The national surveillance also provided contact data that presented a snapshot of the population's infection network. During the time span of this study the number of laboratory confirmed cases in Israel (713) was the third highest in Europe exceeded only by the UK and Spain, which have much larger populations [8] . The prevalence and fatality rate of swine flu in Israel remained high compared to other Mediterranean and European countries.

During the time span of this study the number of laboratory confirmed cases in Israel (713) was the third highest in Europe exceeded only by the UK and Spain, which have much larger populations.


Instead of the spatial domain approach investigating the SV flux through each C i , we adopt a spherical harmonic (SH) domain approach to assess SV models. An expression corresponding to Eq. (1) can be derived in SH domain by expanding the relevant quantities B r ,Ḃ r and v H (all defined on the spherical surface of the CMB) in a truncated series of the spherical harmonics. The obtained equations are the observation equations often used in estimating core flow models based on magnetic models (Bloxham and Jackson, 1991; Holme, 2007) . By making use of these equations, one may be able to find the part of the SV which cannot be related to the core flow for a given truncated MF. This approach requires only an algebraic procedure, without any geometric concern about the domain of integration, such as the nullflux patches C i . Moreover, the FF condition redefined in the SH domain is likely to be stronger than the Backus' FF condition, as it turns out in this study. Another technical advantage of the SH domain approach is the facility to incorporate assumptions needed for treating the non-uniqueness issue, when separating the SV parts satisfying and not satisfying the FF condition. We thus consider the SH domain approach worth an investigation, particularly when dealing with magnetic models given in SH coefficients.

The obtained equations are the observation equations often used in estimating core flow models based on magnetic models.


The subscripts r and H denote the radial and horizontal components, respectively. The above equation describes the assumption that the decadal field variationsḂ r at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) are totally attributed to the advection of the field B r by the horizontal core flow v H at the top of the core (we hereafter refer to it as 'FF assumption'). This is indeed a good approximation of the decadal SV generation process, as long as its spatial scale is no less than ∼10 3 km in both the radial and horizontal directions (Braginsky and Le Mouël, 1993) .

This is indeed a good approximation of the decadal SV generation process, as long as its spatial scale is no less than ∼10 3 km in both the radial and horizontal directions.


In this study, we propose a method to specify the part of a SV model inconsistent with the FF condition. The method is applied to given magnetic field models for recent years. We do not intend to provide a test of the FF condition, but rather probe the spatial distribution, and time evolution, of a possible diffusion contribution to the model. Indeed, it seems very difficult to perform a conclusive test against the condition, as magnetic models mapped at the CMB are subject to considerable ambiguity. Their morphology at the CMB always has errors due to model variances and truncation of unresolvable components. In particular, both MF and SV models have spectra at the CMB that do not converge, and the integral conditions are sensitive to the truncation level (Holme and Olsen, 2006) . Despite this difficulty, there is practically no other way to assess the FF assumption than using or building truncated field models (Gubbins, 1984; Bloxham and Gubbins, 1986; Benton and Celaya, 1991; Constable et al., 1993; O'Brien et al., 1997; Whaler and Holme, 2007; Jackson et al., 2007) . Here, we also start with existing truncated field models to extract a SV part not satisfying the FF condition. Again we stress that this part is unexplained by the advection associated with the MF and core flow below their truncation levels. It can still result from the advection associated with the unmodelled MF and core flow at small scales.

In particular, both MF and SV models have spectra at the CMB that do not converge, and the integral conditions are sensitive to the truncation level.

Despite this difficulty, there is practically no other way to assess the FF assumption than using or building truncated field models.


As the core flow is plausibly in the TG balance over a large area of the core surface, a majority of the nongeostrophic SV should not originate from the advection of radial MF by the ageostrophic flow. The diffusion is therefore a possible source of the steadily positive axial dipole component of the non-geostrophic SV, as well as its slowly evolving components which are also seen in the non-advective SV. Yet, the diffusion is practically unlikely to explain the non-geostrophic SV which fluctuates rapidly, producing a part of the observed geomagnetic jerks. This is possibly explained by the presence of fluctuating ageostrophic flow near the geographic equator, just as required for explaining the latest secular variation fluctuations (Olsen and Mandea, 2008) . We note, nevertheless, that one cannot discard the possibility of appropriately modifying the SV models to meet the FF+TG condition completely. This can be achieved by allowing the unknown SV at degrees above the truncation degree of the given models to have a dominant power at the CMB.

This is possibly explained by the presence of fluctuating ageostrophic flow near the geographic equator, just as required for explaining the latest secular variation fluctuations.


As a result of the analysis of high-temperature ignition processes (Q a > 1) for a coal particle several time intervals ( fig. 3) were established [27] . In these conditions (Q a > 1) dimensionless ignition delay time t d of a coal particle with radius R p = 0.5 does not exceed 2. Figure 3 shows that the stage of heterogeneous ignition 4 follows after carbon heating 3 by the heat released during gas-phase oxidation of volatiles in gas mixture 2.

As a result of the analysis of high-temperature ignition processes (Q a > 1) for a coal particle several time intervals ( fig. 3) were established.


For real technological processes of fuel combustion in coal-fired power stations temperature of oxidizer (air) is more than 1200 K (Q a > 1.25) [28, 29] . Under such conditions the temperature of particle surface will increase quite intensively relatively to the initial value even in a short time interval (t < 0.1). For low-temperature ignition process (Q a < 1) of a coal particle the temperature of its surface will not increase such quickly. Nevertheless this process can become the reason of technological accidents in fuel preparation system. Intensity of heat and mass transfer processes and sufficient ignition conditions of carbon will depend on quantity of additional heat released during volatiles combustion in gas mixture. Figure 4 shows temperature distribution in the field of the solution area ( fig. 1 ), concentration of volatiles in gas mixture and quantity of volatile products in a coal particle at the moment of gas-phase ignition (t = t i ).

For real technological processes of fuel combustion in coal-fired power stations temperature of oxidizer (air) is more than 1200 K (Q a > 1.25).


Gambling research among young people between 9 to 21 years of age is limited and mainly prevalence-focused [18] . The popularity of gambling among youth is high. In Finland, approximately over 70% of 9 th grade boys (aged 15 and 16 years) and 25% of girls aged 15 and 16 years play on slot machines at least once a month [19] . Finland has a national gambling monopoly regulated by the Finnish gambling law. The minimum legal age for gambling has been 15 years since 1976. An age limit of 18 years was set in October 2010, but slot machine owners were allowed a transition time to change the age limit until July 2011, meaning that during data collection for the present study, the age limit for using slot machines was 15 years and for all other gambling forms, 18 years.

Gambling research among young people between 9 to 21 years of age is limited and mainly prevalence-focused.

In Finland, approximately over 70% of 9 th grade boys (aged 15 and 16 years) and 25% of girls aged 15 and 16 years play on slot machines at least once a month.


In theories of health behavior, social norms have an important explanatory role in determining individuals' behavior and beliefs [1] [2] [3] . Beliefs concerning consequences of behavior and the opinions of others have a powerful effect on an individual's behavior [1, 4] . According to Social Norms Theory, our intention to act, behavior, and beliefs are influenced by perceptions (whether or not accurate) of how other people behave; if individuals perceive a certain behavior among their peers to be common and feel it is important to conform to social norms they are more likely to engage in that behavior themselves than would otherwise be the case [4, 5] .

In theories of health behavior, social norms have an important explanatory role in determining individuals' behavior and beliefs.

Beliefs concerning consequences of behavior and the opinions of others have a powerful effect on an individual's behavior.

According to Social Norms Theory, our intention to act, behavior, and beliefs are influenced by perceptions (whether or not accurate) of how other people behave; if individuals perceive a certain behavior among their peers to be common and feel it is important to conform to social norms they are more likely to engage in that behavior themselves than would otherwise be the case.


Briefly, two different types of social norms are incorporated into the social norms approach, descriptive and injunctive norms. Descriptive norms, also referred to as perceived prevalence, are beliefs about in the actions of the majority of one's social group. Injunctive norms refer to an individual's beliefs about what their peers find socially acceptable. Both beliefs concerning behavioral consequences and the opinions of others have a powerful effect on an individual's behavior [4] . Consistent with this approach, misperceptions of norms are discrepancies between the actual norm (the prevalence of behavior) and the perceived norm (the perceived prevalence of behavior). Misperceptions are of particular concern if individuals base their actions on these misperceptions [4] .

Both beliefs concerning behavioral consequences and the opinions of others have a powerful effect on an individual's behavior.

Misperceptions are of particular concern if individuals base their actions on these misperceptions.


Shape memory alloys contribute to applications ranging from aerospace and biomedical fields to electronics and automotive industries, with their superior shape memory effect and pseudoelastic properties [1] . The NiTi alloy of near equiatomic composition undergoes a martensitic phase transformation from cubic lattice (B2) austenite to monoclinic (B19 0 ) martensite structure upon cooling or upon straining. Once the NiTi (B2 lattice) alloy is cooled in a stress-free environment, the monoclinic (B19 0 ) NiTi selfaccommodated martensite variants form. Many selfaccommodating combinations of martensite variants initially form while conserving the alloy's macroscopic shape [2] . During deformation in the martensitic phase, preferentially oriented martensitic variants undergo detwinning and mechanical twinning subsequently. Detwinning is the transition from multiple variants to the formation of a single variant. Upon heating, the shape memory effect occurs by reverse transformation. Pseudoelasticity is the other important characteristic of shape memory alloys [3] . The complete pseudoelastic behavior takes place when the alloy is stressed between the austenite final (A f ) and M d temperatures, where M d is the temperature above which martensite cannot be stress induced. The recovery of deformation occurs upon unloading [4, 5] . While the selfaccommodated martensite variants form in thermally induced martensite without applied load, favorably oriented martensite variants form in stress induced martensite under applied load.

Shape memory alloys contribute to applications ranging from aerospace and biomedical fields to electronics and automotive industries, with their superior shape memory effect and pseudoelastic properties.

Many selfaccommodating combinations of martensite variants initially form while conserving the alloy's macroscopic shape.

Pseudoelasticity is the other important characteristic of shape memory alloys.

The recovery of deformation occurs upon unloading.


Many studies have been conducted for a complete understanding of the detwinning mechanism of NiTi martensite [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] . In this study, the nucleation and growth of the detwinning mechanism was investigated by measuring the local strain evolution and the characteristic strains associated with the martensitic phase. In-situ experiments which were performed using an advanced digital image correlation (DIC) technique provided a unique opportunity to monitor and analyze full-field and local strain evolution during tensile loading.

Many studies have been conducted for a complete understanding of the detwinning mechanism of NiTi martensite.


This makes professionals reflect on when it is time to 'let a patient go' and leave the responsibility to the patient. This study shows how professionals struggle with this, probably because it is contradictory to what they are trained to do [44] . According to Mol, what 'good' care exactly implies is not something universal, but needs 'tinkering': a process in which patient and professional together make a local fine-tuning of the guidelines by adjusting them to the daily life of the patient [10] . This requires not only listening to but also hearing patient stories, and trying and evaluating what works and what does not [10, 45, 46] . At times, 'letting go' of the topic of PA might also be good care, although professionals need to stay attentive to changing patient needs. Self-management practices are found to be 'contextual, unlimited, and changeable' [47] . Consequently, care practices need to have those characteristics as well. Moreover, as PA is not a 'simple' medicine to prescribe, this asks for sufficient equipment of, and time for, professionals.

This study shows how professionals struggle with this, probably because it is contradictory to what they are trained to do.

According to Mol, what 'good' care exactly implies is not something universal, but needs 'tinkering': a process in which patient and professional together make a local fine-tuning of the guidelines by adjusting them to the daily life of the patient.

This requires not only listening to but also hearing patient stories, and trying and evaluating what works and what does not.

Self-management practices are found to be 'contextual, unlimited, and changeable'.


WSNs are able to monitor a wide range of applications which include Temperature, Humidity, Pressure, Lightning conditions, Soil makeup, Presence of objects, Mechanical stress, Speed, direction, and size of objects. Typical applications include surveillance and battle space monitoring by military, and in the agricultural, and environmental fields. For example researchers at UC Berkeley and the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbour deployed sensors on Great Duck Island in Maine. These networks monitor the microclimates in and around nesting burrows used by the Leach's Storm Petrel. The goal was to develop a habitat monitoring kit that enables researchers worldwide to engage in the nonintrusive and non-disruptive monitoring of sensitive wildlife and habitats [8] . Engineering applications include maintenance in a large industrial plant or monitoring of civil structures, and regulation of modern buildings in terms of temperature, humidity etc. Other applications include forest fire detection, flood detection [9] etc.

The goal was to develop a habitat monitoring kit that enables researchers worldwide to engage in the nonintrusive and non-disruptive monitoring of sensitive wildlife and habitats.

Other applications include forest fire detection, flood detection etc.


Cluster based routing in WSNs comes under the category of hierarchal routing. Hierarchal routing involves the formation of clusters where nodes are assigned the task of sensing which have low energy and transmission task to nodes which have higher energy. The purpose is to perform energy efficient routing. The cluster heads may be special nodes with higher energy or normal nodes depending on the algorithm and application. The cluster head also performs computational functions such as data aggregation and data compression in order to reduce the number of transmission to the base station (or sink) there by saving energy. One of the basic advantages of the clustering is that latency is minimized compared to flat base routing and also flat based routing nodes that are far away from the base station lack the power to reach the base station [11] .

One of the basic advantages of the clustering is that latency is minimized compared to flat base routing and also flat based routing nodes that are far away from the base station lack the power to reach the base station.


The mechanism of nanoporosity formation in ZnO films can be attributed to localized corrosion at grain boundaries, triggered by the reaction of ZnO film surface with etching agents in the electrolyte solution [11, 19] . The ZnO etching behavior can be explained by the wurtzite structure and the dangling bond model, described in Ref [19] . In ZnO, the surface atoms on the perfect polar faces are tightly bound to three neighboring atoms from the bulk material, while the atoms in the underlying layer are only bound to one atom in the bulk.

The mechanism of nanoporosity formation in ZnO films can be attributed to localized corrosion at grain boundaries, triggered by the reaction of ZnO film surface with etching agents in the electrolyte solution.

The ZnO etching behavior can be explained by the wurtzite structure and the dangling bond model, described in Ref.


It is interesting to note that loop quantum cosmology favors a bouncing universe without the need of an exotic fluid [28] . Figure 7 tells us that supernovae and baryonic acoustic oscillations do not segregate between hot and warm bounces and the latter does upset nucleosynthesis. In order to separate the two bounces, other probes are necessary. Thanks to the robustness of the Kottler solution presented in Section 7, weak lensing data can be used to test the hot bounce model. Also a confrontation of the hot bounce with Cosmic Micro-wave Background data would certainly by interesting. Its redshift epoch, z CMB = 1090, is comparable to the drag epoch of BAO, z d = 1020.9, cf Section 6, but the CMB analysis is more involved.

It is interesting to note that loop quantum cosmology favors a bouncing universe without the need of an exotic fluid.


As a result of genomic diagnosis for sRyR1 mutation, the Nn genotype was not detected in normal meat, but was detected at a rate of 9.3% in PSE meat (Table 1 ). The nn genotype was not observed in this study, perhaps due to the low prevalence of sRyR1 mutation in reproductive pigs. We had previously investigated the sRyR1-mutation in reproductive pigs, and predicted a very low level of expression of the nn genotype in fattening pigs because of the absence of sRyR1 mutation in Duroc boars (Kitsutaka et al., 2008) .

We had previously investigated the sRyR1-mutation in reproductive pigs, and predicted a very low level of expression of the nn genotype in fattening pigs because of the absence of sRyR1 mutation in Duroc boars.


In addition to examining simple measures-based verification statistics such as mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), and bias, it is informative to investigate the circumstances under which a given forecast performs well or performs poorly (Brooks and Doswell 1996; Murphy and Winkler 1987) . Statistics such as MAE do not give a complete picture of a forecast's skill and can be quite misleading in assessing its overall quality. For instance, one forecast may perform well on most occasions, giving a small MAE, but shows poor performance during periods of large departure from climatology. These periods may be of most interest to some users, such as agricultural interests or energy companies, if extreme weather conditions affect them severely. This paper will evaluate NWS and MOS performance for both mean and extreme conditions. Section 2 describes the data and quality control used in this study. Section 3 details the methods used in generating statistics and how WMOS is calculated.

In addition to examining simple measures-based verification statistics such as mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), and bias, it is informative to investigate the circumstances under which a given forecast performs well or performs poorly.


It follows that changes occurring in a biological test sample at the cellular or molecular level should, in principle, be reflected in the shape of the impedance spectra of that sample. For example, the characteristics of the β-dispersion are governed by the dielectric properties of the cell membrane. From this, we may assume that the shape or magnitude of the dispersion is indicative of the average integrity of the cell membranes, or the volume fraction within the sample of cells surrounded by cell membranes [2] . Impedance spectroscopy has been widely investigated as a means of non-destructive testing of biological samples in a range of applications. For example, it has been used extensively in the field of medical diagnostics and biological tissue imaging [3, 4, 5] . In this paper, we restrict our scope to industrial-scale applications, which we interpret to mean relatively large-scale process industries with high-throughput, with specific focus on the food industry.

From this, we may assume that the shape or magnitude of the dispersion is indicative of the average integrity of the cell membranes, or the volume fraction within the sample of cells surrounded by cell membranes.

For example, it has been used extensively in the field of medical diagnostics and biological tissue imaging.


One of the most prevalent areas of research using bio-impedance spectroscopy in meat-production is the early detection of two particular classifications of pork and beef products -pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat and dark, firm and dry (DFD) meat. Both classifications are considered low-quality or defective meat grades which result in economic loss if they are not classified early enough. PSE meat has low pH and is strongly exudative resulting in considerable loss of juice [2] . DFD meat has high pH and is susceptible to spoiling [7] . If detected sufficiently early, PSE and DFD carcasses can be assigned appropriately to mitigate the scale of economic loss. For instance, PSE meat can be used fresh, whereas DFD is suitable for sausages [2] .

PSE meat has low pH and is strongly exudative resulting in considerable loss of juice.

DFD meat has high pH and is susceptible to spoiling.

For instance, PSE meat can be used fresh, whereas DFD is suitable for sausages.


In the design of aesthetic surfaces, such as the exterior surfaces of automobiles, the use of aesthetic curves is very important. Such aesthetic curves should be curves whose curvature plots are composed of relatively few regions of monotonically varying curvature [3] . The monotonicity of the curvature is important since it dominates the distortion of the reflected image of curved surfaces generated by the curves.

Such aesthetic curves should be curves whose curvature plots are composed of relatively few regions of monotonically varying curvature.


We consider the nucleons as tori, rotating with a constant angular velocity around an axis z, passing through their mass (geometrical) centre O and perpendicular to the plane of rotation of their central circle. From quantum mechanical point of view the nucleon is not a localized object in the three-dimensional physical space and therefore it cannot be consider a sphere or a torus [13] . We feel such a model is appropriate in the formal-heuristic sense of Niels Bohr. It is similar to the old quantum theory model of the electron in the hydrogen atom for which Bohr obtains good results for the description of its spectrums. Modern quantum theory confirms Bohr's results based on other concepts.

From quantum mechanical point of view the nucleon is not a localized object in the three-dimensional physical space and therefore it cannot be consider a sphere or a torus.


One of the most popular loop transformations is tiling or supernode transformation [16] . Tiling groups neighboring loop iterations together to form a tile or supernode. Researchers have proposed the use of tiling in order to better exploit cache locality in uniprocessors and reduce communication frequency in distributed memory multiprocessors. In the latter case, a lot of research has been done concerning the selection of a proper parallelepiped tile shape which will further reduce communication volume and allow for a more efficient scheduling scheme by minimizing the idle times of processors [5, 7, 13, 14, 15] . When grouping neighboring iterations in orthogonal parallelograms, code generation for the transformed space is quite simple and can be accomplished even by hand. However, when grouping in general parallelepiped tiles, hand coding is impossible. In addition, when the shape of the iteration space is non-rectangular as well, then the compilation process is greatly complicated, while the generated code may result to be very inefficient.

One of the most popular loop transformations is tiling or supernode transformation.

In the latter case, a lot of research has been done concerning the selection of a proper parallelepiped tile shape which will further reduce communication volume and allow for a more efficient scheduling scheme by minimizing the idle times of processors.


In this study, we sought to understand the importance of the methylation-mediated silencing of the 14-3-3-s gene which was previously detected in more than 95% of breast carcinomas (Ferguson et al., 2000) . In order to determine the stage of progression of the disease at which s methylation occurs, we studied dierent histologically recognized stages of breast cancer. One important ®nding of this investigation is that hypermethylation of the s locus is detectable with increasing frequency as the breast lesions progress from normal to atypical hyperplasia, to ductal carcinoma in situ, and ®nally to invasive carcinoma. In the absence of histological atypia, we were unable to detect any hypermethylation in breast epithelium of patients without breast cancer. Only 38% of atypical hyperplasias had evidence of hypermethylation. This increased to over 83% in DCIS samples, although 78% of these were associated with concurrent invasive breast cancer. Interestingly, two DCIS cases associated with invasive cancers showed no hypermethylation, suggesting either that the invasive cancer arose from a separate precursor, or that there is some variability in timing of the hypermethylation in the breast cancer progression.

In this study, we sought to understand the importance of the methylation-mediated silencing of the 14-3-3-s gene which was previously detected in more than 95% of breast carcinomas.


An overview of the situation on road traffic accidents in some Arab countries and the Middle East generally attributed the main causes of accidents to speeding, driver negligence and violation of traffic regulations [5, 6] . In many cases, the majority of these accidents occur in urban areas, while in some countries about 40% of the casualties involve pedestrians. In Kuwait, a reduction of up to 15% in total fatalities was observed after installation of traffic cameras [7] .

An overview of the situation on road traffic accidents in some Arab countries and the Middle East generally attributed the main causes of accidents to speeding, driver negligence and violation of traffic regulations.

In Kuwait, a reduction of up to 15% in total fatalities was observed after installation of traffic cameras.


Application of the high frequency Acoustic Emission (AE) technique in condition monitoring of rotating machinery has been growing over recent years. This is particularly true for bearing defect diagnosis and seal rubbing [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . The main drawback with the application of the AE technique is the attenuation of the signal and as such the AE sensor has to be close to its source. However, it is often practical to place the AE sensor on the non-rotating member of the machine, such as the bearing or gear casing.

This is particularly true for bearing defect diagnosis and seal rubbing.


With the development of science, technology, and society, the computer industry, in which a small branch of digital images applications has become increasingly pervasive, has come to occupy a dominant position worldwide. Digital images have become one of the most popular media types and are now used extensively in various fields such as politics, economics, defense, and education [1] . However, because of the open nature of networks, image transmission security is subject to potential threats. In some fields, such as military affairs, commerce, and medical treatment, digital images also need to meet the highest requirements of confidentiality [2] . Consequently, image encryption technology has become an effective way to protect images being transmitted.

Digital images have become one of the most popular media types and are now used extensively in various fields such as politics, economics, defense, and education.

In some fields, such as military affairs, commerce, and medical treatment, digital images also need to meet the highest requirements of confidentiality.


For both surface characterization via SEM and surface roughness analyses, only one specimen per group was used. Although it is expected that the features described here were typical of each material, the results were indicative and the conclusions were made with caution. In addition, this in vitro study used a monoculture biofilm, whereas oral biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms [32] . This investigation also did not account for the influences of saliva, temperature, and pH changes on biofilm growth. Despite these limitations, this study demonstrated that simulated intraoral polishing methods resulted in greater surface roughness and increased biofilm growth for the four materials investigated. Future studies in a clinical setting will further elucidate the significance of these findings.

In addition, this in vitro study used a monoculture biofilm, whereas oral biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms.


Additionally, the Internet is being used to deliver free learning material worldwide, with examples like the Harvard-MIT collaboration and the US Hewlett projects [13, 14] . Similarly, in China, the National Exquisite Course Project and the CUCO programme aim to develop free online learning materials. However, courses on health topics provided by these resources were rare at the time of this search. Furthermore, the learning materials available are mainly presented in the form of PPT, Word files, or videos for self-learning. The provision of static courses online is not enough for a good learning experience because it lacks key interactions among learners. Intellecturally stimulating exchange of ideas has been cited as one of the key components of effective learning [15] . Experts suggest that distance education programmes are only successful if there is some provision for two-way communication in the educational process, with guidance, counseling, and timely feedback on assignments [16] . With the development of information technology, plenty of different media, such as CDs, DVDs, BBS, e-mail, and Internet-based video conferencing programs have been applied in Internet-based education to realize synchronous and/or asynchronous teaching-learning interactions. Taking advantage of modern communication technology allows for greater flexibility in implementing online education [17] .

Additionally, the Internet is being used to deliver free learning material worldwide, with examples like the Harvard-MIT collaboration and the US Hewlett projects.

Intellecturally stimulating exchange of ideas has been cited as one of the key components of effective learning.

Experts suggest that distance education programmes are only successful if there is some provision for two-way communication in the educational process, with guidance, counseling, and timely feedback on assignments.

Taking advantage of modern communication technology allows for greater flexibility in implementing online education.


In terms of integrated transport and demand management, a key requirement is to facilitate the interchange between the private and public transport. Whilst the information provision, both on trip and pre trip, provide the mechanism by which the traveller makes an informed decision on mode, time and route. For public transport, dedicated bus lanes and other bus priority measures are a key to providing a service with more reliable travel times and a quicker route through the congested road network. The provision of information is key to the success of transport integration and interchange. ITS offers many new routes to the provision of that information both before the user begins his or her trip as well as dynamically providing information to users, on trip, through in vehicle delivery of information, roadside mounted VMS, personal information devices (SMS mobile phone) as well as the internet, kiosks and information boards at interchange facilities (Taylor, 2001; Chowdhury et al., 2003) .

ITS offers many new routes to the provision of that information both before the user begins his or her trip as well as dynamically providing information to users, on trip, through in vehicle delivery of information, roadside mounted VMS, personal information devices (SMS mobile phone) as well as the internet, kiosks and information boards at interchange facilities.


The results of our study show that isolated movements of the limbs precede the alternating flexion and extension of the limbs. The appearance of the first movements of the limbs corresponds with the initial contact of axons with muscles. For the alternating movements of the limbs, functional maturity of the interneurons and neural circuits is required. This explains the later development of these movements compared with basic movements [1] .

This explains the later development of these movements compared with basic movements.


A critical factor for the success of innovations like cloud computing services is to understand the adoption criteria of targeted consumers (Nysveen & Pedersen, 2014) . In a previous study we investigated users' relevant usage determinants when viewed from a technology acceptance perspective (Moryson & Moeser, 2015) . Theoretical frame was an extension of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Herby we developed and empirically validated a new research model by extending UTAUT with Perceived Trust and Perceived Security Risk as new factors. Our research addressed the question how the newly included factors influenced the core constructs of UTAUT.

A critical factor for the success of innovations like cloud computing services is to understand the adoption criteria of targeted consumers.

In a previous study we investigated users' relevant usage determinants when viewed from a technology acceptance perspective.


First, results of the measurement and structural model were used to test the direct effects of our proposed research model. The results show that extended UTAUT is a robust research model. In detail, Social Influence, Performance Expectancy Effort Expectancy, and Perceived Security Risks were shown to significantly impact Attitude towards Use cloud services. Attitude towards Use was also shown to significantly influence Behavioral Intention to use cloud services in Germany. Perceived Trust did not show significant impact on Attitude to Use, but was shown to significantly influence Behavioral Intention directly (Moryson & Moeser, 2015) . The combination of all constructs used accounted for 67.2% of the variances observed in users' attitude and 82.4% in users' intention to use cloud services. It indicates that extended UTAUT with attitude, trust and security risks included has strong predictive power.

Perceived Trust did not show significant impact on Attitude to Use, but was shown to significantly influence Behavioral Intention directly.


Our research has some limitations. First, there is wide acceptance of the fact that a lack of good governance can create barriers to development. While the cultural and systematic implications of using UNESCAP's definition of good governance go beyond the scope of this paper, we want to point out that "good governance" and its corresponding definition are based on democratic principles [34] . The UNESCAP definition and indicators of good governance thus may not be fully applicable in other country contexts due to differences in socioeconomic, political, cultural, legislative, and historical factors.

Our research has some limitations.

While the cultural and systematic implications of using UNESCAP's definition of good governance go beyond the scope of this paper, we want to point out that "good governance" and its corresponding definition are based on democratic principles.


Traditionally, the correction for the entrance pressure drop is determined according to the method originally proposed by Bagley [1] . This method requires multiple measurements using capillaries of the same diameter but varying lengths (or L/D ratios). The measured total pressure drops are then plotted against capillary L/D at different flow rates (or apparent wall shear rates) to construct the so-called Bagley plot. To obtain the entrance pressure drops for different apparent wall shear rates, the measured pressure data are extrapolated to zero L/D. If the data fall approximately on straight lines, a linear extrapolation can be readily made. In practice this is not always the case, particularly, if capillaries having large L/D ratios are used to construct the Bagley plot. Most often the lines in the Bagley plot exhibit an upward curvature, which is a consequence of the pressure effect on viscosity. Sometimes downward curvature may also arise due to viscous heating or wall slip. Quadratic extrapolation has occasionally been used as it sometimes seems to give a better fit, if the lines in the Bagley plot curve upwards [2] . A better approach, however, is to establish measurement conditions such that the nonlinearities in the Bagley plot can be avoided. In any case, the construction of the Bagley plot requires considerable experimental effort since preferably at least three different capillaries should be used. An alternative, less laborious way to correct for the entrance pressure drop is to use an orifice die, that is, a capillary having a very small L/D ratio (typically less than 0.5). This type of die permits the entrance pressure drop to be measured directly without any extrapolation procedures. In this case only one capillary is needed in addition to the orifice die. It is worth noting that both methods actually measure the sum of the pressure drops at the entrance and exit of the capillary. However, the exit pressure drop is typically much smaller than the entrance pressure drop.

Traditionally, the correction for the entrance pressure drop is determined according to the method originally proposed by Bagley.

Quadratic extrapolation has occasionally been used as it sometimes seems to give a better fit, if the lines in the Bagley plot curve upwards.


Currently, most business transactions are operated by means of software components in large scale computer systems. These components are often implemented as agents in a Multi-Agent System (MAS). In this way, their reasoning autonomy, their social features and the fact that they can represent human interests and preferences are highlighted. In MAS, agents perform complex tasks that require different levels of intelligence and give rise to interactions among them. From these interactions, conflicts of interest and opinion can arise among different agents, specially when MAS become open with heterogeneous agents dynamically entering in or leaving the system). Therefore, software agents willing to participate in open systems will require to include extra capabilities to explicitly represent and generate agreements, on top of the simpler capacity to interoperate [1] . This paves the way for a new area of research to develop software components and techniques that allow agents to reach agreements in these systems.

Therefore, software agents willing to participate in open systems will require to include extra capabilities to explicitly represent and generate agreements, on top of the simpler capacity to interoperate.


Previous studies were focused on milk fat substitution by canola oil [1] [2] [3] [4] . Few data were available in literature concerning milk fat substitution by olive oil emulsion. The aim of this paper was, therefore, to study the effect of milk fat substitution by an emulsified olive oil in comparison with full and low-fat milks on milk behavior during rennet coagulation and to compare the curd drainage of these different milk samples.

Previous studies were focused on milk fat substitution by canola oil.


In this paper, we discussed the effects of different aerodynamic measures on the VIV of separate pairs of box girders through a wind tunnel test and tried to explain their control mechanism by using the Computational Fluent Dynamics (CFD) technology. Compared to the closed box girders, the flutter stability of the separate pair of box girders has been improved significantly, which, however, is compensated by high VIV possibility [29, 30] . In order to restrain the VIV of the bridge with separate pairs of box girders, it is important to choose an appropriate aerodynamic configuration. However, up to now, the corresponding reports based on the aerodynamic research of separate box girders are relatively few.

Compared to the closed box girders, the flutter stability of the separate pair of box girders has been improved significantly, which, however, is compensated by high VIV possibility.


Aphanothece microscopica Nägeli is a cyanobacterium characteristic of the estuaries in southern Brazil, belonging to the family choroococaceae and forming blue-green colonies adapted for floating. It shows a macroscopic, amorphous structure with abundant, firm and rigid mucilage, and non-cylindrical ellipitical adult cells measuring 9.0-9.5 m × 4.0-4.2 m, approximately 2.2 times longer than they are wider [6] . Previous studies have shown the potential of applying this microorganism in bioremediation and for the production of single-cell protein (SCP) [7] [8] [9] .

It shows a macroscopic, amorphous structure with abundant, firm and rigid mucilage, and non-cylindrical ellipitical adult cells measuring 9.0-9.5 m × 4.0-4.2 m, approximately 2.2 times longer than they are wider.

Previous studies have shown the potential of applying this microorganism in bioremediation and for the production of single-cell protein (SCP).


Innumerable research projects have suggested that the biofixation of CO 2 by cyanobacteria in photobioreactors is a sustainable strategy, since carbon dioxide can be incorporated into the molecular structure of cells in the form of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids by way of photosynthetic reactions. The advantages of these processes are related to the greater photosynthetic efficiency of these systems when compared to higher plants, the resistance of these microorganisms to high carbon dioxide concentrations and the possibility of controlling the culture growth conditions. In addition, the biomass produced by the bioconversion of carbon dioxide allows one to obtain products of high added value, such as, fatty acids, biodiesel, biogas and organic fertilizers, as a function of the microalgal species used and the effluent to be treated [1] [2] [3] .

In addition, the biomass produced by the bioconversion of carbon dioxide allows one to obtain products of high added value, such as, fatty acids, biodiesel, biogas and organic fertilizers, as a function of the microalgal species used and the effluent to be treated.


Although this study found no direct relationship between surface acting and job satisfaction, we found that the relationship was fully mediated by emotional exhaustion. As hypothesized, the relationship between emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction was significant (Koustelios & Tsigilis, 2005) . Further, it was found that surface acting became influential, affecting emotional exhaustion even though it had no direct impact on job satisfaction. Thus, our result demonstrated that although surface acting may not affect job dissatisfaction directly, it would decrease PE teachers' satisfaction toward their jobs by making them emotionally exhausted. Similarly, although genuine negative expression had no direct impact on job satisfaction, PE teachers' job satisfaction would be decreased by making them emotionally exhausted.

As hypothesized, the relationship between emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction was significant.


An embedded system is an application-specific computer that interacts with the physical world and often communicates with heterogeneous computing systems. Indeed, embedded electronics is a key component in cyber-physical system (CPS) applications that participate in a new momentum of growth of cybernetics technology. Cyber-physical systems encompass the technologies that confront with a new model of complexity in highly networked applications. Their design issues cannot be neglected in the engineering of novel robotics systems when a model-based design is advisable [2] . Currently, new computation environments are realized through embedded electronics, the hardware that sports numerous miniaturized and integrated mechanical and electronics parts. Such a hardware infrastructure allows to communicate with all the sensors and actuators that are usually installed in a mobile robot. Embedded systems are capable of communication, actuation, control, sensing, signal processing, (inter)networking and human user interfaces.

Their design issues cannot be neglected in the engineering of novel robotics systems when a model-based design is advisable.


Subsequently, agents cover their remaining demand with more expensive tanker water (Section 5.3). Since the private tanker market in Amman is partially informal and even relies on illegal groundwater abstractions and diversions from the piped water system, it is difficult to obtain reliable data on the total quantity of tanker water supplied, on its geographical distribution, or on the cost structure of private tanker operators [1, 19] . This study aims at estimating the demand for additional tanker water in each district of Amman, based on empirically observed tanker water prices, thereby generating an upper-bound estimate of the actual quantity of tanker water consumption.

Since the private tanker market in Amman is partially informal and even relies on illegal groundwater abstractions and diversions from the piped water system, it is difficult to obtain reliable data on the total quantity of tanker water supplied, on its geographical distribution, or on the cost structure of private tanker operators.


The hydrogen generation rate from the solid-state NaBH4/Co composite was found to increase with an increase in the pressing pressure ( Figure 2a ). The changes were especially noticeable for pressures ranging from 13.5 to 22.5 kgf·cm -2 , while further increases in pressure had a smaller effect. It can be suggested that the higher the pressure that is used to press the NaBH4/Co composite into a tablet, the greater is the extent of the solid-state interaction between the hydride and cobalt salt to However, according to XRD ( Figure 1c ) the diffraction peaks of cobalt chloride did not disappear after the pressing. Moreover, there is no halo at 40 • , characteristic of amorphous cobalt borides [25] . It appears that the observed change in color was caused by a reduction of an insignificant amount of cobalt.

Moreover, there is no halo at 40 • , characteristic of amorphous cobalt borides.


Surgical treatment is fundamental to increasing the chance of patient survival. Combining surgery with multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics may be performed to combat NF. In this case, the antibiotic, surgical debridement, electrolyte replacement, and the use of drains were effective in fighting this infection. Treatment also involved a surgical Pen Rose drain installation for removal of necrotic tissue, tissue debridement, and irrigation. An antibiogram culture was made, as recommended [8] . Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy was another studied approach to treatment in the late 20th century. This adjunctive therapy is thought to increase tissue partial pressure of oxygen up to four times the normal, thus increasing bacterial killing and facilitating wound healing [19] . However, the few studies that have investigated HBO therapy in NF show little outcome benefit [20] [21] [22] . HBO is also believed to increase the bactericidal action of neutrophils since at low oxygen tensions peroxide-dependent killing mechanisms are less efficient [23] . Nonetheless, the overall evidence of benefit in nonclostridial NF is weak. Despite reports of rapid amelioration of clinical and mental status after only one HBO session, there are few published data to support the use of HBO in NF [7, 9, 10, 24] . In this case report such therapy was not applied.

An antibiogram culture was made, as recommended.

This adjunctive therapy is thought to increase tissue partial pressure of oxygen up to four times the normal, thus increasing bacterial killing and facilitating wound healing.

However, the few studies that have investigated HBO therapy in NF show little outcome benefit.

HBO is also believed to increase the bactericidal action of neutrophils since at low oxygen tensions peroxide-dependent killing mechanisms are less efficient.

Despite reports of rapid amelioration of clinical and mental status after only one HBO session, there are few published data to support the use of HBO in NF.


Arginine participates in the synthesis of ornithine, a precursor of polyamines that have a key role in cell division, in DNA synthesis, and in cell cycle regulation. Arginine also participates in the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) by the catalytic action of a group of isoenzymes called nitric oxide synthetases (NOS), which is the only physiological pathway for the production of NO. Nitric oxide is a highly reactive free radical; it crosses cell membranes and participates in several cell processes, including neurotransmission and immunity (Moncada et al., 1991) . Arginine is also considered a powerful secretagogue, increasing the release of insulin, growth hormone, and IGF-A in the blood stream. Arginine is also known for stimulating ovulation by increasing the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) (Basiouni et al., 2006) . It is part of the hormone vasotocin, which is involved in uterine contraction and oviposition.

Nitric oxide is a highly reactive free radical; it crosses cell membranes and participates in several cell processes, including neurotransmission and immunity.

Arginine is also known for stimulating ovulation by increasing the release of luteinizing hormone (LH).


The strongest determinant of capital flows to the USA is the financial development of the country. The countries with less develop financial markets invest a large portion of their portfolio in US markets. The countries that trade more with US, and have fewer capital controls in their countries invest more in debt and equity market in the United States. Internal country-specific factors may influence foreign portfolio inflows. Institutions and domestic risk of a country play an essential role to determine capital flows both in the shape of FDI and FPI. In South Africa, secure property rights and low domestic risk affect positively to the absolute volume of short term and long term capital flows (Egly, Johnk, & Liston, 2010; Forbes, 2010; Gwenhamo & Fedderke, 2013) .

In South Africa, secure property rights and low domestic risk affect positively to the absolute volume of short term and long term capital flows.


Additionally, fertilization may improve SRWC economics by increasing productivity and/or shortening rotations. For example, broadcast fertilization at agronomic rates around the time of canopy closure (typically at mid-rotation) may substantially increase biomass growth rates [24] . However, such fertilization may also stimulate the allocation of biomass to branches and thereby reduce the value of the trees for certain markets (e.g., lumber). In contrast, fertilization early in the rotation has been observed to stimulate growth while having minimal effects on biomass allocation [25] . While broadcast applications are not environmentally or economically desirable early in the rotation because the trees have not yet fully occupied the site and therefore take up little of the applied nutrients, much lower rates of well-placed fertilizer have been shown to significantly increase the early growth of hybrid poplars [26, 27] .

For example, broadcast fertilization at agronomic rates around the time of canopy closure (typically at mid-rotation) may substantially increase biomass growth rates.

In contrast, fertilization early in the rotation has been observed to stimulate growth while having minimal effects on biomass allocation.

While broadcast applications are not environmentally or economically desirable early in the rotation because the trees have not yet fully occupied the site and therefore take up little of the applied nutrients, much lower rates of well-placed fertilizer have been shown to significantly increase the early growth of hybrid poplars.


To improve outcomes, we must not just develop quality benchmarks and standards but also understand prevalence and significance of complications [24, 25] . While there are limitations to many new systems being developed [26, 27] . It is only through engagement with all the disciplines involved in emergency surgery that care will evolve and improve. The Donegal Summit on resources for optimal care included not just surgeons, but also emergency physicians, anaesthetists, critical care, internal medicine, gastroenterology, radiology and nursing. While the summit developed and reported potential key performance indicators and outlines of basic resources required for functioning part of emergency surgery systems, it had limitations. There was inadequate patient forum representation. The process was consensus-based and did not use a formal statistical or Delphi approach for the development of KPIs. The KPIs would in time need to be validated.

To improve outcomes, we must not just develop quality benchmarks and standards but also understand prevalence and significance of complications.

While there are limitations to many new systems being developed.


Trapped air in polar ice cores provides a unique archive of past atmospheric composition, and permits comparison of the past burden of greenhouse gases and associated climatic variations. Interpreting the gas records requires understanding the processes that modify the gas composition in the ∼100-m-thick permeable firn layer on top of polar ice sheets, because the gas trapped in bubbles originates as air in the base of the firn (Schwander, 1989) . These processes include gravitational fractionation of heavy isotopes and gases, due to settling of the heavier components under the influence of molecular diffusion in the stagnant portion of the firn (Schwander et al., 1989; Sowers et al., 1989) . A second diffusive process is thermal fractionation, in which gases separate due to temperature gradients in the stagnant air column (Severinghaus et al., 1998; Lang et al., 1999; Landais et al., 2004; Grachev and Severinghaus, 2005) . This portion of the firn is known as the "diffusive column" (Sowers et al., 1992) .

Interpreting the gas records requires understanding the processes that modify the gas composition in the ∼100-m-thick permeable firn layer on top of polar ice sheets, because the gas trapped in bubbles originates as air in the base of the firn.

These processes include gravitational fractionation of heavy isotopes and gases, due to settling of the heavier components under the influence of molecular diffusion in the stagnant portion of the firn.

A second diffusive process is thermal fractionation, in which gases separate due to temperature gradients in the stagnant air column.

This portion of the firn is known as the "diffusive column".


One of the most complicated task in Grid computing is the allocation of resources for a process; ie., mapping of jobs to various resources. This may be a NP-Complete (Non-deterministic Polynomial time) problem. For example, mapping of 50 jobs into 10 resources produces 10 50 possible mappings. This is because every job can be mapped to any of the resources. In our case the allocation is in terms of co-allocation which means that the job is executed on a number of resources instead of single resource. Here resource means processors which are involved in the scheduling process. We used resources and processors simultaneously. The other complexity of resource allocation is the lack of accurate information about the status of the resources. Load balancing and scheduling play a crucial role in achieving utilization of resources in grid environments [20] .

Load balancing and scheduling play a crucial role in achieving utilization of resources in grid environments.


We demonstrate selective laser ablation of a-SiN from a a-SiN/a-Si layer stack. TEM investigations show the selectivity of the process. A pure amorphous Si layer remains on the surface after ablation. The underlying c-Si does not show crystallographic defects. Subsequent aluminum deposition permits to form local contacts to silicon by means of annealing COSIMA [6] . This is especially interesting for thin emitters of high efficiency solar cells.

Subsequent aluminum deposition permits to form local contacts to silicon by means of annealing COSIMA.


Bounded model checking (BMC) has been successfully applied to verify embedded software and discovered subtle errors in real designs [3] . BMC generates verification conditions (VCs) that reflect the exact path in which a statement is executed, the context in which a given function is called, and the bit-accurate representation of the expressions. Proving the validity of these VCs remains the main performance bottleneck in verifying large embedded software, despite attempts to cope with increasing system complexity by applying SMT (Satisfiability Modulo Theories) solvers [1, 8, 12] .

Bounded model checking (BMC) has been successfully applied to verify embedded software and discovered subtle errors in real designs.

Proving the validity of these VCs remains the main performance bottleneck in verifying large embedded software, despite attempts to cope with increasing system complexity by applying SMT (Satisfiability Modulo Theories) solvers.


The government of South Africa strives to find the much needed A recent multicase study on biosphere reserves in South Africa indicated that not all biosphere reserves are equally effective in their implementation of the three functions of (i) conservation (contributing to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation); (ii) sustainable development (fostering economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable); and (iii) logistic support (supporting demonstration projects, environmental education, training, research and monitoring), and that all biosphere reserves in the country face an uncertain future due to pressing challenges (Pool-Stanvliet, 2014) . Despite these findings, and due to the socially-inclusive nature of biosphere reserves, the concept is particularly favoured in developing countries (Coetzer et al., 2013) . The South African government supports the MAB concept as a framework to re-coordinate different programmes and projects within a certain area with a focus on sustainable development. This recognition is demonstrated through the growing number of biosphere reserves, endorsed by national government for UNESCO designation (Table 1) .

The government of South Africa strives to find the much needed A recent multicase study on biosphere reserves in South Africa indicated that not all biosphere reserves are equally effective in their implementation of the three functions of (i) conservation (contributing to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation); (ii) sustainable development (fostering economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable); and (iii) logistic support (supporting demonstration projects, environmental education, training, research and monitoring), and that all biosphere reserves in the country face an uncertain future due to pressing challenges.

Despite these findings, and due to the socially-inclusive nature of biosphere reserves, the concept is particularly favoured in developing countries.


A biosphere reserve encompasses three elements: core area(s) that are statutory protected, buffer zone(s) adjoining or surrounding the core areas, and a transition area. Given the required status of the core areas, biosphere reserves typically incorporate sites (as part of the core areas) that are listed in accordance with IUCN's Protected Area Management Categories, and which are therefore protected under national legislation. However, the entire conservation estate included in buffer and transition zones, does not necessarily have formal IUCN listing. Furthermore, biosphere reserves are not spatially exclusive and often include land parcels designated in accordance with other international designations such as World Heritage sites and Ramsar sites (Price et al., 2010; Schaaf and Clamote Rodrigues, 2016) .

Furthermore, biosphere reserves are not spatially exclusive and often include land parcels designated in accordance with other international designations such as World Heritage sites and Ramsar sites.


Chief Seattle's widely used quotation 'all things are connected' dates back to 1854. In our view, this is reflected by the basic aim of UNESCO's MAB Programme, namely to improve the relationship between humans and the natural environment. However, the interchange between these two domains tend to be a much debated topic. Due to the social-ecological nature of the MAB Programme, biosphere reserves are well positioned to bridge this gap in support of true living landscapes (Knight et al., 2003) . Based on sound natural science, biosphere reserves provide an innovative way in which to showcase sustainable living practices through implementing the crossover to social sciences.

Due to the social-ecological nature of the MAB Programme, biosphere reserves are well positioned to bridge this gap in support of true living landscapes.


What we have succeeded in doing, in this paper, is to simplify the whole process of gaugefixing topological gravity, by rewriting everything in terms of the two differential operators occurring in the deformation complex. This results in a procedure that is no more complicated than gauge-fixing topological Yang-Mills theory, and its interpretation becomes much clearer. In particular, we are able to demonstrate how to calculate a simple "manifold invariant", which is just the value of the partition function itself, in the case when the gravitational moduli space is discrete. It turns out to be the number of points in this moduli space, counted with signs. This is strikingly similar to the first Donaldson invariant in the Yang-Mills case [3] .

This is strikingly similar to the first Donaldson invariant in the Yang-Mills case.


Recently, the description of molecular subtypes of BC has demonstrated to play a role not only in prognosis but also in prediction. While systemic therapy is partially guided by the identification of these subtypes, it hasn't been clearly demonstrated that this information affects the surgical management of the axilla. Due to possible morbidity of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), many investigators who have evaluated, are limiting its recommendation. Recent studies promote a more conservative management of axillary disease, even in the presence of positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) [5] [6] . While trying to modulate surgical treatment, biological factors that help to determine the risk of axillary disease have been investigated with the goal of avoiding ALND [7] [8] .

Recent studies promote a more conservative management of axillary disease, even in the presence of positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs).

While trying to modulate surgical treatment, biological factors that help to determine the risk of axillary disease have been investigated with the goal of avoiding ALND.


Kaushik in 2012, utilized grape juice to synthesis silver nanoparticles using different concentrations of the silver nitrate in the dark and at room temperature (Kaushik, 2013) . In his work, the SPB was noticed at 450 nm and the particle size of the nanoparticles was 18-20 nm. According to his reports, the nanoparticles exhibited high antimicrobial activities.

Kaushik in 2012, utilized grape juice to synthesis silver nanoparticles using different concentrations of the silver nitrate in the dark and at room temperature.


Moreover, in present times, clothing, respirators, household water filters, contraceptives, antibacterial sprays, cosmetics, detergent, dietary supplements, cell phones, laptop keyboards, and children's toys are among the products being marketed that purportedly exploit the antimicrobial properties of silver nanomaterials (Mohammad, Niloofar, & Marjan, 2013) . Apart from capitalizing on the antimicrobial potentials of the nanoform of silver, the focus upon the green methods of synthesis is of primary interest so as to counter the physiological and environmental peril associated with the use of chemicals for the fabrication and use of silver nanomaterials (Geoprincy, Vidhya Srii, Poonguzhali, Gandhi, & Renganathan, 2013) . Synthesis of green silver nanoparticles using plant extracts is a very simple and cost-effective way that satisfies the demand of the research community and simultaneously eliminates the possibility of environmental hazards; the plant sap seems to offer better opportunities though the results of this research will guide us appropriately. Our major aim therefore is to biologically synthesis silver nanoparticles using sugarcane juice while anchoring it with a Schiff base ligand.

Moreover, in present times, clothing, respirators, household water filters, contraceptives, antibacterial sprays, cosmetics, detergent, dietary supplements, cell phones, laptop keyboards, and children's toys are among the products being marketed that purportedly exploit the antimicrobial properties of silver nanomaterials.

Apart from capitalizing on the antimicrobial potentials of the nanoform of silver, the focus upon the green methods of synthesis is of primary interest so as to counter the physiological and environmental peril associated with the use of chemicals for the fabrication and use of silver nanomaterials.


In theory the genomic DNA from control groups should remain unchanged not only in nature but also in quantity throughout the 24 h sampling period in both K1 and HB3 isolates because DNA synthesis in P. falciparum takes place 29 h after the intra-erythrocytic cycle started [14] . If genomic DNA remains unchanged the PCR banding patterns in the control groups should remain the same from 2 h to 24 h. As for the CQ-treated groups, if the genomic DNA of malaria parasite could be damaged by CQ treatment the number of PCR bands should be smaller in the CQ-treated groups than in the control groups because the genomic-DNA damage means that the quality and quantity of template for AP1 will be affected. Surprisingly, the PCR results described above were totally different from what we anticipated. Since at that time we could not figure out why the UB1 and UB2 in both control and CQ-treated groups exhibited cell cycle dependent changes, we didn't carry out any further investigation, nor did we publish the results although the PCR results were highly reproducible.

In theory the genomic DNA from control groups should remain unchanged not only in nature but also in quantity throughout the 24 h sampling period in both K1 and HB3 isolates because DNA synthesis in P. falciparum takes place 29 h after the intra-erythrocytic cycle started.


Many studies have shown that CQ can cause cell cycle arrest in various cancer cells [19] - [21] . If the cell cycle arrest is mediated by CQ-induced CAGFs that might intervene in gene expression and regulation during cell cycle progression, the CAGFs could be deemed as "brake pads" that slow down or stop the cell cycle progression. Possibly, cancers might arise from the cells in which the brake failure has occurred.

Many studies have shown that CQ can cause cell cycle arrest in various cancer cells.


Unfamiliarity of farmers with the use of NCAP to chickens calls for training of farmers about importance of NCAP sources to chickens for sustainable feeding system and improvement of chicken productivity. Training should include possible propagating and harvesting techniques using locally available resources to produce these protein sources. Existence of termites during the dry season has been reported by farmers. Termites are known to thrive under dry conditions and recycle to contribute to ecosystem by feeding on dead plants such as wood, leaf litter and animal dung (Okeno et al., 2012) . Feeding termites to chicken would be, therefore, a way of converting unusable materials to food for rural people.

Termites are known to thrive under dry conditions and recycle to contribute to ecosystem by feeding on dead plants such as wood, leaf litter and animal dung.


This paper uses data from Futuro Laboral of the Chilean Ministry of Education. This data satisfies the purpose of the paper for several reasons: first, it follows different cohorts of college graduate workers from Chile in their first years in the labor market, the period in which most of the employer learning happens (Lange (2007) ). Second, the data presents information on labor market outcomes such as earnings from administrative data and we can identify workers that graduate from elite universities. Finally, the data contains information on the scores of the centralized admission test to universities in Chile. As it will be clear later, this information will be used to construct the running variable in the regression discontinuity test we suggest.

This data satisfies the purpose of the paper for several reasons: first, it follows different cohorts of college graduate workers from Chile in their first years in the labor market, the period in which most of the employer learning happens).


Next, in figure 5 we present further evidence for the validity of the RD design. The basic idea is to test if there is a jump at the discontinuity for per-treatment variables that should not be affected by the treatment. Precisely, if being above or below the cut-off is random, we should observe a zero treatment effect on the probability of being female or graduating from a private high school (Imbens and Lemieux (2008) ). The figure suggests that there is no discontinuity of these variables around the cutoff. In fact, from a formal test using the same specification in columns (1) to (3) of table 3 but using female or private high school indicator as dependent variable, we cannot reject at reasonable levels of significance that there are zero effects of being above the cut-off on these per-treatment outcomes.

Precisely, if being above or below the cut-off is random, we should observe a zero treatment effect on the probability of being female or graduating from a private high school).


Lateral variations in seismic body wave velocities throughout the mantle are caused by temperature and compositional (i.e., water concentration, iron content, partial melting) heterogeneities (Karato 2006) . The hydration of transition zone minerals affects the seismic data used to infer high-and low-temperature anomalies and interpretation of mantle plumes and subducted slabs. The seismic ratio, R = dlnv s /dlnv p can be used to differentiate between thermal and compositional effects (Karato and Karki 2001) . Indeed variations in seismic velocities, expressed as dlnv s /dlnv p , have been used to suggest a strategy to disentangle the effects of temperature and water content for ringwoodite and wadsleyite (Panero 2010; Li et al. 2011) . The temperature and pressure dependence of majorite sound velocities have been established experimentally (Irifune et al. 2008; Sinogeiken and Bass 2002) . Constraining the effect of water on majorite elasticity is critical to the accurate interpretation of seismic velocities in Earth's transition zone.

Lateral variations in seismic body wave velocities throughout the mantle are caused by temperature and compositional (i.e., water concentration, iron content, partial melting) heterogeneities.

The seismic ratio, R = dlnv s /dlnv p can be used to differentiate between thermal and compositional effects.

Indeed variations in seismic velocities, expressed as dlnv s /dlnv p , have been used to suggest a strategy to disentangle the effects of temperature and water content for ringwoodite and wadsleyite.

The temperature and pressure dependence of majorite sound velocities have been established experimentally.


Majorite, (Mg,Fe)SiO 3 , is the high-pressure garnet phase stable at transition-zone depths (410-660 km) and is the second most abundant phase after the high-pressure olivine polymorphs, accounting for as much as 40% of the rock volume (Frost 2008) . The defect-free, tetragonal Mg-endmember garnet, majorite (space group I4 1 /a), has a structure consisting of three unique tetrahedral sites (Si1, Si2, and Si3) each linked by corner O atoms to octahedral sites, Mg3 and Si4, and two interstitial distorted dodecahedral sites, Mg1 and Mg2 ( Fig. 1) (Angel et al. 1989) . The three tetrahedral sites are distinguished from each other based on the occupancy of the nearest neighbor octahedral sites. The Si1 tetrahedra are linked to Mg3 octahedra, the Si2 sites are linked to Si4 octahedra, and Si3 tetrahedra are linked to two Mg3 octahedra and two Si4 octahedra. The interstitial Mg1 dodecahedral site is more distorted than the Mg2 site. There are six unique oxygen sites (Supplemental Table 1 1 ). The O1 and O2 sites have the same bonding environment but O1 is bonded to octahedral Mg and O2 is bonded to octahedral silicon. The O3 and O4 sites are both doubly bonded to the Mg1 distorted cubic site. Finally, the O5 and O6 sites are both involved in two cubic environments and one tetrahedra but O6 is bonded to the octahedral Si and O5 is bonded to the Mg octahedra.

Majorite, (Mg,Fe)SiO 3 , is the high-pressure garnet phase stable at transition-zone depths (410-660 km) and is the second most abundant phase after the high-pressure olivine polymorphs, accounting for as much as 40% of the rock volume.

The defect-free, tetragonal Mg-endmember garnet, majorite (space group I4 1 /a), has a structure consisting of three unique tetrahedral sites (Si1, Si2, and Si3) each linked by corner O atoms to octahedral sites, Mg3 and Si4, and two interstitial distorted dodecahedral sites, Mg1 and Mg2 ( Fig. 1).


The goal of this paper is to predict global tectonic patterns due to contraction and despinning on a lithosphere with latitudinal thickness variation. Though I will assume in the numerical examples that the thickness variation is symmetrical about the equatorial plane, the method is also valid for non-symmetrical variations. The prediction of tectonic patterns follows the following procedure. First the lithosphere is modeled as a thin elastic spherical shell [Turcotte et al., 1981; Beuthe, 2008] . Second the contraction or despinning is represented as a static deformation of the shell given by the difference between the initial and final figure of the planet. The stresses caused by the deformation of the thin elastic spherical shell are computed with the equations of equilibrium and elasticity. Third the style and orientation of faults is predicted from the stresses with Anderson's theory of faulting [Jaeger et al., 2007] .

First the lithosphere is modeled as a thin elastic spherical shell.

Third the style and orientation of faults is predicted from the stresses with Anderson's theory of faulting.


The autonomic nervous system modulates the cardiac cycle through central (e.g. vasomotor and respiratory centers) and peripheral (e.g. arterial pressure and respiratory movements) oscillators that manifest as short and long-term oscillations in the heart rate. Parasympathetic modulation decreases the heart rate and cardiac contractility, whereas activity of the sympathetic branch opposes these effects and regulates peripheral vasoconstriction [1] . Loss of this balance, which is common in Diabetes Mellitus type II (DM) patients, is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease due to autonomic neuropathy [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . Vagal and sympathetic modulation of the sinus node can be evaluated through heart rate variability (HRV), which provides a noninvasive method for understanding cardiac autonomic control [6] [7] [8] [9] .

Parasympathetic modulation decreases the heart rate and cardiac contractility, whereas activity of the sympathetic branch opposes these effects and regulates peripheral vasoconstriction.

Loss of this balance, which is common in Diabetes Mellitus type II (DM) patients, is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease due to autonomic neuropathy.

Vagal and sympathetic modulation of the sinus node can be evaluated through heart rate variability (HRV), which provides a noninvasive method for understanding cardiac autonomic control.


For solving the problem of diffraction of electromagnetic waves on material bodies, with characteristic dimensions much larger than the wavelength, the concept of the diffracted rays was successfully used, and geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) was developed by Keller [1] [2] [3] . An analysis of the shortwavelength asymptotics of the known rigorous solutions of the problem of diffraction of electromagnetic waves on a wedge, cylinder, sphere has shown that an infringement of the laws of geometrical optics (GO) occurs only in the narrow transition zones where there are excited diffracted fields. Propagation of these fields away from the excitation region is determined by the laws of GO. Both GO and GTD laws are local, i.e., fields on the adjacent rays do not interact. Therefore, Keller had found diffraction coefficients using the exact solution of the model problem, which has the same local features of the body geometry and the geometry of the incident wave front. The basic idea of this theory is that the solution is determined everywhere, except the narrow transition zones in vicinity of the light-shadow boundary of the GO waves as a sum of the fields satisfying the first approximation GO. However, the GO field should be corrected by the diffraction terms corresponding to the short-wavelength asymptotic expansion for the exact solution of the model diffraction problem. Field at any point in space (in the Fresnel and Fraunhofer zones) outside the transition zone can be calculated using the formulas for the edge wave fields and diffraction coefficients. The field in the transition zones (half-shadow field) is expressed by the special functions obtained from the analysis of model problem.

For solving the problem of diffraction of electromagnetic waves on material bodies, with characteristic dimensions much larger than the wavelength, the concept of the diffracted rays was successfully used, and geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) was developed by Keller.


An effective, efficient and robust supply chain is a sustainable competitive advantage for countries and firms and helps them to cope with increasing environmental turbulences and more intense competitive pressures. A supply chain is a network of supplier, production, distribution centers and channels between them organized to acquire raw materials, convert them to finished products, and distribute final products in an efficient way to customers. Supply chain network design is one of the most important strategic decisions in supply chain management. In general, network design decisions include determining the numbers, locations and capacities of facilities and the quantity of flow between them [1] .

In general, network design decisions include determining the numbers, locations and capacities of facilities and the quantity of flow between them.


Weil representations is a central topic in representation theory. They arise as a consequence of one of the many seminal works of A. Weil [17] . They are projective representations of the groups Sp(2n, F ), F a locally compact field. These representations are an important subject of study. By decomposition into irreducible factors, Weil representations provide all irreducible complex representations of the general linear group over a finite field, and over a local field of residual characteristic different from 2. It has many other important consequences, and it has applications in different topics as theta functions and physics to mention only some of them. In fact, in representation theory it helps to understand (among other things) the harmonic analysis of the group, and in the Langlands program, to explain the relations between linear groups defined over local or global fields, and the Galois groups of the fields.

They arise as a consequence of one of the many seminal works of A. Weil.


The brain concentrations of 5a-pregnanolone measured at SS were approximately 30 nmol g" 1 (amygdala) to 60 nmol g" 1 (striatum), which are well within the range of concentrations previously shown to augment GABA-activated chloride currents in electrophysiological experiments and to stimulate the binding of 3 H-muscimol in GABA A receptor ligand binding assays [24, 25] . The steroid concentrations showed significant regional variation. The concentration of 5a-pregnanolone in striatum was highest among all brain regions studied. Its distribution in the medulla oblongata, midbrain and hippocampus was also high but these did not differ from each other. The regional brain distribution of progesterone and its intermediate metabolite 5a-pregnanedione (5oc-DHP) has been investigated by Bixo and Backstrom [23] . In progesterone-induced anaesthesia, a variation in regional distribution was revealed in rat brain and high concentrations of these two steroids were detected also in the striatum and medulla oblongata. In addition, the transformation ratios of progesterone to pregnanedione were also found to be the highest in the same areas. Regional differences in neuroactive steroid modulation of the GABA A receptor complex, as measured by 35 S-TBPS binding and 36 C1" uptake, have been demonstrated in rat brain [26, 27] . It is interesting to note that inhibition of 35 S-TBPS binding to GABA A receptor by 5oc-pregnanolone is most potent in striatum compared with other brain regions [28] . These findings imply that the GABA A receptor sensitivity to 5a-pregnanolone is highest in striatum and there might exist heterogeneous populations of GABA A receptor complexes containing neurosteroid modulation sites [28] . Our data also revealed that 5a-pregnanolone concentrations in striatum correlated significantly with the threshold doses in PAS-treated rats at a dose rate of 3.0 mg kg" 1 min" 1 (r = 0.76, b = 0.48, P < 0.05, df = 6). This distinct distribution pattern of 5a-pregnanolone in striatum and its correlation with the threshold doses indicate that this area might play a role in steroid-induced anaesthesia.

The brain concentrations of 5a-pregnanolone measured at SS were approximately 30 nmol g" 1 (amygdala) to 60 nmol g" 1 (striatum), which are well within the range of concentrations previously shown to augment GABA-activated chloride currents in electrophysiological experiments and to stimulate the binding of 3 H-muscimol in GABA A receptor ligand binding assays.

The regional brain distribution of progesterone and its intermediate metabolite 5a-pregnanedione (5oc-DHP) has been investigated by Bixo and Backstrom.

Regional differences in neuroactive steroid modulation of the GABA A receptor complex, as measured by 35 S-TBPS binding and 36 C1" uptake, have been demonstrated in rat brain.

It is interesting to note that inhibition of 35 S-TBPS binding to GABA A receptor by 5oc-pregnanolone is most potent in striatum compared with other brain regions.

These findings imply that the GABA A receptor sensitivity to 5a-pregnanolone is highest in striatum and there might exist heterogeneous populations of GABA A receptor complexes containing neurosteroid modulation sites.


In recent years, as digital media are gaining wider popularity, their security related issues are becoming greater concern. Digital watermarking is a technique which allows an individual to add copyright notices or other verification messages to digital media. Image authentication is one of the applications of digital watermarking, which is used for authenticating the digital images. The objective is not to protect the contents from being copied or stolen, but is to provide a method to authenticate the image and assure the integrity of the image. The way to realize this feature is to embed a layer of the authentication signature into the digital image using a digital watermark. In the case of the image being tampered, it can easily be detected as the pixel values of the embedded data would change and do not match with the original pixel values [1] . There are many spatial and frequency domain techniques available for authentication watermarking [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . In message authentication, only the image integrity is verified, but sometimes this is not sufficient in digital images and tamper localization is also required. The situations include forensics, crime, insurance. Tamper localization is used to identify the specific positions where the tamper has occurred.

In the case of the image being tampered, it can easily be detected as the pixel values of the embedded data would change and do not match with the original pixel values.

There are many spatial and frequency domain techniques available for authentication watermarking.


New models were developed with different regions of spectra. In order to find the different regions, calibration solutions in whole spectra were used for determining the regression coefficients. The regression coefficients of PLS model in whole spectra and pre-treatments of normalization, 2 nd derivative and baseline correction were evaluated (Figures 3 and 4) . Ranges with high absolute regression coefficient values and also the peaks of maximum wavelengths were selected. The main criteria for selection were that the wavelength should have a high absolute regression coefficient value and should be at specific peaks and valleys or the regression coefficient curve (Liu et al. 2011) . It was assumed that the wavelength with a high absolute regression coefficient value could represent useful information on wavelength bands at the peaks and valleys. Therefore, ranges of wavelengths were selected as region A and group of peaks called B. These were selected by comparison of regression coefficients of each solution compounds (ethanol, glycerol, glucose, tartaric, malic, acetic, and lactic acid concentration). The common regions were selected, firstly by zones (region A), secondly by concrete wavelengths (group of peaks B). Concrete wavelengths for each compound were also studied. Table 3 shows the values of r 2 and RMSEP obtained for all models.

The main criteria for selection were that the wavelength should have a high absolute regression coefficient value and should be at specific peaks and valleys or the regression coefficient curve.


Nowadays, competencies are used in many facets of human resource management, ranging from individual functions such as recruitment and performance management to organizational strategic planning and design of organizational structure and culture. HR competencies are said to be a set of characteristics contributing to the effective HR performance that enables an organization to carry out its business strategies in a competitive market. However, many HR executives are not invited to the strategic planning table because they have failed to display the required competencies [2] . In fact, it is suggested that the competency level of the HR manager has an influence on whether he or she is able to get into the executive board chamber [3] .

However, many HR executives are not invited to the strategic planning table because they have failed to display the required competencies.

In fact, it is suggested that the competency level of the HR manager has an influence on whether he or she is able to get into the executive board chamber.


HR Professionals need to develop a relationship of trust with their clients, i.e. management team and line managers to instill confidence. These findings show positive development to the HR professionals in Malaysia because personal credibility competency is the foundation for a HR professional to become intimately involved at the strategic level in an organization once given the opportunity. Without this foundation of trust, HR Professionals may very well find themselves excluded from the strategy table. However, this study has found that respondents score lowest for strategic contribution competency. Based on competency factors in each domain, all strategic contribution factors score the lowest mean score in terms of mean ranking as shown in Table 1 . This shows that HR professionals in Malaysian manufacturing sector are extremely weak in culture management, market driven connectivity, strategic decision-making and fast change. This result is indeed a concern because HR professionals should be able to identify and implement organizational cultures that help firms win the marketplace and successfully implement business strategies. Furthermore, if HR professionals are not able to facilitate change management processes and adapt learning to new change initiatives, they would have problems working with key individuals to ensure decisions are made quickly and to ensure resources are aligned with desired changes [8] .

Furthermore, if HR professionals are not able to facilitate change management processes and adapt learning to new change initiatives, they would have problems working with key individuals to ensure decisions are made quickly and to ensure resources are aligned with desired changes.


Human resource professionals needed to function strategically. To play more critical roles more effectively, HR professional must master the necessary competencies, and that mastery of HR knowledge comes only from being familiar with the concepts, language, logic, and practices of HR that are the result of research and training. Furthermore, mastery of the above abilities comes from being able to apply the knowledge within specific business settings [1] .

Furthermore, mastery of the above abilities comes from being able to apply the knowledge within specific business settings.


In a later work, Paulk considered a data set of 2435 programs developed by engineers who performed the PSP for engineers I/II original course between 1994 and 2001 [5] . The article does not clarify how many engineers were involved in those developments. The data set is a subset of his previous study and in this instance he only considered programs written in C language. He analyzed the changes across the four major PSP levels like in his previous study, using the same two statistical methods. He found a statistically significant decreasing trend between all PSP level comparisons.

In a later work, Paulk considered a data set of 2435 programs developed by engineers who performed the PSP for engineers I/II original course between 1994 and 2001.


Data from the courses indicate that the PSP improves the quality of the products developed [2] [3] [4] [5] . One way used to determine this is through statistical analysis of the evolution of the results obtained by the students in each program of the course. For example, if the programs developed are of a better quality as the course progresses, then it can be statistically inferred that the PSP is responsible for the quality improvement.

Data from the courses indicate that the PSP improves the quality of the products developed.


The findings we present here provide a biochemical framework for the mechanisms underlying these complex and context-dependent interactions. The Sema6 and PlxnA proteins do not fall into neat ligand-receptor categories but exhibit a much more intricate and combinatorial molecular logic, often simultaneously mediating multiple cellular interactions: between different cell types, among groups of cells or nerve fibres through paracrine interactions or even across neurites from the same cell. The biochemical activities we have defined will inform the interpretation of mutant phenotypes for these genes in the expanding list of regions where they play important roles [1] .

The biochemical activities we have defined will inform the interpretation of mutant phenotypes for these genes in the expanding list of regions where they play important roles.


Taken together, these findings suggest that heteromeric Sema6A-PlxnA2 complexes should present PlxnA2 (but not Sema6A) as a ligand to other cells but should function as receptors through reverse signaling by Sema6A (but not through PlxnA2) (Figure 8) . A recent study of the functions of these genes in the retina supports this model [12] . Sema6A and PlxnA2 are co-expressed in ON starburst amacrine cells (SACs) and both are required for dendritic selfavoidance. The authors confirm that Sema6A is repulsive for neurites of SACs expressing PlxnA2 alone (mediating segregation of ON and OFF SAC dendrites) but not SACs expressing both PlxnA2 and Sema6A. If PlxnA2 cannot act as a receptor when Sema6A is expressed in cis, this suggests instead that Sema6A may function as the signaling receptor for self-avoidance, responding to PlxnA2 as the ligand in neighboring dendrites.

A recent study of the functions of these genes in the retina supports this model.


MWL refers to the portion of operator information processing capacity or resources that is actually required to meet system demands [5] . The MWL is induced not only by cognitive demands of the tasks but also by other factors, such as stress, fatigue and the level of motivation [6, 7] . In many studies of driving task, the MWL was measured by subjective measures, such as NASA task load index (NASA-TLX) [8] [9] [10] . However, a major limitation of subjective measures is that they can only assess the overall experience of the workload of driving but cannot reflect changes in workload during the execution of the task. Also, rating scale results also can be affected by characteristics of respondents, like biases, response sets, errors and protest attitudes [11, 12] . Thus, the continuous and objective measures (e.g. physiological signal) to assess the MWL in addition to evaluating the overall workload in driving tasks is necessary [13] .

MWL refers to the portion of operator information processing capacity or resources that is actually required to meet system demands.

The MWL is induced not only by cognitive demands of the tasks but also by other factors, such as stress, fatigue and the level of motivation.

In many studies of driving task, the MWL was measured by subjective measures, such as NASA task load index (NASA-TLX).

Also, rating scale results also can be affected by characteristics of respondents, like biases, response sets, errors and protest attitudes.

Thus, the continuous and objective measures (e.g. physiological signal) to assess the MWL in addition to evaluating the overall workload in driving tasks is necessary.


The number of errors was calculated as performance measures for the driving tasks in this study. The evaluation result showed that increasing task complexity makes increase the number of errors. This result is consistent with numerous studies which had found that the human's performance was affected when the MWL was low [41] . On the other hand, the NASA-TLX scores showed a significant correlation with the different levels of MWL. For most of the subjects, the highest NASA-TLX score occurred in the high task complexity phase whereas the lowest score happened in the low task complexity phase. This result indicated that these tasks used in this experiment could distinguish the different levels of MWL.

This result is consistent with numerous studies which had found that the human's performance was affected when the MWL was low.


The International Moth is an ultra-lightweight foiling dinghy class. The craft has an overall length of 3.355m, a beam at the waterline of 0.3m, a sail area of 8 m 2 and a weight greater than 30kg. The large sail area leads to a large power to weight ratio allowing the foils to lift the hull up out of the water with only 5 knots of wind [1] . Sailing boat performance is commonly assessed by the time required to complete a mile-long racecourse. This is calculated using a velocity prediction programme (VPP). The resultant race time is derived by balancing the resistive and propulsive forces acting on the vessel at different points of sail to determine the maximum Velocity Made Good (VMG) around the course. For this method to accurately predict course times sophisticated force modelling is required. This must include the predominant sail and hydrodynamic forces but also the effect of perturbations caused by the naturally varying wind and wave environment as well as the motions of the sailor.

The large sail area leads to a large power to weight ratio allowing the foils to lift the hull up out of the water with only 5 knots of wind.