83 research outputs found
Examining heterogeneity in the Latino population’s smoking cessation behaviors: the role of language, immigrant generation, and tobacco control context
No full textObjectives: (1) Examine differences by two proxy measures of acculturation – English Language Proficiency (ELP) and immigrant generation - for making a quit attempt in the past 12 months, receiving advice to stop smoking from a health care provider, and using effective cessation aids during a quit attempt; (2) examine whether gender moderates acculturation for these behaviors; (3) examine if tobacco control context moderates acculturation for quit attempts or use of cessation aids; (4) examine if acculturation explains the disparity relative to non-Latino whites for advice to quit and use of cessation aids. Methods: The 2003 and 2006/07 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population survey were merged with state level per capita cumulative tobacco control expenditures. Separate logistic regressions for ELP and immigrant generation were fit for each outcome. Interaction terms for gender and acculturation, and cumulative per capita tobacco control expenditures and acculturation were added to assess their respective moderating effects. Models contrasting Latinos and non-Latino whites with and without acculturation as controls were fit to examine if acculturation explains known disparities. Results: Latinos with poor ELP were more likely than those with good ELP, and respondents of more recent immigrant generation were more likely to make a quit attempt. There were some suggestive findings that these associations were larger in magnitude among females. No significant differences were found for advice to stop smoking. Second generation immigrants were more likely than third generation immigrants to use a behavioral aid, and there were suggestive findings that they were less likely to use pharmacological aids. There were mixed findings of whether tobacco control expenditures moderates the association between acculturation and quit attempt or use of cessation aids. Acculturation does not explain the Latino disparity for advice to quit and use of cessation aids. Conclusion: Future tobacco control studies should disaggregate Latinos by acculturation whenever possible, and should consider gender as a moderating factor. Tobacco control acculturation research should continue to include contextual variables, including tobacco control context. Studies examining the source of Latino disparity in advice to quit and use of cessation aids should target variables other than acculturations.Ph. D.Includes bibliographical referencesIncludes vitaby Daniel Alexander Gunderse
Optimal diluent allocation in production systems with diluent-ESP-lifted wells
No full textIn this research, the author presents the development of a numerical model for production systems (wells and surface flowlines) to determine optimal diluent allocation. The model includes the main inflow performance equations to represent reservoir deliverability, pressure and temperature drop calculations in tubing, electric submersible pump (ESP) modeling including viscosity and frequency correction equations, and oil blending models for the injection module. For the injection module, both ASTM D7152-11 standard and Cragoe (1933) methods are available. For the production fluid modeling, the author considered the black oil model to calculate thermodynamic properties and an emulsion model to calculate fluid viscosity depending on its water cut. The gas phase was neglected. The model was developed by using object-oriented programming (OOP) in a commercial software
Optimal diluent allocation in production systems with diluent-ESP-lifted wells
No full textIn this research, the author presents the development of a numerical model for production systems (wells and surface flowlines) to determine optimal diluent allocation. The model includes the main inflow performance equations to represent reservoir deliverability, pressure and temperature drop calculations in tubing, electric submersible pump (ESP) modeling including viscosity and frequency correction equations, and oil blending models for the injection module. For the injection module, both ASTM D7152-11 standard and Cragoe (1933) methods are available. For the production fluid modeling, the author considered the black oil model to calculate thermodynamic properties and an emulsion model to calculate fluid viscosity depending on its water cut. The gas phase was neglected. The model was developed by using object-oriented programming (OOP) in a commercial software
Business Ethics – Illusion or Source of Strength
No full textThe paper is devoted to business ethics. The author, drawing on his extensive experience in national and international business, talks about the necessity of moral regulation and moral standards. Personal observations of the author in awesome and inspiring way show to the reader the role of ethics in business
25 hydroxyvitamin D in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with multiple sclerosis during relapse and remission
No full textHypovitaminosis D may play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS), but little is known about intrathecal vitamin D. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D was measured in cerebrospinal fluid and sera from 36 patients with relapsing-remitting MS, 20 patients with other inflammatory neurological diseases and 18 patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. There were no significant differences in cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, but the cerebrospinal fluid:serum ratio was significantly lower in MS compared with other inflammatory neurological diseases (p = 0.0012) and non-inflammatory neurological diseases (p = 0.041) patients. The concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in cerebrospinal fluid and serum were positively correlated and their ratio was similar to that of albumin. Neither the concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in cerebrospinal fluid or serum nor their ratio were associated with the presence of relapses or gadolinium-enhanced lesions. These results do not support that 25-hydroxyvitamin D is actively transported to the cerebrospinal fluid, or that the cerebrospinal fluid or serum levels or their ratio exert a major impact on MS activity. © The Author(s) 2009
Multifunctional Agriculture and Domestic/International Policy Choice
No full textThe concept of multifunctionality, in which agriculture is viewed as a source of both commodity and non-commodity outputs, has stimulated debate on the desirability of further trade liberalization. We explore the economics of multifunctionality and its policy implications. We argue for a new policy approach in which land and natural resource managers are remunerated for positive non-commodity outputs and penalized for negative outputs. This would require devolution in policy implementation from the centre to the local level. Such an approach would permit countries to achieve broader social objectives, while at the same time continuing to pursue trade liberalization.agriculture, domestic policy, multifunctionality, trade policy, WTO, Agricultural and Food Policy,
Modification of Loop 1 Affects the Nucleotide Binding Properties of Myo1c, the Adaptation Motor in the Inner Ear
No full textMyo1c is one of eight members of the mammalian myosin I family of actin-associated molecular motors. In stereocilia of the hair cells in the inner ear, Myo1c presumably serves as the adaptation motor, which regulates the opening and closing of transduction channels. Although there is conservation of sequence and structure among all myosins in the N-terminal motor domain, which contains the nucleotide- and actin-binding sites, some differences include the length and composition of surface loops, including loop 1, which lies near the nucleotide-binding domain. To investigate the role of loop 1, we expressed in insect cells mutants of a truncated form of Myo1c, Myo1c1IQ, as well as chimeras of Myo1c1IQ with the analogous loop from other myosins. We found that replacement of the charged residues in loop 1 with alanines or the whole loop with a series of alanines did not alter the ATPase activity, transient kinetics properties, or Ca2+ sensitivity of Myo1c1IQ. Substitution of loop 1 with that of the corresponding region from tonic smooth muscle myosin II (Myo1c1IQ-tonic) or replacement with a single glycine (Myo1c1IQ-G) accelerated the release of ADP from A.M 2?3-fold in Ca2+, whereas substitution with loop 1 from phasic muscle myosin II (Myo1c1IQ-phasic) accelerated the release of ADP 35-fold. Motility assays with chimeras containing a single ?-helix, or SAH, domain showed that Myo1cSAH-tonic translocated actin in vitro twice as fast as Myo1cSAH-WT and 3-fold faster than Myo1cSAH-G. The studies show that changes induced in Myo1c via modification of loop 1 showed no resemblance to the behavior of the loop donor myosins or to the changes previously observed with similar Myo1b chimeras
Residential treatment : an anthropological view
No full textResidential treatment centers provide a sheltering environment where emotionally disturbed children are presented with corrective emotional and social adjustment opportunities. From an anthropological perspective, the treatment that the children receive consists in part of directed culture change. That is, the “disturbed-delinquent-peer-culture” of the institution is gradually restructured so that its members' behavior will be more compatible with the dominant culture of the surrounding community. Drawing upon data from three years of participant observation at a residential treatment center, the author describes some salient characteristics of the children's culture as it exists at the institution and illustrates how various recreational programs and activities facilitate an identity change in individual children. By complementing the more traditional psychotherapeutic and behavior modification techniques, these recreational activities can help to bring about a change in the disturbed-delinquent culture. Also included is a discussion of how an interface between the fields of residential treatment and anthropology might be mutually beneficial.Includes bibliographical references (pages 70-77)California State University, Northridge. Department of Anthropology
In-situ characterization of Øysand sand with CPTU add-on tool Flow Cone and HPT
No full textHydraulisk konduktivitet spiller en kritisk rolle for mange problemstillinger innenfor geoteknisk prosjektering, slik som heving av grunnen i en byggegrop eller bøttefundament på havets dyp. I konsolideringsteori spiller hydraulisk konduktivitet nok en viktig rolle og er med på å bestemme de grunnleggende parameterne for setning og styrke. Hydraulisk konduktivitet bestemmer hvor for dissiperingen av ekstra poretrykk tar for et materiale som er utsatt for en ny last. Derfor er hydraulisk konduktivtet også en svært viktig parameter for nøyaktige numeriske beregninger. Desverre er hydraulisk konduktivitet også en av de geotekniske parameterene som viser størst variasjon i verdi. På grunn av kornskjelletet og oppførselen til sand, silt eller blandinger av disse med finere kornfraksjoner, er det vanskelig å bestemme in-situ hydraulisk konduktivitet.
I denne studien er nye metoder for in-situ målinger og kalkulasjoner av hydraulisk konduktivitet testet ved NGTS Øysand, som består hovedsaklig av sandig silt og noe leire ved enkelte dyp. I tillegg til feltforsøk er hydraulisk konduktivitet testet på gamle, frosne prøver i en treaksiale celle. Flow Cone og Hydraulic Profiling Tool ble testet ved to forskjellige lokasjoner på Øysand og sammenlignet med in-situ falling head prøver, estimering av hydraulisk konduktivitet ved hjelp av CPTU data og resultater fra treaksial forsøk.
Ved en rask prosedyre ble en frossen sylinder med størrelse 103 mm til tre prøveeksemplar ved trimming, kutting og kjerneborring. Dette resulterte i to horisontale prøver og 1 vertikal prøve. I tillegg ble en ikke-fryst prøve skjøvet ut og trimmet. Denne kom fra en annen lokasjon enn de frosne prøvene på Øysand.
Felttester ble gjennomført av forfatter med hjelp fra personell og borerigg fra NGI. Totalt ble 4 standrør installert ved forskjellige dybder for for in-situ falling head tester. Tre kjøringer med HPT og en kjøring med Flow Cone ble gjennomført ved to forskjellige lokasjoner. Forskjellige tolkningsmetoder ble benyttet til å beregne hydraulisk konduktivitet. I tillegg ble dissipasjon av økt poretrykk brukt til å estimere den horisontale konsolideringskoeffisienten ved hjelp av målinger fra Flow Cone.
De forskjellige tolkningsmetodene for HPT viser stor variasjon, men en metode sammenfaller godt med in-situ falling head tester. Desverre ble bare tre kjøringer av tester ved to forskjellige dybder brukbare fra Flow Cone forsøk. Likevell viser resultater fra Flow Cone bra potensiale, sammenlignet med estimeringer av hydraulisk konduktivitet fra CPTU data. Estimater for horisontale konsolideringskoeffisienter er presentert.
Alle resultater for hydraulisk konduktivitet er sammenlignet med hverandre fra sine respektive lokasjoner. Ved sammenligning ble det anbefalt hydrauliske profiler for testlokasjonene. Til slutt ble alle tolkningsmetodene evaluert.Hydraulic conductivity plays a critical role in many aspects of geotechnical engineering, like uplift forces in a sheet pile building pit or suction bucket installations at the bottom of the sea. Also, during the process of consolidation, hydraulic conductivity is a fundamental parameter for analyzing the rate at which excess pore water dissipates from saturated soils. Therefore, the accurate determination of hydraulic conductivity is crucial for predicting settlement and getting accurate soil models in numerical calculations. However, the parameter is victim of large variations in numerical value and is tricky to determine in sand, silts or mixtures of these with finer grain material.
In this study, new methods and tools for in-situ measurements and calculations of hydraulic conductivity was employed at sandy, silty test site NGTS Øysand, just outside Trondheim, Norway. In addition, hydraulic triaxial tests were performed on a previous frozen sample from the same test site. The Flow Cone and Hydraulic Profiling Tool was tested at two different test locations at NGTS Øysand and compared to in-situ falling head tests, estimation of hydraulic conductivity by CPTU data and results from hydraulic triaxial tests.
A frozen 103 mm sample of mostly sandy silt with some clay content was trimmed, cored and cut with great caution to not reduce the temperature of the specimens. Two horizontal specimens and one vertical specimens was gathered from the 103 mm frozen sample. In addition, an older piston sampled sandy, clayey silt specimen was made available and tested in triaxial cell.
Field tests were performed by the author with help of crew and boring rig from NGI. In total, four standpipes were relative closely installed at different depths for in-situ falling head tests. Three HPT runs and one Flow Cone run was performed at various locations. Different methodologies were employed to interpret and calculate the hydraulic conductivity. In addition, a excess pore pressure dissipation methodology for estimation of horizontal coefficient of consolidation was trialled for the Flow Cone.
Big variation in results for the different employed methodologies for HPT is eminent, but one method shows good correlation with in-situ falling head tests. Unfortunately, only three of the depth internal Flow Cone tests were acceptable in terms of determining a value for hydraulic conductivity, but the results are promising, compared to CPTU estimations. Estimated coefficients of horizontal consolidation is presented for each internal depth test.
All hydraulic conductivity results were compared with other results from respective locations. By a process of comparison with results from the other tests, the methodology which gave the best fit was presented as hydraulic profile for its position. At last, evaluation of employed methodologies is presented
Mallarmé’s presence
No full textDans sa thèse intitulée La présence de Mallarmé, Arild Michel Bakken interroge la présence de Mallarmé dans son œuvre. Contre l’idée dominante qui fait de Mallarmé le poète de l’absence, Bakken montre que la figure du poète est très présente dans le texte, et que c’est en réalité cette figure qui assure la cohérence de l’œuvre. Utilisant une méthode rhétorique centrée sur l’expérience du lecteur, la thèse montre comment Mallarmé se met en scène. La figure de l’auteur est bien ancrée dans la société de son temps, comme Français, comme petit-bourgeois, comme mari et père. Cette figure apparaît clairement comme une figure de poète, mais aussi comme « homme de lettres » et comme journaliste. La thèse montre aussi que le lecteur peut suivre la vie intérieure de la figure comme voyant et comme penseur. Même dans les textes les plus impersonnels, l’auteur n’est pas absent, mais assume la posture de la mystérieuse « Figure que Nul n’est », qui représente l’essence de la subjectivité humaine. Par la mise en scène de sa figure dans l’œuvre, Mallarmé cherche à séduire le lecteur, à obtenir une « gloire », à conférer à son œuvre une valeur. La figure de l’auteur, son ethos, est aussi un moyen efficace pour transmettre les valeurs du poète, sa vision du monde. Mais la vision du monde qui apparaît chez Mallarmé est constamment minée par l’ironie du poète, qui est le trait le plus caractéristique de sa présence.In his doctoral thesis La présence de Mallarmé, Arild Michel Bakken investigates Mallarmé’s presence in his work. Against the common view of Mallarmé as the poet of absence, Bakken shows that the figure of the poet is very present in the text, and that this figure is in fact what gives the work its unity. Through a rhetorical method focused on the reader’s experience, Bakken shows how Mallarmé stages himself throughout the work. The figure of the author is anchored in the society of his time, as a Frenchman, as a petit-bourgeois, as a father and a husband. It is clearly a poet figure, but also an “homme de lettres” and a journalist. The thesis also shows that the reader can follow the inner life of the figure, as a seer and as a thinker. Even in the most impersonal texts, the author is not absent, but adopts the posture of the mysterious “Figure that No One is”, representing the essence of human subjectivity. Through the staging of his figure in the work, Mallarmé seeks to seduce the reader, to obtain “glory”, to give his work value. It is also an effective instrument for transmitting the poet’s values, his world view. But the world view which appears in Mallarmé’s work is constantly undermined by the poet’s irony, which is the most characteristic feature of his presence
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