This volume explores the reasons why American leaders from the 1700s onwards frequently adopt policies of unilateralism. Thomas M. Kane presents fresh explanations for America's invasion of Iraq and defiance of international agreements, which go much deeper than conventional critiques of particular presidents to examine the real significance of the September 11 attacks. As the only and unprecedented sole superpower, the US faces a range of new and complex problems. Kane draws on the thinking of Machiavelli to illuminate and assess the key challenges for both the US and the global community. This unique book: * connects contemporary US policy to patterns that reach back to America's founding * explores political dynamics affecting all republics * contributes to theoretical debates about the benevolence, or otherwise, of American democracy * highlights the key issues that Americans and non-Americans alike must address now and in the future. Theoretical Roots of US Foreign Policy will be of great interest to all students of US foreign policy, strategy and history and of international relations, politics and strategic studies in general.


Abstract. Seismic source inversion, a central task in seismology, is concerned with the estimation of earthquake source parameters and their uncertainties. Estimating uncertainties is particularly challenging because source inversion is a non-linear problem. In a companion paper, Stahler and Sigloch (2014) developed a method of fully Bayesian inference for source parameters, based on measurements of waveform cross-correlation between broadband, teleseismic body-wave observations and their modelled counterparts. This approach yields not only depth and moment tensor estimates but also source time functions. A prerequisite for Bayesian inference is the proper characterisation of the noise afflicting the measurements, a problem we address here. We show that, for realistic broadband body-wave seismograms, the systematic error due to an incomplete physical model affects waveform misfits more strongly than random, ambient background noise. In this situation, the waveform cross-correlation coefficient CC, or rather its decorrelation D = 1 − CC, performs more robustly as a misfit criterion than lp norms, more commonly used as sample-by-sample measures of misfit based on distances between individual time samples. From a set of over 900 user-supervised, deterministic earthquake source solutions treated as a quality-controlled reference, we derive the noise distribution on signal decorrelation D = 1 − CC of the broadband seismogram fits between observed and modelled waveforms. The noise on D is found to approximately follow a log-normal distribution, a fortunate fact that readily accommodates the formulation of an empirical likelihood function for D for our multivariate problem. The first and second moments of this multivariate distribution are shown to depend mostly on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the CC measurements and on the back-azimuthal distances of seismic stations. By identifying and quantifying this likelihood function, we make D and thus waveform cross-correlation measurements usable for fully probabilistic sampling strategies, in source inversion and related applications such as seismic tomography.


The paper considers the problems of modern economic activities in the socio-cultural context. We study the differences of methodological approaches to the specific understanding of the socio-economic development (in the face of a materialist method of Marx and the method of interpretive sociology M. Weber). The conclusion is that at the present time there is awareness of the need for cultural, ethical and religious institutions in shaping economic behavior in the context of the methodology of Max Weber. The specific character of philosophical concepts which should underlie modern economic activity. It is noted that such philosophical categories as morality, human-dimension, socio-cultural specificity should be the basis of a modern economy. economic development philosophy appears as a philosophy of social wealth, access to, and use of the population for the development of human capital. Keywords : economics, philosophy, society, morality JEL Classifications : В41, Z13


Abstract Does nationalism produce resistance to foreign military occupation? The existing literature suggests that it does. Nationalism, however, also can lead to acquiescence and even to active collaboration with foreign conquerors. Nationalism can produce a variety of responses to occupation because political leaders connect nationalist motivations to other political goals. A detailed case study of the German occupation of France during World War II demonstrates these claims. In this highly nationalistic setting, Vichy France entered into collaboration with Germany despite opportunities to continue fighting in 1940 or defect from the German orbit later. Collaboration with Germany was widely supported by French elites and passively accommodated by the mass of nationalistic French citizens. Because both resisters and collaborators were French nationalists, nationalism cannot explain why collaboration was the dominant French response or why a relatively small number of French citizens resisted. Variation in who resisted and when resistance occurred can be explained by the international context and domestic political competition. Expecting a German victory in the war, French right-wing nationalists chose collaboration with the Nazis as a means to suppress and persecute their political opponents, the French Left. In doing so, they fostered resistance. This case suggests the need for a broader reexamination of the role of nationalism in explaining reactions to foreign intervention.


We investigate a topological design and routing problem for Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication networks where each satellite can have a limited number of direct inter-satellite links (ISL's) to a subset of satellites within its line-of-sight. First, we model LEO satellite network as a FSA (Finite State Automaton) using satellite constellation information. Second, we solve a combined topological design and routing problem for each configuration corresponding to a state in the FSA. The topological design (or link assignment) problem deals with the selection of ISL's, and the routing problem handles the traffic distribution over the selected links to maximize the number of carried calls. I n this paper, this NP -complete mixed integer optimization problem is solved by a two-step heuristic algorithm that first solves the topological design problem, and then finds the optimal routing. The algorithm is iterated using the simulated annealing technique until the near-optimal solution is found. The link assignment table and the routing table that are pre-calculated off-line for each state are loaded into the satellites and a new set of these tables are retrieved at each state transition. The simulation result shows that the proposed method is applicable to practical LEO satellite networks.


Higher educational institutions incorporate projects into their curricula, in which students, together with educators, researchers and professionals from practice, try to find solutions for real, societal problems, to develop relevant skills. Because such solutions are increasingly digital with high impact on society, ethical responsibility is an important part of these skills. In this study, we analyze two cases of digital innovation projects in higher education in which the concept of the Ethical Matrix is adapted and integrated in a Value Sensitive Design approach and applied by educators (case 1) and by students (case 2). We find that an adapted version of the Ethical Matrix supports educators and students in taking values of different types of stakeholders into account which leads to different design choices. 486 33 RD BLED ECONFERENCE ENABLING TECHNOLOGY FOR A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY


Aspect mining is a reverse engineering process that aims at finding crosscutting concerns in existing systems. This paper describes an aspect mining approach making use of the results of reverse engineering, statechart diagram, to aid in the understanding of an object-oriented software system's behaviors. An aspect based on the recovered statechart diagram is defined as a set of states and an event. These states will transit to the same state after they send the event. Finally, systematic experiment is conducted in the paper in order to verify the correctness and validity of this approach.


A detailed theoretical study has been made of Pt–Pd nanoalloy clusters, with the interatomic interactions modelled by the Gupta many-body potential. For 18–20 atom clusters, a genetic algorithm has been used to find the lowest energy structures for each size and for all possible compositions. A number of different structure motifs have been identified, with the structure often depending critically on cluster composition. Our general finding, which is in agreement with our previous theoretical study, and with experimental results, is that in the lowest energy isomers ("homotops"), the Pd atoms lie predominantly on the surface of the cluster, with the Pt atoms mainly occupying interior (core) sites. For some specific sizes and compositions (PtPd18 and Pt12Pd12) the structures and degree of atomic segregation of the most stable geometrical and permutational isomers ("homotops") have been rationalized by analysis of partial (individual atomic) binding energies, distribution-dependent structural order parameters, atomic coordination and the number of Pt–Pt, Pt–Pd, and Pd–Pd bonds. These approaches have also been used to explain the lowest energy structures obtained by doping single Pt or Pd atoms into 1–3-shell icosahedral clusters of the other element. The observed lowest energy homotops found by the genetic algorithm for a number of 2-shell icosahedral 55 atom clusters (of varying compositions) have also been rationalised and a study of alternative, cuboctahedral geometries has been made. Finally, a number of factors have been identified which are important in determining isomer (including homotop) stability for Pt–Pd nanoalloys.


The current investigation deals with the numerical study of heat transfer in a heat exchanger, with wings, associated to a sensor using solar photovoltaic cells. The heat exchanger is composed of a support cavity. The upper wall of the cavity is in contact with PV cells, while the bottom wall is a good thermal conducting metal. Besides, the bottom wall is in contact with the room (local cavity) to be heated. This problem is governed by the conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy when the solid and fluid phases are not in thermal equilibrium. The parameters characteristic of this system such as the number of wings, Nfi, their length, Lfi and the number of Rayleigh, Ra, were optimized by analyzing their effects on the heat transfer, in order to cool the PV cells and heating the local cavity. Results proved that in case the heat flux increases the fluid flow will be convective progressively; the dimension of fins will be affecting the behaviours of flow. The longer fin has more remarkable effects on the flow fields. Moreover, it is seen that temperature in the local cavity is enhanced with increasing the number of fins. In contrast, in the support cavity, the temperature is observed to be lowered by augmenting the number of fins.


For constrained nonconvex minimization problems, we propose a meta stochastic projection-free optimization algorithm, named Normalized Frank Wolfe Updating, that can take any Gradient Estimator (GE) as input. For this algorithm, we prove its convergence rate, regardless of the choice of GE. Using a sophisticated GE, this algorithm can significantly improve the Stochastic First order Oracle (SFO) complexity. Further, a new second order GE strategy is proposed to incorporate curvature information, which enjoys theoretical advantage over the first order ones. Besides, this paper also provides a lower bound of Linear-optimization Oracle (LO) queried to achieve an approximate stationary point. Simulation studies validate our analysis under various parameter settings.


The centering inference - p & q, therefore if p then q - is important in reasoning research because it is logically valid for some accounts of conditionals (e. g. the material and the probability conditionals), but not for others (e. g. the inferential conditional, according to which a conditional is true if and only if there is an inferential connection between p and q). We tested participants' acceptance of centering compared to valid and invalid inferences not containing conditionals, varying the presence of an inferential connection and of a common topic of discourse between p and q. Participants' acceptance of centering was more similar to valid inferences than to invalid inferences, and there was no reliable effect of a connection between p and q. Acceptance rates were higher when there was a common topic of discourse, independently of the type of inference. The findings support the probability conditional account.


AIM: Bacterial translocation and septic events is strongly associated. Pro-prebiotics and symbiotics use in the prevention of bacterial translocation has been widely studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intestinal Bifidobacterium breve A28 as a newer probiotic, inulin as a prebiotic and both as a symbiotic on a rat model of obstructive jaundice induced-bacterial translocation. METHODS: To create a bacterial translocation obstructive jaundice model was used. Four groups, each have 12 rats, designed. Postoperatively 10 days the groups were fed with normal rat food plus pro-pre and symbiotic, and control group was fed only normal rat food. After this period, systemic blood, liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes samples were obtained for microbiological culture. The Pearson's chi-Square test was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Probiotic, prebiotic effectively reduced bacterial translocation, seperately and as a symbiotic. No significant difference was observed between probiotic and prebiotic groups, and between symbiotic and probiotic groups regarding the rate of bacterial translocation. And there were a significant difference between control and prebiotic group. CONCLUSIONS: This new mixture of pro and prebiotic on bacterial translocation is promising.


This paper is the first of a series that the writer hopes to submit on the Permian rocks of the North of England. It deals with a group of rocks which is insignificant in thickness and area of outcrop, yet is the sole representative in the County of the time interval between the Lower Staffordian and the Zechstein. This group has been called by various authors the Yellow Sands,1 Quicksands2 and Basal Sands.3 Their general lithology and mineral content together with their stratigraphical relations to the beds above and below afford important evidence regarding the physiographical and climatic conditions of the interval mentioned above. Little petrographical research has been carried out on these beds. Prof. Gilligan has described the somewhat anomalous outcrop at Conisborough4 and H. P. Lewis5 has called attention to specific points in the Yellow Sands at Nitticarhill.

Under the Magnesian Limestone of Durham occurs a series of loosely compacted sands which attain in places a thickness of 150 ft. At no place south of Ferryhill does such a thickness of beds of this age occur, and not until Harthill is reached does their outcrop again become continuous. In Yorkshire the Yellow Sands are found in a number of isolated outcrops and rarely attain a thickness of more than 20 ft. These outcrops occur at Crakehall near Bedale, Scriven, Thorner, Garforth and Kippax, Hampole area, Conisborough and Harthill, while in Nottinghamshire the outcrop becomes continuous and a breccia facies develops. The Geological Survey map of the Harrogate sheet ...


The bitmap obtained by scanning a printed pattern depends on the exact location of the scanning grid relative to the pattern. We consider ideal sampling with a regular lattice of delta functions. The displacement of the lattice relative to the pattern is random and obeys a uniform probability density function defined over a unit cell of the lattice. Random-phase sampling affects the edge-pixels of sampled patterns. The resulting number of distinct bitmaps and their relative frequencies can be predicted from a mapping of the original pattern boundary to the unit cell (called a module-grid diagram). The theory is supported by both simulated and experimental results. The module-grid diagram may be useful in helping to understand the effects of edge-pixel variation on optical character recognition.


We report three heterozygous missense mutations of the skeletal muscle alpha actin gene (ACTA1) in three unrelated cases of congenital fiber type disproportion (CFTD) from Japan and Australia. This represents the first genetic cause of CFTD to be identified and confirms that CFTD is genetically heterogeneous. The three mutations we have identified Leucine221Proline, Aspartate292Valine, and Proline332Serine are novel. They have not been found previously in any cases of nemaline, actin, intranuclear rod, or rod‐core myopathy caused by mutations in ACTA1. It remains unclear why these mutations cause type 1 fiber hypotrophy but no nemaline bodies. The three mutations all lie on one face of the actin monomer on the surface swept by tropomyosin during muscle activity, which may suggest a common pathological mechanism. All three CFTD cases with ACTA1 mutations had severe congenital weakness and respiratory failure without ophthalmoplegia. There were no clinical features specific to CFTD cases with ACTA1 mutations, but the presence of normal eye movements in a severe CFTD patient may be an important clue for the presence of a mutation in ACTA1. Ann Neurol 2004


Introduction: Medial Longitudinal Arch (MLA) is important for the foot, since it provides necessary shock absorption during movement. Its estimation can be done by various techniques, viz navicular height method, footprint, radiography. On the footprint various indexes have been suggested by researchers.
The study aims to correlate the values of medial longitudinal arch by using standing navicular height method, Clark's angle and chosen morphological characteristics (mid-footprint planter angle; MFPA) in medical and health science students of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University.
Materials and Methods: Non-randomized study was conducted in the department of Anatomy in SBKSMI&RC on 50 students of medical & health science at Sumandeep Vidyapeeth after prior approval. Three different methods were used for measuring MLA, navicular height method, Clark's angle (using footprint) and MFPA (using footprint an angle formed by joining the medial most point anteriorly with the point of maximum concavity on the medial side of the foot while posteriorly due to calcaneus bone forming a triangle with this angle).
Results: Middle level negative correlation (-0.531 & -0.500) between MFPA and Clark's angle for right & left foot with statistical significance of
Conclusion: The new technique (MFPA) of estimating MLA using footprint is significant and strongly correlated with other methods, thus can be considered efficient method for estimation of arch in OPD on day to day basis.

Keywords: Medial longitudinal arch, Navicular height method, Footprint, Clark's angle.


The performance of content-based image retrieval (CBIR) systems mainly depends on the image similarity measure that it uses. The fuzzy Hamming distance (D) is an extension of the Hamming distance for real-valued vectors. Because the feature space of each image is real-valued, the fuzzy Hamming distance can be successfully used as an image similarity measure. The current study reports on the results of applying D as a similarity measure between the color histograms of two images. The fuzzy Hamming distance is suitable for this application because it can take into account not only the number of different colors but also the magnitude of this difference.


This paper addresses the problem of scientific research analysis across multiple research literature collections. We use topic modeling in three novel comparative tasks: (1) unsupervised discovery and comparison of scientific topics across multiple disciplines; (2) comparison of topics within the same discipline; (3) analysis of topic evolution over time within and across disciplines and trend analysis. We also experiment with trend analysis and propose a novel measurement of topic influence which measures the temporal correlation of related topics over time. Additionally, we evaluate the model on the task of document classification, which yields performance comparable to an optimally-tuned SVM.


The endomembrane system in eukaryotic cells plays a vital role in the movement of membranes and substances around the cell in response to abiotic and biotic stimuli. Recent work on an actin binding protein, NETWORKED4B (NET4B), revealed that this vacuolar localised protein (Deeks et al. 2012) contains a domain termed the IRQ domain responsible for interacting with particular regulatory proteins of the endomembrane system. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that this IRQ domain was present in six novel proteins not containing the characteristic NET Actin Binding (NAB) domain. These proteins were termed the IRQ proteins (IRQ1-6). Work outlined in this thesis explores the evolution and localisation of expression of these proteins but in particular looks at IRQ4. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the IRQ proteins represent a eudicot specific group of proteins and that they evolved from the NET proteins. The IRQ proteins can be subdivided based on sequence similarity into three groups: IRQ1 and IRQ6, IRQ2 and IRQ3, IRQ4 and IRQ5. Using promoter GUS lines for IRQ1 and IRQ6 revealed that these proteins may be involved in the initiation or regulation of lateral root growth. IRQ4 was expressed most strongly in the root. Subcellular localisation analysis using promIRQ4::IRQ4-GFP and live cell imaging showed that IRQ4 localises to the prevacuolar compartment (PVC)/multivesicular body (MVB). Immunogold labelling using an IRQ4 specific antibody revealed an additional localisation to autophagasomes. This project investigates a group of novel eudicot specific proteins and shows that IRQ4 may be involved in key endomembrane pathways in plants.


We studied the occurrence of two (independent) structures in genomes: the former ia determined by the distribution of triplets to the nearest neighbour, and the latter is determined by the distribution of triplets at the given distance. `The nearest neighbour' means that two triplets were studied in the manner where the second triplet never occurred somewhere in between the starting one, and the edning one. This structure makes a kind og bridges in genomes. Barions intriguing multipeak distributions have been found; some of them seem to have a clear explanation raising from the molecular mechanisms of DNA processing, others do not. The distribution of the triplets at the given distance also yileds a number of quasi-periodic and non-random structures. These entities correlate to some extend to the structures determined by the distribution to the nearest neighbour, while the seem to be independent at most. The structures were modelled with various DNA models, an abundant genetic material has been checked for the structures.


In the last five years, European research and innovation programmes have prioritised the development of online catalogues and tools (handbooks, models, etc.) to facilitate the implementation and monitoring of Nature Based Solutions (NBS). However, only a few catalogues and toolkits within European programmes are directly related to mainstreaming of NBS for food production (i.e., edible NBS). Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to present existing NBS tools through the eyes of productive urban landscapes. We reviewed 32 projects related to NBS and 50 tools were identified and characterised. Then, the 6 tools already available, and providing indicators, were further analysed in terms of their format and knowledge domains. Our main conclusion demonstrates that there is a lack of tools capable of supporting users for planning and implementing edible NBS, calculating the food potential of the city and/or of individual edible NBS, including the needed resources for implementation and operation (water, nutrients, energy), and assessing their urban design value, environmental and socio-economic impacts. And when they do exist, there is a resistance to share the models and equations behind the tools to allow other projects to reuse or validate them, fact which is contrary to Open Science principles stood up by many research public agencies.


For complex controlled object with the large time delay link, it was difficult to get effective control effect by means of traditional fuzzy control algorithm. Aimed at enhancing the control quality in control precision and so on for complex system, the paper proposed a sort of fuzzy intelligence control strategy. It fused the expert control experience combing with human simulated intelligence control, designed the control rule, proposed the mode of running controller and explored the principle of parameter calibrating layer. The system simulation experiment explained that the control effect was much better than optimal PID control in dynamic and steady quality. The results show that the fuzzy intelligent control strategy is reasonable and feasible, high in control precision, better in dynamical and steady control effect, and it represents very strong robustness.


In recent years, enormous progress has been made in our understanding of the geology, geophysics and sedimentology of continental shelves, largely due to the development and application of new concepts such as sequence stratigraphy and of new and powerful investigation techniques. The papers in this volume illustrate this progress, and the detail and multi-disciplinary nature of current research performed around the world on modern shelves and on shelf deposits in the geological record. The book is organized around four major themes: stratigraphy and sedimentary geology of siliciclastic shelves modern siliciclastic shelves: architecture, sea level, tectonics and sediment supply nearshore and coastal environments new techniques in continental shelf research It contains a number of overview papers, new data and an introduction to new techniques, and provides a unique collection of papers at the forefront of a rapidly developing subject. This volume will be of interest to research workers in the fields of marine geology, sedimentary geology and stratigraphy.


Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the differential effects of institutional non-blockholders (NONB) and active institutional blockholders (ACTB) on earnings management behavior, as measured by discretionary accruals. Design/methodology/approach - This paper also proposes that the hypothesized influence of NONB and ACTB on earnings management behavior is affected by earnings pressure (EP) (i.e. the gap between target earnings and pre-managed earnings). In particular, it believes that the stimulating effect of NONB on earnings management may not manifest when the stimulating effect of EPs is already strong and the mitigating effect of ACTB may manifest only when the stimulating effect of EP is there. The sample into three EP conditions: pressure to increase earnings, neutral pressure and pressure to decrease earnings is grouped. Consistent with the expectations, the paper finds that NONB stimulates earnings management, but only when EP is not strong and that ACTB mitigates earnings management, but only when there is pressure to increase earnings. Findings - This paper also predicts that ACTB will need to exercise their monitoring power only when EP is strong. The results confirm this prediction, but only when there is strong pressure to increase earnings. When there is strong pressure to decrease earnings, inconclusive evidence regarding the effect of ACTB is found. This may imply that ACTB are conservative since they appear to be more likely to limit income-increasing accruals than they are to limit income-decreasing accruals. Originality/value - This paper's contributions to the literature are twofold: the paper shows that the characteristics of institutional investors (INSTs) should be considered when examining the relationship between INSTs and earnings management; the paper shows that the direction and level of EP should be considered when evaluating the relationship between INSTs and earnings management.


In light of the increasing use of short extension strategies by institutional investors, this article summarizes actionable findings from four pieces of research that have added to the understanding and effective implementation of these strategies. The research provides support for a loosening of the traditional long-only portfolio constraint, shows that a modest short extension can improve a portfolio9s information efficiency, and puts forth a framework to account for the factors that drive the appropriate levels of short extension. Analysis of these factors indicates that a fixed constraint on the short extension may reduce the portfolio9s information efficiency over time. A key conclusion from the collective research is that there is no "one size fits all" short extension strategy. An investor must balance the size of the short extension, the desired tracking error, and the manager9s skill in order to successfully employ a short extension approach.


A skin irritation test (SIT) utilising a common protocol for two in vitro reconstructed human epidermal (RhE) models, EPISKIN® and EpiDerm™, was developed, optimised and evaluated as a replacement for the in vivo rabbit skin irritation test in an ECVAM-sponsored validation study. In 2007, both RhE models were recognised by an independent peer-review panel and the ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) as validated for use with the common SIT protocol. The EPISKIN SIT was endorsed as a full replacement of the in vivo rabbit test. Since the EpiDerm SIT proved to be less sensitive than the in vivo test and the EPISKIN SIT, the test was recognised as a validated component of a tiered testing strategy, in which positive results are accepted and negative results require further confirmation. The ESAC, in its April 2007 statement, also recommended increasing the sensitivity of the EpiDerm SIT, in order to gain the full acceptance. Analysis of the EpiDerm and EPISKIN data from the ECVAM validation study indicated that the lower sensitivity of the EpiDerm SIT might be linked to the more robust barrier properties of the EpiDerm model. This hypothesis was also in line with results published previously. To overcome the relatively low sensitivity of the EpiDerm protocol as a hindrance to full regulatory acceptance, a modification of exposure conditions was introduced into the protocol to achieve better agreement with the in vivo rabbit data. In the Modified EpiDerm SIT protocol, the test chemical exposure time was increased from 15 minutes to 60 minutes. In addition, part of the exposure was performed at 37°C. When the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) viability assay endpoint was used for classification, a significant increase of sensitivity was obtained (86.1%), whilst maintaining the high specificity of the method (76.3%). With the change to the EU classification system, which now uses higher cut-off for the classification of irritants, the sensitivity of the Modified EpiDerm SIT increased to above 90%. The measurement of interleukin (IL)-1α release did not further contribute to improvement of the method. The results demonstrate that the modified EpiDerm SIT protocol has the required sensitivity and specificity to be accepted as a stand alone method for complete replacement of the in vivo rabbit test.


Abstract. Despite evidence that the maze is a reliable measure of reading comprehension, existing research suggests potential problems with the manner in which maze probes are developed. Specifically, research suggests students may be able to respond accurately to a large portion of target words without having to comprehend what they are reading. The purpose of the current study was to examine differences in student accuracy as a function of (a) whether sentences were placed in the context of a passage and (b) target word type (function vs. content). Following the administration of an intact maze probe, 225 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students were administered an intact maze probe and a probe with sentences drawn randomly from three different maze probes (scrambled probes). Although statistical analyses suggested context improved student performance, results bring into question the degree to which the maze procedures measure comprehension beyond the sentence level.


To assess whether deficiencies exist in the processing of contaminated flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscopes in family practice and internal medicine offices and whether training of office personnel results in a correction of identified deficiencies, we conducted a prospective review of sigmoidoscope processing in family practice and internal medicine offices before and after a training course. Participants were questioned on their current endoscope processing for 17 standards before and 2 months after receiving training. The 19 offices had between 4 and 11 deficiencies per office before training, with an average of 6.8 deficiencies per office. After training, deficiencies ranged from 0 to 8, with an average of 0.9 deficiencies per office (P < or = .001; Student t test). Personnel responsible for processing flexible sigmoidoscopes in family practice and internal medicine offices are insufficiently trained for this function. Endoscopes are not being processed according to current standards. After a 2-hour training period, these persons maintain their equipment close to or according to standards.


The article presents the results of stenting of the left renal vein in 35 patients with proven hemodynamically significant compression of the vein in "aorto-mesenteric tweezers". Clinical manifestations of lesions of the left renal vein are very diverse, and pathogenetic mechanisms remain not fully understood. Therefore, the determination of indications for stenting and perfect technical performance are predictors of success in the near and long-term periods of postoperative follow-up. Our experience in stenting the left renal vein demonstrates the possibility of achieving intraoperative technical success in 100 % of cases, as well as a significant improvement in the quality of life in most patients after endovascular intervention, due to a significant reduction in the clinical manifestations of the pathological phenomenon.


Machining is one of the most widely used methods in manufacturing among others and the progress of machining will continue to grow with the developing technology. In modern day, people seek for high quality and accurate products with less machining time. In order to fulfill these goals; rather than using old and traditional methods, using high speed machining processes, advanced equipment and well-trained staff are essential. Moreover, engineering software programs play a key role in the tracking and the analysis of the processes which enable the users to make the required modifications in a short time. It is possible to make simulations for different cases, models and designs without making any physical changes in the real system by means of these software programs. The main aim of this thesis is; to determine the weak components of machine tool spindles by analyzing and comparing different machine tools, to model the contact elements on the spindle analytically and to construct a model of the entire machine tool by using FEM. Static and dynamic analysis on different machine tool spindles are conducted and by comparing the results, weak components of the spindle are determined. Connection components on the machine tool spindle are analytically modeled and the results of this model are compared with the tests applied on the connection components. FEM model of the entire machine tool is constructed and results of the conducted tests are compared by applying deformation analysis to this model. Several suggestions to increase the rigidity of the machine tool are made by using the verified model. At the end of the study, overall good agreement is observed between the experiments, simulations and the models.


Abstract The variation over uneven terrain of the daily total of incident shortwave (global) radiation under cloudless conditions may be estimated by existing methods for calculating direct and diffuse solar radiation on a slope. A computer program for performing these calculations, incorporating a technique to determine when the direct rays of the sun are screened by the horizon at each point, is described. The adequacy of the approximation for diffuse radiation is considered by comparison with published data. Computations for an area of east Baffin Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, demonstrate that the occurrence of glaciers there is influenced both by elevation and by solar radiation. The potential of such computations as an aid in selecting station sites for climatological studies is also discussed.


We document a strong political cycle in bank credit and industry outcomes in Turkey. In line with theories of tactical redistribution, state-owned banks systematically adjust their lending around local elections compared with private banks in the same province based on electoral competition and political alignment of incumbent mayors. This effect only exists in corporate lending and creates credit constraints for firms in opposition areas, which suffer drops in assets, employment and sales but not firm entry. Financial resources and factors of production are misallocated as more efficient provinces and industries suffer the greatest constraints, reducing aggregate productivity.


Workflow applications exhibit both high computation times and data transfer rates. For this reason, the completion time of the workflow is high. To reduce completion time, the tasks of a workflow ought to run on different machines interconnected by a network. Correct assignment of tasks to machines within the runtime environment is an important aspect in the completion time or make span. The manager making the assignment is the scheduler. The main problem of a static scheduler is that it ignores the changes that occur in the execution environment during DAG execution. To solve this problem, we developed a new dynamic scheduler. This dynamic scheduler monitors the behavior of the tasks executed as well as the execution environment, and it reacts to the changes detected by adapting the scheduling of the rest of pending tasks. The objective is to reduce the overhead incurred by excessive self-adaptations, without affecting the make span. To reduce overhead, the algorithm self-adapts only when an improvement in make span is expected. The proposed policies have been simulated and then executed in a real environment. These executions have achieved a reduction of the overhead of greater than 20%.


This study aims to explore how the discourse of clean and dirt was articulated in everyday life of inhabitants in Batavia (now known as Jakarta) through the use of Molenvliet canal. This study reveals how power, domination and inequality were practised, reproduced, or confronted. This was seen in the written texts and visual graphs representing the social and political context in Batavia. The findings show the Molenvliet canal plays a marker role suggesting the division of two contrasting phenomena between "clean" and "dirty" to signify the dichotomy of "European" vs "Native". Europeans used their private wells as clean water resources for daily activities, while the "Natives" used the public canals for their daily usage. The usage of the canal by the native population have reinforced various myths of superiority. It produced a discourse of undeveloped native bodies associated with the canal, diseases, and contamination. This study also exposes the failure of the Europeans to create the boundary between clean and dirty space. The Europeans judged cleanliness and relied on laundry services provided by the Natives who used the canal to wash their clothes. These canals revealed how the concept of dirt and cleanliness were used as a form of European domination. The canal become an evidence of powerlessness of European society.


Hoopoes are highly distinctive birds in Egyptian art. They have been attributed with a special link to children, and it has been claimed that in the Old Kingdom, a naked child who holds a hoopoe is the eldest son and the heir of the deceased. However, a broader examination of all children of the tomb owner and a larger corpus do not support these assertions. Hoopoes are held by both male and female adults as well as both male and female children. They are held by eldest and younger sons in almost equal numbers and in the majority of cases, where a younger son holds a hoopoe, the eldest son is present in the same scene but does not hold a hoopoe. It appears that hoopoes are just attractive birds that are held by both adults and children in much the same way as geese, ducks, pigeons, golden orioles, and other small birds.


The isoform type ofγsubunits of GABAA receptor is a molecular determinant of its pharmacological characteristics. At present, the existence of GABAA receptor in mammalian sperm is still a controversy. By using degenerate primers designed according to highly conserved region in all threeγ(γ1, γ2 andγ3) subunits cloned in rat brain, we performed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to examine the expression pattern of -γsubunits of GABAA receptor in rat testis. Only one 370 bp fragment was obtained from RT-PCR in rat testis and sequencing results showed that it representedγ1 subunit, but notγ2 orγ3 subunit. Using the cloned fragment as probe, a 3.8 kb transcript which in size as same asγ1 ubunit in rat brain was detected in rat testis mRNA by performing Northern blot assay. Furthermore, results of in situ hybridization assay confirmed thatγ1 subunit was expressed in round spermatids and spermatozoa, maybe also in secondary spermatocyte. These evidences proved that 71 subunit of GABAA receptor is exclusively expressed in rat testis and this feature may be the structural basis of the specific function of GABAA receptors in sperm acrosome reaction.


Stream Processing (SP) is an important Big Data technology enabling continuous querying of data streams. The stream setting offers the opportunity to exploit synergies and, theoretically, share the access and processing costs between multiple different collaborators. But what should be the monetary contribution of each consumer when they do not trust each other and have varying valuations of the differing outcomes? In this article, we present Collaborative Stream Processing (CSP), a model where the costs, which are set exogenously by providers, are shared between multiple consumers, the collaborators. For this, we identify three important requirements for CSP to establish trust between the collaborators and propose a CSP algorithm, ENCSPA, adhering to these requirements. Based on the collaborators' outcome valuations and the costs of the raw data streams, ENCSPA computes the payment for each collaborator. At the same time, ENCSPA ensures that no collaborator has an incentive to manipulate the system by providing misinformation about her/his value, budget, or time limit. We show that ENCSPA can calculate payments in a reasonable amount of time for up to one thousand collaborators.


Marking the centennial anniversary of Standard Oil Co. v. United States, we argue that much of the critique of antitrust enforcement and the skepticism about its social significance suffer from "Nirvana fallacy�?— comparing existing and feasible policies to ideal normative policies, and concluding that the existing and feasible ones are inherently inefficient because of their imperfections. Antitrust law and policy have always been and will always be imperfect. However, they are alive and kicking. The antitrust discipline is vibrant, evolving, and global. This essay introduces a number of important innovations in scholarship related to Standard Oil and its modern applications and identifies shifts in antitrust that will keep the field energized for some time to come.


To prevent further loss of our vital ecosystem services we must understand the linkages to their supporting natural capital attributes. Systematic literature reviews synthesise evidence of natural capital attribute to ecosystem service (NC-ES) linkages. However, such reviews rarely account for the context dependency of evidence that is derived from individual studies undertaken for a particular purpose, at a specific spatial scale or geographic location. To address this deficiency, we developed the LiNCAGES (Linking Natural Capital Attribute Groups to Ecosystem Services) platform for investigating the context dependency of literature-based evidence for NC-ES linkages. We demonstrate the application of the LiNCAGES platform using the OpenNESS systematic literature review of NC-ES linkages. A hypothetical use case scenario of a small-scale European forest manager is described. We find evidence for many NC-ES linkages, and trade-offs and synergies between services, is severely diminished or non-existent under certain contexts, such as larger spatial scales and European study location. The LiNCAGES platform provides a flexible tool that researchers can use to support collation, exploration and synthesis of literature-based evidence on NC-ES linkages. This is vital for providing credible and salient evidence to stakeholders on important NC-ES linkages that occur under their context, to guide effective management strategies.


About the Authors. Acknowledgments. Preface. 1 Understanding Nonprofit Organization Finances. 1.1 Definition of Nonprofit Organizations. 1.2 Characteristics of Nonprofit Organizations. 1.3 Understanding the Language of the Nonprofit Organization. 1.4 Financial Policies. 1.5 Financial Practices. 1.6 Primary Financial Objective. 1.7 Conclusion. 2 Liquidity Management. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Donative Nonprofit Organizations. 2.3 Evidence on Liquidity Management in the Nonprofit Sector. 2.4 Facets of Liquidity Management. 2.5 Importance of Liquidity Management. 2.6 What Is the Appropriate Level of Liquidity? 2.7 Conclusion. 3 Managing Mission and Strategy. 3.1 Value of Strategic Planning. 3.2 What Is Strategic Planning? 3.3 What Are theOrganization'sMission, Vision, andGoals/Objectives? 3.4 Strategic Management Process. 3.5 Implementing the Strategic Plan. 3.6 Performance Management Systems. 3.7 Strategic Planning Practices: What Does the Evidence Show? 3.8 Conclusion. 4 Managing Structure, Accountability, and Ethics. 4.1 Financial Tools and Support Structure. 4.2 Organizational Structure and Governance. 4.3 Accountability Structure. 4.4 Ethics. 4.5 Structure, Accountability, and Ethics in Practice. 4.6 Conclusion. 5 Developing Financial Policies. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Financial Policies. 5.3 Putting Policies into Place. 5.4 Establishing Procedures. 5.5 Financial Policies and Procedures in Practice. 5.6 Additional Resources. 6 Understanding Accounting Basics and Financial Statements. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Accounting Basics. 6.3 Three Financial Statements. 6.4 The Audit and the Audit Committee. 6.5 Financial Statement Users and Uses in Practice. 6.6 Social Accounting. 6.7 Additional Resources. 7 Developing Financial Reports and Ratios. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Major Differences from For-Profit Business Reports. 7.3 Objectives of Financial Reports. 7.4 Reporting System Design. 7.5 Major Reports. 7.6 Internal Reports. 7.7 External Reports. 7.8 Conclusion. 8 Developing Operating and Cash Budgets. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Overview of the Budgeting Process. 8.3 Are Nonprofit Organizations Doing Their Budgeting Properly? 8.4 Developing and Improving Your Budgeting Process. 8.5 Setting the Budgetary Amounts. 8.6 Budget Technique Refinements. 8.7 Cash Budget. 8.8 Managing Off the Budget. 8.9 Conclusion. 9 Long-Range Financial Planning and Capital Budgeting. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Planning for the Future. 9.3 Financial Evaluation of New and Existing Programs. 9.4 Capital Budgeting: Financial Evaluation of Projects that Arise from Existing Programs. 9.5 Financial Evaluation of Mergers, Joint Ventures, and Strategic Alliances. 9.6 Financial Planning and Capital Budgeting in Practice. 9.7 Conclusion. 10 Managing Your Organization's Liabilities. 10.1 Managing the Balance Sheet. 10.2 Payables. 10.3 Short-Term Borrowing. 10.4 Strategic Financing Plan. 10.5 Steps to Successful Borrowing. 10.6 Matching Financial Sources to Strategic Objectives. 10.7 Preparing the Financing Proposal. 10.8 Making the Presentation. 10.9 Other Factors in Borrowing/Lending Decisions. 10.10 Municipal and Taxable Bonds. 10.11 Leasing and Nontraditional Financing Sources. 10.12 Developing a Debt and Hedging Policy. 10.13 Liability Management in Practice. 10.14 Conclusion. 11 Cash Management and Banking Relations. 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 What Is Cash Management? 11.3 Collection Systems: Managing and Accelerating Receipt of Funds. 11.4 Disbursements. 11.5 Structuring a Funds Management System. 11.6 Monitoring Bank Balances and Transactions. 11.7 Cash Forecasting. 11.8 Short-Term Borrowing. 11.9 Short-Term Investing. 11.10 Benchmarking Treasury Functions. 11.11 Upgrading the Caliber of Treasury Professionals. 11.12 Security and Risk Management Issues. 11.13 Trends in Treasury Management. 12 Investment Policy and Guidelines. 12.1 Investment Policy. 12.2 Investment Guidelines. 12.3 Checklist of Elements for Long-Term Endowment Investment Policy and Guidelines. 12.4 Investment Policy Summary. 13 Information Technology and Knowledge Management. 13.1 Introduction. 13.2 How Much Technology and Which to Choose? 13.3 Knowledge Management and Information Technology. 13.4 Information Technology in Today's Nonprofits. 13.5 What Should I Know/Do before Investing in Technology Tools? 13.6 Software: Design Internally or Purchase? 13.7 Disclosure, the Law, and Security. 13.8 Needs Assessment and Analysis. 13.9 Policies and Practices in Knowledge Management and Information Technology. 14 Managing Risk, Legal Issues, and Human Resources. 14.1 What Is Risk Management? 14.2 Identifying Risk. 14.3 Primary Financial Risk: Illiquidity. 14.4 Legal Environment. 14.5 Safeguarding People. 14.6 Directors' and Officers' Liability. 14.7 Safeguarding Your Financial and Physical Assets. 14.8 Risk Management and Human Resource Management Practices. 15 Evaluating Your Policies and Progress. 15.1 Introduction. 15.2 Evaluation. 15.3 Evaluating Your Decisions and Ethics. 15.4 Evaluating Your Communications. 15.5 Evaluating Your Mentoring and Supervisory Skills. 15.6 Testing Your Supervisory and Managerial Skills. 15.7 Evaluating the Strategic Nature of Your Role. 15.8 Evaluating the Financial Health of Your Organization. 15.9 Evaluating Your Financial Policies in Five Key Areas. 15.10 Evaluating Quality and Outcomes. 15.11 Using External Consultants and Data Sources. 15.12 Conclusion. Index.


In 1968, the first public Kindergarten was established in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). By 1973, there were seven kindergartens throughout the UAE. The number of students in kindergarten has increased dramatically since 1973, from 11 schools in 1973, to 82 in 1993. Today there are 1 092 kindergarten classrooms serving the needs of 22 506 children. This paper provides an historical overview of kindergarten education in the UAE as it has transitioned from an informal to a formal system. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the development of kindergarten within the UAE as well as provide a description of the kindergarten system today and future directions as proposed by the UAE Ministry of Education. Introduction Over the centuries, there have been different series of goals, aims and purposes for educating children, with each society shaping the goals of educating its' citizens (Lascarides & Hinitz, 2000). The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has followed this same path in shaping public kindergarten education (Academy for Educational Development, 2002). Public kindergartens in the UAE follow the originating philosophy embedded within the name kindergarten, referring to children needing nurturance and the right environment in order to grow and flourish. Viewing young children as active, curious and learning about their environment through active inquiry provides a foundation for curriculum development (Badri, 1995; Coppie & Bredekamp, 2009). Factors that have greatly influenced UAE education policy are embedded in Article 17 of the UAE's constitution (2003-2005), which states education is fundamental to the progress of the country. The overarching objective of the education system follows the directives of federal government leaders who put great emphasis on the development of human potential. Informal Beginnings The federation of seven sheikhdoms withdrew from the United Kingdom, forming the United Arab Emirates, in 1971. At that time, the Ministry of Education was founded and schools were formed in order to teach students basic skills and develop literacy skills. Historically, the UAE was a country of Bedouins and small villages and was dependent on fishing and trade. Today the UAE remains a relatively small country with a population of a little more than 5.66 million (UAE Ministry of Information and Culture, 2009). The most recent figures indicate that non-Nationals (or expatriates) comprise the largest segment of the population, 81.7 percent (UAE Ministry of Information and Culture, 2009). By definition, Nationals are UAE citizens and Non-nationals is the term used to refer to expatriates who reside in the UAE and work through temporary resident visa status. The story of education in the UAE started when early communities were created within the current UAE region. It was between 1900 and 1912 that informal educational activities were presented by Islamic scholars, or people in local communities who had the most knowledge. This informal teaching was open to all ages, especially children. They learned the Qur'an, writing the alphabet, math and whatever knowledge the Mutawwa (teacher) decided to teach (Al Taboor, 2009). This was the first form of education that was available in these early years. These early teachings took place in the scholar's home or the mosque. It is interesting to note that the Mutawwa would refrain from taking the young children to the mosque so that they would not make a mess in the mosque and disturb the studies of older children. Therefore, education for young children took place in the scholar's home. In addition, all children from both genders were in the same classroom. Today, segregating male and female students begins in 4th grade. The parents and the teachers negotiated fees based on the financial status of the parents. However, on average fees were roughly 50 FiIs (100 fils = 1 Dirham, which is similar to 100 cents = $1). …


December 2019 marked the begining of the greatest pandemic since Spanish Flu, the disease named Covid-19 that cause severe pneumonia. Until May 19, 2020 more than 4 million and 700 thousand cases were oficially notified with about 316 thousand deaths. Etiological agent of the disease was identified as being a new coronavirus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). In this study we compared four different manual methods for RNA isolation and purification for detection of SARS-CoV-2 through qRT-PCR, as well as the extraction quality itself through detection of RNAse P. Magnetic beads-based (MagMax™) and silica column-based (Biopur®) methods presented the better performances. Concerning to the mean delay in CT values when compared to MagMax™, TRIzol™, Biopur® and EasyExtract presented 0,39, 0,95 and 5,23 respectively. Agreement between positive and negative results of different methods when compared with the one with better performance MagMax™ was 94,44% for silica column-based method (Biopur®), 88,89% for phenol-chroloform-based method (TRIzol™) and 77,78% for EasyExtract. We aimed to evaluate how reliable each method is for diagnostic purposes and to propose alternatives when usual methods are not available. In this regard, magnectic beads and silica column-based methods are convenient and reliable choices and phenol-chloroform-based method could also be chosen as an alternative.


In Agriculture practices fertilizer management is an important source to improve yield. Among fertilizer application methods, one of the most important methods of application is foliar application because foliar nutrients facilitate easy and quick consumption of nutrients. Keeping the important of foliar application in view the present study was conducted to evaluate the "Growth and yield of barley varieties response to micro nutrients" study was conducted at Bacha Khan Agricultural Research Farm, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan, during the year 2016-17. Four barley genotypes [Sanober, Awaran-2002, Bajaur-2000, AJJ] and foliar application of two micronutrients Zn and Cu [Control=water spray, Zn=4 kg ha, Cu=1.0 kg ha, Zn+Cu =4 kg Zn ha+1.0 kg Cu ha] were tested in the experiment. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. The plot size 1.8m x 3m, having 30 cm row to row distance was used. It is concluded from the experiment that variety AJJ produce maximum (tillers plant) (7), plant height (89 cm), long spikes (9 cm), thousand grains weight (41 g) and grain yield (3912 kg ha), while in remaining three varieties variety Sanober produce maximum plant height (83 cm) and thousand grain weight (40 g), while variety Bajaur-2000 produced minimum plant height (82 cm), spike length (7 cm), thousand grain weight (37 g) and grain yield (3556 kg ha). Application of micronutrients revealed that combine application of Zn+Cu improved yield and yield components of barley. Maximum tillers plant (7), plant height (95 cm), spike length (10 cm), thousand grains weight (42) and grain yield (4000kg ha) was produced by combine application of Zn+Cu followed by sole Zn and Cu application as compared to control. Therefore it can be concluded from the results that Ajj barley variety performed better in terms of grain yield and with the combine application of Zn+Cu increase all yield components.


Palynological analyses of 20 surface sediment samples collected from Long Island Sound show a pollen assemblage dominated by Carya, Betula, Pinus, Quercus, Tsuga, and Ambrosia, as is consistent with the regional vegetation. No trends in relative abundance of these pollen types occur either from west to east or associated with modern riverine inputs throughout the basin. Despite the large-scale, long-term removal of fine-grained sediment from winnowed portions of the eastern Sound, the composition of the pollen and spore component of the sedimentary matrix conforms to a basin-wide homogeneous signal. These results strongly support the use of select regional palynological boundaries as chronostratigraphic tools to provide a framework for interpretation of the late glacial and Holocene history of the Long Island Sound basin sediments.


Twenty indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants viz., Perovskia abrotanoides, Valeriana wallichii, Artemisia vulgaris, Peganum harmala, Saphora alopecuroides, Artemisia absinthium, Carum copticum, Berberis balochistanica, Matricaria lasiocarpa, Ephedra procera, Centratherum anthelminticum, Zatoria multiflora, Lallemantia royaleana, Mentha spicata, Withania coagulans, Achillea santolina, Ferula oopoda, Nepeta cateria, Teucrium stocksianum and Fagonia cretica were screened for their efficacy test against Meloidogyne incognita both in laboratory and pot experiments at doses of 0.5g/lit water (0.5% w/v), 1.0g/lit water (1% w/v), 1.5g/lit water (1.5% w/v), 2g/lit water (2% w/v), 2.5g/lit water (2.5% w/v) and 3.0g/lit water (3% w/v). Zatoria multiflora, Achillea santolina, Ferula oopoda and Nepeta cateria showed more efficacies as compared to other medicinal and aromatic plants both in laboratory and pot experiments. During laboratory experiments highest mortality (100%) was exhibited by the extract of Zatoria multiflora, Achillea santolina and Nepeta cateria against dose of 3.0g/liter followed by Teucrium stocksianum and Ferula oopoda with mortality of 90 % and 89%, respectively at the same dose of 3.0g/liter. Further, in pot experiments all tested plants showed significant effect on management parameters of M. incognita; however, minimum juvenile population were recorded from extracts of Matricaria lesiocarpa which was 3532.5 at dose 3g/liter. Similarly minimum root-knot index (1.0) was recorded from extracts of fourteen medicinal and aromatic plants at dose of 3.0g/liter and reproductive factor was also minimum 0.56 at dose of 3.0g/liter from extracts of Zatoria multiflora, Ferula oopoda and Matricaria lasiocarpa.


We have analyzed Hα intensity images obtained at a 1 minute cadence with the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) system to investigate the properties of oscillations in the 0–8 mHz frequency band at the location and time of strong M- and X-class flares. For each of three subregions within two flaring active regions, we extracted time series from multiple distinct positions, including the flare core and quieter surrounding areas. The time series were analyzed with a moving power-map analysis to examine power as a function of frequency and time. We find that, in the flare core of all three subregions, the low-frequency power (∼1–2 mHz) is substantially enhanced immediately prior to and after the flare, and that power at all frequencies up to 8 mHz is depleted at flare maximum. This depletion is both frequency- and time-dependent, which probably reflects the changing depths visible during the flare in the bandpass of the filter. These variations are not observed outside the flare cores. The depletion may indicate that acoustic energy is being converted into thermal energy at flare maximum, while the low-frequency enhancement may arise from an instability in the chromosphere and provide an early warning of the flare onset. Dark lanes of reduced wave power are also visible in the power maps, which may arise from the interaction of the acoustic waves and the magnetic field.


High-protein diets exacerbate glomerular hyperfiltration and the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether amino acids also produce nonhemodynamic injury in the glomerulus. When rat mesangial cells were cultured with an amino acid mixture designed to replicate the composition in plasma after protein feeding, production of mRNA (Northern blot analysis) and/or protein (ELISA or Western blot analysis) for transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), fibronectin, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), and collagen IV were enhanced in a manner comparable to a culture with high glucose (30.5 mM). The bioactive portion of total TGF-beta (NRK assay) increased in response to amino acids. The TSP-1 antagonist LSKL peptide reduced bioactive TGF-beta and fibronectin, indicating the dependence of TGF-beta1 activation on TSP-1. DNA synthesis ([3H]thymidine incorporation), an index of cellular proliferation, increased in response to amino acids and was further enhanced by culture with increased levels of both amino acids and glucose. TGF-beta1 and matrix proteins increased when mesangial cells were cultured with excess l-arginine (2.08 mM) alone. Although l-arginine is the precursor of nitric oxide (NO), such responses to amino acids do not appear to be mediated through increased NO production. NO metabolites decreased in the media, and these responses to mixed amino acids or l-arginine were not prevented by NO synthase inhibition. In conclusion, amino acids induce indicators of response to injury in mesangial cells, even when hemodynamic stress is absent. In conditions associated with increased circulating amino acids, such as diabetes and/or a high-protein diet, direct cellular effects could contribute to glomerular injury.


A study was conducted at Livestock Research and Development Station, Animal Analytical Laboratory Dir Lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Pakistan to document the phenotypic and Morphometric characteristic of Achai cattle. Total 18 pure Achai Cattle were selected in the study. Phenotypic characteristic were recorded visually. Majority (88.50%) of the study Achai color have reddish brown coat color with white face but those animals were also included in the study that have radish brown color with or without white spotted face, gray muzzle, radish and white eye lashes. Physical characteristic (color of coat, muzzle, face, eye lash, horns, hump, udder hooves and tail switch) were recorded visually while morpho-metric measurements (heart girth, body length, height at withers, horn length, ear length, neck length, hoof circumference and tail length) were recorded by using measuring tape and vernier caliper. Mean body, face, ear, horn, rump and tail length was 112±4.78, 42±0.502, 19±0.469, 17±0.874, 33±0.481 and 75±1.332 centimeter, respectively. Mean width of head and shoulder was 12±2.937 and 89±0.2711, respectively. Mean circumference of neck and abdominal was 68±1.03 and 168±2.159. Mean chest girth was 142±0.978 and rump height was observed 103±4.16 accordingly. The average body weight of adult Achai cow recorded was 203.81±6.17 kg. The average birth and weaning weight was recorded 13.90±0.80 and 48.0±5.00 kg, respectively. It was concluded that Achai is a small size breed of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan having short stature, radish brown color and fully adapted to the hilly areas of the province.


Six different sequences of hexasaccharides, pyridylaminated malto-hexaoses containing one N-acetyl hexosamine (HexNAc) residue, were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) tandem time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). Based on the product ion spectra of sodium adducts [M+Na]+, the chemical species of the observed product ions contained a HexNAc residue and had high ion abundance, indicating that the HexNAc residue had a higher affinity to sodium atom than glucopyranose. The acetamide group coordinated easily to sodium atom. This general rule of product ion generation was useful to predict the structure of the oligosaccharides based on the MS/MS product ion spectra.


Investigating children's language skills in their native variety is of paramount importance. Clinical practices cannot be based on findings from languages or varieties which have different properties. This paper, after demonstrating the importance of investigating Specific Language Impairment (SLI) in Cyprus, assesses the feasibility of existing language assessments in Standard Modern Greek for the diagnosis of SLI in the Greek Cypriot context, for the children's native variety of Cypriot Greek. In total, 16 children with SLI (5 to 9 years) and 22 age-matched typically language developing children participated in this study. However, given that not all stimuli in the Standard Greek versions were appropriate for Cypriot Greek-speaking children and because of cultural differences, the tools were adapted. Results showed that the assessment tools can accurately identify children with SLI from typically language developing peers with sensitivity and specificity when the comparison is between children that use the same variety. Keywords: acquisition; bilectalism; diagnosis; sensitivity; specificity


Abstract Medical education curricula, from around the world, have often neglected psychiatry as a subject of importance in undergraduate medical training. In India, the scenario has not been different from the rest of the world. The National Mental Health Survey done in India, recently, estimates a treatment gap of around 80–85% for various mental illnesses. This provides a strong case to strengthen the undergraduate psychiatry curricula since it would help tackle the treatment gap of common mental disorders in the community. Further, a strong educational foundation with meaningful inclusion of mental health and well-being, will also make the trainee aware of their own mental well-being and better help seeking behaviour in the medical student. In this article, we look to review the evolution of undergraduate medical education in India.


A new design for a bus architecture for stochastic artifical networks is discussed. A recent VLSI implementation connects many neurons by broadcasting each neuron's address and activation level in turn for all other neurons to process. Such a scheme requires N steps to completely connect N neurons. The proposed architecture uses stochastic activation levels. Since these outputs are simpler, there is room on the global bus for several neurons to fire in parallel. Each neuron processes all outputs in a set of neurons at once, reducing the number of addressing steps on the bus as well as the actual size of the neuron addressing field. This neuron grouping is especially applicable to backpropagation networks. A simulator for the architecture was written and tested.<<ETX>>


In this work we address the problem of transferring knowledge obtained from a vast annotated source domain to a low labeled or unlabeled target domain. We propose Adversarial Variational Domain Adaptation (AVDA), a semi-supervised domain adaptation method based on deep variational embedded representations. We use approximate inference and adversarial methods to map samples from source and target domains into an aligned semantic embedding. We show that on a semisupervised few-shot scenario, our approach can be used to obtain a significant speed-up in performance when using an increasing number of labels on the target domain.


Author(s): Haddow, Gary Laurence | Advisor(s): Brenner, Mary E | Abstract: In 2010, an estimated 214 million people migrated throughout the world seeking out a temporary or permanent nation of residence (Koyama a Subramanian, 2014, p. 1). This massive movement of people creates particular challenges regarding the ways in which immigrants are coming to understanding their old and new worlds as they define and redefine themselves and their environment. Rather than solely reaffirming their past identities and reconstructing their old lives, immigrants are focusing on new spaces of meaning that reveal the unique experience of each immigrant and their respective group. By redefining their sense of self through their ethnic, racial, pan-ethnic, national, or transnational identities these immigrants are actively dictating how they interact and identify with their community, their new nation, and their homeland. As these individuals create new identities issues of hybridity, marginality, and liminality arise as a result of the clashing of cultures as immigrants assimilate, acculturate, and adapt to the culture of their new country of residence. This dissertation seeks to further understand and explain the ways in which immigrants and refugees come to define their new lives and the communities in which they reside. By conducting twenty-five in-depth interviews with Liberians immigrants and refugees in an ethnic enclave in southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this research examines how identities are formed and transformed as a result of the issues that catalyze migration and the challenges faced as migrants interact with their new communities and their new societies. Additionally, this research seeks to understand the key actors and organizations involved in the identity-making process of the community by interviewing key informants with regards to the impact that community organizations have on the day to day lives of the Liberian population. The data suggests that while cultural assimilation may be the primary manner in which cultural interactions have historically occurred, a shift may be occurring in which immigrants are holding steadfast to their cultural heritage and merging it with the dominant culture rather than altogether relinquishing theirs. In an attempt to retain their Liberian cultural heritage, many community members were participating in community organizations that empowered them to make a difference in their local and transnational communities. This newfound sense of agency in one's life was a byproduct of the exchange of cultural values as individuals became immersed in American culture while still holding on to their own. Although the outcome of this exchange was not always perceived as positive, overwhelmingly the interviewees viewed their transformed identities as increasing their ability to create positive change. Rather than fully assimilating into American culture these immigrants selectively chose which attributes to merge with their own heritage in an effort to create a new hybrid set of individual and community values. These findings promote the notion that alternative cultures should not only be accepted, but embraced, because through this process unique and transformative manifestations of culture can occur to empower individuals and the community.


The simultaneous occurrence of interventricular cardiac septum and hepatic localization for cystic echinococcosis is a very rare form of presentation and it may lead to various complications. We present the case of a 24-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of abrupt onset facial paralysis and incidentally diagnosed with a large hepatic hydatid cyst and a cardiac one located in the interventricular septum. The patient did not have any other symptoms associated with hydatid disease before this event. In this case, we surgically removed both hydatid cysts at the same time, to prevent complications and to establish a better outcome for the patient.


ZinQuench—Dynamic Galvanizing® (ZQ-DG) is an approach combining coatability improvement and process flexibility to produce advanced high-strength steels (AHSS). During this process, steel strips are gas-jet cooled and quenched from a high tuned temperature into a zinc melt with dynamic flow after annealing. The scientific objective is to develop ZQ-DG to design new AHSS with improved coating quality and mechanical properties simultaneously. The influence and effectiveness of the theoretical considerations are tested experimentally. Process parameters are studied with a laboratory scale hot-dip process simulator. Mechanical characterization of processed multiphase AHSS is carried out through a tensile test and correlated with steel microstructure. Wettability is also evaluated. The actual state of the investigations and results are presented and discussed for the different steels processed. Comparison between laboratory ZQ and conventional hot-dip galvanizing results allows forecasting of the industrial application potential of ZQ-DG to process flexibly new galvanized AHSS with lower alloying element content and resulting in less expensive products with improved mechanical properties.


ZnCo2O4 nanoflakes, as electrodes for supercapacitors, are grown on a cellular nickel foam using a cost-effective hydrothermal procedure. The mesoporous ZnCo2O4 nanoflakes have large electroactive surface areas with strong adhesion to the Ni foam, allowing fast ion and electron transport. The nanoarchitecture electrodes deliver an excellent specific capacitance of 1220 F g(-1) at a current density of 2 A g(-1) in a 2 M KOH aqueous solution and a long-term cyclic stability of 94.2% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. The fabrication strategy is facile, cost-effective, and can offer great promise for large-scale supercapacitor applications.


Biological membranes have been prominent targets for coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. While minimal CG lipid models with three-beads per lipid and quantitative CG lipid models with >10-beads per lipid have been well studied, in between them, CG lipid models with a compatible resolution to residue-level CG protein models are much less developed. Here, we extended a previously developed three-bead lipid model into a five-bead model and parametrized it for two phospholipids, POPC and DPPC. The developed model, iSoLF, reproduced the area per lipid, hydrophobic thickness, and phase behaviors of the target phospholipid bilayer membranes at the physiological temperature. The model POPC and DPPC membranes were in liquid and gel phases, respectively, in accordance with experiments. We further examined the spontaneous formation of a membrane bilayer, the temperature dependence of physical properties, vesicle dynamics, and the POPC/DPPC two-component membrane dynamics of the CG lipid model, showing some promise. Once combined with standard Cα protein models, the iSoLF model will be a powerful tool to simulate large biological membrane systems made of lipids and proteins.


This paper gives an overview of the two levels of Bayesian inference: model fitting and model selection and shows how they can be used for the image texture analysis. The applied models are the Gauss‐Markov and Gibbs auto‐binomial Random Fields. In the second part the article introduces a linear model for the image wavelet coefficients able to explain the full description of the spatial, inter‐scale and inter‐band behavior of a multi‐resolution decomposed image. The model parameters, model variance and evidence are used to characterize the image texture.


Forty-seven ostracod species from the Upper Cretaceous Bagh Formation of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, India are described. Ten species are new: Ovocytheridea baghensis, Amicytheridea bilthanaensis, Paijenborchella jeerabadensis, Cytheropteron ratitalaiensis, Cytheropteron hanumanpuraensis, Eocytheropteron bilthanaensis, Curfsina coarctata, Curfsina hanumanpuraensis, Nigeroloxoconcha baghensis and Nigeroloxoconcha diluta. Thirty species are assigned to previously described species, six are left under open nomenclature and one is indeterminate. Ten previously described taxa from the Bagh Formation are revised and brought up to date. The age and paleobiogeography of the ostracods are discussed.


Objective:
 Experience-dependent memory acquisition, in vitro tetanic stimulation and simulated ischemia results in long-term potentiation (LTP) of hippocampal CA1 synapses. The goal of this study was to determine whether in vivo cerebral ischemia results in iLTP of CA1 synapses. We hypothesized that iLTP resulting from CA/CPR prevents physiological LTP.

 Methods:
 Cardiac arrest (8 minutes) followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR) or sham surgery was performed on adult (8-12 week) male mice. Electrophysiology was performed in hippocampal slices from sham and 7 and 30 days after CA/CPR. Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) resulting from Schaffer collateral stimulation were recorded and rising slope was analyzed. Theta burst stimulation (TBS) was used for LTP induction and low frequency stimulation for reversal of LTP (depotentiation). Western blot analysis of synaptic isolations were performed from hippocampi collected from shams and 7 and 30 days after CA/CPR.

 Results:
 TBS resulted in an increased fEPSP to 164±9.8% (n=7, P<0.05) of baseline in sham controls, however no increase was observed at 7 (106±15.9% n=4) and 30 days (109±13.9% n=7) after CA/CPR. A depotentiation stimulus had no effect in sham controls, but caused a reduction in fEPSP in control slices that received LTP induction and slices from CA/CPR mice. Importantly, LTP induction protocol applied subsequent to depotentiation stimulus resulted in physiological LTP to 126.9±11.8% (n=3) of the original baseline, an effective increase of approximately 40%. Glutamate receptor subunit GluR1 phosphorylation and expression in synaptic fractions were increased at 7 and 30 days after CA/CPR.

 Conclusions:
 Depotentiation in slices from CA/CPR mice suggests CA1 synapses are in a chronically potentiated state. Increased GluR1 phosphorylation and expression after CA/CPR also suggest in vivo ischemia causes iLTP. Our ability to induce physiological LTP after depotentiation in slices from CA/CPR suggests that reversing iLTP allows for normal synaptic plasticity. The results of this study are significant as they demonstrate in vivo iLTP and suggest a physiological stimulus has the potential to reverse synaptic impairments in the chronic phase after cerebral ischemia.


The software processes that facilitate the original loading and the periodic refreshment of the data warehouse contents are commonly known as Extraction-Transformation-Loading (ETL) processes. The intention of this survey is to present the research work in the field of ETL technology in a structured way. To this end, we organize the coverage of the field as follows: (a) First, we cover the conceptual and logical modeling of ETL processes, along with some design methods (b) We visit each stage of the E-T-L triplet, and examine problems that fall within each of these stages (c) We discuss problems that pertain to the entirety of an ETL process, and (d) We review some research prototypes of academic origin.


Abstract: Oceanic islands are simplified ecosystems, which are very useful for understanding the processes related to the structuring of natural communities and for assessing cascade effects after perturbations. Socorro Island in the Pacific Ocean reaches up to 1040 m in elevation, and the northeastern side that faces trade winds is more humid than the leeward southwestern side. Apparently, the lack of freshwater throughout most of the island has prevented the spread of invasive cats and sheep to the north, but these species have severely impacted land bird communities on the southern side, where they have potentially disrupted functions such as the top-down control of herbivory. We tested the relative importance of bottom-up (soil and foliage nutrient availability) and top-down (predation of insect herbivores) drivers of herbivory in three endemic tree species. By experimentally excluding birds, we assessed changes in herbivory when top-down control was disrupted, and we also evaluated herbivore predation rates using artificial caterpillars. Our findings suggest that the herbivory patterns on Socorro Island are driven by the top-down control of herbivores by land birds, because their exclusion resulted in higher herbivory (12%) despite low nitrogen content (bottom-up control) of leaves on the north side, whereas the leaves were richer in nitrogen on the south side but no change in herbivory was observed when birds were excluded, and overall, herbivory was 30% higher than in the north, suggesting release of herbivores from top down control on the south side, probably due to effects of invasive predators (cats) or sheep, which may have reduced suitable bird habitats. A better understanding of how drivers of ecological interactions operate on Socorro Island may increase the likelihood of success of future restoration programs.


After decades of neglect, water has recently become a part of the international political agenda. However, the focus of the debate on the global water crisis is still wrong. The main crisis is unlikely to come from water scarcity, though some countries will find it difficult to manage such problems. Instead, it is likely to come from continuing and rapid water quality deterioration, and the availability of investment funds. Neither of these two issues is being adequately reflected in global water debates. In addition, the targets of the water-related Millennium Development Goals are unlikely to be achieved universally by 2015, until and unless consumers pay for the water services they receive. The subsidies should be very specifically targeted to the poor.


Responding to a burgeoning market of style-conscious and design-savvy parent-consumers, "Designed for Kids" is the first guide to products for children from nursery age to pre-adolescence. Sourced from around the world, these innovative designs are aesthetically pleasing and technologically advanced, and many have been designed by parents themselves. Featuring over 450 objects, the book covers textiles, decoration, toys, electronics, lighting, accessories and furniture, as well as products for travel and bedtime. Informative texts review the strengths, materials and specifications of each product, and six interviews with internationally acclaimed design visionaries offer a professional perspective on the challenges and delights of designing for kids.


Bending deformation and energy absorption characteristics of aluminum-composite hybrid tube beams have been analyzed for improvement in the bending performance of aluminum space frame by using experimental tests combined with theoretical and finite element analyses. Hybrid tube beams composed of glass fabric/epoxy layer wrapped around on aluminum tube were made in autoclave with the recommended curing cycle. Basic properties of aluminum material used for initial input data of the finite element simulation and theoretical analysis were obtained from the true stress-true strain curve of specimen which had bean extracted from the Al tube beam. A modified theoretical model was developed to predict the resistance to the collapse of hybrid tube beams subjected to a bending load. Theoretical moment-rotation angle curves of hybrid tube beams were in good agreement with experimental ones, which was comparable to the results obtained from finite element simulation. Hybrid tube beams strengthened by composite layer on the whole web and flange showed an excellent bending strength and energy absorption capability.


Background
Laron syndrome (growth hormone insensitivity) is a rare autosomal recessive condition characterized by severe short stature with postnatal onset usually (1), particular facial features and hypoglycemia in childhood, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and obesity in adulthood (2), caused by growth hormone receptor (GHR) anomalies (insensitivity). It is estimated that there are 350 people with this condition worldwide (3). The growth hormone receptor mutation prevents the stimulating effects of growth hormone, inducing insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) deficiency. Treatment with recombinant IGF1, the only treatment option which can improve final height (4), is not available for all patients.
Aim
Present the clinical outcomes of a Laron syndrome patient untreated and on hormonal substitution treatment.
Case Report
A 18-year-old girl with Laron syndrome diagnosed at the age of 2 years and 10 months, based on the clinical feature of severe short stature (height—63 cm; −8.24 SDS, standard deviation score), particular facial features (protruding forehead, saddle nose, large eyes, sparse and thin silky hair, and high-pitched voice), small hands and feet, and sweating and hypotonic episodes, especially in the morning. The endocrine growth axis assessment revealed an elevated growth hormone concentration (>40 ng/mL; 0–8 ng/mL) and very low serum IGF-1 levels ( A L141X) in the 6 exon of the GHR gene. The growth velocity without hormonal substitution was low at 0.23 cm/month (14.5 cm/63 months). After 15 months (between 8 years 1 month and 9 years 4 months) of IGF1 (mecasermin) treatment, the growth velocity increased to 0.53 cm/month, the girl's height increased from 77.5 cm (−8.55 SDS) to 85.6 cm (−7.94 SDS). After IGF1 treatment discontinuation, height velocity fell to 0.22 cm/month. At the age of 17 years and 2 months, hormone replacement therapy with mecasermin was resumed up to 18 years. The patient also had associated pubertal delay; thelarche started at the age of 15 and progressed slowly. The final height of the patient was 117 cm. In addition, she has developed focal epilepsy, obesity, and depression.
Conclusions
Early diagnosis and hormone substitution therapy may reduce the clinical consequences of complications, improving the prognosis.


Simple Summary Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fatal and incurable brain cancer, and current treatment options have demonstrated limited success. Here, we describe the use of a dg-Bcan-Targeting-Peptide (BTP-7) that has BBB-penetrating properties and targets GBM. Conjugation of BTP-7 to an insoluble anti-cancer drug, camptothecin (CPT), improves drug solubility in aqueous solution, retains drug efficacy against patient-derived GBM stem cells (GSC), enhances BBB permeability, and enables therapeutic targeting to intracranial patient-derived GBM xenograft in mice, leading to higher toxicity in GBM cells compared to normal brain tissues and prolonged animal survival. This work demonstrates a proof-of-concept for BTP-7 as a tumor-targeting peptide for therapeutic delivery to GBM. Abstract Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadliest malignant primary brain tumor, contributing significant morbidity and mortality among patients. As current standard-of-care demonstrates limited success, the development of new efficacious GBM therapeutics is urgently needed. Major challenges in advancing GBM chemotherapy include poor bioavailability, lack of tumor selectivity leading to undesired side effects, poor permeability across the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and extensive intratumoral heterogeneity. Methods: We have previously identified a small, soluble peptide (BTP-7) that is able to cross the BBB and target the human GBM extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, we covalently attached BTP-7 to an insoluble anti-cancer drug, camptothecin (CPT). Results: We demonstrate that conjugation of BTP-7 to CPT improves drug solubility in aqueous solution, retains drug efficacy against patient-derived GBM stem cells (GSC), enhances BBB permeability, and enables therapeutic targeting to intracranial GBM, leading to higher toxicity in GBM cells compared to normal brain tissues, and ultimately prolongs survival in mice bearing intracranial patient-derived GBM xenograft. Conclusion: BTP-7 is a new modality that opens the door to possibilities for GBM-targeted therapeutic approaches.


An integrated model considers all parameters and elements of different deficiencies in one problem. This paper presents a new integrated model of a supply chain that simultaneously considers facility location, vehicle routing and inventory control problems as well as their interactions in one problem, called location-routing-inventory (LRI) problem. This model also considers stochastic demands representing the customers' requirement. The customers' uncertain demand follows a normal distribution, in which each distribution center (DC) holds a certain amount of safety stock. In each DC, shortage is not permitted. Furthermore, the routes are not absolutely available all the time. Decisions are made in a multi-period planning horizon. The considered bi-objectives are to minimize the total cost and maximize the probability of delivery to customers. Stochastic availability of routes makes it similar to real-world problems. The presented model is solved by a multi-objective imperialist competitive algorithm (MOICA). Then, well-known multi-objective evolutionary algorithm, namely anondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II), is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed MOICA. Finally, the conclusion is presented.


There are hundreds of tutoring programs that utilize community volunteers being implemented across the country; however, there are few rigorous efforts to evaluate their effectiveness. This article presents findings on reading achievement from an evaluation of the New York City Experience Corps®, a program that uses older volunteers to work with students in public elementary schools. Two hundred and eighty-eight first- and second-grade students participated in a pre-test/post-test two group design with randomization to assess the impact of the program on their reading abilities. Reading was assessed using the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) and Early Childhood Literary Assessment System (ECLAS). Results indicate that Experience Corps is effective at improving reading scores. This study provides evidence that older volunteers can be successfully utilized to tutor young readers.


Firms, investors, and regulators around the world are now seeking to ensure that the compensation of public company executives is tied to long-term results, in part to avoid incentives for excessive risk taking. This Article examines how best to achieve this objective. Focusing on equity-based compensation, the primary component of executive pay, we identify how such compensation should best be structured to tie pay to long-term performance. We consider the optimal design of limitations on the unwinding of equity incentives, putting forward a proposal that firms adopt both grant-based and aggregate limitations on unwinding. We also analyze how equity compensation should be designed to prevent the gaming of equity grants at the front end and the gaming of equity dispositions at the back end. Finally, we emphasize the need for widespread adoption of limitations on executives' use of hedging and derivative transactions that weaken the tie between executive payoffs and the long-term stock price that well-designed equity compensation is intended to produce.


This study aims to examine empirically the investment behavior of investors over the announcement of financial distress of companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The testing period in this study was 2005-2016. The behavior of investors in competing companies (non-delist) in the industry (known as intra-industry information transfer) can be seen from abnormal return patterns that occur in competitors' shares around the delist announcement day. Contagion effect occurs in competing companies in one industry that get negative reactions from investors while competitive effects occur in competing companies that get a positive reaction from investors over the delist announcement of other company. This study uses leverage and market capitalization of competing companies to explain the contagion and competitive effects. Sampling in this study uses a purposive sampling approach. Data analysis techniques in this study use one sample t-test. The number of samples in this study were 22 delist companies and 132 non-delist companies. This study showed that there was an intra-industry information transfer. Competitive effect occurs at t-3 and t+2 arround the delist announcement day. Specifically, market capitalization and leverage of non-delist can not explain the direction of intra-industry information transfer


Henry's Law was utilized to determine the accuracy of the flowing afterglow at the University of Pittsburgh as a Chemical Reaction Mass Spectrometer (CR-MS). H3O+ and its first three hydrates were utilized as reagent ions in the CR-MS technique to quantify headspace concentrations over multiple series of dilute aqueous acetone, acetonitrile, and benzaldehyde/THF solutions. The temperature corrected Henry's Law constants, kHθ, of acetone, acetonitrile, benzaldehyde, and THF were calculated as 32.1+3.3, 45.2+6.5, 41.6+2.1, and 14.8+1.0 M atm-1, respectively. These values for acetone, acetonitrile, benzaldehyde, and THF are in agreement within error of the literature values of 28+3, 51+3, 39+3, and 14 M atm-1, respectively. These measurements suggest that our flowing afterglow can be utilized to accurately quantify multiple VOCs simultaneously via the CR-MS technique. H3O+ is the most commonly utilized reagent ion for the CR-MS technique due to its many advantages. This ion possesses two main limitations; it readily clusters with water and cannot decipher between isobaric (of the same mass) molecules. Due to its size and tendency to react like a proton, the trimethylsilyl group (TMS+) can be substituted for a proton to reduce clustering. Substitution of the nitrosyl cation for a proton creates a NO+ donor and an ion that can decipher between isobaric molecules. The preparation of R((CH3)3Si)ONO+, where R is a proton, trimethylsilyl, alkyl, or NO+ moiety, was attempted in order to make a reagent ion that can decipher between isobaric molecules, does not cluster, and, yet, maintains the advantages of H3O+ as a reagent ion. There were four different preparations attempted for ions of this type: NO+ + methoxytrimethylsilane, NO+ + hexamethyldisiloxane, ((CH3)3Si)2OH+ + methyl nitrite, and ((CH3)3Si)OH2+ + methyl nitrite. The clean production of R((CH3)3Si)ONO+ remains elusive. The reactions of NO+ and methoxytrimethylsilane and NO+ and hexamethyldisiloxane resulted in hydride and/or methide abstraction. No reaction occurred between protonated hexamethyldisiloxane and methyl nitrite. The reaction of protonated trimethysilanol with methyl nitrite did not produce an ion of the type R((CH3)3Si)ONO+ cleanly as it resulted in H(TMS)ONO+ (m/z 120) and (CH3)(TMS)ONO+ (m/z 134).


This paper commences from a new indirect utility function and derives the corresponding system of equations, relating commodity demands to prices and income, that satisfies the constraints imposed by utility maximisation (aggregation, homogeneity, Slutsky symmetry and negativity). As the famous linear expenditure system (LES) is a special case of this new system, it is named the generalised Stone-Geary system (GSGS) and it incorporates a generalisation of the 'subsistance' income concept to one of 'committed' income. However, the GSGS is not subject to the well known limitations of the LES and it can model a reasonably representative range of consumer behaviour. It is also relatively parsimonious in parameters involving just 3n – 1, where n is the number of commodities. The new system has greater ranges of theoretical validity than various systems derived from 'flexible' functional forms. As with the LES, simple conditions on the parameters guarantee the validity of the system for all variable values except, perhaps, at low incomes.