Small near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) (< 20 m) are interesting, because they are progenitors for meteorites in our terrestrial collection. The physical characteristics of these small NEAs are crucial to our understanding of the effectiveness of our atmosphere in filtering low-strength impactors. In the past, the characterization of small NEAs has been a challenge, because of the difficulty in detecting them prior to close Earth flyby. In this study, we physically characterized the 2 m diameter NEA 2015 TC25 using ground-based optical, near-infrared and radar assets during a close flyby of the Earth (distance 128,000 km) in 2015 October 12. Our observations suggest that its surface composition is similar to aubrites, a rare class of high-albedo differentiated meteorites. Aubrites make up only 0.14% of all known meteorites in our terrestrial meteorite collection. 2015 TC25 is also a very fast rotator with a period of 133 +/- 6 s. We combined the spectral and dynamical properties of 2015 TC25 and found the best candidate source body in the inner main belt to be the 70 km diameter E-type asteroid (44) Nysa. We attribute the difference in spectral slope between the two objects to the lack of regolith on the surface of 2015 TC25. Using the albedo of E-type asteroids (50%-60%) we refine the diameter of 2015 TC25 to 2 m, making it one of the smallest NEAs ever to be characterized.

We derived 90% confidence limits (CLs) on the interstellar number density (rho(CL)(IS)) of interstellar objects (ISOs; comets and asteroids) as a function of the slope of their size-frequency distribution (SFD) and limiting absolute magnitude. To account for gravitational focusing, we first generated a quasi-realistic ISO population to similar to 750 au from the Sun and propagated it forward in time to generate a steady state population of ISOs with heliocentric distance <50 au. We then simulated the detection of the synthetic ISOs using pointing data for each image and average detection efficiencies for each of three contemporary solar system surveys-Pan-STARRS1, the Mt. Lemmon Survey, and the Catalina Sky Survey. These simulations allowed us to determine the surveys' combined ISO detection efficiency under several different but realistic modes of identifying ISOs in the survey data. Some of the synthetic detected ISOs had eccentricities as small as 1.01, which is in the range of the largest eccentricities of several known comets. Our best CL of rho(CL)(SI) = 1.4 x 10(-4) au(-3) implies that the expectation that extra-solar systems form like our solar system, eject planetesimals in the same way, and then distribute them throughout the Galaxy, is too simplistic, or that the SFD or behavior of ISOs as they pass through our solar system is far from expectation.

The use of natural remediation methods to remove contaminants from waste water is becoming more popular. Plants have been used for several decades, yet their use for municipal waste water contaminated by heavy metals is limited to a few studies which focus on the Mercury and Chromium (Bennicelli, et.al, 2004). This study specifically attempted to determine the viability for using Lemna minor to remediate municipally generated wastewater contaminated with copper. The study used 100 ml samples of wastewater, artificially spiked with 8 mg/L of copper sulfate and seeded with approximately 100 Lemna minor fronds. Each treatment was repeated 15 times and distilled water was added daily to maintain 100 ml samples. The addition of Lemna minor statistically lowered the copper concentration of the treatment groups (55% reduction in total Cu concentration). No significant decrease was seen in the control groups. While Lemna minor has metals accumulation potential, its wide spread use is limited by the toxic effect of copper on Lemna minor at relatively low levels.

Resümee Das Ziel dieser Diplomarbeit ist eine komplexe Zusammenfassung und Analyse des Begriffs Kindesunterhalt für Minderjährige nach der Neukodifizierung des Privatrechts in der Tschechischen Republik und Wiedereingliederung ins Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch, zusammen mit der Einführung des Begriffs Kindesunterhalt in den historischen Kontext und mit der Bewertung der Einflüsse der vorherigen Regelungen. Diese Diplomarbeit wird sich außer der Vorstellung dieses Begriffs in der tschechischen Rechtsregelung auch mit den Rechtsregelungen der Slowakischen Republik, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und der Republik Österreich beschäftigen. Das erste Kapitel wird der Rechtsregelung der Tschechischen Republik gewidmet. Nach der allgemeinen Abgrenzung des Unterhalts und seiner historischen Entwicklung folgt die Regelung der Unterhaltspflicht und des Kindesunterhalts für Minderjährige. Ich habe mein Augenmerk auf die Subjekte der Unterhaltspflicht, also auf den Unterhaltsberechtigten, der außerstande ist, sich selbst zu unterhalten, und auf den Unterhaltsverpflichteten gerichtet, wo sich um die Eltern oder unter bestimmten Bedingungen um andere Personen handelt, z.b. Großeltern. Dann habe ich mich mit den einzelnen Bedingungen beschäftigt, die für die Entstehung der gesetzlichen Unterhaltspflicht, ihr Erlöschen und oder...

This thesis is focused on legal capacity of minors. The main issue is an extent and circumstances under which minors are legally incapacitated to oblige themselves and to influence their own legal relationships. The thesis is divided into four main parts. The first part is focused on general definition of legal capacity and the basic concepts of dealing with limited legal capacity. Second part is dealing with evolution of legal capacity from the foundations set by roman law, it's development on Czech territory to the approval of recent civil code and development in Germany. Third part contains an interpretation of German legislation. I pursue the German legislation first because it is very sophisticated and provides us with plenty of vantage points on different aspects of the Czech legislation. The part dedicated to the German legislation subdivided into two chapters, where the first one focuses on general characteristics of the legislation and the principle of graduated legal capacity of minors and the second part deals with minors without legal capacity and minors with limited legal capacity. In the fourth part the Czech legislation is analyzed. First I focus on consideration of minors' capability to act independently with legal effects, then on evaluation of nature of legal acts, representation...

Thesis advisor: Larry W. McLaughlin / Nucleic acids are fundamental biomolecules responsible for all activities of a living cell. DNA serves as an instruction manual to the cell, containing blueprints and directions for all cellular processes, while RNA serves to carry out the messages held within DNA. Research into the structure, stability, and function of nucleic acids has revealed much about the origin and evolution of life. The ultimate goal of this work is to understand how molecules bind and associate within the minor groove of double stranded, helical DNA. A series of 2'-deoxyadenosine analogues are modified at the three position by replacing the N3-nitrogen with carbon. Substitution at this position is designed to emulate the effects of removing hydrogen bond acceptors, introducing steric bulk, and tethering functional groups of interest into the minor groove. These functional groups mimic small molecules that have been shown to bind within the minor groove of A-T rich sequences as well as serve as a platform for further substitution by fluorescent tags. The synthetic effort needed to obtain purine nucleosides containing each of these modifications was non-trivial. New methodologies unveiled directing and protecting strategies towards the desired isomer of these modified nucleosides in higher yields than those previously deemed acceptable. Application of these modified nucleosides into duplex DNA reveals thermodynamic parameters for how small molecules bind to the minor groove and the effects of introducing biomarkers into an unprecedented region of DNA. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: David S. Vanderhooft / The book of Haggai emerged from a dispute in the early Persian period over the propriety and feasibility of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem in 520 BCE. As a record of that dispute, the book is a rhetorical artifact that displays a variety of strategies designed to persuade the Yehudite community that Yhwh wanted his house rebuilt. Theological and socioeconomic objections and obstacles to reconstruction had to be overcome before the Yehudites would accept Haggai’s call to rebuild. This dissertation argues that although some of the Yehudite community accepted Haggai’s claim that Yhwh wanted his temple built, others remained unpersuaded, fearing that the adverse agricultural and economic conditions, as well as the lack of a royal builder, were signs that Yhwh was not ready to begin the period of restoration. The oracles and narrative portions of the book are intended to counter these fears by arguing that Yhwh will provide for the adornment of the temple, bring prosperity to Yehud once the temple is built, and has already designated the Davidide Zerubbabel as the chosen royal builder. Haggai further strengthened commitment to reconstruction by vilifying those Yehudites who failed to support the temple as unclean and non-Israelite. Rhetorical analysis illumines not only particular features of the text but also indicates what theological and socioeconomic sources of opposition to temple reconstruction were most important in this period. This sheds further light on the socioeconomic conditions of early Persian period Yehud. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2016. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Theology.

A presente pesquisa investigou sobre e emergência do menor no período de 1889-1927. Utilizou-se como métodos de pesquisa a revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema e a pesquisa de fontes primárias. As ideias de Foucault sobre sociedade disciplinar, poder, saber governamentalidade, arqueologia e genealogia permitiram a análise dos autos encontrados sobre o menor evidenciando-se relações de poder e o processo de sujeição do menor pelo trabalho e pela educação. Constatamos, assim, como já apontado por autores estudiosos do tema que o trabalho e a educação constituíram-se elementos centrais nas políticas públicas dirigidas para o menor desde o período estudado até os dias de hoje / This research investigated and on the child emergency in the period 1889-1927. Was used as the research methods literature review on the subject and the research of primary sources. Foucault\'s ideas about society disciplinary power, governmentality know, archeology and genealogy allowed the analysis of the case found on the child evidencing power relations and the process of placing the child for the work and education. We have thus found, as pointed out by authors writing on this topic that work and education constituted the central elements in public policies directed to the child since the study period until the present day

Introduction (Context): The purpose of this study was to measure and correlate pectoralis minor length (PML) and acromiohumeral distance (AHD) in male and female collegiate swimmers, overhead athletes, and a control group. Methods: Participants underwent assessment of pain related to impingement syndrome with special tests (painful arc, external rotation resistance, empty can, and Neer's impingement test), as well as range of motion, measurement of PML, and measurement of subacromial space via ultrasound. Design: Cross-sectional, correlational study. Setting: University modalities laboratory. Participants: 60 healthy subjects (20 swimmers, 20 overhead athletes, 20 controls, age = 21.5 ± 2.4 years; height = 178.7 ± 10.2 cm; weight = 76.9 ± 13.4 kg; BMI = 24 ± 3.4) with 20 subjects in each of the 3 experimental groups: swimmers, overhead athletes, and control. Results: Height-normalized PML for both the dominant and nondominant arms was positively and weakly correlated with AHD at 0° (r = .361; p = .002; (r = .277; p = .016) respectively. Differences were shown between groups in AHD at 0° but no differences were shown in PML. Conclusions: There was a weak positive relationship between height-normalized PML and AHD at 0° both in dominant and nondominant shoulders. Swimmers and overhead athletes were observed to have more AHD than controls.

This qualitative study sought to explore the personal experiences of those who have been victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST), the challenges they faced as they transitioned into survivors, and the factors they attributed to their resiliency. DMST victims are among the marginalized populations enduring social injustices within our communities. Social workers seek to serve these individuals, and yet they are just one part of the system of helping professionals that will encounter these victims. The interactions that DMST victims have with each entity of the system makes a difference in the recovery process as they become a survivor. Much of the research that had previously been conducted focused on the therapist’s perspective of DMST as experienced through their own therapeutic relationships with the victims. In contrast, the primary goal of this research was to focus on the perspective of those who had been victims of DMST so those in the helping professions can more effectively help these individuals. In order to achieve such goals it is essential to build a foundation of knowledge. This involves providing educational aspects to understand the scope of the problem and the dynamics of the trafficking relationship. In the case of this research, the victims themselves provide the knowledge that was gained through their participation. In addition, the research participants were able to express their perspective of both effective and ineffective aspects of their recovery, as well as what modifications could be made to improve the experiences of those who have been DMST victims in the process of becoming a survivor. Despite the differences in the experiences of the participants, this research revealed major themes in terms of dysfunctional family dynamics in childhood, a lack of recognition of the signs of trafficking, a lack of appropriate recovery services, and provided insight into helpful strategies that could be implemented to improve the process as these individuals transition from victim to survivor. The personal experiences within the specific themes and categories provide beneficial knowledge for those involved in the helping professions as they encounter victims of DMST.