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Article published in the journal Tropical Lepidoptera Research.

Article published in the journal Tropical Lepidoptera Research

Alkaline wastes have been the focus of many studies as they act as CO2 sinks and have the potential to offset emissions from mining and steelmaking industries. Passive carbonation of alkaline wastes mimics natural silicate weathering and provides a promising alternative pathway for CO2 capture and storage as carbonates, requiring marginal human intervention when compared to ex-situ carbonation. This review summarizes the extant research that has investigated the passive carbonation of alkaline wastes, namely ironmaking and steelmaking slag, mine tailings and demolition wastes, over the past two decades. Here we report different factors that affect passive carbonation to address challenges that this process faces and to identify possible solutions. We identify avenues for future research such as investigating how passive carbonation affects the surrounding environment through interaction with the biosphere and the hydrosphere. Future research should also consider economic analyses to provide investors with an in-depth understanding of passive carbonation techniques. Based on the reviewed materials, we conclude that passive carbonation can be an important contributor to climate change mitigation strategies, and its potential can be intensified by applying simple waste management practices.

Experience with a wide range of industrial power generation gas turbines has shown that compressor blade or vane rubbing is relatively common and heavy contact between the blade and casing has, in the worst cases, led to failure of the blade through release of part or the whole of the aerofoil. This has meant carrying risk of high costs from repair and lost income over which operators have no ability to assess and manage other than by following manufacturer’s standard instructions. The research aim was to investigate the mechanism of compressor blade damage generated by tip rub contacts that would lead to a better understanding of the components involved in this complex mechanism. To achieve this aim, a complete test facility was designed, analysed, manufactured, assembled, developed and commissioned. The test facility delivered on the key requirements to measure strain and temperature close to the blade tip, measure casing tip loads and generate material samples during controlled rub depth experiments. It was highly reliable, safe and simple to operate with the only limitations being testing at 80% of design speed and a 2% speed drop during the test. This test facility contains the only high-speed test rig, designed specifically for the investigation of blade to casing rubbing in gas turbine compressors, in the UK. It is one of only three industrial scale, blade rub test rigs in the world. From material examination, it was discovered that a very thin, modified microstructural layer was produced at the heaviest rub contact point and hardness data showed this layer could be up to double that of the base material. This was likely due to re-transformation of the microstructure, cold/hot work and the removal/deposition of material across the tip. Tip rubs also produced a finely grooved tip surface. Assessing the new test data and material examinations have shown that there are seven damage components: dynamic strain (impulse), dynamic strain (resonance), mean strain (thermal), plastic tip deformation, hardened (modified) surface layer, distributed areas of higher hardness and tip surface grooves (stress concentration). Four of the damage components: dynamic (impulse) strain, dynamic (resonance) strain, tip plastic deformation, and to a lesser extent mean strain had a linear correlation with rub depth. The fifth damage mechanism, amount of higher hardness areas in the blade tip, increased with rub depth. As for the remaining two damage components, there was no correlation of either the depth of the modified surface layer or the depth of the tip surface grooves with rub depth. There was however an increased distribution of higher hardness throughout the blade tip with an increased number of rubs. The finding of the relationships between the damage mechanisms and rub depth are considered novel as previously only tip load had been correlated (and plotted) with rub depth. Additionally, the measurements of plastic tip deformation, microstructural blade tip examination and the use of microhardness arrays have not been employed before in an investigation of blade-casing rub test experiment utilising gas turbine compressor blading. In a rub where the resonance did not become unstable, the dominant components would initially be the impulse (dynamic) and thermal (static) components. It was considered credible that lower range, high cycle fatigue crack initiation might occur based upon impulse and thermal stresses acting in combination with local plastic deformation and hardened, modified surface layers. Testing has demonstrated that the visible tip deformation increased directly with rub depth that in turn corresponded to increased impulse peak strain, thermal strain, resonance strain and distribution of high hardness layers. Thus, tip deformation extent is directly related to damage potential and risk and this could be measured and assessed during regular borescope inspections with phase measurement. Additionally, damage remediation could be improved by removal of the tip surface height to the equivalent length of the tip deformation. Typically, removal of 0.6-0.7mm (in these tests), would eliminate all the hardened surface and sub-surface material and reduce future risk from tip rubbing.

Catasticta sibyllae Nakahara, Padr��n & MacDonald, new species (Figs 2���6) Diagnosis. Catasticta sibyllae n. sp. is easily distinguished from all Catasticta species by the median area of both surfaces of forewing and hindwing being entirely black with no markings. Catasticta sibyllae n. sp. is readily distinguished from its sister species, C. lisa, by the lack of broad white median band on both sides of dorsal forewing and hindwing. Catasticta sibyllae n. sp. is further distinguished from C. lisa by its rather prominent submarginal and marginal spots on both sides of dorsal forewing and hindwing. Also, these spots on the ventral surface appear more whitish in C. sibyllae n. sp., whereas more yellowish in C. lisa. The genitalia appear not to be informative in this group, thus diagnostic genitalic characters are not provided here. Description. MALE: Forewing length, holotype: 30 mm; paratype: 33 mm. Head (Figs 5a, b): Eyes naked, with white scales at base; frons covered with brown scales, adorned with black long hair-like scales and white long hair-like scales, area around antennae base similarly with black long hair-like scales and white long hair-like scales; labial palpi roughly twice as long as eye depth, ventrally with white long hair-like scales and brown long hair-like scales, laterally with black scales with ventral and dorsal margin with white scales; antennae approximately half of forewing length, brown, ventrally scattered with white scales, with ca. 35 anntenomeres (n=1, HT), distal 9���10 anntenomeres composing rather prominent club. Thorax: Dorsally brown with light coloured long hair-like scales; ventrally brown with light coloured long hair-like scales and brown scales. Legs: Foreleg black, foretarsus longer than tibia, foretarsus and tibia scattered with whitish scales ventrally, in addition to multiple spines, dorsally stripe of white scales present, tibial spurs absent, femur slightly longer then tibia, ventrally brown, dorsally stripe of white scales present; midleg and hindleg not examined. Wing venation (Fig. 4): Base of forewing subcostal vein not swollen; four forewing radius veins present; origin of M 1 not associated with discal cell; base of cubitus not swollen; forewing recurrent vein absent; middle portion of m 2 -m 3 portion reduced; hindwing humeral vein developed. Wing shape (Figs 2, 4): Forewing subtriangular, appearing somewhat elongated with costal margin convex in angular manner and concave outer margin, inner margin rather straight; hindwing rounded, appearing slightly elongated, costal margin curved, angles inwards at base, outer margin curved, inner margin slightly concave near tornus, anal lobe almost straight, slightly round. Wing pattern (Fig. 2): Dorsal Forewing: ground colour black; white submarginal spots slightly suffused with black scales, present in all cells from R 2 +R 3 to 2A, spot in cell R 2 +R 3 -R 4 elongated, appearing more as costal streak, spot in cell R 4 -R 5 small, similar in appearance, spots in cells from R 4 to Cu 2 subsquared, except for streak-like spot in cell M 2 -M 3, spot in cell Cu 2 -2A appearing somewhat doubled; marginal spots slightly suffused with black scales present in all cells from R 4 to 2A, those in cells from R 4 to Cu 1 teardrop-like with black suffusion visible on basal side, spot in cell Cu 1 -Cu 2 squared, spot in cell Cu 2 -2A smallest, distance between submarginal spots in corresponding cells closer towards posterior end as outer margin traverses towards body; fringe blackish; Dorsal hindwing: ground colour similar to forewing; white submarginal spots slightly suffused with black scales, present in all cells from Sc+R to 2A, spots in cells Cu 1 -Cu 2 and Cu 2 -2A smaller, in particular, spot in cell Cu 2 -2A appearing as white hint; marginal spots present in all cells from Sc-R 1 to 2A, spot in Sc+R 1 -Rs elongated and streak-like, spots in cells Rs-M 1, M 1 -M 2 and M 2 -M 3 rather trapezoidal, spots in cells M 3 -Cu 1, Cu 1 -Cu 2 and Cu 2 -2A rather rectangular; fringe black; Ventral forewing: ground colour and general wing pattern similar to dorsal forewing except as follows: ground colour slightly paler; marginal whitish spots appearing larger; submarginal whitish spots appearing larger and more pointier towards base, submarginal spot in cell Cu 2 -2A appearing as two spots; Ventral hindwing: ground colour and general wing pattern similar to dorsal hindwing except as follows: ground colour slightly paler; yellow costal streak at base of costal cell, just distal of humeral vein; reddish patch just basal of humeral vein above subcostal vein; yellow patch at base of discal cell; reddish patch at base of anal cell; submarginal spots smaller and slightly yellow; marginal spots somewhat creamy, additional spot present in cell 2A- 3A. Abdomen (Fig. 5c): Dorsally and laterally black, ventrally with brown scales, white scales and white long hair-like scales, extending along ventral margin of valva; eighth sternite appearing as small plate. Genitalia (Fig. 3): Tegumen somewhat trapezoidal in lateral view; uncus shorter than tegumen in lateral view with convexed ventral margin, ending in a blunt point, with tuft of hair-like setae visible at base; ventral surface of anal tube weakly sclerotized (this structure is referred to as ���gnathos��� in Radford & Willmott (2013)); combination of ventral arms of tegumen and dorsal arms of saccus rather straight, middle portion broadens in lateral view; appendices angulares apparently absent; saccus short, broad and straight, similar to uncus in length; juxta appearing as tall plate in posterior view, narrow long stripe in lateral view; valva round, overall appearing somewhat as bean-shaped in lateral view, anterior margin rounded and positioned above uncus, ventral margin curved with hair-like setae present along margin, dorsal margin basal of costa concave, costa pointy, terminating in blunt end; phallus curved, phallobase about one-fourth of phallus in length with trapezoidal winglet ventrally, ductus ejaculatorius visible, manica covering more than half of aedeagus, vesica not examined as phallus not separated. FEMALE: Unknown or unrecognized. Types. Holotype: Male with following labels written verbatim: PANAM��: Veraguas Prov. Santa Fe 800m 13- IX-1981 Gordon B. Small // Genitalic vial SN-17-177 S. Nakahara // USNM ENT 00804432 //FOTO// (USNM). Paratype: Male with following labels written verbatim: PANAMA: Bocas del Toro; vic. Fortuna Cabins; ca. 910m N 08�� 46' 40.86" W 082�� 11' 2502" May 17, 2018 John R. MacDonald // DNA voucher LEP-68704// (MEM). Etymology. The specific epithet is in recognition of Maria Sibylla Merian, a European naturalist and entomologist who embarked on a voyage to South America in the late seventeenth century and conducted empirical research focused on butterflies. Her research, in the form of numerous paintings of insects, served as a foundation for the scientific study of insects, now known as ���entomology���. This specific epithet is regarded as a latinized feminine noun in the genitive case. Distribution and habitat (Fig. 6). This species is known to date from two sites situated in western Panama, namely Bosque Reserva Palo Seco, Bocas del Toro (08��46' 40.86" N 0 82��11' 25.02" W) and Santa F��, Veraguas (precise coordinates unavailable, but the town of Santa Fe lies at 08�� 29' 59.99" N 81�� 03' 60.00" W). Both sites are somewhat on the border of two vegetation types, sub-montane rainforest and montane rainforest, near the continental divide (Blandin, 2017). Biology. JM observed the paratype male nectaring on flowers of Sommera donnell-smithii (Rubiaceae) at about 5���6 m off the ground. Lekking behavior, often seen in this genus, was not observed with this individual. The approximate time of collection was 11:00 am. Other butterflies nectaring or perching on this tree were Glutophrissa drusilla (Cramer, [1777]) (Pieridae), Enantia albania (Bates, 1864) (Pieridae), Panthiades ochus (Godman & Salvin, 1887) (Lycaenidae), Cupathecla cupentus (Stoll, 1781) (Lycaenidae), Necyria duellona beltiana Hewitson, 1870 (Riodinidae), Adelpha leucophthalma leucophthalma (Latreille, [1809]) (Nymphalidae), Marpesia merops (Doy��re, [1840]) (Nymphalidae). Other species observed in the vicinity included: Catasticta sisamnus smalli Eitschberger & Racheli, 1998 (Pieridae), Archonias brassolis approximata (Butler, 1873) (Pieridae), Thestius epopea (Hewitson, 1870) (Lycaenidae), Morpho helenor veragua LeMoult & R��al, 1962 (Nymphalidae), and Oressinoma typhla Doubleday, [1849] (Nymphalidae)., Published as part of Nakahara, Shinichi, Macdonald, John R., Delgado, Francisco & Padr��n, Pablo Sebasti��n, 2018, Discovery of a rare and striking new pierid butterfly from Panama (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), pp. 281-291 in Zootaxa 4527 (2) on pages 283-287, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.9, http://zenodo.org/record/2612187, {"references":["Radford, J. & Willmott, K. R. (2013) A distinctive new subspecies of Catasticta poujadei from the Cordillera del Condor in Eastern Ecuador (Lepidoptera: Pieridae: Pierinae). Tropical Lepidoptera Research, 23 (2), 86 - 91.","Blandin, P. (2017) La diversite des populations de Morpho helenor (Cramer, 1776) au Panama (Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Satyrinae Morphini). Antenor, 4 (2), 147 - 154.","Eitschberger, U. & Racheli, T. (1998) Catasticta studie"]}

Catasticta sibyllae Nakahara, Padrón & MacDonald, new species (Figs 2–6) Diagnosis. Catasticta sibyllae n. sp. is easily distinguished from all Catasticta species by the median area of both surfaces of forewing and hindwing being entirely black with no markings. Catasticta sibyllae n. sp. is readily distinguished from its sister species, C. lisa, by the lack of broad white median band on both sides of dorsal forewing and hindwing. Catasticta sibyllae n. sp. is further distinguished from C. lisa by its rather prominent submarginal and marginal spots on both sides of dorsal forewing and hindwing. Also, these spots on the ventral surface appear more whitish in C. sibyllae n. sp., whereas more yellowish in C. lisa. The genitalia appear not to be informative in this group, thus diagnostic genitalic characters are not provided here. Description. MALE: Forewing length, holotype: 30 mm; paratype: 33 mm. Head (Figs 5a, b): Eyes naked, with white scales at base; frons covered with brown scales, adorned with black long hair-like scales and white long hair-like scales, area around antennae base similarly with black long hair-like scales and white long hair-like scales; labial palpi roughly twice as long as eye depth, ventrally with white long hair-like scales and brown long hair-like scales, laterally with black scales with ventral and dorsal margin with white scales; antennae approximately half of forewing length, brown, ventrally scattered with white scales, with ca. 35 anntenomeres (n=1, HT), distal 9–10 anntenomeres composing rather prominent club. Thorax: Dorsally brown with light coloured long hair-like scales; ventrally brown with light coloured long hair-like scales and brown scales. Legs: Foreleg black, foretarsus longer than tibia, foretarsus and tibia scattered with whitish scales ventrally, in addition to multiple spines, dorsally stripe of white scales present, tibial spurs absent, femur slightly longer then tibia, ventrally brown, dorsally stripe of white scales present; midleg and hindleg not examined. Wing venation (Fig. 4): Base of forewing subcostal vein not swollen; four forewing radius veins present; origin of M 1 not associated with discal cell; base of cubitus not swollen; forewing recurrent vein absent; middle portion of m 2 -m 3 portion reduced; hindwing humeral vein developed. Wing shape (Figs 2, 4): Forewing subtriangular, appearing somewhat elongated with costal margin convex in angular manner and concave outer margin, inner margin rather straight; hindwing rounded, appearing slightly elongated, costal margin curved, angles inwards at base, outer margin curved, inner margin slightly concave near tornus, anal lobe almost straight, slightly round. Wing pattern (Fig. 2): Dorsal Forewing: ground colour black; white submarginal spots slightly suffused with black scales, present in all cells from R 2 +R 3 to 2A, spot in cell R 2 +R 3 -R 4 elongated, appearing more as costal streak, spot in cell R 4 -R 5 small, similar in appearance, spots in cells from R 4 to Cu 2 subsquared, except for streak-like spot in cell M 2 -M 3, spot in cell Cu 2 -2A appearing somewhat doubled; marginal spots slightly suffused with black scales present in all cells from R 4 to 2A, those in cells from R 4 to Cu 1 teardrop-like with black suffusion visible on basal side, spot in cell Cu 1 -Cu 2 squared, spot in cell Cu 2 -2A smallest, distance between submarginal spots in corresponding cells closer towards posterior end as outer margin traverses towards body; fringe blackish; Dorsal hindwing: ground colour similar to forewing; white submarginal spots slightly suffused with black scales, present in all cells from Sc+R to 2A, spots in cells Cu 1 -Cu 2 and Cu 2 -2A smaller, in particular, spot in cell Cu 2 -2A appearing as white hint; marginal spots present in all cells from Sc-R 1 to 2A, spot in Sc+R 1 -Rs elongated and streak-like, spots in cells Rs-M 1, M 1 -M 2 and M 2 -M 3 rather trapezoidal, spots in cells M 3 -Cu 1, Cu 1 -Cu 2 and Cu 2 -2A rather rectangular; fringe black; Ventral forewing: ground colour and general wing pattern similar to dorsal forewing except as follows: ground colour slightly paler; marginal whitish spots appearing larger; submarginal whitish spots appearing larger and more pointier towards base, submarginal spot in cell Cu 2 -2A appearing as two spots; Ventral hindwing: ground colour and general wing pattern similar to dorsal hindwing except as follows: ground colour slightly paler; yellow costal streak at base of costal cell, just distal of humeral vein; reddish patch just basal of humeral vein above subcostal vein; yellow patch at base of discal cell; reddish patch at base of anal cell; submarginal spots smaller and slightly yellow; marginal spots somewhat creamy, additional spot present in cell 2A- 3A. Abdomen (Fig. 5c): Dorsally and laterally black, ventrally with brown scales, white scales and white long hair-like scales, extending along ventral margin of valva; eighth sternite appearing as small plate. Genitalia (Fig. 3): Tegumen somewhat trapezoidal in lateral view; uncus shorter than tegumen in lateral view with convexed ventral margin, ending in a blunt point, with tuft of hair-like setae visible at base; ventral surface of anal tube weakly sclerotized (this structure is referred to as “gnathos” in Radford & Willmott (2013)); combination of ventral arms of tegumen and dorsal arms of saccus rather straight, middle portion broadens in lateral view; appendices angulares apparently absent; saccus short, broad and straight, similar to uncus in length; juxta appearing as tall plate in posterior view, narrow long stripe in lateral view; valva round, overall appearing somewhat as bean-shaped in lateral view, anterior margin rounded and positioned above uncus, ventral margin curved with hair-like setae present along margin, dorsal margin basal of costa concave, costa pointy, terminating in blunt end; phallus curved, phallobase about one-fourth of phallus in length with trapezoidal winglet ventrally, ductus ejaculatorius visible, manica covering more than half of aedeagus, vesica not examined as phallus not separated. FEMALE: Unknown or unrecognized. Types. Holotype: Male with following labels written verbatim: PANAMÁ: Veraguas Prov. Santa Fe 800m 13- IX-1981 Gordon B. Small // Genitalic vial SN-17-177 S. Nakahara // USNM ENT 00804432 //FOTO// (USNM). Paratype: Male with following labels written verbatim: PANAMA: Bocas del Toro; vic. Fortuna Cabins; ca. 910m N 08° 46' 40.86" W 082° 11' 2502" May 17, 2018 John R. MacDonald // DNA voucher LEP-68704// (MEM). Etymology. The specific epithet is in recognition of Maria Sibylla Merian, a European naturalist and entomologist who embarked on a voyage to South America in the late seventeenth century and conducted empirical research focused on butterflies. Her research, in the form of numerous paintings of insects, served as a foundation for the scientific study of insects, now known as “entomology”. This specific epithet is regarded as a latinized feminine noun in the genitive case. Distribution and habitat (Fig. 6). This species is known to date from two sites situated in western Panama, namely Bosque Reserva Palo Seco, Bocas del Toro (08̊46' 40.86" N 0 82̊11' 25.02" W) and Santa Fé, Veraguas (precise coordinates unavailable, but the town of Santa Fe lies at 08° 29' 59.99" N 81° 03' 60.00" W). Both sites are somewhat on the border of two vegetation types, sub-montane rainforest and montane rainforest, near the continental divide (Blandin, 2017). Biology. JM observed the paratype male nectaring on flowers of Sommera donnell-smithii (Rubiaceae) at about 5–6 m off the ground. Lekking behavior, often seen in this genus, was not observed with this individual. The approximate time of collection was 11:00 am. Other butterflies nectaring or perching on this tree were Glutophrissa drusilla (Cramer, [1777]) (Pieridae), Enantia albania (Bates, 1864) (Pieridae), Panthiades ochus (Godman & Salvin, 1887) (Lycaenidae), Cupathecla cupentus (Stoll, 1781) (Lycaenidae), Necyria duellona beltiana Hewitson, 1870 (Riodinidae), Adelpha leucophthalma leucophthalma (Latreille, [1809]) (Nymphalidae), Marpesia merops (Doyère, [1840]) (Nymphalidae). Other species observed in the vicinity included: Catasticta sisamnus smalli Eitschberger & Racheli, 1998 (Pieridae), Archonias brassolis approximata (Butler, 1873) (Pieridae), Thestius epopea (Hewitson, 1870) (Lycaenidae), Morpho helenor veragua LeMoult & Réal, 1962 (Nymphalidae), and Oressinoma typhla Doubleday, [1849] (Nymphalidae).

Modelling pedestrian loading on lively structures such as bridges remains a challenge. This is because pedestrians have the capacity to interact with vibrating structures which can lead to amplification of the structural response. Current design guidelines are often inaccurate and limiting as they do not sufficiently acknowledge this effect. This originates in scarcity of data on pedestrian behaviour on vibrating ground and uncertainty as to the accuracy of results from previous experimental campaigns aiming to quantify pedestrian behaviour in this case. To this end, this paper presents a novel experimental setup developed to evaluate pedestrian actions on laterally oscillating ground in the laboratory environment while avoiding the implications of artificiality and allowing for unconstrained gait. A biologically-inspired approach was adopted in its development, relying on appreciation of operational complexities of biological systems, in particular their adaptability and control requirements. In determination of pedestrian forces to the structure consideration was given to signal processing issues which have been neglected in past studies. The results from tests conducted on the setup are related to results from previous experimental investigations and outputs of the inverted pendulum pedestrian model for walking on laterally oscillating ground, which is capable of generating self-excited forces.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: The objective of this review is to assess the efficacy and safety of adalimumab for maintenance of remission in patients with quiescent CD.

There are a limited number of treatment options for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). An increased risk of thrombosis in UC coupled with an observation that UC patients being treated with anticoagulant therapy for thrombotic events had an improvement in their bowel symptoms led to trials examining the use of unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) in patients with active UC.To review randomized trials examining the efficacy of unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) for remission induction in patients with ulcerative colitis.We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and the Cochrane IBD/FBD group specialized trials register up to June 2014. We also searched review papers on ulcerative colitis and references from identified papers in an effort to identify additional randomized trials studying UFH or LMWH use in patients with ulcerative colitis. We searched abstracts from major gastroenterological meetings to identify research published in abstract form.Randomized controlled trials comparing UFH or LMWH to placebo or a control therapy for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis were included. Studies published in abstract form only were included if the authors could be contacted for further information.A data extraction form was developed and used to extract data from included studies. Two authors independently extracted data. Any disagreements were resolved by consensus. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess study quality. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. The primary outcome was induction of remission, as defined by the studies. Secondary outcomes measures included: endoscopic remission as defined by the authors; clinical, histological or endoscopic improvement as defined by the authors; the occurrence of adverse events; the occurrence of bleeding; and improvements in quality of life as measured by a validated instrument. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval for dichotomous outcomes. Data were combined for analysis if they assessed the same treatments (UFH or LMWH versus placebo or other therapy). The overall quality of the evidence supporting the outcomes was evaluated using the GRADE criteria.Five studies were eligible for inclusion (329 patients). Three studies (270 patients) compared low molecular weight heparin to placebo, one study (34 patients) compared LMWH in addition to standard therapy, and one study (25 patients) compared UFH to corticosteroids. The study comparing UFH to corticosteroids was rated at high risk of bias due to a single-blind design. The study that compared the addition of LMWH to standard therapy to standard therapy alone was rated at high risk of bias due to open-label design. The other three studies were rated as low risk of bias. LMWH administered subcutaneously showed no benefit over placebo for any outcome, including clinical remission (very low quality of evidence), and clinical, endoscopic, or histological improvement. High dose LMWH administered via an extended colon-release tablet demonstrated benefit over placebo for clinical remission (RR 1.39; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.77 ; P = 0.008; very low quality of evidence), clinical improvement (RR 1.28; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.55; P = 0.01; very low quality of evidence), and endoscopic improvement (RR 1.21; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.47 ; P = 0.05) but not endoscopic remission or histologic improvement. LMWH was not beneficial when added to standard therapy for clinical remission, clinical improvement, endoscopic remission or endoscopic improvement. LMWH was well-tolerated but provided no significant benefit for quality of life. One study examining UFH versus corticosteroids for the treatment of severe UC demonstrated the inferiority of UFH for clinical improvement. More patients assigned to UFH had rectal hemorrhage as an adverse event.There is evidence to suggest that LMWH may be effective for the treatment of active UC. When administered by extended colon-release tablets, LMWH was more effective than placebo for treating outpatients with mild to moderate disease. This benefit needs to be confirmed by further randomized controlled studies. The same benefits were not seen when LMWH was administered subcutaneously at lower doses. There is no evidence to support the use of UFH for the treatment of active UC. A further trial of UFH in patients with mild disease may also be justified. Any benefit found would need to be weighed against a possible increased risk of rectal bleeding in patients with active UC.Es limitado el número de opciones terapéuticas para los pacientes con colitis ulcerosa (CU). Un mayor riesgo de trombosis en la CU, junto con una observación de que los pacientes con CU tratados con tratamiento anticoagulante para los eventos trombóticos presentaron una mejoría en sus síntomas intestinales, generó ensayos que examinaron el uso de la heparina no fraccionada (HNF) y las heparinas de bajo peso molecular (HBPM) en los pacientes con CU activa.Examinar los ensayos aleatorizados sobre la eficacia de la heparina no fraccionada (HNF) o las heparinas de bajo peso molecular (HBPM) para la inducción de la remisión en los pacientes con colitis ulcerosa. MÉTODOS DE BÚSQUEDA: Se hicieron búsquedas en MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL y en el registro de ensayos especializados del Grupo Cochrane de EII/TFI hasta junio de 2014. También se realizaron búsquedas en los documentos de revisión sobre la colitis ulcerosa y en las referencias de los documentos identificados, con el fin de identificar ensayos aleatorizados adicionales que estudiaran el uso de HNF o HBPM en pacientes con colitis ulcerosa. Se realizaron búsquedas en los resúmenes de los principales encuentros de gastroenterología para identificar las investigaciones publicadas en forma de resumen. CRITERIOS DE SELECCIÓN: Se incluyeron ensayos controlados aleatorizados que comparaban la HNF o la HBPM con el placebo o un tratamiento de control para la inducción de la remisión en la colitis ulcerosa. Los estudios publicados sólo como resúmenes se incluyeron cuando se pudo establecer contacto con los autores para obtener información adicional. OBTENCIÓN Y ANÁLISIS DE LOS DATOS: Se desarrolló y utilizó un formulario de extracción de datos de los estudios incluidos. Dos autores de la revisión de forma independiente extrajeron los datos. Los desacuerdos se resolvieron por consenso. Se utilizó la herramienta Cochrane de Riesgo de Sesgo para evaluar la calidad de los estudios. Los datos se analizaron por intención de tratar. El resultado principal fue la inducción de la remisión, según la definición de los estudios. Las medidas de resultados secundarios incluían: remisión endoscópica según la definición de los autores; mejoría clínica, histológica o endoscópica según la definición de los autores; aparición de eventos adversos; aparición de hemorragias; y mejoras en la calidad de vida según la medición de un instrumento validado. Se calculó el riesgo relativo (RR) y el intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95% correspondiente para los resultados dicotómicos. Los datos se combinaron para el análisis si evaluaban los mismos tratamientos (HNF o HBPM versus placebo u otro tratamiento). La calidad general de la evidencia que apoya los resultados se evaluó mediante los criterios GRADE.Cinco estudios fueron elegibles para su inclusión (329 pacientes). Tres estudios (270 pacientes) compararon la heparina de bajo peso molecular con el placebo, un estudio (34 pacientes) comparó la HBPM además del tratamiento estándar, y un estudio (25 pacientes) comparó la HNF con los corticosteroides. El estudio que comparaba la HNF con los corticosteroides fue calificado como de alto riesgo de sesgo debido a un diseño de cegamiento simple. El estudio que comparó la adición de HBPM a la terapia estándar con la terapia estándar sola se calificó con un alto riesgo de sesgo debido al diseño de etiqueta abierta. Los otros tres estudios fueron calificados como de bajo riesgo de sesgo. Las HBPM administradas por vía subcutánea no mostraron ningún beneficio sobre el placebo para ningún resultado, incluyendo la remisión clínica (muy baja calidad de la evidencia), y la mejoría clínica, endoscópica o histológica. Las HBPM en dosis altas administradas mediante un comprimido de liberación prolongada del colon demostraron beneficios sobre el placebo para la remisión clínica (RR 1,39; IC del 95%: 1,09 a 1,77; P = 0,008; muy baja calidad de la evidencia), la mejoría clínica (RR 1.28; IC del 95%: 1,06 a 1,55; p = 0,01; muy baja calidad de la evidencia), y la mejoría endoscópica (RR 1,21; IC del 95%: 1,00 a 1,47; p = 0,05), pero no la remisión endoscópica o la mejoría histológica. La HBPM no fue beneficiosa cuando se agregó al tratamiento estándar para la remisión clínica, la mejoría clínica, la remisión endoscópica ni la mejoría endoscópica. La HBPM se toleró bien pero no proporcionó un beneficio significativo para la calidad de vida. Un estudio que examinó HNF versus corticosteroides en el tratamiento de la CU grave demostró la inferioridad de la HNF para la mejoría clínica. Una mayor cantidad de pacientes asignados a la HNF presentó hemorragia rectal como un evento adverso.La evidencia indica que la HBPM puede ser efectiva para el tratamiento de la CU activa. Cuando se administró mediante comprimidos de liberación prolongada en el colon, la HBPM fue más efectiva que placebo para tratar a los pacientes ambulatorios con enfermedad leve a moderada. Este beneficio se debe confirmar en estudios controlados aleatorizados. Los mismos beneficios no se observaron cuando la HBPM se administró por vía subcutánea a dosis inferiores. No hay evidencia que apoye el uso de HNF para el tratamiento de la CU activa. Un ensayo adicional de HNF en pacientes con enfermedad leve también puede estar justificado. Todo beneficio hallado deberá compararse contra un posible riesgo mayor de hemorragia rectal en los pacientes con CU activa.

Over a million people in the United States are employed in private security and law enforcement, yet very little is known about the effects of private police on crime. The current study examines the relationship between a privately-funded university police force and crime in a large U.S. city. Following an expansion of the jurisdictional boundary of the private police force, we see no short-term change in crime. However, using a geographic regression discontinuity approach, we find large impacts of private police on public safety, with violent crime in particular decreasing. These contradictory results appear to be a consequence of delayed effect of private police on crime.

Researchers at Delft University and the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland have developed the “Global Supply Chain Game” (GSCG). A specific instance of the game is called the “Distributor Game,” centered on globalization and the real-time supply chain. The GSCG differs from many existing business learning games in that, as opposed to being turn-based and locked in on demonstrating a single phenomenon (i.e., the bullwhip effect), it simulates a real-world experience by operating on a continuous clock with ongoing events and responses to individual decisions. The decision-making processes of the distributors in the game are controlled by human players. To confront the human players with a complex and dynamic environment, suppliers, markets, and competing distribution centers are represented by computer-controlled actors. The Distributor Game has been tested at the Robert H. Smith School of Business in seven courses since January 2005. The beta-tests include four MBA classes, two Executive MBA classes, and a single undergraduate class. Each class has been consistent in its approval of the game as a tool in simulating the complexities of a global supply chain and facilitating learning about how to successfully manage this environment.

Zircon is a key mineral in understanding tectonothermal overprinting in metagranitoid rocks of the continental crust, principally through radiometric dating. Exposed examples of such rocks are often Precambrian in age and have undergone multiple tectonothermal events. This thesis aims to understand the overprinting effects of deformation and metamorphism in multiple tectonothermal events on zircon, using the Precambrian Lewisian Gneiss Complex (LGC) of Northwest Scotland as a case study. Deformation of zircon at the grain-scale, in the form of distortion of the crystal lattice, was found to heterogeneously affect Ti, Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and U-Pb systematics. Ti and REE abundances increased or decreased as dislocation planes caused by distortion enabled diffusion of elements in or out of the crystal lattice. Pb isotopes were also lost, resulting in discordant young ages relative to undistorted zircon. Zircons with lattice distortion may therefore record information about tectonothermal events not recorded in undistorted zircon. Investigating the effects of multiple metamorphic episodes on zircons from the LGC revealed that different metamorphic events could not be reliably distinguished due to the occurrence of volume diffusion of Pb. A ~600Ma concordant age spread was interpreted to have been caused by volume diffusion; all other possible explanations were eliminated and age patterns from individual zircon crystals supported this hypothesis. Volume diffusion would have required ~3-500Myr at temperatures of 875-975°C. As well as these more generic findings about the effects of overprinting on zircon, zircon U-Th-Pb, REE and Ti data were analysed to investigate meta-igneous gneisses and metasediments of the Assynt Terrane, a key part of the LGC. The oldest cores yield a mean age of 2958±7Ma, a possible magmatic protolith crystallisation age but volume diffusion of Pb in zircon may have affected these zircon core ages. The period of volume diffusion of Pb in zircon is interpreted to have ended at ~2482Ma with the peak of granulite-facies metamorphism shortly before this. Zircons in the metasediments have relatively flat chondrite-normalised heavy REE profiles (low Yb/Gd ratios) which suggest they equilibrated with granulite-facies metamorphic garnet. Ti-in-zircon thermometry records average crystallisation temperatures of 790°C for zircons from the magmatic protolith to the meta-igneous gneisses and 823°C for zircons from the metasediment. The zircons in the metasediments are interpreted to be detrital and the calculated temperatures are interpreted to record zircon crystallisation in a currently unknown protolith.

Patients are traditionally kept fasted (Nil-By-Mouth) pre-procedure for diagnostic and interventional coronary procedures. There exists little evidence and no clear guidelines about the benefits of this practise in patients undergoing cardiac procedures under conscious sedation and local anaesthesia

Nano-satellites are compact, low power, inexpensive, low earth orbit satellites intended for earth sensing research. Ground control and communication with the satellites is key to mission success; however, current ground monitoring infrastructure is ill-suited to nano-satellite implementations. In this work we consider the feasibility of exploiting commercial cellular communications networks to operate the ground communications segment. This offers several advantages in availability, signal bandwidth, and inexpensive hardware. Issues affecting the practicality of the approach are propagation distances, the space propagation environment, and the signal processing required to compensate for the attenuation, delay, and interference of the radio signals. Solutions in antenna design, signal processing and control are proposed to address the limitations.

Key to genera of aquatic larvae of Nearctic Hemerodromiinae 1 Terminal abdominal segment ending in a pair of prominent, divided apical lobes; terminal pair of prolegs at least 2 x longer than preceding 6 pairs (Figs. 1 a, 1 b)............................................................................ Hemerodromia Meigen - Terminal abdominal segment lacking apical lobes; terminal pair of prolegs 1.5��� 2 x longer than preceding 4 pairs (anterior 2 pairs may be shorter yet) (Figs. 2���4)......................................................................................................... 2 2 Body robust, prolegs long and robust (Fig. 2 a), crochets prominent relative to couplet 2 - below (see description for actual measurements and ratios); terminal abdominal segment ending in two very small, but distinctly separated processes, each of which bears a pair of setae (Fig. 2 b)................................................................... Neoplasta Coquillett - Body slender, prolegs short and slender (Figs. 3 a, 4 a), crochets less prominent relative to couplet 2 above (see description for actual measurements and ratios); terminal abdominal segment ending in two pairs of setae that do not arise from distinctly divided processes (Fig. 3 b, 4 b).................................................................................................... 3 3 Setae on terminal abdominal segment and longitudinal cuticular striations strongly developed relative to couplet 3 - below (see diagnosis section for explanation and interpretation) (Fig. 3 a)................................... Chelifera Macquart - Setae on terminal abdominal segment and longitudinal cuticular striations weakly developed relative to couplet 3 above (see diagnosis section for explanation and interpretation) (Fig. 4 a)................................ Metachela Coquillett, Published as part of Brammer, Colin A., Harkrider, Robert & Macdonald, John F., 2009, Differentiation of larvae and pupae of aquatic genera of Nearctic Hemerodromiinae (Diptera: Empididae), pp. 59-68 in Zootaxa 2069 on page 65, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.187072

Key to genera of aquatic pupae of Nearctic Hemerodromiinae 1 Four bristle-like apical spines on terminal abdominal segment, 2 projecting dorsolaterally and 2 projecting ventrolaterally; femur of fore leg (visible through the pupal cuticle) thin, subequal in width to femur of middle and hind leg (Fig. 5).......................................................................................................................................... Neoplasta Coquillett - Two bristle-like apical spines on terminal abdominal segment, each projecting either posteroventrally or posterolaterally; femur of fore leg thick, width 2 x that of femur of middle and hind leg (Figs. 6���8)....................................... 2 2 Two bristle-like apical spines on terminal abdominal segment projecting posteroventrally; pre-terminal abdominal segments with posterior row of several large spines; dorsal spines of terminal abdominal segment ca. 1 / 2 length of bristle-like apical spines (Fig. 6).............................................................................................. Hemerodromia Meigen - Two bristle-like apical spines on terminal abdominal segment projecting posterolaterally; pre-terminal abdominal segments with posterior row of numerous small spines; dorsal spines of terminal abdominal segment no more than 1 / 5 length of bristle-like apical spines (Figs. 7���8)........................................................................................................... 3 3 Pre-terminal abdominal segments with posterior row of spines of nearly alternating longer and shorter lengths (Fig. 7); dorsal spines of terminal abdominal segment ca. 1 / 5 length of bristle-like apical spines (tend to get broken or dislodged on specimens in alcohol vials).......................................................................................... Chelifera Macquart - Pre-terminal abdominal segments with posterior row of short spines of uniform length (Fig. 8); dorsal spines of terminal abdominal segment ca. 1 / 10 length of bristle-like apical spines....................................... Metachela Coquillett, Published as part of Brammer, Colin A., Harkrider, Robert & Macdonald, John F., 2009, Differentiation of larvae and pupae of aquatic genera of Nearctic Hemerodromiinae (Diptera: Empididae), pp. 59-68 in Zootaxa 2069 on page 65, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.187072

Key to genera of aquatic larvae of Nearctic Hemerodromiinae 1 Terminal abdominal segment ending in a pair of prominent, divided apical lobes; terminal pair of prolegs at least 2 x longer than preceding 6 pairs (Figs. 1 a, 1 b)............................................................................ Hemerodromia Meigen - Terminal abdominal segment lacking apical lobes; terminal pair of prolegs 1.5– 2 x longer than preceding 4 pairs (anterior 2 pairs may be shorter yet) (Figs. 2–4)......................................................................................................... 2 2 Body robust, prolegs long and robust (Fig. 2 a), crochets prominent relative to couplet 2 - below (see description for actual measurements and ratios); terminal abdominal segment ending in two very small, but distinctly separated processes, each of which bears a pair of setae (Fig. 2 b)................................................................... Neoplasta Coquillett - Body slender, prolegs short and slender (Figs. 3 a, 4 a), crochets less prominent relative to couplet 2 above (see description for actual measurements and ratios); terminal abdominal segment ending in two pairs of setae that do not arise from distinctly divided processes (Fig. 3 b, 4 b).................................................................................................... 3 3 Setae on terminal abdominal segment and longitudinal cuticular striations strongly developed relative to couplet 3 - below (see diagnosis section for explanation and interpretation) (Fig. 3 a)................................... Chelifera Macquart - Setae on terminal abdominal segment and longitudinal cuticular striations weakly developed relative to couplet 3 above (see diagnosis section for explanation and interpretation) (Fig. 4 a)................................ Metachela Coquillett

Key to genera of aquatic pupae of Nearctic Hemerodromiinae 1 Four bristle-like apical spines on terminal abdominal segment, 2 projecting dorsolaterally and 2 projecting ventrolaterally; femur of fore leg (visible through the pupal cuticle) thin, subequal in width to femur of middle and hind leg (Fig. 5).......................................................................................................................................... Neoplasta Coquillett - Two bristle-like apical spines on terminal abdominal segment, each projecting either posteroventrally or posterolaterally; femur of fore leg thick, width 2 x that of femur of middle and hind leg (Figs. 6–8)....................................... 2 2 Two bristle-like apical spines on terminal abdominal segment projecting posteroventrally; pre-terminal abdominal segments with posterior row of several large spines; dorsal spines of terminal abdominal segment ca. 1 / 2 length of bristle-like apical spines (Fig. 6).............................................................................................. Hemerodromia Meigen - Two bristle-like apical spines on terminal abdominal segment projecting posterolaterally; pre-terminal abdominal segments with posterior row of numerous small spines; dorsal spines of terminal abdominal segment no more than 1 / 5 length of bristle-like apical spines (Figs. 7–8)........................................................................................................... 3 3 Pre-terminal abdominal segments with posterior row of spines of nearly alternating longer and shorter lengths (Fig. 7); dorsal spines of terminal abdominal segment ca. 1 / 5 length of bristle-like apical spines (tend to get broken or dislodged on specimens in alcohol vials).......................................................................................... Chelifera Macquart - Pre-terminal abdominal segments with posterior row of short spines of uniform length (Fig. 8); dorsal spines of terminal abdominal segment ca. 1 / 10 length of bristle-like apical spines....................................... Metachela Coquillett

Vacant and abandoned buildings pose significant challenges to the health and safety of communities. In 2011 the City of Philadelphia began enforcing a Doors and Windows Ordinance that required property owners of abandoned buildings to install working doors and windows in all structural openings or face significant fines. We tested the effects of the new ordinance on the occurrence of crime surrounding abandoned buildings from January 2011 to April 2013 using a difference-in-differences approach. We used Poisson regression models to compare differences in pre- and post-treatment measures of crime for buildings that were remediated as a result of the ordinance (n = 676) or permitted for renovation (n = 241), and randomly-matched control buildings that were not remediated (n = 676) or permitted for renovation (n = 964), while also controlling for sociodemographic and other confounders measured around each building. Building remediations were significantly associated with citywide reductions in overall crimes, total assaults, gun assaults and nuisance crimes (p0.001). Building remediations were also significantly associated with reductions in violent gun crimes in one city section (p0.01). At the same time, some significant increases were seen in narcotics sales and possession and property crimes around remediated buildings (p0.001). Building renovation permits were significantly associated with reductions in all crime classifications across multiple city sections (p0.001). We found no significant spatial displacement effects. Doors and windows remediation offers a relatively low-cost method of reducing certain crimes in and around abandoned buildings. Cities with an abundance of decaying and abandoned housing stock might consider some form of this structural change to their built environments as one strategy to enhance public safety.

Prevalent in the IT literature is the concept of the productivity paradox. This states that the effects of IT investment seem to show up everywhere except those that measure productivity (firm performance). Owing to the extremely competitive nature of the motor carrier industry, money must be well spent and provide the carrier with performance gains to survive. In this study, two measures of IT spending, physical capital and human capital, are used to examine whether IT investment does indeed affect carrier performance. Performance is measured as a level of firm efficiency (sales/employee). Results are significant and have important implications. The level of physical assets (computers) that a firm uses has a direct and positive impact on firm efficiency. However, the more human capital (programmers) a firm hires to develop software, the worse the efficiency of the firm. This suggests that perhaps motor carriers should invest in off-the-shelf IT packages as opposed to creating their own. Finally, the interaction of the two variables and sales was looked at to determine their effect as firms grow. The interaction of physical IT capital and firm size showed that as the firm grows, the effect of physical IT capital grows, suggesting that it may be an antidote to firm bureaucracy.

This paper examines whether short-term special events provide a positive net economic benefit to the host community with a specific focus on the 1994 Canadian National Slo-Pitch Championships held in Niagara Falls. A participant survey designed to identify demographic information and direct spending patterns was conducted, in addition to a survey of the hotels that accommodated the participants. The findings reveal that significant economic benefits can be gained by hosting short-term special events and the extent of the economic benefits is increased considerably when the event requires participants to stay in the host community overnight.

Accepted financial theory holds that stock splits provide no wealth benefits to stock-holders. The corporate management view is that stock splits add value by placing the stock in a more liquid price range. Empirical explanations of excess returns near the split rely principally upon an information effect. Other findings are that (1) an unexplained, sustained jump in returns' variance occurs at the split, and (2) there appears to be a coincidental decrease in liquidity, not an increase. Daily returns from CRSP and daily and intradaily returns and daily trading volumes and price change information from trade-by-trade data are used to examine the returns variance increase and any connection it may have with any liquidity change. Binomial probability comparisons of returns' variance measures each side of the split ex-date are used to examine the variance change and liquidity change phenomena. T-tests are also used to examine the mean-variance change and the possible change in several liquidity measures. Linear regression is used to detect impact of the general market variance level, firm-specific variables, and microstructure measures, and liquidity measures upon the returns’ variance change. Findings include: (1) the variance increase is significant and exhibits a firm size effect and is affected by the previous history of splits use and. dividend payout, (2) the increase is primarily related to the price level adjustment and changes in the liquidity measures, (3) a slight change in the demand to hold as measured by the percentage of the firm traded takes place for firms with an increase in variance (4) the bid-ask spread decreases, but increases relative to the new price. Stock splits with increased returns’ variance have significantly different liquidity measures from splits where the variance declined. Ph. D. incomplete_metadata

Feeding relationships of various fish species, and their relationship to the composition of the surrounding sediments, were observed for one year at two sites in the lower Bay of Fundy region. The fishes were the ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus), winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), cod (Gadus morhua) and witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus). After reducing the size of the data matrix by removing redundant variables (prey items), interspecific diet overlap and the degree to which stomach contents reflect benthic composition were assessed using discriminant functions analysis. Variables were ranked by their power to discriminate among pairwise comparisons of groups: fish species and benthic samples. Many amphipods were utilized to a greater extent than their abundances in the sediments would suggest. Many annelids were underutilized. Each fish species has developed specialized feeding behaviours, digestion techniques and morphologies to segregate food resources. All species tend to increase prey intake at those places and times when benthic abundance of prey common to their diets increases. Visual predators (flounders) show different functional responses towards increased prey abundances than non-visual predators (ocean pout). In some cases availability is determined by prey size rather than prey abundance.;Only a few prey species show benthic density changes as a result of predation. Benthic populations may be held at an early successionary, highly productive stage by extreme physical conditions. Large fluctuations in temperature, salinity and current could provide a force regulating benthic species abundance that is at least as important as fish predation.

This volume is a compendium of data on the pestiferous vespines (hornets and yellowjackets) of the United States and Canada. Sections cover taxonomy, biology, economic and medical importance, and control. Illustrated keys are included for rapid identification of species, and a glossary defines many of the unusual terms used in the text.

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The growth of the ethical consciousness in the individual has not been adequately studied by the psychologists. The question has indeed attracted the attention of several writers but the treatment of it has been on the whole unsatisfactory. For this there are several reasons. In some cases the problem has been examined in a more or less incidental way in connection with the discussion of some special theory or theories. The problem is too comprehensive, however, to admit of being adequately treated in this way. Where it has been more directly attacked, two things have detracted from the value of the discussion. Either the writer has failed to preface his genetic account with an analysis of the developed ethical consciousness or, where such an analysis has been offered, the view adopted of that consciousness has been too narrow to enable one to see the genetic problems in their true focus. In the former case, where no analysis is given, the writer either assumes that the ethical consciousness is too familiar a fact to require elaborate analysis; or he considers that this analysis has been sufficiently carried out by the philosophers who have made Ethics their special province. The history of ethical theory from Socrates onwards, is a standing refutation of the notion that we can safely dispense with the analysis in question. It can be said, on the contrary, that there is no question of general philosophic interest that makes a severer demand on the resources of the psychologist.

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Vacant and blighted urban land is a widespread and potentially risky environmental condition encountered by millions of people on a daily basis. About 15% of the land in US cities is deemed vacant or abandoned, an area roughly the size of Switzerland. In a citywide cluster randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effects of standardized, reproducible interventions that restore vacant land on the commission of violence, crime, and the perceptions of fear and safety. Quantitative and ethnographic analyses were included in a mixed-methods approach to more fully test and explicate our findings. A total of 541 randomly sampled vacant lots were randomly assigned into treatment and control study arms; outcomes from police and 445 randomly sampled participants were analyzed over a 38-month study period. Participants living near treated vacant lots reported significantly reduced perceptions of crime (−36.8%, P < 0.05), vandalism (−39.3%, P < 0.05), and safety concerns when going outside their homes (−57.8%, P < 0.05), as well as significantly increased use of outside spaces for relaxing and socializing (75.7%, P < 0.01). Significant reductions in crime overall (−13.3%, P < 0.01), gun violence (−29.1%, P < 0.001), burglary (−21.9%, P < 0.001), and nuisances (−30.3%, P < 0.05) were also found after the treatment of vacant lots in neighborhoods below the poverty line. Blighted and vacant urban land affects people’s perceptions of safety, and their actual, physical safety. Restoration of this land can be an effective and scalable infrastructure intervention for gun violence, crime, and fear in urban neighborhoods.