Among the e-learning tools on the market, LMSs are viewed as the most basic and reliable e-learning tool in blended learning environments, and they are often the starting point of any Web-based learning program (Kakasevski et al., 2008) . Examples of LMS are Blackboard, WebCT, eCollege, Moodle, Desire2Learn, and ANGEL etc. An LMS not only provides academic institutions with efficient means to train and teach individuals, but also enables them to efficiently codify and share their academic knowledge (Al Busaidi, 2012) .

Among the e-learning tools on the market, LMSs are viewed as the most basic and reliable e-learning tool in blended learning environments, and they are often the starting point of any Web-based learning program.

An LMS not only provides academic institutions with efficient means to train and teach individuals, but also enables them to efficiently codify and share their academic knowledge.


At present, many parts used in aircrafts, satellites and rockets are formed Titanium alloy parts the shapes of which may be simple: straight line bending and curve bending. Traditional bending techniques would normally require high-temperature resistance dies, the size of parts may also be restricted by the furnace capacity [12] , etc. While laser bending with preload offers many potential merits to the manufacture with Titanium alloy sheets, there is still need to further fundamental understanding on the process, material and part geometry to be formed, in order to achieve better process control for better quality and efficiency. For this consideration, FE simulation, combined with forming experiment, was conducted to study laser bending with preload of a Titanium sheet. Numerical simulation of the laser prestressed bending was carried out using FE code ABAQUS, which was verified with the corresponding experimental result. The load-deformation curve was then obtained, the transformation efficiency of elastic energy defined, and the method of optimizing the technological parameters put forward.

Traditional bending techniques would normally require high-temperature resistance dies, the size of parts may also be restricted by the furnace capacity, etc.


Given the implications for our understanding of mass flows and energy cycles in galactic nuclei and potentially even fundamental physics, major efforts are underway to determine the origin of these high-energy photons. Determining the astrophysical contribution to the high-energy photon distribution from different sources (e.g., star formation, supernovae, AGN episodes) relies on modelling the energy/momentum injection from relevant astrophysical sources and the subsequent interaction with the surrounding environment [9, 10] . As well as accurate injection models, this requires knowing the relative locations of different injection sources and the variations in physical conditions (interstellar radiation field, gas density, gas temperature, magnetic field strength and morphology, etc.) across the Galactic Centre.

Determining the astrophysical contribution to the high-energy photon distribution from different sources (e.g., star formation, supernovae, AGN episodes) relies on modelling the energy/momentum injection from relevant astrophysical sources and the subsequent interaction with the surrounding environment.


To explore the temporal and spatial variations in LULC change of the TRHR, the headwaters of the Yangtze River and Yellow River were selected for performing the contrastive analysis. In this study, the headwaters of the Yangtze refer to the Tuotuo River basin, which is one of the primary glacier regions in the source region of Yangtze River, and the headwaters of the Yellow River refer to the headwater region above the Jimai hydrological station [27] . Based on LULC datasets of the late 1970s, the early 1990s, 2004 and 2012, the LULC and macro-ecological situations and changes in the headwaters of the Yangtze River and Yellow River were analyzed contrastively by applying the transition matrix and LULC change index. The aim of this study was to enhance our understanding of LULC and macro-ecological situations and changes in the headwaters of the Yangtze River and Yellow River, and provide scientific reference for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of integrated ecosystem services in different geographical locations in the TRHR.

In this study, the headwaters of the Yangtze refer to the Tuotuo River basin, which is one of the primary glacier regions in the source region of Yangtze River, and the headwaters of the Yellow River refer to the headwater region above the Jimai hydrological station.


On the other hand, practical current sources have shown worse high frequency performance in comparison to voltage excitation systems [6−8] . This can be explained by the decrease in the open loop gain of the amplifier and stray capacitances at the circuit, which degrades the overall output impedance as frequency increases [9] . Researchers are trying to create or modify circuits to develop a current source that can work in a wider frequency range.

This can be explained by the decrease in the open loop gain of the amplifier and stray capacitances at the circuit, which degrades the overall output impedance as frequency increases.


Regional context is highly affected by policies implemented at the spatial level. Among them, rural development policy is a key 'place-based' policy to promote the diversification of economic activities in European rural areas [38] . The evolution and the subsequent reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy have allocated additional resources for rural development to stimulate rural employment; that is, jobs located in rural areas, but not necessarily linked with the production of agricultural goods. Regional policies also encourage the development of small-and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas to diversify their economic base [39] . The integration of rural development policy with regional and cohesion policies in a common strategic framework can further enhance their capacity to invigorate rural employment [40] .

Among them, rural development policy is a key 'place-based' policy to promote the diversification of economic activities in European rural areas.

Regional policies also encourage the development of small-and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas to diversify their economic base.

The integration of rural development policy with regional and cohesion policies in a common strategic framework can further enhance their capacity to invigorate rural employment.


European rural regions have been undergoing significant structural changes. The successive Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms, the international trade liberalisation, and the rapid growth of nonagricultural sectors have created new opportunities and challenges for the European countryside. Agriculture is no longer the backbone of most rural economies, and is neither necessary nor sufficient for generating and maintaining high income and employment shares in rural areas [1] . Emerging sectors, including the food manufacturing industry and tourism sector, create strong backward and forward linkages in many rural communities, complementing and/or replacing agriculture in this role [2] . A less protective framework for agriculture, including a reduction in CAP subsidies, may further push farmers to search for other forms of stable income or to leave agriculture [3] .

Agriculture is no longer the backbone of most rural economies, and is neither necessary nor sufficient for generating and maintaining high income and employment shares in rural areas.

Emerging sectors, including the food manufacturing industry and tourism sector, create strong backward and forward linkages in many rural communities, complementing and/or replacing agriculture in this role.

A less protective framework for agriculture, including a reduction in CAP subsidies, may further push farmers to search for other forms of stable income or to leave agriculture.


Prior studies of PYD in sport have argued that there is no specific evidence for the existence of the 5Cs among youth who play sports, although some researchers have stressed the need to better understand how PYD may be deliberately influenced by coaches, parents, and sports organizations (Fraser-Thomas et al., 2005) . This study's support for the 5Cs model appears to contradict findings that suggest that sports-based youth development may be better represented by a two-factor model than a model inclusive of the 5Cs (Jones et al., 2011) . The only "C' not supported by this study was "contribution," which has been proposed as the sixth "C" in Lerner's 5Cs model (Lerner et al., 2005) . The results of this study did not support that growth in competence, confidence, connectedness, compassion, and character associated with ICC would necessarily lead to increased contributions to one's home, school, or community. It may be that contribution is not an area of growth and development necessarily enhanced by ICC. However, it is possible that a longer-term examination of the influence of ICC on a young person's life might reveal such an impact.

Prior studies of PYD in sport have argued that there is no specific evidence for the existence of the 5Cs among youth who play sports, although some researchers have stressed the need to better understand how PYD may be deliberately influenced by coaches, parents, and sports organizations.

This study's support for the 5Cs model appears to contradict findings that suggest that sports-based youth development may be better represented by a two-factor model than a model inclusive of the 5Cs.

The only "C' not supported by this study was "contribution," which has been proposed as the sixth "C" in Lerner's 5Cs model.


Other noteworthy concepts were uncovered in addition to findings congruent with the 5Cs model. For example, respondents frequently stated their belief that climbing was unique when compared with traditional sports, in that competitors encourage one another and focus as much on the development of their peers as they do on personal success. This "us against the wall" mentality seemed counter to attitudes adopted by mainstream sport participants and represents a vital environmental strength of the sport, characteristic of the developmental assets and essential features requisite to PYD (Benson, 2003; Hershberg, Johnson, DeSouza, Hunter, & Zaff, 2015) . ICC also was viewed as an alternative sport where youth whose personalities and abilities did not align with the traditional sport model could thrive. Thus, ICC offers an alternative PYD-enhancing OST activity for youth who struggle to integrate into mainstream sports.

This "us against the wall" mentality seemed counter to attitudes adopted by mainstream sport participants and represents a vital environmental strength of the sport, characteristic of the developmental assets and essential features requisite to PYD.


The procedure for implementing OSM starts off by calculating the predictor responses using the response values from time step n. The predictor responses are then imposed on the tested structure, and the resulting restoring forcer n+1 is measured. The measured restoring force and the initial stiffness of the system are used to calculate the acceleration at time step n +1. After that, the corrector responses are obtained using the acceleration. The entire system behavior can be acquired by repeating the above procedure. OSM is unconditionally stable when the initial stiffness of the tested structure is greater than the tangent stiffness during the entire test [4] . On the other hand, OSM becomes conditionally stable when it is applied to a system that shows stiffening behavior. The key limitation of the method is that when the tested system becomes inelastic, the primary assumption of OSM that the tangent stiffness of the system can be replaced by its initial stiffness breaks down. Under such conditions, the accuracy of the simulated response will be reduced [4, 13] .

OSM is unconditionally stable when the initial stiffness of the tested structure is greater than the tangent stiffness during the entire test.

Under such conditions, the accuracy of the simulated response will be reduced.


Many researchers have tried to solve this problem by improving the dynamic models and incorporating different control strategies. The flexible manipulator is a continuous dynamical system, characterized by an infinite number of degrees of freedom and governed by nonlinear coupled, ordinary and partial differential equations. In most models of flexible manipulators, Euler-Bernoulli beams are used [3] . The experimental methods used to obtain the model are based on system identification. Active vibration control employs actuators to utilize external force effects on the mechanical system in order to dissipate energy. There are many well-known traditional actuating components utilized in active vibration control, such as electromagnetic devices, pneumatic actuators, rotary and linear motors etc. The most common smart materials used in active structures are shape memory alloys, magneto-and electrostrictive materials, semi-smart magneto-and electrorheological fluids, electrochemical and piezoelectric materials [4] .

In most models of flexible manipulators, Euler-Bernoulli beams are used.

The most common smart materials used in active structures are shape memory alloys, magneto-and electrostrictive materials, semi-smart magneto-and electrorheological fluids, electrochemical and piezoelectric materials.


Industrial robot manipulators are general-purpose machines used for industrial automation in order to increase flexibility, productivity, and product quality. Among the rigid and flexible manipulator types, attention is focused more towards flexible manipulators [1] . Flexible manipulators have many advantages: lower cost, higher operational speed, greater payload-to-manipulator-weight ratio, lower energy consumption, better maneuverability, better transportability and safer operation [2] . The greatest disadvantage of flexible manipulators is the vibration problem due to low stiffness and low damping.

Among the rigid and flexible manipulator types, attention is focused more towards flexible manipulators.

Flexible manipulators have many advantages: lower cost, higher operational speed, greater payload-to-manipulator-weight ratio, lower energy consumption, better maneuverability, better transportability and safer operation.


Pneumatic actuators have the advantages of low cost, high power-to-weight ratio, ease of maintenance, cleanliness, power source being readily available and cheap [10] . The compressibility of air results in very low stiffness (compared with the hydraulic system) leading to low natural frequency. That low damping of the actuator system makes it difficult to control, especially with the presence of nonlinearities, time varying effects and position dependence.

Pneumatic actuators have the advantages of low cost, high power-to-weight ratio, ease of maintenance, cleanliness, power source being readily available and cheap.


On the other hand, in vertical air-water upward flow, small bubbles, up to a few millimetres, have been shown to reduce the pressure gradient more effectively than larger bubbles, typically larger than 5 mm (Guet et al. 2003) . This is of interest for the gas-lift technique, by which gas bubbles are injected at the bottom of a pipe where a liquid is flowing, in order to reduce the gravitational pressure drop. The liquid production is then increased. In gas-liquid vertical bubbly flow the pressure gradient is usually dominated by the gravitational head of the column. Hence, the effect of the gas bubbles on the drag may not be visible for air-water flow at moderate Reynolds number.

On the other hand, in vertical air-water upward flow, small bubbles, up to a few millimetres, have been shown to reduce the pressure gradient more effectively than larger bubbles, typically larger than 5 mm.


Another class of compounds that have been reported for its antioxidant potential is the phosphorylated compounds; in general, these compounds are used in several chemical products, such as lubricants, fuels, synthetic diesels, biodiesel, and others. The oxidation stability and performance of these products are dependent upon the chemical structure of the molecule and formation of soluble compounds of decomposition during usage [7] . The phosphorous stabilizers are considered as hydroperoxide decomposers, also named secondary antioxidants, which also react with peroxy and oxyradicals by non-radical reaction [8, 9] .

The oxidation stability and performance of these products are dependent upon the chemical structure of the molecule and formation of soluble compounds of decomposition during usage.

The phosphorous stabilizers are considered as hydroperoxide decomposers, also named secondary antioxidants, which also react with peroxy and oxyradicals by non-radical reaction.


The modeling of the impact in multibody systems is well described by two types of methods, namely continuous and discontinuous approaches [16, 17] . Within the continuous approaches the methods commonly used are the continuous force model, which is in fact a penalty method, and the unilateral constraint methodology, based on complementary approaches [18] . The continuous contact force model represents the forces arising from the collisions, assuming that the force is a continuous function of deformation. In this model, when contact is detected, a force perpendicular to the plane of collision is applied. The contact force model can be linear, as in the Kelvin-Voigt model, or nonlinear, as represented by the Hertz law. For long impact durations this method is effective and accurate in so far as the instantaneous contact force is evaluated and introduced into the equations of motion of the system. In the second continuous approach, when contact is detected a kinematic constraint is introduced in the system equations. Such constraint is maintained while the reaction forces are compressive, and removed when the impacting bodies rebound from contact [19] .

The modeling of the impact in multibody systems is well described by two types of methods, namely continuous and discontinuous approaches.

Within the continuous approaches the methods commonly used are the continuous force model, which is in fact a penalty method, and the unilateral constraint methodology, based on complementary approaches.

Such constraint is maintained while the reaction forces are compressive, and removed when the impacting bodies rebound from contact.


While an ideal revolute joint imposes permanent kinematic constraints to the systems, a revolute joint with clearance has to be dealt with a different approach, for instance using force constraints [6] . For planar systems the existence of a radial clearance in a revolute joint removes the two kinematic constraints associated with the ideal revolute joint, and, hence, two extra degrees of freedom are introduced. Thus, the journal can move freely inside the bearing boundaries. When the journal reaches the bearing wall an impact takes place and contact forces control the dynamics of the joint.

While an ideal revolute joint imposes permanent kinematic constraints to the systems, a revolute joint with clearance has to be dealt with a different approach, for instance using force constraints.


The second type of methods, the discontinuous model, assumes that the impact occurs instantaneously and that no change of the system configuration occurs during contact. The integration of equations of motion is halted at the time of impact and a momentum balance is performed to calculate the post impact velocities of the system components. The restitution coefficient is employed to quantify the dissipation energy in the process. This method is relatively efficient, however, the unknown duration of impact limits its application, mainly for long impact duration in which the system configuration changes significantly and the assumption of instantaneity of impact is no longer valid [20] .

This method is relatively efficient, however, the unknown duration of impact limits its application, mainly for long impact duration in which the system configuration changes significantly and the assumption of instantaneity of impact is no longer valid.


Although in the main text we focused on the average causal effect within principal strata, our results can be easily extended to general causal measures. For example, we can dichotomize the outcome to identify the distributional causal effects (Ju and Geng 2010) . For binary S, we have derived clean results and easy-to-implement estimators. For general discrete or continuous S, we can likewise derive theoretical results under PI by modifying the weights in Propositions 2 and 5.

For example, we can dichotomize the outcome to identify the distributional causal effects.


Uniparental inheritance, strong functional constraints, and absent recombination are key but often untested assumptions in plant evolutionary studies (Wolfe & Randle 2004) . Using whole genome assemblies and comprehensive taxon sampling, we found that Picea plastomes are highly conserved in sequence and structure but shaped by interspecific recombination and punctuated by putative positive selection. Our results add to the growing body of evidence of complex plastid evolution and demonstrate how overly simple models can lead to misleading inferences.

Uniparental inheritance, strong functional constraints, and absent recombination are key but often untested assumptions in plant evolutionary studies.


Our procedure allows the synthesis of SF to put the poles at a given point Ω on the left of the real axis of the complex plane. The form of the transient response is determined by the totality of "desirable" poles and zeros depends on the actions of their own and reciprocal transfer functions, as the technique involves their compensation. This circumstance provides the monotony of the transient response of the output defined by the binomial expansion of SMC. The advantages of this approach are that it does not require calculation of the transition matrix to the canonical form of control and build the P in the "new basis", as recommended in the classic under-the course to solve this problem [7] . The matrix of the feedback from the vector coordinates we calculate the state directly through the matrix A , B , C the object (1) represented in the space of states in the original basis. The classical method of calculating the matrix SF does not permit a correlation matrix for a general form. Since the system of nonlinear equations generated by its decision, is overdetermined, and ( ) 1 n m − the elements of the matrix are the "free" and often given arbitrarily. Just these factors formed the spectrum of zeros of transfer functions that are part of the form (10) . The actions of these zeros distort the resulting transfer characteristic of Fig. 3 . The considered synthetic procedure proposed in this paper, involves the spectrum of all the zeros of the transfer functions at the point Ω of focus. This allows us to provide the monotony of the output transient response, see Fig. 4 . Testing of the algorithm for calculating the above stated was to prepare a program code to MATLAB to calculate arbitrary objects with the same number of inputs and outputs [10] . In this case, the transient response of all test objects, closed the SF had monotonous nature of the course. This circumstance superior to a pre-existing classical approach to solving this problem.

The advantages of this approach are that it does not require calculation of the transition matrix to the canonical form of control and build the P in the "new basis", as recommended in the classic under-the course to solve this problem.

Just these factors formed the spectrum of zeros of transfer functions that are part of the form.

Testing of the algorithm for calculating the above stated was to prepare a program code to MATLAB to calculate arbitrary objects with the same number of inputs and outputs.


Previous studies investigating psychometric features of Resiliency Belief Scale involved English speaking samples. Local data pertaining reliability, validity and factor structure of Resiliency Belief Scale (RBS) are lacking. Therefore, the present study attempted to evaluate the Resiliency Belief Scale involving Malaysian samples. Analysis of measurement model is done by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). SEM has become increasingly popular in counseling, psychology and rehabilitation research [8] . The main purpose of this study is to evaluate reliability, validity and dimensionality of Resiliency Belief Scale (RBS). Specifically, this study would like to determine whether the RBS is a well-fitted model in Malaysian context.

SEM has become increasingly popular in counseling, psychology and rehabilitation research.


The validity and reliability of the instrument reported here are based on the data collected from this study. The strategy employed in the present study to test the validity and the reliability of the instrument focuses on the psychometric properties of the scales used. In this aspect the researcher makes use of estimates of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Table 1 shows the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) above the satisfactory value of .70 [1] . Table 2 shows the regression weights of the model and Table 3 shows the goodness of fit indexes of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for the measurement model of adolescents resiliency by using Resiliency Belief Scale.

Table 1 shows the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) above the satisfactory value of .70.


By focusing on strength or resiliency, we can recognize the potential each individual has. Literature reviews have given more emphasis on risk factors compared to factors that contribute strengths [3] . Furthermore, resiliency can function as innate drives to achieve self-actualization, increased motivational energy to grow, potential buffer to stress, capacity to bounce back, recover from adversity and sustainable development among adolescents.

Literature reviews have given more emphasis on risk factors compared to factors that contribute strengths.


Distributed storage systems must tolerate faults other than crashes as such systems grow in size and importance. Protocols that can tolerate arbitrarily faulty behavior by components of the system are said to be Byzantine fault-tolerant [25] . Most Byzantine fault-tolerant protocols are used to implement replicated state machines, in which each request is sent to a server replica and each non-faulty replica sends a response. Replication does not introduce unreasonable overhead when requests and responses are small relative to the processing involved, but for distributed storage, large blocks of data are often transferred as a part of an otherwise simple read or write request. Though a single server can return the block for a read request, the block must be sent to each server for a write request.

Protocols that can tolerate arbitrarily faulty behavior by components of the system are said to be Byzantine fault-tolerant.


The factorial analysis of the original version indicated the existence of three main factors characterizing relationships between siblings: Warmth, Conflict and Rivalry, which accounted for 70% of the variance. The psychometric properties of the ASRQ were assessed as good. They were elaborated on a sample of 385 students (128 men and 255 women) [5] [6] [7] .

They were elaborated on a sample of 385 students (128 men and 255 women).


Poverty and malnutrition are major interlinked problems in Cambodia (http://tinyurl.com/arr9k5). To alleviate the situation, there is a need for production of nutritious food products. In this context, entomophagy could be one option to improve nutrition, by providing high-quality animal protein. Crickets are popular as food in Cambodia and the market has been described as fast growing (Münke, 2012) . The main supply of crickets to the market is currently from light trap owners harvesting wild crickets (Münke, 2012) . However, this practice is not likely to meet future year-around demand for crickets. Moreover, catching wild crickets could be a potential threat to existing wild cricket populations. Therefore, sustainable cricket rearing systems that preferably require limited investment and have low feed costs should be developed. Sustainability should permeate both the areas of feed resources and choice of species to rear. Introduction of new species, intentionally or unintentionally, is one of the major threats to biodiversity today (Crémieux et al., 2010) . Responsible and sustainable introduction of a new livestock rearing system should therefore be based on species that pose no threat to the native ecosystem. The field cricket (Teleogryllus testaceus) is a native species that inhabits paddy fields and fallow land in Cambodia. It is consumed by humans and a recent study show that it can be reared artificially (Megido et al., 2016) . Therefore T. testaceus is of high interest when examining the potential of cricket rearing systems in Cambodia.

Crickets are popular as food in Cambodia and the market has been described as fast growing.

The main supply of crickets to the market is currently from light trap owners harvesting wild crickets.

Introduction of new species, intentionally or unintentionally, is one of the major threats to biodiversity today.

It is consumed by humans and a recent study show that it can be reared artificially.


The FCR ranged from 1.6 to 3.9 at day 49. In chicken feed, cassava tops and C. rutidosperma, it was ≤1.9, which is similar to the FCR reported for A. domesticus fed chicken feed and food waste (1.3-1.8) (Collavo et al., 2005; Lundy and Parrella, 2014) . Since the FCR at day 49 (when the size of crickets is of commercial interest) was the same for chicken feed, cassava tops and C. rutidosperma, use of the latter two as feed for crickets is an interesting option from an economic perspective, since they are free of charge. However, if paid labour is used to collect the feeds or if the demand of the plant material increases the situation will be different.

In chicken feed, cassava tops and C. rutidosperma, it was ≤1.9, which is similar to the FCR reported for A. domesticus fed chicken feed and food waste (1.3-1.8).


Zinc oxide (ZnO) has gained a great interest in research due to wide and direct band gap (3.3 eV) and excellent optoelectronic properties, which are desirable for optoelectronic devices such as photodetectors, solar cells, light emission diodes, gas sensor, varistors, and ultraviolet laser diodes [1] . And ZnO thin films also obtain a processing advantage of thermal stability, which does not suffer from dislocation degradation during operation. Moreover, pure or doped ZnO thin films have been considered as good candidates to be transparent conductive oxide (TCO) materials because of their good optical transmittance, low electrical resistivity, and low-cost fabrication [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] .

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has gained a great interest in research due to wide and direct band gap (3.3 eV) and excellent optoelectronic properties, which are desirable for optoelectronic devices such as photodetectors, solar cells, light emission diodes, gas sensor, varistors, and ultraviolet laser diodes.

Moreover, pure or doped ZnO thin films have been considered as good candidates to be transparent conductive oxide (TCO) materials because of their good optical transmittance, low electrical resistivity, and low-cost fabrication.


To identify potential threats from global warming, this study investigates the impacts of climate change on water availability and extreme runoff in the Yiluo River catchment (YLC) in northern China and in the Beijiang River catchment (BJC) in southern China under global warming of 1.5 and 2°C. In general, global and catchment hydrological models are applicable to estimate hydrological impacts. However, climate impacts vary regionally, and adaptation policies are implemented at the regional scale. To provide reliable information for regional stakeholders and tailored adaptation policies, we used one validated hydrological model, considering that catchment hydrological models usually have more explicit representation of catchment water resources than global models (Gosling et al. 2011) .

To provide reliable information for regional stakeholders and tailored adaptation policies, we used one validated hydrological model, considering that catchment hydrological models usually have more explicit representation of catchment water resources than global models.


Simultaneous Multithreaded Processors (SMT) were introduced to maximize the ILP of conventional superscalars via the use of simultaneous instruction issue from multiple threads of control [16] . SMT architectures introduce modest extensions to a superscalar processor core, while enabling significant performance improvements for both parallel shared-memory programs and server workloads. To improve cost-effectiveness, threads on SMT processors share all processor resources, except from the registers that store the private architectural state of each thread. In particular, SMT processors use shared caches at all levels. From a performance perspective, a shared cache used by a multithreaded program accelerates inter-thread communication and synchronization, because threads that share an address space can prefetch data in the cache for each other [8] . However, for scientific programs which are organized to fully utilize the cache, a shared cache organization introduces significant problems. The working sets of different threads that share a cache may interfere with each other causing an excessive amount of conflict misses. Unless the cache space of the processor is somehow partitioned and "privatized", the problem of coping with thread conflicts on shared caches can become a serious performance limitation.

Simultaneous Multithreaded Processors (SMT) were introduced to maximize the ILP of conventional superscalars via the use of simultaneous instruction issue from multiple threads of control.

From a performance perspective, a shared cache used by a multithreaded program accelerates inter-thread communication and synchronization, because threads that share an address space can prefetch data in the cache for each other.


Several studies applied the contingent valuation (CV) method for empirically estimating the external benefit of renewable energy in the perspective of the public preference [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] . The goods to be valued in the studies found in the literature include green electricity, wind power, ocean energy, solid refuse fuel, bioethanol, hydrogen station, fuel cell, and PV. However, there have been a few studies of the CV approach to deal with the public WTP for increasing PV power generation. The implications of this article are useful in that the policy-makers need information on the public WTP for increasing PV power generation, to determine how much tax revenue to invest in the increase.

Several studies applied the contingent valuation (CV) method for empirically estimating the external benefit of renewable energy in the perspective of the public preference.


A sample of 156 final year pre-service teachers participated in this study, comprising primary education specialists (PRI), early childhood education specialists (ECE) and secondary education specialists (SEC). A survey was used to elicit participants' understanding and knowledge of climate change by examining their knowledge and ideas of the greenhouse effect, the sources of their knowledge and the actions they were prepared to undertake to mitigate their carbon footprint. The full survey has been used previously to examine a number of interrelated matters in relation to pre-service teachers' views, knowledge and beliefs [10] . Reported here are the results obtained from the following questions: I think climate change is caused by human activities f. I think climate change is a serious problem right now The sampling adopted for the project was cluster sampling using grid points on maps to locate areas in 7 regional disaster impacted Australian communities (Ingham, Innisfail, Beechworth, Bendigo, Townville, Cairns and Mission Beach) to deliver the surveys. Surveys were hand-delivered to clusters of households in each community; they were then collected by arrangement with the householders a few days later. A total of 1240 useable surveys were returned. The survey distribution and collection took place between October 2011 and February 2012. The statistical program IBM SPSS was employed to perform the statistical computations. Table 1 shows the results from the undergraduate survey of pre-service teachers. While most undergraduates answered the question about climate change correctly, the majority failed to understand the function of greenhouse gases. Moreover, the PRI and ECE groups did not understand the causes of anthropogenic climate emissions. Table 2 shows the results from the survey of the general public, whose questions differed from those of the undegraduates. The results indicate that most respondents agreed or strongly agreed that climate change is a serious problem right now (58.2%) and that they are concerned about it (60.4%). Moreover, approximately half of all respondents agreed or strongly agreed that climate change is caused by human activities (52.1%). However, more respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement that they knew a lot about climate change (46.6%) than agreed with the statement (42.1%). Of interest is the lack of trust that respondents placed on sources of climate change information. Most respondents did not trust what the government (64.7%) or the media says about the environment (59.5%). Respondents were almost evenly divided in whether they trusted or did not trust scientists' communications about the environment.

The full survey has been used previously to examine a number of interrelated matters in relation to pre-service teachers' views, knowledge and beliefs.


Climate change science must be incorporated into pre-service teacher training if the science is to be accurately and appropriately communicated to school children and adolescents. In addition, there may be a need for climate change science to be communicated to existing primary and secondary teachers through professional development programs. Anecdotal evindence suggests that currently practicing teachers in Australia are not clear about climate change science to the extent needed to accurately communicate it to their pupils. It is important that such training explains both the science involved and the level of consensus among scientists that anthropogenic climate change is occurring. Prior research indicates that scientific consensus may be critical in influencing acceptance of scientific propositions [4] .

Prior research indicates that scientific consensus may be critical in influencing acceptance of scientific propositions.


The National Curriculum Board of Australia stipulates that climate change will be taught as part of the science curriculum from primary through to secondary years [1] . Effective communication of climate change science is important not only to ensure that individuals understand the impacts of climate change but also to encourage action for climate change mitigation and adaptation. For example, many countries around the world have set ambitious targets for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions [2] . Responsibility for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is not limited to industry but distributed across society; the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency estimates that households account for one fifth of greenhouse gases in Australia. Consequently, the participation of individuals and households in greenhouse gases reduction is desirable if these targets are to be achieved. Similarly, individuals and households need to be responsible for adaptation to climate change in such areas as responding to and preparing for the increased threat of floods, fires and droughts in Australia as a result of climate change [3] . However, recent research has shown that people will only change their attitudes to scientific propositions like climate change when scientific consensus for the issue is widely communicated [4] .

The National Curriculum Board of Australia stipulates that climate change will be taught as part of the science curriculum from primary through to secondary years.

For example, many countries around the world have set ambitious targets for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Similarly, individuals and households need to be responsible for adaptation to climate change in such areas as responding to and preparing for the increased threat of floods, fires and droughts in Australia as a result of climate change.

However, recent research has shown that people will only change their attitudes to scientific propositions like climate change when scientific consensus for the issue is widely communicated.


There is a need for balance between collection of valid and reliable data versus burden on participants and researchers. The ARFS has previously demonstrated acceptable reproducibility (ICC: 0.87, 95% CI 0.83, 0.90) and validity (0.53, 95% CI 0.37-0.67) in adults compared to the nutrient intakes estimated from the FFQ from which it is derived [13] . However, this approach to validity carries the risk of correlated errors [15] . Plasma biomarkers provide objective assessments of nutrients, and independent measures of intake when validating dietary assessment tools [16] . Therefore, the primary aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between the total ARFS and fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations in a sample of adults. The secondary aim was to examine the associations between the ARFS sub-scales and fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations.

The ARFS has previously demonstrated acceptable reproducibility (ICC: 0.87, 95% CI 0.83, 0.90) and validity (0.53, 95% CI 0.37-0.67) in adults compared to the nutrient intakes estimated from the FFQ from which it is derived.

However, this approach to validity carries the risk of correlated errors.

Plasma biomarkers provide objective assessments of nutrients, and independent measures of intake when validating dietary assessment tools.


Despite these differences, student groups can be quite useful to study, as much of the literature on the long-term sequelae of child abuse has been conducted with similar groups of students, which allows for a comparison of the data to those studies. In addition, this type of sample provides a balance for many of the studies in this field, which have been conducted within clinical populations of women. Clinical groups tend to show higher levels of symptoms overall as well as demonstrate stronger relationships between CSA and psychological distress than can be demonstrated with student samples (Briere, 1995; Neumann et al., 1996) . That significant results can be found even in university samples highlights the importance of conducting research on the TSI across a variety of populations.

Clinical groups tend to show higher levels of symptoms overall as well as demonstrate stronger relationships between CSA and psychological distress than can be demonstrated with student samples.


This very problem was emphasized already in 2009 by Nicole Beebe (Beebe, 2009) . In her article, Beebe argues that most of the research and knowledge in the area of digital forensics focused on Microsoft's operating systems and some of the better known Linux distributions. Furthermore, she highlights the importance to also consider non-standard systems and new technological developments. One of these new developments she explicitly mentions, are file systems including ZFS. We share Beebe's view and although we feel that eight years after her article was published at least some of her concerns have been addressed, the area of modern file systems still has not received the attention it deserves.

This very problem was emphasized already in 2009 by Nicole Beebe.


Another aspect investigated was the technique of application of mortar (TRM), namely manually and sprayed mortar (TRSM) [20] . Different mortars and fibre grids achieved by using both types of application techniques were analysed. It was possible to conclude that there was a notable increase in productivity (between 2 and 6 times more) with TRSM, and it was also possible to obtain an enhanced resistance. Moreover, greater ductility values were also observed when TRSM is used in comparison with the TRM (same grid and mortar).

Another aspect investigated was the technique of application of mortar (TRM), namely manually and sprayed mortar (TRSM).


Following the use of textile reinforcement mortar (TRM) as a retrofitting technique for masonry infill walls, some new textile fibre based materials manufactured through braiding techniques have been developed in the last years at the University of Minho, as an alternative to conventional FRP rods [8, 11, [29] [30] . This material, called braided composite rods (BCR), which can be assembled as strengthening meshes, has some advantages such as the possibility of designing the composition according to mechanical requirements, the low manufacturing technology and the low-cost production. Moreover, the shape of the external surface can be optimized to improve the bond strength. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to provide the results on the mechanical performance of this novel material on the strengthening of brick masonry walls. For this, a detailed description of the strengthening, the manufacturing process and the results on the optimization of the surface of the rods based on tensile bond strength tests are provided. Additionally, the experimental campaign carried out on the evaluation of the performance of the braided rod meshes in the strengthening of brick masonry under flexure is presented and the main results are discussed. The performance of these meshes is also compared with the performance of different commercial meshes available in the market.

Following the use of textile reinforcement mortar (TRM) as a retrofitting technique for masonry infill walls, some new textile fibre based materials manufactured through braiding techniques have been developed in the last years at the University of Minho, as an alternative to conventional FRP rods.


From a methodological standpoint, we also wanted to test the association between perceptual congruence of dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction with predictors that were adjusted and not adjusted for the stereotype effect. Stereotype adjustment showed that a good deal of perceptual congruence is determined by the broader social context that the partners share, which prescribes norms and expectations related to the exchange of support within a couple in times of stress. It is well known that people base their judgments of others on prototypical social knowledge (Karniol, 2003) . For instance, intimates view their partners as typical; that is, they believe their partners value qualities of the relationship that are commonly valued by others (e.g., having a trusting partner) and do not value qualities that are not commonly valued by others (Acitelli et al., 2001) .

It is well known that people base their judgments of others on prototypical social knowledge.

For instance, intimates view their partners as typical; that is, they believe their partners value qualities of the relationship that are commonly valued by others (e.g., having a trusting partner) and do not value qualities that are not commonly valued by others.


QA systems for content in natural language [e. g., 9, 11, 16, 31, 42] overcome some of the drawbacks of raw knowledge bases, as they extract answers directly from an underlying corpus of unstructured text documents. Hence, they find widespread application in mining web-based content such as Wikipedia or other online encyclopedias [3, 8, 11] . The content-based approach greatly contributes to overall flexibility, especially when such systems leverage the growing body of knowledge in web-based content repositories. Hence, QA systems for (web-based) content repositories constitute the focus of this work. Yet prior systems for question answering for content repositories have been designed as static systems: all decision rules are determined once and are static thereafter, thus curbing any form of continuous improvement.

Hence, they find widespread application in mining web-based content such as Wikipedia or other online encyclopedias.


The present results demonstrate the historical importance of migration in the maintenance of equilibrium, and therefore effective population size, of coastal steelhead, including populations up to 200 km from the ocean. The demonstration of the importance of migration has direct application to management and conservation of these ESAprotected fish populations, as well as more general habitat conservation plans and the design of coastal marine reserves (Carr et al. 2003) . The direct evaluation of historical population structure of steelhead also provides a compelling example of the value of natural history museum collections in providing a historical baseline for comparison with modern populations and planning for their continued existence (Nielsen and Hansen 2008) .

The demonstration of the importance of migration has direct application to management and conservation of these ESAprotected fish populations, as well as more general habitat conservation plans and the design of coastal marine reserves.

The direct evaluation of historical population structure of steelhead also provides a compelling example of the value of natural history museum collections in providing a historical baseline for comparison with modern populations and planning for their continued existence.


Polymeric coatings are typically applied to many surfaces to improve aesthetics and provide corrosion or weathering protection; therefore, they provide an ideal substrate to incorporate coating additives to impart continuous self-decontaminating behavior at the surface and reduce subsequent contamination. A minimal loading concentration of additive is ideal so that the properties beneficial for the originally intended purpose of the polymer coating are maintained. Specifically, polyurethanes are of the broadest interest owing to their properties such as chemical resistance and durability [3] .

Specifically, polyurethanes are of the broadest interest owing to their properties such as chemical resistance and durability.


Chemical toxicants such as pesticides and toxic industrial chemicals have the potential to contaminate material surfaces for extended periods of time. Often the natural attenuation of toxic substances through evaporation and degradation in ambient environments occurs slowly due to low vapor pressure, poor solubility, and resistance to hydrolysis [1] . Due to this persistence, surfaces on which toxic chemicals reside pose human exposure risks that require application of decontamination solutions to completely render a surface safe. However, decontamination solutions and procedures are cumbersome, expensive, and often damaging to the contaminated substrate [2] .

Often the natural attenuation of toxic substances through evaporation and degradation in ambient environments occurs slowly due to low vapor pressure, poor solubility, and resistance to hydrolysis.

However, decontamination solutions and procedures are cumbersome, expensive, and often damaging to the contaminated substrate.


Regenerative cell-based therapies where the donor and the recipient are different individuals are termed "allogeneic". This creates an off-the-shelf business model, which is far more akin to current biopharmaceuticals, representing an attractive commercial opportunity. Assuming cell products can be stored long-term i.e. their manufacture is decoupled from delivery to the patient; the cells can be made available on demand. In contrast to autologous therapies, allogeneic products have the potential to be scaled-up, potentially benefitting from the economies of scale experienced by traditional bioprocesses [5, 6] . As such, manufacturing technologies employed for allogeneic therapies are likely to differ in terms of nature and scale including the use of traditional scale-up technology such as stirred-tank bioreactors [7, 8] . Allogeneic therapies will however create a product that is "more than minimally manipulated", which means that the regulatory pathway requires far more time and resource to complete.

In contrast to autologous therapies, allogeneic products have the potential to be scaled-up, potentially benefitting from the economies of scale experienced by traditional bioprocesses.

As such, manufacturing technologies employed for allogeneic therapies are likely to differ in terms of nature and scale including the use of traditional scale-up technology such as stirred-tank bioreactors.


This result corresponds with the flocculation rate of silica, as estimated by from vulcanization speed measurements [14] . On the other hand, for the CV silica, the degree of agglomeration of the aggregates D m is relatively lower than for the HD silica. This results from the lower mobility of the aggregates because of large aggregate size.

This result corresponds with the flocculation rate of silica, as estimated by from vulcanization speed measurements.


For the CV silica, the increase of aggregate radius R a during vulcanization is relatively fast compared to the HD silica: Figure 4 . This corresponds to the flocculation rate of the silicas estimated by previous vulcanization speed measurements [14] . In these measurements, an increase of storage modulus G' during a heating process was observed due to silica flocculation. This increase of G' could be related to an increase of the aggregate size. In fact, the present results conclusively indicate that the increase of the aggregate size results in the increase of the storage modulus in silica-filled rubber.

This corresponds to the flocculation rate of the silicas estimated by previous vulcanization speed measurements.


We deduced that haemophilic hosts infected by Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura parasites have a high risk of gastrointestinal haemorrhage due to a pro-haemorrhagic host-parasite relationship resulting solely from the host's intrinsic haemostatic abnormality. However, we believe the host-parasite relationship between the Ancylostoma duodenale parasite and the haemophilic host would be more pro-haemorrhagic as a result of a dual concert between the haemostatic abnormality of the host and anticoagulants produced by the parasite. Ancylostoma duodenale is known to manipulate host haemostasis by producing anti-FXa and anti-FXIa anticoagulants, which would synergistically interact with the pre-existing haemostatic abnormality of the haemophilic host -a situation that would lead to a greater risk of gastrointestinal haemorrhage [29] . It can thus be surmised that the high frequency and risk of gastrointestinal haemorrhage and iron deficiency seen in haemophiliacs infected by intestinal helminths are due to highly pro-haemorrhagic host-parasite relationships, resulting from the host's intrinsic haemostatic abnormality, coupled with concurrent manipulation of the host's haemostatic system by anticoagulants produced by some of the parasites.

Ancylostoma duodenale is known to manipulate host haemostasis by producing anti-FXa and anti-FXIa anticoagulants, which would synergistically interact with the pre-existing haemostatic abnormality of the haemophilic host -a situation that would lead to a greater risk of gastrointestinal haemorrhage.


Therefore, the evaluation of antioxidant activity of various plant extracts is considered as an important step in the identification of their ability to scavenge the free radicals. Medicinal properties of plants have also been investigated in the light of recent scientific developments through out the world, due to their potent pharmacological activities, low toxicity and economic viability, when compared with synthetic drugs (Vadlapudi and Naidu, 2010; Janmeda et al., 2011) . In this regard, many compounds have been tested with proved efficacy against experimentally-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Medicinal properties of plants have also been investigated in the light of recent scientific developments through out the world, due to their potent pharmacological activities, low toxicity and economic viability, when compared with synthetic drugs.


Given that the kernel structures and shapes of grains are neither uniform nor regular, describing their drying processes on the basis of the original shape of a single grain kernel is difficult to accomplish. Most of the previously conducted simulations of material drying, especially for singlebody corn kernels, are based on ideal models that are established by simplifying the shapes of dried materials. Shape simplification enables easy simulation calculation but causes original shape-related errors in the simulations. Gustafson simplified a grain kernel into a 2D irregular shape on the basis of original grain size and then simulated the drying process by finite element method (FEM) [4] . Li and Cao simplified a single rough rice kernel as spherical to simulate moisture diffusion with a three-layer body model [5] . Zhang and Kong studied the heat and mass transfer of porous medium in the vacuum drying process by using a 1D model [6] . Jia and Cao simplified an irregular corn particle into a 2D irregular geometric model to analyze heat and mass transfer in corn dying by FEM [7] . Neményi and Czaba established a finite element model to investigate the heat and moisture distributions in a cross-sectional area of an individual maize kernel [8] .

Gustafson simplified a grain kernel into a 2D irregular shape on the basis of original grain size and then simulated the drying process by finite element method (FEM).

Li and Cao simplified a single rough rice kernel as spherical to simulate moisture diffusion with a three-layer body model.

Zhang and Kong studied the heat and mass transfer of porous medium in the vacuum drying process by using a 1D model.

Jia and Cao simplified an irregular corn particle into a 2D irregular geometric model to analyze heat and mass transfer in corn dying by FEM.

Neményi and Czaba established a finite element model to investigate the heat and moisture distributions in a cross-sectional area of an individual maize kernel.


Hot air drying is a commonly used method for drying corn; it is often characterized by high energy consumption and low efficiency [1] . Many studies have been conducted on the drying characteristics and energy consumed when drying thin layers of vegetables, fruits, and food [2, 3] . These studies usually focus on the optimization of drying systems and drying methods. To date, no research has been devoted to the drying characteristics and energy consumed during the hot drying of a single corn kernel even though the drying process of each single grain is the theoretical basis of various drying techniques. In the current work, we investigate the drying characteristic of single corn kernels and provide theoretical support for reducing energy consumption in hot air drying.

Hot air drying is a commonly used method for drying corn; it is often characterized by high energy consumption and low efficiency.

Many studies have been conducted on the drying characteristics and energy consumed when drying thin layers of vegetables, fruits, and food.


The effect of different DR strategies has been simulated in a typical Finnish DH system. The installed thermal power accounted for 396-504 MW th and electrical power for 108 MW el through the biomass-fired CHP plant. The oil-fired HOB had a heat output of 200 MW th . The cases have been simulated also with an HWT (i.e., large thermal water storage). The DR strategies focused on commercial buildings (i.e., office premises, schools and public buildings). This accounts for 42% of the total building stock in the simulated system. The selected cases have been retrieved from previous research in which the building's thermal inertia has been profoundly studied in a Finnish environment [13] .

The selected cases have been retrieved from previous research in which the building's thermal inertia has been profoundly studied in a Finnish environment.


During gasification the mineral matter in the different coal and ash particles may fuse, melt and partially crystallise on cooling to form a number of new phases (e.g. mullite, anorthite, cristobalite, diopside and magnetite) in association with an amorphous or glassy component [16] . With fusion and sintering of the individual particles the ash that emerges from the gasifier is therefore extremely heterogeneous, ranging from fine material to large, irregularly shaped aggregates that vary from 4 mm to +75 mm in diameter and from red and white to various shades of grey in colour. Especially when processing high ash content coal, the discarded ash is a significant co-product of gasification, and its nature, properties and processes of formation are an important focus for on-going research programs.

During gasification the mineral matter in the different coal and ash particles may fuse, melt and partially crystallise on cooling to form a number of new phases (e.g. mullite, anorthite, cristobalite, diopside and magnetite) in association with an amorphous or glassy component.


Integrability of four dimensional planar Yang-Mills theories is a quite relevant feature that permits in principle to obtain non-perturbative results [1] . It first appeared as a surprising fact in the one-loop analysis of special QCD subsectors [2] . Later, its universality became more and more clear due to the many extensions at higher orders [3, 4, 5] .

Integrability of four dimensional planar Yang-Mills theories is a quite relevant feature that permits in principle to obtain non-perturbative results.

It first appeared as a surprising fact in the one-loop analysis of special QCD subsectors.

Later, its universality became more and more clear due to the many extensions at higher orders.


Currently, a deep understanding of its origin is achieved by means of Maldacena AdS/CFT correspondence [6] . In the maximal supersymmetric AE Yang-Mills theory, integrability of the superconformal side is related to integrability of the dual superstring theory on Ë ¢ Ë [7] . As a major outcome, a deeply motivated higher loop proposal for the Ë-matrix of the pair AE SYM/type II on Ë ¢ Ë is now available [8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17] . In this paper, we shall work within this framework assuming the validity of the above Ansatz, although the subject is still under development [18] .

Currently, a deep understanding of its origin is achieved by means of Maldacena AdS/CFT correspondence.

In the maximal supersymmetric AE Yang-Mills theory, integrability of the superconformal side is related to integrability of the dual superstring theory on Ë ¢ Ë.

As a major outcome, a deeply motivated higher loop proposal for the Ë-matrix of the pair AE SYM/type II on Ë ¢ Ë is now available.

In this paper, we shall work within this framework assuming the validity of the above Ansatz, although the subject is still under development.


The number of Bethe roots is precisely AE. So, the above procedure must be repeated at each given AE. It is not obvious how to find a parametric expression of Ò´AE µ as a function of AE. Nevertheless, such closed formulae are important in physical applications like, for instance, the BFKL analysis of pomeron exchange [24] .

Nevertheless, such closed formulae are important in physical applications like, for instance, the BFKL analysis of pomeron exchange.


Matching the functions of optimum plant density and adequate nitrogenous fertilizer rate to produce the highest possible yields with the greatest maize hybrid efficiency has been the aim of many researchers [15] [16] [17] . Modern hybrids have shown tendencies to withstand higher levels of stresses (i.e., low-N, high plant densities), which allow them to better sustainable and suitable photosynthetic rates, appropriate assimilate supplies, and maintain plant growth rates attributable to enhanced nitrogen use efficiency [18] . Along with the prevailing belief that high yields require more plants and that more plants require more N, the idea that different hybrids respond differently to both N and plant density should be considered. Moreover, different hybrids may behave differently in their tolerance to both low-N and high density stresses [19] .

Matching the functions of optimum plant density and adequate nitrogenous fertilizer rate to produce the highest possible yields with the greatest maize hybrid efficiency has been the aim of many researchers.

Modern hybrids have shown tendencies to withstand higher levels of stresses (i.e., low-N, high plant densities), which allow them to better sustainable and suitable photosynthetic rates, appropriate assimilate supplies, and maintain plant growth rates attributable to enhanced nitrogen use efficiency.

Moreover, different hybrids may behave differently in their tolerance to both low-N and high density stresses.


Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for maize crop growth [9] . It is the principal raw material required for the growth of plants and is found to be essential constituent of metabolically active compounds such as amino acids, proteins, enzymes, coenzymes and some non-proteinous compounds [10, 11] . Low N stress is one of the limiting factors under high plant density that limits maize production. Low-N availability in soils is an important yield-limiting factor frequently found in farmers' fields where fertilization is not commonly used and organic matter is rapidly mineralized [12] . Ears/plant and anthesis-silking interval are considered as the most important low-N adaptive traits [13] . Under these circumstances, since the smallholder farmers cannot afford additional inputs, it would be desirable to increase the tolerance of the crop to stresses that occur in their fields [14] .

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for maize crop growth.

It is the principal raw material required for the growth of plants and is found to be essential constituent of metabolically active compounds such as amino acids, proteins, enzymes, coenzymes and some non-proteinous compounds.

Low-N availability in soils is an important yield-limiting factor frequently found in farmers' fields where fertilization is not commonly used and organic matter is rapidly mineralized.

Ears/plant and anthesis-silking interval are considered as the most important low-N adaptive traits.

Under these circumstances, since the smallholder farmers cannot afford additional inputs, it would be desirable to increase the tolerance of the crop to stresses that occur in their fields.


The academic discussion concerning local food emerged almost twenty years ago when local markets and farm stores started to attract more attention from policymakers and scholars. A rising public interest in the local food had created an opportunity for the appearance of food quality schemes for farmers' markets (for example, eco-boxes), local food networks, and other expressions of a new type of rurality [1] . The role of consumers in this development is highlighted by two main schools of thought, namely, the discussion about local food in which the role and participation of consumers is often explained as a response against the agricultural modernization paradigm in which the physical distance between food production and food consumption grew through the emergence of long and complex global food chains. In this discussion cases and examples often depart from the UK and US, where the structure of the agro-food sector has been more diversified than in Sweden, in spite of the far-gone agro-food industrialization. The second is connected to the discussion about localized food, in which the participation and role of consumers are explained through various elements of cultural, geographical, and physical typicity and proximity often highlighted through Franco-Mediterranean examples with a connection to the use of geographical indications.

A rising public interest in the local food had created an opportunity for the appearance of food quality schemes for farmers' markets (for example, eco-boxes), local food networks, and other expressions of a new type of rurality.


We extracted the lexicon which is a sorted list of substructures L =(LU 1, LU 2, LU 3,...). Given some new graphical evidences e from the same graphical language which has generated the lexicon, we interpret these evidences by a simple task of bottom-up combination which produces a hierarchical segmentation by SUBDUE (Cook and Holder, 2011) . Firstly, we build the relational graph for the evidences. Secondly, SUBDUE replaces all the instances in the relational graph with lexical units from LU 1 to the end of the sorted list since the lexical units are sorted using description length. Finally, we can get a hierarchical segmentation S(e, L).

Given some new graphical evidences e from the same graphical language which has generated the lexicon, we interpret these evidences by a simple task of bottom-up combination which produces a hierarchical segmentation by SUBDUE.


Over continental China, cumulonimbus clouds often occur in the region far south from the mei-yu front, which is a significant subtropical frontal zone in East Asia, and under the influence of the subtropical high (Kato et al. 1995; Nakai and Kawamura 1998; Shinoda and Uyeda 2002) . The dimension characteristics and p of cumulonimbus clouds are basic parameters in understanding the vertical water transportation in the region where the northward horizontal transportation of water vapor to the mei-yu front is significant. In addition, the atmospheric condition in this region is relatively simple, that is, weak large-scale convergence, weak baroclinicity, and weak vertical wind shear with abundant water vapor, especially in the low levels. The clouds in this region are suitable for investigating the general properties of ordinary cumulonimbus clouds.

Over continental China, cumulonimbus clouds often occur in the region far south from the mei-yu front, which is a significant subtropical frontal zone in East Asia, and under the influence of the subtropical high.


The high percentage of nestlings in the diet is probably also responsible for the small proportion of variance explained by the correlation between R. scalaris body length and prey length. Large snakes, up to 900 mm SVL, continue to feed on very small prey, such as newborn mammals and bird eggs (Figure 1 ). Hence, the lower limit of prey length does not increase with snake length (Figure 1 ). Snakes larger than 900 mm SVL appear to ingest rather large prey, introducing considerable variation in the relationship between prey and snake length. Another aspect that arises from the prey size/predator size relationship is that R. scalaris takes relatively small prey. The predator size/ prey size relationship in Mediterranean Elaphe rat snakes seems rather constant, both at intraspecifi c and interspecifi c levels, and set at about 10% of the snake biomass (Capula and Luiselli, 2002; Filippi et al., 2005) . We failed to fi nd major sexual differences in the prey type consumed, in accordance with similar SVL and body mass in both sexes (Pleguezuelos and Feriche, 2006) .

The predator size/ prey size relationship in Mediterranean Elaphe rat snakes seems rather constant, both at intraspecifi c and interspecifi c levels, and set at about 10% of the snake biomass.

We failed to fi nd major sexual differences in the prey type consumed, in accordance with similar SVL and body mass in both sexes.


With the development of speech synthesis techniques, the intelligibility and naturalness of the synthetic speech has been improved a lot in the last decades. However, it is still a difficult problem for the TTS system to synthesize speech of various speakers and speaking styles with a limited database. It is known that the HMM-based speech synthesis can model speech for different speakers and speaking styles, and voice characteristics of the synthetic speech can be converted from one speaker to another by applying a model adaptation algorithm, such as the MLLR (Maximum Likelihood Linear Regression) algorithm, with a small amount of speech uttered by the target speaker [1] , [2] , [3] . Furthermore, the HMM-based emotional speech synthesis systems have been successfully constructed by directly training the models with enough emotion data or adapting the source model to the target emotion model when only a limited training data is available [4] , [5] .

It is known that the HMM-based speech synthesis can model speech for different speakers and speaking styles, and voice characteristics of the synthetic speech can be converted from one speaker to another by applying a model adaptation algorithm, such as the MLLR (Maximum Likelihood Linear Regression) algorithm, with a small amount of speech uttered by the target speaker.

Furthermore, the HMM-based emotional speech synthesis systems have been successfully constructed by directly training the models with enough emotion data or adapting the source model to the target emotion model when only a limited training data is available.


More recently, powerful numerical techniques such as Cohesive Zone Modeling (CZM) have become available. The CZM method has been used for analyzing adhesive joints. It overcomes the limitations of the aforementioned approaches such as requiring an initial crack, and also brings more accurate prediction than conventional finite element methods because different shapes of the cohesive laws can be employed. In order to implement CZM method, a traction-separation law with a pre-defined shape (e.g. exponential, trapezoidal, and the bilinear shape) should be used, also the values of critical energy release rate and cohesive strength respectively for damage initiation and evolution at failure region must be determined [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] . Moreover, techniques used for determining the cohesive strength and critical energy release rate, commonly are the property identification technique, the direct method and the inverse method. These methods are based on the Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) and End Notched Flexure (ENF) tests. The inverse method estimates the CZM parameters by iterative fitting the finite element result with experimentally measured data (the load-displacement curve) until an accurate representation achieved [12] . The CZM method depends on an accurate measurement of the cohesive strengths in tension and shears and of the critical energy release rates; therefore, accurate values of these parameters play a crucial role in accuracy of results. Experiments suggest that the greater the adhesive thickness, the higher the apparent critical fracture energy [17] . Other parameters affecting joint strength are overlap length, adherend materials and thickness [18] .

In order to implement CZM method, a traction-separation law with a pre-defined shape (e.g. exponential, trapezoidal, and the bilinear shape) should be used, also the values of critical energy release rate and cohesive strength respectively for damage initiation and evolution at failure region must be determined.

The inverse method estimates the CZM parameters by iterative fitting the finite element result with experimentally measured data (the load-displacement curve) until an accurate representation achieved.

Experiments suggest that the greater the adhesive thickness, the higher the apparent critical fracture energy.

Other parameters affecting joint strength are overlap length, adherend materials and thickness.


It is important to analyze and predict failure behavior of adhesive bonding in order to predict the performance and to improve reliable and safe joint designs. In the past, different approaches were employed to predict the mechanical behavior of bonded joints. At first, theoretical investigations of stress fields in the adhesive and failure prediction (by comparison of the maximum stresses with the material strengths) were popular because of simplicity and quickness. However, this approach employs lots of simplifying assumptions and can only be used for simple geometries [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] .

However, this approach employs lots of simplifying assumptions and can only be used for simple geometries.


One of the most important factors that affect the joint strength and makes the strength prediction difficult are adhesive defects. There is a lot of sources for induction of defects in the adhesive for instance; fabrication procedure, deficient joint preparation, micro-cracking, air bubbles, foreign bodies, grease, and dirt [19] . Existence of a defect in structural members such as plates and shells can make them weak. In fact, there is no or little (by degrading adhesive material properties) load transmission through the joints component in the defects sites which make the stress increase near the defects locally, hence, the joint strength reduces at overall [20] . Furthermore, appearance of such defects can bring unpredictable behaviors, consequently, causing weakness or even rapid total failure of adhesive joint. Therefore, there is a great need in understanding the defect effects in adhesively bonded joint behavior and strength, in order to determine whether a joint with a defect can operate properly in a period of time or not.

There is a lot of sources for induction of defects in the adhesive for instance; fabrication procedure, deficient joint preparation, micro-cracking, air bubbles, foreign bodies, grease, and dirt.

In fact, there is no or little (by degrading adhesive material properties) load transmission through the joints component in the defects sites which make the stress increase near the defects locally, hence, the joint strength reduces at overall.


In recent decades, finite element methods due to being highly accurate and combining several complex material laws have replaced theoretical methods in predicting adhesive mechanical behavior. Initially failure prediction of adhesive bonded joints was based on stress/strain criteria, which, has several drawbacks like dependence on the mesh size at the critical regions. Another finite element failure prediction is based on fracture mechanics criteria, such as the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), which are bounded to Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) and need an initial crack with a very fine mesh [9] [10] [11] .

Another finite element failure prediction is based on fracture mechanics criteria, such as the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), which are bounded to Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) and need an initial crack with a very fine mesh.


As shown in Figure 3 (b), the cell with 100 nm-thick active layer have a smaller series resistance (∼140 Ω), and the cell with 500 nm-thick active layer have a larger series resistance (∼528 Ω). A thicker P3HT:PCBM active layer implies a higher series resistance and poorer transparency, subsequently increasing of R s and lowering of photocurrent, and degrading its performance [23, 28] . Therefore, the effective absorption of P3HT:PCBM active layer can be optimized by varying the active layer thickness.

A thicker P3HT:PCBM active layer implies a higher series resistance and poorer transparency, subsequently increasing of R s and lowering of photocurrent, and degrading its performance.


In this work, hybrid propulsion is exploited to enable a mission in which the spacecraft is constantly above one of the Earth's poles, i.e. lying on the Earth's polar axis (Driver, 1980) . This type of mission is known as pole-sitter. The pole-sitter provides a platform for continuous, real-time, medium-resolution observation of the Earth poles, with a full hemispheric view, as well as direct-link telecommunication and visibility of one of the Earth poles. It is well known that line-of-sight telecommunications to conventional spacecraft in geostationary orbits is not possible at high latitudes and polar regions, and telecommunication with polar regions will be a key issue in the future as changes to the arctic ice pack opens navigation channels for shipping. Also, the pole-sitter would offer real-time observation of the poles for climate science at modest resolution, in contrast to the periodic images that can be obtained by classical high-inclination orbits.

In this work, hybrid propulsion is exploited to enable a mission in which the spacecraft is constantly above one of the Earth's poles, i.e. lying on the Earth's polar axis.


HPLC enantioseparation of potential local anesthetics of alkoxysubstituted phenylcarbamic acid type was achieved in terms of a polar-organic separation mode using macrocyclic antibiotic CSP (teicoplanin, teicoplanin aglycone), in contrast to the β-cyclodextrin and 3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate cyclofructan 7 based chiral stationary phases. Comparison of the results shows that while the position of the alkoxy substituent near stereogenic center significantly affected retention and recognition of enantiomers, the length of the substituent has only slightly effect. Enantiomeric separation was achieved for the 3-alkoxy substituted derivatives. Alkoxy substituent in the connecting chain of molecule had not significant impact on the separation of the enantiomers. Increasing of nitrogen heterocycle (piperidine, pyrrolidine) caused decrease of resolution value. Macrocyclic antibiotic columns in polar-organic separation mode show enantioselectivity for local anaesthetic drug Diperodone. These obtained results are complementary to study on β-cyclodextrin CSP in reversed-phase separation mode, where was reached the enanantioseparation only for 2-alkoxysubstituted derivatives (HROBOŇOVÁ et al., 2003; HROBOŇOVÁ et al., 2002b) . WANG, A.X., LEE, J.T., BEESLEY, T.E.: Coupling chiral stationary phases as a fast screening approach for HPLC method development. LC-GC, 18, 2000, 626-639.

These obtained results are complementary to study on β-cyclodextrin CSP in reversed-phase separation mode, where was reached the enanantioseparation only for 2-alkoxysubstituted derivatives.

LC-GC, 18, 2000, 626-639.


Chromatographic techniques, particularly high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have become the most used in the separation of enantiomers due to the availability of a large number of stationary phases containing different chiral selectors, high reproducibility, and often universality. The most challenging aspect in the development of chiral HPLC method is to select the chiral stationary phase (CSP). The many of available CSPs provides a more "degrees of freedom" for the selection of a suitable stationary phase. On the other hand, a testing of all available CSP for the analysis of all chiral molecules is time-consuming. The most commonly used are CSPs based on saccharides and macrocyclic antibiotic chiral selectors due to their multifunctionality and the ability to use a several separation modes (reversed-phase, normal-phase, and polar-organic phase mode). The main requirement for newly developed CSP is particularly high enantioseparation efficiency for a wide range of structurally different compounds, or an increase in separation efficiency compared with existing CSP (BEESLEY, 2011) .

The main requirement for newly developed CSP is particularly high enantioseparation efficiency for a wide range of structurally different compounds, or an increase in separation efficiency compared with existing CSP.


Artificial limbs had been used for long time as prostheses, and it has been studied how much are these artificial limbs embodied to the users self-perception of the body [1] . It has been shown that an increase in embodiment improves the performance and comfortability of these artificial limbs [2] . In recent years, great interest has arisen on the possible use of artificial limbs not just as replacement of lost limbs, but also as an extension of the human body. Some research groups have studied the use of artificial limbs as extra limbs, and their possible applications [3, 4] .

Artificial limbs had been used for long time as prostheses, and it has been studied how much are these artificial limbs embodied to the users self-perception of the body.

It has been shown that an increase in embodiment improves the performance and comfortability of these artificial limbs.

Some research groups have studied the use of artificial limbs as extra limbs, and their possible applications.


The connection between ownership structure and performance has been the subject of an important and ongoing debate in corporate finance literature and has yielded mixed results. Theoretically, investors with large ownership stakes have a strong incentive to maximize the firm's value, are able to collect information and oversee managers and can assist in one of the principle-agent problems of the modern corporation-that of conflict of interest between shareholders and managers (Jensen and Meckling, 1977) . At the same time, Shleifer and Vishny (1997, p. 758 ) point out, in terms of the entrenchment of large shareholders, that "large investors may respect their own interests, which need not coincide with the interests of other investors in the firm, or with the interests of employees and managers". Empirically, find an inverse U-shaped relationship between managerial equity ownership and firm valuation for a sample of U.S. firms. One interpretation is that the firm's performance improves with higher managerial ownership but that, after a point, managers become entrenched and pursue private benefits at the expense of outside investors.

Theoretically, investors with large ownership stakes have a strong incentive to maximize the firm's value, are able to collect information and oversee managers and can assist in one of the principle-agent problems of the modern corporation-that of conflict of interest between shareholders and managers.


Our results are also consistent with the view put forth in that development improves political institutions, rather than political institutions determining development. By the term bpolitical institutions,Q we mean a set of rules or procedures that constrain the behavior of participants in the government or political process (North, 1981) . High degrees of corruption are a sign of weak political institutions, as government officials are able to take actions that lead to personal gain instead of promoting the welfare of the state. Although convictions for corrupt practices do not provide evidence on particular institutions per se, activities such as taking bribes and tampering with election results indicate that the constraints on political activity are not strong enough to prevent such behavior. We find that historical levels of education and income predict the level of corruption today, suggesting that political institutions are weaker in states with populations that are poorer and less educated. In contrast, the connection between corruption and current economic development is not as evident. Thus, this aspect of the quality of political institutions appears to be a function of the level economic development, rather than vice-versa.

By the term bpolitical institutions,Q we mean a set of rules or procedures that constrain the behavior of participants in the government or political process.


The European Commission's proposed tool to achieve sustainable urban mobility is the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), a document that sets the framework for urban mobility planning and management and is the result of a participative Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning process (SUMP process). The objective of the process should be to improve the urban quality of life by ensuring a safe, reliable, integrated, multi-modal, effective and environment-friendly transport system [18] . Because it is such a comprehensive process, it needs support from methods and tools as recommended by the European Commission. One of the tools is a transport model designed to enhance planning and decision-making and stakeholder communications. For planning purposes the most widely used models are macroscopic models (e.g., transport and land use integrated model or four step travel demand model [18] [19] [20] ). When they are used for SUMP purposes, however, the analyses are usually confined to urban scenario development and evaluation without making a full use of the tool's potential when e.g., selecting the most effective actions or drafting a monitoring plan.

The objective of the process should be to improve the urban quality of life by ensuring a safe, reliable, integrated, multi-modal, effective and environment-friendly transport system.

For planning purposes the most widely used models are macroscopic models (e.g., transport and land use integrated model or four step travel demand model).


If used in the SUMP process, the transport model supplies hard data in the form of quantitative outcomes. As a result, ex ante evaluations can be made of the effects of decisions taken at different levels (strategic, tactical and operational). The decisions involve concrete targets, policies and detailed solutions. If there are no models or none is used, effectiveness evaluations are subjective or based on assumptions. Availability of hard data from a simulation and visualisations conducted in a transport model are particularly important when city authorities plan to engage local communities in public consultation, a process which is an essential part of the SUMP process [18] . If they can be visualised, the outcomes of analyses are easier to understand for the public and can significantly improve the public participation process, especially as a complement to other decision-support tools and methods [25] [26] [27] [28] .

Availability of hard data from a simulation and visualisations conducted in a transport model are particularly important when city authorities plan to engage local communities in public consultation, a process which is an essential part of the SUMP process.

If they can be visualised, the outcomes of analyses are easier to understand for the public and can significantly improve the public participation process, especially as a complement to other decision-support tools and methods.


The main objective of this work is to use the FE-FFT approach to obtain a quantitative understanding of the load dependence of lattice strain evolution during uniaxial and equibiaxial monotonic loading tests performed on 316L stainless steel cruciform samples [22] . The paper is divided into sections as follows. In Section 2 the relevant properties of 316L stainless steel are recalled along with the in-situ neutron diffraction technique to measure lattice strains. Then the cruciform sample geometry studied in this work is presented along with the details of the monotonic loading tests performed. Section 3 presents the multi-scale FE-FFT model and the passage of information between experiments and simulations. The simulation procedure and material parameters used at both length scales are described. Section 4 compares the FE-FFT model with the experimental observations. In Section 5, a detailed analysis of the lattice strain evolution of 200 and 220 grain families is performed to obtain a quantitative understanding of their load dependence. Section 6 presents the main conclusions from this study. A biaxial stress ratio dependent expression for the directional elastic compliance is proposed in the appendix. Throughout this document, upper case letters will be used to denote macroscopic mechanical field variables and lower case letters will be used to denote meso-scale mechanical field variables.

The main objective of this work is to use the FE-FFT approach to obtain a quantitative understanding of the load dependence of lattice strain evolution during uniaxial and equibiaxial monotonic loading tests performed on 316L stainless steel cruciform samples.


The structure analysis confirms the results previously obtained with the restricted number of populations but highlights new interesting findings that enable us to speculate on the biogeographical history of chestnut. The populations structure inferred for K = 3 shows the presence of three distinct gene pools. The percentage of variation among groups calculated with the AMOVA was 12%; this value is comparable with those obtained in other forest tree species using microsatellite markers (Bagnoli et al. 2009 (Bagnoli et al. , 2016 Mayol et al. 2015; Pollegioni et al. 2014) .

The percentage of variation among groups calculated with the AMOVA was 12%; this value is comparable with those obtained in other forest tree species using microsatellite markers.


To illustrate how the proposed structure for the goal and scope definition works in the LCSA framework, starting from the macro-goal and the technology map defined in Sections 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, we consider the example of NO 2 pollution in Italy as a reference context. NO 2 air pollution is strictly related to the NO x emissions of automotive traffic in the country [17] . Italy and many other European countries have difficulties in achieving compliance with the limit values for NO 2 air concentrations, as defined in the EC directive 2008/50/EC. In particular, the Po Valley is recognized as a critical area in Europe (Figure 6) , and in 2011, Italy asked for a postponement of the deadline for attaining the annual limit value for NO 2 . Note that the environmental hotspot of NO 2 pollution in Italy is determined by both socio-economic (current state of the transport sector) and environmental aspects (geo-morphology of the Po Valley). In particular, road transport is a major contributor to such pollution, and as shown in Figure 7 , it is concentrated along main road-networks or around metropolitan areas. In this case, the context can require that only those H 2 -systems that allow for respecting the NO 2 limit concentrations in air can be considered for further analysis in the modeling phase of LCSA, while truncating the branches of the technology map that do not lead to satisfying this environmental constraint.

NO 2 air pollution is strictly related to the NO x emissions of automotive traffic in the country.


Long term retention of the taught new words is the goal of language teachers and language learners. IVGs have an important role in increasing success of the language learners in vocabulary learning. Teachers can apply different activities to help their students to have better retention. Using IVGs is a good and innovative way to encourage students and arouse their motivation which leads to increase learning. As a reinforcing device for teaching vocabularies in order to transfer learned items from short to long term memory using IVGs plays an important role [26] . The results of this study showed that there is a significant difference in remembering the learned vocabularies between groups by using IVGs. Through using IVGs, participants had better retention according to analysis of the statistical results of the delayed posttest.

As a reinforcing device for teaching vocabularies in order to transfer learned items from short to long term memory using IVGs plays an important role.


IVGs are those fun activities that support interaction, thinking, learning, and problem solving strategies in the language classrooms. Often, games have a feature that permits the players (language learners) to construct information and/ or communication in a short time period. Some games require the players to engage in a physical activity and/or complete a mental challenge [19] .

Some games require the players to engage in a physical activity and/or complete a mental challenge.


The crucial element in teaching and learning every language is vocabulary. In order to express one's idea, she/ he needs to learn satisfactory amounts of vocabularies. Vocabulary improvement can help learners to improve their language abilities. Words are arranged grammatically to form a message and one cannot learn a language without learning a great number of words [2] . Some scholars hold that learning vocabulary is more important than learning the grammar of a language [3] .

Words are arranged grammatically to form a message and one cannot learn a language without learning a great number of words.

Some scholars hold that learning vocabulary is more important than learning the grammar of a language.


Using multimedia in education is a revolution in learner's learning process. A number of research studies pointed out that suitably designed multimedia instruction increases students' learning performance in science, mathematics, and literacy [5] . Lately, computer-based video game's existence has been growing and game developers and researchers have started to examine video games' influence on students' intellectual learning [6] . Although some language teachers think that it's not a good idea to use language games in the classroom, especially for young kids, but it is important to study about its significance.

A number of research studies pointed out that suitably designed multimedia instruction increases students' learning performance in science, mathematics, and literacy.

Lately, computer-based video game's existence has been growing and game developers and researchers have started to examine video games' influence on students' intellectual learning.


Whether the language is first, second, or foreign vocabulary learning is fundamental to language acquisition. Interest in the role of vocabulary in second language (L2) learning has grown rapidly in recent years, although it has not always been known as a main concern in language teaching. Language specialists beside teachers and students are looking for a systematic and principled vocabulary teaching and learning approach. There is now universal agreement between vocabulary specialists that lexical competence is at the heart of communicative competence, the ability to communicate successfully and appropriately [13] .

There is now universal agreement between vocabulary specialists that lexical competence is at the heart of communicative competence, the ability to communicate successfully and appropriately.