Human exposure to MeHg is primarily from the consumption of fish and shellfish [5] . Several studies have demonstrated an association between dietary intake of fish and the accumulation of mercury in the body [8] [9] [10] . Coastal subpopulations often consume more fish than the general population [11] . This increase is likely driven by regional access to fresh seafood [12] . As a result, coastal human populations typically have higher concentrations of mercury in their tissues compared to inland populations [13] [14] [15] . In Florida, the average adult consumes approximately 46 g per day of seafood, considerably higher than the estimated 4.5 g per day for the general population in the United States [13] . In a survey of sport fish consumption among women of childbearing age from twelve states, women in Florida consumed more per year than those from other states [14] . Further, environmental concentrations of mercury are generally higher than those found in other states [16] . Therefore, there is a need for regional estimates of mercury exposure among individuals who consume seafood at a higher frequency than the general population of the US.

Human exposure to MeHg is primarily from the consumption of fish and shellfish.

Several studies have demonstrated an association between dietary intake of fish and the accumulation of mercury in the body.

Coastal subpopulations often consume more fish than the general population.

This increase is likely driven by regional access to fresh seafood.

As a result, coastal human populations typically have higher concentrations of mercury in their tissues compared to inland populations.

In Florida, the average adult consumes approximately 46 g per day of seafood, considerably higher than the estimated 4.5 g per day for the general population in the United States.

In a survey of sport fish consumption among women of childbearing age from twelve states, women in Florida consumed more per year than those from other states.

Further, environmental concentrations of mercury are generally higher than those found in other states.


Nearly 45 percent of study participants reported consuming any seafood once a week or less, a lower frequency than the FDA recommended 12 ounces (two average meals) per week of seafood containing low concentrations of mercury [31] . However, 56 percent of those surveyed reported eating fish and shellfish three times per week or more which is higher than the recommended frequency. Participants consumed a variety of fish species. Commercial market data showed that typical US consumers derive most of their methylmercury exposure from a narrow range of fish and shellfish types, most of which were imported, not locally caught [32] . At the national level, estimated Hg intake is associated with a few commonly consumed fish types with moderate to high concentrations of Hg, such as canned tuna (0.35 µg/g) and swordfish (0.98 µg/g) [32] . In the current study, individuals who consumed locally caught grouper, sea trout and snapper at least once a week had significantly higher hair mercury concentrations compared to those who consumed these species less than once a week in the past three months.

Nearly 45 percent of study participants reported consuming any seafood once a week or less, a lower frequency than the FDA recommended 12 ounces (two average meals) per week of seafood containing low concentrations of mercury.

Commercial market data showed that typical US consumers derive most of their methylmercury exposure from a narrow range of fish and shellfish types, most of which were imported, not locally caught.

At the national level, estimated Hg intake is associated with a few commonly consumed fish types with moderate to high concentrations of Hg, such as canned tuna (0.35 µg/g) and swordfish (0.98 µg/g).


As an apex predator, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the IRL have a long life span, bioaccumulate anthropogenic contaminants and have defined home ranges making them a valuable sentinel species [23] . The high mercury concentrations found in IRL dolphins may reflect environmental differences in mercury contamination that include deposition, biogeochemistry and trophic transfer [24] . Similarly, these factors impact the concentration of mercury found in fish species that local human populations may be consuming. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to examine exposure to mercury among coastal residents living near the IRL. The secondary objective was to examine associations between the frequency, species and sources of seafood consumed by residents and their hair mercury concentration.

As an apex predator, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the IRL have a long life span, bioaccumulate anthropogenic contaminants and have defined home ranges making them a valuable sentinel species.

The high mercury concentrations found in IRL dolphins may reflect environmental differences in mercury contamination that include deposition, biogeochemistry and trophic transfer.


Soil microorganisms are vital to agro-ecosystem health through their roles in residue decomposition, nutrient cycling and their associations with other organisms (Ge et al. 2008) . In agricultural soils, microorganisms are known to impact profoundly the status of soil quality and health, especially the availability of soil nutrients (Li et al. 2008a) . Soil microbial properties such as microbial biomass and population activities have strong correlations with soil health and quality indices (Li et al. 2008b) . Due to the complex dynamics of soil ecosystems, understanding the microbial community in the soil environment, especially in Red soils, has still not been completed and it is necessary to examine it through assiduous techniques.

Soil microorganisms are vital to agro-ecosystem health through their roles in residue decomposition, nutrient cycling and their associations with other organisms.

In agricultural soils, microorganisms are known to impact profoundly the status of soil quality and health, especially the availability of soil nutrients.

Soil microbial properties such as microbial biomass and population activities have strong correlations with soil health and quality indices.


Rainfall associated with a TC can become asymmetric after its landfall. The asymmetry of the TC rainfall can be attributed partly to the impact of the storm translation. Maximum convergence was found in the forward flank and to the right of a translating vortex due to asymmetric friction in the boundary layer (Shapiro 1983; Bender 1997; Frank and Ritchie 1999; Lonfat et al. 2004) .

Maximum convergence was found in the forward flank and to the right of a translating vortex due to asymmetric friction in the boundary layer.


Benchmark application To evaluate our proposal we choose an application from the benchmark suite MediaBench II [8] . Among the available options we selected tmndec, a video decoder based on the ITU H.263 standard. Although more recent Since tmndec is a purely sequential implementation, as a first step we parallelize it via OpenMP. The application features a central two-level nested loop which accounts for video frame decoding: thus, it was a prime target for optimization (Listing 1.1).

Benchmark application To evaluate our proposal we choose an application from the benchmark suite MediaBench II.


In most industrialized countries, demands for accountability and transparency have increased. The pressure on public budgets has led governments to control and pursue efficiencies and productivity in the allocation and management of public sector resources (Stella and Woodhouse, 2006) . This public concern has forced government to take on responsibility for evaluation and control of publicly funded institutions, and they have started to develop evaluation systems and programmes that are proving beneficial for the design of policy to improve the effectiveness of funding.

The pressure on public budgets has led governments to control and pursue efficiencies and productivity in the allocation and management of public sector resources.


Many industrial applications today have several correlated quality characteristics that needed to be monitored simultaneously. Each item in the sample is inspected and the values of each of its quality characteristics are determined. The information from the sample, contained in the sample statistics, is used to determine whether the process appears to be in control with reasonable variation. If the mean vector of one or more of the variables appears to have deviated from its desired value, or if the variation in one or more of the variables seems to have increased, the process is considered out of control [1] .

If the mean vector of one or more of the variables appears to have deviated from its desired value, or if the variation in one or more of the variables seems to have increased, the process is considered out of control.


The structural modelling framework also has its problems. First of all, to avoid loss of exogeneity, known confounders can be incorporated into the model only on condition that indicators of these confounders are available in the data set. In many situations, especially when one uses secondary data (i.e. data collected by others), no information has been obtained for some of the variables in the model. Confounding bias may not be avoidable then, though in some cases omitted variable bias can be controlled for by fixed effects regression or by instrumental variables regression (Stock and Watson, 2003) . Unknown latent confounders may however still bias the results. A major drawback is that in many cases one only has a scant knowledge of the underlying mechanism. In this situation, descriptive analysis or exploratory data analysis might be more useful than poor structural modelling. And if one is looking for the effects of causes, the Rubin causal model could be considered, even if we do not adhere to its counterfactual underpinnings.

Confounding bias may not be avoidable then, though in some cases omitted variable bias can be controlled for by fixed effects regression or by instrumental variables regression.


World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that almost one-third of the world's population, (~2 billion people) is infected with the tuberculosis [1] . Every year, more than 8 million people develop an active form of this disease, which claims the lives of nearly 2 million. WHO estimated in 2002 that if the worldwide spread of tuberculosis was left unchecked, it would be responsible for nearly 36 million more deaths by 2020. Effective and specific anti-tubercular drugs are still not found and classical antibiotics are currently being used for curing tuberculosis. However, effectiveness of such treatment is rather controversial [2] . Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), a form of TB that does not respond to the first-line TB drugs and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), an MDR-TB with resistance to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones has become a serious threat to control and treatment of tuberculosis. There are also a few cases reported of totally drug resistant tuberculosis (TDR-TB); which has raised alarming concerns on the existing drug regimen [3] . This implies urgent need to discover newer anti-tubercular agents with newer molecular mechanisms.

World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that almost one-third of the world's population, (~2 billion people) is infected with the tuberculosis.

However, effectiveness of such treatment is rather controversial.

There are also a few cases reported of totally drug resistant tuberculosis (TDR-TB); which has raised alarming concerns on the existing drug regimen.


Earlier from our laboratory, a series of pyrazoline-based benzoxazoles are identified as potent anti-tubercular agents [8] [9] . In order to further investigate the potency of the molecule as a part of lead optimization program, we carry out QSAR study by using Genetic Function Approximation (GFA) technique [10] . GFA algorithm is a novel approach to create structure-activity models. It searches QSAR models automatically by combining statistical modeling with genetic algorithm tools. Typically, thousands of candidate models are generated and tested during evolution. However, only the superior (best) models survive; which are used as "parents" to create the next generation of candidate models. Previously, we have successfully applied GFA to generate a variety of QSAR models [4] [5] . Such models provide useful structure-activity insights, which can be used for prioritization of synthetic efforts to generate and lead optimization strategies.

Earlier from our laboratory, a series of pyrazoline-based benzoxazoles are identified as potent anti-tubercular agents.

In order to further investigate the potency of the molecule as a part of lead optimization program, we carry out QSAR study by using Genetic Function Approximation (GFA) technique.

Previously, we have successfully applied GFA to generate a variety of QSAR models.


Further to check the inter-correlation of descriptors, variance inflation factor (VIF) analysis was performed (as described in Section 2.4). VIF values of these descriptors were found to be 2.010 (ALogP), 1.243 (Jurs_RNCG), 2.558 (Apol), 1.366 (Jurs_DPSA_1), 1.520 (Shadow_XZ) and 1.585(Molecular_Solubility). All the VIF values were found to be less than 10, which suggest very less multi-collinearity within descriptors. The models were also evaluated for their predictive power, i.e. internal and external cross-validation. The results for Equation (1) are summarized in Table 5 and Table 6 . Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the plot of observed Vs predicted activity for training and test set compounds, respectively as per Equation (1). It was seen that the models displayed 2 pred r and 2 m r in the acceptable range [12] .

It was seen that the models displayed 2 pred r and 2 m r in the acceptable range.


Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) is one of the most widely used tools to design newer candidates for several therapeutic areas [4] - [6] . It provides useful insights into the structural features which are responsible for the biological activity and help to generate a mathematical model which can predict activity of untested compounds quantitatively. QSAR study usually leads to a predictive formula by correlation of physicochemical properties of a congeneric series with the biological activity [7] .

Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) is one of the most widely used tools to design newer candidates for several therapeutic areas.

QSAR study usually leads to a predictive formula by correlation of physicochemical properties of a congeneric series with the biological activity.


In this section, we first present research efforts on integration middlewares organized depending on the level of visibility propagated to LBSs, from transparent solutions that hide any low-level positioning system detail, to contributions with partial visibility and control for LBSs built on their top. The second part of the section, instead, focuses on JSR-179 that represents the most notable standardization effort for Java-based LBSs on mobile phones [7] . JSR-179 provides a standardized API to perform coarse-grained integration and some limited forms of control of underlying positioning systems.

The second part of the section, instead, focuses on JSR-179 that represents the most notable standardization effort for Java-based LBSs on mobile phones.


Strength parameters determining lower-body muscle power especially associated to vertical jump performance as counter-movement jump and jump squat (Kraska et al., 2009; McLennan, Lovell & Gass, 2011) . Strength and velocity parameters determining power may have varied characteristics according to the movement practiced in sport branches (Dal-Pupo, Detanico & Dos-Santos, 2012) . Determining these parameters can be useful while determining specific training characters in sports where explosive but various movements required. For this reason, the aim of this research was to determine power, velocity and force parameters during loaded SJ exercise of handball players and arm wrestling athletes and assess whether these parameters demonstrate a statistically significant difference among sport branches or not.

Strength parameters determining lower-body muscle power especially associated to vertical jump performance as counter-movement jump and jump squat.

Strength and velocity parameters determining power may have varied characteristics according to the movement practiced in sport branches.


It is commonly known that synthesis pathway of a given material can affect its microstructural properties (such as porosity, specific surface area, size and grain distribution) and in consequence-its thermal and electrical properties. The dense composite system Al 2 O 3 -YSZ is well-known, and the correlation of their microstructure with electrical conductivity was studied earlier [14] . Authors found the correlation between volume fraction of ZrO 2 and Al 2 O 3 and conductivity of composite. A large volume of Al 2 O 3 (which is an insulator) significantly decreases conductivity of composite. Authors pointed out that homogeneous distribution of composite elements decreases the percolation threshold for ZrO 2 oxygen vacancy conduction.

The dense composite system Al 2 O 3 -YSZ is well-known, and the correlation of their microstructure with electrical conductivity was studied earlier.


The low concentration of L. faxoni among the smallest size classes may be associated with the fact that larvae and immature juveniles of this species often concentrate more at the surface than near the bottom. This concentration of larvae at the surface generally occurs because of the greater amount of phytoplankton, which acts as a barrier to the larvae, intercepting them in such a way as to maintain them in these areas (ALVAREZ, 1985) . In summary, the environmental factors monitored here have a close relation to the spatial and seasonal distribution of L. faxoni. The intensity of the rainfall directly affected salinity in such a way as to promote the displacement of these shrimps to deeper areas, whereas temperature mainly influenced the variation in seasonal abundance. Additional studies on reproduction and population dynamics are necessary for a better understanding of the life cycle of this species. Although there have been few studies on reproductive analyses of L. faxoni, the findings of the present study are in agreement with those of the existing literature. Further investigation of the vertical migration, histology and morphological descriptions of this species will make it possible to describe its reproductive biology in greater detail.

This concentration of larvae at the surface generally occurs because of the greater amount of phytoplankton, which acts as a barrier to the larvae, intercepting them in such a way as to maintain them in these areas.


In the experiments of the CRASH project, high-energy-density plasma flow is driven by a beryllium disk irradiated by the Omega laser beams. The ablation of part of the beryllium results in a rocket launch of the remaining beryllium driving a strong shock-wave through a xenon-filled plastic tube. The shock heats the xenon gas to sufficiently high temperature so that it will ionize and create free electrons. Directly behind the shock the electrons and ions will equilibrate due to the Coulomb collisions. This will heat the electrons. The shock is fast enough so that the electrons have to emit radiation behind the shock in order to satisfy the energy balance equation. This results in a radiative cooling layer [1] . The transport of the radiation ahead of the shock will heat and ionize the xenon in the radiative precursor. Some fraction of the radiation in the upstream region will also transport sideways and strike the plastic tube. These photons can heat the plastic ahead of the primary shock. The ablated plastic that moves then inward compresses the xenon resulting in a so-called wall shock [2, 3] . It is the interplay between the primary and wall shock that is of interest for the CRASH project.

This will heat the electrons.

This results in a radiative cooling layer.

The ablated plastic that moves then inward compresses the xenon resulting in a so-called wall shock.


The main goal of the CRASH project is to assess and to improve the predictive capability of a simulation code, based on the combination of experiments, simulation studies and statistical analysis. The baseline experiment is a laser-driven shock launched through a xenon-filled straight tube. We plan to perform an experiment in which the tube geometry is changed to contain a circular nozzle. These experiments and the comparison with the simulations will demonstrate how well the numerical code can predict the shock properties of the following experiment in which a wide circular tube tapers into an elliptical tube. In this project we plan to analyze the radiative shock structures in nozzle shock tubes in the context of predictive capability and uncertainty quantification of the simulations [7] . The demonstration that such numerical simulations are feasible is the topic of the present paper.

In this project we plan to analyze the radiative shock structures in nozzle shock tubes in the context of predictive capability and uncertainty quantification of the simulations.


The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland operates the most powerful proton accelerator world-wide -the 590-MeV ring cyclotron with currently a beam intensity of 1.8 mA and a envisaged upgrade to 2.5 mA. Targets, beam dumps, shielding as well as other components in the surrounding of this facility are highly activated and require accurate examination concerning dose rate and radionuclide inventory. The Swiss authority for the disposal of nuclear waste (NAGRA) issued nuclide-specific declaration limits (DL) for the activity content of accelerator waste from PSI, which is based on the permitted limits of the Swiss Radiation Protection Ordinance [10] . Moreover, so-called "permissible activity concentrations" (german: Zulässige Aktivitäts-konzentration -ZAK) were defined, which shall give support for the validation of the risk potential of a radionuclides in a final disposal [11] . Preferably, extended radiochemical analyses are necessary before a radioactive waste package get licensed for disposal.

The Swiss authority for the disposal of nuclear waste (NAGRA) issued nuclide-specific declaration limits (DL) for the activity content of accelerator waste from PSI, which is based on the permitted limits of the Swiss Radiation Protection Ordinance.

Moreover, so-called "permissible activity concentrations" (german: Zulässige Aktivitäts-konzentration -ZAK) were defined, which shall give support for the validation of the risk potential of a radionuclides in a final disposal.


Irrigation in horticulture has become widespread throughout the world, ensuring the reliable production of high-value fruit and vegetable crops. In certain parts of the world, increasing demands on limited water resources has stimulated research into optimising and increasing horticultural water use efficiency (WUE), most notably regarding irrigation scheduling. One irrigation technique that has received considerable attention is partial rootzone drying (Dry et al. 1996) .

One irrigation technique that has received considerable attention is partial rootzone drying.


Correlational results supported study hypotheses. Self-defeating humor style was positively associated with rumination and suicidal ideation. This supports previous findings on the relationship between self-defeating humor and suicidal ideation (Tucker, Wingate, O'Keefe, Slish, et al., 2013) . Self-defeating humor was also positively associated with brooding and reflection as well as the larger construct of rumination. While previous findings of the reflective component have been mixed, these results lend credence to the negative aspects of both brooding and reflective rumination styles.

This supports previous findings on the relationship between self-defeating humor and suicidal ideation.


However, pedagogies employed in ESL classrooms at the universities are still reflecting traditional approaches where grammar teaching is carried out very traditionally, making the lesson dull and uninteresting. Students are not motivated to learn when teachers used traditional methods of teaching such as the 'chalk and talk' approach which can be dull and predominantly teacher-centered. ESL lecturers have been found to spend most of the time lecturing in front of the classroom while the students are busy copying the notes given without concern for whether they were understood (Chen & Li 2010) . University students prefer to learn according to their current interest and convenience (Ganapathy, Vighnarah & Kaur 2015) . Mobile apps offer a wide range of learning tools as they can be downloaded to students' mobile devices and used productively at favorable times in a variety of settings and on-the-go.

ESL lecturers have been found to spend most of the time lecturing in front of the classroom while the students are busy copying the notes given without concern for whether they were understood.

University students prefer to learn according to their current interest and convenience.


In studies of brain damage, the increase of glycerol is usually interpreted as a marker of ischemic injury. Glycerol is the backbone of triacylglycerols and phospholipids, which are one of the main constituents of the cell membranes. During ischemia three pathways contributing to the glycerol release have been described. There is degradation of the cell membrane, caused by the failure of the calcium pump of the membrane, which initiates a breakdown of the membrane by the activating of the phospholipases. There is evidence that the glycerol could also be produced during hydrolysis of glycerol-3-phosphate derivated by glycolytic metabolism in the early phase if ischemia. Lipolysis of intracellular triacylglycerols during ischemia could be an alternative source of the glycerol [14, 15] .

Lipolysis of intracellular triacylglycerols during ischemia could be an alternative source of the glycerol.


The asymptomatic seropositive population where a previous episode of dengue goes undetected is at risk for developing haemorrhagic dengue instead of classic dengue. This is significant because in most other prospective studies, all patients who were hospitalized for dengue suffered secondary dengue infections [13, 14] . Although infection with a given serotype confers lifelong protection against that serotype, DENV serotypes are not cross-protective, and re-infection with a second serotype has been linked to development of the more severe haemorrhagic form of dengue referred to as dengue haemorrhagic fever, characterized by plasma leakage with or without haemorrhage [15, 16] .

This is significant because in most other prospective studies, all patients who were hospitalized for dengue suffered secondary dengue infections.

Although infection with a given serotype confers lifelong protection against that serotype, DENV serotypes are not cross-protective, and re-infection with a second serotype has been linked to development of the more severe haemorrhagic form of dengue referred to as dengue haemorrhagic fever, characterized by plasma leakage with or without haemorrhage.


In recent years, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have received increasing attention in the eld of nanomedicine, largely due to their wide design exibility and extensive applicability [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . Among other advantages, their surfaces can be easily and selectively functionalized, they possess uniform mesopores for e cient guest molecule loading and release, with su cient safety and signi cant biocompatibility. In the current race for more complex designs capable of concurrently performing a multitude of tasks, MSNs are especially well-suited for incorporating the essential capabilities of a theranostic platform into a single particle, with separate domains for (1) the contrast agent/optical label that enables traceable imaging of target, (2) the drug payload for therapeutic intervention and (3) the biomolecular ligand for targeted delivery. For any nanomedical device, physicochemical properties such as surface characteristics of the particles play a key role that provides dispersion stability in the physiological environment and give access to develop further selective functionalization regimes, which allows enhancement of the level of sophistication as well as expands the applicability of the nanoparticles. Thorough investigation of the physicochemical characteristics of Chart 1. Schematic representation of the design-and evaluation aspects being discussed in this study.

In recent years, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have received increasing attention in the eld of nanomedicine, largely due to their wide design exibility and extensive applicability.


Exact solutions to Einstein's field equations and to their supergravity generalizations have been playing an important role in many developments of general relativity, string theory and high energy physics [1] . For instance they can teach us a lot of insight into the theoretical aspects of general relativity such as the vacuum structure, uniqueness theorems and so on. The importance of exact solutions, though, is not limited to the classical situation, but extends also to quantum gravity. Indeed, much of our current knowledge on quantum effects in strong gravitational fields comes from the study of classical black hole solutions.

Exact solutions to Einstein's field equations and to their supergravity generalizations have been playing an important role in many developments of general relativity, string theory and high energy physics.


The use of mass spectrometry (MS) has also been reported for the analysis of aerosolised material of biological origin, including the Bioaerosol Mass Spectrometer (BMAS) [21] . BMAS is based on the analysis of the mass spectrum of organism-specific peptides and proteins as a signature to differentiate microbial species [4] . Microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) are other type of biomarkers used to provide insight into the broad composition of microbial communities as well as to identify some specific microbial taxa [4] . However PLFAs have a low taxonomic resolution and since different microorganisms can have the same PLFAs in common, microbial identification cannot be conducted at the species level [4, 22] .

The use of mass spectrometry (MS) has also been reported for the analysis of aerosolised material of biological origin, including the Bioaerosol Mass Spectrometer (BMAS).

BMAS is based on the analysis of the mass spectrum of organism-specific peptides and proteins as a signature to differentiate microbial species.

Microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) are other type of biomarkers used to provide insight into the broad composition of microbial communities as well as to identify some specific microbial taxa.

However PLFAs have a low taxonomic resolution and since different microorganisms can have the same PLFAs in common, microbial identification cannot be conducted at the species level.


This study has several limitations. First, retention in care was based on the availability of records from the facility at which a woman initially enrolled. It is possible that women lost-tofollow-up may have died or transferred to other facilities without documentation and thus have been misclassified. Unaccounted transfers are common in Uganda [10] . Secondly, this study relied on a retrospective review of records. The information obtained was limited by routinely recorded data. In particular, we were unable to obtain information on basic sociodemographic and clinical characteristics such as marital and educational status, income level, parity and the timing of HIV diagnosis which may have been associated with retention. Finally, routine health facility information does not include actual reasons for LTFU.

This study has several limitations.

Unaccounted transfers are common in Uganda.


This paper has described several methods for the detection and analysis of frequency jumps in clock data. The BLKAVG and SEQAVG algorithms, along with a CUSUM plot, are reasonably consistent and effective ways to examine such jumps. Those methods have been successfully implemented into a program for frequency stability analysis [11] .

Those methods have been successfully implemented into a program for frequency stability analysis.


There is a large body of technical literature on the subject of detecting discontinuities in time series (often referred to as regime shift or change-point analysis) [1] [2] [3] . Many such algorithms involve comparing the mean values of two adjacent windows that are moved through the data, while others use cumulative sum charts and other similar techniques. Some of these methods require a data model whose parameters must be determined, while other methods are non-parametric. They can variously detect outliers, transients, level shifts and changes in variance for data having different noise characteristics and trends [4] . The emphasis here is on detecting jumps in reasonably white frequency residuals after outliers and deterministic drift have been removed from the data. Robust and effective means exist for outlier removal based on the median absolute deviation (MAD), several models exist for fitting and removing frequency drift and the dynamic Allan deviation (DAVAR) can be used to examine clock data for stability changes [5] . This paper describes several simple and intuitive techniques for detecting, analysing and displaying frequency jumps.

There is a large body of technical literature on the subject of detecting discontinuities in time series (often referred to as regime shift or change-point analysis).

They can variously detect outliers, transients, level shifts and changes in variance for data having different noise characteristics and trends.

Robust and effective means exist for outlier removal based on the median absolute deviation (MAD), several models exist for fitting and removing frequency drift and the dynamic Allan deviation (DAVAR) can be used to examine clock data for stability changes.


We retrieved SAR images during a ten-year period for a total of 3269 ENVISAT ASAR scenes acquired in Wide Swath Mode (WSM). C-band SAR sensors are normally preferred to other frequency bands when it comes to wind field retrieval. Geophysical model functions, which relate observations of radar backscatter to the 10-m wind speed, the wind direction, and the radar viewing geometry are well established for C-band SAR [7] , [8] , [9] . C-band SAR sensors have been mounted on several satellite platforms listed in Table 2 . SAR images are obtained day and night and in all weather conditions. A SAR is independent of daylight, and additionally, C-band microwave radiation penetrates clouds and precipitation [3] . The final goal of the current study is to estimate the offshore wind resource from a series of satellite wind field maps.

Geophysical model functions, which relate observations of radar backscatter to the 10-m wind speed, the wind direction, and the radar viewing geometry are well established for C-band SAR.

A SAR is independent of daylight, and additionally, C-band microwave radiation penetrates clouds and precipitation.


The majority of ENVISAT's modes are suitable for ocean wind mapping. In ScanSAR mode, the ASAR sensor is capable of scanning in a 400 km wide swath with a spatial resolution of 100 m. Table 3 [2] . The ANSWRS software produces per default high-resolution wind speed fields. The algorithm is initialized using wind directions determined by the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) models interpolated in time and space to match the satellite data. NOGAPS data are available at 6-hour intervals mapped to a 1° latitude/longitude grid and the wind vectors from the lowest model level around 10 m above the sea level are used.

In ScanSAR mode, the ASAR sensor is capable of scanning in a 400 km wide swath with a spatial resolution of 100 m. Table 3.


To match the satellite data temporal and spatial resolution, the wind vectors are interpolated in time and space. Wind resource mapping using ENVISAT ASAR scenes acquired in Wide Swath Mode (WSM) over the Mediterranean seas has been performed. The statistical analysis of SAR wind map is performed with the Satellite -Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (S-WAsP) tool developed by DTU Wind Energy. S-WAsP is a software for wind resource estimation based on input of SAR wind maps from ANSWRS [2] .

S-WAsP is a software for wind resource estimation based on input of SAR wind maps from ANSWRS.


But one of the main problems in devising and delivering services to these population groups stems from the broad range of resources and providers involved. There are major differences among professionals and settings, and co-ordination of care is not always optimal [11] . Varying outcomes have been reported for planning and co-ordination for discharges on the part of hospitals, using approaches such as disease or case management [12] [13] [14] [15] . Results depend on the different sub-groups of patients considered, but mainly such approaches had a positive impact on re-admissions and, in some cases, even led to lower mortality. Because the home care services available are so scattered, many studies have been conducted in order to co-ordinate and provide a comprehensive service.

There are major differences among professionals and settings, and co-ordination of care is not always optimal.

Varying outcomes have been reported for planning and co-ordination for discharges on the part of hospitals, using approaches such as disease or case management.


The international expert consultation on the role of planted forests recognized that planted forests provided a diverse range of goods and services, including timber, fuelwood, non-wood forest goods, conservation, carbon sequestration, recreation, erosion control, rehabilitation of degraded lands and amenity enhancement (FAO, 1996; Cossalter & Pye-Smith, 2003) . However, concerns have also been raised about the potential competition between farm forestry and other land use options available to rural households (Arnold, 2001) . This is important given the long-term nature of tree growing, especially from the perspective of the poor (Oksanen et al., 2003) . Concerns have also been raised about the opportunity cost associated with displacement of other land uses (Pagiola et al., 2005; Corbera et al., 2007) .

The international expert consultation on the role of planted forests recognized that planted forests provided a diverse range of goods and services, including timber, fuelwood, non-wood forest goods, conservation, carbon sequestration, recreation, erosion control, rehabilitation of degraded lands and amenity enhancement.

However, concerns have also been raised about the potential competition between farm forestry and other land use options available to rural households.

This is important given the long-term nature of tree growing, especially from the perspective of the poor.

Concerns have also been raised about the opportunity cost associated with displacement of other land uses.


Nickel and cobalt are essential trace elements for the human body. Nickel is a cofactor of many enzymes, whereas cobalt is a primary component of vitamin B12. This vitamin plays an important role in growth development, metabolic processes, and nervous system and brain functions. It is used in the treatment for anemia, since it helps red blood cell production [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . However, exposure of the human body to these elements in excessive amounts causes various negative effects on health. The most commonly reported adverse health effect of excess nickel exposure is contact dermatitis, which is the result of an allergic reaction to nickel. Moreover, nickel is a respiratory toxicant that can cause acute lung inflammation, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and can induce lung or nasal cancer [8, 9] . Similar to nickel, cobalt exposure mainly affects the human respiratory system. Exposure of these elements also affects the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, cardiac, immunological and neurological systems [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] .

It is used in the treatment for anemia, since it helps red blood cell production.

Moreover, nickel is a respiratory toxicant that can cause acute lung inflammation, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and can induce lung or nasal cancer.

Exposure of these elements also affects the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, cardiac, immunological and neurological systems.


To deal with the problems described above, active control must come into play. The active control strategy developed in this paper is the linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) that utilizes the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method in selecting the optimum values for the weighting factors for the LQR, which results in an optimised LQR. LQR is chosen as a controller for this system since its design procedure is more systematic and can cater for high order systems such as the railway vehicle system. LQR design involves the selection of some weighting factors for the cost function to be minimised. However, there is no specific technique in choosing these values. The common approach to selecting these weighting matrices is via trial and error but this method could be time consuming, cumbersome and result in a non-optimised performance [5] . Therefore, a more systematic approach in selecting these values is needed. This paper proposes the use of PSO to find the values of the LQR weighting matrices based on a certain criterion that would ensure satisfactory control performance of the two-axle railway vehicle system. The objective of the controller is to minimize the lateral displacement of the wheelset relative to track centerline and its yaw angle, on straight and curved tracks with lateral irregularities. Figure 1 shows a plan view diagram of the two-axle vehicle used in the study. This particular vehicle configuration has drawn attention from the railway industry [6] . It mainly consists of a vehicle body and two wheelsets, connected together via the primary and secondary suspensions, resulting in a system of 12th order differential equation. The wheelsets are mounted onto the vehicle body via the springs and dampers, whose values have been chosen appropriately in order to provide good curving performance and stability. The wheelset was controlled using an established technique of active yaw damping in which a rotary actuator replaced the longitudinal springs to provide yaw torque [7] .

The common approach to selecting these weighting matrices is via trial and error but this method could be time consuming, cumbersome and result in a non-optimised performance.

This particular vehicle configuration has drawn attention from the railway industry.

The wheelset was controlled using an established technique of active yaw damping in which a rotary actuator replaced the longitudinal springs to provide yaw torque.


This study highlighted the complexity of consumer knowledge in decoding labels on FMCGs, and raised important issues for marketers looking to improve and support their labelling practices. This complexity in decoding information falls under the complexity of sustainable consumption decision making as argued by a number of researchers in the past [64, [71] [72] [73] . In other words we argue that consumers will never be/or should not be up to date with current and fast changing labelling developments but they have a right to truthful, useful and substantiated on-pack information. This can be facilitated by the companies who are adopting the labels by providing consumers with a wider environmental and/or social context to the label and by addressing additional surrounding layers of knowledge. As it currently stands, companies have high expectations that consumers will understand their on-pack messages without providing them the tools to do so. This creates negative feelings on the part of the consumers about labelling itself.

This complexity in decoding information falls under the complexity of sustainable consumption decision making as argued by a number of researchers in the past.


Given that better planning and coordination of GSCM practices can generate positive environmental and economic effects, some researchers developed mathematical models to assess the impacts of decision-making and operation of GSC players [23] . Moreover, corporate approaches for performance improvement cannot be undertaken in isolation, so a concerted effort along GSC players is needed [24] . On the other hand, with different profit targets and operation strategies, GSC players can hardly maintain consistency on everything, and sometimes they are in competition with one another. Among all the mathematical methods used in GSCM literature, game theory is highly applicable to the research on the coexistence of competition and cooperation among GSC players.

Given that better planning and coordination of GSCM practices can generate positive environmental and economic effects, some researchers developed mathematical models to assess the impacts of decision-making and operation of GSC players.

Moreover, corporate approaches for performance improvement cannot be undertaken in isolation, so a concerted effort along GSC players is needed.


SC is a vertical sequence of independent transactions, which can be viewed as a flow of material, products and information and a set of corporate activities [17] . It is not surprising that corporate sustainable strategies have been extended through the SC for the broader adoption and development of sustainability [3] . GSCM is an effective management tool and philosophy to embed environmental sustainability into SCM [18] . In addition, many activities are involved in GSCM, such as green product design, materials acquisition, green manufacturing processes, distribution, use, and resource recycling [19] . However, the scope of GSCM in the literature has varied according to the goal of the investigator [20] . In this paper, we shall focus on the manufacturer-retailer-customer relationship and pertinent activities of green production, green marketing and green purchasing in the dual-channel structure.

SC is a vertical sequence of independent transactions, which can be viewed as a flow of material, products and information and a set of corporate activities.

It is not surprising that corporate sustainable strategies have been extended through the SC for the broader adoption and development of sustainability.

GSCM is an effective management tool and philosophy to embed environmental sustainability into SCM.

In addition, many activities are involved in GSCM, such as green product design, materials acquisition, green manufacturing processes, distribution, use, and resource recycling.

However, the scope of GSCM in the literature has varied according to the goal of the investigator.


Human activities have to a large extent changed the functioning of the planetary systems [1] . In order to curb the ecological deterioration, sustainable development strategy should be implemented [2] . With regard to corporate sustainability, the lens is beginning to be widened from a specific company to the entire supply chain (SC) [3] . In addition, the impact on environment as well as resource use efficiency need to be considered at the level of supply chain management (SCM) rather than within the boundary of a company [4] . Consequently, the concept of green supply chain (GSC) was proposed and has gained rapidly growing attention from both academia and industry [5] .

Human activities have to a large extent changed the functioning of the planetary systems.

In order to curb the ecological deterioration, sustainable development strategy should be implemented.

With regard to corporate sustainability, the lens is beginning to be widened from a specific company to the entire supply chain (SC).

In addition, the impact on environment as well as resource use efficiency need to be considered at the level of supply chain management (SCM) rather than within the boundary of a company.

Consequently, the concept of green supply chain (GSC) was proposed and has gained rapidly growing attention from both academia and industry.


Stunning of animals is in the first place applied to induce a state of unconsciousness and insensibility of sufficient duration to ensure that the animal does not recover consciousness before death intervenes via exsanguinations. Secondly stunning should produce sufficient immobility to facilitate the initiation of exsanguinations [2] . Stunning methods affected several meat quality parameters [3] [4] [5] [6] . In addition, electrical stimulation of carcass was effective in improving eating quality attributes of pork [7] . Electrical stunning induces unconsciousness by generating an epileptiform seizure, characterized by two distinct phases, a tonic phase and a clonic phase, rendering the animal insensible to pain [8] . The production of an epileptiform seizure is dependent upon the amount of current passing through the brain and possibly the area of the brain through which current flows [8] . Electrical stunning has some shortcomings such as causing blood splash [9] .

Secondly stunning should produce sufficient immobility to facilitate the initiation of exsanguinations.

Stunning methods affected several meat quality parameters.

In addition, electrical stimulation of carcass was effective in improving eating quality attributes of pork.

Electrical stunning induces unconsciousness by generating an epileptiform seizure, characterized by two distinct phases, a tonic phase and a clonic phase, rendering the animal insensible to pain.

The production of an epileptiform seizure is dependent upon the amount of current passing through the brain and possibly the area of the brain through which current flows.

Electrical stunning has some shortcomings such as causing blood splash.


It is estimated that the number of coffee producers reaches approximately 200,000, with a total of 1.5 million people economically involved in the cultivation of coffee (Nolasco 1985) . In 1989 the cultivated areas covered 700,000 ha (Census of INMECAFE) and over 850,000 ha in 1991, according to the last National Agricultural Census (Censo Nacional Agropecuario y Ejidal). Ninety percent of the coffee growers worked small holdings covering less than 5 ha, and 70% worked less than 2 ha (Santoyo et al. 1995) .

It is estimated that the number of coffee producers reaches approximately 200,000, with a total of 1.5 million people economically involved in the cultivation of coffee.

Ninety percent of the coffee growers worked small holdings covering less than 5 ha, and 70% worked less than 2 ha.


Importantly, seasonal influenza (SI) illness in the pediatric population has been previously shown to result in significant morbidity, mortality, as well as substantial hospital resource utilization [7] [8] [9] [10] . Although influenza pandemics have the possibility of resulting in considerable illness, we cannot ignore the impact we experience annually with SI. Perhaps the aggressive campaigning and resource allocation reserved for pandemic influenza should be emphasized on an annual basis for SI. We compared the outcomes of a large cohort of pediatric patients admitted for nH1N1 infection to children admitted with SI in the 2007-8 and 2008-9 influenza seasons to determine if there was a significant difference in morbidity. We hypothesized that children admitted with SI would have outcomes including admission to the pediatric intensive care unit, presence of bacterial superinfections, and hospital length of stay (LOS) similar to those admitted with nH1N1.

Importantly, seasonal influenza (SI) illness in the pediatric population has been previously shown to result in significant morbidity, mortality, as well as substantial hospital resource utilization.


Physicians in Israel, as for their counterparts in the U.S. and Canada, believe that over the next years, due to the increasing costs of innovative cancer drugs, the coverage of only few cancer treatments will be possible. Coverage of new interventions will be also influenced by the recent austere conditions in many countries and the associated budget cuts. Under these conditions, choosing among those interventions with the highest efficacy and more specifically those that provide the best value for money becomes much more relevant. As Israel is considered an early adopter of new technologies, coverage decisions are currently made while supporting information on both the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of new interventions is limited. However, as suggested by physicians in Israel, Canada, and the U.S., more use of comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness studies would be beneficial. These and other considerations may be combined into a multicriteria decision analysis approach as has been recently suggested [18] .

These and other considerations may be combined into a multicriteria decision analysis approach as has been recently suggested.


In the next section, the Galerkin and collocation projections of functions in Gevrey spaces will be discussed, and a version of Tadmor's theorem [25] proved. In Section 3, an estimate on the Gevrey norm of the solution u of (3.1) with periodic boundary conditions will be established. Finally, in Section 4, we put together all the pieces to prove the estimate (1.3). To close the introduction, we will introduce notation to be used throughout.

In the next section, the Galerkin and collocation projections of functions in Gevrey spaces will be discussed, and a version of Tadmor's theorem proved.


Our AlO x resonators were fabricated on intrinsic silicon ( r = 11.7), therefore eff is 6.3 [20] . With w = 10 µm and s = 6 µm, see Fig. 5 , L m and C are evaluated to be 438 nH m −1 and 160 pF m −1 , respectively. Using relation (2), we find a base resonance frequency of 6.7 GHz for the resonator with the length 8.96 mm, neglecting the kinetic inductance for a moment. This is reasonably close to our detailed high frequency EM finite element simulation data ‡, which in addition includes also the geometrical details of the coupling capacitors. The EM solver calculates f 0 = 6.9 GHz as the base resonance frequency, thus the influence of the coupling capacitor contributes to about 3 % in f 0 and is neglected in the further discussion.

Our AlO x resonators were fabricated on intrinsic silicon ( r = 11.7), therefore eff is 6.3.


Large-scale turbulence in the ocean is responsible for the fluxes of energy, enstrophy and tracers across scales. Turbulence, for example, facilitates the dissipation of energy injected by the winds [1] . However, the exact nature of the turbulence remains uncertain because it is difficult to quantify kinetic energy spectra in the ocean. Satellite data, which has the spatial coverage required for such quantification, is limited in horizontal resolution, which is of order of 100 km [2, 3] . Shipboard current measurements can produce finer resolution estimates, down to several kilometers, in targeted regions [4, 5] . However, there are still relatively few studies in which spectra have been calculated, and the results often differ with region.

Turbulence, for example, facilitates the dissipation of energy injected by the winds.

Satellite data, which has the spatial coverage required for such quantification, is limited in horizontal resolution, which is of order of 100 km.

Shipboard current measurements can produce finer resolution estimates, down to several kilometers, in targeted regions.


Several recent studies have examined decomposing energy spectra into rotational and divergent components [29, 38, 39] . This usefully separates contributions from large-scale balanced motions (e.g., vortices) and small-scale phenomena like waves. A similar decomposition can be applied to structure functions [40, 41] . The present relations can be used to test consistency between the two, as shown here in relation to the atmospheric spectra.

Several recent studies have examined decomposing energy spectra into rotational and divergent components.

A similar decomposition can be applied to structure functions.


It is well known that static analysis of run-time properties of programs by means of abstract interpretation can be compiled into systems of equations over complete lattices [10] . Thereby, various interesting properties require complete lattices which may have infinite strictly ascending or descending chains [16, 8, 6] . In order to determine a (post-) solution of a system of equations over such lattices, Cousot and Cousot propose to perform a first phase of iteration using a widening operator to obtain a post-solution which later may be improved by a second phase of iteration using a narrowing operator. This strict arrangement into separate phases, though, has the disadvantage that precision unnecessarily may be given up which later is difficult to recover. It has been observed that widening and narrowing need not be organized into separate phases [4, 5, 2] . Instead various algorithms are proposed which intertwine widening with narrowing in order to compute a (reasonably small) post-fixpoint of the given system of equations. The idea there is to combine widening with narrowing into a single operator and then to iterate according to some fixed ordering over the variables of the system. Still, monotonicity of all right-hand sides is required for the resulting algorithms to be terminating [4, 2] .

It is well known that static analysis of run-time properties of programs by means of abstract interpretation can be compiled into systems of equations over complete lattices.

Thereby, various interesting properties require complete lattices which may have infinite strictly ascending or descending chains.

It has been observed that widening and narrowing need not be organized into separate phases.

Still, monotonicity of all right-hand sides is required for the resulting algorithms to be terminating.


Specifically, we present the fabrication process flow and the characterization of a flexible 4 Â 4 array of OSLs with the same grating period ðÃ ¼ 276 nmÞ under pulsed optical pumping at 355 nm. The array of OSLs is based on star-shaped -conjugated trifluorene oligomers on a truxene core (designated BT3[) emitting in the blue region of the spectrum [5] , [15] , [16] . The fabrication process is based on the masking of certain areas of a 1-D SiO 2 master grating with a patterned photoresist (PR) to create an array of grating-on-mesa structures upon reproduction with a suitable polymer. This technique does not require specially made silica master gratings and relies on well established PR masking techniques that produce features ranging from micrometer down to nanometer scale. An extra benefit of such an approach is that the cavity of the OSL can thus be physically defined to specific dimensions in a much more precise fashion than by changing the pump spot geometry. The gain medium was solution processed and the structure optically pumped giving individual OSL thresholds as low as 75 nJ (70 J/cm 2 or 14 kW/cm 2 ). The emission peak wavelength across the array varies within AE3 nm, from 432.3 nm to 437.7 nm. Mechanical wavelength tuning of the OSLs over 10 nm is also demonstrated by bending the substrate around a post with a radius of 6.35 mm.

The array of OSLs is based on star-shaped -conjugated trifluorene oligomers on a truxene core (designated BT3[) emitting in the blue region of the spectrum.


In this work, we use the 4.5 year data of Fermi-LAT to search for the γ-ray emission from DM annihilation in M31. The prediction of DM annihilation induced γ-ray flux depends on the detailed structure of DM distribution. Currently the knowledge about the DM distribution, especially at small scales, largely relies on the numerical simulations [35, 36, 37, 38] . The high-resolution numerical simulations show that there is large population of substructures which could extend down to very low masses in the cold DM scenario [37, 38, 39] . It was pointed out that the substructures will alter the spatial extension of the DM induced γ-ray signals and affect the search strategy of DM particles [40] . Therefore we will discuss different spatial distributions of the M31 halo as well as the substructure population in this work. The spatial templates of DM annihilation induced γ-rays are built and implemented in the likelihood analysis of the Fermi-LAT data. Typical annihilation channels to a pair of b quarks, gauge bosons, or charged leptons will be discussed.

Currently the knowledge about the DM distribution, especially at small scales, largely relies on the numerical simulations.

The high-resolution numerical simulations show that there is large population of substructures which could extend down to very low masses in the cold DM scenario.

It was pointed out that the substructures will alter the spatial extension of the DM induced γ-ray signals and affect the search strategy of DM particles.


As the nearest large galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy (M31) is also a potentially good target for DM searches [31, 14, 32, 33] . The location of M31 is away from the Galactic plane (b ≈ −22 • ) which will be less polluted by the strong Galactic foreground emission. The DM halo of M31 is well extended, making it easier be distinguished from the background emission. Although it is relatively faint, M31 has been detected at γ-ray band by Fermi-LAT [34] . The γ-ray spectrum and luminosity are consistent with predictions from cosmic ray collisions with the interstellar medium (ISM), just as that established for the Milky Way. Taken the detected flux as the upper limit on the possible DM induced γ-ray emission from M31, conservative limits on the DM annihilation cross section or decay lifetime was derived [34, 14] .

As the nearest large galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy (M31) is also a potentially good target for DM searches.

Although it is relatively faint, M31 has been detected at γ-ray band by Fermi-LAT.

Taken the detected flux as the upper limit on the possible DM induced γ-ray emission from M31, conservative limits on the DM annihilation cross section or decay lifetime was derived.


No scab symptoms developed on 'Gold Rush', 'Enterprise', 'Liberty', and 'Redfree' apples in the organic, grower-managed orchard, demonstrating stable scab resistance when no fungicides were applied. However, at least one S spray during peak scab infection periods is recommended in the event of scab-resistance breakdown (Bus, 1999) . Sulfur may also have been effective in reducing quince rust [Gymnosporangium clavipes (Crooke & Peck)], identified primarily in 'Gold Rush' apples, in which a significantly higher level of symptoms was observed on leaves and on harvested fruit compared with 'Enterprise' and 'Liberty' apples (Table 1 ). There was an intermediate level of quince rust on 'Redfree' trees (Table 1) . Individual fruit weight was greater in 'Enterprise' at 228 g compared with an average of 148 g in 'Gold Rush', 'Redfree', and 'Liberty' (Table 1) . Nitrogen was not a limiting factor in production, because foliar leaf N ranged from 2.2% in 'Enterprise' to 2.3% in the other three cultivars (data not shown). There were no significant differences among cultivars in plum curculio-and codling moth-damaged apples at harvest (Table 1) . Limited incidence of codling moth (1.8% to 4.2% damaged fruits) and plum curculio (3.1% to 7.1% damaged fruits) was considered acceptable, because this will result in a 50% to 100% price premium at local markets, depending upon availability and season.

However, at least one S spray during peak scab infection periods is recommended in the event of scab-resistance breakdown.


Achyranthes aspera Linn (Aa) of family amaranthaceae is a perennial herb approximately 0.3 to 0.9 meter in height commonly known as Pathkanda and Khardar-Guna in Pakistan. Seeds are sub-cylindrical which are shortened at apex, rounded at base, black and shining [7] . It is very common in the desert areas of Pakistan.

Seeds are sub-cylindrical which are shortened at apex, rounded at base, black and shining.


Mostly, diuretics act by stimulating urinary output and electrolyte excretion from the body. Diuretics such as the high-ceiling/loop and thiazides diuretic are associated with several adverse effects, for example, ototoxicity, hyperuricemia, acute hypovolemia, potassium depletion, hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hypersensitivity [6] . This phenomenon necessitates the search of a diuretic which is comparatively free from such unwanted effects.

Diuretics such as the high-ceiling/loop and thiazides diuretic are associated with several adverse effects, for example, ototoxicity, hyperuricemia, acute hypovolemia, potassium depletion, hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hypersensitivity.


Correspondence to: R. P. Singh (rampal@banaras.ernet.in) irregularities affect the amplitude and phase of satellite signals. Amplitude variations may induce signal fading, and when depth of fading exceeds the fade margin of a receiving system, message errors are encountered. If navigation is dependent on the Global Positioning System (GPS), then amplitude fluctuations may lead to data loss and cycle slips (Aarons and Basu, 1994) . Sudden phase changes may cause a loss of phase lock in GPS receivers (Basu et al., 1995) . Equatorial scintillations during a high solar activity period have been found to be sufficiently intense to disable many communication and navigation systems (Groves et al., 1997) . Hence, it is necessary to understand the role of space-weather events on scintillations.

If navigation is dependent on the Global Positioning System (GPS), then amplitude fluctuations may lead to data loss and cycle slips.

Sudden phase changes may cause a loss of phase lock in GPS receivers.

Equatorial scintillations during a high solar activity period have been found to be sufficiently intense to disable many communication and navigation systems.


Genotype-specific nodulation (gsn) genes are reported in B. japonicum. The nolA gene allowed serogroup 123 strains to nodulate soybean plants having USDA123-restricting Plant Introduction (PI) genotypes (Sadowsky et al. 1991) . The noeD gene restricted nodulation of soybean genotype PI 417566 with USDA 110 (Lohrke et al. 1998) . There have been, however, no reports of the identification of the Rj-genotype specific nodulation (Rj-gsn) gene that is related to the incompatible combinations with Rj soybeans. This study reports the isolation and characterization of Tn5 mutants of B. japonicum strain Is-1 with the ability to nodulate cv. CNS (Rj 2 Rj 3 ) and shows the candidates of the Rj-gsn genes with the identifications of Tn5-flanking sequences in these mutants. As this is the first report to overcome the nodulation restriction conditioned by Rj 2 -cultivars, these mutants will be helpful in identifying the Rj-gsn gene in further studies.

The nolA gene allowed serogroup 123 strains to nodulate soybean plants having USDA123-restricting Plant Introduction (PI) genotypes.

The noeD gene restricted nodulation of soybean genotype PI 417566 with USDA 110.


In several applications, such as mobile communication and spatial detection, techniques require antennas that have high directive radiation pattern, which cannot be achieved by a single element antenna. Antenna arrays are formed to circumvent such problems by combining many individual antenna elements in particular electrical and geometrical configurations. The primary design objective of antenna array geometry is to determine the locations of array elements that jointly produce a radiation pattern to resemble the desired pattern as nearly as possible. Poor design may result in a polluted electromagnetic environment. This will also result in wastage of power, which is a vital aspect in wireless devices that run on batteries. The classical derivative-based optimizations of designing antenna arrays are not effective as they are prone to getting local optima and strongly sensitive to initialization. Due to these inherent shortcomings of the classical technique, many modern metaheuristics approaches were tried to achieve optimized side-lobe level (SLL) and null control from the designed arrays [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] .

Due to these inherent shortcomings of the classical technique, many modern metaheuristics approaches were tried to achieve optimized side-lobe level (SLL) and null control from the designed arrays.


This paper investigates the fundamental limits of spike detection in the rank-one spiked Wigner model. We proved that the logarithm of the likelihood ratio has Gaussian fluctuations below the reconstruction threshold λ c while it is exponentially large under the alternative above it. This establishes the maximal region of contiguity between the planted and null models: namely the open interval (0, λ c ). This also pins down the performance of the optimal test, and provides formulae for the Kullback-Leibler and the total variation distances between the null and planted distributions. An important characteristic of this threshold is that it is not necessarily related to the spectrum of the observed matrix: there are cases where λ c does not correspond to the point where the signal shows up in the spectrum. Our proofs repose on the technology developed within spin-glass theory for the study of the SK model. It is of interest to extend these techniques to other spiked models, notably spiked covariance models where the perturbation is in the covariance matrix of the data. Partial progress establishing Gaussian fluctuations of the LR in a restricted regime was recently obtained by a subset of the authors (El Alaoui and Jordan, 2018) . Reaching the optimal threshold-a conjectural formula of which is provided in this recent paper-remains an interesting problem.

Partial progress establishing Gaussian fluctuations of the LR in a restricted regime was recently obtained by a subset of the authors.


The goal of enterprise architecture is to align the business systems and the IT systems in order to improve enterprise's competitiveness [1] . Enterprise architecture (EA) deals with hierarchical systems that typically span from business entities (e.g. market, company, department…) down to IT components (e.g. applications, applets, servlets, beans…). During an EA project, the EA team -typically a multi-disciplinary team -develops an enterprise model that represents the enterprise and its environment. Working with a model is important; when making the model, the team develops an agreed representation of the enterprise, of its environment and of what the project needs to achieve.

The goal of enterprise architecture is to align the business systems and the IT systems in order to improve enterprise's competitiveness.


Recently, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) have been frequently detected at higher concentrations in surface water [19] [20] [21] [22] . Due to their toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenic potential, PAHs are included in the priority list of pollutants of the US EPA and the European Union [23] . PAEs are a group of chemicals with high environmental relevance due to their production rates and ecotoxicological potential. Various adverse effects, including those on the reproductive and endocrine systems of crustaceans and amphibians, have been reported [24] [25] [26] . Thus, the occurrence and removal of PAHs and PAEs have become a significant focus in the field of water treatment. PAHs and PAEs are difficult to remove by conventional water treatment technology; however, until now, little information on the removal of PAHs and PAEs by NF membranes has been provided. Furthermore, dimethyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate present low hydrophobicity, while all PAHs are highly hydrophobic. Thus, the nanofiltration of PAHs and PAEs can improve the understanding of the relationship between the hydrophobicity of compounds and rejection by NF.

Recently, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) have been frequently detected at higher concentrations in surface water.

Due to their toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenic potential, PAHs are included in the priority list of pollutants of the US EPA and the European Union.

Various adverse effects, including those on the reproductive and endocrine systems of crustaceans and amphibians, have been reported.


It is well known that the anti-de Sitter algebra allows several contractions to non-relativistic kinematical symmetry algebras [1] . For zero cosmological constant, among these algebras are the Galilei and Carroll algebras. Both algebras can be obtained as a contraction of the Poincaré algebra which by itself is a contraction of the anti-de Sitter algebra. Whereas the Galilei algebra is obtained as a non-relativistic, i.e. c → ∞, limit of the Poincaré algebra, the Carroll algebra is obtained as the opposite ultra-relativistic, i.e. c → 0, limit of the same Poincaré algebra.

It is well known that the anti-de Sitter algebra allows several contractions to non-relativistic kinematical symmetry algebras.


Accelerometry is regarded the ''gold standard'' for assessing objectively measured PA, as it provides a reliable and valid estimate of energy expenditure as well as the amount of time spent in sedentary/light PA, moderate PA, and vigorous PA [11, 12] . PA seems to decline starting at school age, with children spending approximately 10% less time in physical activity for each advancing year of age [13] . Thus, preschool age is regarded as a critical period to intervene and to promote physical activity [14] . However, a prerequisite is to understand the physical (in)activity level of preschool-aged children. Valid data on PA levels in children of this age group, covering more than 4 days in order to identify patterns of children's PA between days, are limited [3, 12] . In addition, daily PA seems to be lower during the weekend compared to weekdays in older children [3, 15, 16] . The aim of this study was to evaluate objectively measured PA in 3-6 year old children to examine differences in PA patterns among weekdays and weekends. Associations were also analyzed between PA data and gender, Body-Mass-Index (BMI) as marker of weight status, lifestyle, and socioeconomic parameters.

Accelerometry is regarded the ''gold standard'' for assessing objectively measured PA, as it provides a reliable and valid estimate of energy expenditure as well as the amount of time spent in sedentary/light PA, moderate PA, and vigorous PA.

PA seems to decline starting at school age, with children spending approximately 10% less time in physical activity for each advancing year of age.

Thus, preschool age is regarded as a critical period to intervene and to promote physical activity.

Valid data on PA levels in children of this age group, covering more than 4 days in order to identify patterns of children's PA between days, are limited.

In addition, daily PA seems to be lower during the weekend compared to weekdays in older children.


An approach to this question can be found in the works of Lasserre and Putinar [8, 14] . A thorough analysis shows that behind their results there is indeed a classical Positivstellensatz. The assumptions in their theorems always allow to obtain the classical positivity on Y from the assumed positivity on X. We will explain this in more detail below. We will then try to examine systematically, under which conditions the obvious positivity on X implies the hidden positivity on Y . We can go beyond the results of Lasserre and Putinar, for example when considering non-continuous semialgebraic functions on X ⊆ R n . The formal setup is as follows. Let A be a (unital) R-algebra and let Q be a quadratic module of A. We are mainly interested in the case where A is finitely generated as an R-algebra and the quadratic module Q is archimedean and finitely generated as a quadratic module. Here a quadratic module of A is a subset Q of A satisfying Q + Q ⊆ Q, f 2 Q ⊆ Q for all f ∈ A, and 1 ∈ Q. Q is said to be archimedean if for all f ∈ A there is an integer n ≥ 1 such that n + f ∈ A.

An approach to this question can be found in the works of Lasserre and Putinar.

The formal setup is as follows.


The current negative profile highlights residual symptoms of affective poverty, apathy and anhedonia in both groups which are consistent with previous reports in VLOSLP [14, 25] . These residual symptoms might also be explained by a lesser efficacy of neuroleptics to control negative symptoms [41] . It is also possible that some symptoms such as reduced facial expression and energy might be extrapyramidal side effects of the medication rather than intrinsic negative symptoms [42] . However, this is less likely given that extrapyramidal side effects are more common in typical than in atypical neuroleptics, and that most VLOSLP (16/17) received atypical neuroleptics at an inferior percentage of maximum dose than EOS (22.8% versus 50.2% for, respectively, VLOSLP and EOS [39] ).

The current negative profile highlights residual symptoms of affective poverty, apathy and anhedonia in both groups which are consistent with previous reports in VLOSLP.

These residual symptoms might also be explained by a lesser efficacy of neuroleptics to control negative symptoms.

It is also possible that some symptoms such as reduced facial expression and energy might be extrapyramidal side effects of the medication rather than intrinsic negative symptoms.

However, this is less likely given that extrapyramidal side effects are more common in typical than in atypical neuroleptics, and that most VLOSLP (16/17) received atypical neuroleptics at an inferior percentage of maximum dose than EOS (22.8% versus 50.2% for, respectively, VLOSLP and EOS).


Regarding the past negative symptoms, we had hypothezied that VLOSLP patients would present with some negative symptoms, but of less severity than the negative symptoms of EOS patients. In accordance with this hypothesis, the results showed that EOS had presented more apathy and anhedonia symptoms in the past than VLOSLP, and especially more assiduity loss. This difference in the clinical profile between VLOSLP and EOS could reflect a more severe negative pathology in the elderly EOS than previously suggested by some authors, especially in women [28] . This could also be the result of a bias regarding different disease duration in the two groups.

This difference in the clinical profile between VLOSLP and EOS could reflect a more severe negative pathology in the elderly EOS than previously suggested by some authors, especially in women.


Data regarding current symptoms suggests some remission and/or symptom improvement in both groups. Good response to atypical neuroleptics in VLOSLP is consistent with previous data [20, 26, 34, 35] . Indeed few positive symptoms were actually endorsed in the current condition (follow-up) by the patients, with delusions being the most present in 50% of the VLOSLP and 69% of the EOS. Persecutory delusions were the most prominent residual symptom in VLOSLP while elderly EOS presented various types of delusions. This observation is in accordance with a more florid versus more systematized/restricted delusions described, respectively, in EOS and VLOSLP [5, 14, 26] . The current low prevalence of positive symptoms in the groups might have produced a floor effect reducing the possibility to observe other between-group differences.

Good response to atypical neuroleptics in VLOSLP is consistent with previous data.

This observation is in accordance with a more florid versus more systematized/restricted delusions described, respectively, in EOS and VLOSLP.


To address these issues, our team performed a historical cohort study on the cognitive and clinical profile/ evolution of elderly patients with VLOSLP versus those of patients with life-long EOS. The detailed method and cognitive results were presented in a previous report [39] . In summary, although VLOSLP and EOS patients did not meet the diagnostic criteria for dementia at onset of the psychotic disorder, the results showed that the groups presented at follow-up with cognitive deficits in several domains, and 20% of VLOSLP had developed dementia overtime (after onset of psychotic disorders) compared to 5.9% of EOS [39] .

The detailed method and cognitive results were presented in a previous report.

In summary, although VLOSLP and EOS patients did not meet the diagnostic criteria for dementia at onset of the psychotic disorder, the results showed that the groups presented at follow-up with cognitive deficits in several domains, and 20% of VLOSLP had developed dementia overtime (after onset of psychotic disorders) compared to 5.9% of EOS.


The objective of the present paper is thus to present the clinical results of this historical cohort study, i.e. to characterize and compare the current (follow-up) and past (at onset of the psychotic disorder) positive and negative symptoms of patients with VLOSLP with those of patients aged 55 years and older who received a diagnosis of EOS. In terms of clinical profile, VLOSLP were hypothesized to present with less severe current (followup) and past positive symptoms than EOS, to present with some negative symptoms, but of less severity than those of EOS patients. In terms of demographics, VLO-SLP were hypothesized to be predominantly female, to have a better premorbid social functioning, i.e. to be more married/widowed/divorced than EOS (more single), and to be less educated than EOS, per the findings of a previous study on a French-speaking population by our team [25] .

In terms of demographics, VLO-SLP were hypothesized to be predominantly female, to have a better premorbid social functioning, i.e. to be more married/widowed/divorced than EOS (more single), and to be less educated than EOS, per the findings of a previous study on a French-speaking population by our team.


In summary, studies on VLOSLP patients over the last decade have consistently reported the presence of paranoid delusions and generally less severe positive symptoms than in EOS. However, the presence/absence and severity of negative symptoms remains a controversial issue. Regarding the evolution of VLOSLP, gender might have an impact on the outcome, with VLOSLP women possibly having a poorer prognosis than men; but few studies addressed this question so further research are required. Finally, ethnicity might play a role in demographic characteristics as well as in the clinical profile of VLOSLP patients. As there were very few studies conducted on a French-speaking population with VLOSLP, the differential clinical and sociodemographic profile of French-speaking patients with VLOSLP versus that of French-speaking patients with EOS shall be further investigated. Indeed, do VLOSLP patients share the same symptomatology/etiology than EOS, or do they have a neurodegenerative and/or neurovascular substrate to their disorder as it has been suggested by some authors [36] [37] [38] ?

Indeed, do VLOSLP patients share the same symptomatology/etiology than EOS, or do they have a neurodegenerative and/or neurovascular substrate to their disorder as it has been suggested by some authors?


The two patient groups had at follow-up overall comparable profiles for vascular risk factors (VRF), which is surprising given that VLOSLP were older than EOS, and because VRF typically increase at midlife [44] . Yet this type of results was previously reported [45] . However, in the present study, cerebral lesions, generally of vascular nature, were found on CT-scans in 68.8% of VLOSLP at current (follow-up) evaluation only. On the contrary, the EOS patients were not suspected to present abnormalities since the majority of these patients were not administered neuroimaging exams by their treating physicians. Only the third of the EOS with CT-scans (2/6) presented abnormal results at current evaluation. These findings suggest the development of greater cerebrovascular vulnerability in VLOSLP than in EOS, thus corroborating neurodegenerative/neurovascular reports of previous studies [7, 26, 36, 38] .

The two patient groups had at follow-up overall comparable profiles for vascular risk factors (VRF), which is surprising given that VLOSLP were older than EOS, and because VRF typically increase at midlife.

Yet this type of results was previously reported.

These findings suggest the development of greater cerebrovascular vulnerability in VLOSLP than in EOS, thus corroborating neurodegenerative/neurovascular reports of previous studies.


We find that a thorough analysis of the minimal gauged U (1) B−L sterile neutrino 2 dark matter model is missing from the literature, and thus we present here a comprehensive analysis of the viability of a sterile neutrino WIMP dark matter candidate within the context of a gauged U (1) B−L extension of the SM. We focus here explicitly on the case where the dark matter fermion has a lepton charge L = 1, but comment in the text on alternative possibilities [30] [31] [32] [33] . Moreover, we also study generic phenomenological features appearing in extensions of the minimal scenario via the addition of singlet scalars.

We focus here explicitly on the case where the dark matter fermion has a lepton charge L = 1, but comment in the text on alternative possibilities.


The first inter-rater reliability study reported in the Professional Manual involved 74 self-reports and an additional 138 assessments by primary and secondary respondents. To describe rates of agreement in practical terms, scale scores are divided into five categories from Very High to Very Low. An exact agreement rate of 40% was obtained. An 80% rate of agreement that is plus-or-minus one category between self, primary and secondary respondents was also found. Given the difficulty of observing high rates of agreement among independent raters, these percentages were judged to be more than adequate. This paper describes the results of an inter-rater reliability study of the MIDAS that addresses the question, How well does a self-report correspond with the assessments provided by significant others who know him or her well? The goal of this study is to replicate the original inter-rater reliability investigation that found high levels of agreement among self, primary and secondary respondents (Shearer, 2007) .

The goal of this study is to replicate the original inter-rater reliability investigation that found high levels of agreement among self, primary and secondary respondents.


There has been growing interest in research on energy consumption with the aim of resolving environmental issues. Furthermore, technological development is expected to encourage energy and environmental solutions. Consequently, in association with energy conservation techniques, the addition of a drag-reducing agent to reduce pipe friction loss has attracted attention since the discovery that adding polymers to a turbulent flow reduced the pressure drop [1] . For instance, one study investigated the effect of friction drag reduction (DR), caused by the injection of drag-reducing agents into a pipe flow in a heat-transport system, on energy consumption [2] . The authors found that this reduction of pressure loss in a pipeline significantly reduced energy consumption because it reduced the cost of operating pumps in the system. Drag-reduction techniques also have the potential to enable smaller and more efficient fluid flow devices.

Consequently, in association with energy conservation techniques, the addition of a drag-reducing agent to reduce pipe friction loss has attracted attention since the discovery that adding polymers to a turbulent flow reduced the pressure drop.

For instance, one study investigated the effect of friction drag reduction (DR), caused by the injection of drag-reducing agents into a pipe flow in a heat-transport system, on energy consumption.


In this article, we extend the RePA approach by considering the time for performing data redistribution between subsequent tasks and also propose a postponing strategy to avoid assigning a small number of processors to computation intensive tasks. We evaluate the performance of the new scheduling algorithm by running a number of simulations using SimGrid [2] . This paper is organized as follows. Section 2 points out the problem of scheduling dynamically generated DAGs and introduces the ReP algorithm. In Section 3 the DMHEFT algorithm is proposed which extends the ReP algorithm by accounting for redistribution costs and adding postponing strategies. Section 4 presents the experimental evaluation of DMHEFT. Section 5 discusses related work and Section 6 concludes the article and outlines future work.

We evaluate the performance of the new scheduling algorithm by running a number of simulations using SimGrid.

This paper is organized as follows.


Many applications can be represented as workflows which can be modeled as DAGs. Each node in the DAG represents an executable task and each directed edge represents a data or a control dependency. The mixed-parallel approach for parallelizing an application where data-parallel nodes are executed concurrently often leads to faster execution times than pure data-parallel applications [3] . A task which is assigned to a number of available processors is called a multi-processor task (M-task). The scheduling of such mixed-parallel applications has been studied for homogeneous platforms [8] . More recently, heterogenous platforms (grid environments, clusters of clusters) have become the target for scheduling mixed-parallel applications [1, 6] . The previous approaches assume that the entire DAG is known at all time. However, DAGs can also be created dynamically during execution time. For instance, in a recursively implemented algorithm a task may create new sub-tasks if certain criteria are satisfied and so, the workflow is not known beforehand.

The mixed-parallel approach for parallelizing an application where data-parallel nodes are executed concurrently often leads to faster execution times than pure data-parallel applications.

The scheduling of such mixed-parallel applications has been studied for homogeneous platforms.

More recently, heterogenous platforms (grid environments, clusters of clusters) have become the target for scheduling mixed-parallel applications.


Mineral contents of the leaves and roots of the lettuce plants except Na and Cl drastically decreased under salt stress ( Fig. 2 ; Tables 2  and 3 ). Salinity dominated by Na and Cl ions decreased the concentration of essential macroand microelements in several vegetable crops (Grattan and Grieve, 1999; Yildirim et al., 2006) . High concentrations of NaCl in the soil solution may disorder nutrient-ion activities, causing plants to be susceptible to osmotic and specific ion injury as well as to nutritional disorders that result in reduced yield and quality (Grattan and Grieve, 1999) . Salt stress increased the Na and Cl content in both organs of lettuce plants (Fig. 2) .

Salinity dominated by Na and Cl ions decreased the concentration of essential macroand microelements in several vegetable crops.

High concentrations of NaCl in the soil solution may disorder nutrient-ion activities, causing plants to be susceptible to osmotic and specific ion injury as well as to nutritional disorders that result in reduced yield and quality.


Chromium exhibits different oxidation states which are +1, +3, +4, +5, and +6. These oxidation states have been observed to show differences in toxicity, solubility and transport [1] . Among these species, hexavalent chromium (+6) has been reported to be toxic and most probably carcinogenic [2] . Hexavalent chromium has high solubility and hence high mobility in water. These properties contribute to the spread and elevated levels of endangered waters. In December 2010, the Washington Post article reported that tap water in 31 out of 35 major cities contained hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) [3] . To reduce chromium contamination and adverse health effects to United States residents, the EPA has set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.05 mg/L and 2 mg/L in surface water for Cr (VI) and total chromium, respectively [4] .

These oxidation states have been observed to show differences in toxicity, solubility and transport.

Among these species, hexavalent chromium (+6) has been reported to be toxic and most probably carcinogenic.

In December 2010, the Washington Post article reported that tap water in 31 out of 35 major cities contained hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)).

To reduce chromium contamination and adverse health effects to United States residents, the EPA has set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.05 mg/L and 2 mg/L in surface water for Cr (VI) and total chromium, respectively.


Patients with long-standing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently develop anaemia, the pathogenesis of which is attributed to the underlying chronic disease, the iron deficiency, or both. Iron depletion is usually attributed to increased loss, impaired absorption from the gut, or both [1] . As a consequence, most patients with IBD are advised to consume foods rich in iron and proteins as well as to receive orally iron for a long period of time [2] . It is well established that the orally administered iron can react in the inflamed colon with superoxide (O 2− ) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), thus producing free hydroxyl radical (OH) that can induce oxidative stress. The latter could further aggravate the tissue damage and amplify the degree of inflammation. Experimental data suggest that oral iron supplementation can induce colitis in animals and amplify the inflammatory response [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] .

Iron depletion is usually attributed to increased loss, impaired absorption from the gut, or both.

As a consequence, most patients with IBD are advised to consume foods rich in iron and proteins as well as to receive orally iron for a long period of time.

Experimental data suggest that oral iron supplementation can induce colitis in animals and amplify the inflammatory response.


In the universal enveloping algebra of the Virasoro algebra one can define an infinite set of commuting charges, which we denote I 2m−1 [2] [3] [4] . Here m is an integer, and the index 2m − 1 labels the spin of the charge; I 1 is the usual Virasoro generator L 0 . These charges allow us to apply technology from the theory of integrable systems to the Virasoro symmetry structure of two-dimensional CFTs. The problem of the simultaneous diagonalization of I 2m−1 's can be mapped to a quantum version of the KdV problem [4] . Hence the I 2m−1 's are sometimes called the quantum KdV charges.

In the universal enveloping algebra of the Virasoro algebra one can define an infinite set of commuting charges, which we denote I 2m−1.

The problem of the simultaneous diagonalization of I 2m−1 's can be mapped to a quantum version of the KdV problem.


There are active research activities on Sensor Cloud to integrate wireless sensor networks and cloud computing [17] . Sensor Cloud addresses important technical issues and has great potentials for future IoT applications. However, Sensor Cloud is not a concrete technical solution but a computing model or concept. It is a very complicated technical approach. However, Galilee is the system middleware intended for real world applications and focused on RTEM.

There are active research activities on Sensor Cloud to integrate wireless sensor networks and cloud computing.


The issue of damaged, deteriorating, or deficient bridges is a topic of considerable importance in the developed (and developing) world. Steel and composite steel-concrete bridges constitute a large number of the existing bridges worldwide. With the increasing number of structurally deficient bridges in the world, there is a need to adopt durable materials and cost-effective strengthening techniques (Assoodani, 2014) . This paper focuses on a novel strengthening technique using fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) to address a specific deficiency in steel plate girder bridges related to shear buckling deformations of their web plates; the work seeks to stiffen, strengthen, and extend the fatigue life of such girders.

With the increasing number of structurally deficient bridges in the world, there is a need to adopt durable materials and cost-effective strengthening techniques.


With the trends to increase power concentration (head per stage), the pressure fluctuation induced by the rotor-stator interaction during the operation of the machine is large resulting in large dynamic forces on the impeller. If resonance occurs, damage can appear in the impeller and in fact, damage in this type of impellers was reported by several authors [1] [2] [3] . To avoid this kind of problem, it is of paramount importance to have an accurate understanding of the dynamic response of the impeller, especially when it is submerged in water.

If resonance occurs, damage can appear in the impeller and in fact, damage in this type of impellers was reported by several authors.


Transactional Memory (TM) is a concurrency control mechanism which allows a thread to perform a series of memory accesses as a single atomic operation [22] . This avoids the need for the programmer to design fine-grained concurrency control mechanisms for shared-memory data structures. Typical implementations of TM execute transactions optimistically, detecting any conflicts which occur between concurrent transactions, and aborting one or other of the transactions involved [18] .

Transactional Memory (TM) is a concurrency control mechanism which allows a thread to perform a series of memory accesses as a single atomic operation.

Typical implementations of TM execute transactions optimistically, detecting any conflicts which occur between concurrent transactions, and aborting one or other of the transactions involved.


We have analysed the velocity distributions in different cones centered on merger remnants. The velocity anisotropy profiles and the velocity dispersions in the different cones behaved differently. This was both the case for major mergers with and without impact parameters, and for minor mergers. We also demonstrated that these asymmetries are not washed out by a process that mimics smooth accretion. Since mergers are frequent in the real universe, it is therefore not surprising that similar asymmetries are present in cosmological haloes [20] .

Since mergers are frequent in the real universe, it is therefore not surprising that similar asymmetries are present in cosmological haloes.