From late summer 2010 through early fall 2011, hydrology and water chemistry were monitored in nine watersheds varying in spatial distributions of human land use. Monitoring included continuous recording of water level and specific conductivity, regular baseflow sampling, and stormflow sampling with an ISCO automated sampler. Rating curves were developed to convert the stage time series into flow time series. The nine watersheds included two fully forested watersheds, three watersheds with small farms and rural residences in the valleys (classic S. Appalachian land use), three watersheds with small farms and rural residences in the valleys but also with homes built on the hillslopes and ridges (mountainside development), and one urbanized watershed draining the City of Franklin, NC. We analyzed these data to test the following hypotheses: that different land use distributions would produce different hysteretic behavior of sediment concentrations during storms, that the slope of the sediment rating curves would increase with increased valley and mountainside development, and that the high and low flow durations would become more extreme with increased valley and mountainside development.


Affinity agents increase microdialysis protein relative recovery, yet they have not seen widespread use within the microdialysis community due to their additional instrumentation requirements and prohibitive cost. This dissertation describes new affinity agents for microdialysis that require no additional instrumentation to use, have nearly 100% particle recovery, are 7 times more cost efficient than alternatives, and have low specificity enabling their use for a wide variety of proteins. Initially gold nanoparticles were chosen as an affinity ligand support due to their high surface area/volume ratio and colloidal stability. Poly (Nisopropylacrylamide) was immobilized to the gold nanoparticles, which served to sterically stabilize the particles and to act as a generic, reversible protein capture agent. A method was developed to reproducibly vary and quantify poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) graft density from 0.09 to 0.40 ligands/nm on gold nanoparticles. During characterization of the polymer coated gold nanoparticles, irreversible particle agglomeration was observed at low polymer graft density in ionic solutions, which prevented further development as a protein capture agent. Poly (Nisopropylacrylamide) nanogels, which have low nonspecific adsorption, low interparticle attractive forces owing to the low curvature of the particle, and a low Hamaker constant, were synthesized to overcome the agglomeration problem. A generic protein affinity ligand cibacron blue, was immobilized to the nanogels, which enabled rapid determination of particle recovery. The perfusion of the nanogels through a microdialysis probe was optimized yielding ~ 100% particle recovery using a combination of a syringe and peristaltic pump. The microdialysis collection efficiency of CCL2, a physiologically relevant cytokine, was increased 3-fold with addition of the nanogel to the microdialysis perfusion fluid. The reduction in instrumentation requirements, low cost, and low specificity obtained with the new affinity agents will lead to increased affinity agent use for microdiaylsis protein sampling.


Knowledge and information on farmers' perception and its influence on adoption of modern wheat varieties, awareness and source of new wheat production technology, wheat seed sources, and on-farm seed-management practices remain sporadic in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to understand the functioning of the wheat seed system in four major wheat-growing areas of Ethiopia. A total of 304 wheat growers were interviewed in Arsi, West Shoa, North Shoa, and East Gojam zones. Most wheat growers were aware of modern wheat varieties, agronomic packages, and agrochemical inputs; >90% of farmers had knowledge of these agricultural technologies, the extension system being the major source of information. There is an extensive adoption of new technologies: the majority of farmers grew modern wheat varieties (76% on recommended list and 10% "obsolete" varieties), and applied fertilizers (97%) and herbicides (64%) to wheat. Although a wide range of modern wheat varieties were adopted, ET 13 (West Shoa, North Shoa, and East Gojam) and Pavon 76 (Arsi) were predominant and each was grown by 20% of the farmers, replacing previously popular varieties, such as Dashen and Enkoy. Farmers identified as many as 26 technological and socioeconomic criteria for adopting and continuously growing a particular wheat variety. However, grain yield, food quality, marketability, grain color, and grain size appeared to be the most important criteria and transcended all zones. Traditional farmer-to-farmer seed exchange played a significant role for lateral diffusion of modern varieties and was a major source of seed for planting wheat crop annually. The informal sector was an initial source of modern wheat varieties for 58% of the farmers, through neighbors or other farmers (36%), relatives (7%), or local trading (15%). Moreover, the majority of farmers sourced their wheat seed informally whereby 79% used retained seed or sourced off-farm from neighbors (9%) and local traders or markets (3%) for planting wheat during the survey year. In contrast, the formal sector was the initial source of wheat varieties for 40% of farmers, but only 8% of the farmers purchased certified seed in the 1997/98 crop season. Farmers' positive perception of seed influenced them to practice different management approaches to maintain the quality of their wheat seed through on-farm selection (67%), cleaning (83%), chemical treatment (4%), separate storage (65%), or informal assessment of seed quality (34%), whereas the responsibility was shared between men and women. The adoption and diffusion of modern bread-wheat varieties and associated technologies appeared to be higher than for other crops, although largely remained informal. It is imperative for the agricultural research to develop farmer-preferred varieties and for the government to strengthen and devise appropriate strategy for seed delivery that is responsive to the needs of the farmers. Within this context, it is important to recognize the role of the formal and informal seed system to create a sustainable seed industry.


Abstract A field study was conducted to determine the distribution and development of aphid Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley) (Homoptera: Aphididae) populations in iceberg lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. 'Salinas'. Lettuce plants were transplanted and caged individually in the field and inoculated with apterous N. ribisnigri at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk after transplanting in spring and fall 2002. Plants were harvested 15–50 d after inoculations; numbers of alates and apterous N. ribisnigri were counted or estimated on each leaf for each plant. Inoculations during all 5 wk of plant development resulted in successful colonization of lettuce heads. Results indicated that head formation did not reduce the risk of colonization by N. ribisnigri to iceberg lettuce; plants were susceptible to colonization by N. ribisnigri throughout their development. For later inoculations, N. ribisnigri populations were relatively smaller, and aphids were found mostly within the heads. For earlier inoculations, N. ribisnigri populations were larger, and within-plant distributions shifted toward frame leaves. The shift of population distributions toward frame leaves correlated significantly with increases in N. ribisnigri population density. For most inoculations, more aphids were present on wrapper leaves than on other leaves. The proportion of alates did not vary significantly with population density. Population development of N. ribisnigri also correlated significantly with heat unit accumulation. Yellow sticky cards were used to monitor alates in each cage. Catches of N. ribisnigri alates on yellow sticky cards were significantly correlated with total numbers of alates as well as with total population sizes on individual lettuce plants.


We present a theoretical and numerical study of the optical binding and optical torque between two Rayleigh particles with arbitrary, complex, scalar dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability. We use a computational approach based on the discrete dipole approximation to derive the optical force and torque experienced by the particles when illuminated by a linearly or circularly polarized plane wave. We show that optical binding between magnetodielectic particles is qualitatively different from the traditional case involving dielectric particles only. In particular, we show that for certain configurations, the system of two magnetodielectric particles will experience a long-range optical torque whose amplitude envelope does not decay with the separation between the particles.


Speleothem oxygen isotope records (δ18O) of tropical South American rainfall in the late Quaternary show a zonal "South American Precipitation Dipole" (SAPD). The dipole is characterized by opposing east‐west precipitation anomalies compared to the present—wetter in the east and drier in the west at the mid‐Holocene (∼7 ka), and drier in the east and wetter in the west at the Last Glacial Maximum (∼21 ka). However, the SAPD remains enigmatic because it is expressed differently in western versus eastern δ18O records and isotope‐enabled climate model simulations usually misrepresent the magnitude and/or spatial pattern of δ18O change. Here, we address the SAPD enigma in two parts. First, we re‐interpret the δ18O data to account for upwind rainout effects that are known to be pervasive in tropical South America, but are not always considered in Quaternary paleoclimate studies. Our revised interpretation reconciles the δ18O data with cave infiltration and other proxy records, and indicates that the centroid of tropical South American rainfall has migrated zonally over time. Second, using an energy balance model of tropical atmospheric circulation, we hypothesize that zonal migration of the precipitation centroid can be explained by regional energy budget shifts, such as changing Saharan albedo associated with the African Humid Period, that have not been modeled in previous SAPD studies. This hypothesis of a migrating precipitation centroid presents a new framework for interpreting δ18O records from tropical South America and may help explain the zonal rainfall anomalies that predate the late Quaternary.


In recent years, reports of elephants causing damage in rural villages by destroying houses and foraging on stored food have been increasing, but little is known about the determinants and magnitude of this damage. In this study, we have examined the extent of property damage by elephants (Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus), in one African and two Asian study areas over a six‐year period. A total of 1,172 damaged constructions were observed on site, involving detailed damage assessment by trained enumerators and standardized interviews with witnesses. Depending on the study area, between 67.1 and 86.4% of damage events were attributed to single, individual elephants or pairs of males. The majority of properties were damaged in search for food (62.5–76.7% respectively). Property damage caused higher mean losses than crop damage on farmland in all study areas. Results suggest that property damage by elephants has been largely underestimated and needs to form a focus in future human–elephant conflict research. We suggest a need to reduce the attractiveness of villages by storing food in locked and safe places, away from sleeping areas and to foster the development of elephant safe stores, appropriate to the particular cultural background of the target area.


This study examines the potential for integrated water resource management in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan. Water shortage and rainfall are calculated with data obtained from water observation station in districts, meteorology and irrigated agricultural fields. The scope of water shortage is visualised by means of geographical information systems based on land use analysis. The results showed that water demand is generally met by surface water resources across the country. In addition to drought, water shortages occasionally occur due to variations in seasonal rainfall and evaporation. The results also showed that the year 2008 had more severe drought conditions than 2004 and 2009, which was caused by low rainfall.


Intelligent and adaptive techniques are rapidly being used in all stages of medical treatment, from the initial diagnosis to planning delivery and follow-up therapy.To realize the full potential of these techniques, developers and end users must understand both the underlying technology and the specifics of the medical application considered. Focusing on this growing area of interest, Intelligent and Adaptive Systems in Medicine clearly and concisely explains a range of adaptive and intelligent systems, highlighting their benefits and limitations with realistic medical examples. Bringing together theory and practice, this volume describes the application of adaptive and intelligent control as well as intelligent systems in the diagnosis, planning, treatment, and follow up of diseases such as cancer. Each chapter presents a family of an intelligent and adaptive system, explains the techniques and algorithms behind these systems, and explores how to solve medical and biomedical problems using intelligent and adaptive systems. The book focuses on the methods of fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, neuro-fuzzy modeling, adaptive and predictive control, systems and statistical modeling, and image processing. By assessing the use of intelligent and adaptive techniques for medical diagnosis and therapy, this guide promotes further research in this area of techno-medicine. It provides researchers and clinicians with the tools and processes that are leading to the invaluable use of intelligent systems in early diagnoses and effective treatment.


.--Initial results are reported on determining the applicability of the toxicity char-acteristic leach procedure (TCLP) in predicting the potential for heavy metal contamination associated with mining wastes. TCLP tests, variations of the TCLP tests, and baseline tests were run on tailings samples from two mills to determine the sensitivity of laboratory protocol to slight procedural errors and to determine if any inherent factors produced a fatal flaw in using the test to evaluate mine tailings. Results from tailings A showed that metal ion concentration increased with higher liquid-to-solid ratios, with an increased volume of HOAc, and with longer mixing times. Results from tailings B showed the same general trends, but varied significantly in sensitivity to variations. The average yield of the standard TCLP tests as a percentage of the total digestion assay is 20% for tailings A and 10% for tailings B. This is a significant difference between the two types of tailings. Evaluation of these initial results indicates that the sensitivity of the three parameters to laboratory errors is probably acceptable if laboratory procedures are followed with normal attention to detail. These results are only the initial phase of a systematic evaluation of the TCLP method. Future research should emphasize how well the TCLP test actually simulates mine waste contamination phenomena. In particular, studies should focus on the applicability of the extraction fluid, chemical and mineralogical effects in and around the disposal area, time, pH effects, and oxidation effects.


PROBLEM
As of December 31, 2009, an estimated 864,748 persons were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and six U.S.-dependent areas. Whereas HIV surveillance programs in the United States collect information about persons with a diagnosis of HIV infection, supplemental surveillance systems collect in-depth information about the behavioral and clinical characteristics of persons receiving outpatient medical care for HIV infection. These data are needed to reduce HIV-related morbidity and mortality and HIV transmission.

REPORTING PERIOD COVERED
Data were collected during June 2009-May 2010 for patients receiving medical care at least once during January-April 2009.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM
The Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) is an ongoing surveillance system that assesses behaviors and clinical characteristics of HIV-infected persons who have received outpatient medical care. For the 2009 data collection cycle, participants must have been aged ≥18 years and have received medical care during January-April 2009 at sampled facilities that provide HIV medical care within participating MMP project areas. Behavioral and selected clinical data were collected using an in-person interview, and most clinical data were collected using medical record abstraction. A total of 23 project areas in 16 states and Puerto Rico were funded to collect data during the 2009 data collection cycle. The data were weighted for probability of selection and nonresponse to be representative of adults receiving outpatient medical care for HIV infection in the United States and Puerto Rico. Prevalence estimates are presented as weighted percentages. The period of reference is the 12 months before the patient interview unless otherwise noted.

RESULTS
The patients in MMP represent 421,186 adults who received outpatient medical care for HIV infection in the United States and Puerto Rico during January-April 2009. Of adults who received medical care for HIV infection, an estimated 71.2% were male, 27.2% were female, and 1.6% were transgender. An estimated 41.4% were black or African American, 34.6% were white, and 19.1% were Hispanic or Latino. The largest proportion (23.1%) were aged 45-49 years. Most patients (81.1%) had medical coverage; 40.3% had Medicaid, 30.6% had private health insurance, and 25.7% had Medicare. An estimated 69.6% of patients had three or more documented CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell (CD4+) or HIV viral load tests. Most patients (88.7%) were prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 71.6% had a documented viral load that was undetectable or ≤200 copies/mL at their most recent test. Among sexually active patients, 55.0% had documentation in the medical record of being tested for syphilis, 23.2% for gonorrhea, and 23.9% for chlamydia. Noninjection drugs were used for nonmedical purposes by an estimated 27.1% of patients, whereas injection drugs were used for nonmedical purposes by 2.1% of patients. Overall, 12.9% of patients engaged in unprotected sex with a partner of negative or unknown HIV status. Unmet supportive service needs were prevalent, with an estimated 22.8% in need of dental care and 12.0% in need of public benefits, including Social Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance. Fewer than half of patients (44.8%) reported receiving HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevention counseling from a health-care provider.

INTERPRETATION
The findings in this report indicate that most adults living with HIV who received medical care in 2009 were taking ART, had CD4+ and HIV viral load testing at regular intervals, and had health insurance or other coverage. However, some patients did not receive clinical services and treatment in accordance with guidelines. Some patients engaged in behaviors, such as unprotected sex, that increase the risk for transmitting HIV to sex partners, and some used noninjection or injection drugs or both.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
Local and state health departments and federal agencies can use MMP data for program planning to determine allocation of services and resources, guide prevention planning, assess unmet medical and supportive service needs, inform health-care providers, and help focus intervention programs and health policies at the local, state, and national levels.


Solar radiation prediction is useful to integrate photovoltaic power plants into the electrical system. Integrating energy generation in urban environments is interesting because that is where the most energy is consumed and avoids wasting energy in transport infrastructure. Renewable energies are often the easiest to integrate into these environments because they require less infrastructure and cause fewer problems related to noise, dirt, pollution, etc. The overall objective of this thesis is to develop data mining models to forecast solar global radiation 24 hours ahead and to use these predictions to evaluate the performance of photovoltaic systems. The specific objectives are: 1. Propose an index that allows us to remove the seasonal and daily trends observed in global hourly radiation data. 2. Analyze the different sources of meteorological variables that can be used to predict solar radiation and use API's to access external sources of meteorological data. 3. Develop data mining models that allow including the different relationships observed between the radiation values of the next day depending on the values of the current day radiation and other meteorological parameters. 4. Development of a web system that include the proposed models for short-term radiation forescasting and integrate the developed models in the evaluation models of photovoltaic systems. Chapter 3 introduces the methods and models used in this work (Cumulative Probability Distribution Function, Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines). Also classification methods are presented (Decision Trees and Support Vector Machines for Classification). Performance metrics are presented to measure the accuracy of the proposed models. The data sets and data sources used in this work to test the proposed models are presented, including data from the meteorological station installed at University of Malaga, data from OpenWeatherMap website and data from AEMET (Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia). Chapter 4 is dedicated to the solar radiation fundamentals, including astronomical concepts related to Earth-Sun position, characterization of solar radiation hourly series, clearnes index, used to remove seasonal trends, persistence model, used to compare with proposed models and the forecast skill, based on persistence model and used as reference model as well. Chapter 5 introduces a model to model and characterize hourly solar global radiation using statistical methods like CPDF, K-means, and also using the clearness index. This models aims to predict the hourly solar radiation using the daily clearness index as input. Chapter 6 details the proposed model to forecast the hourly global solar radiation using data mining methods and daily profiles of clearness index. K-means is again used to cluster daily solar radiation profiles, then a new variable is defined from the clearness index daily profiles. Support Vector Machines, Decision Trees and Artificial Neural Networks are used to predict the desired hourly solar radiation values. Chapter 7 presents a methodology to assess solar power plants performance based on forecasted solar radiation. A OPC-based system is presented, which is able to obtain data from a large variety of equipment, then an algorithm to assess the performance of the plants is presented.


The Arab spring has been called a social media revolution and social media have been given large importance and significant space in both academic discussions and analysis in the media.The main focus of this study was to examine whether social media have impacted the news reporting of the conflicts. A sample of articles from four different newspapers was examined, taken randomly from all relevant articles published on the newspapers websites between December 2010 and December 2013. A part of that sample was checked for news agency cable reliance and the entire sample were checked for material from social media. Three newspapers were found to rely heavily on news agency material. The New York Times was the exception, having only 4 percent of articles being based on news agency material. Social media material and quotes were found and were used in the report-ing in different ways, but only in 4 percent of articles. It was mainly used as a way to get protester commentary.Two of the included newspapers were China Daily and the New York Times. The differences between the respective reporting in these newspapers were also examined in yet an-other subsample consisting of 100 articles from each newspaper. Several differences be-tween the reporting were found, with China Daily for example presenting a framing more in favour of the government of Syria than the New York Times.


The indigo-reducing, facultatively anaerobic and obligately alkaliphilic strains Bf-1T, Bf-2 and Bf-4 were isolated from an indigo fermentation liquor used for dyeing, which uses sukumo [composted Polygonum indigo (Polygonum tinctorium Lour.) leaves] as a basic ingredient and was obtained from a craft centre in Date City, Hokkaido, Japan. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated that the closest neighbours of strain Bf-1T are Bacillus maritimus DSM 100413T (98.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Bacillus persicus DSM 25386T (98.2 %) and Bacillus rigiliprofundi LMG 28275T (97.7 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain Bf-1T was almost identical to the sequences of strains Bf-2 and Bf-4 (99.9 %). Cells of strain Bf-1T stained Gram-positive and formed straight rods that achieved motility through a pair of subpolar flagella. Strain Bf-1T grew at temperatures of between 15 and 45 °C with optimum growth at 33‒40 °C. The strain grew in the pH range of pH 8‒12, with optimum growth at pH 10. The isoprenoid quinone detected was menaquinone-7 (MK-7), and the DNA G+C content was 41.7 %. The whole-cell fatty acid profile mainly (>10 %) consisted of iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. Phylogenetically related neighbours, although demonstrating high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>97.6 %) with strain Bf-1T, exhibited less than 9 % relatedness in DNA-DNA hybridization experiments. Based on evidence from this polyphasic study, the isolates represent a novel species, for which the name Bacillus fermenti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this species is Bf-1T (=JCM 31807T=NCIMB 15079T).


We combine linear temporal logic (with both past and future modalities) with a deontic version of justification logic to provide a framework for reasoning about time and epistemic and normative reasons. In addition to temporal modalities, the resulting logic contains two kinds of justification assertions: epistemic justification assertions and deontic justification assertions. The former presents justification for the agent's knowledge and the latter gives reasons for why a proposition is obligatory. We present two kinds of semantics for the logic: one based on Fitting models and the other based on neighborhood models. The use of neighborhood semantics enables us to define the dual of deontic justification assertions properly, which corresponds to the notion of permission in deontic logic. We then establish the soundness and completeness of an axiom system of the logic with respect to these semantics. Further, we formalize the Protagoras versus Euathlus paradox in this logic and present a precise analysis of the paradox, and also briefly discuss Leibniz's solution.


Accurate and reliable control of planetary entry is a major challenge for planetary exploration vehicles. For Mars entry, uncertainties in atmospheric properties such as winds aloft and density pose a major problem for meeting precision landing requirements. Anticipated manned missions to Mars will also require levels of safety and fault tolerance not required during earlier robotic missions. This paper develops a nonlinear fault‐tolerant controller specifically tailored for addressing the unique environmental and mission demands of future Mars entry vehicles. The controller tracks a desired trajectory from entry interface to parachute deployment, and has an adaptation mechanism that reduces tracking errors in the presence of uncertain parameters such as atmospheric density, and vehicle properties such as aerodynamic coefficients and inertias. This nonlinear control law generates the commanded moments for a discrete control allocation algorithm, which then generates the optimal controls required to follow the desired trajectory. The reaction control system acts as a non‐uniform quantizer, which generates applied moments that approximate the desired moments generated by a continuous adaptive control law. If a fault is detected in the control jets, it reconfigures the controls and minimizes the impact of control failures or damage on trajectory tracking. It is assumed that a fault identification and isolation scheme already exists to identify failures. A stability analysis is presented, and fault tolerance performance is evaluated with non real‐time simulation for a complete Mars entry trajectory tracking scenario using various scenarios of control effector failures. The results presented in the paper demonstrate that the control algorithm has a satisfactory performance for tracking a pre‐defined trajectory in the presence of control failures, in addition to plant and environment uncertainties. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The continuous evolution of 3D surveying and modelling techniques, using increasingly high-performance tools and applications, highlights the added value of these methods in the field of urban and architectural survey. In the case study presented, attention is focused particularly on applications useful for the planned maintenance of cultural heritage (CH). These tools and methods have a significant impact on the phases of interpretation and "physical" knowledge. They can also bring a critical contribution to the completion of models that are not only geometric but also semantic and informative, supporting 360-degree planning of the maintenance of our historical architectural heritage. This support for scheduled maintenance has been identified in the HBIM methodology, based on an integrated 3D metric survey. A three-year research project on this topic (Interreg Italy-Switzerland "MAIN.10.ANCE", 2019-2022), partnered by Politecnico di Torino, is currently in the central phase. The main focus of the project is a UNESCO heritage site: the "Sacri Monti" (Sacred Mountains) of Italy and those in Canton of Ticino (Switzerland), with the need for a common and shared conservation plan.


OBJECTIVE
The underlying mechanism of the prothrombotic state associated with the lupus anticoagulant (LAC) has not been fully elucidated. Evidence suggests involvement of inflammation in arterial and venous thrombosis, and it may be hypothesized that subclinical inflammation aggravates the tendency to thrombosis in patients with LAC.

METHODS
Levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, and factor VIII (VIII) were measured in 38 patients with LAC and a history of thrombosis, 27 with LAC and no history of thrombosis, and 33 healthy controls.

RESULTS
Hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and factor VIII levels were significantly higher in patients with LAC with thrombosis (hs-CRP median = 0.3 mg/dl, interquartile range, IQR, 0.11-0.62, p < 0.001 vs controls; fibrinogen mean = 395 +/- 90 SD mg/dl, p < 0.001; factor VIII mean = 181 +/- 50%, p = 0.005) as well as in those without thrombosis (median = 0.21, IQR 0.10-0.12, p < 0.001; mean = 378 +/- 91, p = 0.003; mean = 179 +/- 39, p = 0.015) compared to controls (median = 0.07, IQR 0.03-0.12; mean = 308 +/- 48; mean = 137 +/- 39). After adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking status, and blood group (only for factor VIII) the differences between LAC groups and controls remained significant, except for the comparison of fibrinogen between patients without thrombosis and controls. The association between LAC and markers of inflammation was confirmed using linear regression analysis. Markers of systemic inflammation did not differentiate between LAC patients with and without thrombosis (p = 0.829 for hs-CRP, p = 0.649 for fibrinogen, p = 0.996 for factor VIII).

CONCLUSION
Our results show that LAC is associated with an inflammatory state. However, there was no evidence for an association between inflammatory markers and thromboembolism in patients with LAC.


Ultra-precision freeform polishing (UPFP) is an emerging technology for the machining of ultra-precision freeform surfaces with submicrometre form accuracy and surface roughness in the nanometre range. However, our understanding of the surface generation and process planning for UPFP is still far from complete. This paper presents an experimental study of the surface generation for different polishing processes, which include mechanical polishing (MP) and fluid jet polishing (FJP). In addition, the generation of desirable structured surfaces of UPFP has also been experimentally investigated to examine if different trajectory planning affects surface hydrophobicity. The experimental results show that both MP and FJP can produce similar surface roughness but differences in surface texture after polishing. Desirable surface roughness and structured surfaces can be produced by appropriate planning and control of the combination of MP and FJP, and tool path trajectories in UPFP. The results also prove that tool path trajectories affect the hydrophobicity of polished surfaces. The results provide an important means for the development of an integrated polishing process to achieve the desirable surface roughness and surface texture based on process planning and control in UPFP.


The endeavours attained in treating Islamic manuscripts as proper as they deserve are obvious among academicians, for being predominantly well-preserved in related entities. Furthermore, the fraternity of Islamic philologists added another feather to their hat for holding steadfastly to editing the legacy of texts, one after another. Routinely, once each philologist intends to edit a scripture, he is required to be in access to all surviving versions of it. Out of the common, there is occurrence of dealing with a sole version. This paper will delve into the deep exemplified by an attempt achieved in editing 403 hadith of Musnad Ali ibn Abi Talib under the Division of Doings from the book al-Jami' al-Kabir by al-Sayuti. The fraction of the colossal masterpiece is a ground for the case mentioned which the author herself had edited it with assistance of improper transcript. In an attempt to raise the matter from blur to clear, this paper carries out an analytical study on the predicaments derived from flaws of both sides which undoubtedly require alternatives. This filling of gaps accentuates the importance of proficiency in terms of language, field and ropes of the manuscript combined with traits of patience, sincerity and well-observance.


Several basins in Western Bohemia are regularly confronted with water scarcity problems during dry periods that have far-reaching impacts on stream ecology and the availability of drinking water for users. This paper presents a hydrological balance assessment of catchments in Western Bohemia for present and future conditions together with possible directions for climate change adaptation at the local scale. Assessment of climate change impacts on hydrological balance components using an ensemble of regional climate models revealed an increase in air temperature for all months during the year leading to an increase in evaporation. Along with changes in precipitation distribution during the year (increasing winter precipitation and decreasing summer precipitation), groundwater recharge and groundwater storage in general both decrease. Adaptation measures such as water transfers and the construction of water reservoirs are assessed with respect to the goal of increasing water availability in the Western Bohemia region during dry periods.


This paper addresses a simple, and largely empirical, research question: is the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) recent high level commitment to reducing inequality translated into concrete action in its dealings with member states? Addressing this research question is significant in several respects. First, the high level rhetorical commitment to reduce inequality might be seen as paradoxical because the IMF, alongside other institutions of global economic management, has long been criticised for its role in promoting economic reform in member countries, partly on the basis that this increases inequality (Peet et al. 2009; Kentikelenis et al. 2016: 550-1). It is therefore important to assess the extent to which recent pronouncements on inequality by the Fund suggest a change in emphasis or a genuine institutional commitment. Second, addressing the question contributes to a contemporary academic literature on more technical aspects of how we should understand and interpret IMF policy advice and conditionality. This literature currently focusses on a range of aspects of IMF policy advice, but does not address the recent interest of the Fund in inequality. The paper addresses this lacuna. Our focus on inequality complements several strands of investigation in the existing literature on the IMF, particularly a variety of recent studies which assess the extent to which the Fund's practice and ideas have shifted since the financial crisis that started in 2007 (e.g. Park and Vetterlein 2010). Much of this existing research focuses on fiscal and financial policy (see Ban and Gallagher 2015). Our focus is in some ways broader; seeking to locate IMF practice not just in the post-crisis context but in the deeper historical process of world market expansion. It is also in some ways more specific: styudying IMF policy and practice specifically in relation to income and wealth inequality within countries. We argue that there is evidence of change in the orientation of the IMF but that this has not fully percolated down into IMF practice in relation to the policy advice it dispenses to its member states. Similar to Kentikelenis et al. (2016: 565) in relation to labour and social protection issues, we find that there is evidence that the IMF's commitment to inequality "reflects more 'talk' than 'walk'". The paper proceeds in the following way. The first section reviews and contextualises the IMF's recent statements on inequality as one of several notable institutions to take up this concern. It is suggested that one possible explanation for this is that these international organisations are engaged increasingly in risk management; focussed on their shared agenda of promoting and sustaining world market integration. In that context, increasing inequality is now being seen, not merely as an unfortunate consequence of that shared agenda, but as a risk to it. The second section reviews the recent literature focussing more specifically on IMF policy advice, drawing from that a series of more detailed ways in which the central research question for the paper might be addressed. The empirical strategies found in some of this literature are used to shape the way in which data is collected and interpreted. The third section briefly summarises the empirical data collection and analysis process undertaken. The fourth section presents the results of this multi-stage process to chart the IMF's commitment to reduce inequality. It includes a review of high level policy documents and speeches, recent changes to the operational guidance that shapes the work of IMF staff and an analysis of the changing policy advice that the IMF officially offers to its member states. The consistency (or lack of it) of the IMF's commitment to reducing inequality--in its own terms--through these different institutional scales is then used to answer the central empirical research question. The final section of the paper discusses how these empirical findings may be interpreted as a contribution to the broader 'Critical' International Political Economy (IPE) literature and suggests avenues for further research which are consistent with JAPE's commitment to critical and pluralistic scholarship (Stilwell 2015). …


Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has progressed considerably with the approval of interferon-free, direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based combination therapies. Although most treated patients achieve virological cure, HCV resistance to DAAs has an important role in the failure of interferon-free treatment regimens. The presence of viral variants resistant to NS5A inhibitors at baseline is associated with lower rates of virological cure in certain groups of patients, such as those with genotype 1a or 3 HCV, those with cirrhosis, and/or prior nonresponders to pegylated interferon-based regimens. DAA-resistant HCV is generally dominant at virological failure (most often relapse). Viruses resistant to NS3-4A protease inhibitors disappear from peripheral blood in a few weeks to months, whereas NS5A inhibitor-resistant viruses persist for years. Re-treatment options are available, but first-line treatment strategies should be optimized to efficiently prevent treatment failure due to HCV resistance.


The paper presents a concept for the automated supervision of human interactions in environments with complex system dynamics. The supervision concept is formulated using a special system-theoretic Situation-Operator-Modeling (SOM) approach which in the context of this work is practically implemented and simulated using Higher Petri Net (HPN) formalisms and tools. In order to reflect the complex system nature suitable HPN patterns are developed which make use of active tokens with autonomous, continuous-time dynamics. The approach is demonstrated on the supervision of a lane change maneuver in highway driving with special focus on the checking of driver actions with respect to goal-conformance.


I present a summary of topics relevant to the electroncloud build-up and dissipation that were presented at the International Workshop on Electron-Cloud Effects "ECLOUD'07" (Daegu, S. Korea, April 9-12, 2007). This summary is not meant to be a comprehensive review of the talks. Rather, I focus on those developments that I found, in my personal opinion, especially interesting. The contributions, all excellent, are posted in http://chep.knu.ac.kr/ecloud07/.


Extant branding literature is dominated by a metaphorical view of value co-creation in which the roles of brand actors remain unspecified. To help provide clarity, the purpose of this paper is to critically appraise how brand professionals understand brand value co-creation and perceive their role in facilitating it, with the aim of questioning its viability in day-to-day brand management practices.,Building on brand professionals' reflexivity, the study develops a qualitative methodological glance via semi-structured interviews based on confrontational techniques with a purposive sample of 28 experienced brand decision-makers.,Brand professionals perceive accessibility, reciprocity and citizenship as the gateways provided by the firm for value co-creation to happen. Despite their enthusiastic rhetorical afflatus in making explicit their viewpoints about how firms can facilitate value co-creation, the current translation into practice of the role of the firm does not seem to be able to overcome the sender-biased approach that still resides in brand management.,To go beyond the limits of rhetorical representations and make brand value facilitation more actionable, the authors provide guidelines on how firms can create and enhance the circumstances for the co-creation of brand value to occur in interactions with consumers and stakeholders.,This study contributes to the critical actionability of the brand value co-creation by elucidating how firms currently perceive their facilitation role. The paper provides strategic recommendations to put co-creation rhetoric into practice by reframing and expanding the scope and the significance of brand management.


YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) films were deposited on (100), (110) and (111) oriented silver single crystals and {100}<100>, {110}<211> , {110}<100>+{110}<011>, {110}<011> and {012}<100> textured Ag substrates using pulsed laser deposition. The relationship between the epitaxial growth YBCO film and silver substrate has been determined. It is shown that among polycrystalline Ag substrates, {110}<011> textured tape is suitable for the deposition of YBCO thin films having strong texture.


Force information in virtual space is important and often required for tele-operation, training, amusement, design supporting and other virtual reality systems. While conventional force displays are active systems with actuators and therefore may become inherently dangerous, passive force displays, which use only passive elements, are an effective methods for assuring safety. However, passive type systems have some directions and link postures, which are hard to present force. To this problem, a method for improvement of controllability using redundant couple of brakes had been suggested. It was able to be considered this method made it possible to display various force directions and various postures of virtual objects. The purpose of this study was, for further improvement of controllability of systems with redundant couples of brakes, design and development of more generalized redundant mechanism by adding another element of design freedom. Moreover, improvement of force display-ability by reducing equivalent inertia was also aimed. In this paper, the developed system was outlined and basic experiments with it discussed.


For urban transportation planners these are challenging times. Mounting practical concerns are mirrored by more fundamental critiques. The latter comes together in the observation that conventional approaches do not adequately account for the irreducible uncertainty of future developments. The author's central aim is to explore whether and how an evolutionary approach can help overcome this limit. Two core hypotheses are formulated. The first is that the urban transportation system behaves in an evolutionary fashion. The second hypothesis is that, because of this, urban transportation planning needs to focus on enhancing the resilience and adaptability of the system. Changes in transport and land-use development patterns and policies, and in the broader context of the postwar period in the Amsterdam region, are analysed in order to illustrate the two core hypotheses. More general implications are also drawn.


The traditional conception of an African American civil rights organization is one in which the primary focus of the organization is racial justice. The NAACP, National Urban League, and Southern Christian Leadership Conference fit this long and traditional mold. However, there are African American organizations that have what organizational behavior scholars would call "complex identities." Such organizations have multiple constituent parts or identities. One type of organization that fits this mold, especially in the context of African American's quest for racial justice and equality in the United States, are African American collegiate-based fraternities and sororities. Given the cultural-political, institutional, and organizational factors that gave rise to these organizations, it can be said that their identities are comprised of (1) intellectualism/academic achievement; (2) the development and sustaining of fictive kinship ties; (3) race consciousness; and (4) an abiding and life-long organizational commitment. Despite African American fraternities and sororities' collective history of racial uplift activism via the American Council on Human Rights and their individual efforts, challenges that they face in each of their four identity domains likely undermine what could be their more meaningful and robust efforts in this regard.


A diffusion controlled precipitation model based on classical nucleation and growth theory has been implemented to simulate the precipitation kinetics in a hot rolled supersaturated Al- Mn alloy (AA3103). The modelling approach explicitly includes the effect of concurrent recrystallisation on precipitation and considers the simultaneous evolution and interaction of two precipitate populations that vary significantly in size, i.e. constituent particles and dispersoids. Comparison with experimental results shows that this classical modelling approach predicts incorrect nucleus density and too high precipitation rates, which cannot be simply corrected by parameter fitting. Reasons for this discrepancy are discussed in terms of selection of nucleation sites, the effect of diffusion in a multi-component system, various diffusion paths and the possible influence of precipitate shape and size distribution. The model is subsequently altered by introducing two additional parameters that control the Mn solute concentration at the particle-matrix interface. This more phenomenological model is successful in reproducing the experimental precipitation kinetics, both in deformed and undeformed aluminium matrix, and the effect of concurrent recrystallisation for a wide temperature range.


Binding of mouse pheromones to major urinary proteins (MUPs)
represents a typical example of interactions between lipocalins
and their small hydrophobic ligands. Previously, based on the
model-free analysis of 15N relaxation data, we observed that
the backbone flexibility of MUP-I increased slightly upon
pheromone binding, in contrast to the decreased flexibility
expected for induced-fit interactions. To shed the light on
this unusual observation, we have performed an independent
study adopting different methodology. Backbone dynamics of
mouse major urinary protein I (MUP-I) was studied by 15N NMR
relaxation at multiple temperatures for a complex of MUP-I with
its natural pheromonal ligand, 2-sec-4,5-dihydrothiazole, and
for the free protein. Graphical analysis of the reduced
spectral density values provided an unbiased qualitative
picture of the internal motions. Quantitative parameters were
obtained using a novel method of simultaneous data fitting at
multiple temperatures to several models of different
complexity. The relaxation data were complemented by the
molecular dynamics simulations. Correlation functions and
frequency-dependent order parameters were calculated from the
simulated motions of the amide NH vectors. Comparison of the
experimental and simulated order parameters and the information
about slow conformational exchanges provided a picture of the
molecular motions and offered a structural explanation for the
observed difference in the dynamics of the free and bound
MUP-I.


Although there is a large literature on social capital, empirical estimates of the effect of social capital may be biased because of social homophily, the tendency of similar people to become friends with each other. Despite the methodological difficulties, a recent literature has emerged across several different disciplines that tries to estimate the causal effect of social capital. This paper reviews this recent empirical literature on social capital, paying close attention to the statistical and theoretical assumptions involved. Overall, there is evidence that genuine progress has been made in estimating the effect of social capital. The reviewed articles should provide useful examples for future research.


In this chapter we give a very brief overview of some fundamentals from mechanism design, the branch of game theory dealing with designing protocols to cope with agents' private incentives and selfish behavior. We also present recent results involving a new, extended utilities model that can incorporate externalities, such as malicious and spiteful behavior of the participating players. A new notion of strong truthfulness is proposed and analyzed. It is based on the principle of punishing players that lie. Due to this, strongly truthful mechanisms can serve as subcomponents in bigger mechanism protocols in order to boost truthfulness. The related solution concept equilibria are discussed and the power of the decomposability scheme is demonstrated by an application in the case of the well-known mechanism design problem of scheduling tasks to machines for minimizing the makespan.


Ion track lithography has been applied for transferring the self-ordered nanopattern of porous anodic alumina to single-crystalline rutile TiO2 substrates. As a result, nanometre resolved arrays have been fabricated with an aspect ratio ranging from 5 to 16, over areas of several square millimetres. Differences in the expected aspect ratio of the resulting nanopores in rutile TiO2 single crystals are analysed and discussed. Some of these differences may be ascribed to varying densities of the mask material.


Hepatitis delta virus is the causative agent of one of the most severe forms of human virus hepatitis. It is a small and simple pathogen whose genome consists of a single RNA molecule of 1.7 Kb that encodes for only one antigen. The virus almost completely relies on the host cell machinery for replication and propagation of infection. Despite its simplicity, several aspects of virus replication and pathogenesis still remain uncovered. An overview of virus structure and replication mechanisms as well as of its interaction with the hepatitis B virus is performed in this review.


In Named Data Networking (NDN), packets are routed based on their names. However, the Internet has a vast number of content names, making traditional routing schemes infeasible as their overhead will be prohibitively high upon topological changes. Hyperbolic Routing and Geohyperbolic Routing are potential solutions to this scalability problem. We perform an experimental comparison between these routing schemes with various topologies and failures scenarios. Our preliminary results show that both routing schemes perform well in delivering packets under failures, but geohyperbolic routing outperforms hyperbolic routing in packet delay.


Deterministic model forecasts do not convey to the end users the forecast uncertainty the models possess as a result of physics parameterizations, simplifications in model representation of physical processes, and errors in initial conditions. This lack of understanding leads to a level of uncertainty in the forecasted value when only a single deterministic model forecast is available. Increasing computational power and parallel software architecture allows multiple simulations to be carried out simultaneously that yield useful measures of model uncertainty that can be derived from ensemble model results. The Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integration Trajectory and Dispersion model has the ability to generate ensemble forecasts. A meteorological ensemble was formed to create probabilistic forecast products and an ensemble mean forecast for volcanic emissions from the Kilauea volcano that impacts the state of Hawai'i. The probabilistic forecast products show uncertainty in pollutant concentrations that are especially useful for decision-making regarding public health. Initial comparison of the ensemble mean forecasts with observations and a single model forecast show improvements in event timing for both sulfur dioxide and sulfate aerosol forecasts.


A core function of any banking system is the provision of payments. However, a greater number of non-banks are becoming part of the payments landscape. Payments can be made via fiat or crypto currencies, bank credit or deposits, or funds transfers on the books of non-bank payment providers. Most of the focus of this article will be on technologies aimed at improving intermediated retail payment transactions either by increasing their reach, convenience, merchant sales, or decreasing costs for end-users or payment providers. In this article, older payment innovations are compared and contrasted with newer ones. Eight necessary attributes for successful payment innovations are identified and discussed. While there have been extraordinary technological advancements that will lead to significant changes in the way we pay for goods, the basic attributes necessary for successful payment innovations has changed little.


Purpose: To investigate the influence of respiratory motion on helical tomotherapy treatment plans for chest wall irradiation. Methods and Materials: Helical tomotherapy plans were generated on 3DCT and 4DCT data for post‐mastectomy radiation therapy patients. Plans were generated on the 4DCT data for 0% phase (full inspiration), 50% phase (full exhalation), and the minimum and maximum intensity projection (MIP) data. Since TomoTherapy dose delivery incorporates a temporal component, the result of respiratory motion is dependent on the specific phase interplay of the breathing cycle and the TomoTherapy rotation. As an approximation, we performed treatment planning on the extrema phases (i.e., full inhale and full exhale) of the breathing cycle. Though this does not represent true respiration, it does represent the worst case effect of respiration as a displacement of the anatomy relative to the treatment beam for the entire delivery. Plans were compared based on dose volume histograms (DVHs) for the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs), dose homogeneity indices (DHIs), percentage of PTV receiving the prescription dose, minimum dose received by 90% of PTV, and maximum (Dmax) and minimum (Dmin) doses in the PTV. Results: DVHs show insignificant differences for OAR (lungs,heart) for the four planning geometries. The tumor control probability (TCP) is 100% for all cases, and DHI varies from 0.125 to 0.165 (hot spots 110–113%, cold spots 96–98%). Conclusions: We conclude that there is little dosimetric and radiobiological difference among these results and that the respiratory motion does appear to have a clinically significant effect on the treatment plans. Conflict of Interest: This work was supported in part by a research agreement with TomoTherapy, Inc.


Author(s): Theodoris, Christina Vicky | Advisor(s): Srivastava, Deepak | Abstract: The mechanisms by which transcription factor haploinsufficiency alters the epigenetic and transcriptional landscape in human cells to cause disease are unknown. Here, I utilized human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived endothelial cells (ECs) to show that heterozygous nonsense mutations in NOTCH1 (N1) that cause calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) disrupt the epigenetic architecture resulting in derepression of latent pro-osteogenic and -inflammatory gene networks. Hemodynamic shear stress, which protects valves from calcification in vivo, activated anti-osteogenic and anti-inflammatory networks in N1+/+, but not N1+/-, iPSC-derived ECs. N1 haploinsufficiency altered H3K27ac at N1-bound enhancers, dysregulating downstream transcription of over 1000 genes involved in osteogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Computational predictions of the disrupted N1-dependent gene network revealed regulatory nodes that when modulated restored the network toward the N1+/+ state. My results highlight how alterations in transcription factor dosage affect gene networks leading to human disease and reveal nodes for potential therapeutic intervention.This iPSC model of CAVD provides a platform for screening for small molecules that target central regulatory nodes to alleviate the gene network dysregulation in N1 haploinsufficient cells. However, the lack of an in vivo animal model of CAVD caused by N1 haploinsufficiency severely limits safety and efficacy testing of potential therapeutics. Diseases caused by gene haploinsufficiency in humans commonly lack a phenotype in mice heterozygous for the orthologous factor. Since CAVD is an age-dependent disease, I generated N1+/- mice lacking telomerase activity and showed that telomere shortening reveals heart valve disease in N1+/- mice. Furthermore, N1 haploinsufficiency promoted proliferation that accelerated telomere shortening, potentially past the critical threshold at which valve disease ensues. Gene dysregulation in AVs of N1 haploinsufficient mice with shortened telomeres involved downregulation of osteoclast factors and upregulation of pro-calcific regulatory nodes paralleling gene network alterations in the human iPSC disease model. Concordance between the murine and human models supports that this model may represent an ideal in vivo setting in which to test therapeutics aimed at preventing or delaying the progression of CAVD.


Sensory stimuli reach the brain via the thalamocortical projection, a group of axons thought to be among the most powerful in the neocortex. Surprisingly, these axons account for only ∼15% of synapses onto cortical neurons. The thalamocortical pathway might thus achieve its effectiveness via high-efficacy thalamocortical synapses or via amplification within cortical layer 4. In rat somatosensory cortex, we measured in vivo the excitatory postsynaptic potential evoked by a single synaptic connection and found that thalamocortical synapses have low efficacy. Convergent inputs, however, are both numerous and synchronous, and intracortical amplification is not required. Our results suggest a mechanism of cortical activation by which thalamic input alone can drive cortex.


Ideology is typically associated with the classification of belief systems and the construction of social meaning, the development of political traditions – formal ideologies – and their function. In protest movement literature the significance of ideology as a discrete area of analysis is contested. At the heart of the debate is an argument about the role ideology plays in mobilizing action: in encouraging or securing the alignment of social movement organizational values with non-movement belief systems and/or in shaping and re-shaping activist understandings. Some scholars argue that emotions play a key role in this process; ideology focuses attention on what individuals know, or think they know about the world – on cognitive factors – in forging alignments and orienting actions.


The peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) appear to have beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system. PPAR gamma has been shown previously to exert an inhibitory effect on cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro. Using endothelin to activate the hypertrophic program in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, we demonstrate that PPAR alpha ligands (fenofibrate and WY14,643) suppress hypertrophy-dependent increases in protein synthesis, cell surface area, and sarcomeric organization in vitro. This was accompanied by a decrease in brain natriuretic peptide gene expression, a marker of transcriptional activation in hypertrophy. These effects were equivalent to or greater than those seen with the PPAR gamma agonist rosiglitazone. Fenofibrate and rosiglitazone suppressed endothelin stimulation of human brain natriuretic peptide gene promoter activity, and this effect was amplified by cotransfection of PPAR alpha and PPAR gamma expression vectors, respectively. The fenofibrate-dependent suppression of endothelin's stimulatory activity was dependent upon promoter sequence positioned between -904 and -40 relative to the transcription start site and did not appear to involve a number of positive and negative regulatory elements that are known to govern transcription of this gene. These findings suggest that PPAR alpha ligands could prove to be useful in the management of disorders associated with hypertrophy and remodeling of the myocardium.


Benthic foraminiferal assemblages supported by selected geochemical data from three marine sediment cores collected in Placentia Bay, SE Newfoundland, are used to construct an ~13,000-year-long record of regional oceanographic changes in the SW Labrador Sea. The area is located in the boundary zone between the cold, ice-loaded Labrador Current (LC) in the north and the warm Gulf Stream (GS) waters to the south. After the Younger Dryas termination, the influence of GS-derived water increased and was further strengthened at 10.7 cal. kyr BP through enhanced northward flow of Atlantic water via the Slopewater Current. A short-term event of increased terrestrial input and water column stratification at 8.4 cal. kyr BP was likely linked to the distal drainage of glacial Lake Agassiz. After 7.3 cal. kyr BP, a stronger LC weakened the inflow of warmer subsurface waters from the GS. This may be explained by extensive meltwater release from ice sheets in Arctic Canada and is concurrent with a general shift in oceanographic conditions in the Labrador Sea region. Around 4.0 cal. kyr BP, conditions became more stable with a slight increase in salinity, indicating a decrease in meltwater transported via the LC. The Northern Hemisphere neoglacial cooling around 2.8 cal. kyr BP was characterized off SE Newfoundland by a further stabilization of the current system, dominated by the LC with some continued influx of GS water.


Heat treatment of wood is an effective method to improve the dimensional stability and durability against biodegradation. Optimisation of a two-stage heat treatment process at relatively mild conditions (<200°C) and its effect on the anatomical structure of softwoods were investigated by means of a light and scanning electron microscopic analysis. Heat treatment did have an effect on the anatomical structure of wood, although this depends on the wood species considered and on the process method and conditions used. Softwood species with narrow annual rings and/or an abrupt transition from earlywood into latewood were sensitive to tangential cracks in the latewood section. Radial cracks occurred mainly in impermeable wood species such as Norway spruce, caused by large stresses in the wood structure during treatment. Sapwood of treated pine species revealed some damage to parenchyma cells in the rays and epithelial cells around resin canals, whereas this phenomenon has not been noticed in the heartwood section. Treated radiata pine resulted in a very open and permeable wood structure limiting the applications of this species. Broken cell walls perpendicular to the fibre direction resulting in transverse ruptures have been noticed in treated softwood species. This contributes to abrupt fractures of treated wood as observed in bending tests which can lead to considerably different failure behavior after impact or mechanical stress. In some treated softwood species maceration (small cracks between tracheids) was noticed after heat treatment. Heat treatment did not cause damage to the ray parenchyma pit membranes, bordered pits and large window pit membranes; the margo fibrils appeared without damage. Compared to the other softwood timbers tested European grown Douglas fir was the timber that stands heat treatment the best


. YOSO-style MPC protocols (Gentry et al. , Crypto'21), are a promising framework where the overall computation is partitioned into small, short-lived pieces, delegated to subsets of one-time stateless parties. Such protocols enable gaining from the security benefits provided by using a large community of participants where "mass corruption" of a large fraction of participants is considered unlikely, while keeping the computational and communication costs manageable. However, fully realizing and analyzing YOSO-style protocols has proven to be challenging: While different components have been defined and realized in various works, there is a dearth of protocols that have reasonable efficiency and enjoy full end to end security against adaptive adversaries. The YOSO model separates the protocol design, specifying the short-lived responsibilities, from the mechanisms assigning these responsibilities to machines participating in the computation. These protocol designs must then be translated to run directly on the machines, while preserving security guarantees. We provide a versatile and modular framework for analyzing the security of YOSO-style protocols, and show how to use it to compile any protocol design that is secure against static corruptions of t out of c parties, into protocols that withstand adaptive corruption of T out of N machines (where T/N is closely related to t/c , specifically when t/c < 0 . 5, we tolerate T/N ≤ 0 . 29) at overall communication cost that is comparable to that of the traditional protocol even when c << N . Furthermore, we demonstrate how to minimize the use of costly non-committing encryption, thereby keeping the computational and communication overhead manageable even in practical terms, while still providing end to end security analysis


We find new exact solutions of the Einstein field equations for a perfect fluid metric conformal to a spacetime of type D in the Petrov classification scheme. We analyse the complete system of equations using Lie group analysis. While previous work was confined to conformal factors of the form U = U(t, x), we investigate the complete situation U = U(t, x, y, z) as well as an auxiliary integrability condition. New classes of solutions are generated via the symmetry generators. The resulting solutions are examined for physical plausibility. Expressions for the energy density and pressure are obtained explicitly and empirical results suggest that these dynamical quantities are positive as expected.


Recent market studies indicate a renewed interest for a quiet Supersonic Business Jet (SBJ). The success of such a program will be strongly dependent upon the achievement of stringent engine noise, emissions and fuel consumption goals. This paper demonstrates the use of advanced design methods to develop a parametric design space exploration environment which will be ultimately used for the identification of an engine concept capable of satisfying acoustic levels imposed by FAR part 36 (stage IV) and NOx and CO2 standards as stated in the 1996 ICAO. The engine performance is modeled through the use of Response Surface and Design of Experiments Techniques, enabling the designer/decision-maker to change initial engine parameter values to detect the effects of the responses in a time efficient manner. Engine performance and engine weight results are obtained through physicsbased engine analysis codes developed by NASA. An SBJ airframe baseline model is used in conjunction with the engine performance data and executed through a synthesis and sizing code to simulate a supersonic mission. This paper focuses on the tradeoffs associated with noise, emissions and specific fuel consumption of the supersonic engine by employing design parameters such as overall pressure ratio, fan pressure ratio, turbine inlet temperature and throttle ratio. Finally, an optimal engine combination is created to satisfy all the constraints imposed by the aforementioned regulations for a particular mission configuration. Using a statistical analysis package, the designer has the ability to analyze tradeoffs that allows adjustments to be made to certain parameters that, although may compromise others, will still allow the system to fall within engine regulatory limits.


Several Ti(C,N)-based cermets with different grain growth inhibitor were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The microstructure and mechanical properties of a cermet as a function of the content of the typical grain growth inhibitors, such as vanadium carbide (VC) and chromium carbide (Cr3C2), was revealed. VC addition could remarkably refine the grains, but it reduced the wetting of the ceramic grains by liquid metal during sintering. Thus it still reduced the performances of the cermet. Cr3C2 addition was found to inhibit grains from growing to lower extent during sintering. However it reduced the wetting of the ceramic grains by liquid metal slightly. Most of chromium element congregated in the rim phase and improved the plasticity of the rim. With Cr3C2 added properly, the performances of the cermets were improved remarkably.


In long, ms, pulsed melt ejected based laser drilling of metals pulse train shaping has previously improved drilling efficiency. This work investigates if pulse train shaping can be exploited in the laser drilling of 0.8-2 mm mild steel with a 1070 nm wavelength 2kW IPG 2000S fibre laser. Single pulse drilling at a range of powers is used to determine the minimum pulse length, and thereby energy input, required for through hole generation. The effect on this minimum penetration energy of using pulse trains of identical 1 ms pulses, as well as pulse trains with a progressive increase in pulse power, was investigated. Drilling efficiency was improved by both multiple 1 ms pulses and progressively increasing pulses, with the multiple pulses having a greater effect, typically increasing efficiency by 35%. Cross-sections showed not all molten material was fully ejected, indicating that further efficiency improvements are possible for the conditions considered.


Because Maxwell's classical electromagnetic theory is a macroscopic electromagnetic theory, this paper attempts to establish a new theory of microscopic expression of macroscopic electromagnetic theory to compensate for the shortcomings of macroscopic electromagnetic theory at the micro level. Among them, under the microscopic electromagnetic theory system, the current will be further interpreted as the momentum flow produced by the directed collision between electrons; the charge will be further interpreted as a form of expression of electron motion; the voltage will be further interpreted as the potential difference (energy level difference) of the electron orbit. Finally, this paper successfully developed a new theory of microscopic expression of Maxwell's macroscopic electromagnetic theory by introducing microscopic atomic physics and rigid body mechanics models.


Hypertension is a common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and even more common sequelae of CKD. It is essential to preserve renal function while controlling blood pressure. There is growing evidence that reduction and normalization of proteinuria is a key treatment goal for renal protection. Several clinical studies, mainly but not exclusively in diabetic patients were reviewed, subsequently suggested that anti-hypertensive agents inhibiting the renin– angiotensin system (RAS), such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs), achieved better renoprotection than other anti-hypertensive drugs. Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), either by ACE inhibitors or angiotensin-Receptors blocker (ARB) slows the progression of CKD by reducing the level of proteinuria in the diabetic and nondiabetic CKD resulting in less renal structural damage.


Inland waters are hotspots for biogeochemical activity, but the environmental and biological factors that govern the transformation of organic matter (OM) flowing through them are still poorly constrained. Here we evaluate data from a crowdsourced sampling campaign led by the Worldwide Hydrobiogeochemistry Observation Network for Dynamic River Systems (WHONDRS) consortium to investigate broad continental-scale trends in OM composition compared to localized events that influence biogeochemical transformations. Samples from two different OM compartments, sediments and surface water, were collected from 97 streams throughout the Northern Hemisphere and analyzed to identify differences in biogeochemical processes involved in OM transformations. By using dimensional reduction techniques, we identified that putative biogeochemical transformations and microbial respiration rates vary across sediment and surface water along river continua independent of latitude (18°N−68°N). In contrast, we reveal small- and large-scale patterns in OM composition related to local (sediment vs. water column) and reach (stream order, latitude) characteristics. These patterns lay the foundation to modeling the linkage between ecological processes and biogeochemical signals. We further showed how spatial, physical, and biogeochemical factors influence the reactivity of the two OM pools in local reaches yet find emergent broad-scale patterns between OM concentrations and stream order. OM processing will likely change as hydrologic flow regimes shift and vertical mixing occurs on different spatial and temporal scales. As our planet continues to warm and the timing and magnitude of surface and subsurface flows shift, understanding changes in OM cycling across hydrologic systems is critical, given the unknown broad-scale responses and consequences for riverine OM.


Thromboembolism is associated with significant maternal morbidity and is a leading cause of death in pregnancy. We present a 26 year old, para 2 woman who attended the combined haematology/obstetric clinic. She was diagnosed with an extensive femoral DVT at 38 weeks gestation and was given therapeutic low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Prior to delivery she had an inferior venocaval (IVC) filter placed to prevent clot migration to the lungs. She attended at 40 weeks for induction of labour for raised blood pressure from 36 weeks gestation and converted to i.v. heparin to reduce the risks of haemorrhage. Despite their use for more than 45 years, IVC filters remain controversial. There are risks from insertion including thrombosis, tilting and caval perforation. As per MHRA guidelines IVC filter ideally need to be removed within 3 months of insertion. However filter retrieval would only be considered safe if sufficient regression of the thrombosis had occurred and assuming no difficulties in its retrieval. Following ultrasound checking of the thrombosis the filter was successfully removed. Future counselling of the patient is important for two reasons. Firstly as postnatally clexane is converted to warfarin, the patient needs to be aware of the teratogenic risks of becoming pregnant whilst on warfarin. Secondly any future pregnancy will require antenatal and postnatal thromboprophylaxis. To conclude IVC filters in pregnancy should be used with caution until further evidence based practice justifies their use.


Abstract Objective We tested whether the presence of both child-targeted and nutrition-focused (i.e. parent-targeted) marketing cues on food packaging was associated with the nutritional content of these products. Design We conducted a quantitative content analysis of 403 food packages chosen randomly from the supermarket's online portal along with all products (n 312) from the cereal aisle in a supermarket from the Southeastern USA. We examined main and interaction effects for cues on nutritional content (e.g. energy density, sugar, sodium, fibre). Setting A regional supermarket chain in the Southeastern USA. Results Tests of main effects indicated that increased presence of nutritional cues was linked to more nutritious content (e.g. less sugar, less saturated fat, more fibre) while the increased presence of child-targeted cues was uniformly associated with less nutritious content (e.g. more sugar, less protein, less fibre). Among the interaction effects, results revealed that products with increased nutrition-focused and child-targeted cues were likely to contain significantly more sugar and less protein than other products. Conclusions Products that seek to engage children with their packaging in the supermarket are significantly less nutritious than foods that do not, while product packages that suggest nutritional benefits have more nutritious content. More importantly, the study provides evidence that those products which try to engage both child and parent consumers are significantly less healthy in crucial ways (e.g. more sugar, less fibre) than products that do not.


The purpose of the lectures is to give an introduction to the electronic properties of ordinary bulk semiconductors and then to apply them to the optical study on new kinds of nanostructured materials through the changes of size-dependent electronic states and electron-phonon interactions, exciton-exciton interaction in confined systems. Nonlinear optical responses and excited state coherence are also mentioned, together with the optical responses of light induced phase transition, etc. Light-assisted fabrication of surface nanostructures is also explained.


3 This dissertation works at the borderlands of philosophy and theology. It represents an attempt to think theologically about epistemology and ecclesiology, both within the context of the realism/antirealism debate and with sustained reference to the logic of the Incarnation. PART I (The Ethics of Experience) and PART II (The Epistemology of Experience) deal with the role of language and interpretation in experience generally, as well as with some of the curious philosophical problems that foreshadows. I acknowledge that experience is largely a function of language, that there is, owing to one's past, one's present context, and one's embodied existence in the world, interpretation in experience, not only discovery but creation as well. It is not possible to escape the limitations of flesh and finitude. But thinking incarnationally throughout, I explore the extent to which experience of God is, providentially, both incarnate and decisively shaped by the Incarnation; experience (of God) is not only in the flesh and concerned with the flesh, but also indissolubly related to the flesh of God in Christ. In PART III (The Ecclesiology of Experience) I unpack the logic of the Incarnation within the context of the life of incarnate Christian community, and so consider the complex relation of Christian language and language-related activities to Christian experience. How do the ecclesial practices of prayer, proclamation and eucharist affect (and effect) Christian experiences of God, and how, further, does sharing interpretive burdens prevent experience from becoming private or incommunicable? To what extent is Christian experience a function of the language and concepts of Christian community? In what way(s) does Christian experience depend for its possibility and intelligibility on the community's gospel, enacted and embodied in the community's worship, catechesis, and practice? In what sense is it true, Christianly speaking, that to experience is to embody and to embody is to experience? How does Christian experience shape the community's identity and sustain its worship and witness? Thus, naturally, the ecclesial community shifts from the background to the foreground, and the vital function it performs in distilling Christian concepts, developing interpretive aptitudes, and nurturing Christian experience is outlined.


A new practical application of the unique sorption abilities of Diatomaceous Earth (DE) or diatomite, a widely accessible and promising natural mineral, has been studied. By analyzing aqueous extracts of natural diatomite, it was shown that DE probably contains various inorganic salts, which are released into the solution in the form of ions, such as Cl-, SO42-, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and, apparently, others. Diatomite was able to exchange these ions with the environment, exhibiting the properties of a natural ion exchanger. Studying the kinetics of ion release from diatomite showed that the ion desorption process continues for 4‒5 h until the surrounding solution is saturated with ions, after which it is dynamically balanced by the sorption process. In order to significantly reduce the ionic content of diatomite, DE samples were processed in a technologically simple and environmentally friendly way. Thus, as a result of deionization, the content of ions released from diatomite significantly decreases. Deionized diatomite was applied to study the adsorption of sodium and chloride ions from aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption was 50.2 mg/g, and the maximum degree of extraction, corresponding to the concentration range of 5‒100 mg/l, was 53.9%. The observed effect was also applicable for increasing the resistance of plants to salt stress, improving the germination and growth of wheat samples. The developed method can be used in the manufacturing of filters for water desalination, both drinking and technological; in ecology; in agriculture to reduce salt stress of plants, as well as for the restoration of lands contaminated by salt.


Research was undertaken to investigate the risk factors for neoplasia in two canine biopsy populations, the first originating fi-om the Canine Infectious Diseases Research Unit (CIDRU) diagnostic histopathology service, based at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School (GUVS), and the second from the diagnostic histopathology service operated by a commercial organisation. Both provide histopathology reports to veterinary practitioners located throughout the United Kingdom and occasionally overseas. The studies were undertaken to determine the feasibility of using these data sources for meaningful epidemiological analyses of host-related risk factors for canine neoplasia. The analytical scope was expanded to explore the effect of submitting practice as a risk factor for canine neoplasia. Finally, spatial and spatio-temporal epidemiological techniques were applied to the CIDRU data to explore the significance of its geographical origin upon an outcome of neoplasia in a canine biopsy. Records pertaining to canine biopsy submissions were extracted from both histopathology databases. The records were subjected to a hierarchical and iterative data cleaning process, which focused upon the main host-related variables of age, gender and breed of dog, when available, and biopsy site of origin. This procedure highlighted a number of important quality assurance issues in both datasets. The coding system used in the CIDRU database was found to be adequate for assisting data preparation, although there were issues relating to the lack of integral data checks and the use of free text input. The extensive use of free text input for the commercial dataset limited the amount of data content that could be prepared fi-om this database for subsequent analysis. Following establishment of data integrity, case-control studies of the cleaned datasets were performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the effect of the host- related risk factors of age, gender and breed of dog, when available, and site of biopsy, on the outcome of neoplasia in a biopsy submitted to the histopathology service. Similar results were produced in analyses of both datasets. The grouping of data by submitting veterinary practice was considered to cause violation of the assumption of independence for individual biopsies because of unknown practice-related factors associated with biopsy submission. Following the application of inclusion criteria to the data, a practice variable was entered into the host related multivariable models first as a fixed-effect term, then as a random- effect term. The introduction of a variable for practice verified that group effects due to practice were significant in the data from both histopathology services. Spatial and space-time analyses were conducted on the CIDRU dataset using spatial and space-time scan statistics. Graphical display of the results with a Geographical Information System (GIS) illustrated a trend for clusters with low risk of neoplasia diagnosis in biopsies submitted from the north of the UK compared to high risk clusters located in the south of the country. A number of individual practices caused significant subclusters within the main clusters, leading to the proposal of conducting practice-based research to investigate practice-related factors that influence tissue biopsy submission. It was concluded that the histopathology databases provided data suitable for the epidemiological analysis of host-related risk factors for canine neoplasia. The findings of the studies suggest that future research should focus upon identification of factors within individual practices which directly influence the procurement of tissue for histopathological analysis, to accurately ascertain their effect upon the diagnosis of neoplasia in canine biopsies. Practice-based research may also provide insight into differences in geographical occurrence of canine neoplasia, which may lead to the generation of hypotheses regarding possible environmental factors contributing to the aetiology of canine neoplastic disease.


The end of the Franklin's Tale is undoubtedly satisfactory to all the parties in the action. Everyone gains something, intangible though the gains of the warm inner glow may be: such rewards are, if less than anticipated, perhaps more than deserved. This general satisfaction has not extended to all readers of the tale. The capacity of the characters to experience and practise true love, Christian marriage, gentillesse, trouthe, self-control, and self-abnegation has been examined and explained in a large critical literature, and the challenge of the teasing final question has been exhaustively answered. Whether or not the tale was intended to address itself to such serious matters when it was written, the last eighty years of Chaucerian criticism have determined that it does so now; and once the proposition is assumed that the tale is seriously concerned with difficult issues of right conduct and divine guidance, the ending cannot but fail to resolve its complexity.


While there is an increase in the number of organisations disclosing their commitment or intentions to embrace the circular economy for sustainable futures, the role of individuals found within these organisations and their management remains inconspicuous. Current disclosures on Human Resource (HR) and the role of Human Resource Management (HRM) at firm level Circular Economic (CE) transitions and practices are conceptual and few, which limits both academics and practitioners' understanding regarding the practical implications of CE on organisations HR and how these could be managed. This research, therefore, addresses this gap and intends to provide critical, empirical evidence and interpretations of HR and the role of HRM within organisations CE pursuits – using six organisations (case studies). The case studies included in this paper forms about ten per cent of the cases to be analysed for the second part of the study. These six case studies are selected to facilitate a pilot study, to test the research approach/methods adopted to derive the research findings. Previous research findings on firm-level CE functional areas has predominantly focused on product and process design, supply chain, marketing and sales management; however, analysis of these case studies found that currently, HRM role as a functional area that includes training, recruitment/selection, performance and rewards management process are not captured in firmlevel CE transitions. Nonetheless, in terms of a critical perspective of HR and the role of HRM within CE organisations, the analysis of these case studies captured the broader social outcomes such as job creation, improvement in wellbeing and a change in organisational culture. But it remains to be seen if similar trends would be identified within a wider sample of business cases the researchers intend to examine to extend this research.


ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry occurs via a pH- and clathrin-dependent endocytic pathway and requires a number of cellular factors, including CD81, the tight-junction proteins claudin 1 (CLDN1) and occludin, and scavenger receptor class B member I (SR-BI). HCV tropism is restricted to the liver, where hepatocytes are tightly packed. Here, we demonstrate that SR-BI and CLDN1 expression is modulated in confluent human hepatoma cells, with both receptors being enriched at cell-cell junctions. Cellular contact increased HCV pseudoparticle (HCVpp) and HCV particle (HCVcc) infection and accelerated the internalization of cell-bound HCVcc, suggesting that the cell contact modulation of receptor levels may facilitate the assembly of receptor complexes required for virus internalization. CLDN1 overexpression in subconfluent cells was unable to recapitulate this effect, whereas increased SR-BI expression enhanced HCVpp entry and HCVcc internalization, demonstrating a rate-limiting role for SR-BI in HCV internalization.


Author(s): Heckman, Alma Rachel | Advisor(s): Stein, Sarah A | Abstract: From the outset of the French protectorate of Morocco in 1912 through independence in 1956, a variety of ideologies coalesced into pro-independence political movements. This dissertation explores Jewish involvement in the Moroccan Communist Party (PCM) between 1925-1975. Opening up this 1925-1975 moment recovers ways in which Jews and Muslims conceptualized Jews fitting into newly independent nation-states. Leftist groups, originating in Europe, flourished in Morocco beginning in the mid-1920s. By 1936 the socialist leaning Moroccan Union of Muslims and Jews had been founded, a sign of the growing importance of leftist organizations in the Moroccan political spectrum. When France fell to Germany in 1940, the French Communist Party (PCF) chose solidarity with France over its internationalist obligations, requiring the Maghribi Communist parties to fight for the common cause against Fascism and put independence ambitions on hold. Vichy rule brought anti-Semitic legislation to the majority of North African Jews, inspiring many in the immediate post-war generation to reject France's vision of republican assimilation. The national liberation parties of the Maghrib, in practice, if not on paper, often espoused an Arab nationalist platform informed by Islam. Betrayed by French republicanism and unconvinced by Zionism, many Maghribi Jews expressed their patriotism through Communism. The 1950s through the early 1970s were the apex of Communist Jewish political participation in the Maghrib and the height of migration to Israel or France. Emanating from Moscow and refracted through the PCF to Morocco and beyond, this project not only looks at ideologies and populations in transit, but also their transformation in new national and international contexts.


The paper describes PECAS, an architecture for intelligent systems, and its application in the Explorer, an interactive mobile robot. PECAS is a new architectural combination of information fusion and continual planning. PECAS plans, integrates and monitors the asynchronous flow of information between multiple concurrent systems. Information fusion provides a suitable intermediary to robustly couple the various reactive and deliberative forms of processing used concurrently in the Explorer. The Explorer instantiates PECAS around a hybrid spatial model combining SLAM, visual search, and conceptual inference. This paper describes the elements of this model, and demonstrates on an implemented scenario how PECAS provides means for flexible control.