The lasting achievement of Thatcherism as a political project is that Britain now has three political parties of the right, instead of one

Throughout the twentieth century the Conservative party dominated British politics as an integrated party of the right. Yet since late 1992, the Tories have increasingly struggled to attract the support of a third of voters at elections or in opinion polls. Patrick Dunleavy argues that because of the divisiveness of Thatcherism, the right wing electorate in Britain is now permanently fragmented between three parties – the Conservatives, the UK Independence Party, and now the rump of the Liberal Democrats, clearly aligned behind austerity policies. However, the UK’s first-past-the-post electoral system always punishes such divisions severely. Ironically the most enduring legacy of Thatcherism’s attempted ‘revolution’ may be the long-run hegemony of the centre-left

Who is leading the campaign charts? Comparing individual popularity on old and new media

Traditionally, election campaigns are covered in the mass media with a strong focus on a limited number of top candidates. The question of this paper is whether this knowledge still holds today, when social media outlets are becoming more popular. Do candidates who dominate the traditional media also dominate the social media? Or can candidates make up for a lack of mass media coverage by attracting attention on Twitter? This study addresses these question by paring Twitter data with traditional media data for the 2014 Belgian elections. Our findings show that the two platforms are indeed strongly related and that candidates with a prominent position in the media are generally also most successful on Twitter. This is not because more popularity on Twitter translates directly into more traditional media coverage, but mainly because largely the same political elite dominates both platforms

Optical determination of mean particle size in a tow-phase free-jet

Measurements of light scattering and extinction through ensembles of spherical particles can provide valuable particle size information. Most of the associated measurement techniques assume that the local particle size distribution function is independent of position within the ensemble. Physically realistic particle clouds, however, have spatial density variations caused by inertial effects and collision kinetics, which increase the complexity of the problem, and demand a more sophisticated analytical and experimental treatment. Using the results of Mie scattering theory, this work presents the development of analytical and experimental procedures for determining the average size and spatial distribution of particles in an axisymmetric ensemble. Cylindrically symmetric particulate-laden flow fields are a particularly useful class of spatially nonuniform particle ensembles that yield tractable solutions to the problem of particle size measurement. Basic definitions from the Mie theory that pertain to extinction and scattering from particle ensembles are reviewed, along with elements of fundamental statistics of size distributions. The standard approach for obtaining average particle size from extinction measurements through a uniform slab of particles is extended to the more general case of spatially nonuniform clouds that have radial symmetry. Multiple path extinction measurements are then combined with the analytical techniques of Abel inversions to ascertain the spatial dependence of the mean particle size. Methods for measuring the mean particle size of an ensemble based on diffraction and backscatter techniques are also developed, and the approach required to obtain information about the distribution of particle sizes using simultaneous extinction and backscatter measurements at several optical wavelengths is reviewed. The theoretical feasibility of using the proposed concepts for determining the mean particle size of an ensemble is demonstrated with a numerical simulation of scattering and extinction. Finally, the results of a simple multiple-path extinction experiment are described, in which the distributions of mass flux and mean particle size are deduced

Crucial stages of protein folding through a solvable model: predicting target sites for enzyme-inhibiting drugs

An exactly solvable model based on the topology of a protein native state is applied to identify bottlenecks and key-sites for the folding of HIV-1 Protease. The predicted sites are found to correlate well with clinical data on resistance to FDA-approved drugs. It has been observed that the effects of drug therapy are to induce multiple mutations on the protease. The sites where such mutations occur correlate well with those involved in folding bottlenecks identified through the deterministic procedure proposed in this study. The high statistical significance of the observed correlations suggests that the approach may be promisingly used in conjunction with traditional techniques to identify candidate locations for drug attacks.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Cosmic-ray electron transport in the galaxy M 51

Context. Indirect observations of the cosmic-ray electron (CRE) distribution via synchrotron emission is crucial for deepening the understanding of the CRE transport in the interstellar medium, and in investigating the role of galactic outflows. Aims. In this paper, we quantify the contribution of diffusion- and advection-dominated transport of CREs in the galaxy M51 considering relevant energy loss processes. Methods. We used recent measurement from M 51 that allow for the derivation of the diffusion coefficient, the star formation rate, and the magnetic field strength. With this input, we solved the 3D transport equation numerically including the spatial dependence as provided by the measurements, using the open-source transport framework CRPropa (v3.1). We included 3D transport (diffusion and advection), and the relevant loss processes. Results. We find that the data can be described well with the parameters from recent measurements. For the best fit, it is required that the wind velocity, following from the observed star formation rate, must be decreased by a factor of 5. We find a model in which the inner galaxy is dominated by advective escape and the outer galaxy is composed by both diffusion and advection. Conclusions. Three-dimensional modelling of cosmic-ray transport in the face-on galaxy M51 allows for conclusions about the strength of the outflow of such galaxies by quantifying the need for a wind in the description of the cosmic-ray signatures. This opens up the possibility of investigating galactic winds in face-on galaxies in general.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Hurricane Ridge downhill ski area improvement plan proposal: environmental impact assessment

1.1 Purpose This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) aims to evaluate the potential impacts of updating the infrastructure of Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area in Olympic National Park. The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club (HRWSC) means to replace the current lifts, which have been in service more than 50 years, and are on the end of their service lives. In this document, the proposed action and an alternative are investigated for potential impacts on the National Park land and surrounding communities; the future prospects of removing the Ski Area\u27s lifts are likewise considered. Both action alternatives replace the current POMA lift and rope tows with a Magic Carpet lift, a new rope tow, and a similar surface lift, all powered by electricity produced by a central diesel generator, rather than the current system of gasoline powered, mechanically driven lifts. No action would involve removing the lift systems once they have deprecated beyond repair. 1.2 Site Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area is the westernmost lift-­‐operated ski area in the Lower 48, one of 3 located within National Park lands, and the only one on the Olympic Peninsula. Seventeen miles up Heart O\u27 the Hills Road from Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge provides downhill and cross-­‐country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing opportunities to residents of the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas. With two rope tows and one surface lift, the Ski and Snowboard Area aims to serve some 5,500 people each winter, depending on weather conditions. The POMA surface lift is dependent on snow accumulation to open, often pushing back its first day of operation to the end of January. The rope tows tend to begin operation a couple weeks prior to the POMA lift opening. Cross-­‐country skiers and snowshoers typically see their season start in December. The Winter Sports Club provides lessons and hosts some events each season, which tend to last until April. Hurricane Ridge has a base elevation of approximately 4,800 feet, with a peak of 5,500. The Ski Area installation predated the National Environmental Protection Act, so no Environmental Impact Statement was required at the time it was built. 1.3 Problem Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area is no longer eligible for or capable of repairs – the manufacturer will not issue parts for liability reasons related to the age of the equipment. In order to preserve skiing in the Olympics for the future, Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club wants to replace the lifts with modern equipment. 1.3.1 Proposed Action The proposed action is to replace the POMA lift with a modern surface lift, the beginner rope tow with a Magic Carpet surface lift, and a new rope tow on the intermediate rope tow. All three lifts will be powered by electricity produced by a central diesel power generator rather than the current three independent gasoline motors mechanically driving the lifts. The new surface lift in the POMA bowl would include filling gullies to allow for an earlier opening of the POMA lift, therefore increasing the length of the viable ski season. 1.3.2 Alternative Action The alternative course of action proposed is identical to the initial proposal, except for filling the gullies in the POMA bowl. The alternative proposal is to build a bridge-­‐type structure above the gullies, which would allow the lift to open earlier but also permit melt water runoff to drain into the gullies and down into the Elwha watershed. The alternative action aims to mimic the benefit of bumping up opening day for the HRSSA by effectively leveling the gullies under snowfall, but in a way sensitive to hydrology present in the landscape. All other upgrades to the lifts remain the same as the initial proposal. 1.3.3 No Action Alternative No action on the HRSSA would lead to inevitable closure due to the lifts falling into disrepair within five years, as estimated by the Winter Sports Club. Once all three lifts are unusable they would be removed, and the landscape of Hurricane Ridge would restore itself to its natural condition. No lifts would operate on the Olympic Peninsula. 1.4 Recommendation The recommended action is to follow the alternative action because it reflects the benefits of the proposed action, while minimizing the impacts that would result from gully fill. By creating a structure that would permit runoff and melt water to pass down the slope, erosion would remain in its natural state. Filling the gullies would alter the hydrology, and likely be eroded swiftly if too soft or not anchored with plant life, thus impacting the watershed of the Elwha River. Fill may also be sourced from a location that would not match the soil profile of the lift path or may be contaminated. These risks can be avoided by installing permanent structures, which would fix the path of the T-­‐bar lift in the ski season while not interrupting natural hydrological processes

Epidemiology, Prognosis, and Evolution of Management of Septic Shock in a French Intensive Care Unit: A Five Years Survey

Purpose. To evaluate the epidemiology, prognosis, and management of septic shock patients hospitalized in our intensive care unit (ICU). Materiel and Methods. Five-year monocenter observational study including 320 patients. Results. ICU mortality was 54.4%. Independent mortality risk factors were mechanical ventilation (OR = 4.97), Simplify Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II > 60 (OR = 4.28), chronic alcoholism (OR = 3.38), age >65 years (OR = 2.65), prothrombin ratio <40% (OR = 2.37), and PaO2/FiO2 ratio <150 (OR = 1.91). These six mortality risk factors recovered allow screening immediately septic shock patients with a high mortality risk. Morbidity improved with time (diminution of septic shock complications, increase of the number of days alive free from mechanical ventilation and vasopressors on day 28), concomitant to an evolution of the management (earlier institution of all replacement and medical therapies and more initial volume expansion). There was no difference in mortality. Conclusion. Our study confirms a high mortality rate in septic shock patients despite a new approach of treatment

Potential Use of Antiviral Agents in Polio Eradication

These compounds may serve as starting points for the design of more potent poliovirus inhibitors

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms