Furthermore, there is a common practice of mowing or burning vegetation that grows along roads and railway tracks in the vicinity of residential and commercial areas. This vegetation, though disturbed and unstable, is vital simply because most of the natural vegetation in urban areas occurs in fragmented forms as a result of urbanisation (Florgård 2007) . The disturbed areas could therefore form dispersal corridors between the natural fragments and, in this way, act as stepping-stones for a variety of plant species (Davis & Glick 1978) . The preservation of these disturbed areas may, in the end, offset the biological isolation of the natural areas and, in so doing, provide ecological continuity throughout the urban environment (Millard 2004; Poynton & Roberts 1985) .

This vegetation, though disturbed and unstable, is vital simply because most of the natural vegetation in urban areas occurs in fragmented forms as a result of urbanisation.

The disturbed areas could therefore form dispersal corridors between the natural fragments and, in this way, act as stepping-stones for a variety of plant species.

The preservation of these disturbed areas may, in the end, offset the biological isolation of the natural areas and, in so doing, provide ecological continuity throughout the urban environment.


Self-assembly processes involving amphiphilic macromolecules provide unique and new opportunities for designing novel materials for advanced application in nanotechnology [1] [2] [3] . The thermodynamic incompatibility between the different blocks causes a spatial organization into ordered morphologies on the nanoscale with the production of novel structural features, as demonstrated by recent studies [3, 4] . Leading examples can be found in biosystems where assemblies of different amphiphilic macromolecular components and their integrated actions allow the performance of highly specific cellular functions [3] [4] [5] . In the first part of this review we present a tutorial introduction to the basic aspect of traditional, head/tail(s) type, amphiphiles whose aggregation is driven by soft interactions such as hydrogen bonds and steric effects and hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction. Moreover, we highlight important examples where complex processes such as the structure modulation and control of morphology by other structure directing interactions can stimulate advanced application in materials science as well as in biological and medicinal chemistry. Finally, we provide insight into the novel structural features obtained by the precise tailoring of chemical structures and the efficient use of noncovalent forces for the introduction of chirality, signal processing, and recognition processes. The reversibility of noncovalent interactions allows dynamic switching of nanostructures morphology and functions in response to various external stimuli which further provides a flexible platform for the design and fabrication of smart amphiphilic nanomaterials and functional supramolecular devices.

Self-assembly processes involving amphiphilic macromolecules provide unique and new opportunities for designing novel materials for advanced application in nanotechnology.

The thermodynamic incompatibility between the different blocks causes a spatial organization into ordered morphologies on the nanoscale with the production of novel structural features, as demonstrated by recent studies.

Leading examples can be found in biosystems where assemblies of different amphiphilic macromolecular components and their integrated actions allow the performance of highly specific cellular functions.


To analyse the efficiency and the economies of scale and scope in German HEIs, we apply an input distance function approach. In contrast to a traditional cost function approach, the input distance function approach does not rely on a cost-minimisation assumption on the basis of observed market input prices. Rather, the input distance function approach assumes a shadow cost-minimising behaviour, where the decisionmaking units minimise their costs relative to unobserved input shadow prices. This approach is particularly suitable for industries or sectors where market input prices are difficult to obtain and market-based cost-minimisation behaviour is likely to be violated as in the governmentally controlled and largely publicly funded German higher education sector (Hajargasht et al., 2008) .

This approach is particularly suitable for industries or sectors where market input prices are difficult to obtain and market-based cost-minimisation behaviour is likely to be violated as in the governmentally controlled and largely publicly funded German higher education sector.


In this section, we give an overview of how a corresponding discrete operator is block-diagonalized by the GFT. The underlying mathematical theory is based on representation theory for groups. We summarize the theory in order to motivate our design and to make the paper self-contained. The notation is based on a recent introduction to the subject [3] .

The notation is based on a recent introduction to the subject.


The main physical problem linked to preservation methods concerns the cellular damage caused by intracellular freezing. The amount of damage depends upon the freezing rate: At ultra-rapid freezing rate, little or no freezable water leaves the cell and intra-cellular ice forms. At moderate freezing rate, only part of the freezable water leaves cells which are not sufficiently dehydrated to cause injury; at slow freezing rate, all freezable water leaves cells which may suffer severe dehydration injuries. One possibility for avoiding internal freezing would be the addition of cryoprotectant just above the freezing temperature prior to chemical fixation, before supercooling (Withers 1985) . Indeed, cryoprotectants have colligative properties, and maintain water in the liquid state by forming hydrogen bonds, preventing the diffusion of water molecules to the ice front and participating in the crystallization process (Finkle et al. 1985) .

One possibility for avoiding internal freezing would be the addition of cryoprotectant just above the freezing temperature prior to chemical fixation, before supercooling.

Indeed, cryoprotectants have colligative properties, and maintain water in the liquid state by forming hydrogen bonds, preventing the diffusion of water molecules to the ice front and participating in the crystallization process.


In this study we compared common PCR-based marker systems, such as RAPD, ISSR, IRAP, REMAP, and relatively new ones, RGAP and LP-PCR, by their ability to detect the genetic polymorphism. These techniques are practically simple; don't require information on DNA sequence; due to high sensitivity, allow using low DNA amount as a template for amplification that is of special importance for rare species. RAPD-PCR allows studying polymorphism of anonymous sequences showing various copy number to be scattered all over the genome. ISSR-PCR covers genomic areas flanked with inverted repeats of satellite loci. Both of them acquired a reputation as efficient and low-cost techniques for genetic analysis. RAPDand ISSR-markers are thought to represent preferentially non-coding DNA regions to be selectively neutral, although there is evidence that RAPD-markers may be associated with functionally important loci (Penner 1996) . Two types of the applied markers based on mobile genetic elements are IRAP and REMAP. IRAP uses one or two primers specific for long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences, while REMAP is similar to IRAP, but one of the two primers matches a microsatellite motif. The effectiveness of these markers is resulted from the abundance of retroelements within genomes of majority plants and their ability to produce new copies. These markers are simple in estimation and low-cost but show higher reproducibility as compared with RAPD and ISSR due to longer primers (Biswas et al. 2010) . IRAP and REMAP have been widely used for the analysis of genetic diversity and structure of plant populations and successfully applied for a great number of species (Kalendar 2011) . For this study, we also used RGAP and LP-PCR to employ markers based on the conservative sequences of disease resistance genes and abiotic stress response genes, respectively. RGAP-and LP-PCR-primers were developed on the basis of the genes belonging to multigene families; therefore they produced highly polymorphic patterns with great number of anonymous fragments containing mainly coding sequences (Dong et al. 2009; Liviero et al. 2002) . The function of the above mentioned genes is directly related to ensuring organism viability in stress environment; therefore their variability may be of adaptive significance.

RAPDand ISSR-markers are thought to represent preferentially non-coding DNA regions to be selectively neutral, although there is evidence that RAPD-markers may be associated with functionally important loci.

These markers are simple in estimation and low-cost but show higher reproducibility as compared with RAPD and ISSR due to longer primers.

IRAP and REMAP have been widely used for the analysis of genetic diversity and structure of plant populations and successfully applied for a great number of species.

RGAP-and LP-PCR-primers were developed on the basis of the genes belonging to multigene families; therefore they produced highly polymorphic patterns with great number of anonymous fragments containing mainly coding sequences.


This project is expected to provide a LCA of the Curuá-Una HPP (Santarém/Pará/Brazil), and disseminate the results so that they can be compared with other studies using this methodology. This research is part of a larger project that aims to make LCA energy production units of alternative sources and obtain solutions to support decision-making in the operation and planning of generating units that can meet the demand of the region [26] . In addition, as a result of this study an innovative methodological framework will be available for assessing environmental impacts in decision-making within the perspective of sustainable development.

This research is part of a larger project that aims to make LCA energy production units of alternative sources and obtain solutions to support decision-making in the operation and planning of generating units that can meet the demand of the region.


Knowing the environmental impacts of different product systems is an essential requirement for decision-making that can be achieved with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA is an environmental management tool defined as "a process to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, process, or activity by identifying and quantifying energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment, and to identify opportunities to effect environmental improvements" [7] . LCA enables identification of the most significant impacts and the stages to be observed for improvement, avoiding the damage to be spread from one stage to another, an environmental problem to another or from one region to another within a systematic and holistic approach [8] . According to ISO 14040, LCA shall include four steps: definition of goal and scope, inventory analysis, impact assessment and interpretation of results [9] .

LCA is an environmental management tool defined as "a process to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, process, or activity by identifying and quantifying energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment, and to identify opportunities to effect environmental improvements".

LCA enables identification of the most significant impacts and the stages to be observed for improvement, avoiding the damage to be spread from one stage to another, an environmental problem to another or from one region to another within a systematic and holistic approach.

According to ISO 14040, LCA shall include four steps: definition of goal and scope, inventory analysis, impact assessment and interpretation of results.


It provides a systematic way to find coefficients of the expansion of the star product in powers of a deformation parameter. Subsequently this expansion was shown to be described in terms of path-integral of certain nonlinear sigma model [14] [15] . More recently Berezin quantization was generalized to work for an arbitrary Kähler manifold and an interpretation of the deformation was given in the language of Feynman diagrams [16] .

Subsequently this expansion was shown to be described in terms of path-integral of certain nonlinear sigma model.

More recently Berezin quantization was generalized to work for an arbitrary Kähler manifold and an interpretation of the deformation was given in the language of Feynman diagrams.


Physicochemical properties of castor oil have been widely documented [11] [12] [13] . However, information regarding its oxidation stability is not adequately addressed in much of published literature. Therefore, this present study aims to establish the profile of oxidation stability of castor oil in solvent extraction. Effect of solvents and changes observed in viscosity and acid value are discussed.

Physicochemical properties of castor oil have been widely documented.


Oxidation readily occurs within the oil components and has obvious impacts in shelf-life, thus limiting its applications [16] . It is mainly driven by various factors such as air exposure, temperature, moisture, light and foreign matters. Oxidation is a process of complex reaction whereby the oil molecules are breaking down into smaller chains, and the new formed compounds would increase insoluble matter and oil acidity [17] . The oxidation mechanism encompasses initiation, propagation, branching and termination. Oxidation is initiated by departing of proton from α-methanilic carbon to unsaturated bond of glyceride molecule, and forming free radicals [17] [18] . The free radical attack oxygen to form unstable peroxy free radical (ROO*). Lipid molecule is attacked by peroxy free radical to form hydroperoxide (ROOH) and another free radical, thus propagating the oxidation process. Branching stage is described by breaking down of hydroperoxide into more free radicals that trigger auto oxidation of unsaturated bonds. Primary oxidation compound, namely hydroperoxide was reported to increase the wear of engine parts that utilize mineral oil lubricant [18] .

Oxidation readily occurs within the oil components and has obvious impacts in shelf-life, thus limiting its applications.

Oxidation is a process of complex reaction whereby the oil molecules are breaking down into smaller chains, and the new formed compounds would increase insoluble matter and oil acidity.

Oxidation is initiated by departing of proton from α-methanilic carbon to unsaturated bond of glyceride molecule, and forming free radicals.

Primary oxidation compound, namely hydroperoxide was reported to increase the wear of engine parts that utilize mineral oil lubricant.


Also important to initiating and sustaining successful change in educational reform is the establishment of collegewide communication and collaboration (Schriner et al., 2010) . Aligning faculty, leaders, and faculty developers in a collaborative vision with the strategic direction of the institution is fundamental to achieve educational transformation (Neal &Peed-Neal, 2010) . Efforts to support and guide faculty development-particularly in a changing context-are critically important for advancing scholarly competence. Faculty developers bring stakeholders together to strategize and collaborate on an organizational level to promote effective teaching and learning, while developing the capacity of individual faculty members (Schroeder, 2011) . A supportive, stable infrastructure is vital to systemic educational improvements. Attention to infrastructural needs support their evolution over time, leading to sustained improvements. Faculty development ultimately boosts student achievement, increasing overall institutional effectiveness and transforming learning through new and improved ways of teaching nursing (Sarikaya, Kalaca, Yegen, & Cali, 2010) .

Also important to initiating and sustaining successful change in educational reform is the establishment of collegewide communication and collaboration.

Aligning faculty, leaders, and faculty developers in a collaborative vision with the strategic direction of the institution is fundamental to achieve educational transformation.

Faculty developers bring stakeholders together to strategize and collaborate on an organizational level to promote effective teaching and learning, while developing the capacity of individual faculty members.

Faculty development ultimately boosts student achievement, increasing overall institutional effectiveness and transforming learning through new and improved ways of teaching nursing.


One of the essential elements in 4th generation district heating is a transition to smart energy systems with a better integration across sectors allowing to react to fluctuating renewable energy sources [1] . Besides work looking into providing flexibility for renewable electricity integration within the power sector, work on a cross-sectoral integration including all sectors and/or energy carriers has been published [2] . Hence, tools and approaches integrating different energy systems are needed [3] . For providing flexibility to the power system, energy storage systems are crucial. As thermal energy storage tanks are several orders of magnitude cheaper than pumped hydro storage, an integration of the heating sector with the power market offers economically interesting flexibility options [4] . Indeed, the thermal inertia of a heating grid can be used as heat storage as well, if it is considered in heat generation planning. Not requiring any investment into dedicated storage tanks, this approach allows to leverage additional flexibility at minimum cost.

One of the essential elements in 4th generation district heating is a transition to smart energy systems with a better integration across sectors allowing to react to fluctuating renewable energy sources.

Besides work looking into providing flexibility for renewable electricity integration within the power sector, work on a cross-sectoral integration including all sectors and/or energy carriers has been published.

Hence, tools and approaches integrating different energy systems are needed.

As thermal energy storage tanks are several orders of magnitude cheaper than pumped hydro storage, an integration of the heating sector with the power market offers economically interesting flexibility options.


Whenever the assumption of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) no longer holds, noise modeling, and estimation becomes a preliminary step of the most advanced image analysis and interpretation systems. Preprocessing of data acquired with certain modalities, like optoelectronic and coherent, either ultrasound or microwave, may benefit from proper parametric modeling of the dependence of the signal on the noise and from accurate measurements of the noise model parameters. The knowledge of the noise model parameters is crucial for the task of denoising. Maximum a posteriori probability estimators exhibit a scarce tolerance to mismatches in the parametric noise model [1] .

Maximum a posteriori probability estimators exhibit a scarce tolerance to mismatches in the parametric noise model.


Recent advances in the technology of optoelectronic imaging devices have lead to the availability of image data, in which the photon noise contribution may no longer be neglected with respect to the electronic component, which is becoming less and less relevant. As a consequence, preprocessing and analysis methods must be revised or even designed anew to take into account that the noise is signal dependent. To date, the most powerful noise estimation models are based on the multivariate regressions of local statistics [2] [3] [4] [5] . However, the solution is complicated by the presence of two parametric noise components, one signaldependent and another signal-independent.

To date, the most powerful noise estimation models are based on the multivariate regressions of local statistics.


Vision-based indoor mobile robot navigation has been studied for decades and is one of the most powerful and popular sensing method used for autonomous navigation. Compared with other on-board sensing techniques, visionbased approaches to navigation continue to demand attention from the mobile robot research community, due to their ability to provide detailed information about the environment which may not be available using combinations of other types of sensors. The great strides achieved in the area of visionbased navigation systems are significant; however, there is still a long way to go. Two important survey papers that have been published review various aspects of the progress made so far in vision for mobile robot navigation [5, 6] . This paper mainly discusses their classification of visionbased navigation systems and attempts to reveal the appropriate state-of-the-art for the indoor environments. A corresponding schema, summarizing state-of-the-art of visionbased navigation, is illustrated in Figure 1 . According to the given figure (see Figure 1 ), there two methods are developed based on map, namely: map-based and map-building-based approaches which will be detailed in the following section.

Two important survey papers that have been published review various aspects of the progress made so far in vision for mobile robot navigation.


We have left open the possibility that the von Neumann entanglement entropy saturates at the thermal value in our quench setup, even as we have shown that all higher Rényi entropies saturate at a parametrically smaller value. It would be interesting to resolve this question in future work. Even were this to occur, the reduced density matrix of one half of the chain should not appear thermal. Interestingly, it is known that in holographic theories there are examples in which two density matrices have identical von Neumann entropy but distinct Renyi entropies to the leading order of N in the large N limit. For two disjoint regions A and B with their minimal surface also disjointed, the density matrix ρ AB and ρ A ⊗ ρ B have identical von Neumann entropy to the leading order of N (thus vanishing mutual information I(A : B)), but different Renyi entropies [55] . We do not know whether such a qualitative discrepancy between n = 1 and n > 1 Rényi entropies signals something more profound about the dynamics of the model.

For two disjoint regions A and B with their minimal surface also disjointed, the density matrix ρ AB and ρ A ⊗ ρ B have identical von Neumann entropy to the leading order of N (thus vanishing mutual information I(A : B)), but different Renyi entropies.


Intuition from statistical mechanics suggests that generic interacting sytsems should thermalize. For an isolated quantum system, this seems counter-intuitive since a pure state always stays pure under unitary time evolution. Nevertheless, there is a deep sense in which a highly excited pure state can nevertheless "look thermal". If we study the reduced density matrix of a small subregion of the total quantum system, we expect that in a generic thermalizing quantum system, the reduced density matrix of such a region is very close to a thermal density matrix [1] [2] [3] . Such a thermal reduced density matrix has entanglement entropy proportional to the volume of the subregion, in contrast to the vanishing entanglement entropy of a pure state. Therefore thermalization of an isolated system is fundamentally related to the dynamics of the entanglement entropy between subsystems.

If we study the reduced density matrix of a small subregion of the total quantum system, we expect that in a generic thermalizing quantum system, the reduced density matrix of such a region is very close to a thermal density matrix.


There are several potential mechanisms leading to epilepsy-related cognitive impairments, and it has been postulated that epilepsy interferes with the trajectory of developmental brain networks underlying cognition (Ibrahim et al., 2014) . Recurrent seizures may modify, slow down, or accelerate those processes that take place during development and are essential for the correct formation and function of brain circuitry (Holmes, 2001) . In addition, impairments may worsen over time, with experimental and clinical evidence suggesting that seizures could produce progressive neuronal damage, resulting in cumulative neuropsychological disabilities (Tasch et al., 1999) . To better understand these effects, further study should characterise the nature, onset and progression of cognitive impairments in dogs with epilepsy. Objective behavioural testing is required to confirm these findings because trainability, as estimated by the CBARQ, does not assess abilities to perform complex tasks, such as problemsolving, or tasks that require dogs to perform independently from their owners (Svartberg, 2005) .

There are several potential mechanisms leading to epilepsy-related cognitive impairments, and it has been postulated that epilepsy interferes with the trajectory of developmental brain networks underlying cognition.

Recurrent seizures may modify, slow down, or accelerate those processes that take place during development and are essential for the correct formation and function of brain circuitry.

In addition, impairments may worsen over time, with experimental and clinical evidence suggesting that seizures could produce progressive neuronal damage, resulting in cumulative neuropsychological disabilities.

Objective behavioural testing is required to confirm these findings because trainability, as estimated by the CBARQ, does not assess abilities to perform complex tasks, such as problemsolving, or tasks that require dogs to perform independently from their owners.


Multi-domainic crystals are common in synthetic goethites and have been observed in the natural mineral (Smith and Eggleton, 1983) . Information about the factors that control intergrowth formation is limited. In the present work, the effect of pH, foreign anions, and temperature on intergrowth formation was investigated. These variables were chosen because an earlier study had shown them to influence the size and habit ofgoethite crystals (Cornell and Giovanoli, 1985) . Also of interest were (1) the growth stage during which domains nucleate, and (2) the arrangement of the domains within the crystal. The degree of multi-domainic character of goethites synthesized under different conditions as shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was correlated with the synthesis conditions.

Multi-domainic crystals are common in synthetic goethites and have been observed in the natural mineral.

These variables were chosen because an earlier study had shown them to influence the size and habit ofgoethite crystals.


In a highly supersaturated system (i.e., at high pH), the rate of adsorption was so rapid that growth units did not have time to order completely, and mis-stackings were introduced into the structure. Any factor that reduced the rate of adsorption could have reduced the formation of intergrowths. This situation was most readily achieved during syntheses at lower pH; however, even at high pH, intergrowths were reduced by the incorporation of A1 into the goethite structure. As the level of A1 in the system increases, both the rate of growth and the average number of domains per crystal fall (Schwertmann, 1984; Schulze and Schwertmann, 1984) . A1 is thought to reduce the rate of growth because it is present as a complex divalent ion (AI(OH)52 ) at pH > 11, and adsorption of the complex monovalent iron species (Fe(OH)4-) is favored (Mann et aL, 1985) .

As the level of A1 in the system increases, both the rate of growth and the average number of domains per crystal fall.

A1 is thought to reduce the rate of growth because it is present as a complex divalent ion (AI(OH)52 ) at pH > 11, and adsorption of the complex monovalent iron species (Fe(OH)4-) is favored.


In this paper, we make the first step towards the concurrent optimization of structural layout and the corresponding fabrication sequence, which we shall call space-time topology optimization. The space-time topology optimization uses two sets of design variables. The first set represents the structural layout by a density field which is standard, as in traditional density-based approaches (Sigmund 2001) . The second set encodes the fabrication sequence by a time field, with the ascending order indicating the incremental addition of structural material. We present a general formulation where the objective function could take into account the structural properties of both intermediate structures as well as the complete structure. To this end, a sequence of intermediate structures is defined by the density and the time field. We impose general constraints on intermediate structures, regarding fabrication continuity and process speed. This general formulation is demonstrated by integrating a few simplified yet meaningful aspects that are associated with the fabrication sequence, including self-weight of the intermediate structures, process-dependent loads, and timedependent mechanical properties (e.g., in a curing process).

The first set represents the structural layout by a density field which is standard, as in traditional density-based approaches.


In this regard, during the last few years, different fundamental issues have been addressed. Many significant papers have been devoted to SW at the interfaces between periodic structures and metamaterials [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] . While tremendous progress has been made in the physics and practical applications of periodic structures and metamaterials, the effects associated with the influence of external fields in complex composites still remain relatively unexplored.

Many significant papers have been devoted to SW at the interfaces between periodic structures and metamaterials.


At the same time, we believe that many technical problems can be solved through the use of periodic structures and metamaterials [8] [9] [10] . In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in development and fabrication of new type of materials with characteristics that may not be found in nature. Moreover, there has been also a remarkable attention to properties of materials which have either negative permittivity or permeability in some frequency range owing to their novel applications potential in microwave circuits [8, [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] . Examples are various types of artificial periodic structures of different nature, metamaterials, in particular negative index materials (NIM), chiral media, and composite materials. A broad range of applications has been suggested including artificial dielectrics, lenses, absorbers, antenna structures, optical and microwave components, sensors, and frequency selective surfaces [8, 10, 16, 17] .

At the same time, we believe that many technical problems can be solved through the use of periodic structures and metamaterials.

Moreover, there has been also a remarkable attention to properties of materials which have either negative permittivity or permeability in some frequency range owing to their novel applications potential in microwave circuits.

A broad range of applications has been suggested including artificial dielectrics, lenses, absorbers, antenna structures, optical and microwave components, sensors, and frequency selective surfaces.


Surface EM waves (SW) are waves that propagate along the interface between differing media and decrease in the transverse direction exponentially. Having, in linear case, the field maximum on the interface, SW are a very sensitive and convenient tool for studying the surfaces physical properties. Thus, the studies of SW are of great importance for both fundamental and practical interest [19] [20] [21] [22] . For example, it was shown recently that SW were responsible for the extraordinary high transmission through a silver film with subwavelength hole arrays and for the subdiffraction-limit focusing effect using a slab of negative index material. In some other situations, the absence of a SW is desired since its excitation costs unfavorable loss of energy and unwanted interference [23, 24] .

Thus, the studies of SW are of great importance for both fundamental and practical interest.

In some other situations, the absence of a SW is desired since its excitation costs unfavorable loss of energy and unwanted interference.


Compared with conventional methods, as an effective analysis technique, wavelet transform is a frequently used tool for nonstationary signal processing in many fields. Various shrinkage strategies in the wavelet domain have been proposed for denoising. The most popular methods are VisuShrink, SureShrink, BayesShrink, and NeighShrink. Recently, several shrinkage functions have been modified for better noise reduction based on the above shrinkage approaches [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] .

Recently, several shrinkage functions have been modified for better noise reduction based on the above shrinkage approaches.


The use of light to solve specific problems has led to the development of new knowledge in materials and optical systems which have found applications in technologies such as photonics [1] . The development of fiber optics (FO) has increased the capacity of processing light by offering systems with ultra high speed such as telecommunication networks and fiber laser [2, 3] . Furthermore, FO can be used as a multiplexers, modulators, and tunable filters based on acoustooptic (AO) coupling effect.

The use of light to solve specific problems has led to the development of new knowledge in materials and optical systems which have found applications in technologies such as photonics.

The development of fiber optics (FO) has increased the capacity of processing light by offering systems with ultra high speed such as telecommunication networks and fiber laser.


There has been interest in finding various pharmacological active constituents from the fruit of V. rotundifolia. Polymethoxyflavonids have been studied the inhibitory effects on proliferation (You et al., 1998; Ko et al., 2000) . It was reported that phenylnaphthalene compounds isolated from this plant showed antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (Kawazoe et al., 2001) .

Polymethoxyflavonids have been studied the inhibitory effects on proliferation.

It was reported that phenylnaphthalene compounds isolated from this plant showed antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.


The use of randomized trials in criminology is clearly increasing and, by now, experiments have been used to study interventions in policing, prevention, corrections, and courtrooms (Farrington and Welsh, 2005) . Randomized trials are increasingly seen as the gold standard for scientific evidence in the crime field, as they are in medicine (Weisburd, et al, 2001) . At the same time, a number of considerations appear to limit the applicability of randomized research designs to criminology.

The use of randomized trials in criminology is clearly increasing and, by now, experiments have been used to study interventions in policing, prevention, corrections, and courtrooms.

Randomized trials are increasingly seen as the gold standard for scientific evidence in the crime field, as they are in medicine.


The crystalline silicon solar module is a workhorse for photovoltaic energy in a long time; the reliability of crystalline solar modules is critical to the cost effectiveness and the commercial success of photovoltaics [1] [2] [3] . In order to provide mechanical protection, electrical isolation, and chemical protection, the crystalline silicon solar cells are encapsulated as a sandwich structure. When solar cells are encapsulated into solar modules, the output power of crystalline silicon solar module is less than the sum of the maximum output power of the constituents because of optical power loss and electrical power loss [4] . The optical power loss of solar module is caused by tempered glass with a low iron content and the ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) copolymer encapsulants; the electrical power loss is caused by mismatch of solar cells, resistance of ribbon, and resistance of junction box. Some authors ever reported the optical model of crystalline silicon solar module, or reflection loss of module induced by incident angle of light. However, no detailed investigation about power loss caused by solar module encapsulation has been carried out [5] [6] [7] [8] . In this paper, the power loss for crystalline silicon solar module during the course of encapsulation is investigated by experiments systematically for the first time. It is found that the power loss is mainly caused by the resistance of ribbon and mismatch of solar cells; the total power loss is as high as 3.93% for solar module composed by 72 cells (125 mm × 125 mm) connected in series. The results presented in this study give out a direction to decreasing power loss and optimizing encapsulation process of crystalline silicon solar module.

The crystalline silicon solar module is a workhorse for photovoltaic energy in a long time; the reliability of crystalline solar modules is critical to the cost effectiveness and the commercial success of photovoltaics.

When solar cells are encapsulated into solar modules, the output power of crystalline silicon solar module is less than the sum of the maximum output power of the constituents because of optical power loss and electrical power loss.

However, no detailed investigation about power loss caused by solar module encapsulation has been carried out.


This raises interesting questions about the mode of infection of nodules. As the analysis of the young white nodules shows them to be free of fungal hyphae, it is unlikely that any infection of the nodules occurs from the root cortex by means of intraradical hyphae. The situation would appear to be the same as in angiosperms where infection does not spread internally from parent to branch roots, but every new rootlet is re-invaded from the soil. In fact the progression of fungal infection of a nodule is illustrated in Figs 5 and 6. The presence of tannins in the epidermal cells does not appear to act as a deterrent to intracellular invasion by fungal hyphae. The epidermis forms a homomorphic layer, in contrast to the dimorphic exodermis of several angiosperm mycorrhizal roots where the presence of suberin in the long cells deters fungal entry and the fungus enters the root through short 'passage' cells which remain unsuberised (Brundrett & Kendrick, 1990) . As the nodules are quite soft when they first appear, it is possible that invasion by infection units occurs before the epidermal cells thicken. Fungal hyphae can be visualised on the surface of the nodules, although only a few appressoria have been observed. In the case of Prumnopytis ferruginea, where the young nodule is frequently found developing from the same part of the pericycle as the older disintegrating nodule (Fig. 2d) , fungal hyphae can be seen extending from the cortex of the old nodule to the epidermis of the new. It is possible in the case of this species that infection may occur directly from the old nodule to the newly developing nodule.

The epidermis forms a homomorphic layer, in contrast to the dimorphic exodermis of several angiosperm mycorrhizal roots where the presence of suberin in the long cells deters fungal entry and the fungus enters the root through short 'passage' cells which remain unsuberised.


The laser-fractal theory also predicts that the enhancement is spatially very local and microscopic; when averaged over a macroscopic scale, there may be no net enhancement [4] . Therefore, the localization may not be advantageous for the overall enhancement of the LIB emission. On the other hand, it may find applications where the spatial self-concentration of the laser energy is valuable. For example, it may allow photoacoustic shock-wave generation at microscopic sites with a lowpower NIR laser, which could be useful in medical and therapeutic applications such as laser lithotripsy [20] . In this regard, the mottled nanoshells prepared in this work turn out to have two unexpected advantages: they have the characteristic NIR absorption very similar to fully-coated nanoshells, and they have the tendency to spontaneously form aggregates having very rough surfaces, which can be used as a host for a variety of surface-enhanced optical phenomena, such as microscopic LIB and microplasma generation, in the NIR region.

The laser-fractal theory also predicts that the enhancement is spatially very local and microscopic; when averaged over a macroscopic scale, there may be no net enhancement.

For example, it may allow photoacoustic shock-wave generation at microscopic sites with a lowpower NIR laser, which could be useful in medical and therapeutic applications such as laser lithotripsy.


The two most important elements of the tooth, from the tribological point of view, are the outer enamel layer and the dentine, which lies underneath. The enamel is initially exposed to the loads and chemical environment within the mouth as a result of chewing, etc. If this layer is breached due to tooth fracture or wear the underlying dentine is left exposed. Enamel is thicker at the tip of each tooth (2-3 mm) and reduces its thickness at the cemento-enamel junction [1] .

Enamel is thicker at the tip of each tooth (2-3 mm) and reduces its thickness at the cemento-enamel junction.


Alloy materials suffer various external stresses during their manufacturing and in subsequent service [1] . It is of significant practical importance to reduce these residual stresses. It was reported that under electropulsing treatment (EPT), the residual stress was reduced significantly [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] . There are two practical types of electropulsing: static electropulsing and dynamic electropulsing. The former combines a thermal process with electropulsing. The latter is a complex thermal process, which combines simultaneously both electropulsing and plastic deformation.

Alloy materials suffer various external stresses during their manufacturing and in subsequent service.

It was reported that under electropulsing treatment (EPT), the residual stress was reduced significantly.


In this study, 41,101 SNPs and phenotypic data for GLS resistance collected in 2010 and 2011 were used for a GWAS. As a result, 51 SNPs were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with GLS resistance, and could be converted into 31 QTL. Three candidate genes are associated with plant defense, including NBS-LRR and STK genes similar to those known to be involved in basal defense [73] [74] [75] [76] . Two genic SNPs (PZE-103142893 and PZE-109119001) in chromosome bins 3.07 and 9.07, respectively, associated with GLS resistance, could be useful for MAS breeding of GLS resistance in maize.

Three candidate genes are associated with plant defense, including NBS-LRR and STK genes similar to those known to be involved in basal defense.


The prevalence of water-related infectious diseases has been reported to be high among people living on boats compared with national estimates for the total population in Vietnam [2] . The lifestyles of these people who generally make their living using their boats or live under cramped conditions on boats moored to riverbank restricts their collection of fresh water and its handling and storage before drinking. Generally, water for drinking is stored in containers by boat households with or without treatment after collection from a variety of sources.

The prevalence of water-related infectious diseases has been reported to be high among people living on boats compared with national estimates for the total population in Vietnam.


Malignancies and system infections, even simplest infection like UTI, are associated with elevated NGAL levels [11, 29] . NGAL may be more accurate in children when compared to adults who make up the vast majority of patients with AKI [11] . Finally the method of measurement may affect the results [11, 12] .

Malignancies and system infections, even simplest infection like UTI, are associated with elevated NGAL levels.

NGAL may be more accurate in children when compared to adults who make up the vast majority of patients with AKI.

Finally the method of measurement may affect the results.


Thus, the activation energy of reaction can also be calculated by using the Arrhenius equation [6] . For this purpose, the values of ln k versus 1/T were plotted(e.g. Figure  8 ) and the calculation of activation energy from the slopes of lines were attempted. As seen from the figure, the slope of line is close to zero. It may be concluded that the activation energy of reaction is very low. It would be more realistic to explain the observed caused by the concentration of dissolved oxygen which strongly decreases with increasing temperature. Therefore, a second order kinetic model considering the reaction rate r to be proportional to both C and S ox , where S ox is the solubility of oxygen at the given pressure and temperature, certainly would result in a more realistic determination of activation energy.

Thus, the activation energy of reaction can also be calculated by using the Arrhenius equation.


Low concentrations provide protection against dental caries, especially in children. The pre-and post-eruptive protective effects of fluoride (involving the incorporation of fluoride into the matrix of the tooth during its formation, the development of shallower tooth grooves, which are consequently less prone to decay, and surface contact with enamel) increase with concentration up to about 2 mg of fluoride per liter of drinking-water; the minimum concentration of fluoride in drinking-water required to produce it is approximately 0.5 mg/liter [17] . Excessive intake of fluoride for a prolonged period can produce injurious effects on the blood, teeth, skeleton and soft tissues such as the brain, thyroid, parathyroid glands, liver, and kidneys [24] [25] . Effects of fluoride on the skeleton, such as inhibition of bone mineralization and formation, delayed fracture healing and reductions in bone volume and collagen synthesis, have been observed in a variety of studies in which rats received fluoride orally for periods of 3 -5 weeks at doses in excess of 16 mg/liter. Bone fragility was increased at concentrations in excess of 64 mg/liter. In subchronic studies, altered bone remodeling, hepatic megalocytosis, nephrosis, mineralization of the myocardium and necrosis or degeneration of the seminiferous tubules in the testis were observed in mice administered fluoride in drinking-water (> 4.5 mg/kg of body weight per day) over a period of 6 months [13] [17] .

The pre-and post-eruptive protective effects of fluoride (involving the incorporation of fluoride into the matrix of the tooth during its formation, the development of shallower tooth grooves, which are consequently less prone to decay, and surface contact with enamel) increase with concentration up to about 2 mg of fluoride per liter of drinking-water; the minimum concentration of fluoride in drinking-water required to produce it is approximately 0.5 mg/liter.

Excessive intake of fluoride for a prolonged period can produce injurious effects on the blood, teeth, skeleton and soft tissues such as the brain, thyroid, parathyroid glands, liver, and kidneys.

In subchronic studies, altered bone remodeling, hepatic megalocytosis, nephrosis, mineralization of the myocardium and necrosis or degeneration of the seminiferous tubules in the testis were observed in mice administered fluoride in drinking-water (> 4.5 mg/kg of body weight per day) over a period of 6 months.


The liver is the principal organ responsible for metabolism and involved in the metabolism of toxic compounds produced during systemic processes and exogenous toxins entering into the organisms from the environment [1] [2] . The liver is a primary site for xenobiotics detoxification, and its metabolism is readily altered by toxicity. The xenobiotic hepatotoxic action is usually expressed by cell respiration disorders that interfere with oxidation and reduction mechanisms, either through impairment in protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism or by disturbances in intra-and extracellular transport. Consequently, whole cell or its cytoplasmic organelles can be damaged [3] . The kidney is a common target for toxic xenobiotics due to its capacity to extract and concentrate toxic substances by highly specialized cells and also, due to its large blood flow (about 21% of cardiac output) [4] [5] .

The liver is the principal organ responsible for metabolism and involved in the metabolism of toxic compounds produced during systemic processes and exogenous toxins entering into the organisms from the environment.

Consequently, whole cell or its cytoplasmic organelles can be damaged.

The kidney is a common target for toxic xenobiotics due to its capacity to extract and concentrate toxic substances by highly specialized cells and also, due to its large blood flow (about 21% of cardiac output).


The linear poly(benzyl methacrylate) lacton ended was synthesized by ATRP method at 110˚C with CuBr (0.1 mmol), 2,2'-bibyridine (0.2 mmol) and ethyl 2-bromoacetate as initiator. The FT-IR and showed a lactone ring with five members. It may be suggested that a lactone ring forms by means of removing benzyl bromide at the chain end, as suggested in Scheme 2. This band is not observed in that of poly(BMA) synthesized under free-radical polymerization conditions [22] . Designed miktoarm star shaped copolymers made of poly[(-caprolacton)(-PCL)-cobenzyl methacrylate(BMA)] were synthesized by combining ring-opening polymerization (ROP), as was illustrated in Scheme 3.

This band is not observed in that of poly(BMA) synthesized under free-radical polymerization conditions.


More commonly used as a writing support and in packaging, paper has also been used in the electrical field as an insulator in power transformers and high voltage applications. Within a highly porous fibrous structure, the intimate surface of contact between the capacitor plates and the paper is very low; therefore, it is often used in the form of cardboard impregnated with mineral oil [1] . Indeed, paper has a low dielectric constant (between 1 and 2.5) with respect to pure cellulose (6 to 8.1) [7] . Thus, several lignocellulosic fibers/polymer matrices combinations were explored to find a composite with interesting properties. The objectives were to observe synergy between the properties of the matrix and fillers to simultaneously improve the strength of the material, electrical and sound insulation, and dielectric properties [9] . The dielectric properties of the paper can also be improved by the addition of suitable fibers. The addition of synthetic fibers (polyacrylic) decreased the tangent angle of dielectric loss and improved mechanical properties. This type of paper was used as electrical insulation for cables [10] [11] [12] . This does not always happen. Indeed, the introduction of TiO 2 nanoparticles in the oil-impregnated paper reduces its constant and dielectric loss [13] . The dielectric properties of such materials change over time (decrease of the life cycle) as a result of cellulose chains depolymerization promoted by the presence of oxygen, moisture, and temperature variations [14] [15] [16] .

Within a highly porous fibrous structure, the intimate surface of contact between the capacitor plates and the paper is very low; therefore, it is often used in the form of cardboard impregnated with mineral oil.

Indeed, paper has a low dielectric constant (between 1 and 2.5) with respect to pure cellulose (6 to 8.1).

The objectives were to observe synergy between the properties of the matrix and fillers to simultaneously improve the strength of the material, electrical and sound insulation, and dielectric properties.

This type of paper was used as electrical insulation for cables.

This does not always happen.

Indeed, the introduction of TiO 2 nanoparticles in the oil-impregnated paper reduces its constant and dielectric loss.

The dielectric properties of such materials change over time (decrease of the life cycle) as a result of cellulose chains depolymerization promoted by the presence of oxygen, moisture, and temperature variations.


A series of studies determined the electrical properties of paper made from agricultural residue pulps and their linseed oil-impregnated counterparts (e.g., rice straw paper, cotton stalks paper, and bagasse paper) [17] [18] [19] [20] . These materials have shown interesting dielectric properties. This motivated more studies on the electrical properties of paper made from low cost and abundant plant materials [5] .

A series of studies determined the electrical properties of paper made from agricultural residue pulps and their linseed oil-impregnated counterparts (e.g., rice straw paper, cotton stalks paper, and bagasse paper).

This motivated more studies on the electrical properties of paper made from low cost and abundant plant materials.


A firm will be able to take make successful decisions based on its ability to analyze the current situation and forecast for future situations. Enterprises want to utilize their resources efficiently and this is only possible if experience is supported with scientific works [1] . Over the past decades the complexity of economical decisions has increased rapidly, thus highlighting the importance of developing and implementing sophisticated and efficient quantitative analysis techniques for supporting and aiding economical decision-making [18] . Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) is an advanced field of operations research, provides decision makers and analysts a wide range of methodologies, which are overviewed and well suited to the complexity of economical decision problems [19, 20, 21] . Multiple criteria analysis (MCA) provides a framework for breaking a problem into its constituent parts. MCA provides a means to investigate a number of alternatives in light of conflicting priorities [22, 23, 24] .

Enterprises want to utilize their resources efficiently and this is only possible if experience is supported with scientific works.

Over the past decades the complexity of economical decisions has increased rapidly, thus highlighting the importance of developing and implementing sophisticated and efficient quantitative analysis techniques for supporting and aiding economical decision-making.

Multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) is an advanced field of operations research, provides decision makers and analysts a wide range of methodologies, which are overviewed and well suited to the complexity of economical decision problems.

MCA provides a means to investigate a number of alternatives in light of conflicting priorities.


We believe that practitioners will benefit from the availability of high quality algorithms for fitting nonstationary Gaussian process models to large spatial and spatial-temporal datasets. The methods are applicable to any covariance function that is differentiable with respect to its parameters. This is important because it separates the tasks of constructing models and developing methods for fitting the models, freeing us to select the most appropriate covariance function for the data rather than the most appropriate model for which a specialized method exists. The Fisher scoring algorithm, as well as anisotropic, nonstationary variance, and warping covariance functions, will be implemented in version 0.2.0 of the GpGp R package (Guinness and Katzfuss, 2018) .

The Fisher scoring algorithm, as well as anisotropic, nonstationary variance, and warping covariance functions, will be implemented in version 0.2.0 of the GpGp R package.


An 850 kW cage-induction machine is studied. The finite-element mesh consists of 4136 triangular second-order elements and 4136 nodes. The cross-section of a rotor bar is shown in Fig. 3 and the rated values are given in Table 1 . In Fig. 3 , also the division of the rotor bar into two sub-conductors is shown. The division follows the element edges and it is used in the estimation of steady-state parameters [10] .

The division follows the element edges and it is used in the estimation of steady-state parameters.


The studied cage-induction machine has deep rotor bars. Thus, the influence of skin effect is studied and based on the results the small-signal model corresponding to a double-cage equivalent circuit is chosen. The circuit parameters obtained from the angle impulse test are compared with the parameters obtained from the voltage impulse test. In addition, the steady-state parameters are calculated using time-harmonic FEA [10] . Within the time-harmonic FEA, an effective permeability is applied and the obtained parameters are capable of depicting the rms-valued voltages and currents. These parameters are denoted by capital letters. The time-stepping FEA applies the instantaneous-value magnetization curve. The parameters obtained from the impulse tests are denoted by lower-case letters.

In addition, the steady-state parameters are calculated using time-harmonic FEA.


The background of the study is based on the method applied by mechanical engineers. In meDynamic electromagnetic torque model and parameter estimation for a deep-bar induction machine chanics, impulse response tests are used to identify vibration characteristics of mechanical structures. The structure is excited by an impulse and the response of the system is measured. Both excitation and response signals are converted to the frequency domain and from their ratio the frequency response function (FRF) is computed. A numerical method very similar to the mechanical impulse test has been successfully applied to identify electromagnetic force models [7] .

A numerical method very similar to the mechanical impulse test has been successfully applied to identify electromagnetic force models.


QOLRAD-J, the Japanese version of QOLRAD, was recently developed and validated for assessment of QOL in Japanese patients with heartburn [9] . The QOLRAD-J consists of 25 questions grouped into five domains (emotional distress, sleep disturbance, food/drink problems, physical/social functioning, and vitality) that are strongly related to acid reflux symptoms. Each domain is scored using a scale from 1 (worst condition) to 7 (best condition). A quantitative psychological evaluation of the QOLRAD-J in Japanese patients with heartburn demonstrated sufficient reliability, validity and distinctiveness.

QOLRAD-J, the Japanese version of QOLRAD, was recently developed and validated for assessment of QOL in Japanese patients with heartburn.


Global aging is an inevitable trend, with the increased aging population, it is anticipated that the long term care need (LTC) for frail and disabled seniors is growing [1] . Nowadays, over 12 million American citizens of all ages with functional impairments rely on personal assistance and other LTC services, and varied programmes have been established to deliver services. However, a dramatic projected increase in LTC in the coming decades will confront significant constraints in resources available to provide LTC services [2] .

Global aging is an inevitable trend, with the increased aging population, it is anticipated that the long term care need (LTC) for frail and disabled seniors is growing.

However, a dramatic projected increase in LTC in the coming decades will confront significant constraints in resources available to provide LTC services.


Maintaining the sustainability of the programme is a desirable goal for all the decision makers. For the community-based LTC programmes, a sustainable programme means it can service more elderly in the community with optimal resources for a long period to face the coming "silver tsunami". In this study, we invited LTC managers to join our expert group in order to get the practitioners' experience to enrich the study. The experience from the managers would make the study more practical since they contribute their judgement based on their daily affairs. We proposed a comprehensive evaluation framework for the sustainability of community-based LTC programmes including four pillars, namely economy, organization setting, community environment and policy. The final evaluation sub-criteria for evaluating the sustainability of community-based LTC programmes are identified by FDM technique. Furthermore, the sub-criteria weights are defined through AHP technique. Finally, a fuzzy TOPSIS technique is introduced to handle the uncertainty of the sub-criterions in the empirical evaluation of four community-based LTC programmes in Michigan. The result indicates that sub-criteria C11 and C13 associated with the economy group gain more priority from the decision makers, which means that fiscal sustainability as well as the cost-effectiveness of the programme play vitally important roles in the evaluation of programme sustainability [49] . Meanwhile the alternative P2 is determined as the best programme regarding the evaluation of sustainability. The sensitivity analysis is introduced to examine the evaluation outcomes. The result indicates that all the community-based LTC programmes always keep their ranks regardless of the fluctuation of the alternative weights. The result proves the evaluation framework combing AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS in this study is effective.

The result indicates that sub-criteria C11 and C13 associated with the economy group gain more priority from the decision makers, which means that fiscal sustainability as well as the cost-effectiveness of the programme play vitally important roles in the evaluation of programme sustainability.


The current LTC system depends almost exclusively on government programmes and out-of-pocket spending [3] . Sustainability has been an issue in many public programmes, which incur significant start-up costs in human, fiscal and technical resources, and many programmes see their resources withdrawn before activities have reached full fruition [4] . However, while there have been numerous contributions in terms of the development and implementation of healthcare programmes from the theoretical, empirical, and practical perspectives, less concern has been drawn from a sustainability perspective in this field.

The current LTC system depends almost exclusively on government programmes and out-of-pocket spending.

Sustainability has been an issue in many public programmes, which incur significant start-up costs in human, fiscal and technical resources, and many programmes see their resources withdrawn before activities have reached full fruition.


As a special case, by letting ρ = 1, α = 0, q = 2, we recapture the Marcinkiewicz integral operator that E. M. Stein introduced in 1958 [21] . In 1960, Hörmander considered the parametric Marcinkiewicz integral operator µ Ω,ρ,α,2 [16] . Since then, about Marcinkiewicz type integral operators, many works appeared. A nice survey is given by S. Lu [18] .

As a special case, by letting ρ = 1, α = 0, q = 2, we recapture the Marcinkiewicz integral operator that E. M. Stein introduced in 1958.

In 1960, Hörmander considered the parametric Marcinkiewicz integral operator µ Ω,ρ,α,2.

A nice survey is given by S. Lu.


In order to confirm the influence of guaraná and sugar concentrations on açaí sensory acceptance, contour diagrams were also generated for flavor, texture and overall liking (Figures 1, 2 and 3) , showing higher liking values on lower guaraná concentrations regions and the stronger influence of guaraná as opposed to sugar. In the figures, the values of X and Y axes were used the encoded values. The major chemical constituents in guaraná seeds are the methylxanthine derivatives: caffeine, theophylline and theobromine (Heard et al., 2006) . During the studies, many people reported feeling a strong bitterness in the samples of açaí. That bitterness is explained by the presence of caffeine, present in guaraná, which has a characteristic bitter taste.

The major chemical constituents in guaraná seeds are the methylxanthine derivatives: caffeine, theophylline and theobromine.


The Juno mission was launched in 2011 and will arrive at Jupiter in 2016 equipped to perform high precision measurements of the gravity field with expected accuracy that will allow meaningful measurements up to at least J 12 (Bolton 2005) . In 2017, NASA's Cassini mission will conclude its 13 year tour of the Saturnian system, with eli.galanti@weizmann.ac.il planned proximal orbits of Saturn obtaining the same type of data for Saturn, just before the spacecraft terminates its operation by descending into Saturn's interior. For both spacecraft the detection of the gravity signal will be done by Doppler tracking of the spacecraft trajectory.

The Juno mission was launched in 2011 and will arrive at Jupiter in 2016 equipped to perform high precision measurements of the gravity field with expected accuracy that will allow meaningful measurements up to at least J 12.


We now show how the adjoint method is used to produce a wind structure, given the surface wind velocities and a set of gravity moments. In all cases presented below the following approach was taken: first, the forward model was run with a chosen depth of winds and the gravitational moments were calculated. These moments are then defined as the simulation. This solution is used to mimic the upcoming Juno or Cassini observations. In order to allow for observational errors, a uniformly distributed error with a magnitude of 5 × 10 −9 is added to the gravity moments. This value corresponds to the average error measurement we expect for lowest order moments (Finocchiaro and Iess 2010) . Second, the adjoint optimization is used to find the solution closest to the simulated moments, starting from an initial guess and then searching for the solution using the optimization procedure.

This value corresponds to the average error measurement we expect for lowest order moments.


A precise understanding of the structure of the proton, encoded in the Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs), is required to make predictions and analyses in collider physics. The PDFs sets currently used in phenomenology studies are extracted from global QCD analysis over experimental data [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . The increasing number and precision of the experiments included in these fits, together with the development of robust fitting methodologies, are pushing the determination of PDFs to a new level of accuracy.

The PDFs sets currently used in phenomenology studies are extracted from global QCD analysis over experimental data.


The examination of the impact of received support on psychological well-being would contribute to the literature in order to suggest the significance of the receipt of social support in sport. In addition, further investigation of received support in relation to perceived support would be useful for further clarification of social support mechanisms, as researchers recommend to the use of incorporate measures of received support and perceived support within the same study (Bianco & Eklund, 2001) . Moreover, the relationship of social support and personality factors should be clarified to discuss social support, not as a reflection of personality, which is commonly argued in literature (Lakey & Cohen, 2000) . The first aim of the current study was, therefore, to investigate the relationship between received, perceived support, and recipients' personality. In addition, we also examined the impact of received support, and perceived support on psychological well-being.

In addition, further investigation of received support in relation to perceived support would be useful for further clarification of social support mechanisms, as researchers recommend to the use of incorporate measures of received support and perceived support within the same study.

Moreover, the relationship of social support and personality factors should be clarified to discuss social support, not as a reflection of personality, which is commonly argued in literature.


There are limited data on histopathologic findings among hospitalized individuals with liver disease from a high HIV prevalence African setting. We believe that our study adds further insight regarding common patterns of clinically undiagnosed liver disease among patients in this setting. Our findings highlight the role tuberculosis and drug induced liver injury in contributing to liver derangements. Cotrimoxazole was most clearly associated with drug induced liver injury as it was associated with a ductopenic process, a previously observed association [9, 10] . We also note a high proportion of HIV-infected individuals had hepatic steatosis.

Cotrimoxazole was most clearly associated with drug induced liver injury as it was associated with a ductopenic process, a previously observed association.


Expert harvester can determine the maturity level of palm oil based on loses fruits. The higher quantities of loose fruits found dropped beneath the oil palm tree, the higher the possibility that they are mature. However, this practice is unreliable due to the possibilities that the loosed fruit might come from different trees. The probability of the dropped fruit took or brought by animals or flood can increase the chance of errors in determining the level of maturity [4] . Therefore, it is important to find a solution to identify the maturity phases before the palm oils falls to the ground and evade losses [6] .

The probability of the dropped fruit took or brought by animals or flood can increase the chance of errors in determining the level of maturity.

Therefore, it is important to find a solution to identify the maturity phases before the palm oils falls to the ground and evade losses.


Malaysia is one of the largest countries that produce and export palm oil and palm oil production, accounting for 41% of world production and 47% of world export [1] . Elais guineensis of nigrescens (African palm oil) is the typical species found in Malaysia [2] [3] . It can only be harvested after three to four years of planting and it can reach up to 30 feet high.

Malaysia is one of the largest countries that produce and export palm oil and palm oil production, accounting for 41% of world production and 47% of world export.

Elais guineensis of nigrescens (African palm oil) is the typical species found in Malaysia.


The potential for the development of new and superior technological designs for enhanced performance based on animal systems has been tantalizing, although elusive (Fish 1998b; Vogel 1998) . Strict adherence to biological designs rarely produces any practical results and in some cases can impede the development of engineered systems (Vogel 1994 (Vogel , 1998 Fish, 1998b) . For example, airplanes do not flap their wings like birds to simultaneously produce lift and thrust. Such a mechanism is impractical in modern aircraft due to limitations from scaling phenomena and the high speeds attained by commercial and military jets. As a result, the design of aircraft has advanced beyond the size and capabilities of birds for level flight. However, birds did serve as the inspiration for flight and the early development of wing design (Jakab 1990) . Today, interest focuses on the ability of birds to perform complex aerial maneuvers. We cannot fly with the agility of birds, because we do not have the brains of birds to control the complex mechanical linkages, while appropriately sensing and regulating the airflow over the propulsor/control surfaces. In this regard, birds demonstrate superior performance to manufactured aircraft.

The potential for the development of new and superior technological designs for enhanced performance based on animal systems has been tantalizing, although elusive.

Strict adherence to biological designs rarely produces any practical results and in some cases can impede the development of engineered systems.

However, birds did serve as the inspiration for flight and the early development of wing design.


Progress in technologies concerned with aquatic locomotion comes from discovery and refinement of new designs. New insights into aquatic propulsion by animals will permit the collection of information that can be exploited for the development of advanced technologies. These insights include an interpretation of the unsteady nature of animal movement, measurement of movement in two and three dimensions, the use of computational methods that model both the animal's movement and its effect on the fluid surrounding, physiological and biomechanical studies of locomotor tissues in relation to thrust production and energy recycling, and analysis of the use of appendages in thrust production, trajectory control, and stability (Lauder and Long 1996) .

These insights include an interpretation of the unsteady nature of animal movement, measurement of movement in two and three dimensions, the use of computational methods that model both the animal's movement and its effect on the fluid surrounding, physiological and biomechanical studies of locomotor tissues in relation to thrust production and energy recycling, and analysis of the use of appendages in thrust production, trajectory control, and stability.


What are the limits to the biomimetic approach? Differences between engineered systems and animal systems are apparent. Engineered systems are relatively large in size, are composed of rigid materials, use rotation motors, and are controlled by computational systems with limited sensory feedback; in contrast, animals are generally small in size, are composed of compliant materials, use translational movements produced by muscles, and are controlled by complex neural networks with multiple sensory inputs. In addition, animals are functionally multifaceted &e. they move, feed, and reproduce). Animals must compromise optimal solutions for specialized functions to perform adequately rather than maximally (Katz and Jordan 1997; Webb 1997) .

Animals must compromise optimal solutions for specialized functions to perform adequately rather than maximally.


It has been a long-standing idea that new technologies can be developed from nature (Fish 1998b; Vogel 1998) . Animals served as the inspiration for various technological developments. Copying animals by the biomimetic approach attempts to seek common solutions from engineering and biology for increased efficiency and specialization (Vincent 1990) . Because biological designs resulted from the evolutionary Darwinian process of "natural selection", it is considered that animals already performed the "costbenefit-analysis", optimizing particular designs for specific functions. Engineers may target the diverse morphological specializations exhibited by animals for technology transfer and effectively reduce the time of development of innovative technological solutions.

It has been a long-standing idea that new technologies can be developed from nature.

Copying animals by the biomimetic approach attempts to seek common solutions from engineering and biology for increased efficiency and specialization.


The pursuit of low-reflectivity coatings has fascinated researchers for more than a century. In 1880, Lord Rayleigh analyzed reflections of waves from graded interfaces between two dissimilar media, and realized that "the transition may be so gradual that no sensible reflection would ensue" [1] . That means, for an infinitely thick, continuously graded AR coating, Fresnel reflectivity approaches zero. Recently, several continuous design methodologies and implementation by using nanoporous materials have been published on high-performance broadband graded refractive index AR coatings [2] [3] [4] [5] .

In 1880, Lord Rayleigh analyzed reflections of waves from graded interfaces between two dissimilar media, and realized that "the transition may be so gradual that no sensible reflection would ensue".

Recently, several continuous design methodologies and implementation by using nanoporous materials have been published on high-performance broadband graded refractive index AR coatings.


The research focused on the evaluation of a 2014 property improvement programme by two social housing providers in the north east of England, to jointly provide EWI to over 800 properties. The research aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of EWI in a sample of homes in terms of both tenant experience and property performance. Interviews were carried out with tenants prior to the start of the building works, and around 8-10 months after EWI had been fitted. Interviews covered environmental knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, everyday behaviours regarding energy use, energy consumption, and health and wellbeing, generating quantitative datasets and allowing further qualitative exploration of particular issues. Tenants were also asked to provide regular readings of their electricity and gas meters. An overview of the methodology is provided in Figure 1 . Property performance before and after EWI installation was assessed through temperature logging and thermal imaging using infrared thermography [32] . This allows automatic spot recognition of temperature gradients in walls, pinpointing where heat loss occurs and identifying areas of heat loss such as thermal bridges. Figure 2 illustrates the energy loss before and after EWI. Property performance before and after EWI installation was assessed through temperature logging and thermal imaging using infrared thermography [32] . This allows automatic spot recognition of temperature gradients in walls, pinpointing where heat loss occurs and identifying areas of heat loss such as thermal bridges. Figure 2 illustrates the energy loss before and after EWI. The technology works on the principle that all objects above zero degrees Fahrenheit (about 273 °C) emit infrared radiation that cannot be seen by the human eye. An object coloured in red indicates heat loss or an inefficient building fabric, while a blue object indicates heat is retained. The gradient is the same whether the images are external or internal, although the interpretation is different, with, for instance, blue areas on external images showing effective heat insulation, while blue areas on internal shots indicate heat loss.

Property performance before and after EWI installation was assessed through temperature logging and thermal imaging using infrared thermography.


Considering the importance of countries' institutional settings by recent scholars, the following question arises: How do institutional variations within-country influence corporate social responsibility and the nexus between corporate social responsibility and firm financial performance? After identifying this gap, we have endeavored to make four contributions to the literature by analyzing this important but underexplored question. First, we investigate whether different sub-national institutional contingencies have a different relationship with corporate social responsibility performance. Our study suggests that sub-national institutional differences are most significant in constraining and facilitating strategic choices (CSR policies/activities) in the largest emerging economies. Second, we explore the relationship between corporate social responsibility performance and corporate financial performance. Our study findings reveal that the firm's CSR is not only concerned with stakeholders demands but also enhances a firm's financial position by creating the firm's image in the eyes of society, government, and media, etc. Third, we contribute to the emerging literature by demonstrating the CSR effect on a firm's financial performance by focusing on its sub-national institutional contingencies. This study put forward that CSR activities positively influence the firms' financial performance, but this relationship is stronger for firms that are non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs), are non-cross-listed, and are from less developed regions as compared to their counterparts. The possible reason for this relationship is the higher pressure and scrutiny on firms that are SOEs, are cross-listed, and that are from developed regions by the dominant stakeholder; thus, they are legally bound to pursue social practices in addition to improving their financial performance. Fourth, we extend the literature beyond developed countries by providing one of the first empirical study from the world's largest emerging economy, China. We consider unique Chinese institutional factors for investigating this study, because institutional factors play a significant role in corporate strategic options in emerging economies; in addition, the most promising corporate governance research focuses on understanding institutional factors [41] .

We consider unique Chinese institutional factors for investigating this study, because institutional factors play a significant role in corporate strategic options in emerging economies; in addition, the most promising corporate governance research focuses on understanding institutional factors.


Institutions play an imperative role in CSR; institutional theory suggests that companies prejudiced by pressure in their environment for conformity, compliance, and constraining organizational actions applied through their referent spectators. In particular, when companies design their CSR strategies and decide between different alternatives, they need to understand and balance various types of institutional logic that bring concurrent pressures, as companies must consider socially accepted rules [18] [19] [20] . The neo-institutional theory states that different organizations in various countries have different CSR priorities because of their cultural elements, e.g., organizational actions, legal rules, and beliefs [29] .

In particular, when companies design their CSR strategies and decide between different alternatives, they need to understand and balance various types of institutional logic that bring concurrent pressures, as companies must consider socially accepted rules.

The neo-institutional theory states that different organizations in various countries have different CSR priorities because of their cultural elements, e.g., organizational actions, legal rules, and beliefs.


Antioxidants are specific additives that inhibit oxidation through reacting with free radicals, hence forming inactive products. Antioxidants are any substance that prevents the rancidity or other flavor decline. The types of antioxidants are the natural and synthetic antioxidants; both of these additives include phenolic compounds. This paper concentrates on studying the behavior of phenolic acids in terms of measuring the natural phenolic acids and anthocyanins levels in those spices [5] .

This paper concentrates on studying the behavior of phenolic acids in terms of measuring the natural phenolic acids and anthocyanins levels in those spices.


All types of phenolics support plants with essential characteristics such as the color, flavor and antioxidation features [2] . One significant type of phenolic-flavonoids is the anthocyanins, which determine the color of vegetables, fruits and spices. They are glycosidically bound anthocyanidins and water soluble pigments that are responsible for darkening colors [2] . Exploring the existence of anthocyanins induces the presence of phenolic compounds; this paper is interested in measuring the concentration of anthocyanins and to identify the levels of phenolic acids.

All types of phenolics support plants with essential characteristics such as the color, flavor and antioxidation features.

They are glycosidically bound anthocyanidins and water soluble pigments that are responsible for darkening colors.


Recently, advances in simdist for heavy fractions using capillary SFC has been achieved using a new approach for chromatographic data post-processing. Extended simdist curves have been obtained [18] [19] . The aim of this paper is to present an overview on the application of SFC for very high pressure simdist as well as trends for future implementation. Instrumental aspects will be described in detail and result will be compared to GC.

Extended simdist curves have been obtained.


Many cities organise international mega-events such as the Olympic and World Exposition to attract tourists. The general perception is that tourism generates positive net benefits to the host city or region. The essence of this argument is that tourism provides an opportunity for free-trade between residents and tourists in the markets for tourism-related goods and services. If goods and services are priced efficiently and resources used by tourists are owned by residents, then tourism increases net average benefits (potential Pareto improvement) for residents (Clarke and Ng, 1993) . This finding is based on the assumption of efficient pricing, that is, price equals social marginal cost of production. If there exists unpriced externalities (eg, environmental costs), net benefits from tourism for residents might be negative. Thus, positive economic welfare from tourism is predicated on the presumption that potential economic gains outweigh costs arising from tourism related negative externalities.

If goods and services are priced efficiently and resources used by tourists are owned by residents, then tourism increases net average benefits (potential Pareto improvement) for residents.


Chest pain after PVP is often attributed to the procedure, but may be caused by embolism. Accordingly, routine chest radiographs taken after the procedure may help diagnose the cause of chest pain or dyspnea [6, 7] . Insufficient polymerization of the PMMA at the time of injection, a needle inadvertently placed in the basivertebral vein, or overfill of a vertebral body could all facilitate cement migration into the venous system, and have been suggested as possible mechanisms of cement embolism post-PVP [8] .

Accordingly, routine chest radiographs taken after the procedure may help diagnose the cause of chest pain or dyspnea.

Insufficient polymerization of the PMMA at the time of injection, a needle inadvertently placed in the basivertebral vein, or overfill of a vertebral body could all facilitate cement migration into the venous system, and have been suggested as possible mechanisms of cement embolism post-PVP.


Scientists have studied many years to develop damage detection technology. Recent research has shown that the use of electromechanical (E/M) impedance methods allows for the direct identification of structural dynamics [9] [10] [11] . The mechanism is to couple small-size piezoelectric active sensors, such as lead zirconate titanate, with the material structure. The measurements of the E/M impedance or admittance signatures are related to mechanical impedance, which is affected by the presence of damage. The Lamb wave method is also suitable for structural health monitoring applications [12, 13] .

Recent research has shown that the use of electromechanical (E/M) impedance methods allows for the direct identification of structural dynamics.

The Lamb wave method is also suitable for structural health monitoring applications.


Material degradation caused by mechanical deformation, thermal expansion/contraction, radioactive contamination, chemical corrosion, or electrical discharges occurs inevitably in practical applications and significantly reduces material performance, especially in harsh environments [1] [2] [3] [4] . For example, aerospace materials are exposed to large changes in pressure, temperature, speed, and other elements. All these elements can cause large accumulations of stresses on the materials [5] . Beyond a certain threshold, microscopic cracks begin to form and grow irreversibly, and they eventually result in complete destruction of the materials and jeopardize public safety [6] [7] [8] . It is of great importance to monitor the health conditions of materials in service; in this way, people can take steps before materials reach mechanical failure.

Material degradation caused by mechanical deformation, thermal expansion/contraction, radioactive contamination, chemical corrosion, or electrical discharges occurs inevitably in practical applications and significantly reduces material performance, especially in harsh environments.

All these elements can cause large accumulations of stresses on the materials.

Beyond a certain threshold, microscopic cracks begin to form and grow irreversibly, and they eventually result in complete destruction of the materials and jeopardize public safety.


Our neural network model is only as good as the training data we provide it. In the case of data visualizations, there is a strong bias, both by the model and the ground truth human data, to focus on the text regions. This behavior might not generalize to other types of visualizations and tasks. Click data, gathered via the BubbleView interface, is not uniform over elements, unlike explicit bounding box annotations (i.e., as in the GDI dataset [33] ). While this might be a better approximation to natural viewing, non-uniform importance across design elements might cause side-effects for downstream applications like thumbnailing, by cutting off parts of elements or text.

Click data, gathered via the BubbleView interface, is not uniform over elements, unlike explicit bounding box annotations (i.e., as in the GDI dataset).


This paper is concerned with learning policies for sequential decision-making tasks, where a system takes actions given options characterized by natural language with the goal of maximizing a longterm reward. More specifically, we consider tasks with a combinatorial action space, where each action is a set of multiple interdependent sub-actions. The problem of a combinatorial natural language action space arises in many applications. For example, in real-time news feed recommendation, a user may want to read diverse topics of interest, and an action (i.e. recommendation) from the computer agent would consist of a set of news articles that are not all similar in topics (Yue and Guestrin, 2011) . In advertisement placement, an action is a selection of several ads to display, and bundling with complementary products might receive higher click-throughrate than displaying all similar popular products.

For example, in real-time news feed recommendation, a user may want to read diverse topics of interest, and an action (i.e. recommendation) from the computer agent would consist of a set of news articles that are not all similar in topics.


In the above mentioned study, mostly the wedge is either static or moving. Very less attention is paid towards the Casson flow over stretching wedge. To the best of authors' knowledge, no attempt is made so far to analyze the effects of magnetic field on Casson flow over a porous stretching wedge. The aim of present study is to investigate the effects of suction injection on heat transfer flow of Casson fluid caused by stretching wedge under the influence of magnetic field. The non-linear governing equations are transformed into non-linear ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations and then solved numerically by Keller-box method (Cebeci and Bradshaw, 1988) .

The non-linear governing equations are transformed into non-linear ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations and then solved numerically by Keller-box method.


With the continuous expansion of power grid and the increasing of power transmission, low frequency oscillation has become an important problem in power system operation [1] [2] [3] . At the end of 2013, the first 1000 kV ultrahigh voltage alternating current (UHVAC) project (HuaiHu UHVAC Project) in East China Power Grid was put into operation. After this, some other UHVAC and ultrahigh voltage direct current (UHVDC) projects, such as BinJin UHVDC project, Zhe-Fu UHVAC project, and NingShao UHVDC project will be put into operation one by one. Due to these ultra-high voltage (UHV) projects, the stability characteristics of East China Power Grid will change greatly and the problem of low frequency oscillation will be prominent. Thus, the research on low frequency oscillation of East China Power Grid is of high engineering value.

With the continuous expansion of power grid and the increasing of power transmission, low frequency oscillation has become an important problem in power system operation.


With the depletion of fossil fuels, as well as their increasing price and undesirable environmental effects, the utilization of biomass is getting increased attention as a potential resource of renewable energy. Thanks to its renewability, abundant availability, and carbon dioxide neutrality, biomass is considered to be one of the most promising resources for the production of future fuels [1] [2] [3] . Present biomass share in the world total primary energy consumption is about 12% and it is estimated to be increased to near 15% by 2010 in developed countries [4, 5] .

Thanks to its renewability, abundant availability, and carbon dioxide neutrality, biomass is considered to be one of the most promising resources for the production of future fuels.

Present biomass share in the world total primary energy consumption is about 12% and it is estimated to be increased to near 15% by 2010 in developed countries.


Overall, MSS scores were high across all dose groups. When asked to rate their overall satisfaction, caregivers indicated that they were satisfied with MTS as a treatment for their child's ADHD (ie, overall satisfaction, 93.8%; satisfaction with ease of use, 96.2%; and satisfaction with duration of effect, 93.1%). Similar percentages of caregivers were satisfied with the behavioral efficacy of MTS as well. Consistent with the commonly reported TEAEs of decreased appetite and insomnia, the majority of caregivers agreed that the medication caused their child to want to eat less, and approximately one-third of caregivers agreed that the medication made it hard for their child to fall asleep at night. A recently published study evaluating MTS wear times of 4 and 6 hours, instead of the 9-hour wear time used in this study, suggests that some late day side effects may be attenuated by early removal of the patch [25] .

A recently published study evaluating MTS wear times of 4 and 6 hours, instead of the 9-hour wear time used in this study, suggests that some late day side effects may be attenuated by early removal of the patch.


In this manuscript we assign sex-specific functions to PHC and describe a number of distinct molecular features of the PHC neurons, which parallel these strikingly distinct anatomical features. These include the scaling of expression of synaptic vesicle components, a phenomenon not previously described. We show that anatomical and molecular dimorphisms are superimposed during sexual maturation of the male onto an initially nondimorphic morphology and gene expression program. Furthermore, we show that this remodeling is controlled in a cell-autonomous manner by two phylogenetically conserved transcription factors, TRA-1/Gli, a global regulator of sexual identity in C. elegans and DMD-3, a member of a phylogenetically conserved family of DM domain transcription factors, defined by Doublesex in Drosophila and DMRT genes in vertebrates. This family of transcription factors represents the only unifying theme of the otherwise very divergent regulatory mechanisms of sex determination and sexual differentiation throughout the animal kingdom [10] .

This family of transcription factors represents the only unifying theme of the otherwise very divergent regulatory mechanisms of sex determination and sexual differentiation throughout the animal kingdom.