Oil Demand, Supply, andMedium-Term Price Prospects:A Wavelets-Based Analysis

The global “great recession” was precipitated in part by record high prices of oil and other commodities. Previous severe recessions have typically resulted in significantly lower energy prices, which in turn spurred growth and fueled a healthy recovery. In part due to expansionary monetary policies worldwide, oil prices have remained relatively high, making it difficult for the global economy to stage a strong recovery. The result is a short-to-medium term forecast of weak to modest growth, which – combined with continuously falling energyintensity of GDP – means that oil demand will remain stagnant or at best grow modestly. Under these circumstances, surging supply from U.S. shale and similar technologically-driven unconventional oil sources is likely to create excess supply and put strong downward pressure on oil prices. Voluntary reduction in oil production to prevent falling prices is highly unlikely, because swing producer Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries need revenues at the level of current volumes and prices in order to meet core budgetary requirements and prevent regime-change risk in the aftermath of “Arab Spring” revolts. Our wavelet analysis of all countries that have ever produced more than one million barrels of oil per day shows that regime change by itself would not result in significant reduction in oil production – although it may result in lower investment and therefore prevention of further increase in production capacity. However, war that destroys physical installations for the production and/or transport of oil can significantly disrupt oil supplies. In sum, if the outright war scenario is excluded, we expect prices to fall precipitously in the medium term (3-5 years). However, the continued threat of currently-contained civil wars into larger confrontations can maintain the current prices, especially if unprecedented monetary easing continues

METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR SURGICAL ACCESS AND PROCEDURES

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices. Certain embodiments include various actuation system embodiments, including fluid actuation systems, drive train actuation systems, and motorless actuation systems. Additional embodiments include a reversibly lockable tube that can provide access for a medical device to a patient\u27s cavity and further provides a reversible rigidity or stability during operation of the device. Further embodiments include various operational components for medical devices, including medical device arm mechanisms that have both axial and rotational movement while maintaining a relatively compact structure. medical device winch components, medical device biopsy/stapler/clamp mechanisms, and medical device adjustable focus mechanisms

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) restoration in Puget Sound: restoration tools, successes and challenges

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is one of 25 Vital Signs to track the health of Puget Sound and restoration of this critical nearshore habitat is part of the overall regional recovery strategy. Eelgrass restoration will provide a multitude of benefits, ranging from habitat for species to ameliorating the effects of climate change. Since 2013, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources has led regional evaluation of potential eelgrass restoration sites and transplanting in Washington State. Through collaborations we have developed and tested strategies to enhance transplant success and restore natural processes. We developed an eelgrass transplant suitability model to identify potential restoration sites using key variables essential for seagrass production and long-term resilience in a changing environment. Eelgrass was planted at five sites for initial model verification with an additional 81 test sites planted between 2013 and 2017 to identify areas suitable for large scale restoration. Eelgrass test transplant results varied and 15 sites with the highest success were selected for large-scale transplantation. A comparison of standard transplant methods was performed and preliminary results suggest that proper method selection plays an important role in transplant success. Long-term monitoring is scheduled with an emphasis on the success of specific donor stocks, the recovery of donor sites, and the effect seagrass restoration has on water chemistry. The restoration process has endured challenges that ranged from permitting issues to anthropogenic and environmental stressors. However, issue specific solutions and adaptive management allowed the restoration process to progress and contribute valuable information towards strategies to recover this valuable habitat in the region

International Conference on Knowledge Management

This workshop is presented by members of a University of North Texas research team. First, the team will overview their experience as members of the research team and share experience in areas such as trust formation, team roles, productivity, work-life balance, faculty-students interaction, peer and faculty mentorship, dissertation preparation, and job seeking. Second, the workshop will discuss and brainstorm how this format can be implemented for organizations both with faculty-student teams and with peer-directed teams. Finally, successes and challenges are openly discussed with audience

Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph Observations of M, L, and T Dwarfs

We present the first mid-infrared spectra of brown dwarfs, together with observations of a low-mass star. Our targets are the M3.5 dwarf GJ 1001A, the L8 dwarf DENIS-P J0255-4700, and the T1/T6 binary system epsilon Indi Ba/Bb. As expected, the mid-infrared spectral morphology of these objects changes rapidly with spectral class due to the changes in atmospheric chemistry resulting from their differing effective temperatures and atmospheric structures. By taking advantage of the unprecedented sensitivity of the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope we have detected the 7.8 micron methane and 10 micron ammonia bands for the first time in brown dwarf spectra.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Increasing Character Strength Knowledge, Interest, and Skill: Preliminary Evidence for a Collaborative and Multimethod Assessment Procedure

Introduction: The study’s objective was to evaluate whether a qualitative, collaborative, and multimethod assessment protocol increased reports of character strength interest, knowledge, and perceived skills. Methods: Thirty-two participants completed three phases of data collection. Participants were first screened for well-being, which was used as an auxiliary covariate to order participants into experimental conditions. Selected participants were randomly assigned to a control or collaborative and multimethod assessment (card sort × qualitative interview) condition. Participants completed pre- and post-measures of strength interest, knowledge, and perceived skill. In the final phase, second phase participants were invited to report on strength-related outcomes 24 h post-administration using an online survey. Results: A series of 2 (Assessment Condition) × 3 (Time) mixed ANOVAs were analyzed. Results revealed a significant assessment condition by time interaction for strength knowledge and perceived skill. Participants in the collaborative and multimethod assessment condition reported higher strength knowledge and perceived skills compared to control participants. These effects were maintained for 24 h. Conclusion: The findings offer preliminary yet sizable support for using collaborative and multimethod assessment procedures to increase strength knowledge and perceived skill. Because of the qualitative, collaborative, and individualized nature of our assessment protocol, the findings offer a low-cost and contextually bound pathway to increase strength-based outcomes

Morning concurrent track 3: Weathering climate change in the curriculum

MORNING CONCURRENT TRACK 3: WEATHERING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE CURRICULUM Moderator Barbara St. Pierre Schneider Student Union Room 213 Andy Jorgensen – Creating a Learning Community for Solutions to Climate Change Abstract: The Climate Solutions Committee of the Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD) has proposed the creation of a learning community that will develop curricular content on solutions to anthropogenic climate change by drawing on the best available research on the phenomenon, coupled with the most effective pedagogical methods. The goal is to transform academic education about climate change from the current emphasis on physical and biological science to an interdisciplinary enterprise that includes mitigation and adaptation. We propose to use a community-building process to produce an adaptive virtual tool chest of curricular resources, methods, and experiences that can be used by educators at a variety of levels, focused on how to teach about climate solutions in general education and courses for science majors. The goal is to equip college students not just to diagnose problems but to give them the capacity to address and fix them. Amy Northrup, David Hassenzahl – Climate Education Courses in the United States Abstract: Climate change is becoming an increasingly common topic of courses at institutions of higher education across the United States. However, the literature on appropriate and effective climate education praxis is limited. This session will outline, presents early findings on, and solicit ideas about how best to proceed with, an evaluation of climate education courses and programs. The first stage of this research is the development of a database of climate education syllabi. It is a non non-random sample, but should represent the range of courses being offered, and can be used to assess what topics are being covered, at what institutions and program, and at what academic level . David James, Tom Piechota, Jeff Jablonski – Sustainability and General Education Abstract: The topics of sustainability, environmental literacy, and climate change are becoming part of many university educational programs. This presentation will present some of the national programs that are incorporating sustainability and the climate change. In addition, the presenters will give an update on the revisions being proposed to the UNLV General Education core, which may include incorporating sustainability into an educational outcome related to ethics and sustainability as dimensions of responsible citizenship

The Vehicle, Spring 1996

Vol. 37, No. 2 Table of Contents Poetry AnyoneKeith Owenspage 2 Of Words and WidgetsJ. Dylan McNeillpage 3 HouseplantsPeter W. Katespage 4 IcarusJeff Vande Zandepage 5 UntitledPatrick F. Kellypage 7 CommuteWhitty Whitesellpage 8 During Graduate SchoolJeff Vande Zandepage 9 NeuteredJason S. Loguepage 10 Bitter WritingJ. Dylan McNeillpage 11 Song to Unknown SoldiersM. Olatoye Bayieupage 12 SoftAmy Haynespage 13 Mother\u27s Crossword PuzzlesMatthew J. Nelsonpage 14 Prose Cold ShowerMatt Parkspage 17 Your Title HereKeith Owenspage 20 Biographies Authorspage 27https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1067/thumbnail.jp

Factors associated with medication adherence in school-aged children with asthma

Adherence to preventive asthma treatment is poor, particularly in children, yet the factors associated with adherence in this age group are not well understood. Adherence was monitored electronically over 6 months in school-aged children who attended a regional emergency department in New Zealand for an asthma exacerbation and were prescribed twice-daily inhaled corticosteroids. Participants completed questionnaires including assessment of family demographics, asthma responsibility and learning style. Multivariable analysis of factors associated with adherence was conducted. 101 children (mean (range) age 8.9 (6–15) years, 51% male) participated. Median (interquartile range) preventer adherence was 30% (17–48%) of prescribed. Four explanatory factors were identified: female sex (+12% adherence), Asian ethnicity (+19% adherence), living in a smaller household (−3.0% adherence per person in the household), and younger age at diagnosis (+2.7% for every younger year of diagnosis) (all p<0.02). In school-aged children attending the emergency department for asthma, males and non-Asian ethnic groups were at high risk for poor inhaled corticosteroid adherence and may benefit most from intervention. Four factors explained a small proportion of adherence behaviour indicating the difficulty in identifying adherence barriers. Further research is recommended in other similar populations

HLA-E–dependent Presentation of Mtb-derived Antigen to Human CD8+ T Cells

Previous studies in mice and humans have suggested an important role for CD8+ T cells in host defense to Mtb. Recently, we have described human, Mtb-specific CD8+ cells that are neither HLA-A, B, or C nor group 1 CD1 restricted, and have found that these cells comprise the dominant CD8+ T cell response in latently infected individuals. In this report, three independent methods are used to demonstrate the ability of these cells to recognize Mtb-derived antigen in the context of the monomorphic HLA-E molecule. This is the first demonstration of the ability of HLA-E to present pathogen-derived antigen. Further definition of the HLA-E specific response may aid development of an effective vaccine against tuberculosis