Direct contact inspection techniques are typically limited to temperatures below approximately 500 • C, even with the restriction of short duty cycles; continuous direct contact inspection is restricted to even lower temperatures [3, 4] . There are several reasons for such temperature restrictions, including structural changes in the transducer materials, the differential rates of thermal expansion of transducer components, and limitations of the joining technique used to link the transducer components together. All piezoelectric materials experience a permanent degradation or loss of their piezoelectric properties at a critical temperature known as the Curie point. Above this temperature a phase change in the material results in the loss of piezoelectric properties, even if the temperature is later reduced [5, 6] . Piezoelectric materials which are common in industrial ultrasound transducers, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), have a maximum Curie point of the order of 400 • C. (The exact value depends on the PZT formulation). The Curie point of lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ), a promising alternative to PZT for high temperature applications, is approximately 1150 • C. Several studies have shown that LiNbO 3 -based transducers could be both effective and stable at extreme temperatures for long-term installation [4, 7, 8] .

Direct contact inspection techniques are typically limited to temperatures below approximately 500 • C, even with the restriction of short duty cycles; continuous direct contact inspection is restricted to even lower temperatures.

Above this temperature a phase change in the material results in the loss of piezoelectric properties, even if the temperature is later reduced.

The Curie point of lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ), a promising alternative to PZT for high temperature applications, is approximately 1150 • C. Several studies have shown that LiNbO 3 -based transducers could be both effective and stable at extreme temperatures for long-term installation.


We assessed the extent to which visual scores for gradation in orange kernel color were heritable across and within 10 families from the maize NAM population. Although the 10 NAM families were evaluated for only 2 yr at a single location, the 2 l h of kernel color across the 10 NAM families was moderately high at 0.78. Heritability on an individual plot basis across all NAM families ( 2 p h ) across the 10 NAM families was just 9% lower than line-mean basis heritability, indicating that field evaluation of the NAM lines for a second year did not substantially increase mean heritability at this location. On average, 2 p lw h was moderately high at 0.64. These estimates of heritability suggest that variation for kernel color within a family was influenced mainly by QTL, and kernel color should respond favorably to selection based on line means when using the experimental design that was used in this study (Holland et al., 2003) .

These estimates of heritability suggest that variation for kernel color within a family was influenced mainly by QTL, and kernel color should respond favorably to selection based on line means when using the experimental design that was used in this study.


Cancer is the most dangerous and leading cause of death in the whole world wide. There are different types of cancers in the different organs of a human. For women, breast is the most important organ. At the baby birth, mother women used his breast to feed her milk to her child. Therefore, breast is the most important organ especially for women. There is a special care required so that it can escape from any type of disease or cancer. Due to milk transfer to child's, there are chances that may be cancer also shifted to child's if it is uncured or due to unaware of such type of diseases [1] . Breast cancer is the most common cancer especially in the women. Thus there is special attention required to solve this problem. Mammography is a process that can be used to detect cancer in the breast. Radiologists are the most expensive in the whole world wide. It is very difficult for a common person to bear too many expenses. Second this cancer is also diagnosed very carefully.

Due to milk transfer to child's, there are chances that may be cancer also shifted to child's if it is uncured or due to unaware of such type of diseases.


Most of the time, it is recommended to take the second opinion from another radiologist. Due to lack of funds or expenses, it is very difficult to take the second opinion. Now a day, in this digital world, it is possible to introduce a computer based solution to diagnose such type of cancers [2, 3, 4] . In the literature, many different Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems are available to help the radiologist to take the second opinion. Most of the existing system has some problems due to poor imaging quality. Some systems did not perform well in the case of noises or due to low radiation may be image has low quality or poor quality due to low contrast. There is CAD system available that guarantees the solution. Still, there is room to improve the performance of these CAD systems [5, 6] . Therefore, I have tried to propose a solution to detect cancer in the breast mammograms.

Now a day, in this digital world, it is possible to introduce a computer based solution to diagnose such type of cancers.

Still, there is room to improve the performance of these CAD systems.


The first algorithm for comparing genomic sequences is due to Needleman and Wunsch in 1970 [1] . It is based on dynamic programming techniques and allows the user to globally align two sequences. In 1981, Smith and Waterman proposed a modified version for computing local alignments between two sequences [2] . The following year, this famous algorithm has been improved by Gotoh to include affine gap costs for better representing biological reality [3] . This family of algorithms is optimal: they provide the best alignments.

The first algorithm for comparing genomic sequences is due to Needleman and Wunsch in 1970.

In 1981, Smith and Waterman proposed a modified version for computing local alignments between two sequences.

The following year, this famous algorithm has been improved by Gotoh to include affine gap costs for better representing biological reality.


In both cases, a nodes renumbering method for minimizing the bandwidth, the profile or the frontwidth is required in order to reduce the computation time while solving the algebraic system [2] . Most of these methods use the matrix graph levels. A graph of the matrix is built and structured into levels. The nodes of the graph are then numbered level by level.

In both cases, a nodes renumbering method for minimizing the bandwidth, the profile or the frontwidth is required in order to reduce the computation time while solving the algebraic system.


The results of this study show that the oxygen diffusion coefficient depends on water content and substrate density, which both influence air content of growing media. There is a stable dependency of the oxygen diffusion coefficient on air content irrespective of the type of growing media. This relation can be described by the model function of Moldrup [41] . Future studies should clarify a possible modification of the tortuosity parameter at different compaction levels. Together with techniques to describe the air content of growing media, such as simulation models, this dependency could be used to develop estimation procedures for oxygen supply for different practical situations in horticultural production.

This relation can be described by the model function of Moldrup.


In a previous study with two types of growing media the oxygen diffusion coefficient did not differ for different types of growing media at the same air content [37] . This is in accordance with the results in this study with four types of substrates. The oxygen diffusion coefficient at different pF values differs between substrate 3 and the others (Figure 2) . Substrate 3 has the lowest mean weighted diameter (Table 3 ) and, therefore, the lowest air content at the given pF values.

In a previous study with two types of growing media the oxygen diffusion coefficient did not differ for different types of growing media at the same air content.


The final success of utilizing plant proteins as additives depends greatly upon the favorable characteristics that they impart to foods (Khalid et al., 2012; Kamara et al., 2009) . In order to develop plant protein for use as food ingredients and other applications, their physicochemical and functional properties have to be evaluated (Chavan et al., 2001) . Therefore, the relationship between protein quality and processing parameters that affect the functional performance of protein products is worthy of extensive investigation. Information on physicochemical characteristics of yam bean seed protein is rather scarce. This study was therefore, aimed at determining the physicochemical and functional characteristics of yam bean seed proteins with a view to explore its potential for use in food systems as well as industrial applications.

The final success of utilizing plant proteins as additives depends greatly upon the favorable characteristics that they impart to foods.

In order to develop plant protein for use as food ingredients and other applications, their physicochemical and functional properties have to be evaluated.


Graphene with a one-atom-thick two-dimensional (2D) structure has been investigated intensively for its unique characteristics, such as chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, and large surface area [34] . Because of these intriguing characteristics, such new materials have a wide range of potential applications and have attracted great interest in the development of graphene composites [35, 36] . The effective surface area of graphene materials is closely related to the layers; that is, materials containing fewer layers with agglomeration should be expected to exhibit higher effective surface areas. Thus, numerous methods have been used to enlarge the specific surface area of pristine graphene.

Graphene with a one-atom-thick two-dimensional (2D) structure has been investigated intensively for its unique characteristics, such as chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, and large surface area.

Because of these intriguing characteristics, such new materials have a wide range of potential applications and have attracted great interest in the development of graphene composites.


Apple is considered to be one of the most important fruit crops in Chilean organic production. While there are no official statistics, the AAOCH (Chilean Organic Agriculture Association -Agrupación de Agricultura Orgánica de Chile) estimates an area of about 1300 ha dedicated to certified organic apple production. Organic farming is a form of agriculture which excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators and genetically modified organisms (Stockdale et al., 2001) . Organic apple production has grown rapidly since the mid 1990s and the demand continues to outstrip supply, which shows consumers preferences towards high quality fruit (Weibel and Häseli, 2003) .

Organic farming is a form of agriculture which excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators and genetically modified organisms.

Organic apple production has grown rapidly since the mid 1990s and the demand continues to outstrip supply, which shows consumers preferences towards high quality fruit.


Another observation in this study that national identification correlates positively with collective pride and collective guilt confirms the rationale of 'group identity lens model' (Turner & Reynolds, 2001) . This model postulates that social identification provides people with a medium through which people perceive and make a meaning of the world. Social identification leads people to be more sensitive and more concerned with anything that could be beneficial or harmful to their group. Parallel with the findings in this study, the more Indonesian Moslems identify with Indonesia the more they feel proud of the Indonesian government's positive achievements in maintaining interreligious pluralism and harmony, which is possibly beneficial to elevate the image of Indonesia as a multicultural country. In a similar vein, the more Indonesian Moslems identify with Indonesia the more they feel guilty of Indonesian government's negative actions in treating members of Shi'a and Ahmadis, which is potentially capable of threatening the multicultural image of Indonesia and the integrity of the United Nation of Indonesia Republic.

Another observation in this study that national identification correlates positively with collective pride and collective guilt confirms the rationale of 'group identity lens model'.


A spherical meander antenna is presented and numerically investigated. Due to closely spaced horizontal loop-shaped meander sections the antenna is able to operate in the electrically small regime (ka = 0.27 in the presented example). It is self-resonant and radiates the TM 10 spherical mode, and thus, akin to the multiarm spherical helix antenna [8] . Results of the numerical investigations reveal very similar performance of both antennas; in particular, they yield Q that is close to 1.5 times the Chu lower bound. The antennas differ mainly in the distribution of the horizontally polarized (cross polar) component. It is also shown how important it is to define clearly the radius of the minimum sphere, since it has a significant effect on the Q/Q LB ratio of an electrically small antenna.

It is self-resonant and radiates the TM 10 spherical mode, and thus, akin to the multiarm spherical helix antenna.


First, it must be established that electromagnetism does indeed affect aqueous systems. Water state, pH, hydrogen bonding, and water magnetic "memory" are affected by electromagnetism [13] - [16] . Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF) affect water via alteration of the lower energy part of the stretching absorption band (~3250 cm −1 ) relating to coherent fully hydrogen bonded populations [17] . There is a great deal of evidence from experimental physics, chemistry and biology supporting the notion of water as a primary mediator of biological effects induced via electromagnetic means into living systems [18] . These specific diverse dynamic interactivities include many biological systems, as has been established experimentally. Pollen germination, tobacco plant resistance to pathogens, seed hydration and germination, techniques such as photoluminescence spectroscopy used to determine the activity of pulsed fields on the "bubble/water interface," magnetic field effect simulation, and other experiments abound [19] - [28] .

Water state, pH, hydrogen bonding, and water magnetic "memory" are affected by electromagnetism.

Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF) affect water via alteration of the lower energy part of the stretching absorption band (~3250 cm −1 ) relating to coherent fully hydrogen bonded populations.

There is a great deal of evidence from experimental physics, chemistry and biology supporting the notion of water as a primary mediator of biological effects induced via electromagnetic means into living systems.

Pollen germination, tobacco plant resistance to pathogens, seed hydration and germination, techniques such as photoluminescence spectroscopy used to determine the activity of pulsed fields on the "bubble/water interface," magnetic field effect simulation, and other experiments abound.


Risk minimization for large institutional portfolios suffers from the curse of dimensionality: the number of different assets (the dimension of the measured return vector), N , is often comparable to, or even larger than the sample size (the length of the available time series), T . As such, portfolio optimization belongs to the realm of high dimensional statistics [1] . Empirical estimates of returns, covariances, etc. are unstable under sample fluctuations.

As such, portfolio optimization belongs to the realm of high dimensional statistics.


The L 1 norm sits on the borderline: it may or may not remove the instability, depending on the sample, which means that on average it does not remove, but only shifts it. In order to prevent the instability, the L 1 norm regularizer has to be implemented as a ban on short selling, which corresponds to a hard constraint, i.e. imposing infinite penalty on solutions wandering outside a finite domain. We illustrate the effect of various regularizers on the estimation error of Expected Shortfall, as it has acquired special significance recently since the Basel Committee proposed it as the next global regulatory market risk measure [8, 9] . The calculations can be carried through analytically in the limit of large Gaussian portfolios (N, T → ∞, with their ratio fixed) by methods borrowed from the statistical physics of disordered systems.

We illustrate the effect of various regularizers on the estimation error of Expected Shortfall, as it has acquired special significance recently since the Basel Committee proposed it as the next global regulatory market risk measure.


In the material removal process, a huge amount of heat is generated in the cutting zone. To reduce the heating problem in the cutting zone, cutting fluid is used. Today MQL (minimum quantity lubrication) machining is known for their outstanding qualities [1] . So MQL is used as the coolant in this experimental study. MQL machining helps to protect the environment as well as the health of the worker. The main advantage of the MQL is that it easily reaches the cutting zone during cutting operation due to high aerosol pressure. When high-pressure air and less coolant is injected into the cutting zone the coolant is vaporized due to the high cutting temperature at the cutting zone and only air are left, so there is no problem for coolant disposal [2] . In the last 10 years, wide research has been done on the MQL condition with different PVD and CVD coated inserts under milling operation. In MQL machining, less cutting force was achieved as compared to the other condition due to the formation of short chip [3] . Hence from the above literature, it is proven that MQL (with cooling air) was a good substitute for other old-fashioned techniques.

Today MQL (minimum quantity lubrication) machining is known for their outstanding qualities.

When high-pressure air and less coolant is injected into the cutting zone the coolant is vaporized due to the high cutting temperature at the cutting zone and only air are left, so there is no problem for coolant disposal.

In MQL machining, less cutting force was achieved as compared to the other condition due to the formation of short chip.


Diamond exhibits attractive intrinsic properties, such as a wide band gap energy (5.47 eV), high electric breakdown field (10 MV·cm −1 ), high carrier mobility (3800 cm 2 ·V −1 ·s −1 for holes), high thermal conductivity (22 W·cm −1 ), and low dielectric constant (~5.7), making it a promising material for future electronic devices [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . However, extended defects, such as dislocations and stacking faults, are common in both natural and synthetic diamond. For crystals formed via chemical vapor deposition (CVD), dislocations mainly stem from extended defects related to the substrate, such as defects in the substrate surface and defects in the bulk of the substrate. Dislocations tend to thread through the CVD film almost parallel to the growth direction [6] . Epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) is a useful method to suppress the dislocation density and has been used for the growth of GaN [7] [8] [9] [10] . The ELO method has also been applied to the growth of diamond [11, 12] .

Diamond exhibits attractive intrinsic properties, such as a wide band gap energy (5.47 eV), high electric breakdown field (10 MV·cm −1 ), high carrier mobility (3800 cm 2 ·V −1 ·s −1 for holes), high thermal conductivity (22 W·cm −1 ), and low dielectric constant (~5.7), making it a promising material for future electronic devices.

Dislocations tend to thread through the CVD film almost parallel to the growth direction.

Epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) is a useful method to suppress the dislocation density and has been used for the growth of GaN.

The ELO method has also been applied to the growth of diamond.


Membrane-bound efflux transporters play important roles in mediating the chemoresistance of tumor cells. There are seven subfamilies of ABC transporters, named as ABCA through ABCG. Members of the ABC family are important in the mechanism of multidrug resistance. Imatinib is a substrate of ABC transporters [13] . The ABCB subfamily consists of 11 genes. The first and best-characterized ABC transporter is ABCB1, which is known as the multidrug resistance (MDR1) transporter and is thought to play a role in the multidrug resistance mechanism [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] . In leukemia cells, these transporters are involved in drug extrusion, while in the gut mucosa and excretory organs, particularly the kidneys and liver, they are thought to reduce the absorption and increase the elimination of drugs [11, 12] . Polycomb group genes (PcGs) are epigenetic effectors involved in the progression of both solid and hematological malignancies [19] . Some members of this gene family have been implicated in chemotherapy resistance and proposed as innovative therapeutic targets in hematological and solid malignancies [19, 20] .

Imatinib is a substrate of ABC transporters.

The first and best-characterized ABC transporter is ABCB1, which is known as the multidrug resistance (MDR1) transporter and is thought to play a role in the multidrug resistance mechanism.

In leukemia cells, these transporters are involved in drug extrusion, while in the gut mucosa and excretory organs, particularly the kidneys and liver, they are thought to reduce the absorption and increase the elimination of drugs.

Polycomb group genes (PcGs) are epigenetic effectors involved in the progression of both solid and hematological malignancies.

Some members of this gene family have been implicated in chemotherapy resistance and proposed as innovative therapeutic targets in hematological and solid malignancies.


Atorvastatin [(3R, 5R)-7-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-phenyl-4-(phenylcarbamoyl)-5-propan-2-ylpyrrol-1-yl]-3, 5-dihydroxyheptanoic acid] calcium is one of the seven often-administered statins, belonging to the anti-hyperlipidemic class of drugs [1] . The primary indication of atorvastatin is in the treatment of dyslipidemia, as it is a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-co enzyme A (HMG Co-A) reductase [2] [3] [4] . Atorvastatin is administered orally in 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg dose per day [5, 6] . The drug is reported to have poor solubility leading to low absolute and systemic bioavailability of about 14 and 30 %, respectively [7, 8] . Modified or prolonged release delivery systems for atorvastatin are not available except for Selfnano emulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) [9] . Nanocrystals possess high entrapment efficiency, with enhanced solubility and drug bioavailability [10] . The release modification of drugs by incorporation of nanocrystals into a thermosensitive polymer matrix is very innovative, and assay of atorvastatin along with other excipients within nanoformulation is challenging as well [11] .

Atorvastatin [(3R, 5R)-7-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-phenyl-4-(phenylcarbamoyl)-5-propan-2-ylpyrrol-1-yl]-3, 5-dihydroxyheptanoic acid] calcium is one of the seven often-administered statins, belonging to the anti-hyperlipidemic class of drugs.

The primary indication of atorvastatin is in the treatment of dyslipidemia, as it is a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-co enzyme A (HMG Co-A) reductase.

Atorvastatin is administered orally in 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg dose per day.

The drug is reported to have poor solubility leading to low absolute and systemic bioavailability of about 14 and 30 %, respectively.

Modified or prolonged release delivery systems for atorvastatin are not available except for Selfnano emulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS).

Nanocrystals possess high entrapment efficiency, with enhanced solubility and drug bioavailability.

The release modification of drugs by incorporation of nanocrystals into a thermosensitive polymer matrix is very innovative, and assay of atorvastatin along with other excipients within nanoformulation is challenging as well.


Biogas composition varied significantly during the first 12Ădays of incubation ( fig. 2 ) but stabilized at 40% to 58% methane on day 12. Biogas from the two high-enzyme treatments and the sugar control reached the highest methane concentrations (50% to 58%), which is within the expected range of methane content (50% to 70%) for biogas produced from carbohydrate-rich feedstocks (Speece, 1996) . These treatments with high steady-state methane content were also those with the most rapid rise in methane content ( fig. 2) . As with the biogas production data, variability of composition within treatments was modest: 6.5% of the biogas composition data set had a coefficient of variance greater than 5%.

Biogas from the two high-enzyme treatments and the sugar control reached the highest methane concentrations (50% to 58%), which is within the expected range of methane content (50% to 70%) for biogas produced from carbohydrate-rich feedstocks.


Enzymes are critical in converting lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals, but the high cost of these enzymes presents a significant barrier in the commercialization of biofuel technologies. It can be estimated, that at current rates, enzyme will cost approximately $30 per metric ton of switchgrass, in addition to feedstock cost (Merino and Cherry, 2007; Ritter, 2008) . Based on the energy payback ($ĂMg -1 switchgrass) calculated from the experimental results, using anaerobic digestion with enzymes and switchgrass would not be economically viable. However, extensive research efforts are underway to reduce the cost of enzymes by up to 50%, which would improve the economics for enzyme addition. Without system optimization and scale-up of this bench-scale process, an economic analysis is premature, but looks unfavorable until reductions in enzyme costs are realized.

It can be estimated, that at current rates, enzyme will cost approximately $30 per metric ton of switchgrass, in addition to feedstock cost.


The three phases of cord response following an injury to the spine include acute, secondary, and chronic injury processes [13] . In the acute phase, direct mechanical damage to neural and soft tissues results in necrosis, or cell death. This is followed by the secondary phase, where the ischemic cytonecrosis conduces to cellular lysis with resultant exponentiation of lipid peroxidation and inflammatory mediator synthesis, which further commove the pericellular homeostatic equilibrium. Finally, in the chronic phase, diverse responses including apoptosis, scarring, tethering, cyst formation, regeneration and sprouting ensue.

The three phases of cord response following an injury to the spine include acute, secondary, and chronic injury processes.


The results generally tallied with the findings from the developed countries with smoking where men consistently smoked more than women in all education and income categories [9] [10] [11] . Smoking and hypertension showed an inverse relationship with education among men and women. However, while income showed a negative relationship with hypertension among women, it did not have an association with hypertension among men, and with smoking among both men and women. Also, the relationship between income, and diabetes and hypercholesterolemia was positive among men, while it was negative among women. There was also a positive association between income and being overweight among men. In addition, the relationship between the CVD risk factors, and education and income varied by ethnicity, age and location. Hence, policy makers and administrators should take account of the CVD risk factors by socioeconomic, demographic and geographic characteristics of the population in the country when devising programmes to reduce deaths caused by CVDrelated diseases. This study has some limitations that future studies should avoid. Firstly, the use of education and income provide only a crude estimate of SES. Secondly, it will be good to find local consumer prices to adjust for inflation effects on income. Thirdly, panel data, which refers to data collected from multiple but the same respondents over time, is superior when analysing causal factors [53] .

The results generally tallied with the findings from the developed countries with smoking where men consistently smoked more than women in all education and income categories.

Thirdly, panel data, which refers to data collected from multiple but the same respondents over time, is superior when analysing causal factors.


Online communities due to their unique features such as ease of access have become one of the main sources for resolving problems. Individuals from all over the world can freely share their questions or comments in online communities without any limitations regarding time/place constraints. Online communities are one of the important achievements of Web 2.0 technologies and have been welcomed by academic researchers and commercial organizations in recent years [1] .

Online communities are one of the important achievements of Web 2.0 technologies and have been welcomed by academic researchers and commercial organizations in recent years.


Online case resolution systems-software tools that enable people to negotiate and resolve civil infractions or low-level criminal charges with officials over the internet-promise to save significant time and resources for litigants, prosecutors, police, judges, and court clerks. Public participants are also likely to make better and more tailored information available to authorities to ensure more accurate outcomes at the conclusion of the decision-making process. For the general public, online case resolution systems can enable ready access to a wealth of legal information, reduce the time spent completing and filing legal documents and waiting for a court's response, and mitigate implicit biases associated with immutable or irrelevant characteristics [13] . Online judicial systems thus provide an easier, faster, and more accurate dispute resolution. They also improve court access for the public by assuaging the effects of physical distance (e.g., costly travel) and missing work, scheduling constraints, confusion, and the emotional toll associated with courtroom appearances. An important question, however, is whether litigants-citizens engaged in a legal dispute or proceeding-who use these tools conclude that they are treated fairly and well during computer-mediated interactions with the justice system.

For the general public, online case resolution systems can enable ready access to a wealth of legal information, reduce the time spent completing and filing legal documents and waiting for a court's response, and mitigate implicit biases associated with immutable or irrelevant characteristics.


The previous studies have all documented that lizards are able to discriminate based on categorical groups, most concerning individuals differentially responding to other individuals based on their sex and/or whether or not they are familiar. However, discrimination based on groupings does not confirm that an individual can discriminate among members of that group (Barrows et al., 1975; Halpin, 1986; Mateo, 2004) . For instance, an individual may assign several individuals to the subgroup of 'familiar' without possessing the ability to discriminate among those familiar individuals. In essence, individuals could be using a template, applicable to many familiar individuals, rather than relying on a specific, individual identity for categorization. Therefore, discrimination of familiar versus unfamiliar does not necessarily imply a more precise discrimination of particular individuals within the subgroup of 'familiar'. In this study, we attempted to determine if the precision of discrimination in lizards can be sharpened to include the discrimination of particular individuals within the broader grouping of 'familiars'. Familiarity, as we used the term, means prior association (Mateo, 2004) . Further, individuals must maintain some sort of memory of the prior association and subsequent behaviours reflect previous interactions.

However, discrimination based on groupings does not confirm that an individual can discriminate among members of that group.

Familiarity, as we used the term, means prior association.


Extraction of de-pigmented algal meal produced 60% crude polysaccharide, which was treated with amyloglucosidase to remove small amounts of co-precipitated floridean starch. The monosaccharide composition and sulphate ester content of the amyloglucosidase-treated polysaccharide preparation are listed in Table I . Galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose (AnGal) were the major constituent sugars in a molar proportion of 6 : 4. A small amount (1.8 mole %) of xylose was present in the native sample, but was destroyed or removed after alkali treatment. Only trace amounts of glucosyl residues and no mono-0-methylgalactosyl residues were detected. Hot alkali treatment has been used on phycocolloids for the conversion of 1,4-linked galactosyl residues bearing sulphate ester group at C(O)6 position to the corresponding AnGal residues (Rees 1961) . After this treatment, the sulphate ester content of the polysaccharide extract decreased from 31.3 to 29.4%, whereas the AnGal content increased slightly, indicating the presence of only low quantities of precursor residues in the native polysaccharide.

Hot alkali treatment has been used on phycocolloids for the conversion of 1,4-linked galactosyl residues bearing sulphate ester group at C(O)6 position to the corresponding AnGal residues.


Previous studies investigated the plasma actuation mainly in premixed burners or coaxial burner with central fuel jet. However in several fields reverse configurations with central oxidizer jet surrounded by annular fuel jet are of great interest. Because of the varied applications of this last configuration ranging from rocket combustor to gas burners, there is a need for stabilize the flame in conditions near the blowout [14] . In the present work ananosecond repetitively pulsed plasma produced by electric pulses with amplitude up to 40 kV, pulse rise time lower than 4 ns and repetition rate up to 3.5 kHz has been used to stabilize and improve the efficiency of a lean non premixed methane/air flame in a non-premixed Bunsen-type burner in both the configurations: central fuel jet and central oxidizer jet.

Because of the varied applications of this last configuration ranging from rocket combustor to gas burners, there is a need for stabilize the flame in conditions near the blowout.


Two HeartLander prototypes have been constructed and preliminary tests have been performed with each device. During initial testing, the first prototype demonstrated its ability to navigate on the surface of an exposed beating porcine heart with the pericardium excised [16] . The second prototype was tested on beating porcine hearts with intact pericardia. In addition to locomotion, the second prototype also performed myocardial injections of dye. This paper describes the design of the two prototypes, reviews the initial tests performed with the first prototype, and presents the results of the latest experiments performed with the new prototype.

During initial testing, the first prototype demonstrated its ability to navigate on the surface of an exposed beating porcine heart with the pericardium excised.


In this work, we show that using a single MMF as the dispersive element overcomes many of these limitations. In a MMF, interference among the guided modes creates wavelength-dependent speckle patterns, providing the required spectral-to-spatial mapping [5, 6] . The spectral resolution is then determined by the minimal change in wavelength that generates an uncorrelated speckle pattern. In a MMF, the spectral correlation width of the speckle scales inversely with the length of the fiber [7] [8] [9] . Since optical fibers have been optimized for long-distance transmission with minimal loss, long fibers can be used to provide fine resolution without sacrificing sensitivity. In addition, the fiber can be coiled into a small footprint, enabling a compact, high-resolution, low-loss spectrometer.

In a MMF, interference among the guided modes creates wavelength-dependent speckle patterns, providing the required spectral-to-spatial mapping.

In a MMF, the spectral correlation width of the speckle scales inversely with the length of the fiber.


MMF spectrometers offer clear advantages over traditional grating spectrometers. The most attractive feature is the ability to achieve high resolution with a compact size. This could enable portable miniature spectrometers with resolution currently only available in large bench-top systems. In addition, optical fiber is extremely low cost and lightweight, and has almost negligible loss over the lengths suitable for the spectrometer application. The reconstruction algorithm is fast and provides comparable accuracy to a grating spectrometer provided the probe signal is sufficient for an accurate measurement of the speckle pattern [16] . The input power dynamic range of the fiber spectrometer depends largely on the sensitivity and dynamic range of the camera used to record the speckle pattern and the coupling efficiency of the probe signal into the MMF. Although high-resolution fiber spectrometers are sensitive to environmental perturbations, a combination of thermal and mechanical stabilization with software correction could enable robust performance.

The reconstruction algorithm is fast and provides comparable accuracy to a grating spectrometer provided the probe signal is sufficient for an accurate measurement of the speckle pattern.


Steel reinforced concrete is a material of choice in the construction industry worldwide because of its desirable structural strength properties, relative cost and durability. Usually, steel reinforced concrete durability is ensured by high alkalinity (pH > 12.5) of the concrete pore environment which protects the steel rebar by a thin stable passive oxide film, from hydrated product of cement pastes, strongly adherent to the steel surface (Tang et al., 2012) . However, environmental agents of corrosion reduce concrete alkalinity and break down the protective passive oxide film on the steel-rebar thus rendering it susceptible to corrosion attacks (Tang et al., 2012; Garce´s et al., 2011) . These environmental agents take the form of carbonation from the atmosphere, chloride ingress from saline (e.g. from de-icing salts) or marine and sulphate attack from acid rain in industrial or microbial activities in sewage environments (Okeniyi et al., 2014a; Gerengi et al., 2013; De Muynck et al., 2009; Tommaselli et al., 2009) . By-products from the attacks of these on steel-rebar are expansive within the concrete, induce low structural strength and lead to cracks, spalling, delamination and, if unchecked, eventual catastrophic collapse of the concrete structure. The premature and progressive deterioration of concrete structures and infrastructures due to corrosion of steel reinforcement (steel-rebar) in the concrete militates against safe and sustainable infrastructure worldwide (Dong et al., 2012; Feng et al., 2011; Fedrizzi et al., 2005) .

Usually, steel reinforced concrete durability is ensured by high alkalinity (pH > 12.5) of the concrete pore environment which protects the steel rebar by a thin stable passive oxide film, from hydrated product of cement pastes, strongly adherent to the steel surface.

However, environmental agents of corrosion reduce concrete alkalinity and break down the protective passive oxide film on the steel-rebar thus rendering it susceptible to corrosion attacks.

These environmental agents take the form of carbonation from the atmosphere, chloride ingress from saline (e.g. from de-icing salts) or marine and sulphate attack from acid rain in industrial or microbial activities in sewage environments.

The premature and progressive deterioration of concrete structures and infrastructures due to corrosion of steel reinforcement (steel-rebar) in the concrete militates against safe and sustainable infrastructure worldwide.


The rate of gas absorption in a G-L or G-L-S contactor may be enhanced considerably by the presence of particles in the liquid-phase. To be effective, the particles have to be considerably smaller than the gas-liquid film thickness and need to have a high affinity for the component to be transferred [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . Enhancement of the gas absorption rates due to the presence of small particles is explained by the so-called grazing or shuttle mechanism. It is assumed that the particles travel between the stagnant liquid mass transfer layer and the bulk of the liquid. Near the interface, the adsorptive particles are loaded with solute and the solute concentration in the liquid mass transfer layer will be reduced. As a consequence, the concentration gradient of the solute in the mass transfer layer will be increased, leading to enhanced gas absorption. After spending a certain time in the liquid side mass transfer layer, the particles returns to the bulk of the liquid where the gas-phase component is desorbed and the particle regenerated [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] .

To be effective, the particles have to be considerably smaller than the gas-liquid film thickness and need to have a high affinity for the component to be transferred.

After spending a certain time in the liquid side mass transfer layer, the particles returns to the bulk of the liquid where the gas-phase component is desorbed and the particle regenerated.


A large number of experimental studies have been performed on the (physical) absorption of various gases in aqueous activated carbon slurries. The absorption rates increase with the activated carbon concentration until a certain concentration and then level off to a constant value [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] . Several explanations have been put forward to explain these effects. It is now widely accepted that, due to the hydrophobic properties of active carbon, the concentration of particles in the mass transfer zone is much higher than in the bulk of the suspension, leading to higher local absorption rates and higher enhancement factors [5, 7, 11, 12] .

The absorption rates increase with the activated carbon concentration until a certain concentration and then level off to a constant value.

It is now widely accepted that, due to the hydrophobic properties of active carbon, the concentration of particles in the mass transfer zone is much higher than in the bulk of the suspension, leading to higher local absorption rates and higher enhancement factors.


Toric arrangements can be viewed as periodic counterparts of linear arrangements. Accordingly, their theory is much inspired by the theory of hyperplane arrangements as it evolved over the last decades (see in particular [6] , [3] , [15] ). The quest for a wonderful model of toric arrangements is then a natural next step.

Accordingly, their theory is much inspired by the theory of hyperplane arrangements as it evolved over the last decades (see in particular,,).


The threat of proliferation activities and unauthorized movement of SNM cannot be underestimated [1] . The detection and identification of SNM is enormously difficult due to the complex physics laws, where background radiation, distance and time factors can severely attenuate gamma-ray or neutron signals [2] . The time course of neutrons and gamma-rays contains information that can be used to determine properties of SNM sources. For nuclear materials that support fission chains, a random event such as spontaneous fission is followed by a correlated number of neutrons and gamma-rays emitted by the fission chain [3] . These particles are emitted simultaneously and are therefore correlated in time. Recognition of these multiple particles provides a method to detect SNM. The SNM signatures can be very robust and distinct compared to natural background radiation and time-correlated cosmic-ray (non-SNM) sources [4] . Their understanding is essential for detection and identifying the presence of SNM.

The threat of proliferation activities and unauthorized movement of SNM cannot be underestimated.

The detection and identification of SNM is enormously difficult due to the complex physics laws, where background radiation, distance and time factors can severely attenuate gamma-ray or neutron signals.

For nuclear materials that support fission chains, a random event such as spontaneous fission is followed by a correlated number of neutrons and gamma-rays emitted by the fission chain.

The SNM signatures can be very robust and distinct compared to natural background radiation and time-correlated cosmic-ray (non-SNM) sources.


Time-to-event data such as failure or survival times have been extensively studied in reliability engineering. By the advent of modern data collection technologies, a huge amount of this type of data includes high-dimensional covariates. This massive amount of data is increasingly accessible from various sources such as transaction-based information, informationsensing devices, remote sensing technologies, machines and logistics statistics, wireless sensor networks, and analytics in quality engineering, manufacturing, service operations, and many other segments. Unlike traditional datasets with few explanatory variables, the analysis of datasets with a high number of variables requires different approaches. In this situation, variable selection techniques could be used to determine a subset of variables that are significantly more valuable to analyze high-dimensional time-to-event datasets. If data is compiled and processed correctly, it can enable informed decision making [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] .

If data is compiled and processed correctly, it can enable informed decision making.


Traditional sentiment analysis involves detecting whether a given text fragment is subjective or objective, and in the case of subjectivity, classifies the text as either positive or negative. While certainly the most straightforward design for external opinion mining, we take this analysis a step further for mental health polarity. Rather than framing the subjectivity identification task as a binary classification between positivity and negativity, we introduce two additional classes of polarity: both positive and negative, and neither positive nor negative. We made this decision based on psychological research, which suggests emotions cannot be represented on a single axis of valence [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] . Thus, text classified as neutral using traditional frameworks would, using our new annotation scheme, fall into either of the two augmented classes.

We made this decision based on psychological research, which suggests emotions cannot be represented on a single axis of valence.


In this study, scientists from the United States and Russia collaborated to investigate the foraging ecology of bearded seals in the Bering Sea under the auspices of the Agreement on the Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection of 1972 (Miller, 1984) . This paper presents new information on the diet of bearded seals during early spring in the central Bering Sea, and comparisons are made between the diets of males and females and subadults/adults and juveniles. The size of prey consumed by bearded seals is estimated for some prey species.

In this study, scientists from the United States and Russia collaborated to investigate the foraging ecology of bearded seals in the Bering Sea under the auspices of the Agreement on the Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection of 1972.


Bearded seals, Erignathus barbatus, occur most commonly on pack ice and seasonally migrate with the advance and retreat of the ice front (Burns and Frost, 1979) . Their circumpolar range extends throughout the northern polar region and includes the Bering Sea, which is the largest single area of bearded seal habitat (Burns and Frost, 1979) . Because of its extensive range, the bearded seal is considered the most widely distributed phocid seal in the Bering Sea region, with an estimated population of 300 O00 (Burns, 1981) .

Bearded seals, Erignathus barbatus, occur most commonly on pack ice and seasonally migrate with the advance and retreat of the ice front.

Their circumpolar range extends throughout the northern polar region and includes the Bering Sea, which is the largest single area of bearded seal habitat.

Because of its extensive range, the bearded seal is considered the most widely distributed phocid seal in the Bering Sea region, with an estimated population of 300 O00.


Collaborative filtering (CF) algorithms have been widely used for the recommender systems. To select the best favorite items for the users, CF usually computes the ratings for how the users are interested in the items and then selects the top items in term of the ratings. Predicting QoS values are mostly the same as predicting ratings in recommender systems. Users only know partial knowledge about the QoS properties for all the candidate services. We can build the user-service matrix just like the rating matrix and apply collaborative filtering to make prediction [25] [26] [27] . Memory based CF fits the models by directly estimating the parameters using some heuristic algorithms. In fact, memory based CF models are actually generalized k-nearestneighbors (KNN) algorithms [28] [29] [30] [31] . Generally, there are two types of memory based CF models: user-based CF and item-based CF. User-based CF utilizes the most similar other users to predict how the user potentially likes a specific item, while item-based CF makes a recommendation according to the user's history experience on similar items. Most of improvement on memory based CF models is how to design an appropriate similarity function for a specific task. Xiaokun Other studies also provide their own similarity measure based on different assumptions and constraints. Due to lack of ability of making complex assumptions and integrating side information, the memory based CF usually cannot get lower prediction accuracy than the model based CF.

We can build the user-service matrix just like the rating matrix and apply collaborative filtering to make prediction.

In fact, memory based CF models are actually generalized k-nearestneighbors (KNN) algorithms.


An attractive way is that we can predict the QoS value of a service by taking advantage of the past web service usage experiences of a small amount of the other users who have evaluated this service. Therefore, collaborative filtering (CF) techniques have been widely studied in recent years for web service QoS prediction, which already have been adopted for the recommender systems for a decade [7, 8] . In general, there are two types of methods commonly used in collaborative filtering recommender systems, which are referred to as neighborhood based CF and model based CF. Neighborhood based collaborative filtering algorithms include user-based algorithms and item-based algorithms, but such techniques do not work well for sparse rating data. Among various model 2 Mathematical Problems in Engineering based collaborative filtering approaches, matrix factorization method is considered to be state of the art in recommender systems [9] [10] [11] .

Therefore, collaborative filtering (CF) techniques have been widely studied in recent years for web service QoS prediction, which already have been adopted for the recommender systems for a decade.

Among various model 2 Mathematical Problems in Engineering based collaborative filtering approaches, matrix factorization method is considered to be state of the art in recommender systems.


Another way of modeling nonlinear interaction is using kernel matrix factorization, which is similar to NLMF method in our GCF framework [41, 42] . However, kernel matrix factorization is a shallow architecture, which has limited learning capacity. NLMF is more flexible, which can adjust the network depth to increase or reduce the learning capacity. Furthermore, kernel matrix factorization needs matrix inverse operation for each training iteration, which is hard to train for the large dataset. Finally, we can benefit from the newest regularizer technologies, such as dropout and batch normalization when using NLMF, which are more powerful than L1 or L2 regularizer used in the kernel matrix factorization.

Another way of modeling nonlinear interaction is using kernel matrix factorization, which is similar to NLMF method in our GCF framework.


Model based CF, also as a special machine learning algorithm, actually is a generalized regression or classification method, which estimates the coefficients from data. Unlike the typical supervised machine learning problems, there are no obvious raw features for data represented by the rating matrix. Therefore, matrix factorization has become the main technology to handle such data [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] . The main difference between traditional matrix factorization approaches is how to represent the latent vectors. Probabilistic Matrix Factorization (PMF) supposes that the rating given a specific user and a specific item obeys a normal Gaussian distribution, and the user latent vector and item latent vector have zero-mean Gaussian distribution [39] . Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) learns the optimal nonnegative latent factors from data, which usually deals with the task of rating prediction on explicit feedback [40] . Generally speaking, non-negative matrix factorization is used to deal with implicit feedback, where the dataset only includes whether the users are interested in some items but does not include whether the users dislike some items. For explicit feedback, the ratings are usually normalized by subtracting the mean, so non-negative matrix factorization is not suitable. Our task is predicting QoS values, which belong to explicit feedback. Furthermore, our GCF framework is a deep neural network architecture. Although we can add a constraint that the output of embedding layer is non-negative, the output of the above layers could be any value again. So the non-negative constraint has little influence on the GCF framework. However, we can easily use dropout to avoid overfitting for the GCF models. Some studies also integrate matrix factorization with memory-based CF algorithms. Even if matrix factorization CF algorithms have the state-of-the-art performance, only capturing linear interaction cannot get further significant improvement.

Therefore, matrix factorization has become the main technology to handle such data.

Probabilistic Matrix Factorization (PMF) supposes that the rating given a specific user and a specific item obeys a normal Gaussian distribution, and the user latent vector and item latent vector have zero-mean Gaussian distribution.

Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) learns the optimal nonnegative latent factors from data, which usually deals with the task of rating prediction on explicit feedback.


Curved gratings are sectors of full concentric circular gratings, as illustrated in Fig. 1 . Here, we investigate the ability of curved gratings to focus surface plasmons. A key requirement of plasmonic focusing elements is the ability to control the width of the lateral distribution of the coupled surface plasmons. We present simulations and experimental results that demonstrate the effect of the sector angle of curved gratings on the width of the focussed surface plasmons, when they are illuminated with linearly polarised light (p-polarised). In comparison, full circular gratings offer efficient focusing of surface plasmons to the grating centre when radially polarised light beam is well-aligned with the radial centre of the circular slits, which can be challenging in practice. Furthermore, the curved gratings are positioned to one side of the focal spot and the region beyond the focal point allows access to concentrated surface plasmons for further processes. An alternative design uses two facing curved gratings with identical sector angles in an asymmetric concentric configuration (with the corresponding groove radii mismatched by half of the surface plasmon wavelength). This design can focus surface plasmons to a smaller longitudinal spot size, with higher intensity in comparison to the single-sector curved gratings. Considering these advantages, these asymmetric double curved grating structures have potential applications in sensing, detection, and nonlinear plasmonics. , each with seven grooves, were selected for the fabrication of the curved gratings. The inner groove radius was selected so as to maintain a constant effective aperture size of 3.0 μm for each structure. The 30-nm-thick gold films were deposited on a glass substrate (refractive index n=1.5) by ion-assisted deposition using an oxygen plasma-assisted thermal deposition system, to ensure good adhesion, flatness, and uniformity of the gold film on the glass [30] . The curved gratings were fabricated with grooves milled through the full thickness of the gold layer. Focused ion beam (FIB) etching, using a Zeiss Auriga 60 CrossBeam scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an Orsay Canion FIB column, was used to mill the grooves into the gold layer. Figure 1 shows SEM micrographs of the fabricated curved gratings. The performance of the fabricated curved gratings is studied by near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) with an appropriate optical coupling system as shown schematically in Fig. 2 . The excitation light had a wavelength of 700 nm with~5 nm bandwidth, illuminating the grating by a 10× microscope objective from below the sample through the glass substrate. The NSOM tip was positioned at a height of 10 nm from the gold surface to collect the evanescent field of the surface plasmons excited by the gratings.

The 30-nm-thick gold films were deposited on a glass substrate (refractive index n=1.5) by ion-assisted deposition using an oxygen plasma-assisted thermal deposition system, to ensure good adhesion, flatness, and uniformity of the gold film on the glass.


Single circular slits can also act as surface plasmon focusing elements [22] [23] [24] . However, using linearly polarised light results in two high-intensity spots along the diameter of the circular slits in the polarisation direction of the beam, due to destructive interference of counter-propagating surface plasmons at the centre of the circle. In order to have a single spot at the centre of a circular slit, one needs to illuminate the structure with radially polarised light for constructive interference of counterpropagating surface plasmons at the centre of the circular slit. Further, it has been shown that circular gratings, consisting of several circular slits, can focus surface plasmons to the centre of the concentric circles when illuminated with circularly polarised light [25] [26] [27] . Due to the increased number of circular concentric slits in circular gratings, the focused surface plasmons have a higher intensity in comparison to a single circular slit. Linearly polarised light may also be coupled to focus surface plasmons by placing two concentric half-circular slits or corrals facing each other. However, the slit radii need to be mismatched by half of the plasmon wavelength, to provide phase matching and enable constructive interference of the counter-propagating surface plasmons at the centre of the gratings [28, 29] .

Single circular slits can also act as surface plasmon focusing elements.

Further, it has been shown that circular gratings, consisting of several circular slits, can focus surface plasmons to the centre of the concentric circles when illuminated with circularly polarised light.

However, the slit radii need to be mismatched by half of the plasmon wavelength, to provide phase matching and enable constructive interference of the counter-propagating surface plasmons at the centre of the gratings.


People are increasingly dependent on information online in order to decide whether to trust a specific object or not. Therefore, reputation systems are an essential part of any e-commerce or product reviews websites, where they provide methods for collecting and aggregating users' ratings in order to calculate the overall reputation scores for products, users, or services [12] . The existence of reputation scores in these websites helps people in making decisions about whether to buy a product, or to use a service, etc. Reputation systems play a significant role in users' decision making process.

Therefore, reputation systems are an essential part of any e-commerce or product reviews websites, where they provide methods for collecting and aggregating users' ratings in order to calculate the overall reputation scores for products, users, or services.


For yield forecasting the most simple approach is to regress environmental variable(s) against yield. In general empirical models are easy to use and successful when applied within the range of sites and weather circumstances for which they have been developed and tested (France and Thornley, 1984) . For research purposes, it is often required to include in the model a detailed description of the underlying processes. In these models well-understood processes are formulated in a mechanistic way, and for those system components of which the mechanism is not yet unravelled, empirical relations are used to relate input to output (France and Thornley, 1984) .

In general empirical models are easy to use and successful when applied within the range of sites and weather circumstances for which they have been developed and tested.

In these models well-understood processes are formulated in a mechanistic way, and for those system components of which the mechanism is not yet unravelled, empirical relations are used to relate input to output.


In the searche for cold-adapted β-galactosidase, we isolated and classified a cold-adapted β-galactosidase producing strain 14-1. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence from this isolate placed it in the genus Rahnella aquatilis, which is consistent with its growth and morphological characteristics. We found no studies of β-galac- Figure 4 . The influence of pH on the activity of the enzyme Figure 3 . The influence of temperature on the activity of the enzyme tosidase from Rahnella aquatilis species except Rahnella aquatilis BS 1 (Park et al. 2006) . The 16S rDNA sequence from strain 14-1 evidenced similarities of 99% to that of Rahnella aquatilis BS1 type strain from GenBank database. Further study of these and other strains will be required to help determine whether strain 14-1 is a new one.

The influence of temperature on the activity of the enzyme tosidase from Rahnella aquatilis species except Rahnella aquatilis BS 1.


Calcination of the Sidoarjo mud was found to change it microstructures, and render it possible to be used as pozzolanic material and geopolymer precursor [2] [3] [4] [5] . Calcination temperature at 700°C-900°C is considered enough to change its crystalline microstructure to be amorphous, and hence to make it more reactive [3] . The use of Sidoarjo mud as pozzolanic material can replace up to 60% of cement content with the Strength Activity Index (SAI) of 85% at 28 day, and more than 90% at 56 day [5] . As a geopolymer precursor, the use of 100% calcined Sidoarjo mud as cementing material has been made possible [3] [4] . However, to date no report is available on the influence of particle size of the calcined mud on the properties of geopolymer mortar. This paper reports the effect of particle size affected by milling time on the calcined Sidoarjo mud to make geopolymer mortar. The durability properties is also reported in this paper, i.e. sulphate acid resistance, chloride penetration resistance, and shrinkage of the Sidoarjo mud-based geopolymer.

Calcination of the Sidoarjo mud was found to change it microstructures, and render it possible to be used as pozzolanic material and geopolymer precursor.

Calcination temperature at 700°C-900°C is considered enough to change its crystalline microstructure to be amorphous, and hence to make it more reactive.

The use of Sidoarjo mud as pozzolanic material can replace up to 60% of cement content with the Strength Activity Index (SAI) of 85% at 28 day, and more than 90% at 56 day.

As a geopolymer precursor, the use of 100% calcined Sidoarjo mud as cementing material has been made possible.


Influence of particle size. The variation of particle size of calcined Sidoarjo mud is indicated by the difference in milling time duration from two to eight hours. The effect of the particle size on the fresh and hardened geopolymer properties is shown in Fig. 2 . Milling time of 8 hours resulted in a more workable mixture, which is consistent with the finding from the pozzolanic activity of Sidoarjo mud [5] . Most probably, finer particle is dissolved by the alkaline activator at higher rate due to having more soluble content. Compressive strength of the geopolymer mortar is showing the same trend as the one of high volume Sidoarjo mud mortar. Finer particle of the calcined Sidoarjo mud reacts faster, resulted in higher strength. Strength increase of 55% was obtained by increasing the milling time of the mud from 2 to 8 hours.

Influence of particle size.

Milling time of 8 hours resulted in a more workable mixture, which is consistent with the finding from the pozzolanic activity of Sidoarjo mud.


Microelectronics industry is distinguished by the raising level of integration and complexity. It aims at decreasing exponentially the minimum feature sizes used to design integrated circuits [1] . The cost in time of design is a great problem to the continuation of this evolution. Senior designer's knowledge and skills are required to ensure a good analog integrated circuit design. To fulfill the given requirements, the designer must choose the suitable circuit architecture, although different tools which partially automated the topology synthesis appeared in the past [2, 3] .

It aims at decreasing exponentially the minimum feature sizes used to design integrated circuits.

To fulfill the given requirements, the designer must choose the suitable circuit architecture, although different tools which partially automated the topology synthesis appeared in the past.


Friedrich Nietzsche once said: "without music, life would be a mistake" (1889, p. 33) . So why is that we EFL (English as a foreign language) teachers overlook the power of such handy instrument in our classes from time to time? Songs, combinations of music and lyrics, posses many intrinsic merits which render a valuable source for language learning and teaching (Shen, 2009) . As song lyrics have many repetitive verses, their use can help L2 learners' skills by exposing them to forms, syntax, lexical items, segments and suprasegmentals (Abbott, 2002) .

Songs, combinations of music and lyrics, posses many intrinsic merits which render a valuable source for language learning and teaching.

As song lyrics have many repetitive verses, their use can help L2 learners' skills by exposing them to forms, syntax, lexical items, segments and suprasegmentals.


Among different language skills, listening comprehension ability is one of the most difficult ones to master, especially in an EFL context in which students are not exposed to the natural speech of native speakers and therefore are usually reluctant in attending listening classes. They complain that comprehending the native speakers' accent is difficult for them and as a result feel detached from authentic sources. In this situation, English songs can serve as an authentic material to enhance learners' listening skills (Kilickaya, 2004) . Music lyrics can also make listening activities more fun and enjoyable. Learners feel attached to the beautiful and poetic versus and will feel more enthusiastic to carry on the listening session or even better to listen to the songs over again outside the classroom.

In this situation, English songs can serve as an authentic material to enhance learners' listening skills.


Until now, most studies regarding the effects of ocean warming, acidification and eutrophication on Ulva species have been either single-or two-factor trials. The combined effects of global change factors need to be examined simultaneously as they are co-occurring (Koch et al., 2013) . To the best of our knowledge, no study has yet investigated the interactive effects of ocean warming, acidification and eutrophication on Ulva species from the perspective of their potential for carbon and nutrient capture for biofuel production. In this study, U. rigida was cultured at current and simulated future ocean conditions to test the hypothesis that the combined influence of ocean warming, acidification and eutrophication would enhance Ulva's biocapture propensity and utility as a biofuel feedstock, resulting in a negative feedback (Fig. 1 ).

The combined effects of global change factors need to be examined simultaneously as they are co-occurring.


Despite algae proliferation (both micro-and macroalgae) being a symptom of the eutrophication dilemma, they are also gaining attraction as CO 2 and nutrient biocapture candidates. Due to their large biomass and relatively long turnover time, marine macrophytes (e.g. seagrasses and macroalgae) are more effective carbon sinks than microalgae (Smith, 1981) . Species of Ulva (Chlorophyta) exhibit high growth rates with strong CO 2 capture capacities and a high affinity for nutrients. For instance, U. fasciata has the highest CO 2 capture rate among marine or freshwater macrophytes (Alwis & Jayaweera, 2011) .

Due to their large biomass and relatively long turnover time, marine macrophytes (e.g. seagrasses and macroalgae) are more effective carbon sinks than microalgae.

For instance, U. fasciata has the highest CO 2 capture rate among marine or freshwater macrophytes.


Since the late 1970s the treatment of AD has proceeded and trended to a transmitter replacement strategy. Elevation of acetylcholine levels in brain through the use of AChE inhibitors has been established as the most effective treatment strategy against AD [3, 7] . Therefore, AChE and/or BuChE inhibitors have been recognised as the drug of choice in management of AD [8] . Several AChE inhibitors called as "cognitive enhancers" are being investigated for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease [2, 7, 8] . These drugs increase the concentration of acetylcholine at the neurotransmitter sites or acts by regulating activity at nicotinic receptors [2, 4] .

Elevation of acetylcholine levels in brain through the use of AChE inhibitors has been established as the most effective treatment strategy against AD.

Therefore, AChE and/or BuChE inhibitors have been recognised as the drug of choice in management of AD.

Several AChE inhibitors called as "cognitive enhancers" are being investigated for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

These drugs increase the concentration of acetylcholine at the neurotransmitter sites or acts by regulating activity at nicotinic receptors.


The treatment of infectious diseases still remains a crucial problem because of the increasing number of multidrug resistant microbial pathogens. In spite of a large number of antibiotics and chemotherapeutics existing for therapeutic use, the emergence of antibiotic resistance developed in the last decades has created a substantial medical need for new classes of antibacterial agents. A potential approach to overcome the resistance problem is to design novel agents with a different mode of action [19, 20] .

A potential approach to overcome the resistance problem is to design novel agents with a different mode of action.


There are three important subsites in ChE; anionic site, oxyanion hole, and acyl pocket [9] . Carbamates as pyridostigmine, rivastigmine, and physostigmine constitute a class of ChE inhibitors. These compounds have been reported to direct their carbamate region towards the acyl pocket that includes esteratic site of the enzyme. This inhibition is subsequently reversed upon decarbamylation ( Figure 1 ). However, carbamates have a relatively short duration of action and limited penetration to blood-brain barrier [10] . Dithiocarbamates have attracted a great deal of interest in medicinal chemistry due to the fact that new effective compounds can be gained by the bioisosteric replacement of carbamate moiety with dithiocarbamate moiety. They are also important pharmacophores because of their lipophilicity, which is essential for the delivery of central nervous system (CNS) drugs to their site of action through the blood-brain barrier [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] . Thus, evaluation of novel dithiocarbamate derivatives as potential AChE inhibitors will be rational.

There are three important subsites in ChE; anionic site, oxyanion hole, and acyl pocket.

However, carbamates have a relatively short duration of action and limited penetration to blood-brain barrier.

They are also important pharmacophores because of their lipophilicity, which is essential for the delivery of central nervous system (CNS) drugs to their site of action through the blood-brain barrier.


Cyclic amines as piperidine, piperazine, and morpholine possess antimicrobial importance and thus they are often subjected to new antimicrobial agents development studies. For instance, quinoline drugs as norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin carry piperazine nucleus and show broad antibacterial activity spectrum [24] . Linezolid, used for the treatment of infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, includes morpholine group [25] [26] [27] . Piperidine based chemical entities with aryl substituents have been documented as potent microbial agents [28, 29] .

For instance, quinoline drugs as norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin carry piperazine nucleus and show broad antibacterial activity spectrum.

Linezolid, used for the treatment of infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, includes morpholine group.

Piperidine based chemical entities with aryl substituents have been documented as potent microbial agents.


Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a an age associated neurodegenerative syndrome with clinical characteristic and pathological properties as loss of neurons in certain brain regions leading to deficiency of memory, cognitive dysfunction, behavioral disturbances, and deficits in activities of daily living, which eventually leads to death [1] [2] [3] . Although the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not clear, AD is firmly associated with impairment in cholinergic pathway, which results in reduced level of acetylcholine (Ach) that is hydrolysed by cholinesterases (ChE) in certain areas of brain [1, 2, 4, 5] . It is well known that there are two major forms of ChE in the brain of mammals. These are acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) found in neurons and glial cells and in neuritic plaques and tangles in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients [6] .

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a an age associated neurodegenerative syndrome with clinical characteristic and pathological properties as loss of neurons in certain brain regions leading to deficiency of memory, cognitive dysfunction, behavioral disturbances, and deficits in activities of daily living, which eventually leads to death.

Although the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not clear, AD is firmly associated with impairment in cholinergic pathway, which results in reduced level of acetylcholine (Ach) that is hydrolysed by cholinesterases (ChE) in certain areas of brain.

These are acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) found in neurons and glial cells and in neuritic plaques and tangles in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.


What is a good decision? A distinction can be made between a good decision and a good decision outcome (von Winterfeldt and Edwards 1986) . The decision outcome refers to the consequence of the decision and may be regarded as good if it is to the satisfaction of the decision maker(s). A good decision, on the other hand, is one that is produced by a quality decisionmaking process. The characteristics of a quality decision-making process include that it involves the appropriate people, identifies good alternatives, collects the right amount of information, is logically sound, uses resources efficiently, and produces choices that are consistent with the preferences of the responsible decision makers (Merkhofer 1999) .

What is a good decision?

A distinction can be made between a good decision and a good decision outcome.

The characteristics of a quality decision-making process include that it involves the appropriate people, identifies good alternatives, collects the right amount of information, is logically sound, uses resources efficiently, and produces choices that are consistent with the preferences of the responsible decision makers.


Based on the iTRAQ data and the IPA results, protein expression involved in cardiac lipid metabolism seems to be markedly stimulated by phlorizin. In diabetic patients, elevated circulating fatty acids and TG, together with hyperinsulinemia, augment cardiac uptake of fatty acids and storage of TG [19, 20] . However, when fatty acid delivery overtakes the metabolic capacity of cardiomyocytes, impaired cardiac lipid homeostasis ultimately leads to lipotoxic cardiomyopathy [21] . Among the proteins related to cardiac lipid metabolism that we identified here, Mttp and Namtp deserve additional attention. Studies have shown that Mttp expression is increased in obese mouse hearts compared with healthy ones. Upregulation of cardiac Mttp expression prevents myocardial lipid accumulation when the supply of fatty acids exceeds the need for energy generation [22] . Namtp, also known as visfatin, is elevated in patients with T2DM, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. The elevated level of circulating visfatin may be associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome [23] . Mttp and Namtp were both upregulated in the DMT group compared with the DM group, suggesting that phlorizin may modulate cardiac lipid metabolism by lowering the level of circulating fatty acids and attenuating cardiac lipid accumulation. In a diabetic heart, glucose utilization is diminished. Instead, the heart relies almost exclusively on fatty acids for ATP generation. Increased fatty acid uptake by the heart reduces energy efficiency by inducing mitochondrial damage [16] . In this study, we identified several important proteins connected to mitochondrial structure and function. The altered expression of these proteins may cause deleterious effects on cells, resulting in cardiac energy deficit and cardiomyopathy. Here, we found that the phlorizin treatment reversed the expression of these proteins, suggesting a correlation between the cardioprotective effect of phlorizin and proteins involved in mitochondrial energy production.

In diabetic patients, elevated circulating fatty acids and TG, together with hyperinsulinemia, augment cardiac uptake of fatty acids and storage of TG.

However, when fatty acid delivery overtakes the metabolic capacity of cardiomyocytes, impaired cardiac lipid homeostasis ultimately leads to lipotoxic cardiomyopathy.

Upregulation of cardiac Mttp expression prevents myocardial lipid accumulation when the supply of fatty acids exceeds the need for energy generation.

The elevated level of circulating visfatin may be associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

Increased fatty acid uptake by the heart reduces energy efficiency by inducing mitochondrial damage.


This is the first prospective study investigating the safety and efficacy of electrical lower esophageal sphincter stimulation in patients with GERD and IEM. The data presented provide evidence that LES-EST is safe and does not impact postoperative swallowing in this special subgroup of surgical GERD patients and is effective 1 month after surgery. Ineffective esophageal motility is frequently seen in patients with GERD [12] . However, the association between GERD and IEM is yet not fully understood and discussed very controversially [13, 14] . Notably, there are numerous reports, which show a possible connection between the IEM and impaired mucosal integrity caused by GERD [12, 15, 16] .

Ineffective esophageal motility is frequently seen in patients with GERD.

However, the association between GERD and IEM is yet not fully understood and discussed very controversially.

Notably, there are numerous reports, which show a possible connection between the IEM and impaired mucosal integrity caused by GERD.


Alternatively, the results of the logistic regression also showed that body image self-esteem is a predictor of alcohol use among females. There was a greater likelihood of alcohol use among female students with lower body image self-esteem. The results could be because alcohol is a risk factor that contributes to overweight and obesity in adolescents [40] . Hence, such knowledge could be included in health education programs if the main audiences are female students.

The results could be because alcohol is a risk factor that contributes to overweight and obesity in adolescents.


Another limitation is that as all measures were obtained from the respondents using a questionnaire they may share common method variance, which can increase or decrease the observed relationships (Podsakoff and Organ 1986) . Also, causal relationships can only be tested using an experimental design or a longitudinal study. A dynamic perspective on the effects of leadership styles over time could also increase our understanding of the nature of relationships in this study and the causalities involved. We propose that there is an opportunity for further qualitative work as a precursor to more conceptual development and empirical fieldwork.

Another limitation is that as all measures were obtained from the respondents using a questionnaire they may share common method variance, which can increase or decrease the observed relationships.


To gather data we followed the protocol that the Contemporary Marketing Practice group has established according to which convenience samples of managers participating in executive MBA programs are being used and, although not random in nature, it is an approach that is both practical and controllable (Coviello et al. 2002) . Because of the limited respondent base the study is positioned as an exploratory study. However, it is believed that the study is important as it is revelatory in that an exploration of the relationship between leadership styles and marketing practices has not previously been conducted. The study was conducted in a UK context.

To gather data we followed the protocol that the Contemporary Marketing Practice group has established according to which convenience samples of managers participating in executive MBA programs are being used and, although not random in nature, it is an approach that is both practical and controllable.


The proline content of yam shoots and tubers increased under the triazole treatments as compared to control. The HEX treatment resulted in higher amounts of proline when compared to the TDM treatment (Figure 3a ). Triazole induced a transient rise in the ABA content and this increased ABA content due to the triazole treatment could Figure 3b ) increased with the triazole treatment both in the shoot and the tuber at all stages of growth. Phenolics are oxidised to phenoxyl radicals ). This phenoxyl radical reduces the AA into monodehydroascorbate. Phenolic constituents of plants have an anti-oxidant activity and offer protection against oxidative damage (Rice-Evans et al. 1997) . The increased oxidation of phenolics due to the fungicide application may therefore contribute to the acceleration of the oxidative damage. Electrolyte leakage (Figure 4a ) and lipid peroxidation ( Figure 4b) were inhibited by the triazoles treatment in yam plants when compared to control. In the tuber tissues, the electrolyte leakage decrease due to the TDM and HEX treatments when compared to that in the untreated plants. Out of the triazoles used for the plant treatment, HEX performed best in decreasing the electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation when compared to TDM treated plants. The inhibition of electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation is in agreement with the proved ability of triazoles in maintaining the plant membrane integrity. Triazoles altered the sterol biosynthesis and changed the composition of sterol in the plasma membrane. The changes in the sterol composition may induce changes in the cell membrane that may be reflected in an increased membrane stability (Burden et al. 1987; Gomathinayagam et al. 2007) . TDM and HEX might have facilitated the increased membrane stability in yam due to the altered sterol composition, removal of damage area in the membrane, and increased kinetin contents.

Phenolic constituents of plants have an anti-oxidant activity and offer protection against oxidative damage.

The changes in the sterol composition may induce changes in the cell membrane that may be reflected in an increased membrane stability.


Reducing the CO 2 emission in cement industry has achieved an increasing attention for the last several decades, due to a large margin of CO 2 emitted in process of producing ordinary Portland cement, accounting for about 800-1000 kg/ton cement [1] . Thus, a mixture with noncarbon emitting binder, for example, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) and pulverized fuel ash (PFA), has been used in a concrete mix. However, when it comes to the global warming impact, GGBS and PFA have adversely increased allocation to the warming impact rather than Portland cement [2] . Despite debates on pozzolanic materials and their environmental impact, the pozzolanic materials have been thoroughly studied as noncarbon emitting materials [3] [4] [5] . As these pozzolanic materials can moreover enhance properties of concrete, their replacement was limited by a very low hydraulic reactivity. For example, the replacement with GGBS has been often in the range of 40-60% to binder and 20-30% for PFA. Thomas studied PFA concrete resulting in better protection to steel due to its increased resistance to chloride ion penetration [6] . The GGBS concrete had the lowest level of the apparent diffusion coefficient compared to OPC concrete as discussed by Ryou and Ann [7] . To increase a portion of carbon-free binder, a chemical activator must seemingly be accompanied. Representatively, alkali-based chemical activators have been used to enhance hydraulic reaction in the matrix of pozzolanic binder, which had shown that a rapid development of concrete strength was achieved by a formation of dense C-S-H gel, in particular, GGBS concrete, so-called alkali-activated slag (AAS). The use of AAS combined with various activators has been currently reported about their properties in particular a development of strength in the majority of previous studies [8] [9] [10] [11] .

Reducing the CO 2 emission in cement industry has achieved an increasing attention for the last several decades, due to a large margin of CO 2 emitted in process of producing ordinary Portland cement, accounting for about 800-1000 kg/ton cement.

However, when it comes to the global warming impact, GGBS and PFA have adversely increased allocation to the warming impact rather than Portland cement.

Despite debates on pozzolanic materials and their environmental impact, the pozzolanic materials have been thoroughly studied as noncarbon emitting materials.

Thomas studied PFA concrete resulting in better protection to steel due to its increased resistance to chloride ion penetration.

The GGBS concrete had the lowest level of the apparent diffusion coefficient compared to OPC concrete as discussed by Ryou and Ann.

The use of AAS combined with various activators has been currently reported about their properties in particular a development of strength in the majority of previous studies.


Despite increased strength of concrete, properties of AAS concrete are still subjected to debate. For AAS concrete to apply for a structural material in concrete structures, its compatibility with concrete properties must be ensured. In particular, AAS concrete is intuitively suspected to a lower resistance to chloride-induced corrosion of steel embedment, because the alkalinity of AAS is relatively lower compared to Portland cement; the corrosion resistance of steel embedment 2 Advances in Materials Science and Engineering is usually determined by the alkalinity of pore solution, as the steel is protected by the passive film on the surface formed in a very alkaline environment as discussed by Ann and Song [12] . Moreover, a reduction of the alkalinity of the pore solution could lead to less binding of chlorides, and in turn more free chlorides can increase the corrosiveness. When it comes to ionic transport, AAS concrete may be susceptible to external ionic percolation at a given time for curing of concrete, as a lower degree of hydration in the AAS matrix may produce an open pore structure, which would substantially form further hydration products in a latent hydration. In this study, GGBS was used as an AAS. To activate the chemical reaction in terms of hydration process, alkali-based chemical activators (i.e., KOH, NaOH, and Ca(OH) 2 ) were admixed in mixing water. To evaluate the resistance of AAS to chloride-induced corrosion, the galvanic current of steel in chloride-contaminated AAS mortar was monitored. For ionic transport, rapid chloride penetration was examined, and chloride binding capacity was determined at a given chloride cast in paste specimens.

In particular, AAS concrete is intuitively suspected to a lower resistance to chloride-induced corrosion of steel embedment, because the alkalinity of AAS is relatively lower compared to Portland cement; the corrosion resistance of steel embedment 2 Advances in Materials Science and Engineering is usually determined by the alkalinity of pore solution, as the steel is protected by the passive film on the surface formed in a very alkaline environment as discussed by Ann and Song.

In this study, GGBS was used as an AAS.


We have found that the coe cient of the time derivative in the amplitude equations (3.15) can vanish, suggesting the presence of a Hopf bifurcation. We have subsequently analysed the linear stability results in more detail, and have indeed identi ed an oscillatory instability. The results of our ndings are presented in another paper (Anderson & Worster 1995) . For the purposes of the present paper, we have simply identi ed regions where the oscillatory instability does not interact with the steady mode of convection at onset and have focused our attention there.

The results of our ndings are presented in another paper.


Retro-rectal tumors, typically slow growing, may be completely asymptomatic over prolonged periods of time. Consequently, they are often only discovered incidentally during examination for unrelated physical complaints. The symptoms are usually nonspecific and attributed to compression or invasion of surrounding structures, as was observed in our patient. Symptomatic patients may present vague pain in the perineal area, chronic constipation, rectal or urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunction. Some tumors can lead to perineal discharge with midline dimpling in the sacrococcygeal area, and may be confused with perianal suppurations and complicated fistulas [5, 6] . Nevertheless, most of these lesions are easily detectable on digital rectal examination.

Some tumors can lead to perineal discharge with midline dimpling in the sacrococcygeal area, and may be confused with perianal suppurations and complicated fistulas.


Quantum field theories on noncommutative spaces -usually referred to as noncommutative field theories -generalize the familiar structure of conventional (commutative) local quantum field theories. Field theories on these spaces can be studied using conventional techniques by representing the underlying noncommutative structure that defines the noncommutative space in terms of more familiar entities in a commutative space. For example, noncommutative Minkowski space R A dramatic consequence of this relation is the absence of decoupling of scales in these theories [1] - [5] . For instance, if θ 12 = 0, short distance scales in the x 1 direction correspond to very large distance scales in the x 2 direction. Therefore, these theories exhibit a very peculiar mixing between the ultraviolet and the infrared, such that very high energy modes have drastic effects on low energy processes. In spite of this, the theories are apparently renormalizable [6] - [17] . Morever, field theories with only space noncommutativity (that is, θ 0i = 0) have a unitary S-matrix. On the other hand, theories with only space-time noncommutativity (that is θ 0i = 0) are not unitary [18] .

For example, noncommutative Minkowski space R A dramatic consequence of this relation is the absence of decoupling of scales in these theories.

In spite of this, the theories are apparently renormalizable.

On the other hand, theories with only space-time noncommutativity (that is θ 0i = 0) are not unitary.


The ten sites that were sampled were 500 -700 m long and were distributed along about 10 km of valley bottom for each of the three river stretches (Figure 3 ). Differences in physical habitat quality were assessed by measuring water width, depth, velocity; and bank stability, bank vegetation type and density, woody debris density, and bed material types were visually assessed. In the Yalobusha River, an echosounder coupled with a differential global positioning system was used to obtain data for contour maps of the study reaches. Horizontal positions were determined with RMS errors B 1.5 m. Water depths measured by the echosounder were converted to bed elevations using known or estimated water surface elevations. Digital forms of the contour maps of the sites located in the blocked reach were used to compute water volume and surface area for selected water surface elevations in order to predict the effects of blockage removal on aquatic habitat volume and area (Keckler, 1997) . It was assumed that removal of the blockage from the Upper Yalobusha would decrease baseflow stages by an amount equivalent to the mean water depth observed for blocked conditions. Mean water depth was computed by dividing water volume by surface area, while mean water width was obtained by dividing water surface area by reach length. An acoustic-doppler current profiler was used to obtain detailed water velocity measurements in the upper and Lower Yalobusha River reaches for a range of low to medium discharges. Physical data were collected from Yalobusha reaches during the 2 years following fish collection. No major changes in river conditions or alignment occurred during this time.

Digital forms of the contour maps of the sites located in the blocked reach were used to compute water volume and surface area for selected water surface elevations in order to predict the effects of blockage removal on aquatic habitat volume and area.


These facts lead to the hypothesis that channel blockage is beneficial to many fish species since it produces growth in the area of permanent lentic river corridor habitats and seasonal flooded forest. A corollary to this hypothesis is that clearance of blockage is deleterious to many species when clearance transforms physical habitat conditions. This hypothesis is examined below using data describing aquatic habitat conditions and fish populations in reaches typical of rivers with blocked channels, cleared channelized rivers, and cleared natural rivers. Fish community structure is often a valuable indicator of ecosystem health in agricultural watersheds (Wichert and Rapport, 1998) . The objective of this study is to develop more enlightened approaches for managing lowland riverine corridors historically subjected to cyclic perturbations. These approaches will generally involve tradeoffs between allowing natural processes to proceed unhindered and structural intervention. The goal is to refine knowledge regarding the relative merits of available strategies.

Fish community structure is often a valuable indicator of ecosystem health in agricultural watersheds.


The remainder of the paper is organized as follows. After first introducing basic background concepts and notation, we review previous work on large margin multi-label classification in Section 2, with a particular emphasis on the calibrated separation ranking loss used for state-of-the-art multi-label text categorization [8] . Based on this particular multi-label classification approach, we then present a semi-supervised formulation in Section 3 that exploits implicit subspace learning through structured matrix norm regularization. An efficient global optimization algorithm is then presented in Section 4. Finally, we present an experimental evaluation in Section 5 and conclude the paper with a discussion of future research directions in Section 6.

After first introducing basic background concepts and notation, we review previous work on large margin multi-label classification in Section 2, with a particular emphasis on the calibrated separation ranking loss used for state-of-the-art multi-label text categorization.


In these experiments we simply set the regularization parameters for TRANS to α = 0.01, β = 100 and γ = 50, and set the regularization parameter for CSRL and CONS to α = 0.01. The target dimensionality was set to 50 for the dimensionality reduction methods dCSRL and dCONS. The performance of each method is evaluated using the macro-F1 and micro-F1 measures [32] . We randomly selected 200 instances from each data set to be the labeled part, and another 1000 instances to be the unlabeled part. The process is repeated 10 times to generate 10 random partitions. The average performance and standard deviations of the five methods are reported in Table 2 and Table 3 respectively.

The performance of each method is evaluated using the macro-F1 and micro-F1 measures.