Abstract The traditional concept of sovereignty is largely independent of democratic legitimacy and completely indifferent to any obligation towards non-national citizens. But can this traditional concept meet the normative expectations of a post-traditional understanding of political authority as well as the challenges of an ever more interconnected world? In order to respond to this question, the Article analyzes the conceptual presuppositions that lie at the basis of the notion of "sovereignty," first regarding its sources, and second regarding the ideas of rationality that are applied when sovereign actors operate. As far as the sources of sovereignty are concerned, it is argued that both of them - the "ascending" and the "descending" - although decisive for determining the quality of the legitimacy of political power, have little influence on a positive attitude of sovereigns towards aliens' interests. To clarify the conditions for an opening of sovereign powers to solidarity, an assessment of the rationalities which are implemented when a sovereign puts actions into effect is therefore required. Yet most rationality concepts - or uses of practical reason - prove to be negative or at least useless when it comes to the question of supporting solidarity: the gamut ranges from open hostility towards the idea of taking the interests of aliens into account, through substantial indifference, to a positive approach which presupposes, however, non-provable metaphysical assumptions or an individual mindset with no pretension of issuing norms of general validity. Only the communicative conception of reason meets the criteria for a convincing justification of solidarity towards aliens as an obligation. The author therefore concludes that only an "ascending" sovereignty based on a communicative understanding of rationality can be considered fully legitimate insofar as the sovereign power, in this case, first originates from the will of the citizens and, second, is morally, politically and legally obliged to a solidaristic attitude towards the justified interests of non-citizens.


This work reports an 8-lane single-ended RX featuring compact and low power far-end crosstalk (FEXT) cancellation circuits. The RX data-path consists of a cross continuous-time linear equalizer (XCTLE) to remove FEXT by nearest aggressors within the channel bundle. Residual post-cursor FEXT is suppressed by a direct feedback 7×8-tap cross decision-feedback equalizer (XDFE). A CTLE and 8-tap DFE equalize single-ended channels with 28dB insertion loss at Nyquist frequency without TX FFE. The circuit, fabricated in 32nm SOI CMOS, was measured to receive 7Gb/s/pin PRBS11 data at BER<; 10-12 with 12.5%UI margin. Itoccupies 300×350μm2 with an energy efficiency of 5.9mW/Gb/s.


Scientific Excellence has become the catch word for research politics, manifesting itself in the establishment of centres of excellence all over Europe as well as in the European Research Council. What is the meaning of this phenomenon? What will we find when trying to open up the black box of "scientific excellence"? The need to question evaluation processes seems intrusive, when we realize the increasing demands on knowledge production to be societally robust, not the least within the energy and environmental sector. How do we move towards a situation where scientific 'excellence' is automatically taken to include reflection and wider engagement concerning societal dimensions?


Summary Objectives: To identify challenges and opportunities in imaging informatics that can lead to the use of images for discovery, and that can potentially improve the diagnostic accuracy of imaging professionals. Methods: Recent articles on imaging informatics and related articles from PubMed were reviewed and analyzed. Some new developments and challenges that recent research in imaging informatics will meet are identified and discussed. Results: While much literature continues to be devoted to traditional imaging informatics topics of image processing, visualization, and computerized detection, three new trends are emerging: (1) development of ontologies to describe radiology reports and images, (2) structured reporting and image annotation methods to make image semantics explicit and machine-accessible, and (3) applications that use semantic image information for decision support to improve radiologist interpretation performance. The informatics methods being developed have similarities and synergies with recent work in the biomedical informatics community that leverage large highthroughput data sets, and future research in imaging informatics will build on these advances to enable discovery by mining large image databases. Conclusions: Imaging informatics is beginning to develop and apply knowledge representation and analysis methods to image datasets. This type of work, already commonplace in biomedical research with large scale molecular and clinical datasets, will lead to new ways for computers to work with image data. The new advances hold promise for integrating imaging with the rest of the patient record as well as molecular data, for new data-driven discoveries in imaging analogous to that in bioinformatics, and for improved quality of radiology practice.


Both the Notch and TCR signaling pathways play an important role in T cell development, but the links between these signaling pathways are largely unexplored. The adapter protein Numb is a well-characterized inhibitor of Notch and also contains a phosphotyrosine binding domain, suggesting that Numb could provide a link between these pathways. We explored this possibility by investigating the physical interactions among Notch, Numb, and the TCR signaling apparatus and by examining the consequences of a Numb mutation on T cell development. We found that Notch and Numb cocluster with the TCR at the APC contact during Ag-driven T cell-APC interactions in both immature and mature T cells. Furthermore, Numb coimmunoprecipitates with components of the TCR signaling apparatus. Despite this association, T cell development and T cell activation occur normally in the absence of Numb, perhaps due to the expression of the related protein, Numblike. Together our data suggest that Notch and TCR signals may be integrated at the cell membrane, and that Numb may be an important adapter in this process. The Journal of Immunology, 2005, 174: 890–897. homologous protein Numblike. Our results provide a basis for future examination of the roles of Notch and Numb in modulating TCR signaling.


Since the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks, no state has unleashed nuclear weapons. What explains this? According to the author, the answer lies in a prohibition inherent in the tradition of non-use, a time-honored obligation that has been adhered to by all nuclear states - thanks to a consensus view that use would have a catastrophic impact on humankind, the environment, and the reputation of the user. The book offers an in-depth analysis of the nuclear policies of the U.S., Russia, China, the UK, France, India, Israel, and Pakistan and assesses the contributions of these states to the rise and persistence of the tradition of nuclear non-use. It examines the influence of the tradition on the behavior of nuclear and non-nuclear states in crises and wars, and explores the tradition's implications for nuclear non-proliferation regimes, deterrence theory, and policy. And it concludes by discussing the future of the tradition in the current global security environment.


This is the seventh issue of the OUSL Journal, the Journal of the Open University of Sri Lanka. It provides OUSL academics and others a platform to publish research and review articles on Distance Education and other discipline based academic work conducted locally and internationally. The articles published in this issue cover research on ODL, Science and Engineering conducted by mainly OUSL academics. This gives a good opportunity for our readers to know some of the research conducted at OUSL and to engage in fruitful discussions and future collaborations. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/ouslj.v7i0.7312 OUSL Journal Vol.7 2014


The thesis can be divided into two parts.

In the first part of my thesis, I present the design, construction and test results of a prototype gas-cell Photoacoustic (PA) Spectrometer and Microscope. It is a low
cost, non-contact technique, which can be used to characterize semiconductor band-gap structures and subsurface defects. It requires no liquid coupling and no
sample surface preparation in advance.

The instrument development includes the optical system design, mechanical design of the PA cell using AutoCAD®, pre-amplifier circuit design, system noise analysis, hardware control, data acquisition system and graphical user interface (GUI) development using LabView®. A multiple-microphone detection scheme, helium gas coupling, acoustic resonance and a high power laser light source are
used to enhance the PA signal and to increase the data acquisition speed. The PA system is calibrated to remove the acoustic resonance effect and the background
fingerprint of light source intensity spectrum. The linear relationship between the PA signal and the source intensity is verified. The impacts of the lock-in amplifier
performance, the focus offset and the coupling gas within the cell on the PA signal are discussed.

Various samples are used to verify performance of the developed PA system. These include Silicon wafers, GaAs wafers, multi-layered structures on silicon substrates, carbon-black powder, laser-machined air trenches, bonded silicon wafers and a packaged IC chip. For spectroscopy applications, the PA spectra of two types of GaAs wafers are characterized successfully. For microscopy applications, the PA system is proven to have a vertical resolution of ~ 20 nm and a lateral resolution of ~ sub-100 um. Its probe depth could be as deep as 450 um below the silicon surface. The data acquisition speed of the PA system is improved for industrial applications. Two high-resolution (10,000 pixels) thermal images (one in phase and another in amplitude) of semiconductor devices can be obtained in less than 50 seconds across an area of approx. 9 mm x 9 mm.

In the second part of my thesis, other related non-destructive characterization work on advanced semiconductor materials is presented. In chapter six, Synchrotron X-ray Topography (SXRT) and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy (uRS) are used to study two sets of the femto-second and nano-second laser machined grooves on InP substrates. In chapter seven, other characterization work is presented to study the H2 preconditioning effect on self-assembled Ge-islands on Silicon. Both cases demonstrate the commercialised metrology tools' capabilies to analyse the distribution profile of the strain and the chemical composition on the top surface. The PA system prototype presented in this thesis can be used as a complementary tool. It provides ultra-deep probe depth for the subsurface defects, when compared to the SXRT and the uRS methods.


Abstract: Where fecundity, mortality, immigration, or emigration differ among species, genotypes, environments, sexes, or age and size classes, we must expect differences in the composition and dynamics of populations and communities. However, as shown in this study on all-hybrid populations of the hemiclonal waterfrog Pelophylax esculentus, the reverse conclusion is not necessarily true: Population differences in genotype composition were not paralleled by differences in genotype-specific age and size distributions. We investigated 12 ponds with different ratios of diploid (LR) and triploid (LLR and LRR) hybrids and tested whether the pond-to-pond ratio differences result from differential survival of the three genotypes under different ecological conditions (selection hypothesis). This should then be reflected in the age and size distribution of the frogs. Age (determined through skeletochronology) and size (measured as snout–vent length) were related to eight ecological variables that in previous studies had been found to affect genotype ratios: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, pond size, amounts of submerged and floating pond vegetation, and proportions of forest and wetland area within 20 m of the pond. Only two of these eight variables had a significant effect on growth and survival: frogs in larger ponds were, on average, older and larger than frogs in smaller ponds, and body size also increased with water temperature. Since these relationships did not differ between genotypes and sexes, we conclude that ecological conditions are unlikely to exert their influence on population structure via differential individual performance. The conclusion is supported by our finding that across the 12 study ponds there was no significant relationship between the proportion of a particular genotype × sex category and the average age and size of the individuals belonging to that category. An alternative to the selection hypothesis is offered by the recently proposed gamete pattern hypothesis. It states that pond-to-pond differences in genotype ratios arise from different gamete production patterns of LLR, LR, and LRR males and females. But, so far, support for this hypothesis is also weak.


THE INFLUENCE OF RISK TAKING ON STUDENT CREATION OF MATHEMATICAL MEANING: CONTEXTUAL RISK THEORY Erin Houghtaling Badger Department of Mathematics Education Master of Art The primary concerns of mathematics educators are learning and teaching mathematics. It is, therefore, natural to ask "what implications and benefits might there be if learning were perceived as a risk-taking event?" (Atkinson, 1957, p. 266). The underlying motivation of this study is to analyze the risks students take in the mathematics classroom and how risk influences student creation of meaning and development of understanding. I define risk in the mathematics classroom to be any observable act that entails uncertain outcome. The research presented here focuses on a table of four students: Andrew, Carina, Kam, and Mark as they grapple with the mathematical uncertainties inherent in the Ticket Line Task. In analyzing student work and development of mathematical understanding, I identify risks that students take and the benefits they claim result from doing so. Contextualized Risk Theory (CRT) is introduced to improve our understanding of the risks students take in learning mathematics in a student-centered classroom where students exercise personal agency in mathematical problem solving. Findings include characterization of risks these students took, significant student mathematical activity, student enjoyment of their work, student development of personal understanding of purposes and meanings of specific mathematics, and students achieving mathematical success as defined by the researcher and the participants.


Abstract. Nowadays, the development of UAS has allowed the obtaining of high resolution and accurate cartographic products, such as DSMs and orthoimages. These products can be used in studies of the evolution of landslides. The stability of slopes is a main issue because, among others, it can suppose a serious risk to infrastructures. Until this moment, some studies for analysing slope movements have been carried out using the comparison of positions of well-defined points or comparing two surfaces obtained from two DSMs. In this paper we present a methodology for analysing landslides based on some linear elements located on the terrain. More specifically, we analyse some lines of road sections which are located on an unstable slope, checking the movements of the landslide and their effect on the infrastructure. The methodology includes the obtaining of high resolution orthoimages and DSMs which correspond to two or more epochs of the same landslide, the 3D digitizing of common linear elements, and the computing of the displacements of matched lines (from two epochs) using positional control methods based on lines. The proposed methodology has been tested using two DSMs and two orthoimages (corresponding to two epochs) obtained from two photogrammetric projects developed with an UAS. This real case was applied to an unstable slope with landslides which affected several sections of a road. The results have demonstrated the viability of the proposed methodology in analysing the behaviour of the landslide and more specifically, the effects on these infrastructures.


IntroductionEnhancement of primary care has been focused in many countries to make the healthcare system more productive in response to increasing burden of chronic conditions. Despite tremendous growth of linked administrative data, methods to use the administrative data to evaluate and improve the performance of primary care have been limited.
Objectives and ApproachThe study uses linked administrative data of people diagnosed with diabetes to develop and test a new metric that will facilitate better measurement of continuity of primary care named "cover metric". Cover adds a time element into our previously developed regularity score compartmentalising days between GP visits into within and outside of a particular time period determined using threshold models that are either associated with a reduced (within) or increased (outside) the risk of hospitalisation. The number of days within is then summed over an ascertainment period of 365 days (calendar year) and an annual proportion calculated for each person.
ResultsThree cohorts of people with diabetes were identified based on complication severity index at the baseline year. The risk of hospitalisations among people with diabetes can vary across a range of primary care usage and other covariates. The use of propensity scores allowed us to assess the balance of observed covariates across different levels of primary care usage and to isolate the effect of primary care usage on the risk of hospitalisation from the covariates. The threshold effects models examined how the risk of hospitalisation varied with the length of time following a primary care visit to indicate the time interval which the risk of hospitalisation was lowest. The time interval was then used to construct the cover metric for each defined diabetes severity cohort.
Conclusion/ImplicationsThe new cover metric will significantly contribute to the sparsely available methods for the analysis of linked administrative data in evaluating continuity of primary care. Combination of propensity score and threshold effect models are showcased as useful analytic approaches in the examination of the relationship between primary care and hospitalisations.


This month marks the centennial of the birth of Leo Huberman, who, with Paul M. Sweezy, was founding coeditor of Monthly Review. Arguably without Huberman's editorial and publishing skills, his radical imagination, and his indefatigable commitment to the idea of an independent, clear-sighted socialist clarion, MR might well have been stillborn. Instead, the magazine—and Monthly Review Press—became a leading voice of independent Marxian socialism both in the United States and worldwide. Much of this was due to the unique collaboration and friendship between Leo and Paul and to the larger MR "family" that included, initially, Gertrude Huberman (Leo's wife, who died in 1965) and Sybil H. May, MR's office manager until her death in October 1978. MR's first office was in Leo and Gert's Barrow Street apartment. It was there that the two editors would meet to plot the course of the magazine, shaping its worldview, enlisting its contributors, and deciding each issue's contents. And it was there that Leo, especially, molded MR as an enterprise, a particularly risky task in those early years of the Cold War and witch-hunts.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.


In this study, a supercritical fluid CO2 (SF-CO2) extraction and subcritical water extraction (SWE) were developed with the aim of overcoming the disadvantages associated with the conventional soxhlet extraction. The SFE conditions utilised
extraction temperature of 60 oC, extraction pressure of 200 bar, 15% methanol as cosolvent, extraction flow rate at 2.0 mL/min, 30 minute extraction and n-hexane as the analyte trapping solvent for PCBs extraction from sludge. A lab-made SWE dynamic extraction system was successfully developed for the dynamic SWE of PCBs from sludge samples. For the SWE, the optimized conditions employed an extraction temperature of 250 oC, extraction pressure of 50 bar, 1 min static followed by 10 min dynamic extraction and analyte collection in dichloromethane. Both the SF-CO2 extraction and SWE showed good PCB recoveries (50 to 99 %) compared to soxhlet
extraction (52 to 75 % PCB recoveries). From the two extraction methods investigated, it was clear that the SF-CO2 technique was better in terms of recovery, good
reproducibility and speed of analysis compared to the SWE method and it was therefore chosen as the method of choice for the analysis of real sludge samples. The PCBs under
study (PCB 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) when analysed using GC-ECD gave low detection limits in the range of 0.016 to 0.048 µg/mL. The concentration of PCBs in sludge samples extracted using SF-CO2 were in the range of 31.2 to 82.0 µg/kg as compared to that using soxhlet with PCB levels from 20.2 to 60.1 µg/kg. Method development for analysis of PAHs in sewage sludge was also carried out using spiked samples and real samples. Extraction of PAHs in sewage sludge was utilised using Soxhlet extraction followed by extract clean-up procedure. Limits of detection for five PAHs (naphthalene, fluoroanthene, phenanthrene, benzo(a)fluoroanthene and benzo(a)pyrene) were in the range of 5 mg/L to 20 mg/L. Analysis of OCP (lindane,dieldrin, TDE, pp-DDT and heptachlor) in sewage sludge was also successfully developed. The use of GC-ECD instrument was successful in separating and detecting all OCPs under study. In this study, limits of detection of OCP were in the range of 7.8 to 39.0 µg/kg. Extracts of OCP in sewage sludge were prepared using Soxhlet extraction followed by clean-up procedure using silica column. The concentrations of OCPs were in the range of (47 to 159 µg/kg) in sewage sludge. The characterization of sludge samples from other aspects was also carried out. The sludge samples showed high water
content (37 to 90 %) with slightly acidic pH values ranging from 4.3 to 6.6. All samples were found to be chemically stable and the percentages of nutrient (TKN, P and K) were
in the range of 0.059 to 0.98 %, 0.05 to 0.15 % and 0.12 to 0.16 %, respectively. Heavy metal studies showed that metal content in municipal sewage sludge samples were below the USEPA limit.


Previously, local radiotherapy (RT) was only limited to palliate local symptoms, including bleeding or obstructive symptoms in metastatic prostate cancer patients. However, a population-based database and retrospective studies suggested that the local treatment of the prostate could improve survival in metastatic hormone-naive prostate cancer with a small metastatic burden, 'oligometastatic' state (1-3). Recently two randomized trials demonstrated the efficacy of local RT to prostate in metastatic prostate cancer patients (4,5).


Abstract Background: Few studies have described youth cigarette sources in terms of whether the cigarettes were free or purchased. Understanding the different ways youth obtain tobacco can guide development of interventions to more effectively reduce youth smoking. Purpose: To determine the propensity for youth to purchase cigarettes versus obtain cigarettes for free, and the factors associated with each obtainment method. Methods: Our sample included 812 youth ages 12-17 who reported ever smoking a whole cigarette. Our outcome was the source of the last cigarette smoked (purchased vs. free) and independent variables included demographics, smoking behaviors, and smoking status of parents/siblings/friends. We conducted logistic regression to assess relationships between outcome and independent variables. Results: Eighty-four percent of youth obtained their last cigarette for free and 16% purchased their last cigarette. Youth who smoked less and had less weekly spending money were more likely to have obtained their last cigarette for free. Discussion: Youth smokers appear to have a high propensity to obtain their cigarette for free, particularly those who smoke relatively infrequently. Translation to Health Education Practice: Interventions that target sources of free cigarettes have the potential to reduce the progression of youth smoking at a critical stage in its development.


The two-systems model of mindreading advocated by Ian Apperly and Steve Butterfill seeks to find a middle ground between full-blown mindreading and either behaviour-reading or so-called 'sub-mentalizing'. Minimal mindreading is taken to be efficient, automatic, and to emerge early in human ontogenetic development. Full-blown mindreading is taken to be flexible, less efficient, and to develop later. This chapter raises three challenges for this model. First, it challenges its claim to resolve the developmental puzzle. Secondly, it challenges the claim that the representation of the aspectuality of beliefs falls outside the scope of minimal mindreading. Finally, examination of the contrast between Level-1 and Level-2 visual perspective-taking undermines the sharp dichotomy between automatic and flexible cognitive processes. The alternative picture supported by this chapter is of a single mindreading system that can be used in ways that are more or less effortful as a result of interacting with other cognitive systems, such as working memory and executive control.


Identification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a molecular target has radically changed the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from standard chemotherapy to personalized, targeted therapy. First-, second- and third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are now available for the treatment of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients. This review will focus on the clinical development of first- and second-generation EGFR TKIs. We will emphasize on essential points like the head-to-head comparison among EGFR TKIs, their activity on brain metastases, mechanisms of resistance, as well as their combination with anti-angiogenic compounds, other targeted therapies, or immunotherapy. The efficacy of first- and second-generation EGFR TKIs in early-stage EGFR-mutant NSCLC will be also finally reviewed.


Around 3.3 million people are remand prisoners worldwide, and remand imprisonment affects an excess of 14 million people per year (OSF Justice Initiative, 2014). In Turkey, around 70 per cent of young prisoners are on remand in the newly emerging high security prisons called Children's Closed Institutions for Execution of Punishment (and adult prisons). The remaining 30 per cent are sentenced and received by an open type of prisons known as Juvenile Education Houses. The very specific nature of remand imprisonment occupies little space in imprisonment and penal theories and governmentality studies. Remand imprisonment is either considered as a bureaucratic phase in the prosecution system or approached and criticized within human rights violations (right to fair trial and presumption of innocence).

In this thesis I argue that the language of human rights impedes critiques that explore and deconstruct remand imprisonment within penal culture and penal politics in Turkey. The stability in the high proportion and the emergence of high security prisons for remanded youth in Turkey lead the researcher to presume that youth remand imprisonment acquires roles within crime control, and social control that could be comprehended within a look through Turkey's governmentality that would draw a picture of its legal culture. So, this thesis explores the role(s) of remand imprisonment in the juvenile justice system in Turkey by situating remand imprisonment in the centre of penal politics. The essential conceptual tools of prison studies including 'labour/discipline', 'time' and 'space' are analysed in this thesis.

The diversity of young defendants charged with drug dealing, crimes against property, bodily injury, murder, sexual offences, and political offences in Turkey calls for a comprehensive method of thought. By adopting a study of Biopolitics, as a method of thought (Foucault, 2007, 2008; Lemke 2001, 2011b, Dean 2010, Rose 1996), I scrutinize the roles of remand imprisonment in Turkey's penal politics in relation to Turkey's political economy, its sovereign power relations with the citizens and in relation to the knowledge production/adaptation in its criminal justice system. Within Biopolitics, 'as the politics of optimizing life of the population,' I consider both the relation between the political economy and penal culture as situated within a revisionist history of imprisonment (Rusche and Kircheimmer, 2003; Melossi and Pavarini, 1981; Foucault, 1977; Foucault 1980), and also discuss the manifestation of sovereign power (Agamben, 1998, 2005) of the state towards youth in conflict with the law. I investigate the mode of knowledge production and adaptation in the youth justice system. I specifically concentrate on the effect of the prevalence of the language of rights on youth remand imprisonment in Turkey, and draw on the sociology of human rights literature to aid my analysis. I approach human rights as a socially constructed language embedded in the liberalism movement of Enlightenment, and demonstrate its compatibility with the quest for security through spatial control, at times when social security remains weak.

The primary data for this thesis comes from qualitative interviews, observations, and document analysis conducted in Turkish courtrooms and prisons, as well as production of statistical knowledge based on the Ministry of Justice data. Based on the idea that 'law in action' or 'law in context' (Nelken, 2001) can be different than 'law in the books', explaining the praxis and meaning of remand imprisonment calls for an interpretive understanding (Weber, 1978) of meanings different figures attach to their action. In this thesis I scrutinize what meanings and purposes these different actors attach to remand imprisonment by analysing the data generated from interviews with 50 young prisoners in 6 different prisons (Ankara, ?stanbul, ?zmir, Konya), as well as interviews with 38 youth justice professionals, constituted by prosecutors, lawyers, judges and social work officials, plus information from 65 hearings in three different Turkish courtrooms (Ankara, ?stanbul, ?zmir).

Analysis of the data in governmentality demonstrates that remand imprisonment has evolved into a spatial crime control mechanism in the 'managerialist' conduct of the youth justice system. In this managerialist governmentality where professionalism over social security remains immature, the imagined self-sufficient, self-contained, invulnerable and decontextualized liberal, rational young defendant in the liberal rights discourse, is managed securely in the youth justice system through spatial control. Findings from this research demonstrate that youth remand imprisonment works as a first resort deterrence and control mechanism of security in Turkey, especially for those charged with offences related to drugs and property. The findings also show how youth remand imprisonment is rationalized and neutralized as sovereign power's expression of just desert, as remand imprisonment is not distinguished from prison sentence. The research data also fulfills an administrative control mechanism of evidence collection. So the diverse population of young remand prisoners are all 'managed' (Feeley and Simon, 1992; Bottoms, 1995) within the same regime of high security prisons that I call 'bureaucratic disposal resort'.

This thesis adds a novel and needed contribution to the revisionist approach to imprisonment by analysing remand imprisonment as a crime control mechanism in Biopolitics through the country's political economy and its relations of sovereign power. Findings from the research provide an innovative platform to discuss the compatible relationship between the human rights discourse and the practice of remand imprisonment as a spatial crime control mechanism.


Small unoccupied aerial systems (sUASs) are increasingly being used for field data collection and remote sensing purposes. Their ease of use, ability to carry sensors, low cost, and precise maneuverability and navigation make them a versatile tool for a field researcher. Procedures and instrumentation for sUASs are largely undefined, especially for atmospheric and hydrologic applications. The sUAS's ability to collect atmospheric data for characterizing land–atmosphere interactions was examined at three distinct locations: Costa Rican rainforest, mountainous terrain in Georgia, USA, and land surfaces surrounding a lake in Florida, USA. This study aims to give further insight on rapid, sub-hourly changes in the planetary boundary layer and how land development alters land–atmosphere interactions. The methodology of using an sUAS for land–atmospheric remote sensing and data collection was developed and refined by considering sUAS wind downdraft influence and executing systematic flight patterns throughout the day. The sUAS was successful in gathering temperature and dew point data, including rapid variations due to changing weather conditions, at high spatial and temporal resolution over various land types, including water, forest, mountainous terrain, agriculture, and impermeable human-made surfaces. The procedure produced reliably consistent vertical profiles over small domains in space and time, validating the general approach. These findings suggest a healthy ability to diagnose land surface atmospheric interactions that influence the dynamic nature of the near-surface boundary layer.


Capillary flow affects the amount of air entrapped between fiber reinforced composites during the impregnation. This paper investigates the permeability of aligned fiber bundles by capillary flow in both longitudinal and transverse directions. Experiments measure capillary flow by the rate of weight gain of fiber-filled tubes having one end in contact with a fluid at atmospheric pressure. The driving force for this flow is capillary pressure only; no external driving pressure is applied during impregnation. Permeabilities obtained under these conditions are slightly lower than those measured under conditions of positive external pressure. The Kozeny constant for longitudinal flow are found to be 1.06, and for transverse flow to be about 8. A simple model is derived to illustrate the role of capillary flow along fiber reinforcements during wetting. While capillary flow is insignificant with high injection rates, it is significant at low injection rates. The model indicates that for a specified fiber volume fraction in the fiber bundle, there exists a unique injection speed in which the bulk fluid flow front matches the capillary flow front inside the bundle. Injection at that speed is usually too slow to be practical, but it would substantially reduce the void content in fiber bundles after impregnation. At high injection rates, the model indicates the possible trapping of air inside fiber tows due to the capillary flow lagging behind the bulk flow.


It is well known that the oral bioavailability of peptide and protein drugs is generally poor because they are extensively degraded by proteases in the gastrointestinal tract and impermeable through the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, various approaches have been examined to overcome the delivery problems of these peptides and to improve their absorption via the gastrointestinal tract. Of these approaches, a potentially useful approach to solve these delivery problems may be chemical modification of peptides and proteins to produce prodrugs and analogues. Thus, it is plausible that this approach may protect peptides against degradation by peptidases and other enzymes present at the mucosal barrier and renders the peptides and proteins more lipophilic, resulting in increased bioavailability. From these standpoints, we synthesized lipophilic derivatives of peptides and proteins such as thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), tetragastrin (TG), calcitonin and insulin by chemical modification with fatty acids. The pharmacological activities of these derivatives were relatively high as compared with the native peptides. A significant increase in the intestinal absorption of these derivatives of peptides was observed in comparison with native peptides. Overall, the effects of acylation on the intestinal absorption of these peptides were more predominant in the large intestine than those in the small intestine. In addition, these derivatives were more stable than the parent peptides in homogenates of the various intestinal mucosae. We also examined the intestinal transport characteristics of TG and its acyl derivatives using Caco-2 cell monolayers in order to assess the contribution of enzymatic and transport barriers on their intestinal absorption. The degradation clearance of TG on the apical membrane was decreased by chemical modification with fatty acids. In addition, the permeability clearance of TG was improved by the acylation. On the other hand, the intestinal absorption of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), which is transported by a carrier-mediated process, was also enhanced by chemical modification with lauric acid. In summary, this chemical modification approach may be useful to improve the intestinal absorption of peptide and protein drugs.


In this paper, we present a fast and scalable pipelined priority queue architecture for use in high-performance switches with support for fine grained quality of service (QoS) guarantees. Priority queues are used to implement highest-priority-first scheduling policies. Our hardware architecture is based on a new data structure called a pipelined heap, or P-heap for short. This data structure enables the pipelining of the enqueue and dequeue operations, thereby allowing these operations to execute in essentially constant time. In addition to being very fast, the architecture also scales very well to a large number of priority levels and to large queue sizes. We give a detailed description of this new data structure, the associated algorithms and the corresponding hardware implementation. We have implemented this new architecture using a 0.35 micron CMOS technology. Our current implementation can support 10 Gb/s connections with over 4 billion priority levels.


Previous studies showed that administration of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to lean and genetically obese Zucker rats reduced body weight. In the present experiments, the effect of DHEA treatment in rats with diet-induced obesity was evaluated. In experiment 1, male Sprague-Dawley rats (300 g) were fed a nonpurified diet (reference group) or a condensed milk-corn oil nonpurified diet [diet-induced obese (DIO) rats] for 7 wk. Then, 0.6% DHEA was included in the food of one-half of the DIO rats (DIO + DHEA rats). After 6 wk, DIO rats weighed 23% more and had greater fat pad weights, cell size and cell number than reference and DIO + DHEA rats. Brown fat mitochondrial respiration was similar in all groups. DIO rats had higher serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations than reference and DIO + DHEA rats. DIO + DHEA rats had lower serum insulin levels than DIO and reference rats. In experiment 2, male Sprague-Dawley rats (460 g) were fed either the nonpurified diet or the condensed milk diet for 8 wk. Condensed milk-fed rats were then divided into DIO and diet-resistant groups. One-half of the rats in each group were fed 0.6% DHEA for 2 wk. Body weights and serum glucose, insulin, triacylglycerol and triiodothyronine levels were lowered by DHEA treatment in all groups. Liver mitochondrial state 3 respiration rates per gram and per liver and peroxisomal beta-oxidation were higher in DHEA-treated than in control rats. In DIO rats, DHEA treatment appears to interfere with hyperplastic adipose tissue growth. In this strain of rats, DHEA appears to have hypolipidemic and hypoinsulinemic effects.


Discrete choice experiment data aimed at eliciting the demand for recreational walking trails on farmland in Ireland is used to explore whether some respondents reach their choices solely on the basis of the alternative's label. To investigate this type of processing strategy, this paper exploits a discrete mixtures approach that also encompasses continuous distributions to reflect the heterogeneity in preferences for the attributes. We find evidence that a proportion of respondents adopt this processing strategy and that the strategies employed by rural and urban respondents are somewhat different. Results further highlight that model fit and measures of welfare are sensitive to assumptions related to processing strategies among respondents.


Lesion of the acromioclavicular joint is a usual clinical condition because of it superficial situation. It is often involved in trauma of the shoulder girdle. Moreover, degenerative changes are quite always observed for patients over 40. Distal clavicle resection as a treatment of acromioclavicular joint disease had been first described in 1941. Clinical results in term of mobility and shoulder pain are good and durable in time. Referring to the expansion arthroscopic techniques, distal clavicle resection lead to same middle and long term results as open surgery. Arthroscopic procedures have the theoretical advantages of no deltoid disruption and may help the surgeon to diagnose and treat associated lesions such as rotator cuff ruptures. More recently, arthroscopic surgeries for fresh and/or chronic acromioclavicular disjunctions were proposed. These procedures remain in development and need further evaluations.


In this research, a novel system is used for monitoring the vehicles at intersection points. In this system, it will be necessary that the vehicles should be able to exchange (in real time) their dynamic information such as speed, acceleration, direction, relative position etc. with the other vehicles through Intersection traffic controller. An intersection has a wireless unit called the Intersection Traffic Controller (ITC). This ITC keeps broadcasting a message all the time. Each vehicle communicates with the ITC in real time to let the ITC know about its current location. The ITC then includes this information in its message and warn the driver about the condition of the vehicle and the signal to avoid the collision. Developing Intersection traffic controller network for collision detection and warning system will be very effective for reducing fatalities, injuries and associated cost. This research work presents a collision detection and warning protocol in intersection traffic controller (ITC) to improve the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) using a wireless communication technology. Also the intersection traffic controller will calculate the shortest path of communication between the vehicles so as to provide faster and efficient communication between different networks and provide smooth traffic flow at intersections.


Cold-formed steel members are increasingly used as primary structural elements in the building industries around the world due to the availability of thin and high strength steels and advanced cold-forming technologies. Cold-formed steel lipped channel beams (LCB) are commonly used as flexural members such as floor joists and bearers. However, their shear capacities are determined based on conservative design rules. Current practice in flooring systems is to include openings in the web element of floor joists or bearers so that building services can be located within them. However, limited research has been undertaken on the shear behaviour and strength of LCBs with web openings. Hence a detailed experimental study involving 32 shear tests was undertaken to investigate the shear behaviour and strength of LCBs with web openings. Simply supported test specimens of LCBs with an aspect ratio of 1.0 and 1.5 were loaded at mid-span until failure. This paper presents the details of this experimental study and the results of their shear capacities and behavioural characteristics. Experimental results showed that the current design rules in cold-formed steel structures design codes are very conservative for the shear design of LCBs with web openings. Improved design equations have been proposed for the shear strength of LCBs with web openings based on the experimental results from this study.


This research has been conducted based on the fact that acetic and butyric acids are favorable substrates for methanogens, and that a low level of propionic acid production during acidogenesis minimizes the inhibition effect on methanogenic growth. Raw swine wastewater was pretreated with ammonia stripping to enhance acidogenesis. The ammonia nitrogen concentration of less than 1.2 g/L did not significantly affect the biochemical acidogenic potential of swine wastewater. For acidogenesis of swine wastewater, a set of experiments were carried out to produce short chain volatile fatty acids (VFA) in laboratory-scale continuously stirred tank reactors. The production of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids associated with simultaneous changes in hydraulic retention time (HRT) and temperature was investigated. Response surface methodology was successfully applied to approximate the responses of the VFA productions. The optimum physiological conditions where the maximum acetic and butyric acids production occurred were 2.4 days HRT at 34°C and 2.1 days HRT at 35°C, respectively. The propionic acid production linearly increased as both HRT and temperature increased.


Abstract Background and Aim: Although there are some cases complicated by toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from wound infections in extensive severe burns patients, they are rare case causing TSS in small range burn in adults. For the patients suffering from small burn injuries, an intensive care is not usually needed for the primary care, as they admit in the general ward on admission day. However in rare cases these patients' condition could get worse while having a treatment in the general ward, and they can be forced to move to the ICU until the vital sign gets stable. In this time, it was examined the TSS complicated by small range burn patients in adults. I report these rare cases with some our considerations. Methods: I have experienced 5 cases were complicated by TSS at some reason in inpatient treatment in burns, two cases are males and three cases are females, 24 years of age to 75 years (average 48.2 years). Of each case TBSA, PBI, sudden change time, outcome were examined . Results: TBSA is 3-32 (average 11.2). PBI is 26-76 (average 53.8), sudden change timing injury 4th to 14th or postoperative 1st to 13th, outcome 1 cases in five cases have been died Conclusions: Burn patients have low TBSA and PBI, there is a possibility that even easily getting worse. Particularly when complicated by infection, was easily considered caution because they may follow irreversible course when complicated by TSS. Biography: SHINTARO ASAI has a passion for plastic surgery and aesthetic surgery, graduated Nagoya University school of Medicine in 1990. He has experienced in research, evaluation, teaching and administration both in hospital and education institutions for many years, especially interested in the research of aponeurotic blepharoptosis. Now, His institute is NAGOYA KYORITSU HOSPITAL, NAGOYA JAPAN Speaker Publications: 1. "Reconstruction of Romberg Disease Defects by Omental Flap"; Annals of Plastic Surgery / 2006 / 57(2):154-8 2. "One-Stage Reconstruction of Infected Cranial Defects Using a Titanium Mesh Plate Enclosed in an Omental Flap"; Annals of Plastic Surgery / 52(2):144-7 3. "Points to care in breast reconstruction"; Cancer Science & Therapy / 2018 / ISSN: 1948-5956 10th International Conference on Clinical Research and Clinical Trials; Amsterdam, Netherlands- March 18-19, 2020. Abstract Citation: Clinical experience for the burn infection, Euro Clinical Trials 2020, 10th International Conference on Clinical Research and Clinical Trials; Amsterdam, Netherlands- March 18-19, 2020 (https://clinicaltrials.pharmaceuticalconferences.com/abstract/2020/clinical-experience-for-the-burn-infection)


Blood pressure is one of important physiological parameters which reflect the functional status of heart and vessels of human beings. General oscillometric method of noninvasive blood pressure measurement usually extracts oscillation amplitudes during the deflation, then uses the curve fitting technique to calculate blood pressure. In this paper, an improved algorithm is proposed which uses partially the information in the inflatable stage. According to the estimated pulse rate and mean pressure of subjects by preprocessing the data of the inflatable stage, the algorithm sets the occluded pressure that is slightly above the systolic pressure, adjusts number of pressure steps, and determines duration of the pressure steps respectively. Numerical experiments are performed to demonstrate the validity and high performance of the proposed algorithm for blood pressure simulator signals and subjects. The test results of human beings show that the algorithm is effective to achieve precise blood pressure measurement and reduce the subject discomfort within short measurement time.


In the context of Model Driven Engineering (MDE), models are the main development artifacts and model transformations are among the most important operations applied to models. A number of specialized languages have been proposed in order to specify model transformations. The OMG has, for instance, adopted the QVT specification. Apart from the software engineering properties of transformation languages, the availability of high quality tool support is also of major importance for the industrial adoption and ultimate success of MDE. In this paper, we present ATL: a QVT-like model transformation language and its execution environment based on the Eclipse framework.


To mark the launch of the LSE IDEAS Africa International Affairs Programme this Strategic Update considers the opportunities and the challenges facing the continent. 1960 was designated 'The Year of Africa', a year in which 16 African countries achieved independence. In the intervening 50 years, the promise of political independence and hopes for economic development in Africa have been tarnished by cycles of political instability, episodes of growth and stagnation, and external intervention and violent conflict. Since the end of the Cold War, however, the external discourse on Africa has shifted to speak of change and reform. An African renaissance, while premature,nonetheless seems more possible than at any time in the continent's recent history.


PURPOSE
Despite the presence or absence of artificial sweeteners in cola drinks, both regular and diet soft drinks still contain phosphoric and citric acid, which contributes to the total acidic challenge potential on enamel. The purpose of this study was to assess the plaque pH, in vivo, after a substrate challenge of diet and regular soft drinks.

METHODS
Seventeen subjects were recruited for this study. All subjects were between the ages of 12 and 15 and had at least 4 restored tooth surfaces present. The subjects were given consent by their parents and were asked to refrain from brushing for 48 hours prior to the study. At baseline, plaque pH was measured from 4 separate locations using touch electrode methodology. Each subject was then randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group was exposed to regular Coke followed by Diet Coke, while the second group was exposed to Diet Coke followed by regular Coke. Subjects were asked to swish with 15 ml of the respective soft drink for one minute. Plaque pH was measured at the 4 designated tooth sites at 5-, 10- and 20-minute intervals. Subjects then repeated the experiment using the other soft drink.

RESULTS
The results showed that regular Coke had significantly more acidic plaque pH values at the 5-, 10- and 20-minute intervals compared to Diet Coke, (P = < .001), when subjected to a t test. The mean pH at 5 minutes for Coke and Diet Coke was 5.5 +/- 0.5 and 6.0 +/- 0.7, respectively. At 10 minutes, the pH for Coke and Diet Coke was 5.6 +/- 0.6 and 6.2 +/- 0.7, respectively. The pH at 20 minutes for Coke and Diet Coke was 5.7 +/- 0.7 and 6.5 +/- 0.5, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that regular Coke possesses a greater acid challenge potential on enamel than Diet Coke. However, in this clinical trial, the pH associated with either soft drink did not reach the critical pH which is expected for enamel demineralization and dissolution.


Background: The mechanisms of renal dysfunction in heart failure are poorly understood. We chose to explore the relationship of cardiac filling pressures and cardiac index (CI) in relation to renal dysfunction in advanced heart failure. Objectives: To determine the relationship between renal function and cardiac filling pressures using the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) pulmonary artery catherization registry. Methods: Patients over the age of 18 years who were listed for single-organ heart transplantation were included. Exclusion criteria included a history of mechanical circulatory support, previous transplantation, any use of renal replacement therapy, prior history of malignancy, and cardiac surgery, amongst others. Correlations between serum creatinine (SCr) and CI, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (PADP) were assessed by Pearson correlation coefficients and simple linear regression coefficients. Results: Pearson correlation coefficients between SCr and PCWP, PASP, and PADP were near zero with values of 0.1, 0.07, and 0.08, respectively (p < 0.0001). A weak negative correlation coefficient between SCr and CI was found (correlation coefficient, –0.045, p = 0.027). In a subgroup of young patients unlikely to have noncardiac etiologies, no significant correlations between these values were identified. Conclusion: These findings suggest that, as assessed by pulmonary artery catherization, none of the factors – PCWP, PASP, PADP, or CI – play a prominent role in cardiorenal syndromes.


Biomarkers derived from brain magnetic resonance imaging have promise in being able to assist in the clinical diagnosis of brain pathologies. Imaging biomarkers are a compact representation of knowledge extracted from the medical images. They can be derived from the shape of a particular brain organ, or from the deformation of a region of interest or based on the clinical understanding of a disease. In this thesis, we present novel imaging biomarkers that demonstrate potential for prognostic applications in neuroimaging and dementia. One imaging biomarker is based on the graph-theoretic analysis of inter-regional co-variation in cortical thickness, while the other is based on the Laplacian Eigen decomposition of the segmentation of a brain organ. We test these features on three distinct, but related, classification problems i.e. early detection of Alzheimer disease (AD), differential diagnosis of AD and Frontotemporal disease, and earlier detection of AD via the sub-classification of multiple domain amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We also present a novel cross-validation method that can handle class imbalance, and present comprehensive analysis into their classification performance.


In this research paper we elicit some aspects regarding the role of communication in the biology class management. From the point of view of its specificity, the biology class presents the advantage of varied activity organisation within teacher-student, student-teacher, and student-student communication which becomes essential. Any obstacle that occurs in the communication can render the teaching-learning process difficult or even impossible, thus, knowing the rules of a good communication as well as the factors that hinder communication becomes important to the formation of future biology teachers. The research carried out focused on identifying the obstacles that occur in communication during scientific classes as perceived by students majoring in Biology, as well as identifying the context in which they occur and finding solutions to overcome them. In order to conduct this research, we have chosen the methods of interview and questionnaire in order to collect information. We have analysed the students' opinions regarding the obstacles that contribute to the decline or feeble involvement in the science class activities or debates in a twofold manner: the management of the didactic process and the management of the interpersonal relationships. The information rendered by the students were discussed during the seminar of specialised didactics as they constituted the basis for debates regarding possible solutions and recommendations for improving the communication skills of students to be future teachers. The conclusions drawn from this study confirm the importance of communication skill development of the teacher, the efficiency in communication being identifiable with pedagogic efficiency from the perspective of the influence the teacher may have on the students and on the didactic approach orientation.


This letter introduces Minitaur, a dynamically running and leaping quadruped, which represents a novel class of direct-drive (DD) legged robots. We present a methodology that achieves the well-known benefits of DD robot design (transparency, mechanical robustness/efficiency, high-actuation bandwidth, and increased specific power), affording highly energetic behaviors across our family of machines despite severe limitations in specific force. We quantify DD drivetrain benefits using a variety of metrics, compare our machines' performance to previously reported legged platforms, and speculate on the potential broad-reaching value of "transparency" for legged locomotion.


Significance The problem of how the brain undertakes multiple tasks concurrently is one of the oldest in psychology and neuroscience. Although successful negotiation of the rich sensory world clearly requires the ongoing management of multiple tasks, humans show substantial multitasking impairments in the laboratory and everyday life. Fortunately, training facilitates multitasking. However, until now, the neural mechanisms driving this functional adaptation were not understood. Here, in a large-scale human brain imaging study, we apply an individual differences approach and pattern analysis of brain imaging data to reveal that training segregates individual task representations in the capacity limited processor that constitutes the frontoparietal–subcortical (FP-SC) network. Therefore, the brain separates the neural representations of constituent tasks to conquer multitasking. Negotiating the information-rich sensory world often requires the concurrent management of multiple tasks. Despite this requirement, humans are thought to be poor at multitasking because of the processing limitations of frontoparietal and subcortical (FP-SC) brain regions. Although training is known to improve multitasking performance, it is unknown how the FP-SC system functionally changes to support improved multitasking. To address this question, we characterized the FP-SC changes that predict training outcomes using an individual differences approach. Participants (n = 100) performed single and multiple tasks in pre- and posttraining magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sessions interspersed by either a multitasking or an active-control training regimen. Multivoxel pattern analyses (MVPA) revealed that training induced multitasking improvements were predicted by divergence in the FP-SC blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response patterns to the trained tasks. Importantly, this finding was only observed for participants who completed training on the component (single) tasks and their combination (multitask) and not for the control group. Therefore, the FP-SC system supports multitasking behavior by segregating constituent task representations.


In this paper, a Major Color Spectrum Histogram Representation (MCSHR) is introduced to represent a moving object by using a normalized geometric distance between two points in the RGB space. Then, an Incremental Major Color Representation Algorithm is proposed to cope with small pose changes occurring along the track. Finally, a two directional similarity measurement based on the major colors is used to measure the similarity of any two given moving objects in multiple integrated frames. Experimental results show that with a few (4 or 5) frames MCSHR integration, the proposed Incremental MCSHR algorithm can make matching more robust and reliable than single frame matching, especially for small pose changes. The major color representation algorithm based on the introduced color distance can represent moving objects accurately with a limited number of colors and the frequency of each major color. The similarity of a same moving object in two different tracks has improved from 85% to 97% with the number of integrated frames increasing from 1 to 5, while the similarity of two different moving objects has been kept as low as 9% to 19%.


The required connector dimension for zirconia fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) may be a clinical limitation due to limited space in the occlusogingival direction. Using no veneering in the gingival regions of the pontics and connectors may solve this problem. This study evaluated the mechanical durability of zirconia FDPs with and without veneering in the gingival area of the connectors and pontics and subsequent air abrasion of this region with different protocols. Models were made of resin abutments (diameter = 6 or 8 mm, height = 6 mm, 6 degrees convergence) and embedded in polyurethane resin (distance = 11 mm). Zirconia frameworks were milled and randomly distributed by veneering (veneering of the entire framework [VEN] or no veneering at gingival regions of the pontic and connector [NVEN]) and by air-abrasion (Al₂O₃/SiO₂, 30 μm; or 45 μm Al₂O₃. FDPs were adhesively cemented and subjected to mechanical cycling (1,200,000 cycles, 200 N, 4 Hz, with water cooling). Specimens were tested until fracture (1 mm/min), and failure modes were classified. Data (N) were subjected to one-way analysis of variance in two sets, Tukey test (α = .05) and Weibull analysis. While veneering did not significantly affect the results (VEN: 1,958 ± 299 N; NVEN: 1,788 ± 152 N; P = .094), air abrasion did (P = .006), with the worst results for the groups conditioned with 45 μm Al₂O₃ (SiO₂: 1,748 ± 273 N; Al₂O₃: 1,512 ± 174 N). The NVEN group demonstrated the highest Weibull modulus (12.8) compared with the other groups (5.3-7.2). Fractures commonly initiated from the gingival side of the connector. Veneering of the gingival region of the connectors and pontics in zirconia FDPs did not diminish the fracture strength, but air-abrasion of this area with 45 μm Al₂O₃ decreased the results.


Summary form only given. Protein-nucleic acid complexes are the main players of the processes involved in the control of gene expression and regulation. Direct and powerful approaches for studying these interactions are footprinting and protein-DNA crosslinking formation. Protein-DNA crosslinking detects the presence of a protein on a given DNA sequence, while footprinting allows to study the mechanism of protein-DNA interactions.


Neuronal hyperactivity and hyperexcitability of the cerebral cortex and hippocampal region is an increasingly observed phenomenon in preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). In later stages, oscillatory slowing and loss of functional connectivity are ubiquitous. Recent evidence suggests that neuronal dynamics have a prominent role in AD pathophysiology, making it a potentially interesting therapeutic target. However, although neuronal activity can be manipulated by various (non-)pharmacological means, intervening in a highly integrated system that depends on complex dynamics can produce counterintuitive and adverse effects. Computational dynamic network modeling may serve as a virtual test ground for developing effective interventions. To explore this approach, a previously introduced large-scale neural mass network with human brain topology was used to simulate the temporal evolution of AD-like, activity-dependent network degeneration. In addition, six defense strategies that either enhanced or diminished neuronal excitability were tested against the degeneration process, targeting excitatory and inhibitory neurons combined or separately. Outcome measures described oscillatory, connectivity and topological features of the damaged networks. Over time, the various interventions produced diverse large-scale network effects. Contrary to our hypothesis, the most successful strategy was a selective stimulation of all excitatory neurons in the network; it substantially prolonged the preservation of network integrity. The results of this study imply that functional network damage due to pathological neuronal activity can be opposed by targeted adjustment of neuronal excitability levels. The present approach may help to explore therapeutic effects aimed at preserving or restoring neuronal network integrity and contribute to better-informed intervention choices in future clinical trials in AD.


Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders but involves acute discomfort, rendering treatment engagement a challenge. Willingness to engage in exposure is of interest, because a child has to willingly approach a feared stimulus. This preliminary study investigated child engagement during exposures in CBT for anxiety disorders, with the development, validation, and field testing of a measure of self-efficacy over three time points. The measure, Self-Efficacy During Exposure-Child (SEE-C), is a 9-item, self-report measure of self-efficacy during exposure for youth 8-17 years old. A sample of eight reviewers at least 2-years post licensure (M = 14.06; SD = 4.71) with expertise in CBT for childhood anxiety provided feedback on the SEE-C's face and content validity. Field testing included a sample of 24 child-parent dyads recruited from an anxiety clinic in the Northeast U.S. Child-parent dyads were asked to complete measures of child selfefficacy; child anxiety symptoms; and child school, social, and family functioning. Children were also asked to complete a measure of motivation. Analyses revealed the SEE-C to demonstrate significant increases in child self-efficacy, reductions in child anxiety symptoms, and increases in social and family functioning over treatment. Internal consistency of the SEE-C was acceptable to excellent, and exploratory principle component analysis suggested a three-factor solution, with loadings ranging from 0.5 to 0.9. The SEE-C adds to the literature as the first measure of child self-efficacy designed for use during exposure in CBT for anxiety. Findings provide insight into those factors that contribute to a child's engagement during exposure. Reported effect sizes are promising and warrant greater investigation of the SEE-C's utility.


This paper analyses the behavior of Women victims of spousal violence in the Philippines, and the determinants and factors affecting their decision to respond or seek help. Using the 2008 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey, we model the response behavior of women victims to be a random utility maximization problem in which they face a set of discrete and unordered strategy alternatives that havedifferent expected utilities and level of appropriateness to their experience of domestic violence. Results of our multinomial logit regression reveal that women's decision and differences in their response and help-seeking behavior are affected by their socioeconomic characteristics; the marital capital of her relationship; and the kind, combination, and consequences of the violence. The results also revealthat women seek third-party intervention not based on the experience of violence per se but on the materiality and tangibility of consequences sustained. From our regression results, we provided inputs to the implementation of Republic Act 9262 in order to better help women cope with, adjust to, defend themselves, and recover from domestic violence. JEL classification: D10, D19, D63, I38,J12


Abstract:In this article the Soviet-African Modern is presented through an intellectual history of exchanges in a triangular geography, outspreading from Moscow to Paris to Port of Spain and Accra. In this geography, postcolonial conditions in Eastern Europe and Africa became interconnected. This shared postcolonial space extended from the Soviet South to Africa. The glue for the transregional imagination was an engagement with the topos of backwardness. For many of the participants in the debate, the Soviet past was the African present. Focusing on the 1960s and 1970s, three connected perspectives on the relationship between Soviet and African paths to modernity are presented: First, Soviet and Russian scholars interpreting the domestic (post)colonial condition; second, African academics revisiting the Soviet Union as a model for development; and finally, transatlantic intellectuals connecting postcolonial narratives with socialist ones. Drawing on Russian archives, the article furthermore demonstrates that Soviet repositories hold complementary records for African histories.


Depth perception requires the use of an internal model of the eye-head geometry to infer distance from binocular retinal images and extraretinal 3D eye-head information, particularly ocular vergence. Similarly for motion in depth perception, gaze angle is required to correctly interpret the spatial direction of motion from retinal images; however, it is unknown whether the brain can make adequate use of extraretinal version and vergence information to correctly interpret binocular retinal motion for spatial motion in depth perception. Here, we tested this by asking participants to reproduce the perceived spatial trajectory of an isolated point stimulus moving on different horizontal-depth paths either peri-foveally or peripherally while participants' gaze was oriented at different vergence and version angles. We found large systematic errors in the perceived motion trajectory that reflected an intermediate reference frame between a purely retinal interpretation of binocular retinal motion (ignoring vergence and version) and the spatially correct motion. A simple geometric model could capture the behavior well, revealing that participants tended to underestimate their version by as much as 17%, overestimate their vergence by as much as 22%, and underestimate the overall change in retinal disparity by as much as 64%. Since such large perceptual errors are not observed in everyday viewing, we suggest that other monocular and/or contextual cues are required for accurate real-world motion in depth perception.


Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has attracted wide attention as a promising visible-light-driven metal-free semiconductor photocatalyst. The transportation and transformation of photogenerated carriers during the photocatalytic process of g-C3N4 are restricted by the insufficient surface active sites and low charge separation efficiency. As a top-down strategy, the exfoliation of layer-stacked bulk g-C3N4 into nanosheets is widely recognized as an applicable route, yet still challenging in terms of scalable and clean synthesis. Herein, this challenge was tackled via a simple hydrothermal method in NaClO solution, in which the synergetic effect of alkaline metal ion intercalation and the oxidative exfoliation of bulk g-C3N4 was involved. Highly active g-C3N4 nanosheets were easily made in the laboratory in tens of grams and this simple process could readily be extended to the scale of kilograms. The hydrothermal treatment created vertical channels for directional electron transfer and obtained ultrathin holey g-C3N4 nanosheets with remarkable hierarchical porosity and good hydrophilicity. The holey g-C3N4 nanosheets exhibit a high specific surface area (170.7 m2 g−1), a narrow band gap (2.55 eV), a large number of exposed edges, and superior electron transport ability. These holey g-C3N4 nanosheets have an average H2 evolution rate 9 times that of bulk g-C3N4. This green, facile and scalable method to synthesize few-layer g-C3N4 nanosheets affords a new strategy to design and fabricate other functional 2D materials.


The advertising industry is one of the biggest contributors to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and helps the local agencies in developing the nation's economy. However, the Islamic advertising has not been clearly discussed in the National Advertising Policy. This creates a scenario where advertisement aired does not comply with the Muslim consumer rights as they are misleading and endangering consumer's safety as well as overclaiming. There is also the abuse that occurred in relation to use of the halal logo and the use of models in the ads that do not meet the Sharia that can influence the behaviour of consumer, especially Muslim consumer. Therefore, this study was undertaken with the aim to examine Muslim consumer rights based on the Islamic advertising principles. The study used a descriptive qualitative approach by using semi-structured interview data collection method, while for selecting the informants it used purposive sampling. The data analysis was done using constant comparative analysis. The findings showed that there are eight important aspects in preserving Muslim consumer rights based on the Islamic advertising principles. Advertisers and consumers play an important role to this eight important aspect to safeguard the Muslim consumer rights. The findings discussed that the Islamic advertising principles help shape smart and bold Muslim consumers who are vocal enough standing for personal, cultural and religious wellbeing. The implications of this study to make those advertisers and consumers as individuals who are very meticulous about their right and responsibility in creating the market more transparent.


In this paper I provide estimates of the impact of immigration on native wage and employment levels (rather than on wage inequality which has been the focus of the literature). I use variation within 2-digit industries across regions using Austrian panel data from 1986 to 2004 for identification. Using an instrumental variable strategy I find large displacement effects in the service sector and large native employment increases in manufacturing due to immigration. This heterogeneous response is explained by large increases in output in manufacturing, due to a high elasticity of product demand, as immigration reduces the cost of production, while on average demand is far less elastic in service industries. Estimated substitution effects, for a given level of output, are large in both industries and in line with US estimates. The structural estimates imply that a 10% increase in the number of immigrants in all industries reduces average native wages by around 0.25% and results in 4% of the native labor force changing industry, primarily from services to manufacturing. Hence, the effect of immigration on worker relocation across industries is far larger than its impact on average native wages.


Abstract The problem of scheduling non-deterministic graphs arises in several situations in scheduling parallel programs, particularly in the cases of loops and conditional branching. When scheduling loops in a parallel program, non-determinism arises because the number of loop iterations may not be known before the execution of the program. However, since loops from a restricted class of conditional branching, there is a higher degree of non-determinism associated with scheduling conditional branching. In this case, the direction of every branch remains unknown before run time. It follows that entire subprograms of the parallel program may or may not get executed, which in turn increases the amount of non-determinism and complicates the scheduling process. Thus, the term non-determinism is frequently associated with conditional branching in the literature. In this paper, we study the problem of constructing a static schedule for task graphs that contain conditional branching on parallel computers. Generally, it is difficult to obtain optimal solutions for solving various scheduling problems, even in the deterministic case. When non-determinism is added to the scheduling problem through conditional branching, an optimal solution will be even harder to obtain. We start the paper with a brief discussion of the scheduling problem, then we introduce a model for representing parallel programs that contain branches. We present a two-step scheduling technique which employs two different approaches: a graph theoretic appraoch and a multi-phase approach. The first approach is based on exploring several graph theoretic properties of the model. This approach is used as a preprocessing step to decrease the amount of non-determinism before applying the multi-phase approach. In the second step, several execution instances of the program are generated, a schedule for every instance is obtained, and a unified schedule is constructed by merging the obtained schedules. Finally, we report the results of the experiments that we conducted to measure the performance of the techniques introduced in this paper.


This amici curiae brief was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (2020) in Brown v. Azar on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics; American Medical Association; Children's Healthwatch; The George Consortium; Georgia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics; GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality; National Hispanic Medical Association; National Medical Association; North Carolina Pediatric Society, State Chapter Of The American Academy Of Pediatrics; Public Health Law Watch; South Carolina Chapter, American Academy Of Pediatrics; Southern Poverty Law Center; Virginia Chapter, American Academy Of Pediatrics; Emily A. Benfer; Matthew Desmond; Gregg Gonsalves; Danya A. Keene; Kathryn M. Leifheit; Michael Z. Levy; Sabriya A. Linton; Craig E. Pollack; Julia Raifman; Gabriel L. Schwartz; and David Vlahov in support of the defendants and in favor of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eviction moratorium.

Eviction moratoriums help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Millions of Americans entered the COVID-19 pandemic vulnerable to eviction due to a preexisting affordable housing crisis. The economic recession and widespread job loss resulting from the pandemic increased hardship among renters, who often lack savings to cover expenses during an emergency. COVID-19-related job and wage loss left millions unable to afford rent. This has created an unprecedented eviction crisis that disproportionately affects low-income populations and communities of color and increases COVID-19 infection and mortality. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") issued an agency order ("CDC Order") to prevent evictions from spreading COVID-19 and worsening public health.

Evidence suggests that eviction moratoriums effectively slow the spread of COVID-19. Without these moratoriums, evictions will likely increase to unseen heights, facilitating the transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Preliminary research and modeling demonstrate that eviction is associated with in-creased COVID-19 infection and mortality rates. The consequences of eviction (such as overcrowding, homelessness, and housing instability) increase contact with others and hinder compliance with the key strategies to contain COVID-19, including social distancing, self-quarantining, and hand hygiene.

The people most at risk of eviction are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Low-income populations are often exposed to social determinants of poor health and have chronic illness or disability and, as such, are at risk of serious complications or death when they contract COVID-19. People of color are more likely to have lost jobs, face eviction, contract COVID-19, lack access to healthcare, and fall severely ill with the virus. Protecting public health during this pandemic re-quires protecting those most likely to contract, spread, and die from COVID-19. These deleterious health impacts and the spread of COVID-19 are tied to the act of eviction itself and are likely quite preventable if eviction is halted under the CDC's moratorium.

The brief was prepared by Emily A. Benfer, the Yale Law School Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization, and the Southern Poverty Law Center in consultation with Yale School of Public Health faculty and with the aid of legal interns at the Wake Forest University School of Law and Yale Law School.


Purpose of reviewUnderstanding the characteristics of transmission during acute HIV infection (AHI) may inform targets for vaccine-induced immune interdiction. Individuals treated in AHI with a small HIV reservoir size may be ideal candidates for therapeutic HIV vaccines aiming for HIV remission (i.e. viremic control after treatment interruption). Recent findingsThe AHI period is brief and peak viremia predicts a viral set point that occurs 4–5 weeks following infection. Robust HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses lower viral set points. Phylogenetic analyses of founder viruses demonstrated unique bottleneck selections and specific genetic signatures to optimize for high-fitness variants and successful transmission events. HIV clades, route of transmission and the presence of minor variants may affect vaccine protection. Antiretroviral treatment in AHI results in smaller HIV reservoir size, better CD4+ T-cell recovery and fewer virus escapes. SummaryThe knowledge of untreated and treated AHI informs the development of vaccines, in that preventive vaccines will require broad coverage for multiple clades and antigenic variants associated with unique bottleneck selections. Vaccines that help the host to control viremia could minimize onward transmission. Therapeutic HIV vaccines aimed at HIV remission should be studied in early-treated individuals who have few or no viral escape mutants and a more preserved immune system.


Scale deposition, including organic and inorganic substances, is always found in oil and gas field due to the changes of environmental factors in production. As a result, it is puzzled by the formation damage and wellbore plug. In fact, many wells face to complex scale, and even it is difficult to identify the type. In order to simplify treatment and promote efficiency, it is necessary to develop combining scale remover. A compound chemical scale remover is designed to relieve the complex scale comprised of calcium carbonate, guar gum and paraffin. Inorganic scale removing efficiency, paraffin removing rate and viscosity reduction ratio are used to determine the main agents respectively. Surfactants and lacquer solvent are added to develop an emulsion solution due to the incompatibility of water solution and organic solvent. This formula can dissolve 72.58% weight of calcium carbonate, reduce the viscosity of guar gum to 2.736mPa×s and remove the paraffin with a rate of 0.018 g/min.


The purpose of this study is to evaluate biomass energy systems based on both material and energy flows. The biomass energy system consists of 4 processes such as harvesting and collection, preprocessing, energy conversion, and waste treatment. As the conventional evaluation such as energy return on investment (EROI) is based on the amount of fossil fuel consumption, it shows the efficiency of inputted fossil fuel to form biomass derived fuels without biomass material flow. In this study, the effective utilization rate of resource is defined as the ratio of the difference between produced bio-fuel energy and consumed fossil fuel energy to the biomass resource energy, and the fossil fuel substitution rate is defined as the ratio of net substituted fossil fuel energy by the bio-fuel to the biomass resource energy. As a case study, the woody biomass utilization systems considering 7 preprocessing technologies and 4 energy conversion technologies are evaluated by using EROI and suggested values. It is shown that the effective utilization ratio of resource and the fossil fuel substitution rate can be small even if EROI is enough high.


An Exploratory Study of the Impediments to Utilisation of Public Library Services for Rural Community Development T.A. Matodzi 1 J. Francis 2 M. Manjoro 3 Access to timely and relevant information is widely acknowledged as an important input for rural community development. As such, public libraries should facilitate free access to this crucial resource which can help rural dwellers fully understand their rights and make informed decisions in various matters that can affect their livelihoods. In this paper it is argued that getting the views of the different segments of the community regarding the provision of library services can facilitate the development of a user-defined and driven model for enhanced functionality of public libraries in rural areas.  The objective of the study was to find out if the kind of information needed by the community differs according to age or gender.  The study used an exploratory design.  The sampling was purposive and included children, youth and adults to solicit their views regarding utilization and satisfaction with services in the library in Mutale Municipality of Vhembe district in South Africa.  Data were collected using focus group discussions with groups of children, youth and adults as well as indepth interview with regular library users. The respondents in focus groups were further stratified by gender as it was important for this study to get responses of males and females separately.  Data were analyzed using Atlas.ti version 8 looking at the differences and similarities across the various groups, gender and age.  The findings indicate that the majority of the villagers are not using the library. Those who are using the library indicated various challenges including the infrastructure of the library, lack of adequate, relevant and current materials, and insufficient library opening hours.  The respondents who are not using the library currently cited lack consultation when designing projects and implementing changes.  Positive response to these challenges could potentially benefit the community and uplift their lives. Thus, failure to implement the recommendations made by the community might hinder the library from providing relevant information for rural development. Keywords: access, consultation, Libraries, information services, user satisfaction Author affiliations: 1 PhD candidate, Institute of Rural Development, University of Venda, firstname.lastname@example.com . +27 159828325 2 Professor Institute for Rural Development, University of Venda.  firstname.lastname@example.com +27 15 9628804 3 Senior Lecturer, Institute for Rural Development, University of Venda.  email@example.com +27 15 9628809


This collection represents the first large scale attempt to discuss the Middle Eastern mandates as a totality. It compares the application and effects of this very specific form of late colonialism from a variety of different disciplinary perspectives, including anthropology, architecture, archival conservation, economics, history, law and sociology. It contains analyses at both micro and macro levels, including specific instances of revolt or collaboration, studies of particular individuals, of professional groups and their contributions to "nation-building," comparisons between the … read morevarious political and cultural policies of the mandatory powers, and the formation and practice of "le savoir colonial" by contemporary ethnographers, officials, physicians and teachers. The volume will be of interest to historians of imperialism and of the twentieth century Middle East.


Novel solution algorithms and results based on a genetic algorithm for solving the hydrothermal generation scheduling (HTGS) problem are presented. This is a nonlinear, combinational optimisation problem which aims to minimise the total fuel costs of a power system while satisfying various local and coupling constraints. This results in a complete and efficient HTGS software package for system operation planning needs. In the thermal unit commitment subproblem, the difficult minimal uptime/downtime constraints are embedded and satisfied throughout the proposed encoding and decoding algorithms. Therefore, the global optimum of the problem can be approached with rather high probability. In the hydroelectric scheduling subproblems, complete solution algorithms and encoding/decoding techniques are proposed for solving different types of hydro plants involving hydraulically independent plants (HIPs), hydraulically coupled plants (HCPs), and pump-storage (P/S) plants. In the proposed approach, the hydraulically coupled plants which are located on the same river are solved concurrently. The difficult water balance constraints caused by hydraulic coupling are embedded and satisfied throughout the proposed encoding and decoding algorithm. The software package is applied with great success to the actual Taipower system, which consists of 34 thermal units, two HIPs, three HCPs, and four P/S units.


The period between 1085 to 1815 witnessed important transformations in Spain's economic history. The transition from a frontier society to one of the largest empires in the world was soon followed by its subsequent decline. During Spain's Middle Ages two kinds of economies, societies and political structures, existed side by side: One represented by the various Muslim kingdoms and another by the Christians. Their frontiers shifted constantly between 1035 and 1212 to the detriment of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain), concluding with the conquest of Granada in 1492. Economic dynamism resulted in Christian expansion, reflected in demographic, agricultural, livestock, and commercial growth during the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries and comparable to that of other medieval kingdoms. Under the stress of the mid-14th-century crisis (plagues, wars, and civil conflicts), economic growth came to a partial halt in the second half of the century. Yet, unlike other areas in Europe, the late medieval crisis had less of an impact in Spain, differently affecting some of the Iberian realms.
 After the second third of the 15th century, as it was the case in Portugal, the economy in the Crown of Castile began to grow once more. Castile became the demographic and economic hub of Spain to the detriment of other areas, such as Catalonia, Navarra, or Aragón, which had been more developed in earlier times. The Catholic Monarchs' rule and their reforms made Spain one of the most prosperous economies in Europe and the center of a sprawling empire. The colonisation of the Americas and the Philippines with their untold wealth further bolstered Spain's economy. As a result, most researchers agree that Spain reached the height of its economic growth in the mid-16th century, although in a number of regions growth extended into the 1580s. Based mostly in agriculture, the economy also benefitted from the development of crafts and, above all, trade, generating vast tax revenue for the Habsburg monarchy's expansive policy of war.
 After the late 16th century, however, the Spanish economy began to show signs of fatigue, leading to severe crisis that lasted until at least the mid-17th century. This recession heralded a major shift in Spain's history. Whereas it was the inland areas of Spain that were the most populated and wealthy during the 12th and 13th centuries, these areas were also most affected by the crisis, while the coastal regions would be the first to emerge from the recession. Although Spain failed to reach the heights attained in other countries such as Britain, France, or the Netherlands, an economic revival occurred during the 18th century, moving the Spanish economy beyond what it had been during the final third of the 16th century. Nonetheless, as had occurred in the 17th century, coastal areas developed more intensely than inland, leading to the economic geography of modern-day Spain.


An emerging trend in the engineering of complex systems is the use of component integration frameworks. Such a framework prescribes an architectural design that permits flexible composition of third-party components into applications. A good example is Sun Microsystems' Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) framework, which supports objectoriented, distributed, enterprise-level applications, such as account management systems. One problem with frameworks like EJB is that they are documented informally, making it difficult to understand precisely what is provided by the framework, and what is required to use it. We believe formal specification can help, and in this paper show how a formal architectural description language can be used to describe and provide insight into such frameworks.


Premixed ethyl carbamate, thionyl chloride and pyridine (which generate thiazyl chloride, NSCl) in boiling benzene or toluene convert 2,5- and 2,3,5-substituted furans into 5-acylisothiazoles regiospecifically. The reactions are much faster and generally higher yielding in boiling chlorobenzene with more thionyl chloride and with pyridine or isoquinoline as base. Under the more vigorous conditions, even fully substituted 3-bromofurans give isothiazoles, with the displacement of bromine. Deactivated furans, with electron-withdrawing groups such as ester, cyano, benzoyl and phenylsulfonyl in the α-position, react under the more vigorous conditions to give 5-acylisothiazoles with the electronegative group in the 3-position. The 'activated' 2-methyl-5-phenyl- and 5-phenyl-2-phenylthio-furans react analogously, with the more electron-releasing group becoming part of the 5-acyl substituent, exclusively or predominantly. These results are explained by initial
electrophilic attack of the furan ring to give a β-thiazyl derivative which spontaneously ring-opens and closes to the isothiazole. The X-ray structures of five of the differently substituted isothiazole compounds are reported. All have very similar patterns of bonding within their isothiazole rings that appear to be independent of the electron-withdrawing or -donating nature of the substituents. Three of the compounds (8a, 8g and 13) have loosely linked chain structures in the solid state, adjacent molecules being connected by combinations of hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions.


In the present study, we investigated the electrophysiological maturation and integration of immature cardiomyocytes after transplantation; maturation and integration are essential to achieve the cardiac regeneration. Murine fetal cardiomyocytes (FCMs) (d12.5-d15.5) expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of the &agr;-actin promoter were injected into cryoinjured areas and adjacent myocardium of cryoinjured mouse ventricles. Viable short axis tissue slices (thickness, 150 &mgr;m) of the ventricles were prepared 5 to 6 days after transplantation. Glass microelectrodes were used for measurements of action potentials in transplanted FCMs and host cardiomyocytes within the slices. Stimulation at frequencies of up to 10 Hz was performed via a unipolar electrode placed in viable host tissue. Transplanted FCMs could be distinguished clearly from host tissue by their green fluorescence and their electrophysiological properties: maximal upstroke velocity (Vmax) was significantly lower and action potential duration at 50% repolarization (APD50) was significantly longer compared with values of adult cardiomyocytes. Transplanted FCMs surrounded by cryoinjured tissue showed spontaneous electrical and contractile activity, which was in no case synchronous with host tissue. Vmax and APD50 of these nonintegrated cells matched values of cultivated dissociated FCMs. In contrast, 82% of transplanted FCMs surrounded by viable host tissue were electrically integrated; ie, electrical and contractile activity was synchronous with host tissue and these cells had more mature action potential parameters (significantly higher Vmax and shorter APD50) compared with nonintegrated FCMs. In conclusion, electrophysiological maturation and integration of transplanted FCMs depend on an embedment in viable host myocardium. FCMs surrounded by cryoinjured tissue maintain physiological but immature AP properties.


Automatic target detection (ATD) systems process imagery to detect and locate targets in imagery in support of a variety of military missions. Accurate prediction of ATD performance would assist in system design and trade studies, collection management, and mission planning. A need exists for ATD performance prediction based exclusively on information available from the imagery and its associated metadata. We present a predictor based on image measures quantifying the intrinsic ATD difficulty on an image. The modeling effort consists of two phases: a learning phase, where image measures are computed for a set of test images, the ATD performance is measured, and a prediction model is developed; and a second phase to test and validate performance prediction. The learning phase produces a mapping, valid across various ATR algorithms, which is even applicable when no image truth is available (e.g., when evaluating denied area imagery). The testbed has plug-in capability to allow rapid evaluation of new ATR algorithms. The image measures employed in the model include: statistics derived from a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) processor, the Power Spectrum Signature, and others. We present a performance predictor using a trained classifier ATD that was constructed using GENIE, a tool developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The paper concludes with a discussion of future research.