The B4GALT enzyme family (Glycosyltransferase Family 7; GT7) is similarly composed of multiple isoenzymes, however only 7 B4GALTs are expressed in humans, each with variable affinity for glycoprotein, glycolipid, and/or proteoglycan substrates (Bydlinski et al., 2018; Lee et al., 2001) . B4GALT1, which we found reduced in schizophrenia, is a key mediator of Nglycan galactosylation (Bydlinski et al., 2018) . Although B4GALT2-4 can partially compensate for defects in B4GALT1 expression, the prevalence of immature N-glycans is increased when B4GALT1 is knocked out in vitro (Bydlinski et al., 2018) . Interestingly, the microRNA miR-124-3p is an upstream regulator of B4GALT1 expression, and higher levels of miR-124-3p are associated with inhibition of B4GALT1 . A composite feed-forward loop composed of miR-124-3p, the transcription factor EGR1 (early growth response gene 1), and the target gene SKIL (SKI-like protooncogene) has been identified in schizophrenia and upregulation of miR-124-3p has been reported in drug-free schizophrenia patients .

The B4GALT enzyme family (Glycosyltransferase Family 7; GT7) is similarly composed of multiple isoenzymes, however only 7 B4GALTs are expressed in humans, each with variable affinity for glycoprotein, glycolipid, and/or proteoglycan substrates.

B4GALT1, which we found reduced in schizophrenia, is a key mediator of Nglycan galactosylation.

Although B4GALT2-4 can partially compensate for defects in B4GALT1 expression, the prevalence of immature N-glycans is increased when B4GALT1 is knocked out in vitro.


However, neuro-cognitive decline is known to be greater after WBI than after RS/FSRT, mainly due to better hippocampal sparing [3, 5] . In a randomized trial of 58 patients that compared RS alone to RS plus WBI, neuro-cognitive deficits at 4 months following irradiation occurred significantly more common after RS plus WBI than after RS alone (96% vs. 24%, p < 0.001) [3] . These results were confirmed in another recent randomized trial of 213 patients [5] . Cognitive deterioration at 3 months following irradiation was observed in 91.7% of Fig. 2 Comparison of whole-brain irradiation (WBI) alone and stereotactic radiosurgery (RS) or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) alone with respect to overall survival (Kaplan-Meier curves) patients after RS plus WBI and 63.5% of patients after RS alone, respectively (p < 0.001). However, when using modern radiation techniques for WBI such as volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), considerable hippocampal sparing is possible. According to the RTOG 0933 study, hippocampal sparing led to a reduction of neuro-cognitive decline at 3 months following WBI from 30% (historical control) to 7% (p < 0.001) [18] . Thus, a randomized trial comparing RS alone to RS plus hippocampal sparing WBI for one to three brain metastases is warranted.

However, neuro-cognitive decline is known to be greater after WBI than after RS/FSRT, mainly due to better hippocampal sparing.

In a randomized trial of 58 patients that compared RS alone to RS plus WBI, neuro-cognitive deficits at 4 months following irradiation occurred significantly more common after RS plus WBI than after RS alone (96% vs. 24%, p < 0.001).

These results were confirmed in another recent randomized trial of 213 patients.

According to the RTOG 0933 study, hippocampal sparing led to a reduction of neuro-cognitive decline at 3 months following WBI from 30% (historical control) to 7% (p < 0.001).


Several reports have described immune monitoring in peripheral blood of patients receiving CTLA4-blocking monoclonal antibodies [8, 9, 14, 19, 40, 42] . These prior studies did not collect repeated samples allowing timecourse analysis of circulating antigen-specific T cells for melanoma and infectious-disease antigens. Analysis of a single time point may miss transient changes (either positive or negative) in circulating cells, or may result in biased results given our prior observation of occasional peaks of circulating T cells at isolated time points [42] . Therefore, we decided to collect a time course of blood samples from consenting patients treated with a fixed dose and schedule of the CTLA4-blocking antibody tremelimumab.

Several reports have described immune monitoring in peripheral blood of patients receiving CTLA4-blocking monoclonal antibodies.

Analysis of a single time point may miss transient changes (either positive or negative) in circulating cells, or may result in biased results given our prior observation of occasional peaks of circulating T cells at isolated time points.


The dose distributions for all native, relocated, and adapted plans were calculated in Pinnacle 3 ™. The evaluation of the obtained dose distributions was then performed. We measured target coverage using D 99% in the CTV and the quality score S D . The quality score S D was introduced by the QUASIMODO group to compare different plans against the same dose objectives [15] . For our purposes S D sums up violations of dose requirements for Boost and PTV − Boost: Table 1 . The plan which fulfils all requirements has S D = 0. To evaluate dose load to the rectum we used absolute rectum volumes defined by the respective 50%, 80%, and 95% isodoses.

The quality score S D was introduced by the QUASIMODO group to compare different plans against the same dose objectives.


Since autocorrelation in time and/or space usually undermines standard assumptions about the independence of residuals and thus the theoretical basis for estimating significance, we use nonparametric statistical methods, which are corrected for autocorrelation, to analyze our results. The Mann-Kendall trend test is used to check the trend of timeserial data (Hamed and Rao 1998) . Spearman correlation analysis is used to calculate the correlation coefficients between environmental factors and C fluxes.

The Mann-Kendall trend test is used to check the trend of timeserial data.


Conventional TIMs such as thermal greases, gels, solders and PCMs are facing challenges to meet the stringent requirements of power electronics products. Adhesive dry-out, pump-out and structural fractures are some of the main concerns. This has led to the development of new TIMs and new applications of unique materials such as Transient Liquid Phase Sintering (TLPS) Conductive Adhesives. TLPS adhesives have been developed for many potential applications such as die attachment and PCB via filling. These TLPS materials have various advantages like lead free, flux-less and particularly low temperature processability, which enables the use of heat sensitive components in the design [4, 5] .

These TLPS materials have various advantages like lead free, flux-less and particularly low temperature processability, which enables the use of heat sensitive components in the design.


Automotive power devices have stringent requirements on both thermal and electrical performance, particularly after long-term temperature and humidity exposures with high power on [1] . The temperature protection of the Si-based power die is at about 180°C maximal, with constant temperature at 150°C. Much higher operating temperature can be expected for SiC and GaN based power devices. Excellent electronic liquid cooling systems are thus needed to dissipate the heat generated and to be reliable with thermal cycling of −40 °C to 150 °C for a minimum of 1000 cycles [2] . In power electronics applications, the TIM between high power packages and a heat exchanger plays a key role in the cooling system [3] . The continual need to increase the performance of high power devices also requires improved TIM thermal performance and reliability.

Automotive power devices have stringent requirements on both thermal and electrical performance, particularly after long-term temperature and humidity exposures with high power on.

Excellent electronic liquid cooling systems are thus needed to dissipate the heat generated and to be reliable with thermal cycling of −40 °C to 150 °C for a minimum of 1000 cycles.

In power electronics applications, the TIM between high power packages and a heat exchanger plays a key role in the cooling system.


Mediation effect refers to the effect conveyed by an intervening variable to an observed relationship between an exposure and a response variable of interest. The concept of mediation originated in psychological research. In 1929, Robert S. Woodworth introduced the expression Stimulus-Organism-Response to describe the pathway between stimulus and response. This concept has then been expanded to many fields such as social science, prevention study, behavior research, and epidemiology. Investigators are interested in discovering not only the relationship between the exposure variable and response variable but also the mechanism of risk factors mediating the relationship. For example, it has been well established that low socioeconomic status is associated with poor health status. To reduce this health disparity, investigators would need to quantify the mediation effects from different risk factors so that efficient interventions can be carried out [1] .

To reduce this health disparity, investigators would need to quantify the mediation effects from different risk factors so that efficient interventions can be carried out.


Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery represents an important technical development in the Urologists' therapeutic arsenal. Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive approach that continues to grow in popularity. Frequently promoted advantages of this procedure include less intraoperative blood loss, better visualization, shorter hospital stay, and more rapid patient recovery. For these reasons, the procedure has a broad and expanding application in urologic surgery. Robotic surgery has been used with success in the management of localized cancer of the prostate, bladder cancer, renal surgery and adrenal surgery. Oncologic outcomes are the true test of the applicability of robot-assisted laparoscopy in Urology. Preliminary results from large series of radical prostatectomies are promising and compare favorably to the open surgical approach [3, 4] .

Preliminary results from large series of radical prostatectomies are promising and compare favorably to the open surgical approach.


In this context, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) presents great energy resources and has great potential for developing RE such as wind, biomass, solar and hydro power, dispersed across regions, which makes it an attractive place for REs investors. However, inadequate electricity generation remains an issue (Suberu et al., 2013; Aliyu et al., 2018) . The development of the RE sector has the potential of limiting harmful emissions, providing sufficient electricity for its teeming population and also promoting sustainable development objectives.

However, inadequate electricity generation remains an issue.


Furthermore, as no validated ERAS protocol has been published yet for liver surgery, a variety of heterogeneous ERAS-liver protocols has been applied and published [23] . In comparison with other published protocols, the present one was stricter for food intake (normal diet at POD 1) and mobilization (full mobilization at POD 1). Conversely, it was more conservative for urinary catheter removal (POD 3, instead of POD 1-2) [11, 23, 24] . Most reported studies were designed to analyze outcomes, rather than compliance [9, 10, 25] . Of note, the compliance rate measured in this present study was higher than in other studies [23, 26] . As an example, the avoidance of nasogastric tube and abdominal drain was achieved in 97.3 and 54.1 %, respectively, while a recently published multicentric study reported 53 and 41 %, respectively [23] .

Furthermore, as no validated ERAS protocol has been published yet for liver surgery, a variety of heterogeneous ERAS-liver protocols has been applied and published.

Conversely, it was more conservative for urinary catheter removal (POD 3, instead of POD 1-2).

Most reported studies were designed to analyze outcomes, rather than compliance.

Of note, the compliance rate measured in this present study was higher than in other studies.

As an example, the avoidance of nasogastric tube and abdominal drain was achieved in 97.3 and 54.1 %, respectively, while a recently published multicentric study reported 53 and 41 %, respectively.


In the late 1990's analogues of these C * -algebras were considered for possibly infinite graphs which are allowed to contain sinks [4, 5] . Since that time there has been much interest in these graph algebras. By allowing graphs which are infinite and may contain sinks, the class of graph algebras has been extended to include many C * -algebras besides the Cuntz-Krieger algebras. At the same time, graph algebras remain tractable C * -algebras to study. Like the Cuntz-Krieger algebras, their basic structure is understandable and many of their invariants (such as Ktheory or Ext) can be readily computed [2] . Furthermore, it has been found that many results about Cuntz-Krieger algebras hold for graph algebras with only minor modifications.

In the late 1990's analogues of these C * -algebras were considered for possibly infinite graphs which are allowed to contain sinks.

Like the Cuntz-Krieger algebras, their basic structure is understandable and many of their invariants (such as Ktheory or Ext) can be readily computed.


When one attempts to summarize all of the factors analyzed in this study, an individual participant's family history of breast cancer appears to be the key factor in her willingness to undergo treatment with chemopreventive drugs. In clinical practice, counseling patients in relation to their risk of breast cancer is a complex task. Several risk factors have to be taken into consideration. Many models have been published for different data sets of risk factors [35] [36] [37] [38] . Some of the models tend to rely more on genetic susceptibility, while others include clinical risk factors. Current studies such as the IBIS-II chemoprevention trial use prediction models like the Tyrer-Cuzick risk calculator [26] . It is not yet clear which of these models best fits the population receiving counseling. To date, only a few evaluation studies have been published [39] .

Many models have been published for different data sets of risk factors.

Current studies such as the IBIS-II chemoprevention trial use prediction models like the Tyrer-Cuzick risk calculator.

To date, only a few evaluation studies have been published.


Strawberries are low pectin fruits so jam and jelly usually call for added pectin [4] . Pectin is known as pectic polysaccharide which helps jellification in proper concentration of p H and sugar. Different concentrations of added pectin bring variability in organoleptic and physico-chemical properties of jam and jelly. As the p H of a jellying mixture is raised the strength of the jelly it forms diminishes (other conditions, such as total solids concentration, remaining unaltered) [5] . If the p H is raised sufficiently, the mixture fails to form a jelly; on the other hand, if acid is added the jelly increases in strength down to a p H at which the strength reaches a maximum [5] . As no much product diversification or preservation methods are undertaken for this fruit in Bangladesh therefore the present study was carried out to develop strawberry jam and jelly, and find out the effect of pectin on processing and preservation of strawberry jam and jelly.

Strawberries are low pectin fruits so jam and jelly usually call for added pectin.

As the p H of a jellying mixture is raised the strength of the jelly it forms diminishes (other conditions, such as total solids concentration, remaining unaltered).

If the p H is raised sufficiently, the mixture fails to form a jelly; on the other hand, if acid is added the jelly increases in strength down to a p H at which the strength reaches a maximum.


Other studies found that lymphovascular permeation, large tumor size and the presence of tumor satellites were poor prognostic factors [4, [34] [35] [36] [37] . In the current study, tumor multiplicity was the only independent factor associated with inferior disease-free survival and overall survival. This echoes the emphasis on the significance of tumor multiplicity in the staging of ICC in the 7 th edition of the AJCC Staging [30] . The role of adjuvant therapy in HCC-CC management is still unclear. One fourth of the patients in the current study received some form of adjuvant treatment (transarterial chemoembolization, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, etc.) at the discretion of the surgeon. Standardization of adjuvant treatment protocol is necessary before the role of adjuvant therapy can be established.

Other studies found that lymphovascular permeation, large tumor size and the presence of tumor satellites were poor prognostic factors.

This echoes the emphasis on the significance of tumor multiplicity in the staging of ICC in the 7 th edition of the AJCC Staging.


In Finland, the Core National Curriculum and the final assessment criteria are one way to steer history teaching. Another steering mechanism could be the regular use of tests designed according to skill-based tasks that indicate the importance of disciplinary thinking. It is believed that tests influence teaching because the test results are public and the professional skills of the teachers are measured by them [40] [41] [42] [43] . Such tests in Finland, however, are used only to support schools' and teachers' self-evaluation. It depends on the teachers how the performance of their students in the tests affects their teaching. However, one must hope that Finnish teachers may use these tests to develop their work.

It is believed that tests influence teaching because the test results are public and the professional skills of the teachers are measured by them.


The following pages will examine the objectives of Finnish history education in comprehensive school and how students have achieved them on the basis of the first ever national-level test, conducted in the spring of 2011. It becomes clear in the analysis that students succeeded well in tasks which measured the mastery of substantive knowledge [19] . The second half of the article will look at tasks in which the students had the most difficulty. The purpose of these tasks was to measure students' abilities to master the procedural knowledge of the discipline. Finally, what the test results tell us about the realization of discipline-based history teaching in Finland will be considered.

It becomes clear in the analysis that students succeeded well in tasks which measured the mastery of substantive knowledge.


Farmers in north-eastern Uganda are poor (Anon., 1994; and inputs in sweet potato, such as fertilizers and pesticides, cannot be afforded. In a previous study only farmers in the village Aukot (Soroti District; Sub-county Gweri) were reported to apply pesticides or inorganic fertilizers (Abidin, 2004) . Moreover, pesticides and inorganic fertilizers are not always available at the trading centres, or are only accessible for those who own transportation means.

In a previous study only farmers in the village Aukot (Soroti District; Sub-county Gweri) were reported to apply pesticides or inorganic fertilizers.


From these works it can be observed that the physical model most frequently used for the dynamic analysis of railway bridges is the so-called moving loads model. This model does not take into account the inertial effects of the train masses, and therefore the train is modelled as a series of concentrated, constant-valued loads travelling at speed V (see Fig. 1 ). For this model closed-form solutions of the equations of motion can be obtained in a very simple manner [2, 10, 18, 21] .

For this model closed-form solutions of the equations of motion can be obtained in a very simple manner.


Finally, another factor that is central to the dynamics of railway bridges is the excitation due to track irregularities and wheel flats. As it is well known, the peak response of high-speed railway bridges is obtained in correspondence of the resonance speeds in most cases. Although the effects of track irregularities and wheel flats are of considerable importance for non-resonance speeds, they have not been taken into account in this study, which is focus sed mainly on the behaviour of bridges at resonance. The influence of such factors in resonance situations is presently being investigated by other authors [6] .

The influence of such factors in resonance situations is presently being investigated by other authors.


With the rapid development of Internet technology and the advent of the era of big data, global enterprise information doubled every 1.5 years on average, and at present only 7% of the total information data has been utilized [1] . How to effectively integrate distributed, heterogeneous, and selfknowledge data, so as to realize data sharing, is a somewhat challenging research topic. Enterprises get valuable information through analyzing these data effectively, and data of high quality can help users make the right decision. There are many factors that can affect the quality of data. Among these factors, those related to original data include error in data format, data inconsistency, and nonconformity with the business logic.

With the rapid development of Internet technology and the advent of the era of big data, global enterprise information doubled every 1.5 years on average, and at present only 7% of the total information data has been utilized.


For performance evaluation, we use two microbenchmarks: matrix multiplication and linear search, similar to RGEM [10] . Matrix multiplication (MM) task represents a compute intensive task such as processing video sensor data. Linear search (LS) task is more I/O intensive, it scans its input data and produces a small list of matches. It models filtering large sensor data to pick important ones. While it is relatively easy to implement LS as a series of independent small kernels, MM requires direct support for preemptive kernels due to incremental nature of LS. In this paper, we implement an instance of a periodic LS task as a series of subkernels for PKM and RGEM. Specifically, each LS subkernel uploads 1MB of data, processes the data, and downloads the result. However, only PKM supports preemptive subkernels for matrix multiplication. In our experiments, PKM subgrid size for MM is 1024 blocks.

For performance evaluation, we use two microbenchmarks: matrix multiplication and linear search, similar to RGEM.


Unfortunately, applying GPGPU technology to real-time computing is not straightforward. In fact, supporting realtime scheduling for GPUs is a challenging problem that requires significant research efforts. For example, it is largely unknown how to analyze the schedulability of GPU tasks or provide a reliable yet not overly pessimistic estimates of the worst case execution times in GPUs [5, 10] . In this paper, we focus on a specific piece of the problem, i.e., supporting a basic capability for preempting a memory copy, and a GPU job, called kernel, execution for periodic soft real-time tasks.

For example, it is largely unknown how to analyze the schedulability of GPU tasks or provide a reliable yet not overly pessimistic estimates of the worst case execution times in GPUs.


Suppose we are looking think about the concentration of the set of features that belong to a given thing. We can similarly ask so that we will receive some set of features for each time we ask, again finding new features with diminishing returns at a rate depending upon their underlying concentration (Griffiths and Ghahramani, 2005; Thibaux and Jordan, 2007) . Using these two different processes together, designers can talk about the concentration of stakeholder groups as they report varying sets of interests across discovery activities.

We can similarly ask so that we will receive some set of features for each time we ask, again finding new features with diminishing returns at a rate depending upon their underlying concentration.


The constraints of a project-based practice inform the design approach to systems. From design practice, we learn to generate ideas longer and gather data longer, being unsure of what we know, pursuing past when returns diminish but stopping when it is impractical to gather more (Osterwalder and Pigneur, 2010) . Moreover, the means of this discovery is extremely important: novice designers are sometimes frozen in "analysis paralysis", practicing designers quickly move to see problems from the view of potential solutions (which they occasionally become fixated upon), while truly masterful designers pursue multiple lines of development simultaneously (Cross, 2004) . In addition to the design process, there are particular disciplines within design that offer loose guidelines to the kinds of stakeholders and kinds of actions expected for a particular engagement. What this means is that there are concentrations of relevant stakeholders, concerns, and phenomena in the world, and that designers have both a guide for finding them and a process for knowing when they have found them.

From design practice, we learn to generate ideas longer and gather data longer, being unsure of what we know, pursuing past when returns diminish but stopping when it is impractical to gather more.

Moreover, the means of this discovery is extremely important: novice designers are sometimes frozen in "analysis paralysis", practicing designers quickly move to see problems from the view of potential solutions (which they occasionally become fixated upon), while truly masterful designers pursue multiple lines of development simultaneously.


Next, there are features of technical design, including reliability, testability, and maintainability, that should be more directly incorporated into and subject to non-parametric analysis. For example, particular kinds of checklists and other theory-level guides and heuristics may demonstrate their value in determining design activities in a broad range of domains, such as conceptual guidelines for improving robustness (Jugulum and Frey, 2007) . It would also help to explore potential interfaces between nonparametric discovery and experimental design. In a similar vein, it might well be profitable to catalog existing methods by both their capabilities for discovery and persuasion and their cost. Another view into applying design metrics to design methods would be to analyze case-studies of previous projects for their performance according to discovery metrics. One compelling possibility is if this work could be extended to disciplines far from material artifacts, such as cultural policy.

For example, particular kinds of checklists and other theory-level guides and heuristics may demonstrate their value in determining design activities in a broad range of domains, such as conceptual guidelines for improving robustness.


Dysregulation of apoptosis is regarded as one of the major contributors to drug resistance, which may result from overexpression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins [27, 28] . Targeting these proteins with drugs that can effectively bind to and inactivate them provides a promising strategy for improving the quality of treatment, especially when combined with standard anti-cancer drugs [26] . We have previously shown that ABT-737 and navitoclax, BH3 mimetics which can inhibit both Bcl-2 and Bcl-X L, potentiate the activity of carboplatin in ovarian cancer cell lines [14, 15] . In this study, we have compared the ability of the Bcl-2 and Bcl-X L selective compounds ABT-199 and WEHI-539 to potentiate the activity of carboplatin. WEHI-539 was synergistic with carboplatin in several cell lines using several assays including cell growth, cell death, activation of caspase 3/7, PARP cleavage and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. In contrast, in the same set of assays, ABT-199 did not potentiate the cell death induced by carboplatin and was even mildly antagonistic with carboplatin in some assays.

Dysregulation of apoptosis is regarded as one of the major contributors to drug resistance, which may result from overexpression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins.

Targeting these proteins with drugs that can effectively bind to and inactivate them provides a promising strategy for improving the quality of treatment, especially when combined with standard anti-cancer drugs.

We have previously shown that ABT-737 and navitoclax, BH3 mimetics which can inhibit both Bcl-2 and Bcl-X L, potentiate the activity of carboplatin in ovarian cancer cell lines.


There are two approaches to establishing and maintaining AM fungal populations in agricultural ecosystems: inoculation with selected AM fungal species or adoption of fi eld practices that maximize indigenous populations of AM fungi (Smith and Read, 1997) . In new vineyards, inoculation with commerciallyavailable AM fungi is labor-intensive and expensive. Based on our results, fi eld-propagated grapevine nursery stock is colonized by AM fungi. Assuming our results apply to new roots initiated in fi eld soil, fi eld-grown benchgrafts may be slightly better suited, with more AM fungal propagules in their dormant roots, for establishing vineyards in fumigated soil than potted benchgrafts. Planting vineyards with fi eld-grown benchgrafts and adopting vineyard fl oor management practices, such as cover cropping, that maximize mycorrhizal colonization of grapevine roots may be a more pragmatic approach to enhancing populations of AM fungi than inoculation with commercially-available AM fungi.

There are two approaches to establishing and maintaining AM fungal populations in agricultural ecosystems: inoculation with selected AM fungal species or adoption of fi eld practices that maximize indigenous populations of AM fungi.


The AM fungal community composition varied among the vineyards examined. Differences in AM fungal community composition may be due to differences in host plant species in each vineyard. In addition to grapevines, other potential mycorrhizal hosts that occupy the vineyard fl oor include weeds and cover crops. If the AM fungal species hosted by weeds and cover crops also colonize grapevines, differences in weed species composition and in cover crops maintained among the vineyards surveyed may contribute to differences in the AM fungi identifi ed from the grapevine roots. In a Central Coast California vineyard, cover crops of Secale cereale 'Merced rye' and X Triticosecale 'Trios 102' shared four AM fungal species in common, two of which were also identifi ed on adjacent grapevines (Baumgartner et al., 2004) . In annual cropping systems, crop rotation has been shown to be associated with changes in the AM fungal community (Hendrix et al., 1995; Kurle and Pfl eger, 1996) . Species composition of AM fungi has also been shown to vary beneath different plant species in natural plant communities, suggesting that AM species composition is host-dependent (Bever et al., 1996; Eom et al., 2000; Johnson et al., 1992) . Soil types and management practices, such as P fertilization, pesticide applications, and tillage, may also infl uence species composition (Kurle and Pfl eger, 1996) .

In a Central Coast California vineyard, cover crops of Secale cereale 'Merced rye' and X Triticosecale 'Trios 102' shared four AM fungal species in common, two of which were also identifi ed on adjacent grapevines.

In annual cropping systems, crop rotation has been shown to be associated with changes in the AM fungal community.

Species composition of AM fungi has also been shown to vary beneath different plant species in natural plant communities, suggesting that AM species composition is host-dependent.

Soil types and management practices, such as P fertilization, pesticide applications, and tillage, may also infl uence species composition.


Differences in planting densities of the two types of benchgrafts may also contribute to the difference in mycorrhizal colonization. Fieldgrown benchgrafts are propagated directly in fi eld soil at very concentrated planting densities (plants are about 5 cm apart). A single spore that colonizes a fi eld-grown benchgraft during propagation can result in colonization of more than one benchgraft; extraradical hyphae can grow from the roots of one benchgraft to the roots of adjacent benchgrafts. The extraradical hyphal network is thought to be responsible for more rapid root colonization than that initiated by germinating AM fungal spores (Jasper et al., 1989; Read, 1992) . In contrast, potted benchgrafts were propagated in the nursery in individual pots; a single wind-blown AM fungal spore could result in colonization of only one benchgraft.

The extraradical hyphal network is thought to be responsible for more rapid root colonization than that initiated by germinating AM fungal spores.


The existence of finite quantum gravity corrections to the four-dimensional Newtonian potential has been emphasized by Donoghue [6] . In a series of interesting papers he showed that the leading long distance quantum gravity correction to Newton's potential can be reliably calculated in a quantum theory of gravity. Let us briefly review the general idea.

The existence of finite quantum gravity corrections to the four-dimensional Newtonian potential has been emphasized by Donoghue.

Let us briefly review the general idea.


The role of iron compounds in the aggregation of slag particles Figure 3 shows the cross-section element mapping of the substances that bonded the particles of the dephosphorization slag when only immersed into seawater, in which the bridge appears in the middle. As expected, iron, oxygen, and magnesium were detected in the bridge, indicating that they were involved in the bridge formation. Calcium was surprisingly not detected, which confirms that the bridge substances were not the products of free-calcium associated pozzolanic reactions. In addition, iron showed the higher intensity than magnesium, while oxygen had the highest intensity. The intensity in EPMA was determined by normalizing the measured signals for each element; however, the content of iron as FeO (13.5 %) in the dephosphorization slag was much higher than that of magnesium as MgO (2.7 %) ( Table 1 ). These collectively confirmed that iron was more abundant than magnesium. The main control on the aggregation of the slag particles was therefore iron associated with oxygen. The chemical species of the iron compounds were not determined; however, because of the rust iron color, they were thought to be iron oxyhydroxides. Iron hydroxides are one of the stable species-group of iron in seawater (Millero et al. 1995) .

Iron hydroxides are one of the stable species-group of iron in seawater.


After 48 h, the vane shear strength increased in all samples (Fig. 1a) and was possibly the result of compaction and/or solidification. The increase in the shear strength was highest in the sample that was immersed alone, which suggests that aggregation of slag particles might occur. If it did occur, the vane shear strength would increase as time progressed. However, it was expected that free Ca-associated reactions may not have been the main control on the aggregation because the pH values in the interstitial water were almost the same in all the samples. Therefore, the effect of additions of dredged soil on the solidification of the dephosphorization slag was examined for about 6 months, while the solidification mechanisms were investigated in parallel. In this experiment, the dredged soil was mixed at a silt-clay content of 15 % because a higher ratio was preferred for growth of eelgrass (Nishijima et al. 2015b) .

In this experiment, the dredged soil was mixed at a silt-clay content of 15 % because a higher ratio was preferred for growth of eelgrass.


The IIR (infinite impulse response) filter structures are not as popular as the FIR filters in signal decomposition and multi-scale analysis. Also the adaptive IIR filters are generally only marginally stable since the poles may travel outside the unit circle during the adaptation process. However, recently the time reversed filtering procedure was introduced, which enables the implementation of the IIR filters having poles outside the unit circle [4] . The IIR filter structures have many advantages over the FIR filters. Usually the equal performance (e.g. convergence rate and adaptation error can be obtained by a considerably lower number of filter coefficients compared with the FIR filters.

However, recently the time reversed filtering procedure was introduced, which enables the implementation of the IIR filters having poles outside the unit circle.


The second example considered the construction of the half-sample filter, where three parameters in the AMVG algorithm were successfully optimized for a neuroelectric waveform [7] . The half-sample delay filter has in an important role in the computation of the shift invariant multi-scale wavelets. We have applied the discrete B-spline polyphase decomposition for that purpose [7] . Our preliminary tests reveal that the AMVG algorithm competes extreme well with the B-spline half-sample delay filters. The neuroelectric discharge contains fast repetitive transients with exponentially decaying activity [7, 21] . The AMVG algorithm converges to the asymmetric shape of neuronal spikes. The symmetric B-spline quadrature mirror filters (QMFs) with integer coefficients cannot perform so well. However, in practice the difference is small and the EEG analysis based on the AMVG algorithm does not overdrive the instrumention based on the B-spline signal processing [22] .

The second example considered the construction of the half-sample filter, where three parameters in the AMVG algorithm were successfully optimized for a neuroelectric waveform.

We have applied the discrete B-spline polyphase decomposition for that purpose.

The neuroelectric discharge contains fast repetitive transients with exponentially decaying activity.

However, in practice the difference is small and the EEG analysis based on the AMVG algorithm does not overdrive the instrumention based on the B-spline signal processing.


Through a very intense, focused gaze on the particularity of our own memories, we hope to arrive at an understanding of the social, of the way individual subjectivities are created and maintained through specific kinds of discursive practices, with particular historical moments, in particular contexts that in turn afford particular interactions and patterns of meaning-making. We are interested in our research to understand the processes of selving rather than to discover particular details about individual selves (Davies and Gannon, 2006, 7) In adopting such an approach, we aimed to avoid one of the tensions faced by educators 'working through' whiteness, noted above -conflating whiteness with whites and white identity (Rasky-Levine, 2000) . So whilst drawing on our different biographies and experiences (for example, we differ in age, length of experience, and the countries in which we have worked), our aim was to analyse these narratives for what they tell us about the operation of whiteness, rather than the specifics of our individual lives.

We are interested in our research to understand the processes of selving rather than to discover particular details about individual selves (Davies and Gannon, 2006, 7) In adopting such an approach, we aimed to avoid one of the tensions faced by educators 'working through' whiteness, noted above -conflating whiteness with whites and white identity.


HCCI is a hybrid of the well-known Spark Ignition, SI, and Compression Ignition, CI, engine concepts. As in an SIengine, a homogenous fuel-air mixture is created in the inlet system. During the compression stroke the temperature of the mixture increases and reaches the point of auto ignition; i.e. the mixture burns without the help of any ignition system, just as in a CI engine. The first studies of this phenomenon in engines were performed on 2-stroke engines [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . The primary purpose of using HCCI combustion in 2-stroke engines is to reduce the HC emissions at part load operation. Later studies on 4-stroke engines have shown that it is possible to achieve high efficiencies and low NO X emissions by using a high compression ratio and lean mixtures [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] . In the 4-stroke case, a number of experiments have been performed where the HCCI combustion in itself is studied.

The first studies of this phenomenon in engines were performed on 2-stroke engines.

Later studies on 4-stroke engines have shown that it is possible to achieve high efficiencies and low NO X emissions by using a high compression ratio and lean mixtures.


Generally, the polymer flooding efficiency has significantly increased with the development of polymer product properties and injection-production technologies, and the integrated techniques concerning reservoir engineering, oil production engineering, surface engineering, and dynamic monitoring in field tests of polymer flooding have been realized based on a series of successful field experiences [12] . At present, the target reservoir type by polymer flooding has extended from high permeability sandstone reservoirs to medium and low permeability sandstone reservoirs as well as from sandstone reservoirs to conglomerate reservoirs and complex fault block reservoirs [16, 18] . The oil reservoir class standard of the Daqing Oilfield is established based on the sedimentary characteristics and development status. High permeability sandstone reservoirs whose effective thickness is greater than 4 m and has a permeability greater than 800 × 10 −3 µm 2 ; this reservoir is classified as a type I reservoir, which is the primary reservoir type in the field. Sandstone reservoirs whose effective thickness is within 1-4 m with a permeability greater than 100 × 10 −3 µm 2 are deemed as medium permeability reservoirs and are classified as type II reservoirs. Low permeability sandstone reservoirs whose effective thickness is less than 1 m with a permeability of less than 100 × 10 −3 µm 2 are classified as type III reservoirs. In the EOR practice of the Daqing Oilfield, a cost-effective process has been investigated to further produce residual oil from major reservoirs entering the later development period of polymer flooding; for medium permeability type II reservoirs, which have a relatively strong heterogeneity, poor connectivity, thin oil layers, and a small growing sand body, polymer flooding processes for EOR have already been applied and have become a necessity for stable production levels of a maturing field base.

Generally, the polymer flooding efficiency has significantly increased with the development of polymer product properties and injection-production technologies, and the integrated techniques concerning reservoir engineering, oil production engineering, surface engineering, and dynamic monitoring in field tests of polymer flooding have been realized based on a series of successful field experiences.

At present, the target reservoir type by polymer flooding has extended from high permeability sandstone reservoirs to medium and low permeability sandstone reservoirs as well as from sandstone reservoirs to conglomerate reservoirs and complex fault block reservoirs.


Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) appear at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), such as deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the legs and pulmonary embolism (PE) [1] [2] [3] . Moreover, the occurrence of massive PE is a known cause of late death in trauma patients, and the risk is increased in patients with DVT [4, 5] . However reported VTE incidence rates vary considerably in the literature depending on whether the diagnosis was made using screening protocols or only by assessing symptomatic patients [5, 6] . Treatment options for preventing VTEs include mechanical prophylaxis (MP) and pharmacological prophylaxis (PP) [7] . MP is undertaken by means of compressive stockings or pneumatic compression devices and their use may be limited in trauma patients with severe injuries to the lower limbs. Pharmacological prophylaxis is undertaken using daily injections of either low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UH) [7] . However, given the risk of aggravating intracranial bleeding in TBI patients the initiation of pharmacological prophylaxis is commonly delayed and later initiation may increase the risk of VTE [2] . Despite the above uncertainties about true incidence, risk of PErelated mortality and variability in the timing and extent of MP and PP application, there is a lack of data from prospectively screened large cohorts of TBI patients for the diagnosis of DVT with simultaneously collected data on the timing and use of MP and PP.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) appear at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), such as deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the legs and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Moreover, the occurrence of massive PE is a known cause of late death in trauma patients, and the risk is increased in patients with DVT.

However reported VTE incidence rates vary considerably in the literature depending on whether the diagnosis was made using screening protocols or only by assessing symptomatic patients.

Treatment options for preventing VTEs include mechanical prophylaxis (MP) and pharmacological prophylaxis (PP).

Pharmacological prophylaxis is undertaken using daily injections of either low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UH).

However, given the risk of aggravating intracranial bleeding in TBI patients the initiation of pharmacological prophylaxis is commonly delayed and later initiation may increase the risk of VTE.


In principle, the Kelvin microscope is quite sensitive to variations in the electrostatic surface potential, which are induced by single surface charges with an equivalent charge of one electron or less [24, 28] . Due to symmetry reasons, the same sensitivity should be found for the case that it is the tip that carries the charge and not the surface. In other words, tip-changes where the tip becomes occasionally positive or negative should, in principle, be detectable by KPFM. Indeed, an unequivocal correlation between the tip-changes in the topography and changes in the Kelvin image can be observed (figure 1): the mean Kelvin signal changed at exactly the same time when the tip changed.

In principle, the Kelvin microscope is quite sensitive to variations in the electrostatic surface potential, which are induced by single surface charges with an equivalent charge of one electron or less.


The electrostatic signature of the tip as the sensing probe in KPFM offers a possible route to AFM tip characterization-a connection that has never been investigated systematically up to now. The idea is to use KPFM for characterization of the electrostatic potential of the tip as it is influenced by fixed charges or dipoles, which get accidentally adsorbed at the tip apex during imaging or can be attached at will by functionalization [29] . Changes in the topographical contrast are especially expected on structured surfaces, where the charge or dipole distribution changes locally. For this purpose, a clean Ag(001) substrate was prepared, onto which thin MgO(001) islands were grown, breaking the symmetry of the electrostatic tip-silver interaction due to its strong dipole. It is shown that the mean Kelvin signal changes from negative to positive values when the tip changes its potential from negative to positive upon tip-changes and vice versa. The tip potential could be identified with the help of the topography contrast, as shown recently [18] . The influence of the tip potential on the Kelvin voltage can even be quantified: a simple model of the electrostatic tip-surface interaction shows how charges or dipoles corresponding to single ions or molecules at the tip change the Kelvin voltage.

The idea is to use KPFM for characterization of the electrostatic potential of the tip as it is influenced by fixed charges or dipoles, which get accidentally adsorbed at the tip apex during imaging or can be attached at will by functionalization.

The tip potential could be identified with the help of the topography contrast, as shown recently.


Note that the lateral white to dark contrast in the Kelvin image ( figure 3(b) ) corresponds to a mean work function difference of −0.15 to −0.3 eV between MgO(001)/Ag(001) and Ag(001). This value is much smaller in comparison to the expected values of −1.0 and −1.3 eV for 1 and 2 ML thin MgO islands, respectively [18, 35] . Due to the long-range character of the electrostatic tip-surface interaction (figure 4), the lateral contrast of the Kelvin image is determined by the polarization of the complete tip-apex [18, 21, 36] . If the tip apex is smaller than the islands (blue arrows), the work function difference is well represented [18] . However, for a large tip-apex, the electrostatic interaction above the silver surface on the periphery of the MgO islands also contributes (bright blue arrows) so that a smaller work function difference is measured (see figure 3) . In the first measurement (figure 1), the tip-apex was obviously so blunt that not even lateral resolution was obtained.

This value is much smaller in comparison to the expected values of −1.0 and −1.3 eV for 1 and 2 ML thin MgO islands, respectively.

Due to the long-range character of the electrostatic tip-surface interaction (figure 4), the lateral contrast of the Kelvin image is determined by the polarization of the complete tip-apex.

If the tip apex is smaller than the islands (blue arrows), the work function difference is well represented.


Lately, generalizations of this model are used. According these generalizations, f and e are taken as piece-wise linear functions [13] . Then, to correspond to the real systems (say, a cardiac tissue) usually the following admissions are applied: Numerical simulations were carried out in a two-dimensional (2D) grid of 175 × 175 and 350 × 350 elements with periodic (torus) boundary conditions. Torus topology of the area allowed us to exclude the influence of some boundary effects such as wave attenuation.

According these generalizations, f and e are taken as piece-wise linear functions.


Large expansion of the human population has caused a sharp increase in energy consumption resulting in a rapid decrease in the earth's fossil reserves [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . The combustion of fossil fuels releases a large amount of CO 2 and has caused serious climate changes and other global problems [6] . Biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters, FAMEs), derived from renewable sources like biomass and animal fats, has been considered as clean, renewable, sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels and has received increasing attention as transportation fuel. A problem with transesterification products is that they are mainly composed of ester, which shows limited compatibility with petroleum-derived fuel because of high oxygen content, lower thermal stability, and poor cold flow properties [6, 7] . Posttreatment processes like hydrocracking or pyrolysis with hydroreforming must then be applied to eliminate oxygen and shorten carbon chains. These processes change the transesterified product to resemble conventional fuel derived from fossil sources [5] . This paper focuses on the preparation of catalysts for the hydrocracking process, which is one of the key processes to convert heavy feedstocks to high-quality fuels like gasoline and middle distillate [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] .

Large expansion of the human population has caused a sharp increase in energy consumption resulting in a rapid decrease in the earth's fossil reserves.

The combustion of fossil fuels releases a large amount of CO 2 and has caused serious climate changes and other global problems.

A problem with transesterification products is that they are mainly composed of ester, which shows limited compatibility with petroleum-derived fuel because of high oxygen content, lower thermal stability, and poor cold flow properties.

These processes change the transesterified product to resemble conventional fuel derived from fossil sources.

This paper focuses on the preparation of catalysts for the hydrocracking process, which is one of the key processes to convert heavy feedstocks to high-quality fuels like gasoline and middle distillate.


Given the depth of pedigree knowledge, the reduced census of the population and the long use in reproduction of stallions and mares, it could be anticipated that the present levels of inbreeding in Lusitano would be higher than actually observed. This discrepancy is a consequence of the very high number of sires used in the Lusitano horse breed, with a sex ratio of nearly 5 mares per stallion, which is much lower than, e.g., the ratio of 45 mares/sire observed in Hanoverian horses (Hamann and Distl, 2008) . Due to the high number of stallions used, the mean number of offspring registered per sire is only about 13, and nearly one-half of the sires have less than 5 offspring registered. Nevertheless, 56 popular stallions have sired nearly 15% of the foals registered in the breed, with an average of 135 foals/stallion.

This discrepancy is a consequence of the very high number of sires used in the Lusitano horse breed, with a sex ratio of nearly 5 mares per stallion, which is much lower than, e.g., the ratio of 45 mares/sire observed in Hanoverian horses.


Furthermore, the applications of capacitance type liquid level sensors were presented in many research papers while its usage has huge impact in hydroponics as well as controlling material position [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] . The principle of capacitance liquid level sensor is to make use of the charge separation in a parallel plate which induces an internal electric field and the liquid acts as the dielectric which reduce the field and increases the capacitance [5, 6, 8, 9] . The main advantages of these capacitance liquid level sensors are their precision and stability in measuring liquid level with low maintenance cost. This paper describes the design and testing of a water level measurement based on a capacitive effect with uniform varying fingers of parallel electrodes on a printed circuit board (PCB). The capacitance between parallel electrode fingers on the printed circuit board varies according to the water height. The driven element which is the positive side of the plate and the sensing element which is the negative side of the plate creates a fringe effect as shown in Fig. 1 [2] . The fringe effect makes the measured capacitance higher in comparison to the calculated capacitance. A signal conditioning circuit has been designed and fabricated to aid in measuring the change in voltage difference for each electrode finger as water rises. The electrode water level sensor has been tested and it has proven to work efficiently under static and dynamic conditions. Thus, this implies that the water level sensor can be applicable for a flood monitoring system.

Furthermore, the applications of capacitance type liquid level sensors were presented in many research papers while its usage has huge impact in hydroponics as well as controlling material position.

The principle of capacitance liquid level sensor is to make use of the charge separation in a parallel plate which induces an internal electric field and the liquid acts as the dielectric which reduce the field and increases the capacitance.

The driven element which is the positive side of the plate and the sensing element which is the negative side of the plate creates a fringe effect as shown in Fig. 1.


Due to the number of patients and follow-up period our study should be considered as an initial report. However, it seems that after proper selection in some cases routine central lymph node dissection may and should be avoided. According to the Italian authors aiming restriction of the parathyroid vascular shock in justified cases unilateral central lymphadenectomies (on the tumor side) may be performed, even in more advanced stages [17] .

According to the Italian authors aiming restriction of the parathyroid vascular shock in justified cases unilateral central lymphadenectomies (on the tumor side) may be performed, even in more advanced stages.


There has been an increasing number of studies concerning the use of speech processing and natural language processing (NLP) technologies to automatically score spoken responses (Eskenazi, 2009) . In these machine scoring systems, a set of features related to multiple aspects of human speaking capabilities, e.g., fluency, pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary usage, grammatical accuracy, and content, is extracted automatically. Then, statistical models, such as the widely used linear regression models, classification and regression trees (CART), are trained based on human ratings and these features. For new responses, the trained statistical models are applied to predict machine scores.

There has been an increasing number of studies concerning the use of speech processing and natural language processing (NLP) technologies to automatically score spoken responses.


The increasing demand for more functionality on ICs has been met by the semiconductor industry adhering to Moore's law. Recent enhancements in process development enable the fabrication of three dimensional stacked ICs (3D-SICs), which are electrically interconnected by Through Silicon Vias (TSV). This opened up new research directions that could be investigated to continue the trend of performance increase. A TSV based 3D-SIC is an emerging technology that provides a smaller footprint, higher interconnect density between stacked dies, higher performance and lower power consumption due to shorter wires as compared to planar ICs [4] . Moreover, heterogeneous integration in 3D-SICs allows dies to be manufactured with dissimilar processing and technology nodes. For example, memory layers can be stacked on a processor [15] .

A TSV based 3D-SIC is an emerging technology that provides a smaller footprint, higher interconnect density between stacked dies, higher performance and lower power consumption due to shorter wires as compared to planar ICs.

For example, memory layers can be stacked on a processor.


In this work, we analyze the traffic data at a road intersection collected through several laser scanners and some other auxiliary devices, which is a typical microscopic traffic dataset. The dataset is generated from the raw point cloud by post processing techniques [37] . Laser-scanned data provides a possibility of studying micro behaviors of individual vehicles and pedestrians. Much more information can be uncovered from such detailed data in comparison with data obtained through video or other traditional technologies, if appropriate analytic tools are provided. However, such datasets are challenging for various reasons. First, at a busy road intersection, thousands of moving objects can be captured in a short period of time. It is not a trivial task visualizing and analyzing such datasets efficiently and conveniently. Second, the collection of the point clouds inherently includes noise, containing short, incomplete, even nonsense trajectories that can hardly be filtered out by automatic algorithms. Therefore new approaches are demanded to deal with the magnitude of data and to reduce the influence of the inherent noise.

The dataset is generated from the raw point cloud by post processing techniques.


With rapid economic growth, large increases in both motorization and urbanization have been witnessed in many countries since the beginning of the last century. As a consequence, the considerably increased number of automobiles in many cities has quickly congested transportation pathways. Heavy traffic may give rise to air pollution, aggravate time consumption of people who need to commute to work or school, pose a significant safety risk, and even exacerbate feelings of inequities in the society. In late August, 2010, the world witnessed the longest traffic jam in China [34] . Road construction, traffic accidents and breakdowns created a 60-mile, 11-day bumper-to-bumper gridlock on National Expressway 110 between the capital Beijing and inner Mongolia. It is indisputable that transportation has become a key issue in city development and management in today's world, which leads to the urgent require-ment of advanced technologies for us to monitor, model, and optimize traffic flows in our transportation systems.

In late August, 2010, the world witnessed the longest traffic jam in China.


Since such an RRM is intended for embedded platforms, only a lightweight implementation is acceptable. To alleviate the run-time decision making and to avoid conservative worstcase assumptions, we already motivated the need of an RRM consisting of both following phases [2] . First, a design-time exploration per application derives a multi-dimensional Pareto set of optimal configurations. Each configuration is characterised by a code version together with an optimal combination of constraints, used resources and costs. The different code versions refer to different parallelisations of the application into parallel tasks and data transfers to shared and local memories. Second, a low-complexity run-time manager, which is incorporated in the user space on top of the basic services of the platform OS and acting as an exception handler. Whenever the environment is changing (e.g. when a new application/use case starts, or when the user requirements change), the run-time manager reacts as follows. First, it selects a configuration from the Pareto set of each active application, according to the available resources, in order to minimise the costs, while satisfying the constraints. Second, it reconfigures and maps the application on the platform, that is, it assigns the platform resources, it adapts the platform parameters, it loads the application tasks and it issues the application executions according to the newly selected configurations.

To alleviate the run-time decision making and to avoid conservative worstcase assumptions, we already motivated the need of an RRM consisting of both following phases.


In crop production, energy is required for tillage, crop seedlings, fertilising, herbicides application, harvest and transport. Furthermore, considerable energy is required for the production of herbicides, fertilisers and pesticides. On average, fertiliser production represents about 50% of total energy requirement, the 22% are required for machinery, about 15% for transport fuel and 13% for pesticides [12] . Due to the fact that grass is not cultivated but it grows naturally, the higher energy demanding processes (fertilizer and pesticide production and application) are not necessary, therefore the energy balance is presumed more advantageous although biogas yields are not as high as in other crop species.

On average, fertiliser production represents about 50% of total energy requirement, the 22% are required for machinery, about 15% for transport fuel and 13% for pesticides.


Five sessions were conducted with each teacher-pupil dyad. Sessions were digitally video recorded. They were intended to be no longer than thirty minutes in length, although the exact duration varied depending on the pupil's attention span. Sessions were scheduled at regular intervals over three weeks at times convenient to the teachers. Sessions were carried out in a room with just the pupil, researcher and a member of staff present. The video camera was placed on a tripod, in an inconspicuous position, as "camera consciousness" could affect how participants act, which would decrease the reliability of the data (Shrum, Duque, & Brown, 2005) .

Sessions were digitally video recorded.

The video camera was placed on a tripod, in an inconspicuous position, as "camera consciousness" could affect how participants act, which would decrease the reliability of the data.


Video recordings of each session were analysed by the lead author using OBSWIN (http://www.antam.co.uk/obswin.htm) for the duration of engagement, duration of assistance provided and the frequency of achieving a goal or failing to achieve a goal. Due to the inherent variability of the pupils, each pupil had individual criteria for the presence/absence of each variable. For example, to measure engagement, it was felt eye gaze alone was not accurate enough, as discerning the direction of the gaze could be difficult for pupils who had limited visual fields. In order to determine what constitutes the presence/absence of a variable, videos of the sessions were watched before the analysis began, and exact criteria defined for each. Three sessions from 3 different pupils were reanalysed to assess repeat reliability. For duration variables (engagement and teacher assistance), Cohen's kappa was calculated using OBSWIN, to calculate agreement on presence/absence of behaviour on a second by second basis. Percentage agreement was calculated for discrete variables ( goal achieved and goal not achieved (Wood, 2007) .

Percentage agreement was calculated for discrete variables ( goal achieved and goal not achieved.


Computational complexity for SimFusion is O(Kn 3 ) in the worst case [17] . Cubic computational complexity in the number of nodes for SimFusion directly follows from matrix representation (25); as for SimRank, the double summation in the iterative formula (3) misleaded SimRank computational complexity, which was previously considered O(Kn 4 ) in the worst case [7, 17] . The idea of partial sums suggested in this paper fixes this inconsistency between SimRank and SimFusion, for now both are known to have cubic computational complexity in the number of nodes.

Computational complexity for SimFusion is O(Kn 3 ) in the worst case.

Cubic computational complexity in the number of nodes for SimFusion directly follows from matrix representation (25); as for SimRank, the double summation in the iterative formula (3) misleaded SimRank computational complexity, which was previously considered O(Kn 4 ) in the worst case.


The main problems associated with WPP and PV plants are caused by their stochastic nature. It makes prediction of energy difficult, and complicates the medium-and long-term energy production planning and scheduling [7] , [8] . This makes investments into new, green power plants more risky and thus less attractive for investors.

It makes prediction of energy difficult, and complicates the medium-and long-term energy production planning and scheduling.


Use of the marker CS25 333 can be more useful when large numbers of samples must be scored, but it is more error-prone compared to CAPS markers. False negatives could occur because failures of PCR ampli- fication would be confounded with absence of the marker. Consequently, we used CAPS markers (CS25 997 /Rsa I and STS-AA6/ Hae III) for the genetic segregation analysis. Distortion of segregation ratios. Distorted segregation ratios between the alleles of CS25b locus were observed in some populations. In these cases, the allele associated with the QTL for powdery mildew resistance was less frequent than the alternate allele ( Table 2 ). The exception was the cross J.S. 23-416 x Ill. 547-1, where some selection for powdery mildew resistant genotypes had been applied previously to that population. Segregation distortion was observed in 'Horizon' x Ill. 547-1 when the cross was remade in 1996 but not in the first cross, made in 1988. The reasons for variations in segregation ratios observed herein are unknown but similar distortions have been observed in other species (Davis and Yu, 1997) . Distortions, as observed in the present study, can lead to faulty conclusions when genetic analyses are made based only on phenotypes. For example, the low frequency of resistant individuals in the progeny NY88.0514.03 x 'Traminette' might be interpreted as interactions of genes instead of segregation distortions at a major locus. Powdery mildew resistance. The efficiency of marker CS25b in predicting powdery mildew resistance was confirmed when the cross 'Horizon' x Ill. 547-1 was remade and new seedlings were tested under field conditions (Fig. 5) . The frequencies of resistance classes varied, probably due to different conditions for evaluation. In the original population (based on 5 years field data), there is a tendency to have more individuals in the intermediate classes. In the new cross (based on a single year of evaluation), the presence of individuals in the extreme classes was more frequent.

Distortion of segregation ratios.

The reasons for variations in segregation ratios observed herein are unknown but similar distortions have been observed in other species.

Powdery mildew resistance.


Research indicates that many patients with a cancer diagnosis do not receive adequate information regarding fertility preservation. Less than half of cancer patients are referred to a reproductive specialist [63] [64] [65] . Despite the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Society of Reproductive Medicine guidelines and recommendations, a study reported that only 18% of oncologists had any patient resources on fertility preservation available and only 50% reported moderate to high confidence in knowledge regarding the subject [66] . Many barriers have been identified, including a lack of physician knowledge about fertility preservation options and resources, time constraints associated with assisted reproductive technologies and delaying the initiation of cancer therapy, and cost concerns and patient prognosis, especially with advanced disease. Women with cancer are interested in discussing fertility preservation, and their cancer care providers should address the possibility of infertility as soon as possible before the initiation of treatment [67] . The discussion will reduce stress and can improve patient satisfaction and the woman's quality of life in the long run [68] . Collaborative care between the oncology team, infertility specialists, psychologists, the patient, and her family can help ensure these women have access to such information and services. It is imperative to remember that for adult survivors, their cancer treatment is a distant memory, but the issue of infertility remains a present problem that limits their social lives and curtails their hope of a biologic family [69] .

Less than half of cancer patients are referred to a reproductive specialist.

Despite the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Society of Reproductive Medicine guidelines and recommendations, a study reported that only 18% of oncologists had any patient resources on fertility preservation available and only 50% reported moderate to high confidence in knowledge regarding the subject.

Women with cancer are interested in discussing fertility preservation, and their cancer care providers should address the possibility of infertility as soon as possible before the initiation of treatment.

The discussion will reduce stress and can improve patient satisfaction and the woman's quality of life in the long run.

It is imperative to remember that for adult survivors, their cancer treatment is a distant memory, but the issue of infertility remains a present problem that limits their social lives and curtails their hope of a biologic family.


Thermal error compensation is one of the most economical and effective ways to solve and reduce the thermal error. Before the thermal error compensation, accurate and reliable temperature measurement is a key point. The direct measurement methods of machine tools temperature field are discussed by many researchers [7] [8] [9] . Temperature sensors generally are thermal resistors, thermocouple, thermal infrared imager and thermistor. The temperature measurement systems with those sensors have many inadequacy. Thermocouple has low accuracy; the impedance interference ability of thermal resistors is poor; the linear degree and reliability of thermistor are low; accuracy and anti-interference ability of radiant thermometer are poor. So the advanced sensors and measurement methods are the hot fields of study to realize high-precision thermal error compensation. As a new temperature sensor, Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor has incomparable advantage over many traditional temperature sensors. It has high sensitivity, small volume, light quality, antielectromagnetic interference, and anticorrosion. Furthermore, its demodulation mode is wavelength modulation which determines that its measurement signal is independent of light source fluctuation, optical fiber bending loss, coupling loss, and detector aging factors. Therefore, FBG sensor suits application in industry fields.

The direct measurement methods of machine tools temperature field are discussed by many researchers.


The accuracy of CNC machine tool is the most important pursuit for researchers. Errors that affect the machine tool accuracy can be classified into geometric errors, thermal errors, and cutting force-induced errors. Among these errors, thermal errors account for 70 percent of the total errors [1] . Due to various different heat sources, temperature gradients in machine tool structures result in expansion and contract of machine parts, which affect positioning, straightness, angularity, and alignment errors [2] .

Among these errors, thermal errors account for 70 percent of the total errors.

Due to various different heat sources, temperature gradients in machine tool structures result in expansion and contract of machine parts, which affect positioning, straightness, angularity, and alignment errors.


While the majority of grain sorghum is grown in rows with spacings ranging from 69 to 102 cm, some sorghum is planted broadcast [22] . The majority of producers in this region plant on 102 cm row spacings. With the wide variation in seeding rate and row spacing, many producers question whether there is an optimum plant density for grain sorghum grown under different row spacings and whether this can lead to higher profits. Another frequently asked question is whether or not a specific hybrid is better adapted to the narrow row environment than others. For these reasons, the objectives of this study were to determine (a) the effect of grain sorghum hybrid, (b) plant density, and (c) row spacing on grain sorghum yield and net returns.

While the majority of grain sorghum is grown in rows with spacings ranging from 69 to 102 cm, some sorghum is planted broadcast.


Sovereign ratings are not brute facts to unearth. Rather it is through the performativity of ratings that certain assessments and articulations of creditworthiness become hegemonicwhile others are marginalised -to help produce the fiscal realities which they describe (Paudyn 2014) . Neglectful of how this social facticity of sovereign creditworthiness is constructed and legitimised through discursive practices, such as risk and uncertainty, this analytics of government helps unpack sovereign ratings to show how ESMA may either promote the status quo or be placed in the awkward position of repoliticising the ratings process without a clear mandate; thereby exacerbating the asymmetry between expertise and democracy.

Rather it is through the performativity of ratings that certain assessments and articulations of creditworthiness become hegemonicwhile others are marginalised -to help produce the fiscal realities which they describe.


As a result of trade liberalization, the agricultural sector of developing countries is increasingly influenced by developments in world markets. The perceived rate of food crises in those regions has increased sharply during this last decade. Moreover, recent studies found that the world commodity price boom that started several months ago has accentuated concerns about the potential severity of future crises in Southern Africa (Tschirley and Jayne 2008) . Productivity performance in the agricultural sector is thus critical to improvement in overall economic well-being and can offer good opportunities for food security and poverty reduction. One of the major concerns relates to greater and more effective utilization of lowlands for agricultural production in Sub Saharan African regions (Gockowski and Ndoumbe 2004; Erenstein 2006; Erenstein et al. 2006; Weinberger and Lumpkin 2007; Barrett et al. 2008) .

Moreover, recent studies found that the world commodity price boom that started several months ago has accentuated concerns about the potential severity of future crises in Southern Africa.

One of the major concerns relates to greater and more effective utilization of lowlands for agricultural production in Sub Saharan African regions.


Optical holographic recording is studying extensively for molecular LC and polymer-dispersed LC materials exploiting the photorefractive effect [4] [5] . Resonance properties of dye dopants have been investigated in different liquid and solid solutions, as well as in polymers [6] . But, usually, the dyes serve as effective light absorbers and nonlinearity are connected with various secondary thermal effects in solvent matrixes. Major efforts are directed to create electrical-controlled memory systems and switching at action of continuous low intensity lasers.

Optical holographic recording is studying extensively for molecular LC and polymer-dispersed LC materials exploiting the photorefractive effect.

Resonance properties of dye dopants have been investigated in different liquid and solid solutions, as well as in polymers.


Note, that the resonance nonlinearity besides of absorption saturation (defined by the difference of numbers of molecules being in excited and ground states) includes also the effect connected with changes of the dipole momentum of the electron transition in molecules at light excitation [7] . Then, the refractive index modulation should be supplemented by the component Dn d followed from the dipole momentum change. In this case, the refraction index modulation and the holographic diffraction efficiency can be significantly increased by using novel materials with giant resonance nonlinearity. For example, miracyanine dyes have the transition dipole momentum 10 times higher as compared with that of ionic polymethine dyes [11] .

Note, that the resonance nonlinearity besides of absorption saturation (defined by the difference of numbers of molecules being in excited and ground states) includes also the effect connected with changes of the dipole momentum of the electron transition in molecules at light excitation.

For example, miracyanine dyes have the transition dipole momentum 10 times higher as compared with that of ionic polymethine dyes.


Pure lyotropic ILC matrix is transparent in the visible range of spectra. But, because of its amphiphilic nature, various light-absorbing both organic and non-organic impurities can be solved in ILC matrix including polymethine dyes, electro-chromic and photochromic impurities (viologens). At the same time, thermotropic ILC and ISG based on di-valent ion Co 2+ are coloured and absorb light in the visible spectral range [2] . The coloured ILC and ISG possess the property of dynamic holographic recording based on the resonance nonlinearity of photosensitive centres [3] . At the same time, ILC matrix provides fast relaxation of accumulated heat energy in cells. The characteristic erasure time of residual thermal gratings is~30 µs at the grating period 15 µm. Heat-conductive properties of ILC matrixes allow one to create composite cells that includes both absorbed photosensitive layers and ILC layers. Thus, dynamic grating recording with fast erasure time was obtained in composite cells containing a polymethine dye film and lyotropic ILC [3] . Note, that the dye film gives only permanent gratings due to creation of a relief on its surface.

At the same time, thermotropic ILC and ISG based on di-valent ion Co 2+ are coloured and absorb light in the visible spectral range.

The coloured ILC and ISG possess the property of dynamic holographic recording based on the resonance nonlinearity of photosensitive centres.

Thus, dynamic grating recording with fast erasure time was obtained in composite cells containing a polymethine dye film and lyotropic ILC.


As well as for optimum performance, the device should be designed such that the desired mode dominates and suppresses all other modes during the transition of the device parameters to the operating point. Such selective excitation of the desired mode is an extremely difficult problem due to the presence of many competing modes [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] 18] . Therefore, study of the startup scenario in the design of such a gyrotron amplifier operating at high-order modes is extremely important.

Such selective excitation of the desired mode is an extremely difficult problem due to the presence of many competing modes.


At beam energies considered practical for microwave devices, cyclotron interaction weakens rapidly as one increases the harmonic number for reducing the magnetic field requirement [4, 6, [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] . Moreover, at high harmonics severe mode competition occurs [12, 19, 22] . Thus, it appears that the successful operation of a highharmonic gyro-TWT with low magnetic field requirement that can be operated with low-energy electron beams and with means for harmonic selection calls for some fundamental modification of the conventional smooth-wall waveguide configuration.

At beam energies considered practical for microwave devices, cyclotron interaction weakens rapidly as one increases the harmonic number for reducing the magnetic field requirement.

Moreover, at high harmonics severe mode competition occurs.


Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides secreted by organisms across the evolutionary spectrum as a first line of defense against external pathogenic attack [3] . The non-specific membrane-mediated mechanism of microbial lysis by AMPs has elicited optimism in their use as potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics, because conventional antibiotics are more liable to becoming ineffective by the development of antibiotic resistance in pathogens [4] . However, there has not been much success in the use of AMPs or AMP derivatives in the clinic, partly because their rational design is hampered by a lack of knowledge of their mechanism of membrane lysis.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides secreted by organisms across the evolutionary spectrum as a first line of defense against external pathogenic attack.

The non-specific membrane-mediated mechanism of microbial lysis by AMPs has elicited optimism in their use as potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics, because conventional antibiotics are more liable to becoming ineffective by the development of antibiotic resistance in pathogens.


Here we present a novel approach which: i) allows the tracking of sperm of a sperm donor in a sperm recipient; ii) should be readily transferable to a wide range of organisms, and iii) does not require specific genetic knowledge. This approach uses DNA-labelling with a halogenated pyrimidine, the thymidine analogue 5-bromo-2 -deoxyuridine (hereafter called BrdU). We have previously used this approach in a study on male allocation (Schärer et al., 2004b) . BrdU is stably incorporated into the DNA of cells in S-phase (i.e. the phase of the cell cycle during which DNA duplication occurs) and can be visualised with immunocytochemical staining. We describe a protocol for BrdU-based sperm tracking in the free-living marine flatworm Macrostomum lignano that allows the visualisation of labelled sperm from a labelled donor in an unlabelled recipient.

We have previously used this approach in a study on male allocation.


Although labor costs constitute the major share of the total costs of a medical treatment, there is still a major economic potential in improving expenditure on materials and services [15] , [25] . One source to reduce costs and enhance service delivery can therefore be found in the sophisticated management of the relationships with suppliers, commonly referred to as supplier relationship management (SRM) [30] . For doing so, a wide spectrum of managerial tools and technological aids have been developed, mainly in highly competitive sectors e.g. automotive or engineering [8] , [49] , [53] . However, the not reflected usage of these instruments is inadvisable since health care has considerable differences compared with the mentioned sectors (e.g. extensive governmental control, permanent obligation for service delivery, the structure of a seller's market).

Although labor costs constitute the major share of the total costs of a medical treatment, there is still a major economic potential in improving expenditure on materials and services.

One source to reduce costs and enhance service delivery can therefore be found in the sophisticated management of the relationships with suppliers, commonly referred to as supplier relationship management (SRM).

For doing so, a wide spectrum of managerial tools and technological aids have been developed, mainly in highly competitive sectors e.g. automotive or engineering.


Here some remarks about the terminology is appropriate. The term "generalized association parameter", clearly, is very unsuccessful, it was introduced before the notions and terms "covariation of X 1 on X 2 " and "codifference" were invented, at the time when the term "association" was popular (see, for example papers [6] , [7] ). Now we suggest to call this parameter as α-correlation coefficient for a SαS random vector, and from now, in what follows we shall write α-correlation coefficient (α-cc) instead of g.a.p. Thus we have three notions (or quantities)-covariation, codifference, and α-covariance, which all become usual covariance in the case α = 2.

The term "generalized association parameter", clearly, is very unsuccessful, it was introduced before the notions and terms "covariation of X 1 on X 2 " and "codifference" were invented, at the time when the term "association" was popular (see, for example papers,).


In most of iris recognition works, the iris region is first detected and the iris is mapped to a rectangular region in polar coordinate. Various iris segmentation algorithms are developed during the past few years [11] . Foreground segmentation approaches can also be used for iris segmentation [12] , [13] . It is worth mentioning that no segmentation is performed to extract iris region from the eye image in our work, which makes it much easier to implement. In this work, two sets of features are extracted from iris images, one of them being the recently introduced set of scattering-transform features and the other one being that of textural features to capture the texture information of irises. We believe that if these features are combined, they will provide a high discriminating power to conduct the recognition task. After the features are extracted, their dimensionality is reduced by applying PCA and then minimum distance classifier is used to recognize new iris images. Skipping the segmentation step makes our algorithm very fast and it can be easily implemented in electronic devices for real time applications using energy-efficient implementation and power management [14] . This algorithm is tested on the well-known IIT Delhi iris database, and a very high accuracy rate is achieved. Three sample iris images of the dataset used in this work are shown in Figure 1 . The rest of the paper is organized as follows. Section 2 describes the features which are used in this work. Section 3 contains the explanation of the classification scheme. The results of our experiments and comparisons with other works are in Section 4 and the paper is concluded in Section 5.

Various iris segmentation algorithms are developed during the past few years.

Foreground segmentation approaches can also be used for iris segmentation.

Skipping the segmentation step makes our algorithm very fast and it can be easily implemented in electronic devices for real time applications using energy-efficient implementation and power management.


There is an agreement among researchers that lexical knowledge involves more than being able to remember the meaning of a specific word (Nation, 1994) . Generally, lexical knowledge is defined as a combination of vocabulary breadth (size) and vocabulary depth (quality) (Shen, 2008; Qian, 1998) . Vocabulary breadth refers to the number of words whose meaning is known to a learner. However, vocabulary depth refers to a learner's knowledge of various important aspects of a given word (ibid). Simply, it relates to how well one knows a word (Marzban & Hadipour, 2012; Shen, 2008) . In fact, lexical depth focuses on the idea that learners need to know more than just a superficial understanding of the meaning for words (Shen, 2008) .

There is an agreement among researchers that lexical knowledge involves more than being able to remember the meaning of a specific word.

Generally, lexical knowledge is defined as a combination of vocabulary breadth (size) and vocabulary depth (quality).

Simply, it relates to how well one knows a word.

In fact, lexical depth focuses on the idea that learners need to know more than just a superficial understanding of the meaning for words.


Since there are both optimism and pessimism regarding the effectiveness of macroprudential policies, it can be argued that the support in favor of these policies will likely to continue so for the foreseeable future given that growth concerns and financial stability issues will remain fully unresolved. While the implementation of macroprudential policies has already changed the scope of both central banking and regulatory practice, given the limited experience, there is still room about comprehending the impact of macroprudential policies. In contrast with the previous literature, we take a different approach by trying to capture whether depositors' sensitivities towards bank risk have changed along with macroprudential measures. Most evidences suggest stronger depositor discipline during crises due to depositors' increased vulnerability to bank risk (Peria and Schmukler, 2001; (Levy-Yeyati et al., 2004; Kraft and Galac, 2007) . This study examines the direction to which depositor discipline evolved in Turkey after the 2008 global financial crisis, the period when the authority bodies have implemented macroprudential tools in order to explicitly preserve the stability of the financial system.

Most evidences suggest stronger depositor discipline during crises due to depositors' increased vulnerability to bank risk.


The ultimate aim of accommodative monetary policies has been to enable easy and cheap access to debt and equity financing. Further, unprecedented support from the central banks, in the form of bond purchasing programs, have kept a lid on interest rates, and nurtured the risk appetite of investors. Access to cheaper credit also encourages households to spend more: the higher wealth levels caused by higher asset valuations encourage households to spend a higher fraction of their income. It is however argued that accommodative monetary policies have encouraged banks to take excessive risk (Calomiris, 2013; Claessens et al., 2013; Adrian and Liang, 2014) . Ample liquidity at low rates stimulates financial institutions to rebalance their portfolio holdings from risk-free assets towards riskier, higher-yielding assets. The search for yield has mainly resulted in capital flows to emerging economies, and many of these economies now strive to curb the destabilizing effects of these flows on their domestic markets.

It is however argued that accommodative monetary policies have encouraged banks to take excessive risk.


The financial crisis that peaked in 2008 significantly changed the modus operandi of monetary policy (Di Giorgio, 2014) . It has been a common trend in advanced economies to adopt accommodative monetary policies in the form of low policy rates and generous liquidity support (Claessens et al., 2010; Leaven and Valencia, 2010) . Even though these measures have been relatively successful in relieving the uncertainties in the aftermath of the Lehman's collapse, the tendency toward excessive risk-taking has created other concerns. Against the backdrop of low rates, tightened credit spreads and record-low volatilities, macroprudential policies have been accepted as a desirable antidote to the growing worries that sustained low rates will eventually lead to financial instability (De Nicolò et al., 2012; Claessens et al., 2013; Hasan et al., 2013) . This perspective suggests that macroprudential policies are effective to tame the credit cycle, increasing the likelihood that we have entered after a sustained period of lower structural volatility.

The financial crisis that peaked in 2008 significantly changed the modus operandi of monetary policy.

It has been a common trend in advanced economies to adopt accommodative monetary policies in the form of low policy rates and generous liquidity support.

Against the backdrop of low rates, tightened credit spreads and record-low volatilities, macroprudential policies have been accepted as a desirable antidote to the growing worries that sustained low rates will eventually lead to financial instability.


An examination of the first unrotated principal component that emerged from the exploratory factor analysis supported a general factor theory of intelligence. Principal component analysis (PCA) was essentially data reduction, and the analysis in this study showed that all 36 items could be reduced to one general factor. The pattern suggested that the STAT appeared to be a measure of g. Because the data did not reduce to three factors, these results do not support the triarchic model. Not only did total STAT scores correlate highly with the first factor extracted from PCA, but the items with quantitative content in the STAT are also almost perfectly correlated with this factor, which we refer to as the g index. Combined with the observation of the high correlation between these items and the STAT total score (r = 0.90) and the high reliability of the quantitative items (α = 0.83), we suggest that perhaps the STAT Level-H could be reduced to just the quantitative items. This shortened 12-item test from the original 36-item test could be used as a quick assessment for a reliable measure or indicator of academic achievement or general intellectual ability. We acknowledge that the shortened test may be no different than a math test, and there are studies providing support for the strong relationship between intelligence, executive functions, working memory and math achievement [29, 30] .

We acknowledge that the shortened test may be no different than a math test, and there are studies providing support for the strong relationship between intelligence, executive functions, working memory and math achievement.


The study of spatial patterns in the distribution of organisms is a central issue in ecology. The origin of these patterns has been commonly attributed to two sorts of sources (Levin 1992) . First, a heterogeneous distribution of abiotic factors and, second, underlying mechanisms at the level of individuals. Patterns generated in abiotically homogeneous environments are particularly interesting because they require an explanation based on the individual behavior of organisms. They are commonly called ''emergent patterns,'' because they emerge through interactions in spatial scales that are much larger than the characteristic scale of individuals. Within this context, we may ask to what extent predator-prey interaction can induce nonuniform distributions.

The origin of these patterns has been commonly attributed to two sorts of sources.


The mechanism of HbA1c elevation in patients with IDA is currently unknown. It has been reported that the erythrocyte lifespan in patients with IDA was not extended and remained normal or slightly shortened [21, 22] . However, most of the reported patients with IDA had underlying gastrointestinal bleeding diseases. Therefore, affected by the shortened erythrocyte lifespan associated with bleeding, the assessment of the erythrocyte lifespan in patients with IDA themselves seems to not have been achieved. Erythrocyte creatine, which reflects the erythrocyte lifespan, resulted in significantly higher levels during menstruation for women in their 10s to 40s compared to men of the same age. However, difference by sex was not shown in <10-year-old and ≥50-year-old patients [23] . This result is considered to indicate that the erythrocyte lifespan is shortened due to bleeding for women with menstruation. For patients with IDA without bleeding, an extended erythrocyte lifespan might result in high levels of HbA1c. This issue should be considered in the future.

It has been reported that the erythrocyte lifespan in patients with IDA was not extended and remained normal or slightly shortened.

However, difference by sex was not shown in <10-year-old and ≥50-year-old patients.


The real difficulties go even deeper, however. The majority of available studies just look at developments within the country undertaking QE and neglect the global environment. Global financial markets are highly integrated and (long-term) rates have been highly correlated across advanced economies, not only along a downward trend, but also during cyclical ups and downs. Over most periods, rates have declined as much, sometimes more, in areas where QE was not undertaken. There is no sign that the fact that the ECB did not undertake bond purchases when they were undertaken by the US and the UK in any way prevented interest rates in the euro area from following US rates downwards when only the US implemented QE (Gros, Aldici & De Groen, 2015) .

There is no sign that the fact that the ECB did not undertake bond purchases when they were undertaken by the US and the UK in any way prevented interest rates in the euro area from following US rates downwards when only the US implemented QE.