Heart failure (HF) is a major and growing public health problem in the United States. Approximately 5 million patients have HF, and over 550,000 patients are diagnosed with HF for the first time each year [1] . The number of HF deaths has increased steadily despite advances in treatment due in part to the better treatment and "salvage" of dysfunctional cardiac tissue in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) [1] . This situation is expected to become worse, with a sharp increase in coronary vascular disease (CVD) in developing countries along with aging world population and it is predicted that 25 million CVD deaths will occur worldwide by 2020 and reach pandemic proportion as projected by the World Health Organization (WHO) [2] .

Approximately 5 million patients have HF, and over 550,000 patients are diagnosed with HF for the first time each year.

The number of HF deaths has increased steadily despite advances in treatment due in part to the better treatment and "salvage" of dysfunctional cardiac tissue in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

This situation is expected to become worse, with a sharp increase in coronary vascular disease (CVD) in developing countries along with aging world population and it is predicted that 25 million CVD deaths will occur worldwide by 2020 and reach pandemic proportion as projected by the World Health Organization (WHO).


Inconel 718 is a group of nickel based superalloys which is widely employed in the aerospace industry due to their high-temperature strength, its superior creep and high corrosion resistance. However, Inconel 718 is also well known as a difficult-to-machine material and this cause disadvantages properties during machining process such as poor thermal conductivity, contained high chemical affinity with almost all tools, high strength due to their hightemperature properties and its work harden rapidly [1] . In addition, these properties will lead to severe tool injury, high stress and temperature buildup on the tool face, warping in small parts and rapidly tool wear which resulting shorter tool life [2] . In most cases, the problem encountered during machining Inconel 718 is due to temperature generated which cause tool damage even at low cutting speed and low feed rate [3, 4] . On the other hand, chips are easy to weld on the tool face to form BUE which directly result severe surface damages extending to subsurface levels [3] .

However, Inconel 718 is also well known as a difficult-to-machine material and this cause disadvantages properties during machining process such as poor thermal conductivity, contained high chemical affinity with almost all tools, high strength due to their hightemperature properties and its work harden rapidly.

In addition, these properties will lead to severe tool injury, high stress and temperature buildup on the tool face, warping in small parts and rapidly tool wear which resulting shorter tool life.

In most cases, the problem encountered during machining Inconel 718 is due to temperature generated which cause tool damage even at low cutting speed and low feed rate.

On the other hand, chips are easy to weld on the tool face to form BUE which directly result severe surface damages extending to subsurface levels.


The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is best known for its contribution to understanding of eukaryotic cell cycle control. S. pombe displays a different physiology from S. cerevisiae in several ways that is probably closer to higher eukaryotes (Yanagida 2002) . This study suggests that S. pombe is a good model organism for studying intracellular oxidation and oxidative stress markers in eukaryotic cells.

S. pombe displays a different physiology from S. cerevisiae in several ways that is probably closer to higher eukaryotes.


Tick-borne diseases are the most common vector-borne diseases in Europe, with their infection rate and geographical distribution increasing in the 1980s [6] . The apparent increase in the incidence of TBE has been attributed to global warming and various socioeconomic factors [7] . The highest incidence (>10 cases per 100 000 population) is registered in the Baltic countries, the Czech Republic, Russia and Slovenia [2] . Important changes in TBE were observed in Lithuania in 1991 and 1994, followed by high incidence rates and some fluctuations every year. A complex of factors influenced changes in the TBE situation in Lithuania. The abundance of ticks, climatic and social factors, better laboratory diagnostics and the possible influence of a transitional period were analysed and had an impact on the situation [8] .

Tick-borne diseases are the most common vector-borne diseases in Europe, with their infection rate and geographical distribution increasing in the 1980s.

The apparent increase in the incidence of TBE has been attributed to global warming and various socioeconomic factors.

The highest incidence (>10 cases per 100 000 population) is registered in the Baltic countries, the Czech Republic, Russia and Slovenia.

The abundance of ticks, climatic and social factors, better laboratory diagnostics and the possible influence of a transitional period were analysed and had an impact on the situation.


Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are the semiconductor light source of choice for low-cost, high-performance optical communication links and position sensing. It has been estimated that more than a billion VCSELs have been deployed to date in commercial applications [1] . One and two-dimensional VCSEL arrays have also been used for parallel channel interconnects, but in these arrays the individual lasers are designed to operate independent and do not optically interact. However, it has long been recognized that an optically coupled laser array will have unique properties that may enable new applications.

It has been estimated that more than a billion VCSELs have been deployed to date in commercial applications.


The ability to quantify scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate in soil extracts will facilitate more detailed and widespread investigation of this intriguing organic phosphate. The origins of scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate in soils remain unclear, but the fact that it has been detected only in soils and aerobically digested sewage sludge suggests a probable microbial source (Cosgrove, 1980) . Indeed, an isomer of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate, subsequently shown by Cosgrove to be scylloinositol hexakisphosphate, was detected after a sandclay mixture containing inorganic and organic nutrients was incubated with soil microorganisms (Caldwell and Black, 1958) . However, it remains unclear whether microbes directly synthesize scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate from carbohydrate precursors, or epimerize it from myo-inositol hexakisphosphate. Whatever the mechanism involved, the ecological function of scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate in soils is completely unknown. Future research should focus on quantifying the concentrations of scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate in soils from a wide range of environments, and investigating its biochemical origin and function in soil.

The origins of scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate in soils remain unclear, but the fact that it has been detected only in soils and aerobically digested sewage sludge suggests a probable microbial source.

Indeed, an isomer of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate, subsequently shown by Cosgrove to be scylloinositol hexakisphosphate, was detected after a sandclay mixture containing inorganic and organic nutrients was incubated with soil microorganisms.


For delivery devices in particular, while many great strides in the technology have been achieved, there is still room for much improvement. These devices typically suffer from limitations such as low release rates and poor on/off ratios, as well as inadequate electronic control of the [9] . Micro-and nanofluidic techniques have successfully bypassed some of these problems and have been used to generate controlled concentration gradients -analogous to many biological systems [10] . However, these systems are based on fluid flow, which necessarily disrupts the fragile liquid environment comprising the target system.

These devices typically suffer from limitations such as low release rates and poor on/off ratios, as well as inadequate electronic control of the.

Micro-and nanofluidic techniques have successfully bypassed some of these problems and have been used to generate controlled concentration gradients -analogous to many biological systems.


A consequence of moving from a prescriptive to a performance-based building regulation paradigm is a shift in uncertainty. A prescriptive-based code specifies how a building should be designed and built, but not the intent of the code or the level of risk that society will accept for that building, so there is minimal uncertainty in how a building should be built to meet the regulatory requirements but substantial uncertainty in the intent of the regulation. A performance based approach increases certainty in the regulatory intent by stating it directly but allows more flexibility and thus uncertainty in how a building is designed to meet the intent [1] .

A performance based approach increases certainty in the regulatory intent by stating it directly but allows more flexibility and thus uncertainty in how a building is designed to meet the intent.


As users increasingly juggle multiple applications processing different types of information, they tend to benefit from more screen real estate for their desktop work. Over the past decade, the default size of a desktop monitor has increased from 15'' to 21'', and users are also beginning to rely more on multiple monitors [10] . Indeed, recent research has shown the benefits of using larger displays for personal desktop work [8, 9] .

Over the past decade, the default size of a desktop monitor has increased from 15'' to 21'', and users are also beginning to rely more on multiple monitors.

Indeed, recent research has shown the benefits of using larger displays for personal desktop work.


Most current computer users use just one or two standard monitors, which cover roughly 10% of their visual field [10] . When switching to a large display that can take upwards of 70% of the visual field, users may behave differently and indeed expect the system to provide very different interface support. To effectively utilize a large high-resolution display for daily work, we need to understand the aspects in which the increased size and resolution can benefit users, how a user will make use of the greater screen real estate, and how to refine interfaces to better suit these displays.

Most current computer users use just one or two standard monitors, which cover roughly 10% of their visual field.


Institute of Physics ⌽ DEUTSCHE PHYSIKALISCHE GESELLSCHAFT in an identical host material, with the exception that the springs must be right handed. In a racemic material, left-and right-handed springs must be dispersed in equal proportions [15] . Anisotropic chirality can be induced if all springs in an artificial material are of the same handedness and are aligned parallel to each other, as has been demonstrated satisfactorily [16, 17] . Even more complicated anisotropic chiral behaviour can result if left-handed springs are aligned along a fixed axis, and right-handed springs along some other fixed axis.

In a racemic material, left-and right-handed springs must be dispersed in equal proportions.

Anisotropic chirality can be induced if all springs in an artificial material are of the same handedness and are aligned parallel to each other, as has been demonstrated satisfactorily.


There were a few studies reported one of the strengths of online learning is flexibility [4] [5] . In Petrides's study, the participants reported it was easier to work in collaborative groups in an online course without rearranging eve-ryone's schedule as one might do in a traditional face-toface course [4] . In addition to flexibility with time, choices related to the learning experience were also reported as positive since Chizmar and Walbert indicated that the ability to freely pick and choose from the menu of diverse learning experiences enabled the participants to find the approaches that best fit the way they learn [6] .

There were a few studies reported one of the strengths of online learning is flexibility.

In Petrides's study, the participants reported it was easier to work in collaborative groups in an online course without rearranging eve-ryone's schedule as one might do in a traditional face-toface course.

In addition to flexibility with time, choices related to the learning experience were also reported as positive since Chizmar and Walbert indicated that the ability to freely pick and choose from the menu of diverse learning experiences enabled the participants to find the approaches that best fit the way they learn.


Nanoindentation has been established as a reliable tool for measuring mechanical properties of polymer composite at the submicron scale [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . An extensive study of nanoindentation on poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites has been reported by Jee and Lee [6, 7] . In nanoindentation, the depth of penetration together with the known geometry of the indenter provide an indirect measure of the projected area of contact at maximum load, and thus hardness is obtained by dividing the maximum applied load by the projected area of contact. In the depth sensing instrumented indentation technique, hardness and elastic modulus can be determined by the Oliver and Pharr model [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] . The scratch test is a simple and widely used method for investigating polymer composite surface [13] . In the scratch test an indenter is lowered on to the sample at increasing loads as the indenter tip is moved across the surface of the sample. Scratch hardness can also be measured from the scratch track made by the scratch tester. Scratch hardness has been defined as the load per unit load-bearing area during scratching, taking into account the formation of ridges and a prow. Since it is quite difficult to measure the load-bearing area during the course of scratch experiments, it is calculated from the width of the scratch obtained after the completion of the test [14, 15] . An advantage of scratch hardness relative to indentation hardness measurements is the possibility of studying the variation of hardness along the length of the scratch. The hardness of different constitute phases can be determined by making one single scratch. The absolute values at specific positions can be calculated by measuring the groove width and by applying the appropriate hardness formula.

Nanoindentation has been established as a reliable tool for measuring mechanical properties of polymer composite at the submicron scale.

An extensive study of nanoindentation on poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites has been reported by Jee and Lee.

In the depth sensing instrumented indentation technique, hardness and elastic modulus can be determined by the Oliver and Pharr model.

The scratch test is a simple and widely used method for investigating polymer composite surface.

Since it is quite difficult to measure the load-bearing area during the course of scratch experiments, it is calculated from the width of the scratch obtained after the completion of the test.


A mass food poisoning involving at least 1900 individuals occurred in western Japan in 1968, which was later referred to as Yusho oil disease because it was caused by the ingestion of rice bran oil contaminated with dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other related organochlorine compounds [1] [2] [3] . Patients of Yusho presented various clinical symptoms, such as acneform eruptions, comedos, darkbrownish nail pigmentation, increased discharge from the meibomian glands, pigmentation of oral mucosa, numbness of extremities, cough with expectoration, articular swelling and arthralgia, irregular menstruation in women, general fatigue and stomachache [4] . Forty years have passed since the outbreak, but patients still suffer from many symptoms because no effective therapy for Yusho has been developed. Although blood levels of PCBs and dioxins in Yusho patients have been gradually decreasing during the 40-year period, recent studies showed that mean blood levels of total dioxins and 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorinated dibenzofuran (penta-CDF), which is recognized as the most important causative agent for development of symptoms of Yusho, in Yusho patients from 2001 to 2003 were still 3.4-4.8 and 11.6-16.8 times higher, respectively, than those in normal controls [5] . Blood levels of dioxins in Yusho patients are known to be significantly correlated with the intensity of Yusho symptoms, such as 2 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine skin symptoms, general fatigue, respiratory symptoms and neurological symptoms [6] [7] [8] .

A mass food poisoning involving at least 1900 individuals occurred in western Japan in 1968, which was later referred to as Yusho oil disease because it was caused by the ingestion of rice bran oil contaminated with dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other related organochlorine compounds.

Patients of Yusho presented various clinical symptoms, such as acneform eruptions, comedos, darkbrownish nail pigmentation, increased discharge from the meibomian glands, pigmentation of oral mucosa, numbness of extremities, cough with expectoration, articular swelling and arthralgia, irregular menstruation in women, general fatigue and stomachache.

Although blood levels of PCBs and dioxins in Yusho patients have been gradually decreasing during the 40-year period, recent studies showed that mean blood levels of total dioxins and 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorinated dibenzofuran (penta-CDF), which is recognized as the most important causative agent for development of symptoms of Yusho, in Yusho patients from 2001 to 2003 were still 3.4-4.8 and 11.6-16.8 times higher, respectively, than those in normal controls.

Blood levels of dioxins in Yusho patients are known to be significantly correlated with the intensity of Yusho symptoms, such as 2 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine skin symptoms, general fatigue, respiratory symptoms and neurological symptoms.


The past decades have witnessed increasing interest in the use of fillers in the polymer industry. Fillers greatly enhance the dimensional stability, impact resistance, tensile and compressive strength, abrasion resistance and thermal stability when incorporated into polymers. Fillers which merely increase the bulk volume, and hence, reduce price, are known as extender fillers while those which improve the mechanical properties particularly tensile strength are termed as reinforcing fillers [1] [2] [3] [4] .

Fillers which merely increase the bulk volume, and hence, reduce price, are known as extender fillers while those which improve the mechanical properties particularly tensile strength are termed as reinforcing fillers.


Properties of Ti-Al-N are strongly dependent on their chemical composition [7, 8] . The Al content in Ti-Al-N coatings overcomes the oxidation problems, but a superficial Al 2 O 3 layer formed at high temperature [9] [10] [11] . Al 2 O 3 curbs oxygen diffusion and oxidative wear. Depending on the elemental and phase composition, hardness of these coatings can range from 20 to 35 GPa [12] [13] [14] .

Properties of Ti-Al-N are strongly dependent on their chemical composition.

The Al content in Ti-Al-N coatings overcomes the oxidation problems, but a superficial Al 2 O 3 layer formed at high temperature.

Depending on the elemental and phase composition, hardness of these coatings can range from 20 to 35 GPa.


During the late 19 century, psychologists began their studies on the learning process. In addition to experimental psychologists, the education teachers showed interest in learning. Since teaching objectives can be transferred to mankind trough learning (Schmidt and Lee, 2005) . Previous research showed that although many studies were carried out in the field of education, the role of assistant instruments and various models of teaching in skill-training were not apparent. Due to the fact that teaching motor skills has been among the main goal of physical education teachers and coaches, the studies on motor learning as an assistant for motor-skills-learning is important (Singer et al., 2001) .

Since teaching objectives can be transferred to mankind trough learning.

Due to the fact that teaching motor skills has been among the main goal of physical education teachers and coaches, the studies on motor learning as an assistant for motor-skills-learning is important.


Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a water-borne preservative containing arsenic, chromium and copper that is used for the long term protection of wood against insects, fungi or marine borers. Due to its excellent fungicidal and insecticidal properties, CCA became the most widely used wood preservative. In spite of its usefulness extending the productive life of wood and reducing the demand for forest resources, the components of CCA are hazardous to human health and present a potential threat to the environment. An increase in the amount of waste from wood treated with CCA is expected over the next decades (Ribeiro et al. 2000) . This raises an increasing concern about the environmental issue of treated wood waste management. Both legislation and drawbacks of the traditional disposal method (landfilling) are promoting research studies on alternatives for recycling and re-use of CCA-treated wood waste, particularly those that, after extraction of CCA below a certain level, promote re-use (e.g., for the manufacturing of woodbased composites).

An increase in the amount of waste from wood treated with CCA is expected over the next decades.


A lower level of tolerable biomass removal for conventional tillage was expected, as soil erosion will be more prevalent in tilled soil and additional surface cover is required to keep the soil loss below the tolerance level. No-till cropping practices with increased area of continuous corn production will be essential to increase the availability of biomass that can be removed safely. However, the literature showed that biomass removal will have a greater effect on soil loss than tillage practice (Lindstrom et al., 1979) . Consequently, the benefit of no-till practices built into the RUSLE2 is partly the result of the high percentage of surface residue cover. In the event of a high percentage of biomass removal, the RUSLE2 will likely underestimate the soil loss; therefore, the tolerable biomass removal rate estimated using this method should be treated with sufficient care.

However, the literature showed that biomass removal will have a greater effect on soil loss than tillage practice.


Consumer behaviour in terms of preferences and opportunities for choice: unlike preferences, the opportunities for choice are often directly observable so that, to the extent that variations in behaviour can be traced to variations in opportunities, they have a straightforward and objective explanation of observed phenomena (Deaton, In marketing, however, the analysis of consumer behaviour is dealing primarily with preferences and how preferences are formed in the mind of the consumer. Marketing approaches to consumer behaviour may be distinguished as cognitive versus behavioural. From a cognitive perspective, can be defined consumer behaviour as the activities that people engage in when selecting, purchasing, and using products and services to satisfy needs and desires. Such activities involve mental and emotional processes, in addition to physical actions (Zanoli, Naspetti, 2002) .

Such activities involve mental and emotional processes, in addition to physical actions.


Each word was typed in lower case with a carbon ribbon on white card. Photographic negatives (35 mm) of each word were produced, one for the left visual field and one for the right. When mounted in slide holders, these were projected onto a backprojection screen, either to the left or right of fixation, by a projection tachistoscope (Vincent, Bradshaw, Nettleton & Donahoo, 1973) . The dimensions, viewed from a distance of 68 ern, were such as to replicate the visual angles projected by normal typescript at a standard reading distance of about 30 em. Each four-letter word subtended an angular width of 2.5 deg; the distance from fixation point to the nearest edge of each word was 1.0 deg and to the furthest was 3.5 deg.

When mounted in slide holders, these were projected onto a backprojection screen, either to the left or right of fixation, by a projection tachistoscope.


The subject responded by pressing buttons on a panel in front of him, stopping an electronic millisecond timer which had started at stimulus onset. The response panel consisted of four buttons where, for half the subjects, the forefingers of the two hands pressed the nearer buttons ("target" keys) and the middle fingers pressed the other two buttons further away ("nontarget" keys). This procedure was reversed for the rest of the subjects. Although the subjects were told it was necessary to press the buttons simultaneously, the first button depressed stopped the timer. The use of this bimanual response was designed to avoid the problem of one hand or hemisphere leading (Geffen et al., 1972) . Each subject was instructed to respond as quickly and as accurately as possible, the best strategy being to fixate the flashing red light at the commencement of the warning tone.

The use of this bimanual response was designed to avoid the problem of one hand or hemisphere leading.


A problem arising from the constraints imposed by the orthography and structure of English fourletter words is the fact that vowels and consonants are not evenly distributed across all letter positions. Thus, taking the 80 experimental words used here (16 targets and 16 sets of nontargets with a change at each of the four-letter positions) and counting the number of vowels at each of the letter positions from 1 to 4, values are obtained of 0, 65, 20, 25-the 25 vowels in the last position always being unsounded e. Thus, vowels are nonexistent at the first position, and also at the last (except for e), and most common at the second. Single-syllable four-letter words will, of course, inevitably tend to have more vowels in the middle; in fact the only two other possible formats, vowel-vowel-consonant-consonant (e.g., "east' ') and consonant-consonant-vowel-vowel (e.g., "flee' '), do not generate many words. The formats vowelconsonant-consonant-vowel (e.g., "acme") and vowel-consonant-vowel-consonant (e.g., "anon") are of course two-syllable. Words such as "ache" are possible, but rare. Use of words five or more letters in length will lead to problems in controlling the number of syllables, and to extreme eccentricity with laterally presented stimuli. We can therefore ask whether the findings that field differences occur only for changes within the word, and that these changes are also detected more slowly than ones occurring at initial and final positions, are due to differences in vowel-consonant ratios at these positions. We may note, however, that in auditory studies vowels unlike consonants are not associated with the traditional left-hemisphere superiorities (Darwin, 1971; Shankweiler & Studdert-Kennedy, 1967) . Moreover, inspection of the materials and findings reported here shows that over three times as many vowels occur at the second position as at the third, yet both occupy central bounded positions, both give almost equally strong right-field superiorities, and both give slower detection times when compared with the two unbounded positions. We must therefore conclude that vowel-consonant differences are unlikely to underlie the major effects reported.

We may note, however, that in auditory studies vowels unlike consonants are not associated with the traditional left-hemisphere superiorities.


Food and nutrition security are issues that national and international organizations are dealing with (e.g., the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO) in the face of economic and population growth. However, one crucial problem that is often overlooked is the essential role of soils in providing nutritious food [1] [2] [3] . Soils are the base for food production and food security, as about 95% of global food is produced from soil. However, the majority of soils are in fair and poor conditions, with accelerated erosion and loss of nutrients being the most significant threats [4] [5] [6] .

However, one crucial problem that is often overlooked is the essential role of soils in providing nutritious food.

However, the majority of soils are in fair and poor conditions, with accelerated erosion and loss of nutrients being the most significant threats.


Brazilian governmental programs have encouraged the occupation and economic development of the country's central region, leading to the intensification of land use change in the Cerrado [49] . Consequently, by 2013, 46% (95 Mha) of the Cerrado's native vegetation cover had been deforested and turned into pasture and areas of mechanized agriculture [50] . By some estimates, only 20% of the region remains undisturbed and a mere 8% is preserved in protected areas. To make matters worse, the Cerrado is now home to the newest Brazilian agricultural frontier, named MATOPIBA-an acronym formed from the first two letters of Maranhão (MA), Tocantins (TO), Piauí (PI), and Bahia (BA) states. This most frontier has been characterized by rapid changes in land cover and land use for agricultural expansion [51] . For example, during the 2005-2014 period, the area used for soy crops in MATOPIBA increased by 86%, while the increase at the national level was 29% [52, 53] .

Brazilian governmental programs have encouraged the occupation and economic development of the country's central region, leading to the intensification of land use change in the Cerrado.

Consequently, by 2013, 46% (95 Mha) of the Cerrado's native vegetation cover had been deforested and turned into pasture and areas of mechanized agriculture.

This most frontier has been characterized by rapid changes in land cover and land use for agricultural expansion.

For example, during the 2005-2014 period, the area used for soy crops in MATOPIBA increased by 86%, while the increase at the national level was 29%.


Microwave heating method is especially important as its use provides increased reaction kinetics, rapid initial heating and, hence, enhanced reaction rates culminating in clean reaction products with rapid consumption of starting materials and higher yields [12] . Recently, microwave heating has been explored as a promising technique for nanoparticle synthesis. In the present study, we first report the reduction of silver ions using aqueous onion (Allium cepa) extract under microwave irradiation for facile and fast phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). To the best of our knowledge, no reports pertaining to a microwave method of using onion (A. cepa) extract are yet available. The antibacterial property of phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles was also investigated.

Microwave heating method is especially important as its use provides increased reaction kinetics, rapid initial heating and, hence, enhanced reaction rates culminating in clean reaction products with rapid consumption of starting materials and higher yields.


Emotions play an important role in everyday interactions (Sorjonen and Peräkylä 2012) . Therefore, a better understanding of both the expression of emotion (i.e. opinion) and the underlying emotion in activities and human outings may yield smoother human-computer interaction (Brave and Nass 2003) . Dialogue systems rely on the ability of the computer to recognise what the user is talking about. For example, a computer recognising frustration in a human customer may adapt their response accordingly. In such a response, two things would be important: the polarity of the expression, i.e. whether it is a positive, negative or neutral outing, and the subject of the expression, i.e. what is the customer positive or negative about. These tasks are both part of the field of sentiment analysis. While sentiment analysis covers a broad range of research, most of it is focused on the classification of sentiment polarity. Recognising the subject of an opinion is a more challenging task, known as a specific subtask of Aspect Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA). This subtask is known as aspect extraction. Here, an aspect is the subject of the opinion.

Emotions play an important role in everyday interactions.

Therefore, a better understanding of both the expression of emotion (i.e. opinion) and the underlying emotion in activities and human outings may yield smoother human-computer interaction.


Bentonite has been used widely in engineered barriers for pollutant containment (e.g. soil-bentonite mixtures, cement-bentonite mixtures). Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs) consisting of a thin layer of bentonite sandwiched between two geotextiles or glued to a geomembrane are increasingly used as hydraulic barriers in landfill covers and liners. The GCLs that do not include a geomembrane have hydraulic conductivity on the order of 10 À11 m/s when permeated with deionized water or dilute aqueous solutions, owing to the low permeability properties of Na-montmorillonite, the main component of common bentonites (Bouazza, 2002) . Unfortunately, the hydraulic conductivity of GCLs can be increased drastically by inorganic permeants that are aggressive to Na-montmorillonite, e.g. solutions with high concentrations and/or containing predominantly multivalent cations .

The GCLs that do not include a geomembrane have hydraulic conductivity on the order of 10 À11 m/s when permeated with deionized water or dilute aqueous solutions, owing to the low permeability properties of Na-montmorillonite, the main component of common bentonites.


In addition, in this study, we also focus on the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on CSR disclosures from a developing nation context. This is because prior studies have found that the quality of corporate governance mechanisms, namely, board characteristics, have implications for signalling and reporting behaviour ( Haniffa and Cooke, 2005) . In general, an agency perspective is invoked to explain how higher-quality boards would be willing to be more transparent and accountable through greater voluntary disclosures, so as to reduce information asymmetry arising from the difference in ownership and management. Board diversity in particular is increasingly seen as a desirable characteristic of board structure because greater diversity in the type of directors, such as having female and foreign directorships, is touted to bring, in broader sets of expertise, knowledge and resources that will enable a wider set of stakeholder needs and issues to be addressed, leading to better decision-making ( Mateos de Cobo et al., 2012) . However, the role of the directors in a developing nation setting has also come under increasing criticism in recent years, as it is contended that governance structures and processes that apply in developed nations may not be appropriate in environments where the legal and institutional infrastructure are nascent (Prowse, 1999) . Thus, the question"Do board composition characteristics, namely, female and foreign directorships, have a significant impact on the extent of CSR disclosures (i.e. increased transparency and accountability) within a developing nation context?" remains a critical one, with little empirical insight. In particular, if certain characteristics of the board, such as female and foreign directorships, are prone to cultural or other idiosyncratic factors related to developing economies, and if such features do not have any effect on CSR disclosures, then the presence of board diversity may not always equate to more transparent accountability and disclosures in such settings.

This is because prior studies have found that the quality of corporate governance mechanisms, namely, board characteristics, have implications for signalling and reporting behaviour.

Board diversity in particular is increasingly seen as a desirable characteristic of board structure because greater diversity in the type of directors, such as having female and foreign directorships, is touted to bring, in broader sets of expertise, knowledge and resources that will enable a wider set of stakeholder needs and issues to be addressed, leading to better decision-making.

However, the role of the directors in a developing nation setting has also come under increasing criticism in recent years, as it is contended that governance structures and processes that apply in developed nations may not be appropriate in environments where the legal and institutional infrastructure are nascent.


Foreign directors have international exposure and knowledge. They are more committed to protecting the interests of society and which ensures more reporting of CSR disclosures. We regress CSR disclosures on all hypothesised and control variables in Model 5. Our results with respect to the coefficients of hypothesised variables are consistent with the main findings reported in the previous four models. In regards to control variables, our overall findings suggest that board independence (BIND), CEO duality (CEODU) and older firms (FAGE) are significantly related to greater extent of CSR disclosures. However, we document leverage to have no significant impact on the level of CSR disclosures. The results of our analysis, with respect to the control variables, are consistent with those of several previous studies (Haniffa and Cooke, 2005; Khan et al., 2013) .

The results of our analysis, with respect to the control variables, are consistent with those of several previous studies.


Our framework has been implemented as a Coq library, which includes the formalization of the distributed computation environment with the communication network, as well as the embedded machine which evaluates the Netlog programs on each node. The Netlog programs are translated into straightforward Coq definitions. The proofs, sketched in the paper have been fully formalized in Coq [7] . As a preliminary result we proved a topological property of a distributed data structure -a tree -constructed by a simple but subtle program.

The proofs, sketched in the paper have been fully formalized in Coq.


SMA reinforced composites has been studied in this paper. Several works relevant to low velocity impact of SMA reinforced composites taking the assumption of uniform distribution of martensite phase in SMA has been founded [25, 26] . Along with modified linearized Hertz contact law and Brison's model of SMA, Shariyat and his co-authors have proposed several theory to analysis preload effect, impact response and forced vibration of SMA reinforced composites, such as mixed order hyperbolic global-local plate theory [14, [18] [19] [20] [21] . Strain rate shows significant effect on SMA which may change phase transform process [27] . As for Glass/Epoxy composite, both strengths and modulus at tensile, compressive and in plane shear case are increased generally under higher strain rate [28] [29] [30] . However, theoretical models relating low-high velocity have rarely discussed due to the difficulties associated with the face-face contact in simulation (between SMA and matrix; fiber and matrix).

Several works relevant to low velocity impact of SMA reinforced composites taking the assumption of uniform distribution of martensite phase in SMA has been founded.

Along with modified linearized Hertz contact law and Brison's model of SMA, Shariyat and his co-authors have proposed several theory to analysis preload effect, impact response and forced vibration of SMA reinforced composites, such as mixed order hyperbolic global-local plate theory.

Strain rate shows significant effect on SMA which may change phase transform process.

As for Glass/Epoxy composite, both strengths and modulus at tensile, compressive and in plane shear case are increased generally under higher strain rate.


As for SMA, it has been embedded in the adjacent layer for the reinforcement purpose considering their unique properties: changing shape (elastic modulus) in accordance with temperature and stress [10] [11] [12] . SMA has the ability to change shape, to repair damage and to improve impact property according to Sun's experiment and Shariyat's analysis [13, 14] . However, the interfacial debonding between SMA and matrix has been found exists extensively in composite. It is still a key problem in the development of SMA reinforced composites [15] .

As for SMA, it has been embedded in the adjacent layer for the reinforcement purpose considering their unique properties: changing shape (elastic modulus) in accordance with temperature and stress.

SMA has the ability to change shape, to repair damage and to improve impact property according to Sun's experiment and Shariyat's analysis.

It is still a key problem in the development of SMA reinforced composites.


The results of the calculation show that the Hall-Petch hardening contribution increased with strain while the substructure hardening maintained at approximately the same level (Table 2, Figure 7) . Thus, the Hall-Petch hardening contribution becomes much more important than the substructure hardening in samples rotated for angles larger than 180 • . This result is in good agreement with data reported earlier for the nanocrystalline HEA [37] .

This result is in good agreement with data reported earlier for the nanocrystalline HEA.


Tensile stress-strain curves of the alloy are shown in Figure 6 . The resulting mechanical properties including yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), uniform elongation (UE), and total elongation (TE), are summarized in Table 1 . Already after a rotation for 90° the alloy had a high ultimate tensile strength approaching 1 GPa but rather limited ductility of ~12%. Increasing HPT rotation from 90° to 180° resulted in a moderate rise in strength and a pronounced decrease in ductility to ~5%. At further increase in strain to two full rotations (720°) the strength of the alloy increased considerably (approximately by a factor of 2) while the ductility decreased moderately. A decrease in temperature of HPT from 293 to 77 K considerably increased the strength of the alloy but not affected ductility much. All flow curves exhibited a peak flow stress at the initial stages of deformation followed by a moderate decrease in flow stress. The uniform elongation of the alloy was rather small in all cases which is quite typical of severely deformed materials [23] . However, after strain localization (at the maximum flow stress), when the plastic deformation had become concentrated in the neck, the alloy had showed quite pronounced additional elongation. According to the XRD analysis, the dislocation density after cryogenic deformation was 2.9 × 10 15 m −2 . In comparison, after similar processing at room temperature the dislocation density was 9.14 × 10 14 m −2 , i.e., three-fold increase in dislocation density due to decrease of HPT temperature occurred. In turn, the imposed strain at room temperature had weakly affected the dislocation density. For example, the dislocation density values after rotations for 90 • and 720 • were 1.48 × 10 15 m −2 and 8.86 × 10 14 m −2 , respectively, i.e., they were rather similar to each other and to dislocation density after rotation for 180 • at room temperature.

The uniform elongation of the alloy was rather small in all cases which is quite typical of severely deformed materials.


The results of the present work clearly demonstrate that the microstructure development in the CoCrFeNiMn alloy during HPT strongly depended on both the imposed strain (i.e., the angle of rotation and the distance from the center of the discs) and deformation temperature. At room temperature, the formation of ultra-fine grained (UFG) structure on the periphery of the HPT discs occurred quite fast: 50 nm-sized (sub)grains were observed after a 180 • turn (Figure 4c,d) . Fast kinetics of microstructure evolution in the alloy during HPT has been already reported [9] . However, it should be noted that the microstructure developed in the beginning of HPT-straining was highly heterogeneous (Figure 2d-f) . In the center of the discs, initial grains with weakly developed deformation twins/substructure had survived even after rotation for 180 • (Figure 2d ). This is an obvious result of a strong gradient of the imposed strain along the radius of the discs and is typical of the HPT process [17] . Meanwhile, according to the present results, homogenous UFG microstructure can be produced after the rotation for 720 • .

Fast kinetics of microstructure evolution in the alloy during HPT has been already reported.

This is an obvious result of a strong gradient of the imposed strain along the radius of the discs and is typical of the HPT process.


Tensile stress-strain curves of the alloy are shown in Figure 6 . The resulting mechanical properties including yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), uniform elongation (UE), and total elongation (TE), are summarized in Table 1 . Already after a rotation for 90 • the alloy had a high ultimate tensile strength approaching 1 GPa but rather limited ductility of~12%. Increasing HPT rotation from 90 • to 180 • resulted in a moderate rise in strength and a pronounced decrease in ductility to~5%. At further increase in strain to two full rotations (720 • ) the strength of the alloy increased considerably (approximately by a factor of 2) while the ductility decreased moderately. A decrease in temperature of HPT from 293 to 77 K considerably increased the strength of the alloy but not affected ductility much. All flow curves exhibited a peak flow stress at the initial stages of deformation followed by a moderate decrease in flow stress. The uniform elongation of the alloy was rather small in all cases which is quite typical of severely deformed materials [23] . However, after strain localization (at the maximum flow stress), when the plastic deformation had become concentrated in the neck, the alloy had showed quite pronounced additional elongation.

The uniform elongation of the alloy was rather small in all cases which is quite typical of severely deformed materials.


It was found that the CoCrFeMnNi alloy demonstrated very high elongation (7080%), but rather low yield strength of 200 MPa at room temperature [6, 7] . Strengthening of HEA can be achieved via microstructure refinement. A reduction of a grain size from 150 to 5 µm in the CoCrFeMnNi alloy increased the yield strength by a factor of two while maintained good ductility [6] . Severe plastic deformation of the CoCrFeNiMn alloy via high-pressure torsion (HPT) expectably refined the microstructure to a grain size d~40-50 nm and increased the microhardness of the alloy by a factor of~3 [8] [9] [10] . The ultimate tensile strength of the alloy after HPT was found to be~2000 MPa [8] .

It was found that the CoCrFeMnNi alloy demonstrated very high elongation (7080%), but rather low yield strength of 200 MPa at room temperature.

A reduction of a grain size from 150 to 5 µm in the CoCrFeMnNi alloy increased the yield strength by a factor of two while maintained good ductility.

Severe plastic deformation of the CoCrFeNiMn alloy via high-pressure torsion (HPT) expectably refined the microstructure to a grain size d~40-50 nm and increased the microhardness of the alloy by a factor of~3.

The ultimate tensile strength of the alloy after HPT was found to be~2000 MPa.


The results of the present work clearly demonstrate that the microstructure development in the CoCrFeNiMn alloy during HPT strongly depended on both the imposed strain (i.e., the angle of rotation and the distance from the center of the discs) and deformation temperature. At room temperature, the formation of ultra-fine grained (UFG) structure on the periphery of the HPT discs occurred quite fast: 50 nm-sized (sub)grains were observed after a 180° turn (Figure 4c,d) . Fast kinetics of microstructure evolution in the alloy during HPT has been already reported [9] . However, it should be noted that the microstructure developed in the beginning of HPT-straining was highly heterogeneous (Figure 2d-f) . In the center of the discs, initial grains with weakly developed deformation twins/substructure had survived even after rotation for 180° (Figure 2d ). This is an obvious result of a strong gradient of the imposed strain along the radius of the discs and is typical of the HPT process [17] . Meanwhile, according to the present results, homogenous UFG microstructure can be produced after the rotation for 720°.

Fast kinetics of microstructure evolution in the alloy during HPT has been already reported.

This is an obvious result of a strong gradient of the imposed strain along the radius of the discs and is typical of the HPT process.


Another possible reason is that customers may not place quality as their main important element in the purchase of MODENAS products. The "actual need" is rarely fully known or understood by the customer. There are different objectives and priorities, the situation which has generated the "need" is not completely known, and the effects of any change are not totally predictable. A supply of a service or product may be of the highest standard, but the customer may have unreasonable expectations, which cannot be met by any means at all (Hardie and Walsh, 1994) . Meeting a quality definition does not always mean that the supply is of adequate quality. Sometimes, price can also be used for signaling the quality of the product. Customer may perceive a high price product offers a guaranteed high quality product than an unreliable cheaper one (Wankhade and Dabade, 2006) . In making purchase decision, the consumer may arrive at attitudes toward a different brand through some evaluation procedure. However, the evaluation of the available alternatives depends on the individual consumer and the specific buying situation (Kotler and Armstrong, 2010) .

A supply of a service or product may be of the highest standard, but the customer may have unreasonable expectations, which cannot be met by any means at all.

Customer may perceive a high price product offers a guaranteed high quality product than an unreliable cheaper one.

However, the evaluation of the available alternatives depends on the individual consumer and the specific buying situation.


Product quality is the most important factor for the selection of each motorcycle brand/model especially in a market environment where the level of competition is intense and price-competitive (Shaharudin et al., 2010) . However, it is difficult to meet the customers' expectation on quality since their understanding is varied and inconsistent. The differences of quality perspectives are pertinent in economic, technological, social and cultural achievements (Wankhade and Dabade, 2006) . Customers are seeking reliable products that suit the purpose and able to withstand the intended functions. With the increase of customer purchasing power supported by multiple and flexible financing scheme, customers find themselves surrounded with many options to choose.

Product quality is the most important factor for the selection of each motorcycle brand/model especially in a market environment where the level of competition is intense and price-competitive.

The differences of quality perspectives are pertinent in economic, technological, social and cultural achievements.


For a better perspective of a product quality, it is necessary to study on the quality perception and to understand on quality gaps between 'how things ought to be' and 'how things are' from a customer's point of view. This is because of the nature of quality perception itself which is a complex phenomenon involving social, cultural, economic and technical aspects (Wankhade and Dabade, 2006) . The result can subsequently be used to benchmark the 'actual performance' against the 'perceived requirement' so that the discrepancies or differences discovered can be channeled for immediate improvement. However, less attention is being placed for studies that link between the perceived product quality with other marketing variables such as product involvement, consumer satisfaction and purchase intentions (Tsiotsou, 2005) .

This is because of the nature of quality perception itself which is a complex phenomenon involving social, cultural, economic and technical aspects.

However, less attention is being placed for studies that link between the perceived product quality with other marketing variables such as product involvement, consumer satisfaction and purchase intentions.


Overall, the level of customer perceptions has no significant impact on the customer purchase decision. Good or bad perception of the product quality can still drive the customer either to purchase or not to purchase the motorcycle/scooter. This situation exists especially when the buyers expectation towards a product brand is similar or at par with the competitor's product. In this case, the buyer has viewed a brand at the same level for all quality dimensions of "conformance to specification", "performance", "reliability", "durability", "perceived quality", "serviceability", "aesthetics" and "special features". Such generalization in the quality perceptions may either distract or stimulate the drive to purchase a particular brand product in the future. The buyer decision process consists of five stages: need recognition derived from internal and external stimuli, search for information, evaluation of the available alternatives, form purchase intentions and engage in post-purchase behavior (Kotler and Armstrong, 2010) . In evaluating the available brand choices, buyers normally do not engage in a simple and single evaluation process. Instead, they at a specific attitude and belief towards different brand through some evaluation procedure. This includes using careful calculations and logical thinking that depends on individual priorities and specific buying situation.

The buyer decision process consists of five stages: need recognition derived from internal and external stimuli, search for information, evaluation of the available alternatives, form purchase intentions and engage in post-purchase behavior.


Task replay can also be improved through further innovations. Rather than integrate all examples of a particular skill that we have identified, our system uses a simple nearest-neighbor strategy to choose the single most relevant example to use for DMP training. However, all of the available data could be used more efficiently if a principled way to integrate this data was designed. However, it is well known that the average of solutions to a problem is often not itself a solution, making this problem non-trivial, although some approaches have been explored (Coates et al., 2008; Bitzer and Vijayakumar, 2009) . Furthermore, by using DMPs, we are performing somewhat ''blind'' replay of skills. If preconditions and postconditions for each skill could be discovered, more traditional planning algorithms could be used to perform each skill more adaptively. Finally, for more dynamic tasks than we considered, each skill could also be improved through reinforcement learning if necessary, perhaps by inferring a reward function through IRL.

However, it is well known that the average of solutions to a problem is often not itself a solution, making this problem non-trivial, although some approaches have been explored.


In general GM1 and GM2 are to be preferred to the Full model as they require the estimation of only one-, two-or three-dimensional density functions. The Full model uses seven variables. Density estimation for such a large number of variables has a larger error associated with the quality of the fit. For example, the sample size required (accurate to about three significant figures) to ensure that the relative mean square error at zero is less than 0.1, when estimating a standard multivariate normal density using a normal kernel and a window width that minimizes the mean square error at zero is 4 for one dimension, 19 for two, 67 for three and 10,700 for seven dimensions [20] . The simulation results here are based on samples of size 80 so satisfy these criteria up to three dimensions.

The Full model uses seven variables.

For example, the sample size required (accurate to about three significant figures) to ensure that the relative mean square error at zero is less than 0.1, when estimating a standard multivariate normal density using a normal kernel and a window width that minimizes the mean square error at zero is 4 for one dimension, 19 for two, 67 for three and 10,700 for seven dimensions.


In the kNN classification, the test sample (circle) should be classified either to the first class of squares or to the second class of triangles. If k=3 it is classified to the second class because there are 2 triangles and only 1 square inside the inner circle ( Fig. 1) . If k=5 it is classified to first class (3 squares vs. 2 triangles inside the outer circle) (Cover and Hart 1967) .

If k=5 it is classified to first class (3 squares vs. 2 triangles inside the outer circle).


In the case of a sweet gas, the water content can be calculated by phase equilibria-based commercial softwares, or estimated using the McKetta and Wehe chart [1] . Water content assessment is much more challenging when it comes to acid gas. As both pure H 2 S and CO 2 contain more water at saturation than sweet natural gas, their effect on the overall water content can be very significant.

In the case of a sweet gas, the water content can be calculated by phase equilibria-based commercial softwares, or estimated using the McKetta and Wehe chart.


Several sets of experimental data and charts are available to address the subject. In this regard, the GPSA Engineering Handbook gives a good overview of the available methods [2] . However, and as correctly pointed out by the GPSA, most of these methods apply to a reduced range of conditions, and/or give discrete information for limited sets of compositions. Generally speaking, the literature of the past 50 years is poor on the subject. As a consequence of this, the reliability of the results is very often questionable in terms of accuracy.

In this regard, the GPSA Engineering Handbook gives a good overview of the available methods.


Open burning of tire releases particulate matter and gases, such as sulphur compounds, hydrocarbons and oxides of carbon and nitrogen that are toxic to humans and to environment. The process also releases toxic pyrolitic oil into the environment. It is estimated that a single passenger car tire releases about 7.5 l of pyrolitic oil during burning. Extinguishing the fire with water may enhance transportation of the oil, leading to soil and water contamination. Even storage of tires outdoors creates a conducive environment for breading of mosquitoes, which may cause malaria (Anonymous 2013) .

Even storage of tires outdoors creates a conducive environment for breading of mosquitoes, which may cause malaria.


The natural rubber latex is sticky and viscous in nature and very sensitive to temperature, therefore, it cannot be directly used for the manufacturing of rubber products, unless subjected to vulcanization. Due to the special characters of the rubber it is extensively used worldwide. The global rubber consumption was estimated to be 12.5 million metric tons in 2013 of which 65 % were used for tire production and the other 35 % was used for the production of other rubber products (Tsuchii and Tokiwa 1999) .

The global rubber consumption was estimated to be 12.5 million metric tons in 2013 of which 65 % were used for tire production and the other 35 % was used for the production of other rubber products.


After usage of these natural rubber products, their disposal is a major worldwide solid waste problem. The recommended priority order to reduce the volume of this kind of waste material is reduction of consumption, reuse of the product, recycling of the material, energy recovery and, as a final option, deposition of the product in the environment. Due to the chemical cross linking, it is not possible to simply melt and reshape rubber materials, as can be done with thermoplastics like polyethylene and polypropylene. In order to reuse rubber materials, special processes like grinding, pyrolysis and other thermal methods should be undertaken. During treatment by these methods, the material may become degraded to a certain extent and it will not gain its original characters. If it is burnt it will produce large amount of carbon-dioxide, chlorine gas which creates environmental problems and contributes to global warming. Natural rubber products, such as tires contain 1.5 % by weight of hazardous substances. If dumped in landfills incidents of tire fires are common. Depending on the quantities of the material, the fire may go on for several days, creating a black smoke that may cover large parts of the township (Tsuchii et al. 1996) .

Depending on the quantities of the material, the fire may go on for several days, creating a black smoke that may cover large parts of the township.


Without effective evaluation at both the case study and global levels conservation will continue to fail to achieve maximum returns on investment (Brooks et al., 2006; Underwood et al., 2009) . Evaluating the outcomes of a project is a key requirement of the Darwin Initiative, and this evaluation is a contribution to this requirement. Although this is a case-specific example it demonstrates how an adaptive approach to conservation interventions could increase the effectiveness of ongoing media campaigns, to take full advantage of the socio-economic and experiential factors that make people more or less responsive to a particular public awareness programme.

Without effective evaluation at both the case study and global levels conservation will continue to fail to achieve maximum returns on investment.


For an education programme to contribute to conservation success a change in attitudes, behavioural intention and, ultimately, behaviour has to occur. Education has been shown to influence attitudes. A study on manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris conservation showed that greater knowledge about manatees was positively correlated with support for manatee protection (Aipanjiguly et al., 2002) . Formal education level, even when not specifically tailored to conservation, also correlates with positive attitudes to conservation (Mehta & Heinen, 2001) . For example, undergraduates' formal knowledge of conservation biology correlates with the environmental opinions they hold (Caro et al., 1994) .

A study on manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris conservation showed that greater knowledge about manatees was positively correlated with support for manatee protection.

Formal education level, even when not specifically tailored to conservation, also correlates with positive attitudes to conservation.

For example, undergraduates' formal knowledge of conservation biology correlates with the environmental opinions they hold.


Mining activities in South Africa have left underground voids and mine tailings containing pyrite (FeS 2 ) mineral exposed to O 2 and H 2 O. Exposing FeS 2 to H 2 O and O 2 produces acidity as shown in Eq. 1. The acidity generated enhances chemical weathering of the surrounding rock. This causes leaching of potential toxic elements such as Al, Mn, As and Cr into the water producing highly contaminated water termed acid mine drainage (AMD) (Lottermoser 2007) .

This causes leaching of potential toxic elements such as Al, Mn, As and Cr into the water producing highly contaminated water termed acid mine drainage (AMD).


Superior mixing with a jet loop reactor can be used as one way to reduce the amount of coal FA that can be utilized in the treatment of mine water. The jet loop reactor has been used in the selective hydrogenation of palm olein (Sin 2005) . It promotes a faster reaction rate by exerting a higher mass transfer rate and mixing intensity compared to continuous stirred tank reactor (Sin 2005) . Intense mixing in a jet loop occurs due to hydrodynamic cavitation and impingement processes that occur inside the reactor (Gavi et al. 2007; Mason 2007; Kumar et al. 2000) . Hydrodynamic cavitation is produced by pressure variations due to the changes in the geometry of the system in which the solution is flowing through. This happens when a solution flows through a small orifice, thereby causing the pressure and kinetic energy to drop (Mason 2007; Kumar et al. 2000) . The turbulence produces an area of greatly reduced fluid pressure causing vaporization of the liquid, forming a cavity. Hydrodynamic cavitation can be controlled by adjusting flow rate, pressure and orifice size. Intense mixing of the reactants results in the formation of metastable phases causing the kinetics to be increased. A very important aspect of this type of processing is that it can be scaled up easily. In this study, the use of the jet loop reactor was investigated in order to reduce the amount of coal FA required for the treatment of mine water. This work was conducted in the Environmental and Nano Sciences Research Group laboratory (Chemistry Department) at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. This work was finished in January 2011.

The jet loop reactor has been used in the selective hydrogenation of palm olein.

It promotes a faster reaction rate by exerting a higher mass transfer rate and mixing intensity compared to continuous stirred tank reactor.

Intense mixing in a jet loop occurs due to hydrodynamic cavitation and impingement processes that occur inside the reactor.

This happens when a solution flows through a small orifice, thereby causing the pressure and kinetic energy to drop.

This work was finished in January 2011.


The jet nozzle sizes were changed from 8 mm to 6 mm in an attempt to increase the mixing intensity of coal FA and mine water through the increase in cavitation. This did not achieve a pH of greater than 11.5 as shown in Fig. 2. The treatment of the mine water with coal FA in a jet loop reactor, with jet sizes set at 8 mm, is shown in Fig. 3 . Results indicated that increasing the amount of FA from 13 to 16 kg did not show any increased performance in the cleanup of the mine water. Na concentration remained constant; Ca and sulphate concentration increased due to leaching from coal FA into the mine water. The concentration of Mg was decreased by almost 100 % when the pH of the mine water was increased to above 10. Magnesium is known to precipitate out as Mg(OH) 2 at pH greater than 11 according to Eq. 7 (Madzivire et al. 2011) . The increase in the concentration of Ca and sulphate resulted in the increase in EC according to Eq. 6 (Fig. 1) .

Magnesium is known to precipitate out as Mg(OH) 2 at pH greater than 11 according to Eq. 7.


Findings showed differential effects by grade level. For first-grade Tier 2 students, the regression discontinuity analysis did not reveal a program effect, whereas for second-grade Tier 2 students, RD analyses showed a significant main effect, indicating a positive program effect. In attempting to explain the differential effects, it is possible that first graders need more intervention time to learn number-sense tasks. In particular, the teen numbers and 11 and 12 are often troublesome for struggling students to name. Numerical concepts (e.g., quantity discrimination, number sequences) and place value also require sustained instructional time that may not have been sufficient in our 15-min sessions. Also, arithmetic combinations (e.g., fact families, sums or minuends to 18), especially subtraction, take time to develop accuracy as well as fluency (Fuchs et al., 2006) .

Also, arithmetic combinations (e.g., fact families, sums or minuends to 18), especially subtraction, take time to develop accuracy as well as fluency.


The Chytridiomycota represent a basal lineage of fungi that are characterized by producing flagella. Members of this group are common and sometimes abundant components of aquatic ecosystems where they play an important role in nutrient cycling through the decomposition of plant and animal detritus. However, in the case of Bd, this species is capable of living in association with the epidermis of amphibians where it can persist as either a parasite or a pathogen. Susceptibility to Bd varies among individuals within a species, and among populations, and in many instances the disease condition, chytridomycosis, does not develop (Davidson et al. 2003) . As such, some individuals or populations can function as reservoirs for the chytrid. In addition, it has been reported that at least some reptiles can function as reservoirs and or vectors for Bd. For example, the presence of Bd in two lizard and three snake species were positively correlated with Bd occurrence among cooccurring anurans (Kilburn et al. 2011) . Furthermore, simply the presence of Bd does not implicate the fungus as the cause of an amphibian decline or mortality event; as such, caution must be exercised in such an assessment (Daszak et al. 2005) . The current investigation was initiated after the discovery of several dead wood frogs (Lithobates sylvatica) in a wetland within the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Kentucky, USA.

Susceptibility to Bd varies among individuals within a species, and among populations, and in many instances the disease condition, chytridomycosis, does not develop.

For example, the presence of Bd in two lizard and three snake species were positively correlated with Bd occurrence among cooccurring anurans.

Furthermore, simply the presence of Bd does not implicate the fungus as the cause of an amphibian decline or mortality event; as such, caution must be exercised in such an assessment.


Water is a potential factor that affects the growth, development, and survival of nematodes (Prot 1979; Towson & Apt 1983) . In the present study, irrigation as the main factor affected nematode parameters, including eggplant infection in ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ terms of root galling caused by the root-knot nematode M. javanica, and its reproduction. Root galling index of eggplant was much lower for plants irrigated at 20, 40 and 60% levels than those at 80 and 100% levels under one field condition, but plants irrigated at 60% level did not differ in the extent of root infection from plants irrigated at 80 and 100% levels in the other field conditions. Field as the main factor did not affect root galling caused by the nematode or the final nematode population at the end of the eggplant growing season. The final population of M. javanica was obviously lower in the rhizospheric soil of fields irrigated at 20, 40 and 60% levels than that of fields irrigated at 80 and 100% levels under the two field conditions. Thus, deficit irrigation levels of 40 and 60% of FC can be used for the management of M. javanica without any negative impact on eggplant growth and yield under field conditions.

Water is a potential factor that affects the growth, development, and survival of nematodes.


The definition of an annual price for operation and maintenance tasks is normally recommended to be between an annual 0.5% and 1.5% of the investment cost for small PV installations [42] . Additionally, these costs will also be influenced by an annual escalation rate (r OM ). This input economic parameter is set equal to the value of the annual inflation defined by the country analysed.

The definition of an annual price for operation and maintenance tasks is normally recommended to be between an annual 0.5% and 1.5% of the investment cost for small PV installations.


The growing trend of using smartphone in people's lives in terms of fun, communication, work, etc. are heavily affecting people's lifestyle and working environment of an organization [2, 3] . The smartphone enables communication, connectivity, content consumption, and content creativity. Thus, it is a tool that provides an ability to support a wide range of social interactions since smartphone is a convenient, highly accessible, functional device that's developed to enable communication and further support creation of various multimedia content, whether it be video, audio, or text [4] . The smartphone is also effectively utilized in the work environment by developing and applying the useful applications for executing the business tasks. Smartphone can execute various procedures that are essential in business processes such as email, Internet searching, data management, etc.

The growing trend of using smartphone in people's lives in terms of fun, communication, work, etc. are heavily affecting people's lifestyle and working environment of an organization.

Thus, it is a tool that provides an ability to support a wide range of social interactions since smartphone is a convenient, highly accessible, functional device that's developed to enable communication and further support creation of various multimedia content, whether it be video, audio, or text.


Detection of pesticides at the levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) remains a challenge. Chromatographic methods coupled to selective detectors have been traditionally used for pesticide analysis due to their sensitivity, reliability and efficiency. Nevertheless, they are time-consuming and laborious, and require expensive equipments and highly-trained technicians. Over the past decade, considerable attention has been given to the development of biosensors for the detection of pesticides as a promising alternative. A biosensor is a self-contained device that integrates an immobilized biological element (e.g. enzyme, DNA probe, antibody) that recognizes the analyte (e.g. enzyme substrate, complementary DNA, antigen) and a transduction element used to convert the (bio)chemical signal resulting from the interaction of the analyte with the bioreceptor into an electronic one. According to the signal transduction technique, biosensors are classified into electrochemical, optical, piezoelectric and mechanical biosensors. Electrochemical transducers have been widely used in biosensors for pesticides detection due to their high sensitivity [1] [2] [3] . Additionally, their low cost, simple design and small size, make them excellent candidates for the development of portable biosensors [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . According to the biorecognition element, enzymatic, whole cell, immunochemical, and DNA biosensors have been developed for pesticides detection.

Electrochemical transducers have been widely used in biosensors for pesticides detection due to their high sensitivity.

Additionally, their low cost, simple design and small size, make them excellent candidates for the development of portable biosensors.


It is generally known that MAC access delay is determined by both the MAC protocol and the structure of VANET. The most popular wireless networking technology available nowadays for establishing VANET is the IEEE 802.11p [20] [21] [22] . Owing to the geometric feature of two lane roadways, vehicles usually drive in sequence in low traffic density as shown in Figure 1 . In Figure 1 , one is composed of five vehicles and moves from the left to the right. The other is formed by three vehicles and drives from the left to the right. When the vehicles drive to the same direction and communicate with each other, the vehicles will compose a multihop relay chain. It means that the multihop relay chain is a realistic structure of VANETs for multimedia video delivery [10, [23] [24] [25] . The main idea behind the multihop relay chain is to make use of intermediate vehicles for relaying the multimedia packets to ensure an efficient message relay with the maximum dissemination distance and the minimum dissemination delay. In such a kind of networks and given limitations in coverage and interference, each intermediate vehicle with two neighbor vehicles in its communication range can realize the maximum dissemination distance and the minimum dissemination delay. This situation, for example, could be as shown in Figure 1 . In such a multihop relay chain, vehicle states and channel condition, especially of the number of hops, are the major factors of the MAC access delay of IEEE 802.11p [10, [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] .

The most popular wireless networking technology available nowadays for establishing VANET is the IEEE 802.11p.

It means that the multihop relay chain is a realistic structure of VANETs for multimedia video delivery.

In such a multihop relay chain, vehicle states and channel condition, especially of the number of hops, are the major factors of the MAC access delay of IEEE 802.11p.


In general, maintenance is defined as all technical and managerial actions taken during usage period to maintain or restore the required functionality of an asset or equipment. There have been various classifications of maintenance policies. Simply, maintenance policies can be divided into breakdown maintenance (corrective maintenance), preventive maintenance, and CBM (Condition-Based Maintenance). Unlike breakdown maintenance and preventive maintenance, the CBM focuses on not only fault detection and diagnostics of equipment but also degradation monitoring and failure prediction. Generally, CBM can be treated as a method used to reduce the uncertainty of maintenance activities and is carried out according to the requirements indicated by equipment condition [1] . Thus, the CBM enables us to identify and solve problems in advance before equipment damage occurs. In industry systems, any equipment damage can lead to serious results. Since a critical failure or degradation of the equipment during its operation can seriously damage the belief of customers on the equipment reliability, the maintenance enhancement for preventing this kind of failure or degradation in advance has precedence over any other things in a company. Since oil and gas industries are particularly capital-intensive, careful management on equipment is very important. In this respect, the CBM is a very attractive method for oil and gas industries. CBM is currently being utilized in the petrochemical industry, with condition monitoring of both on and offshore oil and gas wells [2] .

Generally, CBM can be treated as a method used to reduce the uncertainty of maintenance activities and is carried out according to the requirements indicated by equipment condition.

CBM is currently being utilized in the petrochemical industry, with condition monitoring of both on and offshore oil and gas wells.


Until now it has been difficult to achieve the effectiveness of maintenance operations because there is no information visibility during equipment's usage period. However, recently, with emerging technologies such as various sensors, SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) and PEID (Product Embedded Information Devices) are expected to be rapidly used for gathering and monitoring the status data of equipment during equipment usage period. Advancements in information communication technology have added accelerated growth in the CBM technology area 2 Mathematical Problems in Engineering by enabling network bandwidth, data collection and retrieval, data analysis, and decision support capabilities for large data sets of time series data [3] . Under the new environment, we can gather the equipment status data related to usage conditions, failure, maintenance or service events, and so on. These data sets enable us to diagnose the degradation status of the equipment in a more exact way. Therefore, using this information gives us new challenging issues for improving the efficiency of equipment maintenance operations. We can diagnose equipment status, predict equipment abnormality, and execute proactive maintenance, that is, doing CBM.

Advancements in information communication technology have added accelerated growth in the CBM technology area 2 Mathematical Problems in Engineering by enabling network bandwidth, data collection and retrieval, data analysis, and decision support capabilities for large data sets of time series data.


An LNG FPSO is an offshore plant of delivering liquefied gas from a gas field to customers. Recently, the demand for LNG FPSO is highly increasing and the demand for LNG FPSO projects will grow along with the increased demand for natural gas [4] . The O&M phase of LNG FPSO requires heavy charges and more efforts to optimize the cost and to reduce the risks than the construction phase because of its long life cycle. Nowadays due to the fact that an accident of LNG FPSO in operation causes catastrophic damage, many studies have focused on a maintenance system. In this vein, this study focuses on the prognostic approach for the gas compressor equipment in LNG FPSO, which is one of the main results for the Korean government supported project that is being currently developed since 2013 with the objective of implementing the predictive maintenance system for LNG FPSOs. The objective of this study is to develop the algorithm for estimating the next failure time of a gas compressor based on gathered vibration sensing and failure data. To this end, in this study, finite state Markov model based approach, linear regression model based approach, and their hybrid model have been introduced. To evaluate the proposed approaches, the case study and computational experiments for compressor equipment have been carried out.

Recently, the demand for LNG FPSO is highly increasing and the demand for LNG FPSO projects will grow along with the increased demand for natural gas.


Together with the important specific area of the nanoparticles, their LSPR show dependence on their size and shape as well as the dielectric properties of the surrounding media [30, 31] . The nanoparticles exhibit irregular shape rather than spherical morphology, which can favor the excitation of higher-order plasmon modes over small nanospheres. When the surface plasmon is excited, the intensity of the electromagnetic field around the sharp edges of nanoparticles can be significantly greater than the incident radiation [32] . Figure 5 shows the measured absorption spectrum of silver nanoparticles by laser irradiation of Ag submerged in water. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum of the synthesized silver nanoparticles and grown-over Si substrate in the present work exhibits a plasmon resonance band around 400 nm, similar to characteristic LSPR of nanometric spherical particles [33] . The peak around 400 nm corresponds to dipolar mode excitation of spherical silver nanoparticles, but there is no significant position shifting of LSPR due to their size increasing from a few nanometers to tens of nanometers [34] . The large full Together with the important specific area of the nanoparticles, their LSPR show dependence on their size and shape as well as the dielectric properties of the surrounding media [30, 31] . The nanoparticles exhibit irregular shape rather than spherical morphology, which can favor the excitation of higher-order plasmon modes over small nanospheres. When the surface plasmon is excited, the intensity of the electromagnetic field around the sharp edges of nanoparticles can be significantly greater than the incident radiation [32] . Figure 5 shows the measured absorption spectrum of silver nanoparticles by laser irradiation of Ag submerged in water. Figure  4a of the produced nanoparticle does not reveal any crystalline discontinuity or amorphous nature on the shell and no apparent oxide layer was found.

When the surface plasmon is excited, the intensity of the electromagnetic field around the sharp edges of nanoparticles can be significantly greater than the incident radiation.

The UV-Vis absorption spectrum of the synthesized silver nanoparticles and grown-over Si substrate in the present work exhibits a plasmon resonance band around 400 nm, similar to characteristic LSPR of nanometric spherical particles.

The peak around 400 nm corresponds to dipolar mode excitation of spherical silver nanoparticles, but there is no significant position shifting of LSPR due to their size increasing from a few nanometers to tens of nanometers.

The large full Together with the important specific area of the nanoparticles, their LSPR show dependence on their size and shape as well as the dielectric properties of the surrounding media.


When a high-power nanosecond laser beam strikes on the Ag target, the local temperature rises above the Ag boiling point, leading to the formation of a plasma plume with the presence of different species such as atoms and ions. These species are confined by the surrounding liquid and remain inside the cavitation bubble realized by the evaporated solvent. Nanoparticles nucleate and grow by coalescence as the plasma cools down [27] . The obtained nanoparticles are charged and, due to the presence of an electric field inside the solution, can be accelerated and deposited on a suitable electrode, forming a thin film.

Nanoparticles nucleate and grow by coalescence as the plasma cools down.


The characteristics of the particles forming the obtained films are very important in terms of specific surface area and size, as well as their distribution on the substrate in order to enhance the efficiency of the incoming radiation, especially for peculiar applications such as photocatalysis or SERS. Indeed, the intensity of the electromagnetic field can be enhanced locally due to the interaction of plasmonic nanoparticles. Interaction enhances the electric field when the distance between nanoparticles is lower than the size of the particles. Indeed, strong electromagnetic enhancement can be detected in the gaps between nanoparticles when they are close to each other [38] . The deposited nanoparticles on Si, in this work, adopt the configuration mentioned above, showing slits among them smaller than the nanoparticle size, as can be seen from the SEM image in Figure 6 . This fact makes the synthetized substrate suitable for SERS and photocatalytical applications.

Indeed, strong electromagnetic enhancement can be detected in the gaps between nanoparticles when they are close to each other.


We investigated an aspect of culture using the variable of whether the person was born in the United States or not. We did not find any significant association with either intentions to purchase or purchase behavior. Prior research on culture found no support for the hypothesis that migrants from English speaking countries have a higher likelihood of shopping online as do those who are proficient in English language [57] . Our research with social networking websites is similar to this pattern.

Prior research on culture found no support for the hypothesis that migrants from English speaking countries have a higher likelihood of shopping online as do those who are proficient in English language.


Internet users spend about 7 hours more per month on average on the social media website of Facebook than they spend on search engines and websites of Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Microsoft, Wikipedia and Amazon combined [58] . Therefore, using Facebook to market a brand offers good potential to businesses. Facebook and other social networks now offer features and functionality that are similar to the feedback and reputation mechanisms of sites such as eBay and Amazon. This versatility allows social networks to become full fledged recommendation systems [29] . Facebook allows many social plug-ins including a like feature where people can like a particular posting or photo; the wall feature which is similar to a bulletin or chalk board where users post updates on their wall or on their friends' walls; and the newsfeed feature which is a list of stories or content from people that users follow. In our research, we study the role of opinion leadership and opinion seeking on Facebook for product advertisements through the features of news feeds and wall postings.

Internet users spend about 7 hours more per month on average on the social media website of Facebook than they spend on search engines and websites of Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Microsoft, Wikipedia and Amazon combined.

This versatility allows social networks to become full fledged recommendation systems.


More than anything else, two features have characterized the postreform Chinese economy: social networks (guanxi) and government intervention. Due to cultural factors, as well as uncertainty caused by weak institutions, guanxi ties, which may be seen as a form of social capital, are generally held to be important for firms operating in China. While the economic development since the early 1980s has resulted in privatization, the Chinese government -both central and local -continues to exert considerable influence over companies (Walder, 2010) . Of course these two characteristics overlap: The literature shows that social ties to government may be crucial for companies both as a means of obtaining information and of getting some form of protection in lieu of legal and other forms of institutional safeguards (Chen, Chen, & Huang, 2013; Li & Zhang, 2007; Li, Meng, Wang, & Zhou, 2008; Wank, 2001) .

While the economic development since the early 1980s has resulted in privatization, the Chinese government -both central and local -continues to exert considerable influence over companies.

Of course these two characteristics overlap: The literature shows that social ties to government may be crucial for companies both as a means of obtaining information and of getting some form of protection in lieu of legal and other forms of institutional safeguards.


Our results underline the importance of distinguishing between different levels of government in studies of political ties. Yet they also hint that further knowledge can be gained by more detailed analysis, for instance, by exploring differences between effects of ties at different managerial levels. Also, it should be noted that our sample consists of relatively large and well-functioning listed firms. Local government ties might be of greater value to smaller firms (Peng & Luo, 2000) . Future research should further explore the complexity of how and when firms benefit from such ties.

Local government ties might be of greater value to smaller firms.


In the present study, pile-supported OWC-type breakwaters were experimentally investigated. The wave energy extraction and vortex-induced energy loss were analyzed based on the two-point measurement method proposed by He and Huang [36] . The effects of relative chamber breadth, relative chamber draft and top opening characteristics were investigated. The importance of energy extraction and vortex-induced energy loss on the wave energy dissipation of pile-supported OWC-type breakwaters was discussed. The following main conclusions can be drawn from this study.

The wave energy extraction and vortex-induced energy loss were analyzed based on the two-point measurement method proposed by He and Huang.


Sine-Gordon model can be considered as the prototype of a non-diagonal scattering theory, and it has the advantage that its finite volume spectra and form factors can be studied numerically using the truncated conformal space approach, originally developed by Yurov and Zamolodchikov for the scaling Lee-Yang model, but later extended to the sine-Gordon theory [31] . Its exact form factors are also known in full generality (at least in principle -see the discussion on multi-soliton form factors later), and so it is a useful playground to test our theoretical ideas on finite volume form factors. This cuts in another way too since our approach also provides a way to test the conjectured exact form factors in much more details than allowed by the usual methods listed above.

Sine-Gordon model can be considered as the prototype of a non-diagonal scattering theory, and it has the advantage that its finite volume spectra and form factors can be studied numerically using the truncated conformal space approach, originally developed by Yurov and Zamolodchikov for the scaling Lee-Yang model, but later extended to the sine-Gordon theory.


Essential oils are odorous organic substances found naturally in various parts of aromatic plants [1] . They are volatile and highly concentrated in active molecules having diverse properties including antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities [1] [2] . In animal production, these properties are utilized to limit the loss of energy in favor of growth and reproduction.

Essential oils are odorous organic substances found naturally in various parts of aromatic plants.

They are volatile and highly concentrated in active molecules having diverse properties including antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.


The present study reports novel finding related to the signaling pathways by which KMP exerts its cardioprotective activity in experimental model of IR. We have shown that KMP prevents the development and progression of IR injury and improves cardiac performance, primarily through the activation of ERK1/ERK2 and suppression of p38/JNK/TNF-/NF-Bp65 pathway. Moreover, our study provides substantial evidence that KMP exerts potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects as inferred by reduced MDA levels and TUNEL positivity and upregulation of antiapoptotic markers. All these wide arrays of activities of KMP lead to improved contractile function and cardiac output. It is well established that reperfusion of the ischemic tissue causes increased generation of oxygen rich-free radicals that disrupt balance between oxidants and antioxidants leading to uncontrolled myocardial injury. These free radicals cause lipid peroxidation, denature cellular proteins, and DNA. This results in the loss of membrane integrity and release of cardiac enzymes such as LDH and CK-MB from intracellular compartment to extracellular fluid [21, 22] . Hence, as predicted, there was reduction in levels of antioxidants such as GSH, SOD, and CAT which are endogenous free radical scavengers in IR-challenged myocardium. Interestingly, KMP treatment for 15 days bolstered the endogenous antioxidant defense system, preserved membrane integrity, and prevented release of CK-MB and LDH into the extracellular fluid. Various studies on KMP have established that KMP scavenges superoxide and reduces hydroxyl radical formation by chelating ferrous and cuprous ions in Fenton reaction besides increasing the expression or activities of SOD and CAT and preventing lipid peroxidation [9, 23] . Thus, it appears that KMP modulates the production of lipid peroxides and augments the overall antioxidant defense system in the myocardium, thereby protecting heart from ischemic injury. Moreover, evidence suggests that MAPK pathway is activated by ROS through the inactivation of MAPK phosphatases (MKPs). It should be noted that ERK is responsible for cell proliferation and cell survival, while p38 MAPKs/JNKs are involved in cell death and tight regulation of these pathways is paramount in determining cell fate [1, 4, 22] . In the present study, increased oxidative stress and p38 MAPKs/JNKs and decreased ERKs suggest increased cell death in IR-C rats, while the reverse effect in KMP treated group suggests cytoprotective effect of KMP through these pathways.

This results in the loss of membrane integrity and release of cardiac enzymes such as LDH and CK-MB from intracellular compartment to extracellular fluid.

Various studies on KMP have established that KMP scavenges superoxide and reduces hydroxyl radical formation by chelating ferrous and cuprous ions in Fenton reaction besides increasing the expression or activities of SOD and CAT and preventing lipid peroxidation.

It should be noted that ERK is responsible for cell proliferation and cell survival, while p38 MAPKs/JNKs are involved in cell death and tight regulation of these pathways is paramount in determining cell fate.


In the Introduction, we listed several micro-scale characteristics of critical state granular flow that have been observed in past experiments and simulations. These observations as well as new DEM simulations were used to evaluate a proposed model for granular flow. Nearly all of the model's predictions are in qualitative (if not 29 quantitative) agreement with observed characteristics. The model favorably predicts anisotropies of the contact orientations, contact forces, and contact movements and of the orientations of those contacts undergoing slip. The model also favorably predicts relationships between the contact force magnitude, contact motion, and contact slip direction. Although several pages were required for its derivation, and its solution requires quite demanding computations, the model's concept is fairly simple: the contact landscape of motion, force, and orientation is maximally disordered at the critical state, after one accounts for the biases that arise from certain fundamental and empirical aspects of flow. The model adopts individual contacts as its generic units, but without identifying their locations or their affiliations with other contacts. As such, it is certainly unable to resolve the spatial localization and meso-scale patterning that is usually found within granular flows (item D.1 in the Introduction). Past studies have shown that motions and forces are spatially coordinated (correlated) over distances of several particle diameters (Kuhn, 2003) . Such patterning and correlation affirm a greater order (and lower entropy) than is accessible with the model.

Past studies have shown that motions and forces are spatially coordinated (correlated) over distances of several particle diameters.