Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to determine whether or not local vibration stimulation on erector spinae muscles would spontaneously yield changes in control strategy, accuracy and variability of the performance in a trunk isometric force reproduction task in patients with cLBP and healthy participants. It was hypothesized that local muscle vibration would improve trunk sensorimotor acuity in patients with cLBP and would decrease trunk sensorimotor acuity in healthy participants. The second objective of the study was to determine if vibration stimulation applied over fatigued muscles could have short-term benefits on trunk force reproduction parameters. To document the influence of muscle fatigue on trunk sensorimotor control in patients with cLBP is relevant, considering that muscle fatigue limits functionality and may hamper the involvement of cLBP patients in rehabilitation and pain management strategies [23] . The authors tested the hypothesis that muscle vibration would lead to improvements in sensorimotor control of the trunk in patients with cLBP during both the no fatigue and the post-fatigue conditions.

To document the influence of muscle fatigue on trunk sensorimotor control in patients with cLBP is relevant, considering that muscle fatigue limits functionality and may hamper the involvement of cLBP patients in rehabilitation and pain management strategies.


The cross validation statistics for the NIRS prediction of chemical composition in silage samples split by type The second derivative of the NIR spectra of the silage samples is shown in Figure 1 . In the NIR region absorption bands around 1450 and 1970 nm were observed related with O-H overtones (water) (Miller, 2001) . Absorption bands around 1600 and 1700 nm related with CH and NH stretch overtone, around 2100 and 2300 nm were related with CH overtones and combination bands, associated to protein, amino acids and cellulose (Miller, 2001) . Absorption bands around 1600, 2100 and 2300 nm were also reported to be associated with lignin and cell wall components in grass forage (Nousiainen et al., 2004) .

In the NIR region absorption bands around 1450 and 1970 nm were observed related with O-H overtones (water).

Absorption bands around 1600 and 1700 nm related with CH and NH stretch overtone, around 2100 and 2300 nm were related with CH overtones and combination bands, associated to protein, amino acids and cellulose.

Absorption bands around 1600, 2100 and 2300 nm were also reported to be associated with lignin and cell wall components in grass forage.


Ensiled forages are chemical, physical and biologically complex materials, spanning a wide range in composition and nutritive value. This variability arises from differences in the plant species, stage of maturity at harvest, fertilizer application, climatic conditions, harvesting technique and method of ensiling (Park et al., 1999) . Laboratory methods have been developed and refined to provide nutrient and feed quality information about feedstuffs to the industry, farmers and researchers, however, they are expensive and time-consuming (Alomar and Fuchslocher, 1998; Givens and Deaville, 1999; Deaville and Flinn, 2000) .

This variability arises from differences in the plant species, stage of maturity at harvest, fertilizer application, climatic conditions, harvesting technique and method of ensiling.

Laboratory methods have been developed and refined to provide nutrient and feed quality information about feedstuffs to the industry, farmers and researchers, however, they are expensive and time-consuming.


Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is one of the most important issues in mobile robotics research [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . SLAM is a process by which a mobile robot can build a map of its environment and simultaneously use this map to locate itself [6] . Therefore, an accurate motion estimation of the robot will greatly facilitate the realization of this process and has attracted considerable attention from researchers in recent decades [1, 2, [7] [8] [9] .

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is one of the most important issues in mobile robotics research.

SLAM is a process by which a mobile robot can build a map of its environment and simultaneously use this map to locate itself.

Therefore, an accurate motion estimation of the robot will greatly facilitate the realization of this process and has attracted considerable attention from researchers in recent decades.


As documented by many scholars, the assessment of people's attitudes has become an important aspect in many studies dealing with wildlife conservation and natural resource management [25, 28, 30, 31] . The concept of 'attitude' has been used in relation to the positive or negative responses by local people towards one or more stimuli, but can also be linked to possible conduct and behavior [26] . The aim of this study is to explore the attitudes of local communities towards conservation of S. birrea. This will help to understand the relationship between local communities and marula trees. The idea is to disclose whether positive or negative attitudes exist towards S. birrea that may quantify the role of local communities in conserving the species. This paper is organised into five sections. Section 2 describes the study area and the methods employed in collecting and analysing data. The results are presented in Section 3, while Section 4 presents discussion of the results. Section 5 sets out conclusions of the study.

As documented by many scholars, the assessment of people's attitudes has become an important aspect in many studies dealing with wildlife conservation and natural resource management.

The concept of 'attitude' has been used in relation to the positive or negative responses by local people towards one or more stimuli, but can also be linked to possible conduct and behavior.


This study has demonstrated that local communities in the villages of Ha-Mashau and Ha-Mashamba are reliant on S. birrea for survival. The reliance on plants has often resulted in decrease of forest and woodland tree cover species [39, 43] . Surprisingly, the results of this study suggest that marula trees are well-conserved despite the threats to conservation of the Tzaneen Sour Bushveld as a whole [32] . Contributing to the protection of the species is the value placed on the services of the marula by local people. A high proportion of respondents still believe in the tradition that fruit trees like marula must not be cut, as they are an important source of food, and that the protection of marula trees is their responsibility. These results inform conservationists and policy-makers about the importance of traditional beliefs or customs in conservation and may influence policies that can encourage a more effective management and planning. Senior citizens or pensioners should be encouraged to teach younger generations about indigenous knowledge that promote the protection of marula trees. This study has found that positive attitudes towards marula trees held by the majority of respondents contribute to the successful conservation of the species. It is important to recognise and foster such positive attitudes for sustainable natural resource management, and as shown in this study even communities or individuals can support conservation and contribute towards the protection of natural resources, provided that they get tangible benefits from their surrounding environment.

The reliance on plants has often resulted in decrease of forest and woodland tree cover species.

Surprisingly, the results of this study suggest that marula trees are well-conserved despite the threats to conservation of the Tzaneen Sour Bushveld as a whole.


The study relied on primary data collected in the study area in September 2018 after gaining permission from the relevant tribal authority. The data were collected through questionnaire interviews, supplemented by observations. Respondents were assured that their answers would be kept confidential; to implement this, the names of interviewees are not revealed in this paper. Furthermore, the research and questionnaire had been vetted and cleared by the tribal authority. A questionnaire was considered to be more appropriate than verbal interviews in this study, because it provides quantifiable answers for a research topic. In addition, it allows data to be collected through both open-and closed-ended questions with all respondents being asked the same questions, thus avoiding interviewer bias [35, 36] . The open-ended questions allowed interviewees to express themselves in their own words regarding the knowledge, importance, and attitudes of local people towards conservation of S. birrea. Each household was considered a sampling unit, and one questionnaire was restricted to a single respondent per household (preferably the household head; either male or female). Where the household head was absent, any other member 21 years of age or above was considered.

In addition, it allows data to be collected through both open-and closed-ended questions with all respondents being asked the same questions, thus avoiding interviewer bias.


Studies of FTD have established that the C9orf72 expansion, whilst variable in prevalence around the world, is a common Mendelian genetic cause of familial disease, and is also present in a proportion of sporadic cases [22] . The full clinical spectrum associated with the expansion is not yet clear but it has been shown that such patients have a high rate of psychotic symptoms and that there is considerable variability in the rate of progression. While some patients present with a long insidious history of gradual decline others have a more fulminating illness [8, 9] . Studies have also linked C9orf72 to other clinical phenotypes outside of FTD and MND, including Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), although many lacked neuropathological confirmation [22] . Nonetheless, there does appear to be partial penetrance as C9orf72 carriers may remain asymptomatic into their 80's [23] . We have confirmed that patients with the phenocopy syndrome may also harbor the expansion but in a well-characterized cohort with long term follow up this appears to be the exception. Interestingly, the only C9orf72 carrier in our phenocopy cohort did not show any abnormalities on MRI or FDG-PET, in keeping with reports from prior studies [8, 9] . Our work provides data to support the informed genetic counseling of this clinical group. A lack of understanding of the phenocopy syndrome and support for the patients and their families can make recruitment into a research programme difficult. Nonetheless further work is necessary to confirm the proportion of the FTD phenocopy syndrome that has a genetic aetiology and also to confirm the underlying pathology in these cases. Moreover, study of the phenocopy syndrome may help clarify the link between psychiatric illness and frontotemporal dementia. As in this project, cases that have a psychiatric history are usually excluded from studies however this design may need to be reconsidered in the future in light of this apparent link and co-existence of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

Studies of FTD have established that the C9orf72 expansion, whilst variable in prevalence around the world, is a common Mendelian genetic cause of familial disease, and is also present in a proportion of sporadic cases.

While some patients present with a long insidious history of gradual decline others have a more fulminating illness.

Studies have also linked C9orf72 to other clinical phenotypes outside of FTD and MND, including Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), although many lacked neuropathological confirmation.

Nonetheless, there does appear to be partial penetrance as C9orf72 carriers may remain asymptomatic into their 80's.

Interestingly, the only C9orf72 carrier in our phenocopy cohort did not show any abnormalities on MRI or FDG-PET, in keeping with reports from prior studies.


Dysarthria is a set of neuromotor disorders that impair the physical production of speech. These impairments reduce the normal control of the primary vocal articulators but do not affect the regular comprehension or production of meaningful, syntactically correct language. For example, damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve reduces control of vocal fold vibration (i.e., phonation), which can result in aberrant voicing. Inadequate control of soft palate movement caused by disruption of the vagus cranial nerve may lead to a disproportionate amount of air being released through the nose during speech (i.e., hypernasality). The lack of articulatory control also leads to various involuntary non-speech sounds including velopharyngeal or glottal noise (Rosen and Yampolsky, 2000) . More commonly, a lack of tongue and lip dexterity often produces heavily slurred speech and a more diffuse and less differentiable vowel target space (Kent and Rosen, 2004) .

The lack of articulatory control also leads to various involuntary non-speech sounds including velopharyngeal or glottal noise.

More commonly, a lack of tongue and lip dexterity often produces heavily slurred speech and a more diffuse and less differentiable vowel target space.


At present the VARK questionnaire for athletes has been used by coaches to tailor coaching instruction to support understanding by athletes by matching perceptual preference with instructional method [3] . It has also been heavily utilized in the teaching environment, where particular learning styles relate to better outcomes outside the classroom [4] . Athletes interacting with the healthcare system are constantly taking in and applying new information; it is therefore, vital that health care professionals adopt learning-style based instruction to maximize the efficiency of their care. To date, health professionals have not incorporated an assessment of an athlete's learning style into rehabilitation or injury management programmes; doing so would likely result in benefits. Current clinical research indicates that education is a pivotal component in effective multi-disciplinary treatment programmes as it enables patients to better understand their condition and acquire adequate skills to perform self-care [2] .

At present the VARK questionnaire for athletes has been used by coaches to tailor coaching instruction to support understanding by athletes by matching perceptual preference with instructional method.

It has also been heavily utilized in the teaching environment, where particular learning styles relate to better outcomes outside the classroom.

Current clinical research indicates that education is a pivotal component in effective multi-disciplinary treatment programmes as it enables patients to better understand their condition and acquire adequate skills to perform self-care.


In today's sport obsessed society, the modern day athlete is reliant on the advice and support of a health professional team. Health professionals typically play a role in supporting athletes by providing advice on injury prevention, rehabilitation, mental skills and nutrition education. While the majority of research has focused on building the knowledge base of health professionals working with athletes, very little has been done on how to educate health professionals on how they advise athletes. Research has shown athletes have preferences for the ways in which they receive information [1] . The visual (V), auditory (A), reading/writing (R), kinesthetic (K)/(VARK) questionnaire for athletes identifies their preferred mode(s) of presentation of information this mode governs how athletes interpret, process, and understand information. Learners with a visual preference prefer charts, graphs and flow charts among other forms of visual stimuli that could have otherwise been presented in words. Aural learners take in new information by aural and oral methods (hearing and speaking). People with an aural learning preference like to have new ideas explained to them and to discuss topics with others; they can also take in complex and detailed instructions easily. The read/ write mode of learning involves information displayed as text and written words. People with a strong preference for this style of learning find they prefer to use lists, notes, essays and other forms of text-based stimuli to take on and process new forms of information. Kinesthetic learners prefer using experiences and practices rather than conceptual or abstract learning. This type of learner uses their senses to interact with the world around them and enjoys practical opportunities and hands-on approaches to learning new information [1] . An additional category is a mixture of learning styles, called multi-modal (MM).

Research has shown athletes have preferences for the ways in which they receive information.

This type of learner uses their senses to interact with the world around them and enjoys practical opportunities and hands-on approaches to learning new information.


Informed decision making is an important pillar in patient care. Patients who show greater understanding of chronic kidney disease from educational classes are more likely to choose dialysis with a fistula [15] . Patient factors can also influence decision making, as patients >65 years old with fistulas are more likely to be bothered by pain, bleeding, bruising, swelling and appearance of their fistula [16] .

Patients who show greater understanding of chronic kidney disease from educational classes are more likely to choose dialysis with a fistula.

Patient factors can also influence decision making, as patients >65 years old with fistulas are more likely to be bothered by pain, bleeding, bruising, swelling and appearance of their fistula.


While the use of national administrative databases have allowed us to capture many DFU cases, the true number of cases may be higher due to the limitations around DFU coding in the current databases for follow-up care. Even though the care received beyond 3 years post-initial diagnosis may be DFU-related, such as having dressing changes or amputations, cases without a DFU code were not included in the estimates. By including the percentage of cases that was considered to have received relevant DFU care, the true prevalence was estimated to be 15.6% higher. In addition, the true prevalence may even be higher if we could include less severe diabetic foot wounds (i.e. Wagner Grade 1 or non-urgent cases of Wagner Grade 2) that were under physician care and did not have a recent admission or an ER visit. Similarly, access to hospital-based wound care clinics was gathered through the NACRS database, however 39% of wound care teams across Ontario are not located within out-patient departments associated with hospitals [16] . Our estimates of rates of prevalence and incidence are reported relative to the general population. If we had recent rates of prevalence of diabetes, we could estimate the rates of DFU relative to the diabetic population, as well as providing a lifetime risk of DFU using crosssectional methods.

Similarly, access to hospital-based wound care clinics was gathered through the NACRS database, however 39% of wound care teams across Ontario are not located within out-patient departments associated with hospitals.


The English Profile project aims to develop the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) in relation to learners of English, and research has tended to focus on grammatical, functional and lexical features of learner English in relation to the six proficiency bands of CEFR (English Profile 2011) . This article examines a question which complements English Profile research, namely: What kind of interaction receives high and low ratings in oral proficiency interviews (OPIs)? This is an area in which very little research has been done and the study aims to contribute to the development of learner profiles of oral production at different proficiency levels.

The English Profile project aims to develop the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) in relation to learners of English, and research has tended to focus on grammatical, functional and lexical features of learner English in relation to the six proficiency bands of CEFR.


The methodology employed is Conversation Analysis (Lazaraton 2002; Seedhouse 2004) . CA studies the organisation and order of social action in interaction. This organisation and order is one produced by the interactants by means of their talk and is oriented to by them. The analyst's task is to develop an 'emic' or participants' perspective, to uncover and describe the underlying system which enables interactants to achieve this organisation and order. CA analysts aim to provide a 'holistic' portrayal of language use which reveals the reflexive relationships between form, function, sequence and social identity and social/institutional context. That is, the organisation of the talk is seen to relate directly and reflexively to the social goals of the participants, whether institutional or otherwise. This methodology is appropriate to the research question as it is an inductive approach which examines the micro-detail of the interaction and can therefore uncover differences between high-and low-scoring ISTs.

The methodology employed is Conversation Analysis.


In this article, we address the computational challenges faced in tire aerodynamics with actual tire geometry, road contact and tire deformation. The article is an updated version of a recent book chapter [1] . The challenges include (1) the complexity of an actual tire geometry with longitudinal and transverse grooves, (2) the spin of the tire, (3) maintaining accurate representation of the boundary layers near the tire while being able to deal with the flow-domain topology change created by the road contact and tire deformation, and (4) the turbulent nature of the flow.

The article is an updated version of a recent book chapter.


The natural way to proceed exploring the properties of the cusp anomalous dimension at strong coupling is by studying the algebraic curve. The algebraic curve was found here by taking the classical limit of the quantized expression (3.13), but the properties of the result are identical to those of the finite-gap solutions [7] . This is quite surprising, because here we are dealing with open strings, for which the finite-gap procedure is not yet developed and a priori one could expect new features of the curve, for example, contributions from the boundary. It would be interesting to generalize the finite-gap method to the open string case and obtain the quasimomentum (3.24) directly from the classical solution.

The algebraic curve was found here by taking the classical limit of the quantized expression (3.13), but the properties of the result are identical to those of the finite-gap solutions.


The eukaryotic form of Cu/Zn SOD is present in the cytoplasm and Mn SOD in the mitochondria, while in prokaryotic cells, the presence of Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD, Fe SOD, and SOD Ni was detected [14] . In chicken erythrocytes, the presence of isozymes of Cu/Zn SOD with molecular mass of 30-31 and 15 kDa was confirmed [15, 16] . Mann and Mann described a protein similar to extracellular SOD with molecular mass of 31-37 kDa in chicken yolk plasma [2] .

The eukaryotic form of Cu/Zn SOD is present in the cytoplasm and Mn SOD in the mitochondria, while in prokaryotic cells, the presence of Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD, Fe SOD, and SOD Ni was detected.

In chicken erythrocytes, the presence of isozymes of Cu/Zn SOD with molecular mass of 30-31 and 15 kDa was confirmed.

Mann and Mann described a protein similar to extracellular SOD with molecular mass of 31-37 kDa in chicken yolk plasma.


Approaches in biomass estimation depends on the scale of analysis, need for detail, user group interests, and purpose of estimation (Zhou and Hemstrom 2009) . Although there is a need for consistent methods of biomass estimation, there is no strong rationale to justify one method of estimation as being superior to another. In this study, we compared different methods that belonged to three major groups. The first group of methods (group I methods) uses an analytical approach to estimate total and component biomass using existing equations and are the FIA-CRM, FIA-PNW, and Jenkins methods. The second group of methods (group II methods) is a regression-based approach that used a system of equations fitted with seemingly unrelated regression (SUR). The dependent variables in the system of equations were component biomass and total biomass, and the independent variables were DBH, DBH and total height, or DBH and crown length. These two groups of methods give the amount of biomass contained in each component and also the total aboveground biomass. The third group of methods (group III methods) predicted the proportions of biomass in each component using beta, multinomial log-linear, and Dirichlet regressions. Predicted proportions are then applied to the observed total aboveground biomass to obtain the amount of biomass in each component.

Approaches in biomass estimation depends on the scale of analysis, need for detail, user group interests, and purpose of estimation.


Forests play a dual role in the global carbon cycle as an important carbon sink by removing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and converting that photosynthate to forest biomass and as a carbon source by releasing carbon dioxide through respiration, wildfires, and decomposition. If forests are properly managed and timber is used for long-term products such as buildings, then forest management could result in a net reduction of atmospheric carbon, whereas burning of wood for residential and commercial uses increases carbon emission rates. Thus there is great concern about the uncertainty over whether forests will be a sink or a source of carbon in the future. Forest growth rates, harvest activities, natural disturbances such as wildfire, and loss of forest cover due to land-use changes are key factors that alter the carbon stock and absorption ability of a forest. It is essential to have knowledge of carbon stocks and fluxes to understand the current state and future course of the carbon cycle in response to changing land uses and climatic conditions (Hollinger 2008) . The amount of biomass as living vegetation or dead wood and debris is an important factor that relates forestry function and atmospheric carbon regulation (Brown 2002) .

It is essential to have knowledge of carbon stocks and fluxes to understand the current state and future course of the carbon cycle in response to changing land uses and climatic conditions.

The amount of biomass as living vegetation or dead wood and debris is an important factor that relates forestry function and atmospheric carbon regulation.


Starting from the singular space C 2 /Γ, where Γ is a discrete subgroup of SU (2), one should inquire whether one can soften the vacuum geometry to a smooth ALE space. It is well known that this cannot be done in a supersymmetric way if fractional D3-branes are present and if the string theory is really at the orbifold point, that is, with a non zero background B-field threaded through the vanishing cycle of the orbifold. There are many arguments for such a "no-go" theorem. Probably the most intuitive one involves going to the T-dual type IIA picture, [24] . There one finds two NS5-branes with a stack of D4-branes (dual to the fractional D3-branes) stretched between them. The blowing up of the orbifold corresponds to moving the NS5-branes in the direction transverse to the D4-branes, and this involves stretching the D4-branes even further, thus increasing the energy of the system and hence breaking supersymmetry 1 .

Probably the most intuitive one involves going to the T-dual type IIA picture.


Private gift transfers are important all over the world. People give gifts to family, friends, neighbors, etc. Parents may give to their children out of love and affection, or one may help a person in a bad situation out of compassion or empathy. However, this is not the whole picture. In everyday life there are many situations where gift giving is rather a result of fulfilling some social norms and customs. Imagine a wedding; no one shows up empty-handed, since it is usually a social norm to bring a gift. Also imagine a neighborhood where neighbors help each other with different tasks. Then there is a social norm to contribute, and no one wants to appear less generous than others. In such a reciprocal network, a person is more inclined to give to those who have been generous. This kind of behavior is likely to be especially important in transition and developing countries where people adopt and recognize the value of certain norm-guided behaviors (Platteau, 2006) .

However, this is not the whole picture.

This kind of behavior is likely to be especially important in transition and developing countries where people adopt and recognize the value of certain norm-guided behaviors.


The understanding of earthquake ground motion is crucial to structural seismic design [8] . Traditionally, a number of parameters, such as peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, peak ground displacement, spectral characteristics, duration, etc., are used to describe characteristics of earthquake ground motion. These parameters are not only used to describe the intensity of earthquake ground motion but also to estimate or judge the magnitude of the structural response [9] . In fact, the earthquake ground motion exhibits two types of non-stationarities, namely temporal and spectral non-stationarities. The temporal non-stationarity refers to the time variation of the intensity of the ground motion in the time domain and the spectral non-stationarity refers to the time variation of the energy distribution of the ground motion in the frequency domain. Both the temporal and spectral non-stationarities of the earthquake ground motion may have significant effect on structural response.

The understanding of earthquake ground motion is crucial to structural seismic design.

These parameters are not only used to describe the intensity of earthquake ground motion but also to estimate or judge the magnitude of the structural response.


Creativity is defined as the process of becoming sensitive to problems, deficiencies, gaps and missing elements in knowledge and identifying the difficult (Mönks, 2008; Torrance, 1962; Torrance, Ball & Safter, 2008) . A creative person not only searches different solutions for a problem, but also turns away from the path to find problems (Getzels, 1981; Guilford, 1967; Landau, 1987) . Finally, motivation means that an individual has a strong draw to a given task or object and takes pleasure in working on it, and has a high short-term and long-term planning capacity (Mönks, 2008) .

Creativity is defined as the process of becoming sensitive to problems, deficiencies, gaps and missing elements in knowledge and identifying the difficult.

A creative person not only searches different solutions for a problem, but also turns away from the path to find problems.

Finally, motivation means that an individual has a strong draw to a given task or object and takes pleasure in working on it, and has a high short-term and long-term planning capacity.


There is, however, no difference between self-concept of gifted males and females (Kelly & Colangelo, 1984) . Similarly, no differences between academic self-concept within different grades-high, average, and moderate-of giftedness have been found either (Brody & Benbow, 1986) . Finally, this construct has been found to remain stable over time (González-Pineda et al., 1997; Peñas, 2008) . Consequently, it is evident that self-concept can be a sign for gifted students identification and characterization.

There is, however, no difference between self-concept of gifted males and females.

Similarly, no differences between academic self-concept within different grades-high, average, and moderate-of giftedness have been found either.

Finally, this construct has been found to remain stable over time.


It is important to stress that no model has been replaced, but rather developed further with more relevant information, from one-dimensional models centered on IQ measurements to current comprehensive models focused both on the cognitive and the socioemotional area. The latter are relevant in this study because these factors may have a positive or negative effect on gifted adolescents' performance and potential. ). Nevertheless, we found a decrease of assistance levels provided to these students over time; for example, during the 2007-2008 school courses, only 0.57% of gifted children in elementary school were served (SEP, 2008) . Therefore, these results highlights that not only there is a limited detection of gifted students at elementary education level-and that it is non-existent at higher levels-, but also shows the contrast between what policies states and what actually happens within classroom.

Nevertheless, we found a decrease of assistance levels provided to these students over time; for example, during the 2007-2008 school courses, only 0.57% of gifted children in elementary school were served.


The effective range of short-range interactions is limited to a specified cut-off. By assuming a uniform beyond the cut-off, correction terms to the energy can be obtained by integrating over the non-zero part of the interactions [1] [2] [3] . Thus the fast-decaying short-range interactions can be accurately approximated by truncation at the cut-off distance in most calculations.

By assuming a uniform beyond the cut-off, correction terms to the energy can be obtained by integrating over the non-zero part of the interactions.


The fact that each enzyme behaves differently under various temperature regimes highlights the fact that each enzyme has an optimum temperature activity . This abiotic factor alters the physical structure of enzymes, and modifies their catalytic efficacy or binding capacity (Hochachka and Somero, 1984) . Therefore, when enzymes are used as biomarkers of environmental contamination in aquatic ecosystems, temperature must be taken into consideration and enzymatic activity can only be compared among specimens from similar temperature ranges. Additionally, seasonal variations in temperature must also be considered in analyses.

This abiotic factor alters the physical structure of enzymes, and modifies their catalytic efficacy or binding capacity.


This paper describes in detail the new geometrical model of the Rutherford cable and the new thermal model, showing in detail the two models assumptions. The results of the code application to a quench propagation problem are presented in a companion paper, where the computed quench propagation velocity is compared with the experimental results taken from the Short Model Coil 3 prototype, developed in the frame of a CEA-CERN-RAL-LBNL cooperation, which is part of the EUCARD project. The coil was tested in 2011 in the new vertical test facility of CERN building SM18 [16, 17] . A good agreement has been found between computed and measured values, giving a first validation of the new THELMA modules.

The coil was tested in 2011 in the new vertical test facility of CERN building SM18.


In the case of coal raw materials, e.g. coals subjected to high-temperature carbonizing process in order to obtain porous materials, it is essential to assure high flowability (low viscosity) at carbonizing conditions as well as appropriate mechanical strength. Addition of polymers to such materials as a rule results in the increase in viscosity and thereby in worsening the flowability [8, 10] . Due to very low viscosity of coal-tar pitch, addition of polymers can-despite the effect of viscosity increase-play an advantageous role, increasing its thermal and mechanical resistance at the same time.

Addition of polymers to such materials as a rule results in the increase in viscosity and thereby in worsening the flowability.


Catalase (CAT) is a variety of peroxidase that catalyzes the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide (Gill and Tuteja, 2010; Sharma et al., 2012) . Changes in the balance of ROS-detoxifying enzymes induce compensatory mechanisms in the tissues. For example, when catalase is reduced, protector enzymes, like ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), are expressed in greater quantities, as a compensatory effect (Apel and Hirt, 2004) .

Catalase (CAT) is a variety of peroxidase that catalyzes the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide.

For example, when catalase is reduced, protector enzymes, like ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), are expressed in greater quantities, as a compensatory effect.


Since exogenous treatment of C. argentea seeds with crude extracts of S. alata resulted in increase in height and leaf area of experimental seedlings over the control within the study period, the use of this extract is advocated for C. argentea and other vegetables. Presoaking in crude extracts of 50%, 75% and 100% concentrations are most recommended as they produced the best leaflet enlargement. This will enhance production of this important vegetable plant, whose nutritional quality estimated per 100 g of edible portion was put as protein 4.7 g, fat 0.7 g, carbohydrate, 7.3 g, fiber 1.8 g, water 83.8 g, calcium, 260 mg, phosphorous 43 mg, iron 7.8 mg [7] . It is worthy to note that the procedure involved in the extraction of the crude extract from the leaves of S. alata is simple, practicable with easy and cheap to fabricate equipment. The procedure can be easily transferred to resource-poor farmers, who are the main growers of it and most other vegetable plants.

This will enhance production of this important vegetable plant, whose nutritional quality estimated per 100 g of edible portion was put as protein 4.7 g, fat 0.7 g, carbohydrate, 7.3 g, fiber 1.8 g, water 83.8 g, calcium, 260 mg, phosphorous 43 mg, iron 7.8 mg.


Bayesian optimisation can help in our inference problem, where we specify the likelihood function but where model evaluations are extremely computationally expensive and the parameter space is high-dimensional -as well as many other inference problems in cosmology with computationally expensive forward simulations and many parameters. This is compared to the "brute-force" method of simply increasing the number of simulations in the uniform Latin hypercube sampling scheme described in our companion paper [42] . This could "waste" samples on the edges of the prior volume. The informed decision-making of the Bayesian optimisation can ultimately lead to the robust statistical inference necessary to exploit the full potential of ongoing and future spectroscopic surveys such as eBOSS and DESI -as well as improve the performance of many other cosmological emulators.

This is compared to the "brute-force" method of simply increasing the number of simulations in the uniform Latin hypercube sampling scheme described in our companion paper.


In terms of long-term changes and levels of cardiovascular mortality, Russia presents a specific case among developed countries. Unlike Western countries, in Russia cardiovascular mortality have been stagnating at very high levels since the mid-1960s [11] [12] [13] [14] . Very high levels of cardiovascular mortality observed during the 1970s and 1980s persisted up today .

Unlike Western countries, in Russia cardiovascular mortality have been stagnating at very high levels since the mid-1960s.


We have used MobileEye XG eye-tracker technology (ASL, Boston, MA) to build our system ( Figure 1 ). This device has eye and scene cameras that attach to the glasses (or an empty frame in case the participating radiologist already has eye glasses). The two cameras are adjustable to fit different users' settings. While the eye camera records the eye movements, the scene camera (second camera, directed forward) records the monitor being observed by the radiologist at 60Hz of data rate. The eye camera monitors the pupil orientations and reflective angle using corneal reflection of 3-infrared dots on the eye from a reflective mirror. These dots are transparent to visible spectrum and nothing obscures the radiologists' field of view. The data from these two cameras were transferred into a workstation through a mobile display/transmit unit using an ethernet cable in real-time. Then, points of gaze were computed on the scene video, which was recorded at 60 frames per second. A calibration needs to be performed by the radiologist before every image reading experiment to match the eye movement data and the 640 × 480 scene video. The system outputs pupil diameter and gaze coordinates with respect to the scene camera's Field Of View (FOV) on a .csv file with timestamps ( Figure 1 ). Once the calibrated gaze coordinates, scene video, and timestamp were created, gaze coordinates on the scene video (g v ) were converted onto the gaze coordinates on the stimulus (g s ). Our pilot study focuses on a realistic scan evaluation by a radiologist without inserting any environmental or psychological constraints. As a part of this realistic experiment in a dark reading room, we have collected chest CTs pertaining to patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Unlike relatively simpler experiments with X-Rays, there are numerous slices to evaluate in 3D CTs. In addition, radiologists may visit the same slice more than once during their reading, including changing the image views into axial, coronal, and sagittal sections. To mitigate these, an image viewer plugin was developed to be integrated into the open source MIPAV image analysis software [6] . The plugin simply records mouse manipulations including scrolling, contrast change, and button clicks with the associated timestamps.

To mitigate these, an image viewer plugin was developed to be integrated into the open source MIPAV image analysis software.


A very important issue in car design nowadays, is the trend in using new, smart materials. In the next future well known and widely used materials like deepdrawing steels will be discarded in favour of high-strength steels (dual-phase, TRIP steels etc.), aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys and various grades of polymeric materials and composites [1] [2] . The reasons for this are many: the weight reduction to allow for more accessories and safety components, the strengthening of the structure and, last but not least, the cost reduction since even the low priced common steels suffered great costs rise due to increased demand from emerging countries.

In the next future well known and widely used materials like deepdrawing steels will be discarded in favour of high-strength steels (dual-phase, TRIP steels etc.), aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys and various grades of polymeric materials and composites.


Endnotes a Food security is most commonly defined as '… when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy lifeʼ [29] . The exception is a study on healthy and sustainable diets, which also considers the issue of food waste [21] . Rather than using real data, this study assumes that 15% less food production is required to meet the same level of nutrition. This is implemented as a 15% supply chain efficiency increase on a global scale, and so cannot distinguish differential impacts of food loss reductions on the supply side and food waste reductions on the demand side. It finds that agricultural prices fall by about 4%, which increases global food consumption.

Endnotes a Food security is most commonly defined as '… when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy lifeʼ.

The exception is a study on healthy and sustainable diets, which also considers the issue of food waste.


In order to satisfy human needs in both outdoor and indoor spaces, environmental evaluation and design play a key role in urban planning. This paper proposes a global approach to the evaluation of the outdoor environmental quality. In order to have a simple determination of the structure and output of the methodology only the thermal, acoustic and atmospheric components of urban climate using hourly data from a measurement ground network are used to characterize the urban environment. More particularly, we use data of two measurement stations describing different microclimatic behavior: one is located in an urban area (Castelnuovo Square) and the other in a rural area(Boccadifalco Airport). The mathematical tools used to analyze these data have been used by the authors in other fields of science [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] . In order to get a deeper evaluation, the data obtained are used to compute the following indirect composite descriptors. These descriptors describe respectively the thermal, acoustic and air pollution levels. This approach allows to evaluate the compatibility man-environment in terms of a synthesis of human sensation, stress levels, health effects, comfort assessment corresponding to selected ranges of values of the aforesaid composite indexes. Results are showed as maps of the comfort hours or days during a monthly sequence.

The mathematical tools used to analyze these data have been used by the authors in other fields of science.


Growing demand for electricity and heat as a result of economic development and increasing environmental pollution due to the use of fossil fuels (mainly coal) forced the mankind to look for alternative energy carriers. Hence, in recent years, the use of environment-friendly technologies i.e. renewable sources, had a significantly growing interest [1] [2] [3] . Implementation of renewable energy sources (RES) in recent years can be also related to a rational waste management and generallyincreasing emphasis on environmental protection [4] [5] . The most important advantage of renewable energy is the fact that RES are inexhaustible and renewed naturally.

Hence, in recent years, the use of environment-friendly technologies i.e. renewable sources, had a significantly growing interest.

Implementation of renewable energy sources (RES) in recent years can be also related to a rational waste management and generallyincreasing emphasis on environmental protection.


One of the RES type is the energy used from biomass. Besides the pellets, briquetting, pyrolysis and direct combustion, the biomass is used as a substrate for biogas plants [6] [7] . Those installations can produce the electricity and heat, and moreover allow to utilize the waste materials from crop production [8] .

Besides the pellets, briquetting, pyrolysis and direct combustion, the biomass is used as a substrate for biogas plants.

Those installations can produce the electricity and heat, and moreover allow to utilize the waste materials from crop production.


By convention, the effects of drugs in meta-analysis are expressed as a summary geometric mean and confidence interval. But what evidence supports this convention and why should we assume that it holds for all the effects of a drug? And even if it does, there can be considerable variance in the response to a drug. As illustrated in the JUPITER trial (Justification for the Use of Statins in Primary Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin), the lowering of LDL cholesterol (C) by a statin, in this case 20 mg rosuvastatin, is highly variable with 10% of subjects having <20% and 10% >70% decrease in LDL C [5] . The absolute benefit of a statin depends on the absolute lowering of LDL C, which is determined by the initial level of LDL C as well as the potency and dose of the statin [6] . Therefore, the benefits of statins depend on to whom they are given as well as their intrinsic potency. The lesson should be that it is the actual response of a specific patient to an agent that should concern us, not the average response of a group of patients.

As illustrated in the JUPITER trial (Justification for the Use of Statins in Primary Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin), the lowering of LDL cholesterol (C) by a statin, in this case 20 mg rosuvastatin, is highly variable with 10% of subjects having <20% and 10% >70% decrease in LDL C.

The absolute benefit of a statin depends on the absolute lowering of LDL C, which is determined by the initial level of LDL C as well as the potency and dose of the statin.


The symptoms of primary cardiac osteosarcoma have been described as protean, with obstruction and heart failure being the primary manifestations [1, 3] . On echocardiography, cardiac osteosarcomas often show asymmetrical internal echoes, and computed tomography has shown the calcification of cardiac osteosarcomas. Certain features (e.g., a broad base of attachment or origin at a site other than the atrial septum) help differentiate these tumors from left atrial myxomas [6] . However, the tumor in our patient presented as a soft symmetrical parenchymal tumor, the presence of calcification did not seem useful in differentiating atrial osteosarcoma from myxoma.

The symptoms of primary cardiac osteosarcoma have been described as protean, with obstruction and heart failure being the primary manifestations.

Certain features (e.g., a broad base of attachment or origin at a site other than the atrial septum) help differentiate these tumors from left atrial myxomas.


The level of human intervention within automation can be broadly divided into two major classes, Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Human Agent Interaction (HAI), a subset of HCI itself (Norman 1998) . In contrast to HCI, HAI agents permit more direct human intervention in their actions and dynamic adjustment of their parameters. The problem with the MITL approach is the need for rigorous monitoring and maintenance of each and every agent parameter and perhaps the manual computation of those parameters. Such a supervisor will be inundated with tedious decision making, which might jeopardise opportunities for more impactful, high-level decisions.

The level of human intervention within automation can be broadly divided into two major classes, Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Human Agent Interaction (HAI), a subset of HCI itself.


Since decision making in most complex systems is cognitive and deterministic, and validation of such systems is difficult and tedious, MITL has been the predominant paradigm for such systems. This article posits that there is a need to relinquish the intimate, micro-managerial control style of the MITL paradigm to the higher level MOTL paradigm that prescribes a naturalistic, psycho-social macro-management role to human supervisors in charge of the systems. In the MOTL paradigm, a human supervisor will influence individuals and communities of system control units by managing the manner in which control units relate to one another while preserving mission effectiveness and performance metrics. However, it must be stressed that successful task performance invariably depends on the capabilities of the users (McFarlane and Latorella 2002) .

However, it must be stressed that successful task performance invariably depends on the capabilities of the users.


Konovalov has reported 10 cases of surgical treatment of pineal region meningiomas. These reported cases were all successfully treated using Poppen's approach with the patients placed in a semi-reclining position. In their cohort, six patients with occlusion of the great cerebral vein or branches of the VC all had a good prognosis [2] . In our study, the ten cases had similar clinical presentations and imaging features. However, in order to avoid the risk of air embolism, we adopted the lateral position for surgical treatment [22] . In addition, the VC and its tributaries were well-protected intraoperatively, and this was supported by the preoperative CTA examination and the technological advancement of microsurgical techniques. Moreover, Lozier systematically reviewed pineal region meningiomas that originated from the velum interpositum, and used Krause's approach for treatment, achieving a good prognosis [23] . Ziyal reported a combined approach to provide a wider exposure of the pineal region with less brain retraction compared to Poppen's or Krause's approach alone. This alternative treatment is applicable to certain large and giant tumors of the pineal area. As demonstrated in their study, the combined approach was successful in the removal of large pineal region tumors in six cases, including four tentorial meningiomas, one pineocytoma, and one epidermoid cyst [4] . We prefer Poppen's approach as it provides the shortest distance to reach the tumor and the widest panoramic view for removing the tumor. Although Poppen's approach can easily damage midline structures, such as the VC and visual cortex, because it stretches the occipital lobe, this is preventable. Methods of prevention are as follows: 1) open the cerebral falx and tentorium to expose the midline and bilateral structures; 2) protect the VC with the use of CUSA or pushing VC in other directions than just superiorly; and 3) place a preoperative indwelling lumbar drain to reduce intracranial pressure and retract the occipital lobe to reduce occipital visual cortex damage. When there is obstructive hydrocephalus, the most common form of obstruction is not complete, which means that some CSF can be released intraoperatively. Even when the obstruction is complete, some CSF can leak through the subarachnoid space. Sometimes, a small volume of CSF can relieve the degree of retraction injury to the occipital lobe. Two cases in our study (cases 9 and 10, respectively), which were located entirely below the tentorium, fitted the criteria Krause's approach according to the relevant principles of the treatment of pineal region meningioma. However, we used Poppen's approach and opened the tentorium so that the tumor and its feeding arteries were fully exposed, which showed immense practicability.

In their cohort, six patients with occlusion of the great cerebral vein or branches of the VC all had a good prognosis.

However, in order to avoid the risk of air embolism, we adopted the lateral position for surgical treatment.

Moreover, Lozier systematically reviewed pineal region meningiomas that originated from the velum interpositum, and used Krause's approach for treatment, achieving a good prognosis.

As demonstrated in their study, the combined approach was successful in the removal of large pineal region tumors in six cases, including four tentorial meningiomas, one pineocytoma, and one epidermoid cyst.


Plasmin is another serine protease derived from a circulating precursor protein, plasminogen. Cleavage between Arg-560 and Val-561 of plasminogen molecule, which is catalyzed by plasminogen activators such as urokinase and tissue-type plasminogen activators, generates plasmin (Robbins et al, 1967) . Plasmin is well known as a fibrinolytic serine protease that interacts with polymerized fibrin clots to release free fibrin molecule and dissolve clots (Castellino and Ploplis, 2005) . The catalytic domain of plasmin is localized in the light chain derived from the C terminus of plasminogen, whereas five kringle domains are within the heavy chain from the N terminus of plasminogen (Patthy, 1985) . The kringle domain of plasmin(ogen) possesses lysine-binding activity, and plasminogen binds its substrates such as fibrin through lysinebinding sites, which results in the enhancement of plasmin generation (Hajjar et al, 1986; Wu et al, 1990) .

Cleavage between Arg-560 and Val-561 of plasminogen molecule, which is catalyzed by plasminogen activators such as urokinase and tissue-type plasminogen activators, generates plasmin.

Plasmin is well known as a fibrinolytic serine protease that interacts with polymerized fibrin clots to release free fibrin molecule and dissolve clots.

The catalytic domain of plasmin is localized in the light chain derived from the C terminus of plasminogen, whereas five kringle domains are within the heavy chain from the N terminus of plasminogen.

The kringle domain of plasmin(ogen) possesses lysine-binding activity, and plasminogen binds its substrates such as fibrin through lysinebinding sites, which results in the enhancement of plasmin generation.


The findings of the survey clearly indicate that waste minimisation is not a priority during the design process, reinforcing research. Additionally, changing current attitudes towards waste minimisation and understanding the underlying origins and causes of design waste were identified as significant hurdles that architects would need to overcome and comprehend prior to adopt and sustain waste reduction design activities in their projects. It is interesting to note that client activities could be a major origin of design waste through variation orders. Indeed design changes to meet client's changing requirements and preferences were ranked top of design waste causes. This was echoed by the findings of Ekanayake and Ofori [3] . Additionally, detailing errors were identified as significant origins of waste during the design process. Similar results were provided by Faniran and Caban [4] .

This was echoed by the findings of Ekanayake and Ofori.

Similar results were provided by Faniran and Caban.


A questionnaire was disseminated to the UK 100 top architectural practices, selected from The Architects' Journal [14] . The Architects' Journal ranking of architectural practices is based on the number of qualified architects within the firms. Partners and associates were targeted within the sampling frame, as they lead the decision-making process over the wider context of planning, design and implementation matters within their architectural practices. The survey was designed with six sections and a total of 22 questions; and included a combination of rating scales, multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions. Responses were requested based on current or recently completed building design projects. The quantitative responses were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).

A questionnaire was disseminated to the UK 100 top architectural practices, selected from The Architects' Journal.


The construction sector in the UK generates around 109 million tonnes of waste each year [1] . As the rate of construction in the UK is set to increase, there is a pressing need to reduce waste at all stages of construction by considering the long-term impacts of design, build and waste management. There is a consensus in literature that a substantial amount of construction waste originates as a result of poor design [2] [3] [4] [5] . The architect therefore has a decisive role to play in helping to reduce waste in construction at all levels by focussing on designing www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541 (on-line) out waste [6] [7] [8] . By improving waste minimisation design practices architects could realistically and successfully accelerate the pace of change. The aim of this study is to assess architects' views on the origins of design waste, current waste minimisation design practices in the United Kingdom (UK), and barriers to construction waste minimisation.

The construction sector in the UK generates around 109 million tonnes of waste each year.

There is a consensus in literature that a substantial amount of construction waste originates as a result of poor design.

The architect therefore has a decisive role to play in helping to reduce waste in construction at all levels by focussing on designing www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541 (on-line) out waste.


In linguistics, stem is the integrated form of words achieved from similar morphology [1] . Therefore, stemming is reducing various forms of words to achieve a common morphological that is called the stem [2] . For example, in the Persian language, the stem of both words "درخت" (tree) and "درختها" (trees) is "درخت" (tree) and in English, two words "small" and "smaller" are stemmed to a common word "small". Of course, it should be noted that stemming is used to categorize the words in groups of similar structures. Therefore, in stemming, words that have the same meaning but different structures are not in the same category. For example, in Persian, the pair of words "مکانها" (locations) and "محلها" (locations) have the same meaning, while stemming algorithms will return two different words "مکان" (location) and "محل" (location) as the stems of these words. Similarly, in English the stems of two words "locations" and "places" are different but they have the same meanings.

In linguistics, stem is the integrated form of words achieved from similar morphology.

Therefore, stemming is reducing various forms of words to achieve a common morphological that is called the stem.


The structural methods are dependent on the structure of the language morphology. In these methods, to get the stem of a given word, the prefix and suffix of the word are removed based on a set of specific rules. An example for these algorithms is the Porter algorithm [4] . This algorithm has 5 stages. In order to achieve stem of the word at each step, suffixes of the word are removed according to a number of predetermined rules.

An example for these algorithms is the Porter algorithm.

This algorithm has 5 stages.


Sharifloo presented a bottom up approach for finding the stems of Persian words [10] . This method is based on morphological rules and capable to reorganize without changing the implementation. The experiments show that this algorithm has encouraging results in stemming.

Sharifloo presented a bottom up approach for finding the stems of Persian words.


The plant parts from Erythrina variegate are widely used for the treatment of different diseases and complications. The leaves are used for their stomachic, anthelmintic, laxative, diuretic, gatactagogue and emmenagogue properties; sometimes also applied externally for dispersing venereal buboes, relieve pain of the joints and inflammations; juice is poured in to the ear to relief earache and is used as an anodyne in toothache. The bark is astringent, febrifuge anti-bilious and anthelmintic; useful in dysentery and as a collyrium in ophthalmia. The roots are emmenagogue [4] . The objective of the present study was to explore the analgesic activity of the bark extract of Erythrina variegate.

The roots are emmenagogue.


Our study found that ethanolic extract of E. variegata exhibited anti-nociceptive effect in a dosedependent manner. In a recent published paper, the authors observed that the glutamate-induced nociception seems to involve peripheral, spinal and supraspinal sites of action and is significantly facilitated by both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors as well as by the release of nitric oxide or by some nitric oxiderelated substance. Therefore, if there is an effect of the plant extract directly on the receptors or on the second messengers related to these transmitters, the pain response can easily be eliminated. Taking this fact into consideration, the effect of E. variegata against by glutamate-induced nociception is of pronounced interest [11] .

Taking this fact into consideration, the effect of E. variegata against by glutamate-induced nociception is of pronounced interest.


The hot plate has wide variety of application for determining central anti-nociceptive activities. Generally, opioid analgesics show their analgesic activities through both supra-spinal and spinal receptors [14] . The current investigation identified that ethanolic extracts of E. variegata possesses a statistically significant anti-nociceptive activity. From the study findings, it was apparent that the lower doses of the extract have more potent central anti-nociceptive effect. This finding has recommended that ethanolic extracts of E. variegate have anti-nociceptive effect which follow the opioid mechanism of anti-nociception.

Generally, opioid analgesics show their analgesic activities through both supra-spinal and spinal receptors.


Medicinal plants are widely used in the traditional system for the treatment of several diseases that contain chemical compounds which act as precursor for the synthesis of useful drugs [1] . Many plants have been listed in the ancient literatures for their medicinal values and their formulation has been found to be effective for the treatment of various diseases. Different parts of the plants are used in the traditional treatment system without any scientific validation. They play significant role in providing primary health care services to rural people as the synthetic drugs are costly and sometimes they are unavailable. Besides their role as therapeutic agents, they also act as a major source of income by exporting medicinal plants to other countries [2] .

Medicinal plants are widely used in the traditional system for the treatment of several diseases that contain chemical compounds which act as precursor for the synthesis of useful drugs.

Besides their role as therapeutic agents, they also act as a major source of income by exporting medicinal plants to other countries.


Erythrina variegate belongs to the Fabaceae family and Erythrina genus which includes about 110 species of trees and shrubs. The plants under the Erythrina genus are collectively known as "coral tree". These plants are native to the Old World tropics, especially from India to Malaysia, but are native of ancient westward to Zanzibar and eastward to eastern Polynesia (the Marquesas). It is typically found on sandy soil in littoral forest, and sometimes in coastal forest up to 250m (800ft) in elevation. The coral tree is cultivated particularly as an ornamental tree and as a shade and soil improvement tree (it fixes nitrogen) for other tree crops such as coffee and cacao [3] .

The coral tree is cultivated particularly as an ornamental tree and as a shade and soil improvement tree (it fixes nitrogen) for other tree crops such as coffee and cacao.


Oral administration of ethanolic extract of E. variegata caused significant and dose related antinociception against both neurogenic (early phase) and inflammatory (late phase) pain responses caused by formalin injection in mice. The formalin-induced nociception is a well-described model of nociception and can be consistently inhibited by typical analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, including morphine, indomethacin and dexamethasone. Considering the inhibitory property of E. variegata on the second phase of formalin, we might suggest an anti-inflammatory action of the plant extract. Moreover, recent studies have shown that formalin activates primary afferent sensory neurons through a specific and direct action on TRPA1, a member of the Transient Receptor Potential family (TRP) of cation channels that is highly expressed by a subset of C-fibre nociceptors. This result is in line with that obtained in formalin mode and indicates that E. variegata extract at 100 mg/kg doses probably interacts with TRPA1 receptor located in Cfibres reducing the formalin-induced nociception [9, 10] .

This result is in line with that obtained in formalin mode and indicates that E. variegata extract at 100 mg/kg doses probably interacts with TRPA1 receptor located in Cfibres reducing the formalin-induced nociception.


There are two main imbalance causes: the so-called mass imbalance arising from inhomogeneous mass distributions caused by, e.g., manufacturing inaccuracies or water inclusions in the blades' texture, and aerodynamic imbalances, arising, e.g., from errors in the pitch angles or profile changes of the blades. In wind turbines with no Condition Monitoring System (CMS), imbalances are only detected if the vibrations of the turbine are clearly visible, which is only the case if the turbine rotates with a frequency close to the bending eigenfrequency of the turbine, or if there are already damages in the drive train components. If the turbine is equipped with a standard CMS, an increased presence of the rotating frequency and its multiples in the Fourier spectrum can indicate rotor imbalances. In both cases an expert team has to be employed to detect the imbalance location and quantity. In a time consuming process, the team first tries to detect aerodynamic imbalances by using mainly optical methods. If the aerodynamic imbalances have been removed, the remaining vibrations are measured. With a known test mass placed on one blade, a second set of measurements is obtained, and from both measurements together the mass imbalances can be calculated. This process requires not only a lot of time but also expensive manpower. Therefore, it is advantageous to use automatic detection methods. Presently, such methods to detect mass and aerodynamic imbalances by using signal processing methods as well as trend analysis to generate an alarm system require a learning phase performed under faultless condition of the rotor [2] . However, they do not allow to compute the actual value and position of the imbalance. To this aim, vibration measurements with and without test weights as described above are still necessary. To replace this expensive procedure by a new CMS feature is the main goal of the authors work.

Presently, such methods to detect mass and aerodynamic imbalances by using signal processing methods as well as trend analysis to generate an alarm system require a learning phase performed under faultless condition of the rotor.


We found network centrality to have a positive correlation with academic performance, in agreement with the literature [85] [86] [87] [88] [89] [90] . However, among all types of interaction networks, only proximity networks exhibited a strong effect. A possible limitation in measuring centrality is that the mere physical proximity of two individuals does not necessarily involve direct communication. Nevertheless, it is reasonable to expect an increased level of information exchange in a group of individuals if they are in close proximity, which was the case in our dataset.

We found network centrality to have a positive correlation with academic performance, in agreement with the literature.


Summarizing the results indicates that iron plate has better shielding effect due to it has smaller skin depth [11] . The thicker the shielding plate, the fewer the penetrated intensity of the electromagnetic wave is. Shielding plate close to the emission source receives better shielding effect due to the near hyperbolic damping curve of the electromagnetic wave intensity vs. the skin depth as shown in Section 2 [11] . In other words, the closer the shielding plate to the emission source, the larger the shielded ratio of the electromagnetic wave. Moreover, applying loop structure of the shielding material has not helped the shielding effect. The reason is that the generated current in the shielding material is not enough to cause the loop current.

Summarizing the results indicates that iron plate has better shielding effect due to it has smaller skin depth.

Shielding plate close to the emission source receives better shielding effect due to the near hyperbolic damping curve of the electromagnetic wave intensity vs. the skin depth as shown in Section 2.


However, due to the influence of the reverse distribution between resource reserves and power demand, the phenomenon of energy abandoning in large-scale centralized clean energy power generation can be found everywhere, and energy supply and demand are dislocated. According to the data from the NEA and the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), in 2015, the amount of domestic air abandoning was 33.9 billion kWh and water abandoning in Yunnan Province during the wet season was 330 million kWh, and the average rate of light abandoning in Gansu Province reached up to 31%. However, at the same time, relation between power supply and demand was tense in North China and East China and the largest power gap exceeded 700 million kilowatts. Against this background, distributed energy has become an important choice to develop the way of energy supply in the world considering its multiple economic and social benefits because of the characteristics of cost-effectiveness, safety, reliability, cleanness and environmental-friendliness [3] .

Against this background, distributed energy has become an important choice to develop the way of energy supply in the world considering its multiple economic and social benefits because of the characteristics of cost-effectiveness, safety, reliability, cleanness and environmental-friendliness.


China is rich in resource and population, and its energy consumption is dominated by fossil energy such as coal as the result of the structure of primary energy and power generation technology [1] . In 2015, raw coal accounted for 72.1% of the production of primary energy and coal accounted for 64% of the consumption structure of primary energy. Thermal power generation took 73% of the total electricity generation, which means that the production and consumption of energy is dominated by coal and the power generation structure is directed by thermal power generation. However, according to the forecast by the International Energy Agency (IEA), as of 2015, the world's proven coal reserves can be exploited for 108 years and that of China can be developed for 29 years. China is facing a great crisis due to the non-renewable energy including coal and other fossil energy. In addition, the energy supply pressure caused by non-renewable fossil fuels, overuse and excessive emissions of fossil fuels has led to increasingly serious environmental pollution [2] . The statistics from National Energy Administration (NEA) shows that 85% of carbon dioxide, 74% of sulfur dioxide, 60% of hydroxide and 70% of dust in atmospheric pollution are caused by coal, and, according to the International Centre and the Climate Research (CICERO), the cumulative emissions of carbon dioxide by China in 2016 will exceed that of the United States, surpassing the U.S. and ranking the first in the world. Faced with dual pressure of the requirement of international community and the current situation of domestic environment, it is necessary for China to change the energy consumption structure and seek new ways to develop the clean and efficient energy.

China is rich in resource and population, and its energy consumption is dominated by fossil energy such as coal as the result of the structure of primary energy and power generation technology.

In addition, the energy supply pressure caused by non-renewable fossil fuels, overuse and excessive emissions of fossil fuels has led to increasingly serious environmental pollution.


Although a large number of studies show that procedural justice promotes employee cooperation, justice scholars acknowledge that our understanding of the processes that explain this important effect is rather limited (Blader & Tyler, 2005; Colquitt, Greenberg, & Scott, 2005) . We believe that theoretical advancement can be made by drawing on the motivation and self-regulation literatures. Current research and theory on the relationship between procedural justice and employee cooperation offers some helpful starting points for such an approach.

Although a large number of studies show that procedural justice promotes employee cooperation, justice scholars acknowledge that our understanding of the processes that explain this important effect is rather limited.


NNs have been widely used in pattern recognition and regression. The NNs are commonly trained by backpropagation based on a gradient-based learning rule [11] . Up to now, the gradient-based learning methods have been widely applied for learning of NNs [12] [13] . However, it has several shortcomings such as difficult setting of learning parameters, slow convergence, training failures due to local minima, and repetitive learning to improve performance of NNs. Also, it is clear that gradient descentbased learning methods are generally very slow [14] .

The NNs are commonly trained by backpropagation based on a gradient-based learning rule.

Up to now, the gradient-based learning methods have been widely applied for learning of NNs.

Also, it is clear that gradient descentbased learning methods are generally very slow.


In most of the work on the generic boost-rotation symmetric spacetimes one assumes the boost Killing vector ξ = z∂ t + t∂ z (considering the boosts along the z-axis) and the axial Killing vector η = ∂ ϕ to be hypersurface orthogonal. The general boost-rotation symmetric spacetimes are of Petrov type I and it appears too difficult to analytically find their extension to the cases when ∂ ϕ is not hypersurface orthogonal or an electromagnetic field is present since in such cases none of the Einstein field equations reduces to a linear equation like in the hypersurface orthogonal cases. However, in the case of the C-metric which is algebraically degenerate (of Petrov type D) the rotating and charged solutions were found to be contained in a general class of type D solutions to the Einstein-Maxwell equations discovered in 1976 by Plebański and Demiański [25] .

However, in the case of the C-metric which is algebraically degenerate (of Petrov type D) the rotating and charged solutions were found to be contained in a general class of type D solutions to the Einstein-Maxwell equations discovered in 1976 by Plebański and Demiański.


In the following section we first give the accelerating and rotating charged C-metric and the corresponding electromagnetic potential in the form presented by Hong and Teo [16] . After a coordinate transformation which enables us to perform special-relativistic limit in a simple way we calculate the electromagnetic field tensor and its invariants. Various limiting cases of the C-metric and electromagnetic field are then studied systematically. The details on the limits yielding the Kerr-Newman metric and the "standard" magic field are contained in Appendix A; how the classical Born's solution for two uniformly accelerated charges arises is demonstrated in Appendix B.

In the following section we first give the accelerating and rotating charged C-metric and the corresponding electromagnetic potential in the form presented by Hong and Teo.


Low density polyethylene resins are among the most versatile polymers, but their uses are limited due to several drawbacks, namely low strength, stiffness and poor heat resistance. To overcome these drawbacks and to prepare material with improved properties, fillers are incorporated into the matrix [1] . Fillers can affect the dimensional stability, crystallinity, mechanical and other properties of polymers [2] [3] .

To overcome these drawbacks and to prepare material with improved properties, fillers are incorporated into the matrix.

Fillers can affect the dimensional stability, crystallinity, mechanical and other properties of polymers.


A boundary element method for the scattering and diffraction of SH waves by anisotropic alluvial valleys with an arbitrary cross section has been constructed in this paper by the use of the fundamental solution given in (28). The use of (16) allows the surface displacement to be calculated. The method includes previously obtained methods as special cases. For these cases the numerical results compared well with those given by Trifunac's method and by Sanchez-Sesma and Esquivel [6] .

For these cases the numerical results compared well with those given by Trifunac's method and by Sanchez-Sesma and Esquivel.


After a substantial earthquake it is often found that damage is concentrated in particular areas [5] . This may be accounted for by various causes such as poor quality of construction, local topography and the local geology. One explanation which has been put forward is that the damage distribution is caused by seismic wave amplification associated with the local topography and soil characteristics [10] .

After a substantial earthquake it is often found that damage is concentrated in particular areas.

One explanation which has been put forward is that the damage distribution is caused by seismic wave amplification associated with the local topography and soil characteristics.


A key point in this definition is that a medical physicist has both a sound theoretical understanding of the science as well as clinical training in its application. As technology advances rapidly, an additional requirement is commonly the participation in Continued Professional Development (CPD) [4, 5] . This requires significant resources that may not be available everywhere. There is therefore an important role for professional organisations such as the AFOMP, which has the mission to advance and standardise medical physics practice in the region. In this context, AFOMP has initiated a periodic survey of medical physics practice in the region, the first of which was conducted in 2008. The present report summarises the outcomes of the second survey in 2011.

As technology advances rapidly, an additional requirement is commonly the participation in Continued Professional Development (CPD).


Most of the past AD imaging studies concentrated on the damage of gray matter (GM). However, studies of cadaver brains revealed that white matter (WM) changes were strongly associated with AD [4] - [7] . Study found that, the WM had significant pathological changes, including demyelinate and loss of axon, DNA breakage and lack of plasmalogen in AD patients at early stage [8] .

However, studies of cadaver brains revealed that white matter (WM) changes were strongly associated with AD.

Study found that, the WM had significant pathological changes, including demyelinate and loss of axon, DNA breakage and lack of plasmalogen in AD patients at early stage.


Above mentioned results suggested that, in patients with early AD, white matter microstructure had selective damage and the integrity of white matter pathways was destroyed. The selective damage may be related to the distribution of the cortex and white matter pathways senile plaques and neuronal neurofibrillary tangles [9] . In the early stages of dementia, white matter integrity of cingulate gyrus (hippocampus), the corticospinal tract, and inferior frontal occipital fasciculus had been affected, which can explain why memory dysfunction and dyslexia appear in the early stage of AD. Clinical neuropsychological assessment scale is a comprehensive assessment that reflects a variety of brain functions at the same time and not designed for assessing function of focal brain regions, and one brain function often involves multiple brain regions at the same time, so any focal lesions of the brain may lead to impairment of a certain function. Therefore, many factors might have affected on this study, which need to use specialized cognitive scale. Secondly, the DTI data we collected were analyzed by using the cellulose-based spatial statistical analysis method. The inherent shortcomings of the method in the registration of statistical structure projected onto the skeleton, so the difference is confined to the skeleton, which is corresponding to white matter fiber prime and other regional differences are ignored. In addition, number of cases and control sample size in this study were relatively small.

The selective damage may be related to the distribution of the cortex and white matter pathways senile plaques and neuronal neurofibrillary tangles.


Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a primary neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive dementia at old age and early stage of old age [1] . It is a common neurodegenerative disease among the elderly. Most of AD cases progress slowly. However, with the disease development, cognitive function gradually declines, starting as impairment of memory, language, and visual-spatial ability at early stage that slowly develops into serious dysgnosia, catalogia and/or imitation speaking, etc. Neuro-psychological examinations provide certain sensitivity to recognize AD cognitive dysfunction at early stage, and at some level, it can help physicians to distinguish normal aging from AD [2] [3] .

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a primary neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive dementia at old age and early stage of old age.

Most of AD cases progress slowly.

Neuro-psychological examinations provide certain sensitivity to recognize AD cognitive dysfunction at early stage, and at some level, it can help physicians to distinguish normal aging from AD.


Evaluating the economic impact of a seaport is an important subject both in the political and scientific debate. Seaport is seen as a determinant of the economic growth, it contributes to the development of economic sectors and to the generation of economic benefits [1] [2] [3] . Political evaluation of economic impacts of a seaport is usually effectuated by the government to motivate the request for public funds for developing the existing infrastructure or to constructing a new seaport or to justify its social costs. Scientific evaluation of economic impacts of a seaport is performed by searchers to assess the economic and social impacts of seaport investments or to justify the future port investments.

Seaport is seen as a determinant of the economic growth, it contributes to the development of economic sectors and to the generation of economic benefits.


The specific shape of the phase transition diagram is obviously driven by assumptions that one may be willing to make (or data that one may be willing to collect) about the specific functional form linking density to resource consumption and regeneration rates. In our model, we assumed these relations to be linear with respect to density because we wanted to keep the assumption as simple as possible. However, it is possible to think of different functional forms associated to different-and more complex-assumptions. For example, it could be that consumption and production of resources are proportional to average organizational size, or that they depend on concentration (Winter, 1990) . Also, it could be possible to think that organizational consumption and production rates are not symmetrical, but are different functions of size or perhaps of characteristics of the organizational size distribution. Figure 8 illustrates the results of a complete multivariate sensitivity analysis where all the relevant parameters are changed continuously in small increments over a (numerically) reasonable range. The results reported are based on 250 simulations. As an aid to interpretation, the different colors in the figure provide information on the distribution of the outcomes (100% of the simulations are contained within the dark grey contours, 95% within the black contours, 75% within the medium grey contours, and 50% within the light grey contours).

For example, it could be that consumption and production of resources are proportional to average organizational size, or that they depend on concentration.


A specific advantage of simulation is the possibility of examining the full dynamics of organizational populations determined by the interaction among different organizational vital rates and studying their long-term implications. Empirical studies are typically limited in their ability to derive the aggregate, long-term implications of sample-specific variations in organizational vital rates that they are designed to analyze. A second advantage of simulation in the study of organizational populations is the possibility of exploring the full range of dynamic behaviors implied by a model (Carroll and Harrison, 1994) . Typically, empirical studies cover a small subset of the overall space of historical possibilities. For this reason, "history-divergent models" may prove as important and insightful as "history-friendly" models (Malerba et al., 1999) . In empirical research these would simply be discarded as "mispecified models"-models that fail to reproduce the data accurately.

A second advantage of simulation in the study of organizational populations is the possibility of exploring the full range of dynamic behaviors implied by a model.

For this reason, "history-divergent models" may prove as important and insightful as "history-friendly" models.


The results that we report in the next section are obtained by numerical integration using the Euler method with a fixed step as implemented in Vensim (version PLE32, 4.2a), a software package designed for system dynamics simulation. The same software makes available sensitivity analysis routines that we used in model testing. In Appendix A, we report detailed information on variable definitions, numerical values, and auxiliary assumptions needed to calibrate the model and obtain numerically meaningful results. To facilitate as much as possible comparability with prior models and to reduce the risk of reporting idiosyncratic results, the numerical values of the various parameters that we used to calibrate our baseline model are based on the simulation study of Hannan and Carroll (1992: Appendix C) . Table A1 in Appendix A reports the definition and the numerical values of the parameters used to initialize the models. Table A2 reports the definition of the variables used in all the simulations (all initialized at zero). Table A3 reports the numerical range of the parameters used in the multivariate sensitivity analysis. Figure 4 reports some of the different evolutionary trajectories produced by the baseline model simply by varying the numerical values of the parameters controlling the strength of density dependence (the parameters in Equations 3a and 3b). With predictable differences in rates of growth and steady-state level of density, the result 112 is the conventional logistic pattern typically observed in actual organizational populations (Hannan and Carroll, 1992; Barnett, 1997) .

With predictable differences in rates of growth and steady-state level of density, the result 112 is the conventional logistic pattern typically observed in actual organizational populations.


As previously described, the frequency of the drive magnetic field used in MPI was 400 Hz in this study, which is too low to be used for magnetic hyperthermia. If we switch this frequency to one appropriate for magnetic hyperthermia (600 kHz in this study) after imaging and diagnosing the tumor using MPI, we may realize so-called "theranostics", in which diagnostics and therapy are integrated into a single platform; this concept has recently gained increased interest [38] . Recently, we demonstrated that it is possible to control the temperature rise in magnetic hyperthermia with use of an external static magnetic field [39] . If we use the selection magnetic field in MPI as the static magnetic field for controlling the temperature rise, it may be possible to realize local control of the temperature rise in magnetic hyperthermia to prevent damage to the surrounding healthy tissue, resulting in a reduction of the side effects induced by magnetic hyperthermia [39] .

If we switch this frequency to one appropriate for magnetic hyperthermia (600 kHz in this study) after imaging and diagnosing the tumor using MPI, we may realize so-called "theranostics", in which diagnostics and therapy are integrated into a single platform; this concept has recently gained increased interest.

Recently, we demonstrated that it is possible to control the temperature rise in magnetic hyperthermia with use of an external static magnetic field.

If we use the selection magnetic field in MPI as the static magnetic field for controlling the temperature rise, it may be possible to realize local control of the temperature rise in magnetic hyperthermia to prevent damage to the surrounding healthy tissue, resulting in a reduction of the side effects induced by magnetic hyperthermia.


As shown in Figure 5 , a large scatter was also observed in the vSLP value. As previously described, the vSLP value was calculated from (ΔT/Δt) 0 , which was obtained by fitting the time course of the temperature rise by use of the phenomenological Box-Lucas equation [26] . This equation is based on the assumption that the heat loss is linearly dependent on the difference in temperature between the sample and its surroundings [28] . If we take into account all possible losses, the relation between the temperature and heat loss becomes nonlinear. Thus, this linear-loss assumption in calculating (ΔT/Δt) 0 may also be one of the factors causing a large scatter of the vSLP value observed in Figure 5 .

As previously described, the vSLP value was calculated from (ΔT/Δt) 0 , which was obtained by fitting the time course of the temperature rise by use of the phenomenological Box-Lucas equation.

This equation is based on the assumption that the heat loss is linearly dependent on the difference in temperature between the sample and its surroundings.


Our phantom experiments (Figures 1-5 ) demonstrated that the average MPI value has excellent linear correlations with the iron concentration and vSLP of MNPs, indicating that MPI can not only visualize the spatial distribution of MNPs but also quantify the concentration of MNPs and predict the temperature rise induced by magnetic hyperthermia. These aspects appear to be very important for the effective and safe treatment planning of magnetic hyperthermia treatment. As shown in Figure 4 , however, a large scatter of the temperature rise was observed. As previously described, the temperature rise was measured using an infrared thermometer instead of an optical-fiber thermometer to compare the thermal image with the MPI image. Although the infrared thermometer allows us to obtain the image of the surface temperature (not internal temperature), the accuracy of this thermometer is affected by several factors such as the condition of the target surface, the distance between the camera and the target surface, and the angle of the camera axis with respect to the target surface norm [27] . In addition, the temperature of the phantom itself is also affected by several factors such as conduction, i.e., the heat transfer between the medium in the phantom and adjoining materials and convection, i.e., the heat transfer between the phantom and its surroundings [28] . These factors appear to have caused a large scatter of the temperature rise observed in Figure 4 .

Although the infrared thermometer allows us to obtain the image of the surface temperature (not internal temperature), the accuracy of this thermometer is affected by several factors such as the condition of the target surface, the distance between the camera and the target surface, and the angle of the camera axis with respect to the target surface norm.

In addition, the temperature of the phantom itself is also affected by several factors such as conduction, i.e., the heat transfer between the medium in the phantom and adjoining materials and convection, i.e., the heat transfer between the phantom and its surroundings.


Recently, it was demonstrated that assessment of urinary output can be easily and accurately achieved by registering it in 6-to 8-hour blocks [16] . This approach would make it possible even to monitor urinary output in patients without an indwelling bladder catheter, and maybe even outside the intensive care unit, at the hospital ward. This would be of importance, as it has been demonstrated that the majority of (fatal) cases of AKI develop unnoticed on the ward and are diagnosed with much delay [26] .

Recently, it was demonstrated that assessment of urinary output can be easily and accurately achieved by registering it in 6-to 8-hour blocks.

This would be of importance, as it has been demonstrated that the majority of (fatal) cases of AKI develop unnoticed on the ward and are diagnosed with much delay.


The idea that some animals will be swept downstream by floodwaters has implications for dispersal and gene flow along desert riparian corridors. Given that some animals can survive to reach a downstream shore, the river could serve as a source of colonists (Sheppe 1965) . Canyons that separate alluvial valleys in the Colorado River Basin contain pockets of habitat that may operate as either refuges or population sinks periodically colonized by flood-borne animals.

Given that some animals can survive to reach a downstream shore, the river could serve as a source of colonists.


In recent years, fuel fossil depletion and global warming issues have been a serious problem worldwide. Many renewable fuels have been tried for fossil fuel substitution as well as additional fuel. Alcohol fuels (methanol and ethanol) have a potential for internal combustion engine fuel due to its high antiknock and ability for reducing CO and UHC emission [1] . Bioethanol is also attractive renewable bio-based fuel and its oxygenated characteristics able to reduce particulate emission in CI engine [2] . The use alternate fuels also have been proposed for reducing combustion-related pollution [3] .

Alcohol fuels (methanol and ethanol) have a potential for internal combustion engine fuel due to its high antiknock and ability for reducing CO and UHC emission.

Bioethanol is also attractive renewable bio-based fuel and its oxygenated characteristics able to reduce particulate emission in CI engine.

The use alternate fuels also have been proposed for reducing combustion-related pollution.