Violent-extremism: An examination of a definitional dilemma

This article aims to demonstrate how radicalisation, violent-extremism and terrorism are terms often used interchangeably – terms that do not have the same meaning and are generally poorly defined. It will reveal, as with other terminologies pertaining to this area of interest, how violent-extremism has no universally accepted definition, and remains tainted with ambiguity. Arguably, the term is predominantly used as a social label in discussions on terrorism and other forms of extreme violence – particularly applied to those who have a distorted interpretation of religious ideology to justify the use of violence to achieve specific socio-political aimsTo provide a better understanding of violent-extremism, its root causes and its prevention, a proposal of an accurate depiction of its meaning and clarification on the context of its use are paramount. This article will provide a brief introduction to the terms radicalisation, violent-extremism and terrorism; and will present various ways they have been defined in existing academic literature and policy documents. It will further explain the delineation between the three terms; and propose a practical definition for the term violent-extremism to enhance our ability as a community to apply appropriate measures to prevent escalation of root-cause issues that potentially lead to violent action

Study of the Effects of Anisotropy in Self-Assembling Systems

There are many things in the world that are not spheres. As a result, isotropic interaction potentials can only serve as a crude approximation to complex molecules such as proteins. In order to better understand the often harmful self-assembly phenomena that proteins can undergo, study of how anisotropic features alter collective behavior is required. Beyond the biological, these lessons can also guide rational design of new materials in the area of colloidal science. This dissertation examines the role of specific anisotropic features in coarse-grained representations of three proteins that undergo self-assembly processes. The first, amelogenin, is the primary protein involved in the formation of dental enamel; chapter 2 will explore the effect of the charged hydrophilic tail on the phase diagram of this otherwise hydrophobic protein. In chapter 3, the role of hinge angle between binding sites will be assessed in a simplified model of human antibodies; this angle has dramatic effect on aggregate morphology. Lastly, in chapter 4, the nucleation and growth mechanisms of polyglutamine tracts of different lengths will be studied, relevant to the formation of a class of neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington\u27s Disease. This process shows a strong dependence on repeat length, and at shorter lengths, variation due to concentration

Considerations for the future development of virtual technology as a rehabilitation tool

BACKGROUND: Virtual environments (VE) are a powerful tool for various forms of rehabilitation. Coupling VE with high-speed networking [Tele-Immersion] that approaches speeds of 100 Gb/sec can greatly expand its influence in rehabilitation. Accordingly, these new networks will permit various peripherals attached to computers on this network to be connected and to act as fast as if connected to a local PC. This innovation may soon allow the development of previously unheard of networked rehabilitation systems. Rapid advances in this technology need to be coupled with an understanding of how human behavior is affected when immersed in the VE. METHODS: This paper will discuss various forms of VE that are currently available for rehabilitation. The characteristic of these new networks and examine how such networks might be used for extending the rehabilitation clinic to remote areas will be explained. In addition, we will present data from an immersive dynamic virtual environment united with motion of a posture platform to record biomechanical and physiological responses to combined visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs. A 6 degree-of-freedom force plate provides measurements of moments exerted on the base of support. Kinematic data from the head, trunk, and lower limb was collected using 3-D video motion analysis. RESULTS: Our data suggest that when there is a confluence of meaningful inputs, neither vision, vestibular, or proprioceptive inputs are suppressed in healthy adults; the postural response is modulated by all existing sensory signals in a non-additive fashion. Individual perception of the sensory structure appears to be a significant component of the response to these protocols and underlies much of the observed response variability. CONCLUSION: The ability to provide new technology for rehabilitation services is emerging as an important option for clinicians and patients. The use of data mining software would help analyze the incoming data to provide both the patient and the therapist with evaluation of the current treatment and modifications needed for future therapies. Quantification of individual perceptual styles in the VE will support development of individualized treatment programs. The virtual environment can be a valuable tool for therapeutic interventions that require adaptation to complex, multimodal environments

Thermoelectrochemistry for harvesting waste heat

Current devices to harvest heat have significant limitations, and typically consist of intricate mechanical systems, such as either a petrol engine or a steam turbine. Thermoelectrochemistry is a simple, scalable technique for the direct electrochemical conversion of thermal energy into useful electricity.1, 2 It is driven by the entropy change associated with a redox process, resulting in a temperature dependence of the electrode potential (the Seebeck effect).1 The greater this dependence (the larger the Seebeck effect) the more efficient the power generation through this method.3 If there is a temperature difference between two identical electrodes, this difference can be converted into electricity using electrochemistry; such systems are ideal for harvesting low-grade heat that would otherwise go to waste.2 Ionic liquids have solvent properties appropriate for thermoelectrochemical systems such as wide liquid temperature ranges, low vapour pressure, low flamability and favourable interactions with charged, redox active species which can lead to a large entropy change.2 Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

From Insight to Action: New Directions in Foundation Evaluation

The field of philanthropy is undergoing a fundamental transition toward more performance-centered and forward-looking evaluation approaches that provide foundations and their grantees with timely information and actionable insights. Our report highlights emerging evaluation practices and identifies major trends in the field related to increasing effectiveness for both foundations and grantees. Based on nearly 100 interviews with foundation leaders and evaluators, this report represents the first step in a multi-year action initiative to develop pragmatic evaluation approaches that enable foundations, large or small, to achieve greater social impact

Evaluation of Multiple Corrosion Protection Systems for Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks

Chloride-induced corrosion is one of the leading causes of premature serviceability failure in reinforced concrete bridge decks. In an effort to mitigate the effect of corrosion on the longevity of concrete bridge decks, several corrosion protection systems have been developed. The current study evaluates the effectiveness of multiple corrosion protection strategies when used in conjunction with epoxy-coated reinforcement (ECR). The epoxy coating in all test bars is penetrated with either four or ten 3-mm (1/8-in.) diameter holes. The systems evaluated include three corrosion inhibitors (DCI-S, Rheocrete 222+, and Hycrete DSS) in concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.45 and 0.35, an ECR containing a primer of microencapsulated calcium nitrite between the epoxy and the steel in concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.45 and 0.35, three types of increased adhesion ECR (ECR pretreated with chromate prior to the application of the epoxy coating, and ECR with increased adhesion epoxies developed by DuPont and Valspar) evaluated in concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.45, as well as in concrete containing DCI-S corrosion inhibitor, and multiple-coated reinforcement that contains a zinc layer between the steel and the DuPont 8-2739 epoxy coating in concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.45. Conventional steel and epoxy-coated reinforcement serve as control specimens; the performance of the epoxy-coated reinforcement is compared to the performance of the conventional steel reinforcement. Each corrosion protection system is evaluated using the Southern Exposure and cracked beam tests. Macrocell and microcell corrosion losses, mat-to-mat resistances, top and bottom mat corrosion potentials, and critical chloride concentrations are measured during the test. Upon completion of the study, each specimen is autopsied and any disbondment of the epoxy coating from the steel is measured. Of the systems evaluated in this study, conventional steel exhibits the greatest amount of corrosion. ECR, whether in uncracked or cracked concrete, exhibits low corrosion losses; well below the magnitude required to cause corrosion-induced surface deterioration. A lower w/c ratio provides additional protection in uncracked concrete, but affords little to no protection in cracked concrete. Corrosion inhibitors, while effective in uncracked concrete, afford no additional protection against corrosion in cracked concrete. All three improved adhesion ECR systems exhibit corrosion performance that is similar to conventional ECR. Multiple-coated reinforcement exhibits greater corrosion losses than conventional ECR, but the corrosion losses are below the magnitude of corrosion loss required to cause corrosion-induced surface deterioration. The effective critical chloride threshold for epoxy-coated reinforcement is several times higher than that of conventional reinforcement. A relationship exists between microcell and macrocell corrosion loss, and between both microcell and macrocell corrosion loss and the disbonded area of epoxy observed on the bar. The cathodic disbondment test (ASTM A775) does not appear to be a reliable indicator of corrosion disbondment performance of in-service epoxy-coated reinforcement

A comparison of the vulcanisation of Polyisoprene by a range of Thiuram Diulfides

This study was initiated in an attempt to investigate dithiocarbamic acid accelerated sulfur vulcanisation. This was, however, found impossible due to the innate instability of dithiocarbamic acids. The focus of the study was then shifted toward thiuram disulfide accelerated sulfur vulcanisation, with emphasis being placed on a rate comparison. Three groups of accelerators were investigated, namely the aromatic, linear aliphatic and cyclic aliphatic thiuram disulfide adducts. The analysis methods that were employed were conventional rubber (cis-1,4-polyisoprene) techniques coupled to model (squalene) compound investigations. The data that was collected consisted of rheometrical torque vs. time data in the rubber system while the data obtained in the model compound study consisted of sulfur and accelerator concentration data as determined by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The aromatic accelerators were synthesised in our labs by means of an addition reaction between the aromatic amine and CS2 in basic medium and subsequent oxidation with K3Fe(CN)6, all in a 1:1 molar ratio. The reaction yield was low due to the instability of the dithiocarbamate intermediates and a sluggish oxidation reaction. In the rate constant determination a first order mathematical approach was used for the rubber system as crosslinking is considered to roughly obey first order kinetics. The model compound data was also found to more accurately fit the first order rate law, with an initial slopes method also being applied to the system to determine secondary rate constants and relative rates for the system. The determination of vulcanisation rate constants in the cis-1,4-polyisoprene system was a success, while the rate data determined by means of the squalene model was more related to the rate of accelerator and sulfur consumption as opposed to the rate of crosslinking as is the case with the rubber rate data. The sulfur first order rate data mirrored the rate data derived from the rubber system more closely than the corresponding accelerator rate data, the relative rate data determined by means of initial slopes method, proved that the homolytic cleavage of thiuram disulfides and the subsequent formation of accelerator polysulfides were not limiting steps. This is seen in the similar relative rate data derived from both the raw sulfur and accelerator data in systems that exhibit vastly different vulcanisation rates. Squalene was deemed a suitable model for the cis-1,4-polyisoprene system, although one should consider the extent of charring and solution effects in the individual systems to account for possible incongruities that may be observed between the rubber and simulated system. The lack of agreement between the rubber and model compound rate constant data lies in the fact that the rate of crosslinking is not simplistically related to the rate at which accelerator and sulfur is consumed, this being especially true for the rate at which the accelerator is consumed. Thus the discussion over the acceleratory rates in the various accelerator systems was limited to observations made in the rubber system, with the model compound data was used exclusively to elucidate mechanistic processes. It was discovered that the groups of accelerators examined, namely linear, cyclic and aromatic thiuram disulfide adducts, produced vastly varied rate data. The aromatic thiuram disulfide adducts had only a slight acceleratory effect on the rate of vulcanisation as compared to the unaccelerated sulfur system. The morpholine adduct had a moderately larger rate of acceleration followed by tetramethyl and tetrethylthiuram disulfide, with N’N-dicyclopentamethylenethiuram disulfide having the fastest rate of acceleration

A 360 degree approach to resolving uncertainty and prioritising delivery of coastal adaptation, resilience and environmental protection for the future economic growth of Jersey, Channel Isles

The island of Jersey has a rich history influenced by natural and man-made change; particularly the fortifications constructed as defensive structures during periods of conflict, from the Napoleonic period through to 1940’s. Over the next century Jersey faces a growing challenge from the predicted impacts of climate change via rising sea levels combined with increasingly intense rainfall which will result in an increase to the extents of coastal and pluvial flooding. Jersey needs to be prepared and resilient; to support a digital Island that attracts international business, providing a secure and safe location. Jersey’s shoreline policies balance the Island’s environmental legislation and economic policies, but a priority for the Government is flood avoidance, mitigation and development opportunities through planning policy and asset adaptation in a way that supports the Island’s prosperity. This includes consideration of advancing the ‘defence’ line. A 360 degree approach is taken to deliver an island wide coastal resilience plan, which includes pluvial flooding as well as coastal flooding – the outcome will be the Jersey Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). This paper presents the first ever emerging coastal flood and erosion mapping for the whole island under the jurisdiction of the Government of Jersey. The mapping is supported by shoreline planning and policy over the next 20, 50 and 100 years, which augments the plan for integrated coastal management based on the Government’s environmental, community and economic objectives for the island

Evaluation of Multiple Corrosion Protection Systems for Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks

Chloride-induced corrosion is one of the leading causes of premature serviceability failure in reinforced concrete bridge decks. In an effort to mitigate the effect of corrosion on the longevity of concrete bridge decks, several corrosion protection systems have been developed. The current study evaluates the effectiveness of multiple corrosion protection strategies when used in conjunction with epoxycoated reinforcement (ECR). The epoxy coating in all test bars is penetrated with either four or ten 3-mm (1/8-in.) diameter holes. The systems evaluated include three corrosion inhibitors (DCI-S, Rheocrete 222+, and Hycrete DSS) in concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.45 and 0.35, an ECR containing a primer of microencapsulated calcium nitrite between the epoxy and the steel in concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.45 and 0.35, three types of increased adhesion ECR (ECR pretreated with chromate prior to the application of the epoxy coating, and ECR with increased adhesion epoxies developed by DuPont and Valspar) evaluated in concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.45, as well as in concrete containing DCI-S corrosion inhibitor, and multiple-coated reinforcement that contains a zinc layer between the steel and the DuPont 8-2739 epoxy coating in concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.45. Conventional steel and epoxy-coated reinforcement serve as control specimens; the performance of the epoxy-coated reinforcement is compared to the performance of the conventional steel reinforcement. Each corrosion protection system is evaluated using the Southern Exposure and cracked beam tests. Macrocell and microcell corrosion losses, mat-to-mat resistances, top and bottom mat corrosion potentials, and critical chloride concentrations are measured during the test. Upon completion of the study, each specimen is autopsied and any disbondment of the epoxy coating from the steel is measured. Of the systems evaluated in this study, conventional steel exhibits the greatest amount of corrosion. ECR, whether in uncracked or cracked concrete, exhibits low corrosion losses; well below the magnitude required to cause corrosion-induced surface deterioration. A lower w/c ratio provides additional protection in uncracked concrete, but affords little to no protection in cracked concrete. Corrosion inhibitors, while effective in uncracked concrete, afford no additional protection against corrosion in cracked concrete. All three improved adhesion ECR systems exhibit corrosion performance that is similar to conventional ECR. Multiple-coated reinforcement exhibits greater corrosion losses than conventional ECR, but the corrosion losses are below the magnitude of corrosion loss required to cause corrosion-induced surface deterioration. The effective critical chloride threshold for epoxy-coated reinforcement is several times higher than that of conventional reinforcement. A relationship exists between microcell and macrocell corrosion loss, and between both microcell and macrocell corrosion loss and the disbonded area of epoxy observed on the bar. The cathodic disbondment test (ASTM A775) does not appear to be a reliable indicator of corrosion disbondment performance of in-service epoxycoated reinforcement

Outcomes in Patients Treated with Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Primary Brain Cancer and Brain Metastases

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is an emerging modality to treat benign and malignant brain lesions. LITT is a minimally invasive method to ablate tissue using laser‐induced tissue heating and serves as both a diagnostic and therapeutic modality for progressive brain lesions. We completed a single‐center retrospective analysis of all patients with progressive brain lesions treated with LITT since its introduction at our center in August of 2015. Twelve patients have been treated for a total of 13 procedures, of which 10 patients had brain metastases and 2 patients had primary malignant gliomas. Biopsies were obtained immediately prior to laser‐induced tissue heating in 10 procedures (76.9%), of which seven biopsies showed treatment‐related changes without viable tumor. After laser ablation, two of three patients previously on steroids were successfully weaned on first attempt. The results of this analysis indicate that LITT is a well‐tolerated procedure enabling some patients to discontinue steroids that may be effective for diagnosing and treating radiation necrosis and tumor progression.激光间质热疗 (LITT) 是一种治疗良性和恶性脑病灶的新型方法。LITT是一种利用激光诱导组织加热来烧蚀组织的微创方法，可作为侵袭性脑病灶的诊断和治疗方法。我们针对自 2015 年 8 月在我们中心引入LITT以来所有接受此项治疗的侵袭性脑病灶患者完成了一项单中心回顾性研究。12 名患者共计接受 13 次手术，其中，10 名患者患有脑转移，2 名患者患有原发性恶性胶质瘤。10 例 (76.9%) 在激光诱导组织加热前即刻行活检，其中 7 例活检显示与治疗相关的改变，无存活肿瘤。在激光烧蚀后，先前使用类固醇治疗的 3 名患者中的 2 名患者第一次成功地停用类固醇。此项分析结果表明，LITT是一种具有良好耐受性的手术，可以让一部分患者停用用于诊断和治疗放射性坏死和肿瘤进展的类固醇。Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a novel therapy for addressing radiation necrosis and local tumor progression. This article focuses on a possible noninvasive approache for assessing patients to establish an accurate diagnosis and guide optimal management.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152517/1/onco13074.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152517/2/onco13074_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152517/3/onco13074-sup-0001-Figure01.pd