Defeating David : looking beyond a matched strategy

This thesis builds upon existing contemporary theories that attempt to explain the outcomes of asymmetric conflict. Specifically, this thesis uses Ivan Arreguin-Toft's Strategic Interaction Theory as a baseline to identify theoretical gaps that can not only help further explain asymmetric conflict outcomes, but also provide insight into developing the proper strategy for strong actors. Arreguin-Toft contends that when the strong actor employs the correct strategy then it will win over 75 percent of conflicts against a materially weaker adversary. This leads to a fundamental question: if the strong actor uses the correct strategy against a weaker opponent, then why do strong actors still lose nearly 25 percent of the time? In an effort to identify other key variables that help explain non-conventional war outcomes, this thesis evaluates case studies where the strong actor both won and lost an asymmetric conflict after choosing the correct strategy. This study finds two other factors that are important to achieving victory in an asymmetric conflict. First, the strong actor must have a viable indigenous political authority to work by, with and through. This concept has little to do with political legitimacy. Instead, it focuses on the capacity of the host nation, with strong actor assistance, to synchronize its military and political effort to defeat the insurgency. Second, the strong actor must not only use restraint in applying direct military power, but it must also use the correct force: a cadre that is trained in conducting irregular warfare. As such, this thesis' conclusions are aligned with the belief that it is the host nation's war to win or lose-adhering to this principle provides the strong actor with the best chance of "defeating David" before losing its political will.http://archive.org/details/defeatingdavidlo1094510634US Air Force (USAF) author

L'épigraphie latine et le culte impérial au 1º siécle de l'Empire

Sin resume

Complementary use of TEM and APT for the investigation of steels nanostructured by severe plastic deformation

The properties of bulk nanostructured materials are often controlled by atomic scale features like segregation along defects or composition gradients. Here we discuss about the complimentary use of TEM and APT to obtain a full description of nanostructures. The advantages and limitations of both techniques are highlighted on the basis of experimental data collected in severely deformed steels with a special emphasis on carbon spatial distribution

Translation elongation can control translation initiation on eukaryotic mRNAs

Synonymous codons encode the same amino acid, but differ in other biophysical properties. The evolutionary selection of codons whose properties are optimal for a cell generates the phenomenon of codon bias. Although recent studies have shown strong effects of codon usage changes on protein expression levels and cellular physiology, no translational control mechanism is known that links codon usage to protein expression levels. Here, we demonstrate a novel translational control mechanism that responds to the speed of ribosome movement immediately after the start codon. High initiation rates are only possible if start codons are liberated sufficiently fast, thus accounting for the observation that fast codons are overrepresented in highly expressed proteins. In contrast, slow codons lead to slow liberation of the start codon by initiating ribosomes, thereby interfering with efficient translation initiation. Codon usage thus evolved as a means to optimise translation on individual mRNAs, as well as global optimisation of ribosome availability

Implementing Translanguaging Pedagogies to Promote Academic Success of English Learners in an Eighth Grade English Language Arts Classroom

Many mainstream educators in the United States are under the impression that immersing students in English is the best practice in helping students excel academically. Monoglossic ideologies, which only place prominence on one language in the classroom, can send English Learners (ELs) the message that their cultural and linguistic funds of knowledge are not accepted or valued in the school community. As educators, it must be our mission to create a safe space where learners feel tolerated and eager to share about their unique backgrounds and experiences. Translanguaging practices compete with the common misconception that only the target language should be tolerated in the classroom. Translanguaging is a complex, multi-directional meaning-making process where the borders between languages blend together, challenging Western, monoglossic perspectives (García & Sylvan, 2011). This capstone paper and project address the research question: What are effective translanguaging pedagogies that middle school ELA teachers can implement in the mainstream classroom to support the linguistic and academic growth of ELs? Included with the project are the literature review of research, translanguaging strategies for teachers to adapt to their classroom environments, and further recommendations and resources regarding best practices in encouraging and celebrating multilingualism in the classroom. While the curricular materials supplement an eighth grade ELA unit, the translanguaging pedagogies outlined in the project are highly adaptable to various grade levels and subject disciplines

Spreading the News About Peanuts: Implementing an Infant Allergy Risk Assessment

Peanut allergies are the leading cause of death from food anaphylaxis. In 2017, the National Association of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) issued a guideline for use by primary care providers to identify infants who would benefit from early peanut consumption. Many providers have not yet implemented these guidelines in clinical practice. The purpose of this project was to implement a practice change to improve assessment of risk factors for peanut allergies utilizing the NIAID guideline in infants at their six-month well-child examination at a pediatric primary care practice. Risk factors assessed included: a history of eczema and/or egg allergy categorized by eczema and egg allergy severity. Family history, seen as a moderate risk factor for food allergy, was also assessed. The risk assessment was implemented by creating a provider alert on six-month wellness forms and a field for documentation into the electronic health record. Providers were given education materials for families of infants who would benefit from safe, early peanut consumption. This project is important for clinical practice; infants begin consuming solid foods at or around six-months of age and this is a critical time to address risk for future allergies and educate families on benefits of early consumption of allergenic foods, such as peanuts. Primary Care providers in primary care play a pivotal role in addressing new practice change. This project provides a framework for provider identifications of at-risk infants to move toward prevention of lifelong peanut allergy

Development of a risk-oriented strategic sourcing (ROSS) framework for the construction and electronics manufacturing industries

Strategic sourcing has increased in importance in recent years, and now plays an important role in companies’ planning. The current volatility in supply markets means companies face multiple challenges involving lock-in situations, supplier bankruptcies or supply security issues. In addition, their exposure can increase due to natural disasters, as witnessed recently in the form of bird flu, volcanic ash and tsunamis. Therefore, the primary focus of this study is risk management in the context of strategic sourcing. The study presents a literature review on sourcing based on the 15 years from 1998–2012, and considers 131 academic articles. The literature describes strategic sourcing as a strategic, holistic process in managing supplier relationships, with a long-term focus on adding value to the company and realising competitive advantage. Few studies discovered the real risk impact and status of risk management in strategic sourcing, and evaluation across countries and industries was limited, with the construction sector particularly under-researched. This methodology is founded on a qualitative study of twenty cases across Ger-many and the United Kingdom from the construction sector and electronics manufacturing industries. While considering risk management in the context of strategic sourcing, the thesis takes into account six dimensions that cover trends in strategic sourcing, theoretical and practical sourcing models, risk management, supply and demand management, critical success factors and the strategic supplier evaluation. The study contributes in several ways. First, recent trends are traced and future needs identified across the research dimensions of countries, industries and companies. Second, it evaluates critical success factors in contemporary strategic sourcing. Third, it explores the application of theoretical and practical sourcing models in terms of effectiveness and sustainability. Fourth, based on the case study findings, a risk-oriented strategic sourcing framework and a model for strategic sourcing are developed. These are based on the validation of contemporary requirements and a critical evaluation of the existing situation. It contemplates the empirical findings and leads to a structured process to manage risk in strategic sourcing. The risk-oriented framework considers areas such as trends, corporate and sourcing strategy, critical success factors, strategic supplier selection criteria, risk assessment, reporting, strategy alignment and reporting. The proposed model highlights the essential dimensions in strategic sourcing and guides us to a new definition of strategic sourcing supported by this empirical study