With concurrent multithreaded hardware and a multithreaded software programming model, it is possible for a kernel to be developed that automatically schedules software threads onto hardware threads. It should be noted that while the hardware scheduling may be fixed, the software should be free to use any scheduling policy desired. The POSIX pthreads open standard provides cross platform capability as the library is compilable across a number of systems including Unix, Linux, and Windows [2] .

The POSIX pthreads open standard provides cross platform capability as the library is compilable across a number of systems including Unix, Linux, and Windows.


With the aid of such estimate we are able to prove a stability result of a weaker type, namely with a log-log type modulus of continuity. We remark that this phenomenon confirms a scheme that was already known for different, but related inverse boundary value problems [2] . In that paper, inverse problems with unknown boundary for elliptic equations were treated and, on the unknown boundary a condition of Dirichlet or Neumann type was prescribed. It was shown that, in case that the unknown boundary is smooth enough to have a doubling inequality at the boundary, then the stability was of log type. Instead with weaker regularity assumptions only a log-log type estimate could be obtained. See for instance the proof of [2, Theorem 2.1]. This scheme has also been confirmed with different inverse boundary problems [14, 6] .

We remark that this phenomenon confirms a scheme that was already known for different, but related inverse boundary value problems.

This scheme has also been confirmed with different inverse boundary problems.


No significant difference was observed in the current study between learning styles with respect to surface learning scores. However, an evaluation of the corrected means demonstrated that the dependent and avoidant learning styles had the highest means in terms of surface learning. Since these learning styles also represent the most distant to student-centered learning processes, the observed results are unsurprising given the learning styles' characteristics. For students with a dependent learning style, the teacher is the primary source of learning and guidance is continually necessary. Students with the avoidant learning style, by contrast, do not act in a participative manner during learning processes, show no willingness to participate in any activity, and avoid all responsibility (Jonassen & Grabowski, 2011) . Students exhibiting the dependent and avoidant learning styles thus experience difficulties in adapting to cooperative learning environments that emphasize team motivation, individual responsibility, and team dependence. In these environments, such students become introverted, preferring to engage more in surface learning and to work only to meet minimum requirements.

Students with the avoidant learning style, by contrast, do not act in a participative manner during learning processes, show no willingness to participate in any activity, and avoid all responsibility.


The study was conducted for a period of 6 weeks with a group of 39 students attending the course titled Special Teaching Methods during the second semester of a pedagogical certification program in a Turkish state university. A week before commencing the study procedures, the Grasha-Riechmann Student Learning Style Inventory and study process questionnaire were administered to the students, who were also given information regarding the overall framework of the study procedures and the basic principles of cooperative learning and teamwork. Following this, the students were assigned into heterogeneous groups in consideration of their first-semester grades, inventory scores, gender, and department. To ensure that the groups socialized and developed a team spirit among their members, the master designer technique was employed (Açıkgöz, 1992) . To further reinforce team spirit, each group was also instructed to choose a group name and group prize.

To ensure that the groups socialized and developed a team spirit among their members, the master designer technique was employed.


This equation gives a set of points that defines a surface in temperature, strain, strain-rate space. From the model point of view, the thermo-mechanical conditions for each of these points are insufficient for recrystallisation to start. The history of loading in each of the points of the forged part may also be defined in this space as a trajectory (the numerical data can be taken from the FE simulation). An example of this graphical representation is shown in Fig.4 . If some point of the part does not experience any recrystallisation its trajectory should never intersect the limiting surface. Conversely, if the trajectory crossed at least once this boundary, recrystallised grains should be observed, even if later it returned back within the limits. This gives the idea of the calibration. The material constants in Eq.5 have to be adjusted in such a way that the surface obtained to be enveloping for the majority of the experimentally built trajectories of the points from non-recrystallised region. As an option, to broaden the applicability of the model, the material parameters of Eq. 5 can be adjusted to reflect changes in their values as a function of temperature and strain rate. We can use local approximations (with the local sets of parameters) which are further numerically "stitched" together to obtain a more accurate shape of the defining surface [13] .

This gives the idea of the calibration.

We can use local approximations (with the local sets of parameters) which are further numerically "stitched" together to obtain a more accurate shape of the defining surface.


The class of 718-like superalloys is a family of austenitic nickel-chromium-based alloys that was first developed in the 1940s for high temperature applications in the aerospace industry [1] . These are precipitation hardenable alloys in which the strengthening phase (gamma double prime, gamma, delta or eta) inhibits slip and creep effectively at elevated temperatures. Due to the similarity of the main alloying elements, these alloys exhibit commonalities in their microstructural transformation during thermo-mechanical treatment.

The class of 718-like superalloys is a family of austenitic nickel-chromium-based alloys that was first developed in the 1940s for high temperature applications in the aerospace industry.


We conclude that The claim now follows from (15) and (16) . With respect to the second case, observe that since no NEXT signal is triggered at any v ∈ C after time b + B 1 until time b + B 1 + B 2 + B 3 , min v∈C {b v (2)} ≥ b + B 1 + B 2 + B 3 by Corollary 13. Thus, Algorithm 2 runs without interference up to this time. Using this, we can establish the same bounds as for the first case.

We conclude that The claim now follows from (15) and.


The BBN model works well even in the absence of complete factual information and is particularly helpful in "drawing conclusions" (Dogan and Aydin 2011) . Any future knowledge can be updated into the model at a later stage and make the findings even more accurate. To begin with, the prior nodes are given uniform probability of occurring, which gives a certain result that is not very accurate. However, fresh inputs, as and when they become available, drive the result more towards accuracy. During qualitative validation of the model, explicit information from the practising managers was updated to further refine the model, which was till then based on parameterization by the experts. This added focused information into the model and aligned it a little more with the ground reality. The practising managers were, in essence, working on the model provided by the experts, who had laid down logically correct boundary conditions, thereby ensuring that any incorrect information from the practising managers is not able to drastically alter the model.

The BBN model works well even in the absence of complete factual information and is particularly helpful in "drawing conclusions".


Mutual information is an indicator used to identify the variable that reveals the most information on a target node and, hence, possible minimum and maximum beliefs can be identified (Kjaerulff and Madsen 2008) . The variables that have the maximum impact on the target node can then be selected for improvement. This analysis has been conducted using the "sensitivity to findings" tab in the Netica software menu. Figure 3 is a graphical representation of the analysis. It can be seen that "forecasting" (value of mutual information=8.84%) and "inventory management" (value of mutual information=4.7%) have the most impact on a dynamic lean-agile spare part replenishment system. Forecasting is greatly influenced by the presence of a sound "scientific forecasting" system and "collaborative forecasting". It is also important to point out that the presence of "information and communication technology (ICT)" (value of mutual information=1.02%) has substantial influence on the target node in spite of it being a root node in the fourth tier. This is because it not only affects collaborative forecasting but also "inventory visibility". Inventory visibility has major influence on inventory management, which in itself has considerable influence on the target node. Other variables that have larger impact on the target node are "training" and "use of VMI". Training (value of mutual information=2.09%) is influential because of its simultaneous impact on forecasting, inventory management and "human resource management".

Mutual information is an indicator used to identify the variable that reveals the most information on a target node and, hence, possible minimum and maximum beliefs can be identified.


The effectiveness of plasma spray process, and characteristics of coatings obtained are strongly influenced by the physical and physicochemical properties of the injected powders. The powder flow during the plasma processing dictates the coating quality in terms of yield and homogeneity of composition. A high flowability, which is intimately associated to the particle size distribution, shape, chemical composition, moisture and temperature, is a key requirement for the success of this type of process [6, 8, 10, 17] . In addition, the density of powders is also an important parameter that should be considered, because it affects particle acceleration and their heating in the plasma flow. A full understanding of powder-flow behavior is essential when addressing segregation problems. Thus, optimized criteria such as apatite composition, particle size and density are selected in accordance with implant applications [8, 17] .

A high flowability, which is intimately associated to the particle size distribution, shape, chemical composition, moisture and temperature, is a key requirement for the success of this type of process.

Thus, optimized criteria such as apatite composition, particle size and density are selected in accordance with implant applications.


In this work, we focus on the manufacture of fluor-hydroxyapatite powders for the development of coatings onto orthopedic implants by plasma spraying. For the intended applications, two particle sizes are considered: 50-80μm and 80-100μm, the latter particle size range being the most widely used industrially. However, since the coating thickness could lead to the prosthesis loosening, we also considered the range 50-80μm with the ultimate goal of providing thin and adherent coatings. The objective of this study is to improve and control the flowability of both FHA powders using a treatment with ethanol and by varying the ratio ethanol/powder as well as the processing time. Surface free energies of hydroxyapatite and fluor-hydroxyapatite powders have been investigated. The nature of the surface of the particles can directly influence their flow properties. Also, surface free energies of biomaterials give information about their behavior after implantation, especially interactions with cells [1] .

Also, surface free energies of biomaterials give information about their behavior after implantation, especially interactions with cells.


However, despite the existence of numerous studies demonstrating their bioactivity and thermal stability, very few fluor-basedbiomaterials have reached the industrial development, i.e. dental glass ionomers. This problem may be due to the difficulty to produce fluorapatite at an industrial scale as well as the lack of confidence of clinicians in fluorinated materials. Substitution of a part or full of hydroxide ions by fluoride ions in the hydroxyapatite lattice could improve the resistance of these apatites to acidic conditions [15, 16] . In addition, the use of fluorinated apatites as orthopedic coatings could promote cell proliferation and bone growth.

Substitution of a part or full of hydroxide ions by fluoride ions in the hydroxyapatite lattice could improve the resistance of these apatites to acidic conditions.


Moral licensing is a non-conscious effect that provides a moral boost in the selfconcept, which increases the preference for a relative immoral action by dampening the negative self-attributions associated with such behavior (Khan and Dhar 2006) . Applied to a marketing context, moral licensing, for example, explains why the purchase of a green product (a positive moral act) is likely to increase the probability of subsequently purchasing a self-indulgent luxury good (a negative moral act). While we do not consider luxury products as morally questionable per se, it has been shown that consumers often experience guilt after purchasing an expensive luxury item (Dahl et al. 2003) . In a similar vein, it has been demonstrated that consumers repeatedly feel bad after selecting an indulgent good over a necessity (Kivetz and Simonson 2002) .

Moral licensing is a non-conscious effect that provides a moral boost in the selfconcept, which increases the preference for a relative immoral action by dampening the negative self-attributions associated with such behavior.

While we do not consider luxury products as morally questionable per se, it has been shown that consumers often experience guilt after purchasing an expensive luxury item.

In a similar vein, it has been demonstrated that consumers repeatedly feel bad after selecting an indulgent good over a necessity.


Hitchin's equation also plays a central role in recent developments of physical approach to Geometric Langlands Program [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] . We think that problem is closed related to four dimensional N = 2 gauge theory. One hint is coming from six dimensional construction. We first compactify six dimensional theory on a Riemann surface with or without defects insertion to four dimension and then compactify on a two torus down to two dimensions, the final theory is a two dimensional sigma model whose target is Hitchin's moduli space. On the other hand, if 6d theory is first compactified on a two torus, we get a four dimensional N = 4 theory, we then compactify on Riemann surface with or without punctures, the final theory is also two dimensional sigma model with Hitchin's moduli space as target. The punctures are described physically by surface operators in Geometricl Langlands Program. It seems that the defects in N = 2 context are just the surface operators in N = 4 context, this is confirmed for the tamed ramification case [9] .

Hitchin's equation also plays a central role in recent developments of physical approach to Geometric Langlands Program.

It seems that the defects in N = 2 context are just the surface operators in N = 4 context, this is confirmed for the tamed ramification case.


In our study and in concordance with what is seen in the general population, normal cytology dominated all age groups. The highest LgSIL rates appeared among women aged 14-25 years. Only a minority (1.5%) of young girls had a high grade lesion and this is again consistent with what is seen in the literature. It also justifies the current American and British screening programme that suggest smear testing after the age of 21 and 25 respectively [14, 15] .

It also justifies the current American and British screening programme that suggest smear testing after the age of 21 and 25 respectively.


In fact, each decision needs cognitive strategies to reduce the level of uncertainty in the process of beliefs' formation and revision with respect to the decision's consequences. Reputation systems are used to collect and analyze information about the performance of service entities with the purpose of computing reputation scores for service objects and service entities. A fundamental assumption of reputation systems is that reputation scores can help predict the future performance of the respective entities and thereby reduce uncertainty of relying parties during the decision making processes [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] .

A fundamental assumption of reputation systems is that reputation scores can help predict the future performance of the respective entities and thereby reduce uncertainty of relying parties during the decision making processes.


In this paper, localization of the plate is done through the recognition of the possible characters in the plate. Recognizing these characters is done by applying three different recognition algorithms [2, 3, 4] . Localization is done by first filtering all possible objects from the license plate image. Then possible alignment between objects is used along with information about possibilities of letters and digits for each object to localize the Saudi license plate.

Recognizing these characters is done by applying three different recognition algorithms.


Manufacturing philosophies and business environments are changing continuously (Moges-Kasie & Moges-Belay, 2013) . In many companies and industries, there are initiatives for ensuring the quality of products. These initiatives are related with the management literature in terms of how managers take decisions based on data. Process capability studies have main purposes which are controlling organizations' processes towards target values, and causes of variation and successively to eliminate causes (Brannstrom-Stenberg & Deleryd, 1999) .

Manufacturing philosophies and business environments are changing continuously.

Process capability studies have main purposes which are controlling organizations' processes towards target values, and causes of variation and successively to eliminate causes.


The XRD patterns of the PHBV/nMgO scaffolds were plotted in Figure 2 . The PHBV scaffold showed strong diffraction peaks at 2θ = 13.4 and 16.8°, which were corresponding to (020) and (110) planes, respectively; additional diffraction peaks at 2θ = 20.1, 21.4, 22.6, 25.5, and 27.1° were also detected, which were assigned to (021), (101), (111), (121), and (040) planes, respectively [33, 34] . After incorporating nMgO, the scaffolds showed two new diffraction peaks at 2θ = 42.9 and 62.3°, which were just corresponding to the two main diffraction peaks of MgO assigning to (200) and (220) planes (JCPDS 87-0653), respectively. Moreover, the intensities of the main diffraction peaks of nMgO gradually increased with increasing nMgO content. This indicated nMgO kept thermal stability during the SLS process as it had a very high melting point more than 2800 °C [35] . The compressive strength and compressive modulus of the PHBV/nMgO scaffolds as a function of nMgO content were depicted in Figure 3 . In general, they both increased at first but decreased then with the nMgO content increasing from 0 to 7 wt%. The compressive strength and compressive modulus of the PHBV scaffolds were 2.62 and 29.33 MPa, respectively. After incorporating nMgO from 1 to 5 wt%, they keep increasing from 3.37 to 5.14 MPa, and 34.36 to 44.68 MPa, respectively. However, they began to decrease when the nMgO content exceeded 5 wt%. Therefore, the optimal nMgO content was considered to be 5 wt% to obtain the optimal compressive strength and modulus, which were improved by 96.18% and 52.34% compared with the PHBV scaffolds, respectively. It was worth noting that the optimal compressive strength and modulus of the scaffolds was close to that of human led to a significant decrease of the interfacial areas and strength between the fillers and matrix, thus resulting in the decrease of the reinforcing efficiency. As the PHBV/5%nMgO scaffold showed optimal compressive properties, they were selected to be further evaluated in terms of antibacterial activity, degradation behaviors and cytocompatibility. The adhesion and proliferation level of Escherichia coli (E. coli) cultured on the PHBV/5%nMgO and PHBV scaffolds after 24 h were evaluated by SEM ( Figure 5) . The E. coli showed a typical rod shape. It was obvious that large amounts of E. coli attached on the PHBV scaffolds and covered almost the entire surface. In contrast, there was only a small amount of E. coli attaching on the PHBV/5%nMgO scaffolds. The dramatic decrease of the numbers of E. coli indicated that nMgO inhibited the adhesion and proliferation of E. coli and killed them. Moreover, it seemed the appearance of the E. coli attached on the PHBV/nMgO scaffolds was abnormal, suggesting them suffered structural damage from the antibacterial action of nMgO ( Figure 5D ). The results indicated the incorporation of nMgO imparted strong antibacterial activity to the scaffolds.

The PHBV scaffold showed strong diffraction peaks at 2θ = 13.4 and 16.8°, which were corresponding to (020) and (110) planes, respectively; additional diffraction peaks at 2θ = 20.1, 21.4, 22.6, 25.5, and 27.1° were also detected, which were assigned to (021), (101), (111), (121), and (040) planes, respectively.

This indicated nMgO kept thermal stability during the SLS process as it had a very high melting point more than 2800 °C.

The E. coli showed a typical rod shape.


Following pancreatic inflammation, the spread of proteolytic fluids, causing weakening of local vessel walls, may lead to the formation of arterial pseudoaneurysms. The formation of pseudoaneurysms occurs with a higher incidence in chronic pancreatitis (4% -8%) than in acute pancreatitis (accurate prevalence not clearly defined in recent literature) [1] [2] [3] . Pseudoaneurysms most commonly affect the splenic artery, followed by gastroduodenal, pancreaticoduodenal, gastric, and hepatic arteries [4] . Regardless of their size, pseudoaneurysms present with a significant risk of spontaneous rupture and fatal haemorrhages, accompanied by a mortality rate reported to approach 100% [5, 6] . Immediate diagnosis and definitive treatment is therefore necessary, irrespective of the size of the pseudoaneurysm and the patient's symptoms. This study presents and analyses the different endovascular techniques used in the management of 15 patients with pseudoaneurysms arising as a complication of chronic pancreatitis.

The formation of pseudoaneurysms occurs with a higher incidence in chronic pancreatitis (4% -8%) than in acute pancreatitis (accurate prevalence not clearly defined in recent literature).

Pseudoaneurysms most commonly affect the splenic artery, followed by gastroduodenal, pancreaticoduodenal, gastric, and hepatic arteries.

Regardless of their size, pseudoaneurysms present with a significant risk of spontaneous rupture and fatal haemorrhages, accompanied by a mortality rate reported to approach 100%.


The following DSP applications are examined in our experimental evaluation: 16qam (a 16 QAM modem), 4pam (a pulse amplitude modulation system), aqmf (filter bank), and cd2dat (CD to DAT sample rate conversion). These applications are ported from the library of SDF-based designs that are available in the Ptolemy design environment [3] . For each application, a number of buffer cost upper bounds (values of M) are selected uniformly in the range between the cost of the initial schedule (obtained from APGAN/ GDPPO) to the cost of a flat schedule.

These applications are ported from the library of SDF-based designs that are available in the Ptolemy design environment.


Pesticides are chemical substances, which are commonly used in modern agriculture practices to protect the crops from different pests and diseases [3] . Like other crops, fruit are attacked by pests and diseases during production and storage leading to damages that reduce the quality and the yield. The use of pesticides have increased because they have rapid action, decrease toxins produced by ford infecting organisms and are less labor intensive than other pest control methods.

Pesticides are chemical substances, which are commonly used in modern agriculture practices to protect the crops from different pests and diseases.


Based on our analytical studies pesticide residues were not observed in 48.2% of fruit samples (189). Whereas pesticide residues were found in 203 samples (51.8%). In most of analysed samples (45.9%) pesticide residues were below MRLs, while in 5.9% (23) above safety limits (MRLs). Pesticide residue levels were compared to EU-MRLs [17] .

Pesticide residue levels were compared to EU-MRLs.


Applications of WBANs include medicine, sports, military, and multimedia, which make use of the freedom of movement provided by the WBAN. As WBAN facilitates unconstrained movement amongst users, it has brought a revolutionary change in patient monitoring and health care facilities. Active implants placed within the human body lead to better and faster diagnosis, thus improving the patient's quality of life. Implantable devices are increasingly proving their importance for biomedical applications. The use of active implants allows vital medical data to be collected over a longer period in the natural environment of the patient, allowing for a more accurate and sometimes even faster diagnosis. Active implants such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) need to relay information to other devices for control or monitoring [2] . Thus a proper and efficient modeling of the channel is required to transfer data between implants and other devices. Moreover, the human body is a lossy medium which attenuates the waves propagating from the transmitter (Tx) considerably before they reach the receiver (Rx). Thus, to design an optimal communication link between nodes placed within or on the human body a proper and efficient path loss (PL) model is required.

Active implants such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) need to relay information to other devices for control or monitoring.


Simulations are performed at 2.45 GHz in the license free industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. This frequency band is chosen since there are no licensing issues in this band and the higher frequency allows the use of a smaller antenna. Moreover, 2.45 GHz allows higher bitrates due to the larger bandwidth [7] . After carrying out the simulations in human muscle tissue, simulations are carried out in a heterogeneous medium for various scenarios using an enhanced anatomical model of a 6-year-old male child from the Virtual Family (Christ, in preparation). We use a child model because in children with evidence of internal bleeding and abdominal pain, correct diagnosis is a challenge and capsule endoscopy can be used for the diagnosis of such ailments. Capsule endoscopy has been accepted in adults by many gastroenterologists, however its usage in children has lagged due to the belief by pediatricians that the pills are too large to be swallowed by children [8, 9] . However, reports do suggest that children as young as two and a half years old are successfully undergoing capsule endoscopy, and most of the studies suggest that majority of pediatric patients can swallow the pill [10, 11] .

Moreover, 2.45 GHz allows higher bitrates due to the larger bandwidth.

Capsule endoscopy has been accepted in adults by many gastroenterologists, however its usage in children has lagged due to the belief by pediatricians that the pills are too large to be swallowed by children.

However, reports do suggest that children as young as two and a half years old are successfully undergoing capsule endoscopy, and most of the studies suggest that majority of pediatric patients can swallow the pill.


Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a patient-centered method that aims to promote healthy behaviour changes and a framework that can help facilitate lifestyle changes [13, 14] . MI demands that the RNs interact with the patients and listen to their opinions about why they want the change, why a change might be good and how they can succeed. Patients often have conflicting feelings about a change when they both want and do not want to realize the change. Central to MI is helping people resolve this ambivalence, by focusing on a patient's own perception and motivation. When MI works, the RN speaks in a way that minimizes resistance and encourages discussions about the change and the patient's commitment, increasing the chances that he or she will actually achieve the change [13, 14] .

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a patient-centered method that aims to promote healthy behaviour changes and a framework that can help facilitate lifestyle changes.

When MI works, the RN speaks in a way that minimizes resistance and encourages discussions about the change and the patient's commitment, increasing the chances that he or she will actually achieve the change.


In design practice for reinforced concrete frame in China, it is a traditionally approach to multiply the rigidity coefficient of the rectangle cross-section of beams with a factor of 2.0 or 1.5, in order to consider the enhancement of slabs to beams [6] . This will lead to the increase in the computed internal forces and reinforcement in beams, while this extra part of beam reinforcement is lay in the rectangle part of the beam, and the slab reinforcement is still set within the effective width of flange, which, in fact, leads to the enhancement of beam bending resisting capacity. It is clear that the slab reinforcement play the dominant role in the unexpected converse from -strong column and weak beam‖ to -strong beam and weak column‖, which introduces the deviation for the expectation of -strong column and weak beam‖.

In design practice for reinforced concrete frame in China, it is a traditionally approach to multiply the rigidity coefficient of the rectangle cross-section of beams with a factor of 2.0 or 1.5, in order to consider the enhancement of slabs to beams.


At present, it is rather a difficult task to make retrofit to -strong beam and weak column‖ structures, either to the dimension of cross-section or to increase the reinforce ratio for columns. It has become an important subject under intensifying investigation [7] [8] [9] [10] . In this paper, according to the modified improvement for -strong column and weak beam‖ suggested by Prof. Su You-po, a numerical analysis model was established to evaluate the efficiency of -strong beam and weak column‖. With this method, slots will be cut in the slab around the joints, which practically cut the reinforce bars near the beams to suppress their contribution to beam bending resisting capacity relatively.

It has become an important subject under intensifying investigation.


This study describes flower development and morphology for E. racemosa. Georgia plume is protandrous and exhibits secondary pollen presentation on unreceptive stigmas. Although anther dehiscence occurs early within flower buds, pollen capture is spatially and temporally limited to a central region of the stigma surrounding the opening to a lysigenous stylar canal where exudate is secreted at receptivity. E. racemosa has a wet non-papillate stigma type. The presence of exudate on the stigmatic surface is critical to pollen capture, hydration, and germination. Copious exudate rich in polysaccharides and a hollow stylar canal can support the growth of large numbers of pollen tubes. Pollen viability is low to moderate per tetrad and may contribute to lack of seed production in some populations. However, no abnormalities in stigma development or stylar anatomy were observed. In controlled cross-pollinations, we have examined flower preparations having large numbers of pollen tubes growing within stylar canals (data not given). Additional evaluations of ovule development as well as fertilization and embryogenesis are warranted. Reproductive failure can result from anomalous ovule development as shown in a study investigating the causes of low fruit set in 'Ziraat' sweet cherry (Prunis avium) (Mert and Soylu, 2007) . Furthermore, pollination failure can contribute to reproductive failure as a result of dispersal failure, pollinator limitation, inviability of pollen, insufficient pollen, and breeding systems. Georgia plume has protandrous presentation of pollen in clumps held together with viscin threads. Pollinator function is critical in such a system, particularly if this is associated with selfincompatibility. Further studies addressing these potential causes for unfruitfulness are warranted.

Reproductive failure can result from anomalous ovule development as shown in a study investigating the causes of low fruit set in 'Ziraat' sweet cherry (Prunis avium).


Biomonitoring concerns the measurement of chemicals or their metabolites in human tissues, specimens or blood (Clewell et al. 2008) . The data provided offers direct evidence of human exposure to environmental chemicals and their interpretation in terms of toxicology and human health. The results of biomonitoring studies establish a baseline of information to identify trends in levels and characterize different sources or routes of total exposure. Additionally, biomonitoring data are able to provide information about the extent of exposure at the moment the sample was collected and at the exposure period over a prolonged time (Waliszewski et al. 2014) . The biomonitoring data provide a measure of the biologically effective compounds (biomarkers) at the target tissue, where they are presented at a higher concentration. The selection of biomarkers is based on their physical and chemical characteristics, sample accessibility, and availability of analytical methods.

Biomonitoring concerns the measurement of chemicals or their metabolites in human tissues, specimens or blood.

Additionally, biomonitoring data are able to provide information about the extent of exposure at the moment the sample was collected and at the exposure period over a prolonged time.


An issue here is that the Blueprint vector parameter editing does not have a dropdown parameter name option, so the Blueprint scripter would need to incorporate all of the parameter names in the material. Because of this, the material parameter collection works well for a singular planet system, but larger systems might benefit from a material instances approach instead. A designer could easily swap between the two systems using a Boolean function, as shown in Figs. 22 and 23. Using procedural texture generation would help in creating further varieties of planets as the system currently relies on textures painted in 2D packages (see Fig. 1 ). Substance Designer is an example of a package that can be integrated into game engines to produce the masks that blend the various terrains. A final benefit of this approach is that disk space would be saved due to the procedural textures (Allegorithmic 2014) .

A final benefit of this approach is that disk space would be saved due to the procedural textures.


Using specific web-based platforms that enable collaborative ideation via the Internet, it has been possible to address large groups of customers at very low cost. Since the early 2000s, many companies run web-based ideation platforms (WBIP) in the guise of virtual idea communities or online idea competitions to integrate their customers into their ideation processes [6] , [7] . WBIPs provide customers a tool to share their ideas and to elaborate these ideas collaboratively regarding the company's products and services adopting the principle of crowdsourcing [8] , [9] .

Since the early 2000s, many companies run web-based ideation platforms (WBIP) in the guise of virtual idea communities or online idea competitions to integrate their customers into their ideation processes.

WBIPs provide customers a tool to share their ideas and to elaborate these ideas collaboratively regarding the company's products and services adopting the principle of crowdsourcing.


The four-wheel independent drive electric vehicle is a form of distributed drive system [3] . The inwheel motor driven arrangement makes the structure more simplified, because the complicated mechanical transmission link between the wheel and the power source is dismissed. Thus, not only the energy efficiency is greatly improved, but also the whole vehicle vibration and noise are greatly reduced [4] . Except the advantages above, the four-wheel independent drive is easily to make the electric control chassis reality, leading the dynamic control simple [5, 6] .

The four-wheel independent drive electric vehicle is a form of distributed drive system.

Thus, not only the energy efficiency is greatly improved, but also the whole vehicle vibration and noise are greatly reduced.

Except the advantages above, the four-wheel independent drive is easily to make the electric control chassis reality, leading the dynamic control simple.


In recent years, various kinds of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) methods for AD patients have been developed [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] . However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no CAD system for the classification of AD patients using machine learning with morphological and functional image features obtained by MR imaging alone. Therefore, our purpose in this study was to develop a computer-aided differential diagnosis system for AD patients based on machine learning with morphological and functional image features obtained by MR imaging without contrast medium.

In recent years, various kinds of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) methods for AD patients have been developed.


Despite the recent developments in cotton production, one of the most important problems still faced by farmers from sowing to harvest is the interference provided by weeds. Weeds compete with the crop for nutrients, water, light, and space, and cause damage to cotton fiber during harvest and processing. Reported losses in fiber yield can reach 81-90% after the coexistence of cotton and weeds throughout the whole crop cycle (Fast et al., 2009) .

Reported losses in fiber yield can reach 81-90% after the coexistence of cotton and weeds throughout the whole crop cycle.


In this paper we propose an extension of the Affinity Propagation model, which i) is based on a binary factor graph, and ii) directly performs biclustering. In particular we extend the AP model in two ways: i) we consider as datapoints to be analysed the single entries of the input data matrix, instead of the classical row/column vector; ii) we add to the model a constraint which forces points belonging to the same cluster to represent a valid bicluster (namely all points of a subset of rows and columns). Given the new factor graph, a possible solution to optimize the objective function is to resort to the max-sum algorithm [1, 10] . However, given the high number of cycles present in the factor graph, the max-sum algorithm is likely to produce poor quality solutions [15] . Therefore we derived an alternative linear formulation of the optimization problem, and use Linear Programming techniques to find the optimal solution of our model. Finally, while the space complexity of the model and the time complexity of the algorithm are both polynomial in the number of entries of the data matrix, the number of variables and constraints that our model introduces is very large (i.e., O(n 2 m 2 ) variables and O(n 3 m 3 ) functions for an input matrix with n rows and m columns). Hence, storing our model for typical biclustering matrices (which can contain hundreds of rows/columns) is an issue. Consequently, we derived an aggregation methodology, which groups results obtained on smaller matrices: this allows the evaluation of the proposed approach on a standard expression microarray benchmark [6] . Obtained results confirm the potentials of the proposed method.

Given the new factor graph, a possible solution to optimize the objective function is to resort to the max-sum algorithm.

However, given the high number of cycles present in the factor graph, the max-sum algorithm is likely to produce poor quality solutions.

Consequently, we derived an aggregation methodology, which groups results obtained on smaller matrices: this allows the evaluation of the proposed approach on a standard expression microarray benchmark.


Our main focus in the current paper has been on accelerating EM. However, it is noteworthy that the proof of Theorem 3.3 only depends on the linear convergence rate of the underlying algorithm being accelerated rather than its specific structure. Hence an immedi-ate point to make is that the new methods should also work for other EM-type algorithms of linear convergence rate or more broadly for the MM algorithm (Hunter and Lange, 2004) . We leave this problem open for future investigation.

Hence an immedi-ate point to make is that the new methods should also work for other EM-type algorithms of linear convergence rate or more broadly for the MM algorithm.


Just as there are many factors affecting the speed and efficacy of laser tattoo removal in general, there appear to be several mechanisms at play with the use of the PFD Patch. The first involves the unusual ability of PFD itself to absorb gas [6, 7] . When a tattoo is exposed to the high optical energy of a laser pulse, stress waves, and cavitation bubbles are formed [11] . This effect is observed clinically as whitening or frosting over the tattoo. The apparent white layer is composed of microscopic bubbles formed nearly instantaneously as energy absorbed by the ink particles is transferred to surrounding tissue. The white layer is highly optically scattering and thus effectively opaque. Further laser passes are ineffective because light can no longer penetrate sufficiently to interact with the pigment. The first mechanism that the PFD Patch facilitates is the direct absorption of the gas within the bubbles. Gas preferentially diffuses and absorbs into PFD. Also, PFD contained in the most distal part of the perforations is at a lower partial pressure than that at the surface in direct contact with the cavitation bubbles, which drives the dissolution of gasses into the PFD.

The first involves the unusual ability of PFD itself to absorb gas.

When a tattoo is exposed to the high optical energy of a laser pulse, stress waves, and cavitation bubbles are formed.


In 1966, Seymour Papert, Wallace Feurzeig, and Daniel Bobrow discuss new techniques for teaching children using computers. The result was Logo, an aspiration to revolutionize fundamental methods in education. In 1981, Seymour Papert founded Logo Computer Systems, Inc. (LCSI) with the primary objective to create software that helps "develop a child's problem-solving and critical thinking skills [5] .

In 1981, Seymour Papert founded Logo Computer Systems, Inc. (LCSI) with the primary objective to create software that helps "develop a child's problem-solving and critical thinking skills.


In most experimental works dedicated to thermal characterization of HETs, the temperature of various thruster components was determined by means of thermocouples [8, 10] . Thermocouples embedded in the thruster structure provide a standard means of temperature determination, however severe plasma conditions encountered in the discharge chamber and the plasma plume as well as access restriction greatly complicate the measurement process. Another way to estimate temperature fields in a HET consists of employing a radiative-conductive thermal model [10, 11] . However, such a method relies on an estimate of the overall thruster energy balance in terms of distribution of energy between physical processes involved in thrust generation.

In most experimental works dedicated to thermal characterization of HETs, the temperature of various thruster components was determined by means of thermocouples.

Another way to estimate temperature fields in a HET consists of employing a radiative-conductive thermal model.


When drugs are absorbed, they enter the circulatory system and bind to serum albumin extensively and reversibly [1] . The effectiveness of drugs depends on their combination abilities. Binding of drugs to serum albumin has significance in pharmacology, since it controls their free concentrations and, as a consequence to the degree and time of action in the body, affects duration and intensity of their effects [2] [3] [4] . In other words, binding to serum albumin will significantly affect the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. Drugs are subjected to the influences of many factors in vivo, among which dietary habits cannot be ignored. Interactions between diet and drugs reflect the change of pharmacodynamics and the incompatibilities. There are various researches about the influences of sugar, wine, and tea on the efficacy of a medicine [5, 6] . However, researches about the effects of synthetic food colorants on medication have not been reported.

When drugs are absorbed, they enter the circulatory system and bind to serum albumin extensively and reversibly.

Binding of drugs to serum albumin has significance in pharmacology, since it controls their free concentrations and, as a consequence to the degree and time of action in the body, affects duration and intensity of their effects.

There are various researches about the influences of sugar, wine, and tea on the efficacy of a medicine.


Sea surface temperature is a good predictor for marine mammal distributions (Robinson et al., 2005; Kaschner et al., 2006) . Some species are found exclusively in warm tropical waters, some in the temperate zone and others only at the poles. Whilst a few species may move between different temperature zones during regular migrations, they may be adapted to particular temperature regimes at particular stages of their life cycles. For example, young marine mammals may require relatively warmer waters (Simmonds, 2004) . Marine mammals typically exploit patchy prey species that they require in dense concentrations and hence their distribution tends to reflect those oceanic features, both static (such as depth and slope) and more mobile (such as fronts and upwellings), where productivity is high.

Sea surface temperature is a good predictor for marine mammal distributions.

For example, young marine mammals may require relatively warmer waters.


Parabolic-reflector antennas (PRAs), due to their excellent beam directionality, are widely used in radar surveillance, navigation, microwave communication, and radio astronomy. Although they are antennas in themselves, PRAs are also present as a particular type of targets, gaining growing interest in some scenarios to the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) community [1] . Their scattering and rotation characteristics, which are obtainable with SAR, may be of valuable aid for target recognition. Therefore, it is desirable to detect and recognize them from SAR returns or imagery. However, this work is difficult because of two reasons. On one hand, the backscattering of PRAs is so complicated that they cannot be characterized by point scattering centers, and the directionality, favorable as it is for PRAs as antennas, results in aspect sensitivity and weak backscattering at most aspect angles when they are present as SAR targets. On the other hand, their rotation, due to mechanical scanning, changes the Doppler history and therefore makes their SAR images blurred and enigmatic. And unfortunately, rotation cannot be processed by the mature technique, that is, SAR ground moving target indication (SAR/GMTI), though it is a valid tool for uniformly moving targets [2] .

Although they are antennas in themselves, PRAs are also present as a particular type of targets, gaining growing interest in some scenarios to the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) community.

And unfortunately, rotation cannot be processed by the mature technique, that is, SAR ground moving target indication (SAR/GMTI), though it is a valid tool for uniformly moving targets.


Various types of antennas are used for GPR systems, but dipole and bow-tie antennas are most common as they are easy to fabricate on a variety of substrates because of planer surface structure [6] . Theoretically, the length of a dipole antenna is half of its lowest operating wavelength. Few samples of Table 1 . Depth penetration and resolution for GPR systems with different frequencies [5] . Archaeological GPR scanning with 100 MHz unshielded and shielded dipole antenna [7] .

Various types of antennas are used for GPR systems, but dipole and bow-tie antennas are most common as they are easy to fabricate on a variety of substrates because of planer surface structure.

Few samples of Table 1 .

Depth penetration and resolution for GPR systems with different frequencies.

Archaeological GPR scanning with 100 MHz unshielded and shielded dipole antenna.


A number of applications in WSAN require a quick response from the actuators to react to the environments. For example, actuators with water sprinkler are expected to arrive the scene of fire immediately to stop the spread of fire. Similarly, actuators are expected to react as soon as possible in applications like intruder detection or object tracking. They have to make sure the person or the object is still in the reported area when they arrive [3] .

They have to make sure the person or the object is still in the reported area when they arrive.


Finally, using education as our indicator of socioeconomic position, we find little or no sup-port for a specialization-trading argument. This finding should be viewed cautiously, however, as education may not be the best indicator of economic resources. Previous research indicates that education operates differently in predicting divorce than other indicators such as employment status, actual income, or partner's relative in-comes (Jalovaara, 2003; South, 2001) . Because employment status and income are more direct measures of economic resources, using these measures would provide a more robust test of the specialization-trading model.

Previous research indicates that education operates differently in predicting divorce than other indicators such as employment status, actual income, or partner's relative in-comes.


Our expectation that the social factors that influence marriage breakdown through psychosocial disruption will increase the likelihood of separations initiated by wives rather than husbands was not supported. Even though women who marry at younger ages are significantly more likely to report a wife-initiated compared to a husbandinitiated separation, the general trend is that older age at marriage reduces the risk of separation for both men and women. In contrast to our expectations, for men, a premarital birth increases the risk of reporting separation initiated by husbands compared to wives. This finding suggests a selection effect, where men who have a premarital birth also have certain traits that predispose them to initiate marital separation such as a lack of commitment to relationships (Bracher et al., 1993) .

This finding suggests a selection effect, where men who have a premarital birth also have certain traits that predispose them to initiate marital separation such as a lack of commitment to relationships.


This result is consistent with findings from qualitative research that in some circumstances wives initiate separation because their husbands are unhappy or because they do not want their children to be exposed to a bad marriage, not because they themselves are necessarily unhappy with the marriage (Hackstaff, 1999; Walzer & Oles, 2003) . Thus, it appears that wives' greater monitoring of and responsibility for the quality of relationships paradoxically extends to taking responsibility for ending the marriage in circumstances where they perceive that their husband or children are being adversely affected (Walzer & Oles, 2003) . It is also worth noting that part of the failure to find significant predictors of wife-rather than husband-initiated separations for women may be because only a small number of separations initiated by husbands were reported by women in our sample.

This result is consistent with findings from qualitative research that in some circumstances wives initiate separation because their husbands are unhappy or because they do not want their children to be exposed to a bad marriage, not because they themselves are necessarily unhappy with the marriage.

Thus, it appears that wives' greater monitoring of and responsibility for the quality of relationships paradoxically extends to taking responsibility for ending the marriage in circumstances where they perceive that their husband or children are being adversely affected.


Aminoglycosides behave as free radicals and cause cell death through distinct mechanisms. Positively charged aminoglycoside molecules can easily adhere electrostatically on the negatively charged cellular and mitochondrial membranes, leading to an increase in membrane permeability by lipid peroxidation. Eventually, the cellular structures leak out, and more drug influx occurs through the membranes, which ultimately results in apoptosis [9] . The free radicals, which are thought to play a role in ototoxicity, are byproducts of normal metabolism; also, they may arise from endogenous or exogenous sources such as radiation, drugs, or harmful chemicals. Drugs and radiation are the most important exogenous causes [10] . Under normal circumstances, a baseline level of free radicals is constantly present throughout the body; the harmful effects of these free radicals are mitigated by the action of several antioxidant mechanisms [11] . Antioxidants protect cells against the unwanted effects of drugs, carcinogens, and toxic radical reactions through several direct or indirect mechanisms. However, overproduction of free radicals or weakening of antioxidant defense mechanisms will render the occurrence of the toxic effects of these free radicals inevitable. The oxidative stress created by these free radicals is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of ototoxicity or nephrotoxicity in diabetes, cancer, atherosclerosis, and of some drugs [11] .

Eventually, the cellular structures leak out, and more drug influx occurs through the membranes, which ultimately results in apoptosis.

Drugs and radiation are the most important exogenous causes.

Under normal circumstances, a baseline level of free radicals is constantly present throughout the body; the harmful effects of these free radicals are mitigated by the action of several antioxidant mechanisms.

The oxidative stress created by these free radicals is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of ototoxicity or nephrotoxicity in diabetes, cancer, atherosclerosis, and of some drugs.


The phytochemial constituents of the leaf of P. pinnata was investigated. The leaf was found to constitute steroids, triterpenes, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones and flavonoids. The leaf is an African woody vine widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria and as a remedy against different forms of pains and as a natural cure (Jimoh et al., 2007) . The presence of the constituents was also found to be similar to those reported for most medicinal plants. In East Africa, the leaves are used against snake bites, rabies, mental problems, blindness and eye troubles, together with the roots, against gonorrhoea, paralysis, wounds, threatened abortion, malaria, ancylostomiasis, and to expel the placenta. Roots are applied against eczema, as a tonic and as a styptic medicine (Abourashed et al., 1999) . The whole plant is applied for bad skin conditions, for wounds and microbial infections. The root decoction is drunk in the case of nausea and vomiting. In Nigeria, the research work is still in the initiation stage and the work was carried out to find its phytochemical constituents in relation to the leaf elsewhere in Africa.

The leaf is an African woody vine widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria and as a remedy against different forms of pains and as a natural cure.

Roots are applied against eczema, as a tonic and as a styptic medicine.


In addition, due to the increasing complexity of technologies embedded in new products, their incorporation depends on greater knowledge than ever and, consequently, on the cooperation among different specialists. This makes the process more complex and their successful adoption more challenging (HUSTON; SAKKAB, 2006) . In fact, even mega-corporations -once famous for their self-sufficient R&D structures and product development processes -find it difficult to master satisfactorily all of their technologies due to the fast pace of today's scientific advancement.

This makes the process more complex and their successful adoption more challenging.


The case study was uses to analyze the technology development model adopted by an aeronautical enterprise and compare it to those found in the literature, so as to identify the presence of specific open innovation management practices and the major problems of the models. The use of a case study method was necessary because it enables the investigation of phenomena in real contexts, thus allowing the transposition of existing limits from theoretical models to practical models (YIN, 1994) . To this end, after the selection of the enterprise, the departments and key people related to its innovation processes were identified and asked to participate in the research. Two specialists from the enterprise's technology development department that presently work as managers of technology development projects and competitive technology intelligence were interviewed.

The use of a case study method was necessary because it enables the investigation of phenomena in real contexts, thus allowing the transposition of existing limits from theoretical models to practical models.


Factors influencing fish reproduction include salinity and temperature, both of which may be at or even above stressful levels for Salton Sea fish. Adult fish are also subject to episodic, wind-generated upwelling, which cause oxygen-poor, sulfide-rich waters to span the entire water column [2] . This may cause extensive mortality of adult fish, which are already at low reproductive success at the Salton Sea. This was most likely an important factor for the declines observed at the Salton Sea.

Adult fish are also subject to episodic, wind-generated upwelling, which cause oxygen-poor, sulfide-rich waters to span the entire water column.


We have obtained topological lower bounds on the energy of twodimensional skyrmions (21) and three-dimensional hopfions (34) in a continuum model of frustrated magnets. The bounds scale with the degree N and Hopf degree Q as N and Q 3/4 respectively. The twodimensional bound is reasonably strong, in the sense that for large values of H the energy of a one-soliton is roughly 20% above the bound. The 3 4 power in the three-dimensional bound is optimal, in the sense that the energy does not admit bounds of the form C|Q| α with α > 3 4 . However, it is expected that the coefficient in this bound could be improved substantially by improving bounds on the Faddeev energy [14, 19] .

However, it is expected that the coefficient in this bound could be improved substantially by improving bounds on the Faddeev energy.


One of the unsolved problems in solar physics concerns the magnetic structure of sunspots. Direct observations were unable to resolve this structure because of lack of sufficient spatial resolution, but also because of the hidden structure of the magnetic field below the visible solar surface. The simplest model is a monolithic magnetic flux tube which remains more or less homogeneous with increasing depth (Cowling, 1953) .

The simplest model is a monolithic magnetic flux tube which remains more or less homogeneous with increasing depth.


The advantage of multilevel inverters is their smaller output voltage step, which results in high voltage capability, lower harmonic components, lower switching losses, better electromagnetic compatibility, and high power quality [1, 4] . In addition, it can operate at both fundamental switching frequency and high switching frequency PWM. It must be noted that lower switching frequency usually means lower switching loss and higher efficiency [5] .

The advantage of multilevel inverters is their smaller output voltage step, which results in high voltage capability, lower harmonic components, lower switching losses, better electromagnetic compatibility, and high power quality.

It must be noted that lower switching frequency usually means lower switching loss and higher efficiency.


Numerous industrial applications have begun to require higher power apparatus in recent years [1] . Powerelectronic inverters are becoming popular for various industrial drive applications [2] . A multilevel inverter is a power electronic system that synthesizes a desired output voltage from several levels of dc voltages as inputs. Recently, multilevel power conversion technology has been developing in the area of power electronics very rapidly with good potential for further developments. As a result, the most attractive applications of this technology are in the medium to high voltage ranges [3] . A multilevel inverter not only achieves high power ratings, but also enables the use of renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic, wind, and fuel cells can be easily interfaced to a multilevel inverter system for a high power application.

Numerous industrial applications have begun to require higher power apparatus in recent years.

Powerelectronic inverters are becoming popular for various industrial drive applications.

As a result, the most attractive applications of this technology are in the medium to high voltage ranges.


Nowadays, the globalization, increased environmental regulation and pressure and demands of customer regarding environmental issues, have become a fundamental concern for companies (Aziziankohan, Jolai, Khalilzadeh, Soltani & Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, 2017) . Most of these companies, have integrated a sustainability focus into their business activities and strategies. In this regard, new reverse flows of products recovery are defined, with the firms' intention of reducing the environmental impact, improving the social presence and maximizing the economic value of products and production processes.

Nowadays, the globalization, increased environmental regulation and pressure and demands of customer regarding environmental issues, have become a fundamental concern for companies.


In order to manage with greater guarantees the complexity of RL processes, it is fundamental to adapt traditional management (forward logistics processes) and know the great differences between these two types of logistics (Tibben-Lembke & Rogers, 1995) . This knowledge is necessary to achieve the maximum efficiency and profitability, as well as the complete control of the product life cycle. Thus, another fundamental aspect for the efficiency and profitability of RL processes is to facilitate decision making in these processes.

In order to manage with greater guarantees the complexity of RL processes, it is fundamental to adapt traditional management (forward logistics processes) and know the great differences between these two types of logistics.


As we believe that most, if not all, galaxies harbor a supermassive black hole at the center, the idea of modelling dark matter by scalar fields naturally leads to the question of whether there are bound or quasi-bound states of scalar fields near black holes. For the case of a Schwarzschild black hole and a massive scalar field without self-interaction, it was found that such quasi-bound states exist [12, 13] . More precisely, it was demonstrated that there are spherically symmetric field configurations, satisfying the boundary conditions of no flux coming in from infinity or from the horizon, that persist for a very long time. Exact solutions that satisfy these boundary conditions cannot persist forever; they have to decay in the course of time. However, this is not a problem for modelling dark matter clouds around black holes in terms of such scalar field configurations as long as the decay time is in the order of the age of the Universe. Whereas in the two quoted articles the scalar field was treated as a test field on the Schwarzschild background, numerical studies have also been carried out for the case of a self-gravitating cloud [14, 15] .

For the case of a Schwarzschild black hole and a massive scalar field without self-interaction, it was found that such quasi-bound states exist.

Whereas in the two quoted articles the scalar field was treated as a test field on the Schwarzschild background, numerical studies have also been carried out for the case of a self-gravitating cloud.


Petroleum is the most critical energy source in the world, especially for transportation. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy projected worldwide consumption of "liquids and other petroleum grows from 83.6 million barrels oil equivalent per day in 2005 to 95.7 million barrels per day in 2015 (+14%) and 112.5 million barrels per day in 2030 (+35%)" [1] . While estimates vary, the peaking of worldwide conventional oil production is a serious concern that has perhaps already taken place or will occur within the next few decades [2] . The pressures of increasing oil demand, limited proven oil reserves, and forecasts for tightening oil supply are driving the need to maximize the extraction of the Original OilIn-Place (OOIP) for every reservoir, which is accelerating the development of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technologies. The presence of many interfaces and the complexity of the physico-chemical and geological characteristics of the reservoirs make EOR an immense scientific and technical challenge [3] .

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy projected worldwide consumption of "liquids and other petroleum grows from 83.6 million barrels oil equivalent per day in 2005 to 95.7 million barrels per day in 2015 (+14%) and 112.5 million barrels per day in 2030 (+35%)".

While estimates vary, the peaking of worldwide conventional oil production is a serious concern that has perhaps already taken place or will occur within the next few decades.

The presence of many interfaces and the complexity of the physico-chemical and geological characteristics of the reservoirs make EOR an immense scientific and technical challenge.


Maize breeders often employ recurrent selection methods based on selfed (S or S ) lines (Hallauer et al. 1988) . The main limitation of this method is that variability is significantly reduced, and inbreeding depression increased, after a few cycles of selection, particularly when a low number of selfed lines (for example, ten S lines) are used to produce the next cycle of selection (Hallauer and Sears 1973; Smith 1984; Helms et al. 1989; Benson and Hallauer 1994) . The recombination of ten S lines may cause a founder effect, e.g. a significant reduction on variability and random changes of allele frequencies.

Maize breeders often employ recurrent selection methods based on selfed (S or S ) lines.

The main limitation of this method is that variability is significantly reduced, and inbreeding depression increased, after a few cycles of selection, particularly when a low number of selfed lines (for example, ten S lines) are used to produce the next cycle of selection.


Agronomic evaluation, after three cycles of selection, revealed that the genetic variance was significantly reduced for yield but was still different from zero after three cycles of selection in both populations. The heterosis for yield among cycles of selection of both populations did not change significantly. No evidence of inbreeding depression was detected (Vales 1996) .

No evidence of inbreeding depression was detected.


Programmable shading is a means for specifying the appearance of objects in a synthetic scene. Programs in a special purpose language, known as shaders, describe light source position and emission characteristics, color and reflective properties of surfaces, or transmittance properties of atmospheric media. Conceptually, these programs are executed for each point on an object as it is being rendered to produce a final color (and perhaps opacity) as seen from a given viewpoint. Shading languages can be quite general, having Now at Intrinsic Graphics constructs familiar from general purpose programming languages such as C, including loops, conditionals, and functions. The most common is the RenderMan Shading Language [32] .

The most common is the RenderMan Shading Language.


Several techniques with different degrees of complexity can be considered for out-of-cell interference mitigation in OFDMA systems. OFDMA provides a degree of freedom by allowing dynamic assignment of channels/subcarriers to different users at different time instances, to take advantage of the channel response variations among different users on different channels [1] . Sub-channelization implies that a significant fraction of the power is used on only a portion of the bandwidth used to serve the weak user even though universal reuse. Nevertheless, neighboring sectors should assign orthogonal subcarriers to cell edge users and it is important to consider interference when assigning subcarriers to users.

OFDMA provides a degree of freedom by allowing dynamic assignment of channels/subcarriers to different users at different time instances, to take advantage of the channel response variations among different users on different channels.


Both SASI and NDWI(1) provided relevant information on the beginning and end of the drying process following the hydroperiod in the Delta. In 69% of the pixels, SASI presented a minimum in coincidence with the beginning of the drainage process (Fig. 10d) , illustrating an increasing trend as water levels decreased. On the other hand, NDWI(1) showed a minimum value at the end of the field drainage period (Fig. 10b) . After this point, the index recorded stable values. This finding is consistent with other works that discuss the response of this index to soil and vegetation water content (Gao, 1996) . The secondary cycle at lag 23 in the NDWI(1) ACF (Fig. 6 ) is most likely attributable to its regular response to environmental flooding, allowing for highly accurate means of identifying this stage (Table 4 ). The combination of results obtained from the two indices may provide an estimation of field drainage period length at the end of the hydroperiod in the Delta (Fig. 14) , improving the robustness of its characterization. Our results showed that the dates of agricultural practices, heading stages and hydroperiod in rice may be identified by combining information derived from the four indices studied. Index behaviors in rice paddies in which soils were dry from harvesting until the following rice season (i.e., Orellana) differed from those in rice paddies in which flooding occurred after harvesting (i.e., Delta). In addition, each index exhibited different capabilities during different periods of the year. These results suggest that it is appropriate to use different combinations of indices to detect hydroperiod and agricultural practices in regions with different soil moisture dynamics throughout the year (Fig. 16) .

This finding is consistent with other works that discuss the response of this index to soil and vegetation water content.


Similarly to water and bismuth cast iron with high carbon concentration behaves. The reason for this increase in the volume during crystallization is participating of graphite, which density is almost three times smaller than other phases. Still, practical foundry knowledge shows that obtaining "healthy" casting, meaning without shrinkage defects, made of ductile iron (DI) is very difficult for small values of casting's thermal module (under about 12 mm) [1] .

Still, practical foundry knowledge shows that obtaining "healthy" casting, meaning without shrinkage defects, made of ductile iron (DI) is very difficult for small values of casting's thermal module (under about 12 mm).


In DI globules of primary and eutectic graphite in initial stage of crystallization don't have touch with austenite grains and grow directly from the liquid [5, 6] . In a time a contact between grains of those phases is formed. A layer of austenite quickly isolates graphite form the liquid. Later on the graphite only grows by diffusion of carbon from liquid through the austenite shell.

In DI globules of primary and eutectic graphite in initial stage of crystallization don't have touch with austenite grains and grow directly from the liquid.


As reported above, the resonant frequency is a key parameter in determining the cantilever mass sensitivity and all researches are focusing on enhancing this parameter. The microcantilever operating in fluidic (gas or liquid) environments interacts with the surrounding fluid which causes a distributed mass depending on the fluid properties, frequency and cantilever width [22] . Thus, although the resonant frequency is an important parameter to mass density sensing, the structure's geometry and dimensions play an important role in the mass density sensitivity of microstructures. In the present work we study the effect of microcantilever shape (rectangular, Uand T-shaped microstructures) and geometrical dimensions on the gas mass density sensitivity (i.e., the ratio of resonant frequency variation to the density variation). To perform this study several uncoated silicon microcantilever shapes with different dimensions have been designed and fabricated. The structures have been tested at room conditions using different concentrations (0.2-2.0%) of hydrogen (H 2 ) in nitrogen (N 2 ). The density changes have been measured by monitoring the eigenfrequency (natural frequency) variation using the efficient phase linearization method [23] .

The microcantilever operating in fluidic (gas or liquid) environments interacts with the surrounding fluid which causes a distributed mass depending on the fluid properties, frequency and cantilever width.

The density changes have been measured by monitoring the eigenfrequency (natural frequency) variation using the efficient phase linearization method.


Methods to directly quantify ladder fuels using a key in the field are rare [18] [19] [20] . Menning and Stephens' approach was semi-qualitative, and classified ladder fuels into one of five types, which proved to be highly variable even within the four adjacent subplots [18] . Subplot variability suggests that upscaling plot-based measures to the stand scale (as done to populate a landscape from plots for a 2-dimensional fire model) may be inaccurate and points to the necessity for a remote-sensing derived, landscape-scale ladder fuel metric that quantifies heterogeneity within stands. Our work demonstrates the potential application of LiDAR for quantifying ladder fuels, which has already been used to describe forest structure beneath the canopy [37, 39, 43] . Despite our fairly successful findings, questions concerning appropriate measurement scale and ladder fuel variability and clumpiness still need to be addressed.

Methods to directly quantify ladder fuels using a key in the field are rare.

Menning and Stephens' approach was semi-qualitative, and classified ladder fuels into one of five types, which proved to be highly variable even within the four adjacent subplots.

Our work demonstrates the potential application of LiDAR for quantifying ladder fuels, which has already been used to describe forest structure beneath the canopy.


Embedded Systems are systems that contain embedded hardware and software designed to control special-purpose hardware that operates as a component of a large system [1] . They are utilized in a variety of specialized control systems from major power plants to those used for vehicle and house systems. The wide variety of control systems for complex industrial objects is an important application of embedded systems. Embedded systems are usually a complex combination of hardware and software modules with a built-in operational environment, a close architecture, specific interfaces, and a unique organization of external and internal data flow. For large industrial applications such as a power turbine, these control systems are often implemented as multiprocessor distributed systems. With the recent growth of embedded systems, the studies conducted on ubiquitous computing are gaining attention.

Embedded Systems are systems that contain embedded hardware and software designed to control special-purpose hardware that operates as a component of a large system.


Extending this reasoning, the third hypothesis tested by the empirical model stated that behavioral copying in level-1 neighborhoods (i.e., level-1 neighborhood effects) will occur most frequently when level-1 neighbors are mutant violators living in relatively cooperative level-2 neighborhoods [44] . This expectation is borne out in Figure 3 : the probability that cooperative homeowners who live in cooperative level-2 neighborhoods violate the property code increases at an increasing rate with the number of violators in their level-1 neighborhoods. Even though these owners are significantly less likely than their counterparts in average-or high-violation neighborhoods to behave non-cooperatively when their level-1 neighbors are mostly cooperators (in this case, their contexts are congruent), beyond a threshold, their increasingly incongruent neighborhood contexts make them significantly more likely to violate the property code than other, similar individuals. In this vein, level-1 neighborhood effects are seemingly present and strong in cooperative level-2 neighborhoods. Similar effects are present, though somewhat weaker, in level-2 neighborhoods with average levels of (non-)cooperation.

Extending this reasoning, the third hypothesis tested by the empirical model stated that behavioral copying in level-1 neighborhoods (i.e., level-1 neighborhood effects) will occur most frequently when level-1 neighbors are mutant violators living in relatively cooperative level-2 neighborhoods.


Arguably, these results show that there are gains to be made from connecting neighborhood effects research in the social sciences to literature in evolutionary studies. Still, it is important to caution that the results of this article are preliminary and exploratory, and are not without limitations. First, the behavior of interest-violation of or compliance with property codes-is presumably appropriate for studying (non-)cooperative property upkeep at the individual level [58] . However, it is necessary to point out once more that this outcome variable is an imperfect proxy variable (see Section 4 and Appendix).

First, the behavior of interest-violation of or compliance with property codes-is presumably appropriate for studying (non-)cooperative property upkeep at the individual level.


None of this is to say that extant scholarship on neighborhood effects which relies on administrative boundaries is unsound. In fact, this stream of literature has created a strong base of circumstantial evidence to suggest that individuals' behaviors are indeed influenced by their spatial environments [32, 33] . Nevertheless, in the context of the UGCoP, incautious assumptions that administrative boundaries adequately double as neighborhoods can lead to inferential errors [28, 29] . Thus, it is useful for neighborhood effects researchers to begin their investigations by constructing well-grounded "conceptual model [s] that clearly specif[y] the causal pathways among contextual and outcomes variables". This practice will aid in identifying "appropriate methods that can be used to better approximate the true geographic context [s] for the individuals being studied" ( [29] , p. 249).

In fact, this stream of literature has created a strong base of circumstantial evidence to suggest that individuals' behaviors are indeed influenced by their spatial environments.

Nevertheless, in the context of the UGCoP, incautious assumptions that administrative boundaries adequately double as neighborhoods can lead to inferential errors.

This practice will aid in identifying "appropriate methods that can be used to better approximate the true geographic context [s] for the individuals being studied" (, p. 249).


Toward these ends, this article argues that crossing relatively underexplored disciplinary boundaries can provide new insights for building the types of "sound conceptual models" that might currently be undersupplied in the prevailing neighborhood effects literature [29] . In particular, recent research from the field of evolutionary studies is drawn on for its instructive work on conceptualizing and modeling neighborhood effects as cross-level phenomena, whereby multiple, interacting spatial contexts influence individual behavior. These contributions guide the development of a statistical model that seeks to explain how individual property maintenance behavior in a selected U.S. study area changes as a function of neighborhood property conditions. Empirical tests of the model produce evidence suggestive of neighborhood effects operating at two interacting spatial levels that do not coincide with conventional administrative boundaries. While they are proffered as exploratory, these results nonetheless support the argument that interdisciplinary evolutionary research on social behavior can add value to studies of neighborhoods and neighborhood effects. That being said, to begin the investigation, it is necessary to briefly grapple with the idea of a "neighborhood" at a conceptual and operational level.

Toward these ends, this article argues that crossing relatively underexplored disciplinary boundaries can provide new insights for building the types of "sound conceptual models" that might currently be undersupplied in the prevailing neighborhood effects literature.


In that light, the negative coefficient on the product term in Table 2 can be interpreted to describe an urban environment with cross-level neighborhood effects. Cooperative owner occupants are extremely responsive to the behaviors of their non-cooperative neighbors when their broader geographic contexts are mostly cooperative. Likewise, they are relatively nonresponsive to these influences when the local norm is defection. Taken together, the results from Table 2 and Figure 3 offer convincing support for the three hypotheses that were derived from the conceptual model in Figure 1 . Moreover, as argued in the preceding paragraph, these findings fit very well with the empirical and theoretical work of evolutionary game theorists [44, 46, 48] . As such, they seem to provide justification for making more and stronger connections between neighborhood effects research and evolutionary studies.

Moreover, as argued in the preceding paragraph, these findings fit very well with the empirical and theoretical work of evolutionary game theorists.


One way of doing this is to set the explanatory variables to meaningful values and take simulation draws on the model to generate distributions (and expected values) for selected quantities of interest [70] . Continuing with the exploratory theme of this investigation, one might want to model the responsiveness of cooperative homeowners to their neighborhood contexts. Because both prior cooperative behavior and homeownership are estimated to decrease an individual's probability of committing property code violations (Table 2) , it is interesting to simulate the change in violation probability for such individuals in different multilevel neighborhood contexts. If the probability of violation remains constant across contexts, then the case for neighborhood effects is weakened. If, however, similar individuals show different propensities for violating in different contexts, then the circumstantial evidence produced to this point is strongly reinforced. Furthermore, the simulation exercise offers a case-based approach to considering the third hypothesis from the preceding section, as explained below.

One way of doing this is to set the explanatory variables to meaningful values and take simulation draws on the model to generate distributions (and expected values) for selected quantities of interest.


Second, future tests of multilevel contextual effects on individual behavior with cross-level interactions must work to identify and operationalize additional individual-level controls. The inclusion of estimated homeownership in the article's statistical model is a step in this direction. Nonetheless, it is necessary to ensure that evidence of cross-level neighborhood effects is robust to models that contain more comprehensive information on attributes of the individual (e.g., ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status). Not only can these variables act as controls in the model, but they can also be used to aggregate individual data to custom "neighborhood" geographies. Limited access to or availability of individual-level data suggests that this will be a difficult challenge for researchers to address, but it is one that needs to be taken up. Supplementing large public datasets similar to the ones used above with survey data is a potential path forward [65, 66] . Applying the conceptual and empirical strategies from this paper to other cases-at various levels, in different national and political settings, and for alternative spatially based behaviors-will presumably uncover many others.

Supplementing large public datasets similar to the ones used above with survey data is a potential path forward.


The two performance criteria (task performance and contextual performance) are correlated .64. This correlation will likely cause the degree of differential prediction to be an underestimate of that which could be obtained if the two criterion constructs were assessed so as to be less correlated (Viswesvaran, Schmidt, & Ones, 2005) . However, because the two facets are theoretically different, we discuss them separately. Task performance had somewhat higher magnitude correlations with the predictors than contextual performance. The primary correlates of task performance are general mental ability (.15), conscientiousness (.14), and situational judgment (.14). The primary correlates of the contextual performance are conscientiousness (.13), internal locus of control (.12), agreeableness (.11), and the SJT (.10).

This correlation will likely cause the degree of differential prediction to be an underestimate of that which could be obtained if the two criterion constructs were assessed so as to be less correlated.


The enzymatic methods are specific. They involve the catalytic oxidation of uric acid with the enzyme uricase to allantoin with the formation of hydrogen peroxide [2] . The peroxide concentration which is directly proportional to the concentration of uric acid could then be determined by a number of methods [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . The amount of urea nitrogen is a breakdown product of protein metabolism. Urea formed in the liver as the end product of protein metabolism enters in to the blood and is ultimately eliminated in the urine by the kidneys. Most kidney diseases affect urea excretion so that blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels increase in the blood. It may also increase the dehydration or bleeding in the stomach and/or intestines or result in any side effect of some medications. Raised levels may also be seen in any state causing hypovolemia, heart failure, starvation and urinary tract obstruction, etc. Urea is one of the first substances to be determined in biological fluids as one of the parameters of liver function tests. In routine procedures urea determination in biological fluids is carried out with chemical reagents and enzymatic methods [12, 13] .

The enzymatic methods are specific.

They involve the catalytic oxidation of uric acid with the enzyme uricase to allantoin with the formation of hydrogen peroxide.

The peroxide concentration which is directly proportional to the concentration of uric acid could then be determined by a number of methods.

In routine procedures urea determination in biological fluids is carried out with chemical reagents and enzymatic methods.


An important aspect of design for precast structures is connection. A connection should ensure the overall continuity of a structure and should have suitable ductility and rigidity. Therefore, the design and development of mechanical connection devices, especially the so-called fail-safe connections, have been considered in recent years. These connections could guarantee the continuity of the structure [2] . In fact, the connection in precast concrete structure should emulate the behavior of an in situ connection in terms of strength and continuity. The concept of emulative detailing is well defined in the American Concrete Institute Committee 550 guide report as "the design of connection systems in a precast concrete structure so that its structural performance is equivalent to that of a conventionally designed castin-place, monolithic concrete structure" [3] . Therefore, when the connection behavior of concrete panels and steel reinforcements in precast concrete structure is more similar to that of in situ connection, the system shows better performance in terms of continuity and integration [4] .

These connections could guarantee the continuity of the structure.

The concept of emulative detailing is well defined in the American Concrete Institute Committee 550 guide report as "the design of connection systems in a precast concrete structure so that its structural performance is equivalent to that of a conventionally designed castin-place, monolithic concrete structure".

Therefore, when the connection behavior of concrete panels and steel reinforcements in precast concrete structure is more similar to that of in situ connection, the system shows better performance in terms of continuity and integration.


Consequently, the rank ρ(X) of the Néron-Severi group, the so-called Picard number, satisfies the inequality 1 ≤ ρ(X) ≤ h 1,1 (X). Computing the Picard number is in general a difficult question, as already the case of projective surfaces shows. For example, the Picard number of a quintic surface S in P 3 satisfies the inequality ρ(S) ≤ 45. It is known that all numbers between 1 and 45 can be obtained if one allows the surface to have ADE-singularities, but it remains an open problem for smooth surfaces, where the maximum known is 41 [15] , [16] .

It is known that all numbers between 1 and 45 can be obtained if one allows the surface to have ADE-singularities, but it remains an open problem for smooth surfaces, where the maximum known is 41.


The third and probably most important finding of our study is that when students fake, and they probably do this in a selection context, our SJT is no longer a valid predictor because the correlation coefficient dropped significantly to .09, which was not due to range restriction. Thus, on the basis of our study, faking negatively affected the criterion-related validity of the SJT. Furthermore, faking had a negative impact on the incremental validity of the SJT over and above cognitive ability and personality because the SJT no longer explained incremental variance. These disappointing results suggest that faking might be a possible threat to the use of SJTs in high-stakes testing programs. Clearly, future research is needed to confirm this result for other SJTs and in other populations. In a similar vein, future studies should examine whether SJTs are susceptible to coaching effects (Clause, Delbridge, Schmitt, Chan, & Jennings, 2001; Ryan, Ployhart, Greguras, & Schmit, 1998) . As SJTs become more popular, test preparation firms will teach people how to respond to them most effectively. We still do not know whether coaching is a possible threat to the use of SJTs in a student admission context (Sackett, 2002) .

In a similar vein, future studies should examine whether SJTs are susceptible to coaching effects.

We still do not know whether coaching is a possible threat to the use of SJTs in a student admission context.


Third, it is important to note that SJTs are externally constructed measures. SJTs are developed for a specific criterion because their items are directly developed or sampled from the criterion behaviors that the SJTs are designed to predict (Chan & Schmitt, 2002) . In a similar vein, the SJT scoring key is based on a specific criterion. Although this increases the contextualized nature and the realism of the SJT, it also leads to a drawback. Probably, the validity of our specific SJT of college students' success and its expert scoring key will not generalize across a wide variety of situations (e.g., different universities, different subject matter fields, universities in different countries, different types of curricula). This contrasts with internally constructed measures, such as cognitive ability measures, whose validity has been found to generalize across a wide variety of jobs and occupations (Schmidt, 2002) .

SJTs are developed for a specific criterion because their items are directly developed or sampled from the criterion behaviors that the SJTs are designed to predict.

This contrasts with internally constructed measures, such as cognitive ability measures, whose validity has been found to generalize across a wide variety of jobs and occupations.


The simplest solution methodology that could be adopted to solve these problems is based on the deployment of average models, which can be identified by curve-fitting of experimental data according to the procedure described in the IEC-61400-12 standard [6] . These first-order models allow the assessment of wind power production as a function of a limited number of observable variables, mainly the wind speed, and are characterized by a low level of accuracy, since they are not able to take into account several important features characterizing the real generator operation. Hence, their application is typically restricted to a limited number of applications, which only require rough wind estimations, such as optimal sizing of wind farms and long-term wind energy assessment analysis [7] .

The simplest solution methodology that could be adopted to solve these problems is based on the deployment of average models, which can be identified by curve-fitting of experimental data according to the procedure described in the IEC-61400-12 standard.

Hence, their application is typically restricted to a limited number of applications, which only require rough wind estimations, such as optimal sizing of wind farms and long-term wind energy assessment analysis.


Although it has been more than three decades since PPP was first introduced in China in the 1980s, PPP has only recently experienced widespread adoption in China. This could be ascribed to two reasons. First, as a transition economy that gradually changed from centrally planned economy to a market economy, China did not have a dynamic and vibrant private sector until the 2010s [25] . As a result, the private sector in China was not able to contribute towards the PPP projects implemented before the 2010s. Second, as a country that advocates socialism and communism, China is cautious and conservative about the role of the private sector within some economic fields, especially the infrastructure and public service fields [26] . Therefore, the government might have erected some barricades intentionally to prevent the private sector from engaging in these fields. However, in recent years, the Chinese government has aimed at promoting PPP in almost every field of the economy. Since 2013, the speed of China's economic growth has entered the descent phase, and the debt risks of governments at different levels have gradually become apparent. Consequently, the central government of China has decided to promote the application of PPP in the infrastructure and public services fields across the country. In this initiative, it is the aims of the government to attract massive social capital with a small amount of state-owned capital; make use of the private sectors' advanced technologies and skills; and hone the efficiency and performance of the projects in the fields of infrastructure and public services eventually.

This could be ascribed to two reasons.

First, as a transition economy that gradually changed from centrally planned economy to a market economy, China did not have a dynamic and vibrant private sector until the 2010s.

Second, as a country that advocates socialism and communism, China is cautious and conservative about the role of the private sector within some economic fields, especially the infrastructure and public service fields.


Figures 1 and 2, which were created based upon the statistics released by the China Public Private Partnerships Center, present trends in the Chinese PPP projects from 2014 to 2017. As shown in Figure 1 , there was a sharp increase in the number of PPP projects in China from 2014 to 2017. Nevertheless, it could be observed from Figure 2 that around 70-80% of the investment in these projects was made by state-owned enterprises, while only 20-30% was made by private investors. Such a strong contrast indicates that the public sector is still playing the leading role in the Chinese PPP projects, a situation that goes against the government's original intention of promoting PPP projects. So as to reverse this situation, since 2015, the State Council and National Development and Reform Commission of China have issued 13 documents that aim at encouraging and attracting private sector participation in PPP projects [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] . Nonetheless, active participation from the private sectors in PPP projects still remains a challenge, as the private sector in China still holds a "wait-and-see" attitude regarding PPP projects.

So as to reverse this situation, since 2015, the State Council and National Development and Reform Commission of China have issued 13 documents that aim at encouraging and attracting private sector participation in PPP projects.