expression. Addition of 4-aminophenylmercuric acid to lung extracts increased MMP-9 activity, suggesting that its regulation could be due to endogenous activation by proteases. In vitro, attenuated and virulent Mtb strains equally induced MMP-9 expression in U937 monocytes. The inducer of MMP-9 in Mtb was present in culture filtrates, and was active after paraformaldehyde fixation. LAM stimulated MMP-9 expression in THP-1 cells, but not U937 cells. However, LAM-free extracts also induced MMP-9 activity in THP-1 cells. Fractionation of Mtb extracts by chromatography revealed fractions of 17 and 156 kDa with MMP-9 inducing activity. In conclusion, LAM and other components of Mtb induce the expression of MMP-9.


During early avian development, primordial germ cells (PGC) are highly migratory, moving from the central area pellucida of the blastoderm to the anterior extra-embryonic germinal crescent. The PGCs soon move into the forming blood vessels by intravasation and travel in the circulatory system to the genital ridges where they participate in the organogenesis of the gonads. This complex cellular migration takes place in close association with a nascent extracellular matrix that matures in a precise spatio-temporal pattern. We first compiled a list of quail matrisome genes by bioinformatic screening of human matrisome orthologs. Next, we used single cell RNA-seq analysis (scRNAseq) to determine that PGCs express numerous ECM and ECM-associated genes in early embryos. The expression of select ECM transcripts and proteins in PGCs were verified by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunofluorescence (IF). Live imaging of transgenic quail embryos injected with fluorescent antibodies against fibronectin and laminin, showed that germinal crescent PGCs display rapid shape changes and morphological properties such as blebbing and filopodia while surrounded by, or in close contact with, an ECM fibril meshwork that is itself in constant motion. Injection of anti-β1 integrin CSAT antibodies resulted in a reduction of mature fibronectin and laminin fibril meshwork in the germinal crescent at HH4-5 but did not alter the active motility of the PGCs or their ability to populate the germinal crescent. These results suggest that integrin β1 receptors are important, but not required, for PGCs to successfully migrate during embryonic development, but instead play a vital role in ECM fibrillogenesis and assembly.


A notorious open problem in the field of rendezvous search is to decide the rendezvous value of the symmetric rendezvous search problem on the line, when the initial distance apart between the two players is 2. We show that the symmetric rendezvous value is within the interval (4.1520, 4.2574), which considerably improves the previous best known result (3.9546, 4.3931). To achieve the improved bounds, we call upon results from absorbing markov chain theory and mathematical programming theory---particularly fractional quadratic programming and semidefinite programming. Moreover, we also establish some important properties of this problem, which may be of independent interest and useful for resolving this problem completely. Finally, we conjecture that the symmetric rendezvous value is asymptotically equal to 4.25 based on our numerical calculations.


Background There is increasing recognition of the need for more comprehensive surveillance data, including information on physical activity of all intensities, sedentary behavior, and sleep. However, meeting this need poses significant challenges for current surveillance systems, which are mainly reliant on self-report. Objective The primary objective of this project is to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a sensor-based system for use in the surveillance of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep (SurPASS) at a national level in Denmark. Methods The SurPASS project involves an international, multidisciplinary team of researchers collaborating with an industrial partner. The SurPASS system consists of (1) a thigh-worn accelerometer with Bluetooth connectivity, (2) a smartphone app, (3) an integrated back end, facilitating the automated upload, analysis, storage, and provision of individualized feedback in a manner compliant with European Union regulations on data privacy, and (4) an administrator web interface (web application) to monitor progress. The system development and evaluation will be performed in 3 phases. These phases will include gathering user input and specifications (phase 1), the iterative development, evaluation, and refinement of the system (phase 2), and the feasibility evaluation (phase 3). Results The project started in September 2020 and completed phase 2 in February 2022. Phase 3 began in March 2022 and results will be made available in 2023. Conclusions If feasible, the SurPASS system could be a catalyst toward large-scale, sensor-based surveillance of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. It could also be adapted for cohort and interventional research, thus contributing to the generation of evidence for both interventions and public health policies and recommendations. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/35697


The effect of construction new tunnel on nearby tunnel was investigated using finite element software program SIGMA/W. Two methods of excavation were used, one using one stage in construction of tunnels and the other using eight stages of excavation. The analysis also carried out to study the effect of nearby tunnel on existing tunnel by varying the pillar width (W), using W equal to 3, 5, 7 and 12 m. The results show that, using stages in construction of tunnel has no significant effect comparing with one stage. The study indicates that there is significant effect of position of new tunnel on the existing tunnel.


The main goal of this paper is to simultaneously decode movement velocity of both hand and elbow from electroencephalography (EEG) signals. The result can support motor rehabilitation using a robotic arm and assist people with disabilities to control an upper limb neuroprosthesis in natural movement. In recent works, researchers have estimated hand movement velocity from EEG signals. However, such studies are insufficient to apply motor rehabilitation, since they only considered hand movement trajectory. Sometimes patients take wrong elbow movement in motor rehabilitation even though their hand movements are correct. In this study, we explore to decode not only hand but also elbow velocity from EEG signals when subjects move upper limb.


Background: Despite high HIV prevalence in Zambia, which lies within the heart of sub-Saharan Africa, early implementation of public policy and programs to effectively manage the burden of disease has insured consistently high testing rates. Zambian strategies to combat the HIV/AIDS crisis employ governmental support for HIV testing and public education and can serve as models for neighboring countries to advance the development of effective testing and treatment initiatives. Although these testing programs have proven highly successful, stigma and gaps in public knowledge continue to hamper access to treatment. Through this review of the current literature, we sought to better understand HIV-specific educational programs, the impact of HIV-related stigma, and the cultural components that influence patient care. Methods: Literature searches were conducted in multiple databases including the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Academic Search Complete, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine through the National Institutes of Health (Medline/PubMed). The search terms were structured to include all text of each article rather than restricting the search to titles or keywords. While these search criteria resulted in identification of 38 peer-reviewed articles, the inclusion criteria (HIV prevention, community education, HIV knowledge and stigma) led to the exclusion of all except 22 articles. Their findings are described here. Results: Individuals who reported negative experiences with health workers perceived HIV-related stigma was common. The fear of involuntary status disclosure while filling prescriptions for anti-retroviral medications led to higher levels of perceived stigma and treatment refusal. Observation of stigma and bullying experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS in the educational system increased fear in both teachers and students. Conclusions: Cultural and religious considerations were found to be important in stigma reduction. In sum, collaboration with key community leaders, church elders, and politicians were seen as vital in strengthening HIV programs. We propose using train-the-trainer models to empower teachers, particularly women, to become HIV educators and reduce stigma.


Axle Wood Carbon (AWC) was used to study the removal of Methyl Blue (MB) from its aqueous solution in a fixed-bed column adsorption system. The adsorbent (AWC) was characterized using SEM and pH PZC . SEM revealed the surface morphology and from the pH PZC determination, it was found that at pH of 8.21 the adsorbent has a net surface charge of zero. The column adsorption parameters were optimized and the maximum percentage removal was achieved by setting the level of process variables at 100 mg/L initial MB dye concentration, 28cm bed height, and 3mL/min flow rate. The fixed-bed adsorption system was found to perform well with lower initial dye concentration, higher adsorbent bed height, and lower feed flow rate. The breakthrough curve obtained from the adsorption process was fitted into Adams-Bohart and Yoon-Nelson models. Yoon–Nelson model showed the time required to achieve 50% adsorbate breakthrough, (τ) agreed closely with the experimental data (τ50% exp.) whose value is 298. While Adams-Borhat model, gave 35.7885 as the volumetric sorption capacity of the bed (N 0 ). This implies that the column has reached first saturation level. As such AWC is effective for the removal of MB and the selected kinetic models can be used to explain the column behaviours for the removal of MB and also to predict the large scale industrial application of the process. Keywords: Axle wood Carbon, Breakthrough Curve, Column adsorption, Kinetic Model, Methyl Blue


Strand-specific hybridization probes were used in in situ hybridization studies to localize cells containing mink enteritis virus (MEV) virion DNA or MEV replicative-form DNA and mRNA. Following the experimental MEV infection of 3-month-old unvaccinated mink, a significant increase in serum antibodies to MEV was detected at postinfection day (PID) 6, 2 days after the onset of fecal shedding of virus. Prior to the appearance of virus in feces, viral DNA could be detected in the mesenteric lymph node and intestine. The largest percentage of cells positive for virion DNA was 10% and was detected in the intestine on PID 6. However, replication of the virus apparently peaked at PID 4. The number of MEV replicative-form DNA and mRNA molecules was found to be approximately 250,000 copies per infected lymph node cell or crypt epithelial cell. The localization, levels, and time course of viral replication have important implications for the pathogenesis of MEV-induced disease. The data presented on MEV are correlated with earlier results on the other mink parvovirus, Aleutian mink disease parvovirus, and a possible explanation for the remarkable differences in pathogenesis of disease caused by these two parvoviruses is discussed.


The biological activity of essential oil extracted from coriander, Coriandrum sativum L. (Apiaceae), seeds against adults of Tribolium confusum Duval (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) was investigated in a series of laboratory experiments. Fumigant toxicity was assessed at 27± 1◦C and 65± 5% R.H., in dark condition. Dry seeds of the plant were subject to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The composition of essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The predominant components in the oil were linalool (57.57%) and geranyl acetate (15.09%). The mortality of 1–7-day-old adults of the insect pests increased with concentration from 43 to 357 μL/L air and with exposure time from 3 to 24 h. In the probit analysis, LC50 values (lethal concentration for 50% mortality) showed that C. maculatus (LC50 = 1.34 μL/L air) was more susceptible than T. confusum (LC50 = 318.02 μL/L air) to seed essential oil of this plant. The essential oil of C. sativum can play an important role in stored grain protection and reduce the risks associated with the use of synthetic insecticides.


In the systems of "Identification for Radio Frequency" (RFID), constitutes a very important aspect the transmission of the biggest current quantity between the antenna receiver and the electronic scheme that constitute the receiver, fundamentally, and the efficiency with which this obtain. In the work a circuital variant is analyzed, tuned series and coupled inductively, in the receiver block, that improves this characteristic. Also it is described, shortly, the obtaining of the expression of the coupling capacity, between the adapting circuit and the load, that assures to obtain the maxim current for the load resistance. With this circuital version, it is guaranteed to obtain a bigger current in the load that the up to now obtained with the reported scheme in these devices RFID. Besides the efficiency improvement, it is possible to increase the receiver circuit selectivity respect to the schemes traditionally used, aspect also very interesting in some applications of this device type. The characterization and confirmation of the proposed scheme and the obtained results, they are carried out using simulation tools of "Matlab" and through of experimental measurements. Finally the experimental results are analyzed, they are compared with both simulation and theoretical, and the effectiveness of the proposed schemes is demonstrated, for to obtain the declared objectives.


The subject of this Research Master of Science (MSc) carried out in the Science Faculty at the
University of Lincoln is the application of heritage science in cultural heritage management.
Within this broad area, the focus is on practical end user research that contributes to the
interpretation, documentation and conservation of cultural heritage objects. The aim of the
Research MSc was to address gaps in current knowledge and practice in the heritage sector
identified in the U.K. National Heritage Science Strategy reports in 2009-2010, as well as
specific questions that came up in conservation projects at the University Museum of Bergen
in Norway prior to carrying out the Research MSc. The results of two research components are
presented in the thesis. The first consists of the characterisation of a collection of modern
religious medals from the University Museum of Bergen using portable X-ray fluorescence
spectroscopy (pXRF) combined with environmental scanning electron microscopy-energy
dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (ESEM-EDX) mapping and stereo microscopy. The research was
carried out in collaboration with the Director of the University Museum of Bergen, Professor
Henrik von Achen, who is also the Senior Curator for the Coins and Medals collections. The
experimental work in this research component was designed to illustrate the way that the
materials analysis of cultural heritage objects provides information that increases our
understanding of the objects and contributes to their documentation, as well as informs the
decision making process for their conservation and long term preservation. By combining
complementary analytical techniques it was possible to identify different types of plated and
non-plated metal alloys used to produce the modern religious medals, and in particular
distinguish between the alloys used for the numerous white metal medals in the collection.
The information gained facilitates the inclusion of the modern religious medals in the online
catalogue of the coins and medals collections at the University Museum of Bergen. The second
research component consists of analysing the effects of cleaning treatments in metals
conservation using ESEM images and EDX analysis combined with pXRF analysis. The
experimental work was designed to provide a visual database or atlas of the effects of a range
of chemical and abrasive cleaning treatments on the surface of silver, copper, lead and iron
coupons. The ESEM-EDX analyses indicated that there were significant changes in the metal
surfaces after chemical cleaning treatments compared with the milder abrasive cleaning
treatments. The results demonstrated the importance of assessing the pH of chemical
solutions and the hardness of abrasive materials used in comparison with the hardness of the
metal being treated before carrying out irreversible treatments such as cleaning. This practical
end user information contributes to the decision making process for implementing appropriate
6
treatments in the conservation and long term preservation of cultural heritage objects with
metals components made of silver, copper, lead and iron and in particular historic objects.


Plantar fasciitis (PF) commonly causes inferior heel pain and occurs in up to 10% of the US population. Treatment protocols in most studies include the use of ice therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and stretching and strengthening protocols. The aim of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of 2 different therapeutic approaches on the treatment of PF in recreational athletes using the Pain and Disability Scale for the evaluation. A total of 38 participants with PF were randomly allocated to 2 different groups of 19 male participants in each group. Group 1 was treated with ice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and a stretching and a strengthening program. Group 2 received the same therapeutic procedures as group 1, reinforced by acupuncture treatment. The primary outcomes, nominated a priori, were pain description and mobility-function at 1 and 2 months. Outcomes were measured with the pain scale for PF. The mean total score of the acupuncture group at the third measurement was statistically minor compared with the mean total score of the first group. Acupuncture should be considered as a major therapeutic instrument for the decrease of heel pain, combined with traditional medical approaches.


To assess whether decreased aerobic work capacity was associated with albuminuria in insulin dependent diabetics aerobic capacity was measured in three groups of 10 patients matched for age, sex, duration of diabetes, and degree of physical activity. Group 1 comprised 10 patients with normal urinary albumin excretion (<30 mg/24 h), group 2 comprised 10 with incipient diabetic nephropathy (urinary albumin excretion 30-300 mg/24 h, and group 3 comprised 10 with clinical diabetic nephropathy (urinary albumin excretion >300 mg/24 h). Ten non-diabetic subjects matched for sex, age, and physical activity served as controls. Oxygen uptake was similar in the four groups at rest and during a 75 W workload. Maximal oxygen uptake was also similar in the control subjects and group 1 (median 41·7, (range 29·1-53·0) ml/kg/min v 38·5 (26·6-59·2) ml/kg/min, respectively), but was significantly lower in group 2 (27·7 (13·9-44·3) ml/kg/min) and group 3 (26·8 (22·6-36·7) ml/kg/min). The difference in maximal oxygen uptake between groups 1 and 2 was 10·8 ml/kg/min (95% confidence interval 3·6 to 23·4 ml/kg/min) and between groups 1 and 3, 11·7 ml/kg/min (4·9 to 22·5 ml/kg/min). These differences were not explained by differences in metabolic control or the degree of autonomic neuropathy. Thus the insulin dependent diabetics with only slightly increased urinary albumin excretion had an appreciably impaired aerobic work capacity which could not be explained by autonomic neuropathy or the duration of diabetes. Whether the reduced capacity is due to widespread microangiopathy or another pathological process affecting the myocardium remains to be established.


Existing tokamaks such as DIII‐D and future experiments like ITER employ both NB injection (NBI) and ion‐cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) for auxiliary heating and current drive. The presence of energetic particles produced by NBI can result in absorption of the Ion cyclotron radio frequency (ICRF) power. ICRF can also interact with the energetic beam ions to alter the characteristics of NBI momentum deposition and resultant impact on current drive and plasma rotation. To study the synergism between NBI and ICRF, a simple physical model for the slowing‐down of NB injected fast ions is implemented in a Monte‐Carlo rf orbit code. This paper presents the first results. The velocity space distributions of energetic ions generated by ICRF and NBI are calculated and compared. The change in mechanical momentum of the beam and an estimate of its impact on the NB‐driven current are presented and compared with ONETWO simulation results.


In the late 1990s, The Mountain Institute (a small, nonprofit environmental organization) began working with the Antamina Mining Company (one of the world's largest mining companies) to help it revise its plans for a large zinc and copper mine. The collaboration produced a road design that not only protected a fragile ecosystem, but was more cost-effective than the firm's original plan. This article explains the important role that financial institutions played in enabling The Mountain Institute to engage Antamina's attention and establish its credibility as a source of objective expertise for and valuable partner in the mine planning and development process. The case raises issues that corporations, government policymakers, and environmental organizations must resolve for such collaborations to succeed over the long term.


Critical motion error sources of rotary axes with respect to linear axes in 5-axis machining center (MC) include: 1) the alignment error of rotary axes, and 2) the angular error due to e.g. the inclination of rotary axes. Each motion error has a particular "sensitive" direction where it causes the largest motion error in DBB measurement plane. In this paper, the diagnosis method for the motion error sources of rotary axes is proposed as: the first is to find out such the sensitive direction of each motion error source by using numerical simulation, and the second is to determine the diagnosis procedure according to the simulation results. Moreover, the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed diagnosis method is validated by this experiment.


Located on the Kaipara Harbour in New Zealand, 45 km north of Auckland, Te Tuhirangi Contour is one of Richard Serra's largest site-specific works. The site is a vast open grass pasture with rolling hills and the fall and rise of the land establishes curvilinear contours. The sculpture is located on one continuous contour, at a length of 257m (843'2"). The particular contour was chosen for its location, differentiation, contraction and expansion in relation to the volume of the landscape. The elevation of the sculpture is perpendicular to the fall of the land and thereby generates its lean of 11 degrees. This book thoroughly documents Richard Serra's impressive sculpture in Dirk Reinartz's elegant black-and-white photography.


BACKGROUND--It is commonly assumed that some immunological disorder may play a part in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. Previous studies by several groups have shown a significant association with HLA-DR antigens in patients with sarcoidosis. In this study, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the HLA-DR gene was designed to confirm the association at the gene level and to look for a gene rearrangement which may influence susceptibility to sarcoidosis. METHODS--Thirty two unrelated Japanese patients with sarcoidosis were tested for HLA antigens and subjected to RFLP analysis after digestion with Eco RI, Pst I, Bam HI, Pvu II, and Hind III by using an HLA-DR beta cDNA probe. A group of 47 unrelated healthy Japanese subjects served as controls. Frequencies of each restriction fragment were compared between the patients and the control subjects. Correlation between fragment frequencies and clinical features were also analysed. RESULTS--No restriction fragments of HLA-DR beta gene were found specific to the patients with sarcoidosis. The RFLP analysis could detect polymorphism of HLA-DR beta genes that was not distinguishable by conventional serological methods. Several restriction fragments of the DR beta gene were seen only in DRw52 positive individuals, and showed higher frequencies in the patients than in control subjects. The patients with these DNA fragments were likely to have limited stage disease with no ophthalmic involvement. CONCLUSIONS--An association between HLA and sarcoidosis was noted at the DNA level, although no restriction fragments were specific for this disease. RFLP analysis of the HLA gene is a more useful method than the usual HLA typing, and should be the first step in identifying the gene sequence which is connected with susceptibility to sarcoidosis.


This paper deals with a new control method for Power Factor Correctors. Control is carried out by a standard IC controller for peak current-mode dc-dc converters, with only an additional compensation ramp generator and peak detector. Neither an analog multiplier nor an input voltage sensor is needed to achieve quasi-sinusoidal line waveforms, which makes this method very attractive. The method is similar to the one-cycle control method, but can be very easily adapted for use with topologies different to the boost converter, i.e. flyback, buck-boost, SEPIC Cuk and Zeta topologies. Moreover, as the line current is cycle-by-cycle controlled, the resulting input current feedback loop is extremely fast, thus allowing the use of this type of control with high frequency lines.


Abstract Reasons of this paper is that the Population and Civil Registration Agency Sragen is one district in Indonesia which was awarded Best Of The Best e-Government Award 2007 from Warta Ekonomi in e-Government implementation. One implementation of e-Government in Sragen is application in SIAK 2 program. SIAK is a web-based information system that is based on the procedures and standards used specifically aimed at managing the administrative system in the field of population in order to achieve orderly administration and also help the officers to held in the population and civil registration service. Population Administration Information System in Sragen based on Sragen Local Regulation No. 10 of 2011 on the Implementation of Civil Affairs. The main guidelines for the application of SIAK regulated in Regulation No. 23 of 2006 on Population Administration and Government Regulation No. 37 of 2007 on the Implementation of Law No. 23 of 2006 concerning Population Administration. In addition, SIAK also regulated in Presidential Decree No. 88 of 2004 on Management of Population Administration. The purpose of this study is determine the effectiveness of the implementation of e-Government at the Civil Registration and Population Agency Regency Sragen in the Population Administration Information System (SIAK) program and constraints encountered in implementation. This study uses descriptive qualititative type of method in order to obtain a clear picture of the object under study and draw conclusions. The results shows that the application of SIAK program at Population and Civil Registration Agency Sragen is effective, visible, and run faster. But there are still this in dealing with human resources SIAK program, there are SIAK officers in districts that have not been able to operate the program SIAK to the absence of training for operators SIAK. . Keywords: e-Government, Effectiveness, Information Technology, SIAK


This paper presents a cloud-based business intelligence (BI) implementation for a cellular Internet of Things (IoT) network. A Design Science Research (DSR) paradigm, combined with elaborated Action Design Research (eADR) was used to ensure a workable artifact is delivered. The real-world problem is that, in the cellular network considered here, network health status was not initially visible in an intelligent and actionable way. The network health status is used to ensure service availability and includes different health indicators, of which measurements are made at regular intervals. Not all IoT edge devices have health indicators available, but the network under evaluation provided sufficient data from which to extract anomalies. Experiments were conducted to identify the most appropriate anomaly detection technique from three options, namely SARIMA, SVM and LSTM techniques. Anomalies were linked to system operational failures, in turn to be addressed by appropriate standard operating procedures of a larger main-tenance system. Finally, a clustering algorithm was evaluated for automated recognition of anomalous events, showing that anomalies may be clustered in a useful way using the Mean-Shift clustering algorithm, and also identifying additional health indicators that support anomaly classification.


Grain boundary (GB) doped exhibits interesting electroceramic phenomena including varistor and barrier layer capacitor behaviour. We present here our investigation of GB acceptor-doped using analytical electron microscopy including electron holography. Mn was diffused into sintered polycrystalline to attain GBs which are rich in Mn. The presence and spatial extent of Mn at the GBs were analysed using x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and parallel electron energy loss spectroscopy (PEELS). The valence state of Mn was determined using PEELS to be predominantly +2. Finally, transmission high-energy electron holography was utilized to directly image and quantify the electrostatic potential and associated space-charge across the GBs directly. The holography results reveal a negatively charged GB with positive space-charge, indicating that Mn with a valence of +2 resides as an acceptor dopant on the Ti site at the GB core. The barrier height and local charge density distribution, including the Debye length, of the double Schottky barrier at the GB are derived from these holography results. This investigation demonstrates the usefulness of electron holography as a bulk-sensitive technique to probe the statics and dynamics of electrostatic field distribution and electrical charge across interfaces in technologically useful materials, and the need to employ diverse analytical techniques for such an investigation.


To characterize newly arising replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 in vivo at the cellular level, distinct viral RNA species in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HIV-1-infected patients were monitored during 2 weeks of structured treatment interruption (STI). HIV-1 RNA encoding tat/rev and PBMC-associated virions were almost completely depleted during antiretroviral therapy and emerged simultaneously after 2 weeks of STI, thus specifically reflecting productive viral infection at the cellular level. The magnitude of these correlates of reappearing cellular viral replication was predicted by during-therapy levels of nef transcripts in PBMCs. Significant rebound of plasma viremia, representing the progeny of a broader range of anatomical compartments, preceded and predicted productive infection in PBMCs. Thus, cellular viral rebound in PBMCs likely was primed before STI by the expression of nef in HIV-1-infected PBMCs that lacked virion production and was subsequently triggered by the plasma viremia that preceded the recurrence of productively infected PBMCs.


Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural disorder commonly diagnosed among children. The symptoms associated with the diagnosis not only affect the child, but everyone connected to the child. For mothers raising children with ADHD there are often various demands and pressures placed on them. This major research paper addresses some of these mothering experiences through a qualitative methodology known as narrative inquiry (NI). This study centers mothers' stories of everyday encounters at home, school, in medical clinics, and within the community. It also takes up these narratives through the framework of critical feminist race theory (CRFT), with a pinch of Foucauldian philosophy addressing knowledge, power, and governmentality through bio-politics. Jonathan Gottschall said it best, "We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the minds stays up all night, telling itself stories." I invite you on a journey of stories through the eyes of every loving mother raising a child with ADHD.


In this study, we explored the use of a dry film photo-resist (DFR) in the patterning of Ag nanowire and carbon nanotube (CNT) networks for the first time. With a simple lamination process, the DFR was uniformly coated on the Ag nanowire and CNT networks on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrates without a post-thermal baking process. Furthermore, a Na2CO3-based developer enabled the networks to be patterned without loss of conductivity. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the Ag nanowire and CNT networks were successfully patterned with a pattern width up to ∼30 μm. The patterned Ag nanowire networks were confirmed to follow the percolation theory, showing a logarithmically linear increase in resistance as the pattern width decreased. The results indicated that there was no harmful effect on the Ag nanowire network during the patterning process. In addition, the mechanical reliability under bending fatigue was explored, which revealed a pattern-size dependent bending fatigue behavior, where the Ag nanowire networks with smaller pattern widths showed a higher increase in resistance during bending fatigue. This simple patterning method using DFRs combined with the roll-to-roll process is expected to lead the future patterning technology of flexible electronics.


: The effect of fetal calf serum (FCS) concentration on hemopoiesis in long-term bone marrow cell cultures (supplemented with 10(-6) M hydrocortisone) was investigated. The duration of hemopoiesis was directly related to the concentration of serum in the cultures. At each concentration, marked differences were seen between different batches of FCS. The longevity of cultures established with a suboptimum concentration of serum was increased by the addition of HEPES buffer. Removal of all non-adherent cells and growth medium for the weekly feedings increased the overall production of hemopoietic cells when compared to the standard feeding procedure of replacing one-half of the growth medium.


The paper explores stability as a new measure of recommender systems performance. Stability is defined to measure the extent to which a recommendation algorithm provides predictions that are consistent with each other. Specifically, for a stable algorithm, adding some of the algorithm's own predictions to the algorithm's training data (for example, if these predictions were confirmed as accurate by users) would not invalidate or change the other predictions. While stability is an interesting theoretical property that can provide additional understanding about recommendation algorithms, we believe stability to be a desired practical property for recommender systems designers as well, because unstable recommendations can potentially decrease users' trust in recommender systems and, as a result, reduce users' acceptance of recommendations. In this paper, we also provide an extensive empirical evaluation of stability for six popular recommendation algorithms on four real-world datasets. Our results suggest that stability performance of individual recommendation algorithms is consistent across a variety of datasets and settings. In particular, we find that model-based recommendation algorithms consistently demonstrate higher stability than neighborhood-based collaborative filtering techniques. In addition, we perform a comprehensive empirical analysis of many important factors (e.g., the sparsity of original rating data, normalization of input data, the number of new incoming ratings, the distribution of incoming ratings, the distribution of evaluation data, etc.) and report the impact they have on recommendation stability.


In 2014, Hydro Ottawa began a pilot project to use power quality monitors to locate faults on distribution feeders supplied by medium voltage (MV) systems. Fault measurements captured by the meters are downloaded automatically, integrated into a relational database, and processed for reactance calculations. The reactance calculations are combined with detailed distribution circuit models and geographic information system data to build estimated fault location tables and web-based map displays. The systems are integrated on the company intranet and used in real-time by numerous groups within Hydro Ottawa including power quality engineers, control room operators, field operations, and distribution planning. The algorithm used for waveform processing can distinguish between single-phase faults, multi-phase faults, subcycle faults, and feeder energizing magnetizing inrush. This paper will present an overview of some of the parameters and practices for finding faults at Hydro Ottawa.


Among various solar energy converting technologies, photovoltaic cells (PV) is the most widely used. However, the mismatch between the broad solar spectrum and the mono-energetic absorption of PV results in the non-absorption of photons with energy below the bandgap (Eg). Previous CPV-T systems were proposed to recycle the below Eg loss of PV. Another dominant loss, thermalization loss, could not be reduced in CPV-T systems. Moreover, CPV-T systems recycle all the energy loss as heat. In these systems, solar energy is converted to thermal energy firstly, which is further utilized to generate other products. Two converting processes increase the irreversible loss. In our opinion, the two different kinds of loss should not be treated equally without discrimination. So we proposed a solar cascade utilization system with concentrated photochemical-photovoltaicthermochemical (CP-PV-T) processes to make the most use of the full spectrum of solar energy. The photons with energy far above Eg of PV are utilized in the photochemical process, and thus the thermalisation loss of PV cell is reduced. The below Eg loss of PV is recycled to provide heat for thermochemical process. Results show that the utilization rate of photon energy at the first 600 nm is increased to 80.68% from 44.01% with the addition of photochemical process in front of PV, and the total solar energy utilization efficiency of the proposed system is 64.24% on the design condition.


The ozone trend in the Muda Irrigation Area (MADA), Kedah, Malaysia, was assessed from the ozone data recorded in Su
ngai Petani. Three parameters were selected as the robust trend indicators in the study: the monthly mean, the monthly averaged daily 1-h maximum and the number of annual hours > 120 g/m3. As the ozone data displayed obvious seasonal variation, using deseasonalised monthly average parameters to estimate the ozone trends could smooth out the influence of seasonal fluctuations. In this study, we used the Box-Jenkins methodology to build the Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model for the monthly ozone data taken from an Automatic Air
Quality Monitoring System in Sungai Petani station for the period between 1999 and 2007, with a total 108 readings. The parametric, seasonally adjusted ARIMA (1, 0, 1) x
(2, 1, 2) 12 model was successfully applied to predict the long-term trend of ozone concentration. The detection of a steady, statistically significant upward trend of ozone
concentration in the area is a concern for human health and agricultural activities.


Abstract The Pierce Field contains oil and gas in Palaeocene Forties Sand and fractured Chalk, draped around the flanks of a pair of Central Graben salt diapirs. Whilst the two diapirs constitute a single field containing over 387 MMSTB AND 125 BCF, it took almost 25 years, and several advances in seismic, drilling and production technology, for the field to be brought into production. Many appraisal wells were drilled on the field. Data from these wells were interpreted to suggest the field was highly segmented both in terms of petroleum distribution and pressure variance. On the basis of this interpretation an economic development required a floating production system with long reach horizontal wells to penetrate the many reservoir segments. The results of development drilling have indicated that few pressure seals exist within the field, with concentric faults being more likely to seal than radial faults. The various reservoir pressures and oil-water contacts have been re-interpreted as a single, highly tilted oil-water contact, facilitated by the location of the field in the low permeability toe of the Forties submarine fan, a major conduit for the transport of basinal fluids away from the deep Central Graben Palaeocene reservoir depositional patterns closely resemble those predicted by analogue models. The greatest reservoir thickness and net/gross are located in areas of flow velocity reduction (depletive flow), on the 'lee' side of the diapirs, but porosity and permeability are optimized in areas of increased flow velocity (accumulative flow), towards the crests of the diapirs Strontium residual salt analysis has been used to study the charge history of the field. Interpretation suggests that South Pierce was filled before North Pierce, from a local Upper Jurassic source kitchen. Oil and gas subsequently spilled into North Pierce to form a composite trap with a single, tilted oil-water contact. The South Pierce gas cap has since been breached, and the escape of gas is currently leading to the retreat of the tilted water contact, once again isolating the two diapir structures


INTRODUCTION. Definition of the Term 'Bajocian.'—For the strata which are equivalent to the upper part of the Inferior Oolite, with a portion of the Fullers' Earth, d'Orbigny proposed the term ' Bajocien . ' Like our own terms ' Inferior Oolite ' and ' Fullers ' Earth,' its boundaries were somewhat uncertain; and like them, too, it would seem that the same palæontological horizon has received different geological names at different localities—for this, probably, a difference in lithological characters may be blamed. In the present paper I use the term ' Bajocian ' in a merely conventional sense—for the lower beds of the upper part of the ' Inferior Oolite '; but I do not express any opinion as to its merits. I may, however, remark that the division of the Jurassic period on palæontological grounds— disregarding the details of its inconstant and merely local lithology —is a necessity. Ammonites have been chosen as the indicators of horizons, and their rapidity in development makes them peculiarly suitable. Therefore, as far as possible, the chronological unit and the Ammonite–species should go together; and any system of grouping the chronological units should depend on the epacme, acme, and paracme of Ammonite-families. No doubt, in practical application, the epacme of one family would be found contemporaneous with the paracme of another, so that possibly it might be necessary to consider only two of the developmental phases. Such terms as Bajocian, Toarcian, etc., might be used from the chronological point of view only, to


The space-filling fractal geometry of the Hilbert curve is examined in terms of its effectiveness in lowering resonant frequency. It is demonstrated that the complex geometry associated with the space-filling Hilbert fractal curve is inherently ineffective in lowering resonant frequency compared to other less complex geometries of the same size and total wire length. The effectiveness of the geometry in lowering resonant frequency is a direct function of the current vector alignment established by the wire layout.


This paper builds upon and empirically tests our recently JIEN published conceptual model developed by Andersson and Evers (2015). This conceptual framework which advances the three core components of the dynamic managerial capabilities: cognitive, social and human capital (Adner and Helfat, 2003) is an attempt to conceptualise and provide theoretical understanding as to how dynamic managerial capabilities are developed within small internationalising firms for creating and capturing international opportunities. Building upon this conceptual model and extant theoretical studies, this paper sets out to do three things. Firstly, drawing upon the recent conceptual model developed by Andersson and Evers, (JIEN 2015), this research inquiry explores the role of dynamic managerial capabilities in how international opportunities are created and exploited in Irish and Sweden small internationalising companies. Second, it examines the dichotomy between opportunity discovery and the emergent yet controversial concept of opportunity creation. Thirdly, it explores empirically the theoretical relevance of opportunity creation across the findings. Fourthly, this research pays particular attention to top managers and their top management teams (TMTs) as the primary source of dynamic managerial capabilities. In the empirical evidence, we seek to understand how dynamic managerial capabilities are developed and utilized by INV managers to create and capture international opportunities.


Although acupuncture has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, micro-acupuncture is a recent concept. In the mid-1950s, Nogier discovered that the ear may be utilized as a diagnostic and therapeutic system for the entire body. He explored the topology of acupoints on the ear, observing that it is reiterative of the anatomy. Micro-acupuncture extends these principles to other parts of the body, for example, the foot, hand, nose, and even the orbit of the eye. The development, systems, theory, clinical uses and holograms of micro-acupuncture are reviewed. It is suggested that the holographic paradigm may even have implications for the evolution of a new scientific, social and personal consciousness.


: Electromyography and nerve stimulation studies evaluate the function of lower motor neurons, nerve roots, plexus, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junctions and muscles. Electrodiagnostic studies differentiate myopathic and neuropathic muscle weakness. No single abnormality is diagnostic for a particular disease. The combination of certain abnormal findings and their pattern of presentation in specific muscle groups, when correlated with the patient's history and clinical findings, will help to identify and localize a lesion in the motor unit pathway.


One hundred strains of Actinobacillus actinomycetem-comitans were examined serologically by determining their agglutination reactions with six absorbed antisera. Twenty-four reaction patterns were found, and the results were reproducible. The agglutinating antigens were heat-stable. Precipitation reactions were also studied by means of the Ouchterlony agar-gel diffusion technique with Fuller and acetone extracts. The agglutination test was considered preferable for epidemiological and ecological investigations on A. actinomycetem-comitans.


Background/Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to suggest a method for searching a kind of cloud service which is suitable for users by applying. Methods/Statistical Analysis: A variety of methods are developed in order to be used for utilizing some of the existing system and resources more effectively in accordance with the universalization of internet and IT service. However, interworking in a distributed environment contains a lot of difficulties and problems by itself. It lacks consideration for users since it is too much inclined toward physical network environment. In addition, there is a need to find out a proper service that is suitable for requirement of the clients the increase of web services that provides a similar feature has become very common nowadays. It is necessary to look for a web service that can satisfy users by reflecting the requirements of clients to break away from the provider oriented service. Findings: A Cloud service guarantees constant level of service quality through constant discussion based on minimum level of requirement and measuring standard for provider and user in the cloud computing environment in order to provide a reliable and consistent quality to users. Nevertheless, there is a limitation in providing a customized content that is analyzed for each individual since the services provided differs from each other in some way. The method we propose in this study consists of web service searching method based on user requirements. Also, it is composed of SLA specification and user requirement information to bring about positive effects for a proper service search in a Cloud environment. Application/Improvements: The user-friendly system suggested in this study enables users to select an appropriate service provider through the utilization of the proposed system.


The nonlinear evolution of deep-water wave groups, which are initiated by unstable three-wave systems, have been observed in a large wave tank (50 m long, 4.2 m wide, 2.1 m deep), equipped with a programmable, high-resolution wave generator. A large number of experiments were conducted (over 80 cases) for waves 1.0–4.0 m long, initial steepness ε=0.10–0.28, and normalized sideband frequency differences, δω=δω, 0.2–1.4. Using an array of eight high-resolution wave wires distributed in range (up to 43 m fetch), spectral evolution was studied in detail including the effect of background disturbances on the evolution. Minimizing those, new observations were made which extend the pioneering work of Lake et al. (1977) and of Melville (1982). Foremost, near recurrence without downshifting was observed without breaking, despite a significant but reversible energy transfer to the lower sideband at peak modulation; complete recurrence was prevented by the spreading of discretized energy to higher frequencies. Strong breaking was found to increase the transfer of energy from the higher to the lower sideband and to render that transfer irreversible. The end state of the evolution following strong breaking is an effective downshifting of the spectral energy, where the lower and the carrier wave amplitudes nearly coincide; the further evolution of this almost two-wave system was not studied here. Breaking during strong modulation was observed not only for the fastest growing initial condition, but over a wide parameter range. An explanation of the sideband behaviour in both the breaking and non-breaking case was given based on wave energy and momentum considerations, including the separate effects of energy and momentum loss due to breaking, and transfer to discretized higher frequencies throughout the spectra. Attention was drawn to the latter, which was almost universally observed.


The World Health Organization (WHO) qualified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the principal threats to public health globally and inappropriate antibiotic prescription is its modifiable contributor. Therefore assessing antibiotic prescriptions for URTI is an acceptable way to analyze the appropriateness of the prescriptions. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the pattern of antibiotic prescriptions in rural hospitals in Kenya. This study seeks to profile the pattern of antibiotic prescriptions among underfives with URTI in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. This was a retrospective charts review of under-fives treated from November 2018 to December 2019 for URTI in outpatient clinics in Chogoria and Chuka hospitals. A systematic sampling of 385 charts was carried out using the table of Robert and Morgan based on the total of 5000 URTI cases recorded. Charts of children with suspected bacterial infections were excluded, and for cases of tonsillitis, only children with a modified Centor score ≤3 were included. The binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between variables with the calculation of Odd ratio with a CI of 95% using SPSS 24. This study found that 70.4% of under-fives with URTI were prescribed antibiotics. The prescriptions were associated with the diagnosis of tonsillitis as part of the URTI, OR 21(95%CI 4.52-99.3); the level of education of the prescriber with clinical officers prescribing more than medical officers, OR 15.9(95%CI 6.98-36.2) and the patient's proximity to the hospital, OR 1.77(95%CI 1.22-2.77). Antibiotics were prescribed to 70.4% of URTI cases. This percentage was higher than the 30% expected by WHO and was significantly associated with the diagnosis of tonsillitis, the level of education of the prescriber and hospital accessibility. There is a need to train clinicians about the indications of antibiotic prescriptions and to implement antimicrobial stewardship programs in rural facilities.


ABSTRACT Corn bins in the midwestern United States can reach temperatures up to 52 C. High temperatures combined with sufficient moisture and humidity in bins provide the perfect environment to promote the growth of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi. In this article, we characterize for the first time thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi in corn grain bins using culture-based methods and pyrosequencing techniques. Corn samples were collected from local farms in western Illinois. Samples were plated and incubated at 50 C using a variety of approaches. Of several hundred kernels examined, more than 90% showed colonization. Species identified using culture methods included Thermomyces lanuginosus, Thermomyces dupontii, Aspergillus fumigatus, Thermoascus crustaceus, and Rhizomucor pusillus. Pyrosequencing was also performed directly on corn grain using fungal-specific primers to determine whether thermophilic fungi could be detected using this technique. Sequences were dominated by pathogenic fungi, and thermophiles were represented by less than 2% of the sequences despite being isolated from 90% of the grain samples using culturing techniques. The high abundance of previously undocumented viable fungi in corn could have negative implications for grain quality and pose a potential risk for workers and consumers of corn-derived products in the food industry. Members of the Sordariales were absent among thermophile isolates and were not represented in nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. This is in striking contrast with results obtained with other substrates such as litter, dung, and soils, where mesophilic and thermophilic members of the Sordariaceae and Chaetomiaceae are common. This absence appears to reflect an important difference between the ecology of Sordariales and other orders within the Ascomycota in terms of their ability to compete in microhabitats rich in sugars and living tissues.


The time variable is most commonly plotted precisely as recorded in graphs showing change over time. However, if the most interesting part of the graph is very crowded, then transforming the time axis to give that part more space is worth consideration. In this column, I discuss logarithmic scales, square root scales, and scale breaks as possible solutions.


This thesis explored the academic staff working conditions, organizational commitment and performance of Nigerian universities. There is a general thinking that there has been a decline on the motivation of the average academic staff in Nigerian university system leading to brain drain situation and a decline in quality of performance of the universities. Incidentally, there is limited empirical evidence comprehensive enough to serve as a framework of what the academics need at work to make them more inclined to remain in their universities, including university performance. This thesis explored the topic in a comprehensive way with academics from six Nigerian universities. It answers the question what and how did the perceived obstacles to academic staff organizational commitment and university performance in Nigeria evolve, and what can be done to improve it?
The research design was cross-sectional. Qualitative and quantitative information were gathered to uncover the historical origin of the problems; satisfaction with current working conditions, issues of personal growth, organizational commitment, and university performance. A sample of 248 academics participated in the study.
Historically, both structural and managerial issues, internal and external factors, were implicated in the evolution of the problems in the university system. Satisfaction with teaching resources and facilities was poorest. Factors important for personal growth were the same as those that would make the academics more inclined to stay, though, concern with basic salary and welfare were more prominent in decision to stay. Reference to comparable situations with colleagues elsewhere was basis for need to improve on some work factors like salary.
The thesis concludes that, deficiency-growth factors, intrinsic-extrinsic factors, and equity issues are important in dealing with the organizational commitment and performance problems in the Nigerian universities studied. Sugestions and limitations of the study are provided.


The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of total aflatoxin and total fumonisin in maize and maize-based products in Babati, northern Tanzania. A total of 160 samples were collected in 2013-14. Quantification for total aflatoxin and fumonisin was done using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Reveal AccuScan® Neogen, USA) and the results were confirmed using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometer. Aflatoxin was detected in 32% of maize samples (mean 3.4 ± 0.3 μg/kg; range 2.1–16.2 μg/kg) and fumonisin in 39% of samples (mean 5.6 ± 1.40 mg/kg; range 0.4–62.0 mg/kg). Among marketed products, maize bran (used for animal feed) was the most contaminated (2.4 μg/kg aflatoxin and 1 mg/kg fumonisin), followed by whole maize in market stalls (1.9 μg/kg aflatoxin and 0.4 mg/kg fumonisin) and then maize flour (1.4 μg/kg aflatoxin and 0.3 mg/kg fumonisin). Un-marketed maize sorted out by farmers as "bad" and intended for animal feeding was the most contaminated (overall mean aflatoxin and fumonisin levels of 1.7 μg/kg and 7.4 mg/kg, respectively). The results indicate that levels of aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in marketed maize were within tolerable limits. Keywords: Tanzania, aflatoxins, fumonisins, food safety, maize, market, processors, animal feed