An interesting outcome of the study was the difference in recall for text information that was either related or unrelated to the map features. Prior to removal of the outliers, a significant main effect was observed for type of recall; short-answer questions loosely related to map features were answered more correctly than questions unrelated to features. While the removal of outliers lowered the main effect for type of recall to just below the commonly accepted level of significance (p = .07), this nevertheless represents an important finding. The relatively higher recall for feature-related text was, in itself, not surprising since this is a common finding in research on adjunct maps (Abel & Kulhavy, 1986; Amlund et al., 1985; Schwartz & Kulhavy, 1981) . What was unusual in the current study, however, was that this outcome was extended even to subjects who did not study a map. Given the great care taken in designing the different versions of the experimental prose, it seems unlikely that the text structure itself might have made feature-related content more salient than material not related to map features.

The relatively higher recall for feature-related text was, in itself, not surprising since this is a common finding in research on adjunct maps.


Because adjunct questions direct what learners attend to in a text, when such questions are semantically related to map features they may perform, to some degree, the same attention allocation function that maps and diagrams theoretically carry out when initially viewed (Mayer, 1999) . Though nonfeature adjunct questions also direct processing attention, their lower potential for visual imagery (e.g., "What eliminated much of the Kupod tribe's population?") makes them less likely candidates for dual processing than feature-related questions (e.g., "How were the houses of the Kupod designed?"). Regrettably, the present study did not incorporate a text-only treatment (i.e., neither map nor prequestions) that could have been compared with the prequestions-only group to examine the effect of the latter on the differential recall for feature versus nonfeature prose. The possibility that verbally-based orienting devices such as prequestions, objectives, titles, and subheadings can be used to activate dual coding in a text-only learning environment is an exciting prospect that warrants further study.

Because adjunct questions direct what learners attend to in a text, when such questions are semantically related to map features they may perform, to some degree, the same attention allocation function that maps and diagrams theoretically carry out when initially viewed.


Growth medium for solid-phase culture was solidified with 1.5 % (w/v) agar. For photoautotrophic growth the mineral salt medium, gassed with 5 % C0,-air, was used. Cultures were incubated at 34 "C either in an illuminated orbital shaker (Galledcamp Ltd) containing three 30 W Grolux fluorescent lamps emitting about 1030 lm/mm2 or in a vessel placed in a glass water-bath at 34 "C and illuminated by a 100 W tungsten bulb placed 125 mm from the culture and emitting about 1800 lm/mm2. In the latter case cultures were agitated with a magnetic stirrer. Photoheterotrophic growth conditions were as above, except that sucrose was included in the growth media. Chlorogloea fritschii grew in light in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, I-dimethylurea (I o -~ M) and sucrose, indicating that the latter was a source of both reducing potential and carbon. This organism may therefore be classed as a facultative photoheterotroph (Stanier, 1973) . For heterotrophic growth, in which the doubling time increased from about 12 h to a b u t 80 h, the cultures were incubated without agitation in the dark at 34 "C.

This organism may therefore be classed as a facultative photoheterotroph.


In the second half of the twentieth century occurred the evolution of composite materials on the basis of FRP (fiber reinforced polymer). Initially these materials were used in the military and aerospace industries. Gradually, over the last 30 years, FRP materials are being used in building construction. Composite materials based on FRP significantly increase the economic viability of construction of buildings and bridges [1] [2] .

Composite materials based on FRP significantly increase the economic viability of construction of buildings and bridges.


In addition to good mechanical properties, basalt has a high chemical and thermal stability, good thermal, insulating, electrical and sound properties, [4] , [7] . Basalt thermal insulation is three times greater than the asbestos' one [7] [8] . Due to good insulating properties, basalt is successfully used for fire protection [7] [8] . Furthermore, basalt fibers have 10 times better electrical characteristics -insulating than glass fibers [7] [8] . Basalt fibers are also significantly better chemically resistant than glass fibers, particularly in a strongly alkaline environment (e.g., with pipes made of basalt composite corrosive liquids and gases can be transported [9] [10] .

In addition to good mechanical properties, basalt has a high chemical and thermal stability, good thermal, insulating, electrical and sound properties.

Basalt thermal insulation is three times greater than the asbestos' one.

Due to good insulating properties, basalt is successfully used for fire protection.

Furthermore, basalt fibers have 10 times better electrical characteristics -insulating than glass fibers.

Basalt fibers are also significantly better chemically resistant than glass fibers, particularly in a strongly alkaline environment (e.g., with pipes made of basalt composite corrosive liquids and gases can be transported.


In places like Chamanculo C communities play a key role in shaping energy provision through the daily practices of consumption of electricity and fuels, through the daily monitoring of neighbourhood furniture, from lamps to transmission towers, and through their role in the actual provision of fuels, such as charcoal. In a location like this, achieving universal provision relates to access to basic services such as lighting, cooking and enabling basic appliances (Grubler et al., 2012) . Community energy does not relate to the provision of energy alone, but rather needs to focus on the question of siting and managing projects within a local context.

In a location like this, achieving universal provision relates to access to basic services such as lighting, cooking and enabling basic appliances.


Community mapping refers to a wide range of methodologies for mobilising communities and gathering information that can support action towards their development (WaterAid, 2005) . Participatory mapping is a type of community mapping that emphasises the co-production of knowledge between researchers and research participants through the use of a combination of dialogue and the production of visual artefacts (Corbett, 2009) . One of the strengths of participatory mapping is that through the engagement with different media, participants are able to share the multidimensional features of collective experiences of place: its perception, representation and how individual and collective histories link to it. In this way, participatory mapping needs to be conceived of as an encounter of different perspectives, in which both participants and researchers are learning together about shared experiences of place.

Community mapping refers to a wide range of methodologies for mobilising communities and gathering information that can support action towards their development.

Participatory mapping is a type of community mapping that emphasises the co-production of knowledge between researchers and research participants through the use of a combination of dialogue and the production of visual artefacts.


The microwave enhanced advanced oxidation process (MW/H 2 O 2 -AOP), which uses a combination of microwave irradiations and hydrogen peroxide to produce hydroxyl free radicals to react with organic compounds, has been demonstrated for the production of reducing sugar, as well as the release of soluble materials of nitrogen, phosphorus and minerals from dairy manure [9, 10] . The effectiveness of the MW/H 2 O 2 -AOP is depending on operating conditions selected, such as microwave temperature, hydrogen peroxide dosage, microwave intensity, reaction time, and acid concentration. Hydrogen peroxide addition in the MW/H 2 O 2 -AOP would aid in nutrient solubilization and solids destruction, however, it would be detrimental to the yield of reducing sugar if its dosage is too high. Reducing sugar formed in the process could be further oxidized by hydrogen peroxide to form other oxidation products, such as carbonyl compounds, VFA and CO 2 [9] . Both acid concentration and temperature are key factors affecting reducing sugar production [3, 7] . A higher reducing sugar production was obtained with acidified dairy manure at pH 2 than at pH 4 [10] . To further examine the effect of acid concentration on the process, reagent grade cellulose fibers was subjected to the MW/H 2 O 2 -AOP at different sulfuric acid concentrations (1%, 3% & 10% v/v), a very low hydrogen peroxide dosage (0.01 g H 2 O 2 /g TS) and at temperature of 120 and 160˚C. The results indicated that the highest reducing sugar production was obtained at sulfuric acid concentration of 3% [10] . In view of these results, it was concluded that for reducing sugar production as well as nutrient release from dairy manure, the process should be operated at a higher acid concentration, a moderate hydrogen peroxide dosage and a high temperature, preferably more than 120˚C. This study, therefore, was conducted to further investigate the feasibility of using the MW/H 2 O 2 -AOP in two-stage dilute acid hydrolysis of dairy manure. The objective was to explore operating conditions not only for reducing sugar production, but also for solubilizing nutrients from dairy manure, so that the treated solution could be further utilized for ethanol, bioenergy production and struvite recovery.

The microwave enhanced advanced oxidation process (MW/H 2 O 2 -AOP), which uses a combination of microwave irradiations and hydrogen peroxide to produce hydroxyl free radicals to react with organic compounds, has been demonstrated for the production of reducing sugar, as well as the release of soluble materials of nitrogen, phosphorus and minerals from dairy manure.

Reducing sugar formed in the process could be further oxidized by hydrogen peroxide to form other oxidation products, such as carbonyl compounds, VFA and CO 2.

Both acid concentration and temperature are key factors affecting reducing sugar production.

A higher reducing sugar production was obtained with acidified dairy manure at pH 2 than at pH 4.

To further examine the effect of acid concentration on the process, reagent grade cellulose fibers was subjected to the MW/H 2 O 2 -AOP at different sulfuric acid concentrations (1%, 3% & 10% v/v), a very low hydrogen peroxide dosage (0.01 g H 2 O 2 /g TS) and at temperature of 120 and 160˚C. The results indicated that the highest reducing sugar production was obtained at sulfuric acid concentration of 3%.


Various processes, such as thermal treatment, microwave irradiation (physical treatment), hydrogen peroxide (oxidative) or acid addition (chemical) have been used for treating lignocellulosic biomass. They would decrease the degrees of polymerization and cellulose crystallinity, and would also increase the accessible surface area and pore size of lignocellulosics. As a result, the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis or acid hydrolysis process for producing fermentable sugar could be enhanced [7] [8] [9] [10] .

As a result, the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis or acid hydrolysis process for producing fermentable sugar could be enhanced.


It has been reported that one of the major drawbacks of viscose rayon is its poor strength and low resistance to weathering and these drawbacks can be overcome by suitably modifying viscose rayon by grafting with some monomers [4] . In general modification of the properties of textile fibers could lead to products of desirable properties technically or economically. For example Nylon-6 fabric grafted with acrylamide showed a significant increase in hydrophilic properties in terms of moisture regain and water absorption as well as good dye affinity for selected dye stuffs [5] . Radiation induced grafting of acrylic acid onto nylon-6 gave fibers with better dyeing ability [6] . Moreover, radiation induced grafting of vinyl pyrrolydone onto nylon-6 produced fibers with higher moisture absorption and better tensile properties [7] . In a previous publication, radiation induced grafting of viscose rayon fabrics with acrylic acid has been carried out. The impact of the graft yield on the physical or chemical properties of the fabrics has been also studied [8] .

It has been reported that one of the major drawbacks of viscose rayon is its poor strength and low resistance to weathering and these drawbacks can be overcome by suitably modifying viscose rayon by grafting with some monomers.

For example Nylon-6 fabric grafted with acrylamide showed a significant increase in hydrophilic properties in terms of moisture regain and water absorption as well as good dye affinity for selected dye stuffs.

Radiation induced grafting of acrylic acid onto nylon-6 gave fibers with better dyeing ability.

Moreover, radiation induced grafting of vinyl pyrrolydone onto nylon-6 produced fibers with higher moisture absorption and better tensile properties.

The impact of the graft yield on the physical or chemical properties of the fabrics has been also studied.


With the development of modern manufacturing technology, flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) have become key equipment in factory automation. This kind of manufacturing equipment is being used more and more widely because of its potential to improve the strategic and competitive position of firms. However, such manufacturing equipment is very dependent upon the trouble-free operation of all its component parts. When a fault occurs, it is critical to isolate the causes as rapidly as possible and to take appropriate maintenance action. Typically, when an FMS goes down, only a small fraction of the downtime is spent repairing the machine that causes the fault. Up to 80% of the downtime is spent locating the source of the fault [1] . For this reason, corresponding diagnostic techniques and systems have been studied extensively with the application and dissemination of FMSs.

Up to 80% of the downtime is spent locating the source of the fault.


When the transistor is in OFF state, the current flows between the drain to source terminals, this current is also called sub threshold leakage current. The sub threshold current also passes when the gate to source voltage gs of transistor is less than the threshold voltage th As technology scales down, the threshold voltage th of the transistor diminishes resulting in exponential improvement in sub threshold leakage current. When the current flows from the gate through the oxide layer to substrate, it is called gate leakage current. The gate leakage current of the transistor also enhances with the reduction of the t o over the linear region of the transistor [4] . Continuous shrinking of channel length increases the speed of devices in very large scale circuits [5] . This stable miniaturization of transistor with new contemporaries in bulk CMOS technology has yielded repeated improvements in the performance of digital circuits. The scaling of CMOS device faces significant challenges in the future due to fundamental material and procedure technology limitations.

The gate leakage current of the transistor also enhances with the reduction of the t o over the linear region of the transistor.

Continuous shrinking of channel length increases the speed of devices in very large scale circuits.


Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes by Iijima in 1990, a number of one-dimensional (1D) nanotubes, nanorods, and nanowires, have widely attracted interest for worldwide scientists, due to their novel physical and chemical properties caused by their low-dimensional and quantumsized effects for different applications. In addition, these 1D nanomaterials can play an important role in functional nanodevices for light emitting diodes (LEDs), solar cells, singleelectron transistors, lasers, and fluorescence for biological labels. Controling the synthesis of anisotropic nanostructured materials may therefore bring towards some unique properties and further enhance performances for a variety of applications [1] [2] [3] .

Controling the synthesis of anisotropic nanostructured materials may therefore bring towards some unique properties and further enhance performances for a variety of applications.


Ce(NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O and Na 3 PO 4 ·12H 2 O were mixed in distilled water, with the following of pH adjusting using HNO 3 (conc.). During the hydrothermal treatment of the solution with the pH of 1, the clear colorless solution was heated up under high pressure. Concurrently, the Ce 3+ and H n PO 4 (3−n)− chemical potentials were raised up, including the faster ionic migration in the solution. During cooling, these ions combined to form light green precipitates of monoclinic CePO 4 NWs-in accordance with the reports of Zhang and Guan [3] .

During cooling, these ions combined to form light green precipitates of monoclinic CePO 4 NWs-in accordance with the reports of Zhang and Guan.


While the results of the structural equation models generally support positive soil-plant feedbacks in our study system, the effects of nitrogen and water addition depended on the focal species and the specific growth or reproductive response measured. While growth was enhanced by nitrogen but not water, the inverse was observed for reproduction. Water addition led to high flowering probability and increased numbers of spikelets and potentially seed number for Loudetiopsis, while nitrogen addition was negatively correlated with flowering for Tristachya and uncorrelated with reproductive traits in Loudetiopsis. This result contrasts with previous research that strongly links N addition with higher rates of grass flowering in a temperate grassland (Silletti et al. 2004) .

This result contrasts with previous research that strongly links N addition with higher rates of grass flowering in a temperate grassland.


As a follow up, another set of goals called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were built on the successes of the MDGs with a vision of fulfilling these goals while safeguarding the environment by 2030. On 25 September 2015, SDGs were formed as a ambitious set of goals from the discussions at UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015. The SDGs were recorded in a document entitled "Transforming our world: Toward the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development". Goal number 7 of this agenda signifies the need to ensure access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all. Additional set of targets in SDGs included climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities. The goals are interconnected-often the key to success of one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another [8] . These apply in particular to rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Middle east, North Africa and parts of Asia. Energy in various forms is required for growth and development in rural areas. Renewable resources are an indispensable alternative for fossil fuels to provide sustainable energy for development. Various steps have to be taken to improve the basic living environment and meet the energy and other necessities of these rural areas in a sustainable manner [9, 10] .

The goals are interconnected-often the key to success of one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another.

Various steps have to be taken to improve the basic living environment and meet the energy and other necessities of these rural areas in a sustainable manner.


With the ever growing population of the world with increasing expectations and the associated environmental concerns, it is not prudent to rely solely on fossil fuels in the long-term. A historic agreement took place between 195 countries in the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris, France. These countries agreed to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 • C above pre-industrial levels and also make efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 • C. To achieve this goal, the key is reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse emissions. Global environmental concerns combined with sustained development in renewable energy technologies have exponentially increased the entry of renewable energy. Significant cost reductions over the past few decades have made a number of renewable energy resources competitive with fossil fuels in various applications [1] .

Significant cost reductions over the past few decades have made a number of renewable energy resources competitive with fossil fuels in various applications.


In the present paper, we improve the new NLBC model by ensuring that the potential outside the solute protein satisfies Gauss's law sufficiently far from the solute. To demonstrate the new model, we have implemented a boundary-element method solver in MATLAB (all of the source code and data required to reproduce the figures in this paper are freely and publicly available online [26] ). Calculations demonstrate that the improved model is more accurate for monovalent atomic ions, and illustrate that charge-sign hydration asymmetry effects are substantial for surface charges, with the magnitude of asymmetry decreasing rapidly for charges further from the solute-solvent interface. In particular, we predict that for surface charges in a sphere, the energetic difference between positive and negative charges does not depend strongly on the size of the sphere; this result implies that asymmetry is an essential piece of physics to include in models of molecular electrostatics. The next section describes the traditional, charge-sign symmetric continuum model, our modifications to incorporate asymmetric response, and a boundary-integral approach for solving the NLBC model. Section 3 describes a MATLAB implementation and presents computational results for single-atom ions as well as large spheres approximating full-sized proteins. The paper concludes in Section 4 with a summary and discussion.

To demonstrate the new model, we have implemented a boundary-element method solver in MATLAB (all of the source code and data required to reproduce the figures in this paper are freely and publicly available online).


Growing energy consumption in the world and traditional methods of energy production have led to serious environmental problems. Nowadays, a long-term goal of a 50% reduction in global greenhouse emissions before 2050 has been set by the Kyoto protocol [1] . Renewable energy sources have a key role in the reduction of air pollution, especially CO 2 emission. Several energy sources which can be a good alternative for fossil energy are solar, wind and ocean energy (i.e.

Nowadays, a long-term goal of a 50% reduction in global greenhouse emissions before 2050 has been set by the Kyoto protocol.


A meningioma is one of the most common primary brain tumors in adults [1] . Thanks to its benign nature, the majority of meningiomas grow very slowly, and are diagnosed incidentally without any symptoms. Therefore a "wait and see" policy is recommended to asymptomatic meningioma patients, until there is solid evidence of radiological growth of the tumor or it becomes symptomatic. However, it is sometimes difficult to discern the growth of the tumor from sequential images taken each year without any conscious effort. A volumetric analysis of the tumor is thus indispensable for understanding the growth rate of the individual tumor, which is required to reach appropriate clinical decisions. For an accurate volume measurement, it is necessary to detect the exact position of a tumor. However, manual or semi-automatic detection of tumor is not only inconvenient in daily clinical practice, but also error-prone. Thus, the development of a fully-automated tool for meningioma detection is expected to have a significant impact on the clinical community if it can guarantee fast and reliable results.

A meningioma is one of the most common primary brain tumors in adults.


We used a brain magnetic resonance (MR) image dataset of 550 patients with meningioma, collected from a hospital to which one of the authors belonged. We performed our presented experiments using a Linux machine running CentOS, equipped with four P100 (GDDR5 15GB) GPU cards. All experiments are implemented on the Caffe [20] .

All experiments are implemented on the Caffe.


In recent years, deep learning has been extended into a variety of applications in medical image analysis, such as; diagnosing diseases, detecting the locations of lesions, and segmenting them [2] [3] [4] . However, such studies are often limited to specific diseases for which benchmark data exists owing to a lack of strong annotation data often encountered in applying deep learning to the real world [5] . In particular, to perform tasks such as object detection and semantic segmentation strong supervision at the human level (bounding box or pixel-wise annotation) is required [6, 7] . Because medical imaging analysis requires expertise in data annotation, unlike for regular images, it is more difficult to obtain strong annotation data. To avoid the need for full supervision, various approaches have been proposed that require only image-level category data for training (weak annotation data). One such technique is localization using a class activation mapping (CAM) [8] .

In recent years, deep learning has been extended into a variety of applications in medical image analysis, such as; diagnosing diseases, detecting the locations of lesions, and segmenting them.

However, such studies are often limited to specific diseases for which benchmark data exists owing to a lack of strong annotation data often encountered in applying deep learning to the real world.

In particular, to perform tasks such as object detection and semantic segmentation strong supervision at the human level (bounding box or pixel-wise annotation) is required.

One such technique is localization using a class activation mapping (CAM).


The modification of the disk density is the result of the competition of torques exerted on the disk by the planet and by the disk itself. More precisely, the planet gives some angular momentum to the outer part of the disk, while it takes some from the inner part (Lin and Papaloizou, 1979 ; Goldreich and Tremaine, 1980) . In doing so, it pushes the outer part of the disk outward and the inner part inward, and therefore tends to open a gap. However, the internal evolution of the disk, which tends to spread the gas into the void regions, opposes to the opening of the gap.

More precisely, the planet gives some angular momentum to the outer part of the disk, while it takes some from the inner part.


Several types of migration have been identified, depending on how the planet modifies the local density of the disk. Type I migration occurs when the planet is not massive enough to significantly alter the local density of the disk ; the planet migrates inward with a speed proportional to its mass (Ward, 1997) . Type II migration corresponds to the case where the planet is so massive that it opens a clear gap in the disk ; the migration then depends on the viscous evolution of the disk (Lin and Papaloizou, 1986 a, b) . Type III (or runaway) migration corresponds to planets with intermediate mass, which do not open a clear gap, but only form a dip around their orbits in the gas surface density profile ; under some conditions, their migration drift rate can grow exponentially, in a runaway process (Masset and Papaloizou, 2003) .

Type I migration occurs when the planet is not massive enough to significantly alter the local density of the disk ; the planet migrates inward with a speed proportional to its mass.

Type III (or runaway) migration corresponds to planets with intermediate mass, which do not open a clear gap, but only form a dip around their orbits in the gas surface density profile ; under some conditions, their migration drift rate can grow exponentially, in a runaway process.


Osteosarcoma, the most common primary malignant bone tumour, usually arises in the metaphysis of long bones such as the distal femur, proximal tibia and proximal humerus during the second decade (60-80 years) of life. Overall, osteosarcoma has an incidence rate of 10-26 per million new cases worldwide each year [25] . Various side effects such as severe nausea, vomiting, nephrotoxicity, myelosuppression and neurotoxicity were noted after cisplatin administration, whereas gastrointestinal disturbances, acute nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, alopecia baldness, neurologic disturbances, bone marrow, aplasia, cumulative cardio toxicity and bone marrow depressant effects due to doxorubicin administration [26] . Because of these shortcomings, effective approaches with less or no side effects should be considered. Glycogenic AuNPs have been found to be active against human osteosarcoma cell line (Saos2) with an IC 50 of 0.187 mM [27] .

Overall, osteosarcoma has an incidence rate of 10-26 per million new cases worldwide each year.

Various side effects such as severe nausea, vomiting, nephrotoxicity, myelosuppression and neurotoxicity were noted after cisplatin administration, whereas gastrointestinal disturbances, acute nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, alopecia baldness, neurologic disturbances, bone marrow, aplasia, cumulative cardio toxicity and bone marrow depressant effects due to doxorubicin administration.

Glycogenic AuNPs have been found to be active against human osteosarcoma cell line (Saos2) with an IC 50 of 0.187 mM.


The difference in the mixing type of NO − 3 at Hedo and Gosan was interesting. Ninety-eight percent of the modeled NO − 3 was internally mixed with COR at Hedo, whereas 53.7 % of the NO − 3 was internally mixed with sea salt particles at Gosan (Kajino and Kondo, 2011) . The modeled values were consistent with the observed NO − 3 PM 2.5 /PM 10 ratio at Gosan and the PM 1 /T-NO − 3 ratio at Hedo. Gosan is located upwind of Hedo toward the Asian continent. To the downwind regions of the continent over the ocean, the HNO 3 gas produced during transport is more efficiently condensed onto sea salt particles as the proportion of the sea salt surface area to the total aerosol surface area becomes large. The chlorine deficit reaction on the sea salt particles promoted the condensation of HNO 3 . This reaction decreases the HNO 3 gas concentration, resulting in evaporation of NH 4 NO 3 from submicron particles. This conversion of nitrate in submicron particles to sea salt particles might occur during transport.

Ninety-eight percent of the modeled NO − 3 was internally mixed with COR at Hedo, whereas 53.7 % of the NO − 3 was internally mixed with sea salt particles at Gosan.


Our current implementation of the Stokesian-dynamics algorithm for suspensions confined between two parallel planar walls allows evaluation of hydrodynamic interactions in a system of about a hundred particles. For a given number of particles, the numerical cost of the method increases with the particle separation (especially for r420H). This increase results from the oscillatory character of the integrands in the Fourier representation of the matrix elements of the Oseen integral operator. The limitation can be removed by subtracting several terms of the multiple-image sequence for the flow produced by the force multipoles induced on the particles. The subtracted contributions can be evaluated explicitly [27] .

The subtracted contributions can be evaluated explicitly.


The optimal treatment of femoral neck fractures depends on a multitude of factors including the degree of fracture displacement and patient's age, risk profile, functional demands, cognitive function and physical fitness [3, 4] . Three surgical options are available for such fractures: internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty (HA), and total hip arthroplasty (THA) [5, 6] . Hemiarthroplasty is the treatment of choice in low-demand and cognitively impaired elderly patients [5] . However, the ideal management of displaced femoral neck fractures in relatively healthy, independent and lucid patients over the age of 60 years remains controversial [5, 7] . Most orthopedic surgeons favour arthroplasty over internal fixation [5] . Recent studies have also demonstrated that arthroplasty produces superior functional results relative to internal fixation and is therefore preferable for this patient population [8] [9] [10] . However, debate continues among surgeons as to whether HA or THA is optimal, with most surgeons favouring HA [5, 11] . Proponents of HA quote the advantages of a shorter and simpler surgical procedure, reduced risk of dislocation and the decreased component costs. On the other hand, advocates of THA criticize HA since it results in rapid wear of the acetabular articular cartilage and emphasize that THA is associated with improved functional outcomes, lower postoperative pain scores and potential decrease in reoperation rates [7, 9, 10, [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] .

The optimal treatment of femoral neck fractures depends on a multitude of factors including the degree of fracture displacement and patient's age, risk profile, functional demands, cognitive function and physical fitness.

Three surgical options are available for such fractures: internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty (HA), and total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Hemiarthroplasty is the treatment of choice in low-demand and cognitively impaired elderly patients.

However, the ideal management of displaced femoral neck fractures in relatively healthy, independent and lucid patients over the age of 60 years remains controversial.

Most orthopedic surgeons favour arthroplasty over internal fixation.

Recent studies have also demonstrated that arthroplasty produces superior functional results relative to internal fixation and is therefore preferable for this patient population.

However, debate continues among surgeons as to whether HA or THA is optimal, with most surgeons favouring HA.

On the other hand, advocates of THA criticize HA since it results in rapid wear of the acetabular articular cartilage and emphasize that THA is associated with improved functional outcomes, lower postoperative pain scores and potential decrease in reoperation rates.


Do these data indicate that FMF is an IL-10-deficiency associated disease? Two data sets, obtained in this study suggested against this notion. First, the LPS-induced production of IL-10 by monocytes at 18 h incubation was found to be significantly higher in FMF patients, and second, the IL-10 production by IL-4-treated and Pam 3 CSK4-or MDP-stimulated monocytes was significantly enhanced in FMF patients, compared with ND. Other studies also demonstrated that the serum IL-10 levels were not different in FMF patients with attacks and attack-free, and healthy controls [35] . In contrast, a significantly higher level of IL-10 in attack vs. control was confirmed by two independent groups of investigators [36, 37] . In addition, a potentially important consideration in the analysis of human IL-10 expression is the well-described inter-individual variation in IL-10 production which is associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL-10 promoter [38, 39] . However, there is no data available for FMF studies. These data may suggest that the diminished IL-10 production by monocytes is indirectly associated with mutation in MEFV and rather reflected the regulatory role of pyrin in IL-1β processing and release. Indeed, pyrin levels directly correlated with IL-1β processing in monocytes and macrophages in the context of endotoxin-induced activation and pyrin protein levels are down-regulated in monocytes as they mature into monocyte-derived macrophages [40] . These changes occur at the same time that IL-1β processing and release is also down-regulated. These data are in agreement with our observation that spontaneous and inducible production of IL-1β by monocytes at 18 h incubation were found to be significantly higher in FMF patients, while there is no significant differences observed between ND and FMF patients during the 3-day incubation period. Thus, pyrin may function to augment caspase-1 activation and IL-1β processing events in the early stages of innate immune response settings including IL-10 dependent regulatory pathways against of some pathogen (damage)-associated molecular patterns.

Other studies also demonstrated that the serum IL-10 levels were not different in FMF patients with attacks and attack-free, and healthy controls.

In contrast, a significantly higher level of IL-10 in attack vs. control was confirmed by two independent groups of investigators.

In addition, a potentially important consideration in the analysis of human IL-10 expression is the well-described inter-individual variation in IL-10 production which is associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL-10 promoter.

Indeed, pyrin levels directly correlated with IL-1β processing in monocytes and macrophages in the context of endotoxin-induced activation and pyrin protein levels are down-regulated in monocytes as they mature into monocyte-derived macrophages.


The results of Experiment 2 provide the first evidence that reference-dependent effects that are typically associated with choices among consumer goods also arise in simple perceptual tasks. The RST values were greater than 0.5 for all three effects. The effect was smaller for the small versus large tradeoffs effect than the other two effects. This might be because of the similarity between this effect and the compromise effect. Like the extreme decoy in the compromise effect, the reference point is extreme and increases the probability of choosing an intermediate option. Some existing research finds that the compromise effect is more vulnerable to time pressure and deferral than other context effects such as the attraction effect, which is similar to the improvement versus tradeoffs effect (Dhar & Simonson, 2003; Pettibone, 2012) .

Some existing research finds that the compromise effect is more vulnerable to time pressure and deferral than other context effects such as the attraction effect, which is similar to the improvement versus tradeoffs effect.


The prior for j was a beta distribution with both shape parameters equal to 2. This prior is considered vague and provides low certainty about the value of j . It also slightly favors the null hypothesis that the RST is equal to 0.5. The prior for j was a gamma distribution with shape and rate parameters equal to 0.001. This is also a vague prior and is commonly used on precision parameters such as j because it is invariant to changes in the measurement scale (Lee & Wagenmakers, 2014) . Three MCMC chains were used to estimate the posterior distributions for the parameters (both personspecific and hierarchal) using JAGS. Chain convergence was assessed by using the R statistic, which is similar to the F statistic. Specifically, if R is large, then the between-chain variance is larger than the within-chain variance. A R value close to 1 is ideal and values lower than 1.1 are considered satisfactory. All parameters had R equal to 1.

This is also a vague prior and is commonly used on precision parameters such as j because it is invariant to changes in the measurement scale.

All parameters had R equal to 1.


Several methods have been used to identify and track cells once they are injected, or implanted. What started as tracking cells containing iron particles with standard X-rays has advanced a great deal in recent years. These new tools can allow real-time, quantitative, and long-term monitoring of transplanted cells in the recipient, providing insight on cell migration, distribution, viability, differentiation, and fate, all of which play crucial roles in treatment efficacy. Most cell tracking work has centered on imaging modalities such as MRI, radionuclide imaging, and optical imaging. However, X-ray computed tomography (CT) is an emerging method for cell tracking that has several strengths such as high spatial and temporal resolution, and excellent quantitative capabilities [2] [3] [4] 11, 12] .

However, X-ray computed tomography (CT) is an emerging method for cell tracking that has several strengths such as high spatial and temporal resolution, and excellent quantitative capabilities.


Mesotrione is a member of the triketone family of herbicides which is developed for use in maize culture as a substitute for atrazine [18] . It is absorbed both by roots and foliage which allows its use as preemergence or postemergence herbicide. Its photochemical behaviour was deeply studied in pure and natural waters upon simulated solar light irradiation [19] . The main generated by-products are 4-(methylsulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzoic acid, 1,3-diketo 3-(2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylphenyl)butanoic acid, and 5,7-diketo-7-(2-nitro-4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-heptanoic acid ( Figures  8 and 9 ).

Mesotrione is a member of the triketone family of herbicides which is developed for use in maize culture as a substitute for atrazine.

Its photochemical behaviour was deeply studied in pure and natural waters upon simulated solar light irradiation.


CNTs possess a high free surface area which implies that van der Waals forces play a crucial role. As a consequence, CNTs have a strong tendency to form agglomerates and their uniform distribution in the matrix is one of the major problems when manufacturing nanocomposites with CNTs. A number of mixing methods have been developed in efforts to obtain uniform nanofiller dispersion. Unfortunately, most of these methods cause fragmentation of the nanotubes which has a major impact on the mechanical properties of the composite [3] . Another interesting carbon filler which improves thermal stability and fire retardancy is graphite [8, 9] . However, its addition can lead to a reduction in mechanical properties of the composites [1] . It was demonstrated that the addition of graphite nanoflakes to thermoplastic polyurethane could improve the thermal stability of the nanocomposites, reduce their heat release rate (HRR) and improve their flame retardance [10] .

Unfortunately, most of these methods cause fragmentation of the nanotubes which has a major impact on the mechanical properties of the composite.

Another interesting carbon filler which improves thermal stability and fire retardancy is graphite.

However, its addition can lead to a reduction in mechanical properties of the composites.

It was demonstrated that the addition of graphite nanoflakes to thermoplastic polyurethane could improve the thermal stability of the nanocomposites, reduce their heat release rate (HRR) and improve their flame retardance.


Polyurethanes possess specific chemical structures consisting of stiff and flexible segments, whose fraction strongly influence their properties. Depending on the fraction of each segment, two types of polyurethanes, namely elastomers and plastomers, can be distinguished. As a result, they can exhibit various mechanical and physical properties; therefore, polyurethanes are widely used in industry. Rigid polyurethane foams appear to be very promising materials for the transport industry, where the reduction in elements mass is of prime importance, as the lighter vehicles will use less fuel. However, the major disadvantage of polyurethanes which prevents them being used in the automotive industry is high flammability. When ignited, they emit toxic gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen cyanide. Recently, much emphasis has been placed on the safety regulations applicable to flame-retardant materials in relation to their toxicity and smoke products [1] .

Recently, much emphasis has been placed on the safety regulations applicable to flame-retardant materials in relation to their toxicity and smoke products.


SEM images of fracture surfaces of composite samples are presented in Fig. 1 . For foams with either nano-or microfillers, changes in the foam structure can be observed. The size and shape of the pores are different to those observed in 'pure' polyurethane foam. In particular, on the bottom of the foams-the arrows indicate the direction of foam rise in the mould-a porosity-free region, can be observed, although the samples were all produced using the same conditions. The presence of these regions is a result of the addition of carbon fillers which slows down the crosslinking reaction in the foams. This phenomenon can be explained by the changes in the viscosity of the matrix caused by the addition of CNTs. It is well known that uniformly dispersed nanotubes have a very high free surface area, and this changes the viscosity of such mixtures [13] .

It is well known that uniformly dispersed nanotubes have a very high free surface area, and this changes the viscosity of such mixtures.


CNTs are also known to improve the thermal stability of nanocomposites, which can be quantified using thermomechanical diagrams. These improvements result from the reduction in the mobility of macromolecules which is correlated with the interfacial interactions [4, 6] . By increasing the fraction of CNTs in the composite, one can observe the increase in temperature of 5 % mass loss, which gives the information about the beginning of degradation processes and its activation energy [7] .

These improvements result from the reduction in the mobility of macromolecules which is correlated with the interfacial interactions.

By increasing the fraction of CNTs in the composite, one can observe the increase in temperature of 5 % mass loss, which gives the information about the beginning of degradation processes and its activation energy.


N2O, a well-known anesthetic, has a long history for its recreational use, and its consumption is on the rise rapidly [2] . Several case studies have reported neurological and psychiatric complications of N2O use [1] . To date, there are only 18 cases describing SCD caused by N2O abuse. However, the exact mechanisms of SCD induced by N2O have not been well elucidated. N2O potentially interferes with methionine synthesis by inactivating methylcobalamin [3] . Except for the deficient methylation hypothesis, some other newly discovered functions of B12 in regulating cytokines and growth factors have also been raised [4] . The strengths of our case were listed as follows. Firstly, our case revealed symmetric abnormal signal in the dorsal columns of the cervical and thoracic cord, especially with inverted V-sign on cervical spinal. To the best of our knowledge, only one case has been previously described of such longitudinally extensive myelopathy induced by N2O [5] . Our case also indicated symmetric, reversible changes in the posterior columns correlating well with patients' clinical symptoms after vitamin B12 supplementation. Secondly, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the coexistence of mild cognitive impairment in patient with SCD by N2O abuse, in spite that the assessment of cognition was only measured by the MMSE. The underlying mechanism of cognitive decline may attributed to the neural toxicity of N2O or the metabolic disturbances from the lower level of metabolites such as folic acid and vitamin B12 or hyperhomocysteinemia [6] . Thirdly, abuse of N2O is common, but generally underestimated especially in developing countries. To date, this is also the first case reported in China (mainland).

N2O, a well-known anesthetic, has a long history for its recreational use, and its consumption is on the rise rapidly.

Several case studies have reported neurological and psychiatric complications of N2O use.

N2O potentially interferes with methionine synthesis by inactivating methylcobalamin.

Except for the deficient methylation hypothesis, some other newly discovered functions of B12 in regulating cytokines and growth factors have also been raised.

To the best of our knowledge, only one case has been previously described of such longitudinally extensive myelopathy induced by N2O.

The underlying mechanism of cognitive decline may attributed to the neural toxicity of N2O or the metabolic disturbances from the lower level of metabolites such as folic acid and vitamin B12 or hyperhomocysteinemia.


In the present paper we relate recent developments in the study of D-branes on CalabiYau manifolds with the BPS spectrum of N = 2 field theories. The essential idea is the following; for concreteness, we will consider the case of pure SU (N ) SYM. Recall that along the moduli space of N = 2 SU (N ) SYM, there is a set of N (N −1) monopoles or dyons that can go massless, and we can pick up 2(N − 1) of them to form a basis of vanishing cycles [15] . We claim that these 2(N − 1) potentially massless dyons constitute another example of "partons", and the rest of the spectrum can be thought of as boundstates of them. For instance, for SU (2), the monopole and the fundamental dyon that go massless in the strong coupling constitute such a set of "partons", and the W + and the tower of dyons present in the weak coupling appear as boundstates of monopoles and fundamental dyons. From the string theory point of view, this amounts to a shift in perspective with respect to geometric engineering: the starting point of geometric engineering is given by a IIA compactification on a geometry of 2-cycles, and D2-branes wrapping about them, that correspond to the perturbative (electric) degrees of freedom of the field theory. Here, we compute the BPS spectrum in the non-geometric phase of the string theory compactification; in particular, we identify the parton branes, which correspond to D4-branes wrapping 4-cycles, with the basis of vanishing cycles in the field theory, so we obtain a description of the field theory spectrum in terms of magnetic degrees of freedom 1 .

Recall that along the moduli space of N = 2 SU (N ) SYM, there is a set of N (N −1) monopoles or dyons that can go massless, and we can pick up 2(N − 1) of them to form a basis of vanishing cycles.


An acute asthma exacerbation is one of the most common reasons for children to present to an emergency department (ED). Conventional treatment focuses on the delivery of beta-2-agonists (bronchodilators) to relieve the bronchospasm. There are two main methods of delivering bronchodilators to children in the ED: nebulisation and metered-dose inhaler with spacer (MDI/spacer). For over a decade, the evidence has been well established that MDI/spacers are as effective (and in many ways superior) to nebulisers for mild to moderate asthma treatment in the ED [1] .

For over a decade, the evidence has been well established that MDI/spacers are as effective (and in many ways superior) to nebulisers for mild to moderate asthma treatment in the ED.


Among the various species of silkworms, A. pernyi and B. mori are the most commonly used in sericulture (Zhou and Han, 2006) . However, in spite of the importance of A. pernyi silk in silk science and industry, the study on the biologically functional properties of A. pernyi silk has not been done in detail yet. Hence, this study was conducted to examine the physiological activity of A. pernyi silk fibroin using animal model. Specifically, the effect of dietary feeding of A. pernyi silk fibroin powder on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense status in high fat-fed C57BL/6N mice was investigated.

Among the various species of silkworms, A. pernyi and B. mori are the most commonly used in sericulture.


Coastal marshes serve as an important link to fishery production for estuarine-dependent species by providing food and shelter that can result in higher rates of growth and survival, and increased productivity (Minello et al., 2008) . Rising sea surface temperatures, increasing ocean water levels and loss of marsh habitat threaten these coastal areas, however, and can disrupt estuarine food webs, alter physiological processes and behaviors, modify dispersal and migration routes, and change spatiotemporal distributions and recruitment patterns that have important implications for the dynamics and management of shrimp populations (McCarty, 2001; Cury et al., 2008) . In fact, long-term ecological and environmental changes have been linked to the decline in spawning stock size and recent collapse of the shrimp fishery in the southern Gulf of Mexico (Ramirez-Rodriguez et al., 2003) .

Coastal marshes serve as an important link to fishery production for estuarine-dependent species by providing food and shelter that can result in higher rates of growth and survival, and increased productivity.

Rising sea surface temperatures, increasing ocean water levels and loss of marsh habitat threaten these coastal areas, however, and can disrupt estuarine food webs, alter physiological processes and behaviors, modify dispersal and migration routes, and change spatiotemporal distributions and recruitment patterns that have important implications for the dynamics and management of shrimp populations.

In fact, long-term ecological and environmental changes have been linked to the decline in spawning stock size and recent collapse of the shrimp fishery in the southern Gulf of Mexico.


There are three main modes of use for chaff at sea [8] . The first mode is known as distraction decoy dispensed by rockets and shells at ranges up to 2 km from the vessel, and a pattern of several rockets fired in different directions to provide alternative targets to missiles. The second is the dump mode which is used closer to the vessel (less than 1 km away), and the chaff fired as a false target to the attacking missile. The third one is the centroid mode, used very close to the ship where the chaff cloud is dispensed at a range of 100-400 m. A large echoing area must be formed in a few seconds and the chaff cloud appears initially near the ship. After the ship moves and is away from the tracking beam of the guidance radar, the chaff cloud puzzles the missile. In the distraction decoy and dump mode, the echoes of the chaff and vessel are in different beams, or in different range cells of the same beam of the missile-borne radar. In the centroid mode, nevertheless, the echoes of the chaff and vessel are in the same range cells of the same beam. In this paper, we focus on the echo characteristics of the chaff in the distraction decoy and (or) the dump mode for wideband LFM coherent pulses radars. Firstly, we build the echo model of the missile-borne wideband coherent radars, and the range-Doppler image of the echoes is derived. For wideband coherent radars, the vessel and the chaff are both range-spread targets. Moreover, due to different velocities of the scatterers, the echo is spread in Doppler as well. Hence for wideband coherent radar, the target is named as a range-Doppler spread target in this work. With the measured data, we analyze the differences of the echoes between the vessel and the chaff. Furthermore, we propose two features of the range-Doppler image to distinguish the vessel and the chaff. And finally, we investigate the statistical distributions of the two features, and some available results are obtained.

There are three main modes of use for chaff at sea.


Among the defensive measures against anti-ship missiles, chaff is probably the oldest, but still an effective measure [1] . Besides, compared to other countermeasures, chaff is inexpensive and easy to implement. Consequently, it is widely used by Naval Force all the same. Anti-chaff jamming technology has gained much attention among radar engineers in the past decades. Due to the working environment, however, anti-chaff jamming performance of the missileborne terminal guidance radar is still imperfect [2] . Some investigations have been proposed to distinguish the target and chaff echoes [3] [4] [5] [6] . Generally speaking, the existing anti-chaff jamming methods include the polarization method, time domain correlation method, Doppler spectra method, and time-frequency analysis method. Nevertheless, the polarization method is only at the theoretical analysis stage, and a complex full-polarization terminal guidance radar system is impractical. The performances of the time domain correlation method and Doppler spectra method are both unstable. Time-frequency analysis method seems to have excellent performance, but it usually consumes too much computation, which makes it not suitable for missile-borne radar signal processing. Wideband radar has the ability of high range resolution, which provides us a new technological approach for anti-chaff jamming. In addition, the coherent radar is usually used to restrict clutter and jamming echoes by Doppler analysis. Wideband coherent LFM pulses radar has combination advantages of wideband radar and coherent radar. Furthermore, it has a long coverage and low peak power, which produce a low probability of intercept and strong anti-interference performance [7] . As a result, wideband coherent LFM pulses radar has been widely used in terminal guidance. To study effective anti-chaff jamming methods, the paper investigates the echo characteristics of the vessel and chaff for wideband coherent radars with the background of anti-ship terminal guidance.

Among the defensive measures against anti-ship missiles, chaff is probably the oldest, but still an effective measure.

Due to the working environment, however, anti-chaff jamming performance of the missileborne terminal guidance radar is still imperfect.

Some investigations have been proposed to distinguish the target and chaff echoes.

Furthermore, it has a long coverage and low peak power, which produce a low probability of intercept and strong anti-interference performance.


The existence of numerous researches which indicate that creative arts develop class participation, as well as the creative and critical thinking skills of the children, obliges the utilization of artistic activities and products within language education (Gormley & McDermott, 2016) . The key purpose within education is to enhance the production and informational organization of the student; rather than focusing on multiple choice tasks, education provided through literature is particularly effective in this regard (Lorimer, 2011) . Personal features such as trust, creative thinking, motivation, effective participation, team work and empathy can all be developed through art-based teaching methods, and through these methods students can be provided with the skills they need to express themselves more accurately (Barton & Baguley, 2014) . The creative arts and children's literature-which make considerable contributions when it comes to individuals expressing themselves in a written or spoken way-are interesting in terms of being concrete materials in the first language education; indeed, they form a basis for the acquisition of permanent knowledge.

The existence of numerous researches which indicate that creative arts develop class participation, as well as the creative and critical thinking skills of the children, obliges the utilization of artistic activities and products within language education.

The key purpose within education is to enhance the production and informational organization of the student; rather than focusing on multiple choice tasks, education provided through literature is particularly effective in this regard.

Personal features such as trust, creative thinking, motivation, effective participation, team work and empathy can all be developed through art-based teaching methods, and through these methods students can be provided with the skills they need to express themselves more accurately.


Children's literature has functions such as language development, correspondingly developing word-attack skills, prompting creative thinking, supporting developmental zones, having children acquire reading habits, the adapting of cultural properties and preparing children for their future lives. Not being aware of the importance of children's literature and its complimentary effect on the education of the child-also the applicators' not configuring the consume of children's literature with the activities fit for purpose-can be considered as fundamental problems (Sever, 2006) . What is important here is forming a children's literature away from these problems and having the children experience works written by expert writers with the competence to secure these acquisitions.

Not being aware of the importance of children's literature and its complimentary effect on the education of the child-also the applicators' not configuring the consume of children's literature with the activities fit for purpose-can be considered as fundamental problems.


In the case of the AGR plants, the graphite core is a life-limiting component (along with the boiler systems), and inspection of fuel channels provides insight into the condition of the core. Each reactor consists of around 300 fuel channels and, at the start of life, only a few fuel channels (typically four) were inspected. In 2015 this number has risen to 31 for the oldest plants and the channels to be inspected are selected based on various competing criteria [2] . This results in an increase in the volume of data that needs to be assessed before the plant is returned to service, and this assessment lies on the critical outage path. As a result, the application of automated or semi-automated techniques to aid the processing and analysis of this data in a robust, repeatable, and auditable manner has significant value. In future, this will also facilitate an increased number of channel inspections which could positively impact any decisions based on economic factors associated with plant inspection.

In 2015 this number has risen to 31 for the oldest plants and the channels to be inspected are selected based on various competing criteria.


Treatment with B. subtilis appeared to enhance growth and survival of M. rosenbergii. Gram-negative bacteria in treated prawns' gut were replaced by Bacillus sp. This same pattern of bacterial replacement occurred in rearing tank water and prawns' gut of treated groups in challenge test, where A. hydrophila was replaced by Bacillus sp in rearing tanks water and prawns' gut in B. subtilis-treated tanks. Gram-negative bacteria are the dominant opportunistic bacterial flora in the digestive tracts of prawns. These bacteria are transients and may change rapidly with the intrusion of probiotics bacteria coming from water or feed (Abraham et al. 2008) .

These bacteria are transients and may change rapidly with the intrusion of probiotics bacteria coming from water or feed.


Equatorial waves are forced by anomalies in surface wind stress. A symmetric westerly wind burst along the Equator will generate Ekman convergence at the Equator and thus force downwelling anomalies which then propagate eastward as a Kelvin wave (Battisti, 1988; Giese and Harrison, 1990) . Typically, such wind bursts will also force a westwardpropagating Rossby wave of the opposite sign, although this is dependent on the meridional structure of the wind field and its resultant curl (Chelton et al., 2003) . The meridional component of the wind field can also affect the magnitude of the resultant Rossby waves.

A symmetric westerly wind burst along the Equator will generate Ekman convergence at the Equator and thus force downwelling anomalies which then propagate eastward as a Kelvin wave.

Typically, such wind bursts will also force a westwardpropagating Rossby wave of the opposite sign, although this is dependent on the meridional structure of the wind field and its resultant curl.


For the case-study analysis, two representative primary events are selected, starting on 12 February 1997 and 24 Table I , illustrating the propagation paths for equatorial Rossby waves (black boxes and solid arrows), and equatorial Kelvin waves (dashed arrow). The black boxes also represent the latitudes over which subsequent Hovmöller diagrams of Rossby wave propagation are calculated. This figure is available in colour online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/qj September 2004. Relevant atmospheric and oceanic variables are extracted for the period extending from 100 days prior to the start date of these primary events to 100 days after. This allows the propagation of any Rossby waves to be followed across the Indian Ocean. The same time window is used for the compositing method, such that the composites represent the average of each variable over all the primary event case-studies. Composites are also produced for the successive events. Figure 3 (a,d), which is calculated using the methodology described in the appendix. This is then followed by the initiation of the MJO convection, around 0 days, shown by the eastward-propagating negative OLR anomaly in the same panels. Note that although the OLR anomaly appears to be zonally uniform due to the aspect ratio, it is in fact propagating east at around 5 m s −1 , consistent with previous observations of the MJO (Zhang, 2005) .

Note that although the OLR anomaly appears to be zonally uniform due to the aspect ratio, it is in fact propagating east at around 5 m s −1 , consistent with previous observations of the MJO.


There was no significant difference in rooting percentage between the two composite families (Table 1) until week 12, when the rooting percentage in family GW (32%) was significantly greater than that in family BR (24%) ( Table 2 ). This resulted in a significant week × family interaction (Table 1 ). In contrast, by week 12, survival of cuttings of the poor-rooting family (BR) (94%) was significantly greater than that of the good-rooting family (GW) (82%) ( Table 2) . Again, a week × family interaction was significant. Cutting height for composite family BR was greater throughout the rooting period, but dry weights were lower (Table 2 ). In general, after week 6, family BR had greater callus formation and stem diameters, whereas family GW had greater root number, length, and dry weight ( Table 2) . This is not surprising as there is substantial evidence that rooting ability is genetically controlled (Haissig and Riemenschneider, 1988) .

This is not surprising as there is substantial evidence that rooting ability is genetically controlled.


Due to the preferential enhancement of longevity by ACA in male mice we sought to identify aspects of the gut microbiome that responded differently in male and female mice (i.e. interaction effects), as these might suggest mechanistic explanations for differences in longevity effects [2] . While we do not believe that the magnitude of sex-by-treatment interactions observed for various aspects of the microbiome were sufficiently pronounced to fully explain the differential effect of ACA on lifespan, our search was limited by sample size, variability between study sites, and the large number of features being tested. Nonetheless, ACA was found to increase propionate concentrations more in male mice than females, a statistically significant pattern before correction for multiple testing, and the relative abundance of a handful of OTUs seem to have also been subject to an interaction.

Due to the preferential enhancement of longevity by ACA in male mice we sought to identify aspects of the gut microbiome that responded differently in male and female mice (i.e. interaction effects), as these might suggest mechanistic explanations for differences in longevity effects.


It is unclear whether the pathways by which ACA extends longevity in mice overlap with those affected by dietary restriction, but several observations have suggested critical differences [2] . Weight loss in ACA mice was more dramatic in females than in males, while the longevity effect is much stronger in males. By contrast, dietary restriction effects both weight and lifespan similarly in both sexes. Likewise, the response of fasting hormone FGF21 to ACA treatment was opposite in direction from that induced by dietary restriction. In female mice alone, ACA blocked age-related changes in spontaneous physical activity, while dietary restriction leads to dramatic increases in activity in both sexes. It is therefore justified to suspect that the effects of ACA on longevity are due to pathways distinct from dietary restriction.

It is unclear whether the pathways by which ACA extends longevity in mice overlap with those affected by dietary restriction, but several observations have suggested critical differences.


It is difficult to attribute our observation exclusively to 'chance'. Almost half of the patients certainly had a biologically aggressive disease as demonstrated by the presence of two patients with inflammatory breast cancer, oestrogen receptor negative tumours (38% of patients) and by the presence of visceral disease at baseline (61% of patients), but the median disease-free interval from initial diagnosis and the overall CNS progression-free interval were quite long (28 and 15 months, respectively). In a similar poor prognosis population of metastatic breast cancer patients only 3 out of 70 patients (14%) had brain relapse as their only site of recurrence [12] .

In a similar poor prognosis population of metastatic breast cancer patients only 3 out of 70 patients (14%) had brain relapse as their only site of recurrence.


Where m is a constant independent of deformation and represents the rate of shear-band formation at low strains. However, this parameter depends on the SFE and the strain rate, and it increases with the decrease of the SFE and with increasing strain, since both of these factors tend to favor the shear-band deformation mode relative to deformation by slip [8] . Its value is related only to steel chemical composition and deformation temperature [1, 3] . In this study, it was used 1.95 for this parameter, which is in accordance with the order of magnitude found in other research [8] .

However, this parameter depends on the SFE and the strain rate, and it increases with the decrease of the SFE and with increasing strain, since both of these factors tend to favor the shear-band deformation mode relative to deformation by slip.

Its value is related only to steel chemical composition and deformation temperature.

In this study, it was used 1.95 for this parameter, which is in accordance with the order of magnitude found in other research.


The mechanisms responsible for this high strain hardening rate is related to the low stacking fault energy (SFE) presented by the austenitic phase. The value of the SFE controls the easiness which dislocations can carried out cross-slip. That is when the SFE is lower, it is easier to form of stacking faults and it is more difficult to cross-slip. This favors the mechanical twinning in relation to the dislocation gliding as a mechanism of plastic deformation of the steel [1, 2] .

This favors the mechanical twinning in relation to the dislocation gliding as a mechanism of plastic deformation of the steel.


One of the important characteristics of austenitic steels is their high capacity for strain hardening, which enables them to achieve high values of tensile strength with large plastic deformations. The austenitic steels containing high Mn content, and Al and Si, in addition to these properties, they have lower density. It is precisely on these characteristic that makes this type of steel interesting for the automotive industry. The steel has a greater capacity for drawing and it is able to absorb high energy events in a vehicle crash [1] .

The steel has a greater capacity for drawing and it is able to absorb high energy events in a vehicle crash.


Moreover, it is known that the deformation in tension of TWIP steel has two contributions, primarily from dislocation-dislocation and a reduction of dislocation mean free path due to mechanical twinning [16] . Therefore, before the start of mechanical twinning, slips occur initially by dislocations gliding and this mechanism control the flow behavior. Thus, the early stages of tension are controlled only by dislocation-dislocation interactions [16] . This is not consistent with the modeling, which is based on reducing the dislocation free path at all stages [9, 10] . On the other side, as the grain size is reduced as a function of mechanical twinning formation, besides the dynamic HP effect, there is a limited dynamic recovery due to low SFE of the steel [17] .

Moreover, it is known that the deformation in tension of TWIP steel has two contributions, primarily from dislocation-dislocation and a reduction of dislocation mean free path due to mechanical twinning.

Thus, the early stages of tension are controlled only by dislocation-dislocation interactions.

This is not consistent with the modeling, which is based on reducing the dislocation free path at all stages.

On the other side, as the grain size is reduced as a function of mechanical twinning formation, besides the dynamic HP effect, there is a limited dynamic recovery due to low SFE of the steel.


The use of retrograde IM nailing for the treatment of diaphyseal femur fractures has become an accepted practice over the last 18 years [5] [6] [7] [10] [11] [12] . Initially, a gunshot fracture was considered a relative contraindication for treatment using retrograde IM nailing due to concerns about the possibility of knee sepsis [8, 9] . Knee sepsis, either directly from the entry point itself or via communication from the open medullary canal after nail insertion, was thought to be a possible means of contamination.

The use of retrograde IM nailing for the treatment of diaphyseal femur fractures has become an accepted practice over the last 18 years.

Initially, a gunshot fracture was considered a relative contraindication for treatment using retrograde IM nailing due to concerns about the possibility of knee sepsis.


The most instructive constraints are about the parameter α and come from the LSS matter power spectrum and the CMB angular power spectrum analysis. In the former, the resulting best fit value is α 10 −5 , [13] . One can think that this narrow constraint is a flaw of the gCg model because if we take the limit α → 0 in the equation of state Eq. (1.1), then we reproduce exactly the ΛCDM model (if A assumes the value of the cosmological constant energy density).

In the former, the resulting best fit value is α 10 −5.


For flow condensation, saturated vapour enters a condenser tube and forms either a thin liquid film around the perimeter of the tube as an annular flow or a liquid layer in the bottom of the tube and a gravity-controlled condensing film around the upper perimeter as a stratified or stratified-wavy flow [12, 18] . At very high mass fluxes, it is also possible that the flow goes into mist flow, in which liquid droplets are entrained in a largely gaseous flow. This, however, rarely happens, and has not been studied much, due to the low number of processes which encounter condensation at such high mass fluxes [19] .

For flow condensation, saturated vapour enters a condenser tube and forms either a thin liquid film around the perimeter of the tube as an annular flow or a liquid layer in the bottom of the tube and a gravity-controlled condensing film around the upper perimeter as a stratified or stratified-wavy flow.

This, however, rarely happens, and has not been studied much, due to the low number of processes which encounter condensation at such high mass fluxes.


In-tube condensation of refrigerants in water-and air-cooled condensers is extensively used in the air-conditioning, refrigeration, automotive and process industries. Accurate and unified methods are required to optimally design these systems [1] . Higher energy efficiency requirements, material and space saving considerations, economic incentives and the move to more environmentally-friendly refrigerants have further emphasised this need.

Accurate and unified methods are required to optimally design these systems.


The adiabatic surface temperature has been proposed as a means for quantifying the thermal boundary condition in radiation dominated environments [19, 20] . The adiabatic surface temperature is the surface temperature that would exist if the surface where perfectly insulated. By knowing the gas temperature, surface emissivity, and heat transfer coefficient, the adiabatic surface temperature can be determined using a plate thermometer [19, 21] . The adiabatic surface temperature can then be used as the boundary surface temperature for calculating the thermal response of materials exposed to fire conditions. This technique has been applied to quantify the thermal boundary condition for fire-structural analysis [20, 22] . In these calculations, heat transfer coefficients are typically estimated or calculated through natural convection correlation.

The adiabatic surface temperature has been proposed as a means for quantifying the thermal boundary condition in radiation dominated environments.

By knowing the gas temperature, surface emissivity, and heat transfer coefficient, the adiabatic surface temperature can be determined using a plate thermometer.

This technique has been applied to quantify the thermal boundary condition for fire-structural analysis.


After the fall of the Soviet Union and formation of the Russian Federation, smuggling routes of opium were established from Afghanistan through Russia [18] . These routes increased the availability of opioid-based drugs in Russia, mostly heroin, leading to rapid increases in the number of people who inject drugs (PWID) and thus the spread of HIV infection. Presently, 1.8% of Russians inject drugs [30, 45] .

After the fall of the Soviet Union and formation of the Russian Federation, smuggling routes of opium were established from Afghanistan through Russia.

Presently, 1.8% of Russians inject drugs.


The standard of care at Russian inpatient narcology hospitals consists of diagnostic procedures, detoxification, and rehabilitation. Detoxification typically occurs within the first week of hospitalization. The process, which occurs mostly at inpatient setting, typically utilizes the following medications for opioid withdrawal therapy: antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, non-opiate analgesics, adrenergic, and alfa 2 agonist. The only available medication in Russia that has been shown to be effective at preventing opioid use relapse is the opiate antagonist naltrexone, which is generally only administrated upon discharge from inpatient care [21, 22, 32] . During inpatient hospitalization, patients receive drug counselling and treatment for comorbid psychiatric conditions, but integration to other treatment modalities such as HIV care is limited [14, 19] . PWID are encouraged to receive monthly outpatient care where they could receive psychotherapy and referral for treatment of comorbid conditions. However, linking and retaining patients in care is challenging, as narcology hospitals are limited in their capability to provide evidence-based pharmacological treatment, and their patients are subject to immense stigmatization [26] .

The only available medication in Russia that has been shown to be effective at preventing opioid use relapse is the opiate antagonist naltrexone, which is generally only administrated upon discharge from inpatient care.

During inpatient hospitalization, patients receive drug counselling and treatment for comorbid psychiatric conditions, but integration to other treatment modalities such as HIV care is limited.

However, linking and retaining patients in care is challenging, as narcology hospitals are limited in their capability to provide evidence-based pharmacological treatment, and their patients are subject to immense stigmatization.


Heart transplantation is currently the best method of treatment for patients with terminal HF. Unfortunately, HTx is available only to a part of those qualified. Usually patients are listed for transplantation only when it is presumed that they will live longer and function better after transplantation Table 1 www.cardiologyjournal.org than on medical therapy. The main problem with patients listed for HTx is proper allocation. There is a shortage of donors leading to long waiting list, so organs should be allocated to the patients at high risk of dying, underscoring the importance of accurate prognosis determination. The most widely accepted criteria for risk assessment are based on cardiopulmonary stress test (peakVO 2 ) and HFSS. Patients with reduced capacity (VO 2 £ 14 mL/min/kg) had worse survival. HFSS this is a scoring system based on 7 parameters, including peak VO 2 , etiology of cardiomyopathy, resting heart rate, sodium level, LV ejection fraction, mean arterial blood pressure, and width of QRS [7] . Based on HFSS patients are classified into low (> 8.10), medium (7.20-8.10 ) and high-risk (< 7.19) groups. The Seattle Heart Failure is another widely used prognostic model, which takes 5 out of 7 HFSS parameters (without heart rate and peak VO 2 ), along with demographic parameters, use of devices and some laboratory data [8] . Direct comparison of these two models shows relatively good concordance, although the Seattle Heart Failure Model tends to be overly optimistic and HFSS more pessimistic in estimating survival [9, 10] .

HFSS this is a scoring system based on 7 parameters, including peak VO 2 , etiology of cardiomyopathy, resting heart rate, sodium level, LV ejection fraction, mean arterial blood pressure, and width of QRS.

The Seattle Heart Failure is another widely used prognostic model, which takes 5 out of 7 HFSS parameters (without heart rate and peak VO 2 ), along with demographic parameters, use of devices and some laboratory data.

Direct comparison of these two models shows relatively good concordance, although the Seattle Heart Failure Model tends to be overly optimistic and HFSS more pessimistic in estimating survival.


The Z' factor is a useful tool for evaluating bioassay qualities [17] . In general, a Z' value above 0.5 suggests that an assay is robust enough for HTS. The SPA system described herein consistently displayed a Z' value between 0.73 and 0.78. This, and in conjunction with other parameters such as S/B ratio, B max and K d values, indicate that the assay is high quality in nature.

The Z' factor is a useful tool for evaluating bioassay qualities.


In this paper, we study the following difference equation in R d x n+1 = (A + B)x n + q(x n ), (1.1) where q(x) = O(|x| 2 ) is a smooth function, A and B are deterministic and stochastic d × d matrices respectively. We assume that the spectral radius of A is slightly greater than 1, ρ(A) = 1 + , 0 < 1 and ask how to choose mean-zero matrix B = B( ) to stabilize the equilibrium at the origin. Our motivation for considering (3.1) is two-fold. On one hand, we want to understand how to tame weak instability in general d-dimensional maps by noise. Eventually, we want to apply these results to stabilize periodic orbits of randomly perturbed stochastic ordinary differential equations in R d+1 . In this case, (3.1) represents a Poincare map [20] . Stochastic stabilization of period orbits remains largely unexplored area of research with many promissing applications.

In this case, (3.1) represents a Poincare map.


For the calculations of bimolecular constants k red and k ox the value of k d equal to 350 s -1 was used as for other laccases [3] . The values of k ox and k red almost did not change if k d during approximation varied between 100 to 1000 s -1 . Low sensitivity of k red and k ox to k d variation indicates that the reaction of PI decay (eq. 10) is not rate limiting process at the substrates concentration used. The calculated values of k red and k ox are presented in Table 1 . In the case of MPC1 and PZ the dependences of initial rate on the substrates concentration for rMtL were almost linear, and therefore did not allow the calculation of k ox .

For the calculations of bimolecular constants k red and k ox the value of k d equal to 350 s -1 was used as for other laccases.


The application of laccase in biotechnology is associated with substrate oxidation using molecular oxygen [4] . Typically the laccases are used in concert with other oxidoreductases and in presence of mediators [5, 6] . To optimize these complex biocatalytic schemes the kinetics of laccase action should be evaluated.

The application of laccase in biotechnology is associated with substrate oxidation using molecular oxygen.

Typically the laccases are used in concert with other oxidoreductases and in presence of mediators.


In the current study, including a high proportion of patients with obesity and abdominal obesity, we compared two different BIA devices relying on different approaches to estimate FFM; a whole-body approach and a segmental approach. For the wholebody approach, the various segments of the body will contribute differently to resistance values based on conductive mass. Hence, it has been suggested that segmental BIA may provide more accurate estimates of FFM in patients at extremes of BMI ranges [10] . However, this has yet to be confirmed in clinical studies [31] . Our study demonstrated that both BIA devices showed good agreement with DXA when using the appropriate equation. This was demonstrated in the group as a whole, and when looking at the obese subjects only (data not shown). Hence, we could not confirm the superiority of segmental BIA over whole-body BIA in estimation of FFM in this CRC population.

Hence, it has been suggested that segmental BIA may provide more accurate estimates of FFM in patients at extremes of BMI ranges.

However, this has yet to be confirmed in clinical studies.


In many extensively cleared regions of Australia, the only surviving fragments of native vegetation occur along road verges (Leigh & Briggs, 1992) . These fragments are the only refuges for some endangered plant species (Breckwoldt, 1990) . Approximately 25 per cent of endangered plant species in Australia are currently confined to remnant vegetation along road verges (Leigh & Briggs, 1992) .

In many extensively cleared regions of Australia, the only surviving fragments of native vegetation occur along road verges.

These fragments are the only refuges for some endangered plant species.

Approximately 25 per cent of endangered plant species in Australia are currently confined to remnant vegetation along road verges.


A considerable need therefore exists for an appropriate infrastructure that will enable the integrated and operational use of multisource data for different application domain. From a technological point of view, Grids can provide solutions to the aforementioned problems (Foster 2002; Fusco et al. 2007; Shelestov et al. 2006) . In this case, a Grid environment can be considered not only for providing highperformance computations but, in fact, can facilitate interactions between different actors by providing a standard infrastructure and a collaborative framework to share data, algorithms, storage resources, and processing capabilities (Fusco et al. 2007) . In this context, we may refer to the GENESI-DR project (www.genesi-dr.eu) that aims at building a grid-based infrastructure facing these challenges and supporting GEOSS architecture.

From a technological point of view, Grids can provide solutions to the aforementioned problems.

In this case, a Grid environment can be considered not only for providing highperformance computations but, in fact, can facilitate interactions between different actors by providing a standard infrastructure and a collaborative framework to share data, algorithms, storage resources, and processing capabilities.


C bio was partially responsible for trends of BR and SIR. This was not the case for SIR at the KRK site in spring, where trends of SIR were confirmed. Interesting observation was found for qCO 2 at the KOK site in autumn: an increase of the values with decreasing distance to the road (R = 0.79). This might indicate stress from road salting, because an increase of the qCO 2 values was reported in literature as indication of higher maintenance energy of soil microorganisms induced by stress conditions (Anderson and Domsch 1993) . Potential ammonification (PAMO) as a marker of the important process of N-transformation in soil showed a significant increase with increasing distance (R = 0.84) at the KRK site (Figure 2 ). Significantly decreased PAMO was observed at 5 m plot when compared with the control or 20 m plot. This might be an inhibition due to increased Na + level and consequent changes in soil chemistry. However, this trend was not found for PAMO in deeper layers.

This might indicate stress from road salting, because an increase of the qCO 2 values was reported in literature as indication of higher maintenance energy of soil microorganisms induced by stress conditions.


The continual anthropogenic pollution of Earth's atmosphere with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is causing planetary warming and ocean acidification (OA). These global changes are ongoing and projected to be exacerbated into the future as atmospheric CO 2 levels continue to rise (IPCC, 2013) . In the marine environment, climate change is raising sea surface temperature (SST), while the oceanic uptake of CO 2 is causing a suite of chemical changes, increasing dissolved inorganic carbon (C T ), and reducing carbonate saturation states and pH (Langdon and Atkinson, 2005) . The warming and OA stressors are occurring simultaneously and are considered among the greatest threats to marine biodiversity (Kleypas, 1999; Hoegh-Guldberg et al., 2007) . It is thus necessary to consider the effects of these global stressors in conjunction with each other as their effects may differ in combination and isolation (Harvey et al., 2013) .

These global changes are ongoing and projected to be exacerbated into the future as atmospheric CO 2 levels continue to rise.

In the marine environment, climate change is raising sea surface temperature (SST), while the oceanic uptake of CO 2 is causing a suite of chemical changes, increasing dissolved inorganic carbon (C T ), and reducing carbonate saturation states and pH.

The warming and OA stressors are occurring simultaneously and are considered among the greatest threats to marine biodiversity.

It is thus necessary to consider the effects of these global stressors in conjunction with each other as their effects may differ in combination and isolation.


Recent research in controlling EMDAP CVT ratio used PD controller then fine tuned by fuzzy controller. The integral gain was not used since it caused a big overshoot [7] . Since the fuzzy controller needs complex algorithms, which is consist of fuzzification, inference, rules and defuzzification processes, it needs a bigger memory size and longer processing time when it is implemented on a microcontroller. Thus, this paper proposes a simpler proportional derivative controller then fine tuned by conditional integral controller to control EMDAP CVT ratio so that it can be simply implemented on a microcontroller. In this paper, a simulation of proportional derivative plus conditional integral (PDCI) controller was conducted using Matlab/Simulink software to evaluate PDCI controller performances, including maximum overshoot, steady state error and settling time.

The integral gain was not used since it caused a big overshoot.


In the past few years PHWE has received increasing attention as an alternative extraction method. It has been demonstrated that raising the temperature of water above the atmospheric boiling point, with enough pressure to maintain the liquid state allows it to quantitatively extract a variety of organic solutes from different matrices, including analytes present in plant materials [17] . Under such conditions, the fast movement of the water molecules disorders the intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and the dielectric constant (specific permittivity) is lowered, which gives water more non-polar solvent characteristics [18] . Moreover, the viscosity and surface tension of the solvent decrease as the solubility and diffusion rate of the target compounds increase. The penetration of the solvent into the matrix and the transfer of the compounds out from the matrix are faster than in a similar extraction process performed at room temperature [16, 17] . Hence, compared to conventional extraction methods, the PHWE technique attains more rapid and efficient extractions with minimal consumption of organic solvent [16] . To the best of our knowledge, the application of PHWE in the extraction of alkaloids in medicinal plants and herbal supplements is an area that still remains to be explored.

It has been demonstrated that raising the temperature of water above the atmospheric boiling point, with enough pressure to maintain the liquid state allows it to quantitatively extract a variety of organic solutes from different matrices, including analytes present in plant materials.

Under such conditions, the fast movement of the water molecules disorders the intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and the dielectric constant (specific permittivity) is lowered, which gives water more non-polar solvent characteristics.

The penetration of the solvent into the matrix and the transfer of the compounds out from the matrix are faster than in a similar extraction process performed at room temperature.

Hence, compared to conventional extraction methods, the PHWE technique attains more rapid and efficient extractions with minimal consumption of organic solvent.


Next, in Figure 7 we show the absorbance spectra for arrays of 70 nm nanocubes on gold substrate, for different lattice constants. We observe that as the lattice constant decreases and the interaction of the SP modes of neighbouring nanocubes increases, the absorbance peaks shift to longer wavelengths (red shift) and become much wider, as expected. However, additional peak structure emerges with decreasing lattice constant attributed primarily to the higher-multipole SP excitations at the nanocubes [21] . The long-wavelength (cavity-like) SP peak above 700 nm increases dramatically with the reduction of the lattice constant as the cavity modes underneath each nanocube interact more strongly with each other. Most notably, th peak structure slightly above 600 nm is drastically enhanced by the interaction between the nanocubes leading to prominent absorption peak not evidenced for large lattice constants. Finally, in Figure 8 we vary the thickness of the gold substrate. Evidently, as we increase the thickness of the substrate we do not observe a dramatic increase in the total absorbance; actually, there is practically no difference between the absorbance spectra for D = 100 nm and 200 nm as absorbance saturates above a certain value of the thickness.

However, additional peak structure emerges with decreasing lattice constant attributed primarily to the higher-multipole SP excitations at the nanocubes.


Inosine and hypoxanthine, which are involved in the purine metabolism pathway, are present in the HD group, but not in the PD or control groups. The exclusive detection of both of these metabolites in the serum of subjects receiving HD has not been reported previously. Xanthine oxidase, the enzyme that catalyses the conversion of hypoxanthine to uric acid, may influence the level of inosine and hypoxanthine. Although serum xanthine oxidase activ- Metabonomic patterns by dialysis modality 1309 ity and uric acid levels were higher in both dialysis groups than in the normal control group, there was no difference between the two dialysis groups. These findings indicate that the presence of hypoxanthine and inosine in the serum of patients receiving HD is not directly related to deficient xanthine oxidase activity or uraemia per se. Previous studies showed that patients receiving HD are vulnerable to cellular hypoxia and oxidative stress with elevated 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine of leucocyte DNA [22] [23] [24] [25] . Hypoxanthine is not only an indicator of cellular hypoxia but also a pro-oxidant substrate in inducing oxidative stress [22, 26] . Inosine accumulates to high levels after tissue ischaemia, and contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis [27, 28] . Therefore, the presence of serum hypoxanthine and inosine in the HD group appears to be attributable to potential hypoxia and oxidative stress generated during the HD process. The increased level of acetoacetate in the HD group is thought to be due to acetate-containing haemodialysate [29] . This finding demonstrates that metabonomic patterns in HD patients are affected by the haemodialysate as they are in PD patients. Glutamine is synthesized from glutamate by the enzyme glutamine synthase. The level of glutamine is affected by protein turnover. The level of glutamine in this study was highest in the HD group, followed by the control group and, finally, the PD group. The whole body appearance rate for glutamine was higher in the pre-dialysis sample from HD patients than from control subjects [30] . Our finding may reflect altered glutamine metabolism during haemodialysis. However, there was no report for glutamine synthesis in PD patients. Further studies to measure glutamine synthase activity or to compare glutamine synthesis in PD patients must be performed.

Previous studies showed that patients receiving HD are vulnerable to cellular hypoxia and oxidative stress with elevated 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine of leucocyte DNA.

Hypoxanthine is not only an indicator of cellular hypoxia but also a pro-oxidant substrate in inducing oxidative stress.

Inosine accumulates to high levels after tissue ischaemia, and contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis.

The increased level of acetoacetate in the HD group is thought to be due to acetate-containing haemodialysate.

The whole body appearance rate for glutamine was higher in the pre-dialysis sample from HD patients than from control subjects.


Determining the optimal inputs to achieve a certain goal, e.g. maximizing the throughput or reducing the operating costs, while satisfying constraints (including process, quality and safety constraints) represents the main task of process optimization. Dynamic optimization is performed using a process model which describes the dynamic behaviour of the process, but of course with a limited accuracy; leading to uncertainties in terms of modelplant mismatch and process disturbances (Engell (2009) ). Therefore, applying the optimal inputs obtained using the nominal model does neither ensure the optimal operation of the real process nor the satisfaction of process and safety constraints. Hence the uncertainties must be taken into account in order to achieve a safe and optimal operation.

Dynamic optimization is performed using a process model which describes the dynamic behaviour of the process, but of course with a limited accuracy; leading to uncertainties in terms of modelplant mismatch and process disturbances).