Much work has now been carried out in calculating the gravitational field around cuboid objects and so we investigate in this study, the nature of the gravitational field and satellite orbits around a hypothetical cubic Earth-size planet. Plato, in the Timaeus, links what he considers the four basic elements, fire, air, water and earth, with the four regular solids, using the tetrahedron to represent fire, the octahedron to represent air, the icosahedron to represent water and the cube to represent earth. Taking Plato's idea literally, we might imagine the Earth in the form of a perfect cube. We can then calculate the gravitational field around this object, the process being simplified by the simple endpoints needed when integrating over a right rectangular prism, assuming Newton's classical law of gravitation. The equipotentials of the field will give us, for example, the shape of lakes that would form on the face of such a cube. The concept of cubical planets is in fact not new, as in 1884 the Swiss astronomer Arndt claimed to have discovered a cubical planet orbiting beyond the orbit of Neptune, though unfortunately the discovery was never verified (Vankirk, 1885) . The appearance of cubic planets in our universe may appear extremely improbable, however if gravity acted over the L ∞ = max i=1…3 |x i | metric rather than the usual Euclidean metric then cubic planets would naturally form under the force of gravity.

The concept of cubical planets is in fact not new, as in 1884 the Swiss astronomer Arndt claimed to have discovered a cubical planet orbiting beyond the orbit of Neptune, though unfortunately the discovery was never verified.


Support satisfaction was also associated with being in a relationship, as well as with social support size, but did not mediate the effects of those structural support indicators on wellbeing. For women, however, perceived satisfaction with support did not function as a source of well-being. This is an important gender difference, since, global satisfaction with social support is a key psychological resource, and is frequently found to more influential on wellbeing than support received (Nezlek, 2001; Sarason et al., 1990) .

This is an important gender difference, since, global satisfaction with social support is a key psychological resource, and is frequently found to more influential on wellbeing than support received.


Cultural considerations may add the explanatory value of the above findings. Greek men seem to rely mostly on the (emotional) support received from their spouse. Women, on the other hand, may not find the emotional support needed to sustain adequate levels of well-being in their spouses and turn to the wider social network available for support. These assumptions may be particularly true of Greece, a society that is characterised by relatively higher masculinity and lower individualism. These results supported expectations that higher levels of masculinity in the Greek society and differences in gender role distribution also result in differences in social support processes (Stevens & Westerhof, 2006a) .

These results supported expectations that higher levels of masculinity in the Greek society and differences in gender role distribution also result in differences in social support processes.


In a chiral material, the physical behavior is a consequence of chirality. The establishment of the relationships between physical and geometrical concepts emerged during the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, where the concepts of chirality and optical activity were definitively related. Main progress in the field of the chirality and the optical activity during the last century and the beginning of this century is attributed to A. Fresnel, J. B. Biot and L. Pasteur. In the beginning, it was in 1809 that Malus observed the existence of two images when light was refracted through a birefringent crystal [1] . More recently, in 1920 and 1922, Lindman devised a macroscopic (molar) model of the phenomenon by using microwaves instead of light, and wire spirals instead of chiral molecules [1] . The physicists and the chemists then developed theories with the aim of explaining and quantifying the phenomenon of optical activity.

In the beginning, it was in 1809 that Malus observed the existence of two images when light was refracted through a birefringent crystal.

More recently, in 1920 and 1922, Lindman devised a macroscopic (molar) model of the phenomenon by using microwaves instead of light, and wire spirals instead of chiral molecules.


Wood density is strongly related with cell dimensions: cell wall thickness and lumen diameter [28] . In softwood species growing under temperate climates, it strongly varies from earlywood to latewood, within rings. The wood formed during the first part of the growing season is low-density wood (often between 200 and 300 g dm -3 ), while the wood formed during the second part of the growing season shows much higher density (often between 600 g dm -3 to more than 1000 g dm -3 ). In a single tree, the within-ring pattern of wood density also changes from ring to ring, from pith to bark, along with cambium aging (from juvenile to mature wood), and with environmental changes [31, 35, 37] . According to the observation scale (the tree, the wood sample of variable size, the ring, the earlywood or the latewood, the cell group, or the cell), each character has its own inheritance pattern [36] . This allows breeders to manipulate efficiently wood density through selection to produce better quality wood, according to the desired scale. Here, we report the first results of a series of studies conducted in one of the largest radiata pine breeding population from Chile. The main objective of this study was to describe trends in genetic parameters of wood density and radial growth with cambial age.

Wood density is strongly related with cell dimensions: cell wall thickness and lumen diameter.

In a single tree, the within-ring pattern of wood density also changes from ring to ring, from pith to bark, along with cambium aging (from juvenile to mature wood), and with environmental changes.

According to the observation scale (the tree, the wood sample of variable size, the ring, the earlywood or the latewood, the cell group, or the cell), each character has its own inheritance pattern.


In this field full of pitfalls, it is important to avoid tautology when trying to demonstrate that spirituality predicts well-being, quality of life, or distress. To this end, our advice to researchers who wish to study this relationship is to not use the DSES, FACIT-Sp, the SIWB, the SWBS, or the WHOQOL SRPB as measures of spirituality. We stress that the problem lies not in the spirituality scales themselves, but in how they are used. Even though the Jarel includes only a small proportion of well-being items, we would also advise against its use as a predictor of well-being, because its psychometric qualities are insufficiently demonstrated (Monod et al., 2011; Sessanna, Finnell, Underhill, Chang, & Peng, 2011) .

Even though the Jarel includes only a small proportion of well-being items, we would also advise against its use as a predictor of well-being, because its psychometric qualities are insufficiently demonstrated.


One of the important food preservation techniques is pasteurization, which is widely used in food industries. The pasteurization process implies applying heat to some products such as milk, cream, beer and others at a specified temperature for a specified period of time. This process is distributed into three sections that are heating, cooling and regeneration sections. The most important section is heating, which involves heat exchanger equipment to heat up the temperature of the product at the desired setpoint, and then maintaining this temperature during a constant time [11] .

The most important section is heating, which involves heat exchanger equipment to heat up the temperature of the product at the desired setpoint, and then maintaining this temperature during a constant time.


Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important and widely adapted small-grain cereal grown between 40°N and 40°S of the equator (Doggett 1988) . It is mainly a rainfed crop of lowland, semi-arid areas of the tropics and sub-tropics and a post-rainy season crop grown on residual soil moisture, particularly in India. Sorghum is also grown in more temperate climates such as southern USA and China, and at mid-to high elevations in the tropics (e.g. Rwanda, Ethiopia). Cold-tolerant sorghums are also an important cereal in Central America.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important and widely adapted small-grain cereal grown between 40°N and 40°S of the equator.


Results in Table 1 indicated that foliar application of OC-nSiO 2 induced significantly anthracnose disease resistance caused by C. gloeosporioides fungus on chili fruits. Among four treatments with different concentration of OC-nSiO 2 , the treatment with a concentration of 60 mg/l -60 mg/l was found to act the highest effect in reduction of anthracnose disease on chili fruits. In particular, the disease severity of the treatment of 60 mg/l -60 mg/l OC-nSiO 2 was reduced to 22.2% compared to 90.0% of the control (water). It was reported that the bacterial wilt incidence on tomato plants was also significantly reduced by the treatment with chitosan-silicon mixture [13] . In particular, the bacterial wilt incidence was of ~20% for tomato plants treated with chitosan-silicon compared to ~80% of the control (without chitosan and silicon, inoculation with R. solanacearum). Recently, foliar application of OC-nSiO 2 with a concentration of 50 mg/l -50 mg/l increased soybean seed yield of 17% compared to control (water) [23] . Thus, it can be expected that foliar application of OC-nSiO 2 is not only to induce disease infection resistance but also to increase chili fruit yield. Further study on the effect of OC-nSiO 2 treatment on the enhancement of chili fruit yield should be carried out. Moreover, the nanomaterials, owing to their increased contact surface area, might have toxic effects that are not apparent in the bulk materials especially in the open agricultural ecosystem [24] . Therefore, the selection of nanomaterial for application in the field may be critically desirable as materials, which are non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable [25] . In this issue, it was reported that different form of synthetic amorphous silica has been used in a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications including food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products for many decades, and no environmental or health risks have been associated with these materials including nSiO 2 [26] .

It was reported that the bacterial wilt incidence on tomato plants was also significantly reduced by the treatment with chitosan-silicon mixture.

Recently, foliar application of OC-nSiO 2 with a concentration of 50 mg/l -50 mg/l increased soybean seed yield of 17% compared to control (water).

Moreover, the nanomaterials, owing to their increased contact surface area, might have toxic effects that are not apparent in the bulk materials especially in the open agricultural ecosystem.

Therefore, the selection of nanomaterial for application in the field may be critically desirable as materials, which are non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable.

In this issue, it was reported that different form of synthetic amorphous silica has been used in a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications including food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products for many decades, and no environmental or health risks have been associated with these materials including nSiO 2.


Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common disorder and its incidence in married men is 39.1%. Incidence sharply increases as men age (Corona, Rastrelli, Maseroli, Forti, & Maggi, 2013) . ED is defined as the inability to attain and/ or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. The etiology and pathogenesis for ED are not yet fully understood. However, the following factors may play a role: endothelial impairment, low testosterone levels, prior surgical manipulation, and/or psychogenic components (Patel, Halls, & Patel, 2012) . From a clinical standpoint, occasional erectile trouble is not necessarily a cause for concern. If ED is an ongoing problem, it may understandably cause stress, affect one's self-confidence, and exacerbate relationship problems between partners. In fact, penile erection is a very complicated process requiring neurally mediated relaxation of arteriolar smooth muscle and the engorgement of cavernosal tissues. Nitric oxide plays a critical role in the process and prevailing therapies for ED typically focus on maximizing endogenous nitric oxide signaling (Masuda, 2008) . Sildenafil is a highly selective and extensively used phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5) which elicits a firm therapeutic effect (Goldstein et al., 1998) . ED treatment primarily aims to help patients achieve satisfactory sexual lives. The common dose is 100 mg or 50 mg. There is no consensus as to whether the selective mode and therapeutic effect of the two sildenafil doses differ. In the current study, ED patients from numerous centers in China who used 100 mg and 50 mg sildenafil therapy were retrospectively analyzed to investigate the effect of variable sildenafil dosage.

Incidence sharply increases as men age.

However, the following factors may play a role: endothelial impairment, low testosterone levels, prior surgical manipulation, and/or psychogenic components.

Nitric oxide plays a critical role in the process and prevailing therapies for ED typically focus on maximizing endogenous nitric oxide signaling.

Sildenafil is a highly selective and extensively used phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5) which elicits a firm therapeutic effect.

The common dose is 100 mg or 50 mg.


The frequent need of localized small pavement repairs during the year, presents CMA as the perfect candidate for this type of work. Initial studies in the late 70's evaluated the use of cold mixes in pavement patching operations [1] . Prowell and Franklin evaluated a wide variety of cold mixes in the mid 90's for the Virginia DOT patching operations, and developed a performance rating system involving visual inspection of the patches for the presence of bleeding, dishing, debonding, raveling, and pushing/shoving, as well as measurements of workability and patch survival rate [2] . They concluded that mix instability is one of the major limitations preventing the use of cold mixes as successful patching materials.

Initial studies in the late 70's evaluated the use of cold mixes in pavement patching operations.

Prowell and Franklin evaluated a wide variety of cold mixes in the mid 90's for the Virginia DOT patching operations, and developed a performance rating system involving visual inspection of the patches for the presence of bleeding, dishing, debonding, raveling, and pushing/shoving, as well as measurements of workability and patch survival rate.


Uniaxial repeated loading with static confinement in cold mixes was reported by Anderson and Thompson [12] . They applied a haversine load (0.1 s, followed by a rest period of 0.9 s) to laboratory compacted Emulsion Aggregate Mixtures (EAM). They also utilized a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) during laboratory testing, to obtain a rapid indication of in-situ shear strength. They found a considerable increase in shear strength for aggregate mixes after emulsion treatment.

Uniaxial repeated loading with static confinement in cold mixes was reported by Anderson and Thompson.


In this investigation, the English captions group performed at a significantly higher level than the Spanish captions group which, in turn, performed at a significantly higher level than the no captions group. These findings indicate that intermediate-level foreign language students' listening comprehension/reading comprehension can be substantially enhanced via the use of captions in English or Spanish. This outcome augments the Markham study that established the value of English captions for improving ESL students' listening word recognition, and the work of Huang and Eskey which demonstrated that English captions improved ESL students' general comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and listening comprehension [7, 9] . Specifically, the present study established that English captions and Spanish captions can enhance intermediate-level foreign language students' listening comprehension/reading comprehension as measured by a commonly used listening stem, multiple-choice test format presented in the target language.

This outcome augments the Markham study that established the value of English captions for improving ESL students' listening word recognition, and the work of Huang and Eskey which demonstrated that English captions improved ESL students' general comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and listening comprehension.


The question of determining all Jacobi sums of orders e in terms of lesser number of Jacobi sums has also been taken by many authors such as Parnami, Agrawal and Rajwade [8] . Similar kind of arguments for cyclotomic numbers can also be given. In this paper, we give a list of fewer Jacobi sums (respectively cyclotomic numbers) of order e which qualifies to determine all Jacobi sums (respectively cyclotomic numbers) of order e. We exhibit an explicit case with e = 3.

The question of determining all Jacobi sums of orders e in terms of lesser number of Jacobi sums has also been taken by many authors such as Parnami, Agrawal and Rajwade.


For more about the properties of Jacobi sums and cyclotomic numbers, one may refer [4, 5, 6] . Cyclotomic numbers are one of the most important objects in number theory. These numbers have been extensively used in cryptography, coding theory and other branches of information theory. Thus determination of cyclotomic numbers, so called cyclotomic number problem, of different order is one of basic problems in number theory. Complete solutions to cyclotomic number problem for e = 2 − 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, l, 2l, l 2 , 2l 2 with l an odd prime have been investigated by many authors [5, 6, 7] .

For more about the properties of Jacobi sums and cyclotomic numbers, one may refer.

Complete solutions to cyclotomic number problem for e = 2 − 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, l, 2l, l 2 , 2l 2 with l an odd prime have been investigated by many authors.


Many studies dealt with soil respiration in forests and grasslands, but far less in agricultural ecosystems, especially in orchards [23e27] . With this research, we intended to relate the seasonal variation of CO 2 emissions from soil due to heterotrophic and to root activities with environmental and biological parameters in an apple orchard located in Northern Italy. We applied the trenching technique to partition between the two soil respiration components [28] . The respiration at a reference temperature was used to assess the influence of assimilate supply, by correlating it with four parameters assessed independently and serving as proxy for C supply to roots (temperature, photosynthetically active radiation, net and gross primary productivity). The objectives of this work were: i) to assess the effect of temperature on R S and its autotrofic (R R ) and heterotrophic (R H ) components; ii) to relate the assimilatory and the respiratory CO 2 fluxes at a diurnal time scale; iii) to relate the respiration at a reference temperature with concurrent data of gross primary productivity at the ecosystem level (GPP), light (PPFD), air temperature (Tair), orchard net primary productivity (NPP) and root growth rate; iv) to incorporate into a model to estimate R S the photosynthetic activity (GPP) or other main variables (PPFD, Tair and NPP) that covary with photosynthesis during the season.

We applied the trenching technique to partition between the two soil respiration components.


In this study, we also used a manual classification scheme. The results were different from those of the natural breaks classification method. These are shown in Figure 5c , where high elevation and high slope angle areas were classified correct into low and very low susceptibility areas. However, compared with Figure 5a , some of the residential areas were not classified into the correct susceptibility category. Residential areas should receive the most attention. In Table 3 , areas of high and very high susceptibility account for 12.98% of the total study area, which is much less than the other two methods (18.75% and 29.16%). Manual classification method is a subjective methodology, while the natural breaks classification method avoids this pitfall. Natural breaks classification is a data clustering method designed to determine the best arrangement of values into different classes. This is done by seeking to minimize each class's average deviation from the class mean, while maximizing each class's deviation from the means of the other classes. In other words, the method seeks to reduce the variance within classes and maximize the variance between classes [63, 64] . Thus, natural breaks method is more appropriate for the classification of parameters in FFHSM using an FR method.

In other words, the method seeks to reduce the variance within classes and maximize the variance between classes.


Figure 5a,b show that the residential areas of the XQG are the most high risk vulnerable. Areas of very high and high susceptibility accounted for 18.75% and 29.16% of the whole catchment, based on the FR-natural breaks method and SI-natural breaks method, respectively. People who live in these areas should be aware of the potential hazards caused by flash flooding, because all four villages are located in highly susceptible areas. Farmland, orchards, and some forest classes were found in vulnerable areas, mostly in low elevation and flat. Lower elevation areas are more susceptible to flooding [45] . Slope also influenced the amount of surface runoff and infiltration, consistent with earlier findings [46] . People who reside in very high and high susceptibility areas should pay attention to weather forecasts for heavy rain and evacuate in advance. Areas of moderate susceptibility accounted for 16.29% and 28.98% of the whole study area using FR-natural breaks method and SI-natural breaks methods, respectively. These were primarily found in middle to high elevations.

Lower elevation areas are more susceptible to flooding.

Slope also influenced the amount of surface runoff and infiltration, consistent with earlier findings.


Topography plays a central role in flash flood behavior through a fundamental interplay that involves the elevation of the landscape across multiple spatial and temporal scales [16, 17] . The delineation of flood susceptibility areas can be carried out based on basin geomorphologic feature characterization [18, 19] . Topography is considered to be the most important controlling factor with respect to the hydrological response to a flash flood [9] . In fact, topography is prominent and crucial both in hydraulic risk mapping and flash flood hazard mapping [20] .

Topography plays a central role in flash flood behavior through a fundamental interplay that involves the elevation of the landscape across multiple spatial and temporal scales.

The delineation of flood susceptibility areas can be carried out based on basin geomorphologic feature characterization.

Topography is considered to be the most important controlling factor with respect to the hydrological response to a flash flood.

In fact, topography is prominent and crucial both in hydraulic risk mapping and flash flood hazard mapping.


In this study, performance comparisons of the FR and SI methods were conducted to generate a FFHSM of Xiqu Gully, Beijing, China. In order to select the highest accuracy model for FFHSM in the study area, this study generated a FFHSM using the two methods, while considering ten conditioning parameters. The two methods use information extracted from an inventory map to provide guidance for flash flooding hazards that may help managers and planners efficiently mitigate those hazards and even avoid them in the future. Finally, area under the curve (AUC) analysis was used to validate the accuracy of the FFHSM methods [40] .

Finally, area under the curve (AUC) analysis was used to validate the accuracy of the FFHSM methods.


Flash flood hazard susceptibility mapping (FFHSM) is a fundamental, non-structural method implemented by governments for sustainable land planning, protecting human lives and property, and preserving the ecohydrology of river corridors [6, 7] . Flash flooding can be defined as the rapid increase in water level in a stream as a result of heavy rains or the collapse of a natural or artificial dam [8] . The main purpose of FFHSM is to locate sites that are vulnerable to flash flooding in a particular area using a Geographic Information System (GIS) and the available topographic data [7, 9, 10] . FFHSM is a tool that is needed to improve land use in areas prone to flooding. It helps support mitigation planning, which is very important for catchment management. The sustainable development of water resources and the protection of the built environment from flooding hazards is made possible using FFHSM. In China, flash flood hazard mapping is still in the early stages [7] .

Flash flood hazard susceptibility mapping (FFHSM) is a fundamental, non-structural method implemented by governments for sustainable land planning, protecting human lives and property, and preserving the ecohydrology of river corridors.

Flash flooding can be defined as the rapid increase in water level in a stream as a result of heavy rains or the collapse of a natural or artificial dam.

The main purpose of FFHSM is to locate sites that are vulnerable to flash flooding in a particular area using a Geographic Information System (GIS) and the available topographic data.

In China, flash flood hazard mapping is still in the early stages.


In order to obtain the uncertainties in the macroscopic neutronic information using a best estimate neutronicsthermalhydraulic coupled code, a Rod Ejection Accident (REA) has been simulatedm and the results are presented in this paper. The REA accident belongs to the reactivityinduced accidents (RIA) category and is part of the licensing basis accident analyses required for pressurized water reactors (PWR). The REA consists of a rod ejection due to the failure of its operating mechanism with the power evolution driven by a continuous reactivity insertion. The main factor limiting the consequences of the accident is the Doppler reactivity effect. The physical description of the reactor response is based on the coupled neutronicthermalhydraulic code RELAP5/PARCSv2.7. Since a coupled code is used for the best estimate analysis, uncertainties from both aspects should be included and jointly propagated. CASMO4-SIMULATE3 provides the cross-section sets which are processed using the SIMTAB methodology developed at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) together with Iberdrola [1] .

CASMO4-SIMULATE3 provides the cross-section sets which are processed using the SIMTAB methodology developed at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) together with Iberdrola.


Filamentous fungi have been extensively used in several biotechnological applications to produce food, feed, and metabolites (e.g., enzymes, organic acids, antibiotics, cholesterol-lowering statins, and biofuels). They are commonly cultivated in submerged cultures, in which they can grow in three morphologies, namely, suspended mycelium, pellet, and clump. Some fungi are also able to grow in a yeast-like form. The morphology is influenced by the strain characteristics as well as the medium composition and cultivation conditions [12] [13] [14] [15] . Growth in pellet form has been reported as a favourable alternative for fungal cultivation, because it enables repeated-batch fermentation and improves the rheology of the broth, resulting in better mass and oxygen transfer in the reactor with lower energy consumption [12] [13] [14] [15] . Morphology of the fungi can affect the production of primary and secondary metabolites [16] .

The morphology is influenced by the strain characteristics as well as the medium composition and cultivation conditions.

Growth in pellet form has been reported as a favourable alternative for fungal cultivation, because it enables repeated-batch fermentation and improves the rheology of the broth, resulting in better mass and oxygen transfer in the reactor with lower energy consumption.

Morphology of the fungi can affect the production of primary and secondary metabolites.


In Section 2 we review the relation between the Iwahori Hecke algebra and the intertwining operators for principal series. Then in Section 3 we show that, given a unique functional on a Zariski dense subset ofT , to each generator T i of the Iwahori Hecke algebra we may attach a difference operator on a suitable ring of regular functions that is similar to a Demazure operator. This extends to an action of the Hecke algebra. In the case of the spherical functional, this gives a new perspective on the work of Ion [11] .

In the case of the spherical functional, this gives a new perspective on the work of Ion.


Our results were obtained with Japanese persons, and cross-cultural psychology has emphasized the distinction between collectivistic societies and individualistic societies (Triandis, 1995) . There are some cross-cultural studies showing that individualism-collectivism is related to intra-intergroup behavior (Smith & Bond, 1999; McAuliffe et al., 2003; Yuki, 2003) . It will be necessary to examine our findings in light of cross-cultural psychology.

Our results were obtained with Japanese persons, and cross-cultural psychology has emphasized the distinction between collectivistic societies and individualistic societies.

There are some cross-cultural studies showing that individualism-collectivism is related to intra-intergroup behavior.


A struma ovarii is an unusual type of mature teratoma consisting of thyroid epithelium. It shows mostly benign histopathological features of thyroid tissue [1] . Hyperthyroidism develops in approximately 5% to 15% of patients, mostly due to an adenoma, and rarely due to follicular carcinoma [2] . However autoimmune thyroiditis with a struma ovarii has been described in a few case reports. A struma ovarii generally presents with non-specific symptoms that are similar to those of other ovarian neoplasms. Diagnosis is difficult unless the tumor is very large or causes remarkable thyrotoxicosis. Radioiodine (I-131) imaging and thyroid uptake studies are important for the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, which can be difficult when a struma ovarii is also present [3] . The appropriate follow-up of patients with a struma ovarii in terms of residue, recurrence or metastasis after surgical resection is a current topic of debate, especially for patients with co-existing thyroid disorders.

It shows mostly benign histopathological features of thyroid tissue.

Hyperthyroidism develops in approximately 5% to 15% of patients, mostly due to an adenoma, and rarely due to follicular carcinoma.

Radioiodine (I-131) imaging and thyroid uptake studies are important for the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, which can be difficult when a struma ovarii is also present.


The Dead Sea is a unique place on Earth with a water level currently 428 m below sea level. It is located within one of a series of basins aligned in a long (600 km) and narrow (10Á20 km) active tectonic zone, which branches northward from the trough of the Red Sea (Neev and Emery, 1967) . The Dead Sea is surrounded by the Judean Mountains (up to 1000 m amsl) to the west and by the Moab Mountains (up to 1300 m amsl) to the east. Through the pronounced orography, the area is characterised by special meteorological conditions, particularly by valley and slope winds. The wind regime in the Dead Sea basin is also governed by general synoptic systems, such as Mediterranean cyclones, and by mesoscale and local factors, such as Mediterranean breezes and local lake breezes (Shafir and Alpert, 2011, and references therein) .

It is located within one of a series of basins aligned in a long (600 km) and narrow (10Á20 km) active tectonic zone, which branches northward from the trough of the Red Sea.


Over the last decades, biometrics has gained increasing attention because of its broad applications ranged from identification to security. As one of its main research topics, face recognition has been developing rapidly. Numerous face recognition methods have been put forward and adopted in real-life advanced technologies. Meanwhile, ear recognition has also raised interest in research and commercial communities, since human ear is one of the representative human identifiers, and ear recognition would not encounter facial expression and aging problems [1] . As we know, the main task of vision-based biometrics is to extract compact descriptions from images that would subsequently be used to confirm the identity [2] . For face recognition, the key problem is also to represent objects effectively and improve the recognition performance, which is the same with that in ear recognition. In this paper, a new image representation method is presented based on the Local Gabor Phase Difference Pattern (LGPDP) [8] . It captures the Gabor phase difference in a novel way to represent images. According to the Gabor function and new phase difference definition, we design encoding rules for effective feature extraction. The proposed encoding rules have the following characteristics: 1) divide the quadrants precisely and encode them by a 2-bit number; and 2) avoid useless patterns that might be produced near the quadrant boundary, which is an unsolved problem in the LGPDP. From the results of experiments conducted on the FRGC ver 2.0 database for face recognition and USTB ear database for ear recognition, the proposed method is observed to further improve the capability of capturing information from the Gabor phase. The extension of its application from face recognition to ear recognition also achieves impressive results, which demonstrates its ability as a general image representation for biometrics. To our best knowledge, this is the first utilization of Gabor phase difference in ear image representation.

Meanwhile, ear recognition has also raised interest in research and commercial communities, since human ear is one of the representative human identifiers, and ear recognition would not encounter facial expression and aging problems.

As we know, the main task of vision-based biometrics is to extract compact descriptions from images that would subsequently be used to confirm the identity.

In this paper, a new image representation method is presented based on the Local Gabor Phase Difference Pattern (LGPDP).


The teacher is the onus of educational system in any country and the pivot on which all the educational objectives achievement revolve. Therefore, teacher's roles are indispensable and his integrity needs to be addressed for improved teaching and learning process. The teacher as a stakeholder is expected to possess the professional knowledge to lead the pupils in instruction. In addition to serving in an instructional capacity teacher can be a mentor, supervisor, and counsellor and community leader. The role of supervisor is present in every aspect of teacher's daily responsibilities, as a counsellor can be used to offer advice to pupils or students and school advisory committees. The teacher along with the pupils or students plays an interactive role in education process because one cannot function without the other. Therefore, the empowerment of teachers will facilitate the empowerment of the pupils or the students [21] .

Therefore, the empowerment of teachers will facilitate the empowerment of the pupils or the students.


The early off-farm activities were basically led by men as part of the household nonagricultural small business (geti hu) within a general trend where women would keep working on agriculture while men would specialize on off-farm opportunities [24] . Further rural economic development in the late 1990s allowed for a gradual incorporation of women in off-farm activities through out-migration and involvement in family-based enterprises [25] . As women gain access to education, they can participate in better paid off-farm activities [26] . In the Chinese rural context, this has allowed many women to take an active role in the establishment and management of small hostels, restaurants, shops and other tourist-oriented opportunities. Nevertheless, women have frequently taken inferior jobs while still being responsible for their usual housewife activities, thereby increasing their work burden [27] .

The early off-farm activities were basically led by men as part of the household nonagricultural small business (geti hu) within a general trend where women would keep working on agriculture while men would specialize on off-farm opportunities.

Further rural economic development in the late 1990s allowed for a gradual incorporation of women in off-farm activities through out-migration and involvement in family-based enterprises.

As women gain access to education, they can participate in better paid off-farm activities.

Nevertheless, women have frequently taken inferior jobs while still being responsible for their usual housewife activities, thereby increasing their work burden.


The huge expansion of tourism experienced by China in the past two decades has brought opportunities to rural economies, contributing to the shift from farm to off-farm based economies that characterize many rural areas in developing countries [6] . Tourism-related activities in our study area have benefited the more educated younger generations, having been taken up particularly by women, whereas men have opted for other non-farm income opportunities. This has contributed to a growing gender specialization as observed in other rural-based industries [42] .

The huge expansion of tourism experienced by China in the past two decades has brought opportunities to rural economies, contributing to the shift from farm to off-farm based economies that characterize many rural areas in developing countries.

This has contributed to a growing gender specialization as observed in other rural-based industries.


An accurate assessment of the remaining service life of a structure requires information about the structure and its load and a simulation model which is able to incorporate this information into a safety analysis. The simulation should account for various sources of uncertainty in modelling such as time-dependent variation of structural performance, randomness in loading, and variability of material and geometrical properties. This requires the use of probabilistic methods in a structural safety analysis. Two types of uncertainty, namely the aleatory and the epistemic, are necessary for an accurate probabilistic analysis (Ang and Tang 2007) . Whereas randomness (or aleatory uncertainty) cannot be reduced, improvement in knowledge or in the accuracy of predictive models will reduce the epistemic uncertainty (Ang and De Leon 2005) . Probabilistic reliability analysis permits the inclusion of these uncertainties into a safety analysis.

Two types of uncertainty, namely the aleatory and the epistemic, are necessary for an accurate probabilistic analysis.

Whereas randomness (or aleatory uncertainty) cannot be reduced, improvement in knowledge or in the accuracy of predictive models will reduce the epistemic uncertainty.


In recent times, probabilistic and reliability-based approaches have been widely used to quantify bridge safety (Mori and Ellingwood 1993; Stewart and Rosowsky 1998; Enright and Frangopol 1999; Val et al. 2000; Vu and Stewart 2000; Stewart et al. 2001; Akgül and Frangopol 2004; Stewart et al. 2004; Ellingwood 2005; Stewart and Mullard 2007; Frangopol 2011) . While the focus of much of this work has been on the probabilistic description of homogeneous properties, less effort has been directed towards the modelling of the spatial correlations of load and resistance. It is well established that the material properties of a structure and structural dimensions are spatially variable, associated with workmanship and environmental conditions. This results in spatially distributed damage mechanisms such as corrosion-induced cover cracking and spalling. Traffic load and particularly the stresses due to the load, are also spatially correlated.

In recent times, probabilistic and reliability-based approaches have been widely used to quantify bridge safety.


C ONFLICTIVE animations form a new approach to the use of animations in programming education [1] . Conflictive animations are created so that they do not animate faithfully what the programs intend to do. They aim to compel the student to review the animation critically by asking them to identify possible errors or mistakes in the animation.

C ONFLICTIVE animations form a new approach to the use of animations in programming education.


Therefore, the anthocyanins chemical stability is the main focus of recent studies due to their abundant and potential applications, their beneficial effects and their use as alternative to artificial colorants (Rein, 2005) . Until now, in the purple potato research field, what is easily ignored is that humans consume purple potato usually after a serious processing, such as steaming, baking, drying and so on. Processing would severely affect the chemical composition and properties of the colorant. Hence, in order to exploit purple potato colorant effectively, the processing method and storage condition need to be paid more attention.

Therefore, the anthocyanins chemical stability is the main focus of recent studies due to their abundant and potential applications, their beneficial effects and their use as alternative to artificial colorants.


A small number of patients accounted for most of the overall alarm rate. As the alarm settings changed, there was an increase in the contribution of the top 10 % of patients to the overall alarm rate as the total number of alarms decreased. For example, at 84 %-45 s delay, the top 10 % of patients were responsible for more than 80 % of the overall alarm rate. This small group of patients may be candidates for more individualized alarm management, if reducing the high frequency of alarms does not affect the quality of care. Further research is needed to identify specific patient populations/units and factors, (e.g., patient primary diagnosis, isolation, lab values, comorbidities, history and lifestyle) that can guide personalized alarm settings. The bedside nurse is often the first to gather the patients' baseline physiological data during assessment in an ICU. This assessment information obtained by the nurse may allow for a proactive adjustment to the alarm setting, especially if the patients' baseline SpO 2 is normally below the default setting, which is commonly found in respiratory failure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The pulse oximeter can measure how well the hemoglobin is being saturated, but it cannot discern what exactly it is being saturated with, which can lead to false readings (e.g., saturated with oxyhemoglobin or carboxyhemoglobin in carbon monoxide poisoning) [18] . Individualized pulse oximeter alarm settings may allow nurses to still be readily notified of critical events while reducing overall alarm rates.

The pulse oximeter can measure how well the hemoglobin is being saturated, but it cannot discern what exactly it is being saturated with, which can lead to false readings (e.g., saturated with oxyhemoglobin or carboxyhemoglobin in carbon monoxide poisoning).


Maltodextrin is the most commonly used as a coating material encapsulated in a microencapsulated process. Maltodextrin has a high solubility in water, low viscosity, a tasteless and colorless taste [6] . Freeze drying is considered as the best method in microencapsulation technology for maintaining the stability of sensitive pigments [9] . This study aims to determine microencapsulation efficiency of dragon fruit peel extract with variation of encapsulation ratio and to perceive morphological characteristics of dragon fruit peel extract encapsulated.. Microencapsulation of dragon fruit peel extract is expected to optimize the utilization of dragon fruit peel as a safe natural dye and microencapsulation products of dragon fruit peel extract can be utilized futher in food and non-food industries that have economic value.

Maltodextrin has a high solubility in water, low viscosity, a tasteless and colorless taste.

Freeze drying is considered as the best method in microencapsulation technology for maintaining the stability of sensitive pigments.


The brief analysis of these results shows that the interfacial strength parameters depend, first of all, on the chemical nature of contacting surfaces (i.e. interactions between the fiber and the matrix at the molecular level). In glass fiber e epoxy resin systems, the local IFSS for quasi-static pull-out increased by 20e40% when the fibers were sized with chemical compositions containing g-APS, which promoted formation of chemical bonds between the fiber and the epoxy resin. This effect was repeatedly reported earlier by many researchers [30, 45, 46] . The effect of other factors was not so obvious; below we consider this in more detail.

This effect was repeatedly reported earlier by many researchers.


The paternally expressed copy of the imprinted gene Grb10 (growth factor receptor bound protein 10) is expressed in the developing and adult brain, and we have previously established a potential link to social dominance in mice with disruption of the paternally inherited allele (Grb10 +/p ) (Garfield et al., 2011) . Murine Grb10 is located on proximal chromosome 11 and encodes a cellular adapter protein belonging to the small Grb7/Grb10/Grb14 family (Charalambous et al., 2003; Han, Shen, & Guan, 2001) . This protein has an inhibitory effect on signaling through receptor tyrosine kinases, including the insulin receptor (IR) and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR) (Desbuquois, Carré, & Burnol, 2013) . Paternal Grb10 is highly expressed in the midbrain and hindbrain, including regions such as the ventral tegmental area, the substantia nigra pars compacta, the dorsal raphe nucleus, thalamus, and hypothalamus, and is neuron-specific (Garfield, 2007; Garfield et al., 2011) .

The paternally expressed copy of the imprinted gene Grb10 (growth factor receptor bound protein 10) is expressed in the developing and adult brain, and we have previously established a potential link to social dominance in mice with disruption of the paternally inherited allele (Grb10 +/p ).

Murine Grb10 is located on proximal chromosome 11 and encodes a cellular adapter protein belonging to the small Grb7/Grb10/Grb14 family.

This protein has an inhibitory effect on signaling through receptor tyrosine kinases, including the insulin receptor (IR) and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR).

Paternal Grb10 is highly expressed in the midbrain and hindbrain, including regions such as the ventral tegmental area, the substantia nigra pars compacta, the dorsal raphe nucleus, thalamus, and hypothalamus, and is neuron-specific.


The objective function in some optimisation problems is not constant in time, but instead, it changes during the optimisation. The algorithm must track the optimum as it moves through the objective landscape to make sure the best option is always chosen. Such problems are called Dynamic Optimisation Problems (DOPs), and solving them has gained considerable popularity in the last few decades [18] . Examples are complex control in robotics or network management.

Such problems are called Dynamic Optimisation Problems (DOPs), and solving them has gained considerable popularity in the last few decades.


The new measures to reduce carbon emissions in the building sector have increased the interest on producing low-energy designs, being these, buildings that need a fraction of the energy needed for a traditional building to create the same levels of comfort. Several software packages have been developed to aid building professionals in the design of low-energy buildings. These software packages (getting more and more complex with time) are able to evaluate the building physics and its energy systems in a very comprehensive manner [1] . Among the phenomena that can be modelled with this kind of software one can found radiation, phase changing, humidity transfer, pollutant emissions, air movement, and many others. Although computers have become more powerful with time, this improvement does not overcome the growth on complexity of the building simulators, and the time needed to run a building annual simulation in a personal workstation is still substantial.

These software packages (getting more and more complex with time) are able to evaluate the building physics and its energy systems in a very comprehensive manner.


A detailed morphological description of Biffarius pacificus sp. nov. is provided and compared with the closely allied species B. poorei from Tasmanian waters (Kensley, 1974) . Diagnosis: shrimp very small in size, carapace length (CL) = 17-26 mm. Carapace oval in shape, without cardiac prominence (Fig. 1E) , cervical groove distinct, rostral spine absent. Merus of both chelipeds with ventral projections (Fig. 2A+B ). Inner surface of inmobile finger of right first chelae armed with a row of seven acute teeth ( Fig. 2A) . Telson subquadrate, posterior margin of telson bilobed with a mesial spine flanked by a fine row of spinous setae (Fig. 1I) .

A detailed morphological description of Biffarius pacificus sp. nov. is provided and compared with the closely allied species B. poorei from Tasmanian waters.


We believe that the methods presented in this paper can aid a user in understanding and visualizing the classification process, but we do not claim that a decision tree is necessarily the most accurate method of classification. Promising results have also been obtained using other methods [9, 24] . However, a decision tree is certainly a viable method for separating MSA from healthy controls as shown by the results of a set of leave-one-out cross-validations which were performed in previous work [2] . In this section we do not focus any further on the performance of the tree, but instead provide validation of the derived pattern and present clinical feedback which was obtained from neuroscientists.

Promising results have also been obtained using other methods.

However, a decision tree is certainly a viable method for separating MSA from healthy controls as shown by the results of a set of leave-one-out cross-validations which were performed in previous work.


The present studies were undertaken to test whether physiological concentrations of exogenous GABA regulate cell replication or survival properties in freshly isolated rat pancreatic islets. The process of islet isolation, an important component of therapeutic strategies now under development for functional reconstitution of islets in diabetes, is known to increase cell death through apoptosis [31] . We found that GABA could prevent this cell loss and influence islet cell plasticity. We therefore used pharmacological agents and protein immunoblots to identify the receptor subtypes involved in this process and the downstream mediators of receptor signalling. Overall, the results support the hypothesis that GABA, released by islet cells during nutrient stimulation or due to cell injury, may act in an autocrine/paracrine manner to support or regenerate the number of islet cells necessary to maintain glucose homeostasis. This local, immediate signal would allow for rapid and efficient modification of islet cell number in response to increases in nutrient intake or acute cellular injury.

The process of islet isolation, an important component of therapeutic strategies now under development for functional reconstitution of islets in diabetes, is known to increase cell death through apoptosis.


Biological analyses of the NAWQA Program have a strong quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) component, as evidenced in the creation of the biological unit (BU) within the Quality Management Program of the National Water Quality Laboratory. A major portion of the BU mission related to providing consistent taxonomy within NAWQA biological data bases. Such effort to ensure consistency is warranted because this is a major determinant of the power of the ecological statistical analyses that will be applied to NAWQA data (Birks 1994) . The use of numerous analysts to enumerate and identify diatoms in the NAWQA Program necessitated a taxonomic review of problematic groups. In this report, we examine gomphonemoid diatoms that have proved difficult for analysts in terms of consistent and correct taxonomy.

Such effort to ensure consistency is warranted because this is a major determinant of the power of the ecological statistical analyses that will be applied to NAWQA data.


Abiotic stresses such as declining water resources and extreme temperatures can reduce overall plant growth, development, and yield. In the case of water stress, reduced water uptake at initial growth stages will hamper the ability of water distribution at later stages. If water stress precedes inhibition of photosynthesis, the plant's ability to accumulate solutes to increase water potential gradient is also hindered (Cramer et al., 2011) . Under such conditions there is the added risk of reactive oxygen species causing oxidative stress. Alternatively, established plants generally accumulate compatible solutes and close their stomata to create a low water potential and prevent water loss during water stress conditions (Skirycz and Inzé, 2010) . Osmotic adjustment by the accumulation of solutes is necessary to lower the risk of osmotic and oxidative stress. Water-stressed tomato seedlings were previously shown to have increased concentrations of compatible solutes such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, and proline in the fruit and leaves (Nahar and Gretzmacher, 2002) . In this study, a similar growth response and osmotic adjustment in untreated water-stressed (15 mL) tomato seedlings was detected (Figs. 3 and 4) . Photosynthetic pigments and compatible solute contents were significantly reduced in VCL-treated tomato seedlings at 15 mL, indicating an induced tolerance mechanism resulting from the addition of VCL. Physiological parameters were reduced within the range of those found in more favorable conditions as observed for 30-mL supply of nutrient solution (Fig. 4) . The significant results of the water stress experiment demonstrate the possibility of using less water resources to produce a quality crop.

If water stress precedes inhibition of photosynthesis, the plant's ability to accumulate solutes to increase water potential gradient is also hindered.

Alternatively, established plants generally accumulate compatible solutes and close their stomata to create a low water potential and prevent water loss during water stress conditions.

Water-stressed tomato seedlings were previously shown to have increased concentrations of compatible solutes such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, and proline in the fruit and leaves.


The area of the modern Black Sea was covered by Tethys Sea, which became isolated from other oceanic waters some 10-13 Myr ago. The predecessors of the Black Sea-Sarmatian, Meotian, Pontian, Ancient Euxininan, Karangatian, Neoeuxinian and other seas-were different in size, outline and salinity (Zaitsev and Mamaev 1997) . Changes in salinity have led to periodic replacement of freshwater fauna and flora by marine taxa. This rich history has resulted in the development of significant limestone deposits, which, under the influence of karstification processes, are now permeated by many underground cavities ranging from small caverns and channels to spacious water caves. The origin and evolution of the subterranean animals in this region arose within this complex history of seas and karst development.

The predecessors of the Black Sea-Sarmatian, Meotian, Pontian, Ancient Euxininan, Karangatian, Neoeuxinian and other seas-were different in size, outline and salinity.


At the end of Section 5 we consider some examples related to Question D. All the examples constructed in this paper are finite index extensions of either Bestvina-Brady groups or right-angled Artin groups. The main reason for that is that for these kind of groups we have a number of results available which provide us with a good understanding of their ordinary and Bredon cohomological properties ( [20] , [19] , [7] ). For the relevant definitions the reader is referred to any of those papers.

The main reason for that is that for these kind of groups we have a number of results available which provide us with a good understanding of their ordinary and Bredon cohomological properties (,,).


S. viridis comprises of various accessions that originated in different parts of the world thus making it a rich source of diverse germplasm (Table 1) . They differ in plant height, panicle length, flowering time, awns in the panicles, and biomass. It possesses various traits such as small plant size, short life cycle, and high number of seed production that make it a suitable model for genetic studies [11] . Its importance in research is vital as a weedy relative of the drought tolerant foxtail millet (S. italica) that is grown in the drier parts of the world as a staple food crop [11] . They are cross-compatible species, and hence, they serve as very good genetic materials to identify genes related to C4 photosynthesis as well as for stress tolerance. Setaria being a C4 species, has high vein density, so it could also be used to identify elements controlling the vein density trait. In C4 species, the veins are closer giving them high vein density and they have kranz anatomy that helps to concentrate CO 2 in the bundle sheath cells. This minimizes photorespiration thereby prevents the loss of energy [12] . Sorghum and maize have been extensively researched to identify the C4 specific traits. Due to their large plant sizes and long life cycles, Setaria has been a better alternative. However, the small flower sizes, nonuniform flowering along the panicle need better understanding to utilize it to create different types of mapping populations.

It possesses various traits such as small plant size, short life cycle, and high number of seed production that make it a suitable model for genetic studies.

Its importance in research is vital as a weedy relative of the drought tolerant foxtail millet (S. italica) that is grown in the drier parts of the world as a staple food crop.

This minimizes photorespiration thereby prevents the loss of energy.


In the present work we represent the effect of trans-planckian physics simply by allowing for nontrivial initial vacuum states for the inflaton field, which we treat as a free scalar field moving in a de Sitter background. The most natural vacuum states to consider are the de Sitter invariant vacuum states constructed by Allen and Mottola [15, 16] . The vacuum states are known as α-vacua. We find these all lead to infinite energy production at the end of inflation, with the exception of the Bunch-Davies (Euclidean) vacuum state.

The most natural vacuum states to consider are the de Sitter invariant vacuum states constructed by Allen and Mottola.

The vacuum states are known as α-vacua.


The formation of a singularity at the center of black holes signals the breakdown of classical general relativity. It is speculated that a quantum theory of gravity would resolve the singularity problem. Some popular theories of quantum gravity, such as string theory, depend upon the existence of more than four dimensions. It has even been suggested that microscopic higher dimensional black holes could be produced in the LHC, and experimental bounds on their production have appeared in the literature [1] . It is therefore important to understand the details of black hole formation in higher dimensions.

It has even been suggested that microscopic higher dimensional black holes could be produced in the LHC, and experimental bounds on their production have appeared in the literature.


Since ANP-related psychopathology is possibly mediated via its counter-regulating effect on HPA-axis activity, results of studies dealing with the association between cortisol-stress response and alcohol intake related behavior are potentially interesting. Former clinical studies showed that duration of abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients was positively related to cortisol stress response (Kiefer et al., 2002b; Adinoff et al., 2005; Starcke et al., 2013) . These results indicate that ANP might modulate craving and relapse indirectly via its effects on the stress-hormone system in abstinent alcohol-dependent patients.

Former clinical studies showed that duration of abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients was positively related to cortisol stress response.


The resonance mode spectrum of a dielectric resonator (DR) with several closely spaced frequencies is inherently dense. Because of this dense frequency spectrum it may become difficult to avoid interference between a desirable operating mode frequency and an undesirable one, leading to the well recognized problem of spurious modes [1] . Though the issue of improvements in spurious response of DRs has been studied for a long time, it still continues to attract attention [2, 3] .

Because of this dense frequency spectrum it may become difficult to avoid interference between a desirable operating mode frequency and an undesirable one, leading to the well recognized problem of spurious modes.

Though the issue of improvements in spurious response of DRs has been studied for a long time, it still continues to attract attention.


The Q factors for the MLMP ring-DR both with and without the adhesive between the layers have been measured by the well known 2-port transmission mode method [21, 22] . A copper shielding cavity of relatively larger dimensions than the one used for measuring the frequencies as above has been used with expectedly a higher accuracy for measuring the loaded Q factor and also to achieve a lighter coupling said as a desirable condition for a simplified approach for transmission mode method for measuring the Q factors [21] . Then, for equally light couplings for both the ports the unloaded Q factor is simply determined as Q 0 = Q L /(1 − |S 21 |. The loaded Q factor (Q L ) can be easily determined by the 3 dB frequency method, Q L = f 0 /BW ; where BW-the bandwidth, as usual is the difference between the frequencies at −3 dB amplitudes of the resonator transmission response.

The Q factors for the MLMP ring-DR both with and without the adhesive between the layers have been measured by the well known 2-port transmission mode method.

A copper shielding cavity of relatively larger dimensions than the one used for measuring the frequencies as above has been used with expectedly a higher accuracy for measuring the loaded Q factor and also to achieve a lighter coupling said as a desirable condition for a simplified approach for transmission mode method for measuring the Q factors.


There are several important caveats to keep in mind before drawing any firm conclusions from these results about the relationship between regrowth interface contamination and the formation of IDs. First of all, the sample size is small, due to the time-intensive nature of L-APT and TEM EDS. Secondly, the uncertainty in each of these L-APT and TEM EDS composition measurements has not been quantified. Finally, there are many different factors besides contamination that can influence inversion domain formation [18] [19] [20] .

Finally, there are many different factors besides contamination that can influence inversion domain formation.


Nevertheless, the data summarized in Table 1 show an apparent correlation between the number of inversion domains and the amount of Al and/or O contamination at the regrowth interface. This suggests a causal relationship; indeed, Al 2 O 3 has been used in the past to intentionally switch the polarity of GaN [21] . Here, the Al and O contamination constitutes much less than a complete monolayer, suggesting that even a relatively minor quantity of interface contamination can influence the formation of IDs. Al and O were the only contaminants observed in this study, so it is not clear whether ID formation is particular to these species, or whether sub-monolayer contamination by species such as Si or C would have a similar effect.

This suggests a causal relationship; indeed, Al 2 O 3 has been used in the past to intentionally switch the polarity of GaN.


Creating such value for customers leads to encouraging selling opportunities, increasing likelihood of purchase, reducing time to close the sale, receiving a larger share of the purchase requirement, becoming less resistant to price increases and less willing to trial competitive offerings (Anderson and Narus, 2004) . B2B brands also provide functional benefits to the selling firm, such as internal identification for inventory purposes and legal protection through trademarks. In addition, these benefits provide firms with reliable earnings and allow marketing expenditure to be directed towards these brands. Brands enhance the volatility and vulnerability of cashflow within the organization and are an important firm resource. Thus these B2B brand benefits lead to more profitable business relationships.

Creating such value for customers leads to encouraging selling opportunities, increasing likelihood of purchase, reducing time to close the sale, receiving a larger share of the purchase requirement, becoming less resistant to price increases and less willing to trial competitive offerings.


Although the Interbrand list demonstrates the importance of B2B branding, many commentators apply a B2C branding lens when examining branding from an organizational buying perspective. For instance, Lamons' book on B2B branding discusses brand architecture, brand personality and brand positioning which are all staple topics in consumer branding texts (Lamons, 2005) . The disadvantage of applying a B2C brand perspective to B2B brands is that the specialized nature of business marketing and purchasing is sometimes ignored.

For instance, Lamons' book on B2B branding discusses brand architecture, brand personality and brand positioning which are all staple topics in consumer branding texts.


The Interbrand list demonstrates the high brand dollar value of many B2B brands. A key difference between B2C and B2B marketing is the emphasis on longer-term corporate relationships and not one off transactions. The consumer psychology approach of B2C branding research does not completely address the multidimensional nature of a B2B brand in creating value between firms. Brands are an important resource and a source of value for industrial organizations. While many B2B branding studies use B2C frameworks, alternatives exist that focus on brands as a resource (Srivastava et al., 1998) . While B2B firms ensure the product meets the buyer's specification through attention to the product attributes and benefits, such transactions have a long-term component for buyers and sellers. These alternative frameworks show the effects of multipliers such as channel support and interfirm relationships on B2B brands and the importance of other stakeholders. B2B purchasing within supply chains shows how brands can enhance the customer's business particularly when firms have complementary resources. The resource-based view of the firm which regards brands as a market-based asset emphasizes the importance of interorganizational relationships for B2B customers. The initial focus of early B2B brand studies was on whether or not firms should spend marketing funds on branding. Much B2B branding research examines the marketing program showing a wide range of brand related benefits are important to industrial buyers. Fewer studies investigate the effects of brand marketing on the B2B customer. However research illustrates the importance of B2B branding in customer relationship management. Research into the performance of B2B brands indicates that leading brands create price premiums and can enhance relationships. Furthermore, strong customer relationships can be beneficial to minor brands.

While many B2B branding studies use B2C frameworks, alternatives exist that focus on brands as a resource.


In a single segment approach however, major difficulties will arise. Firstly, fiber attenuation will make mandatory in-line bidirectional amplifiers in order to provide sufficient power at the output and allow phase locking at the local end. As discussed in section 5, bidirectional amplifiers phase noise is cancelled within the control bandwidth. However, when cascading amplifiers, amplified spontaneous emission can be very large and will require the use of narrow band optical filters to overcome a significant degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio at both ends [14, 15] . Secondly, the reduced bandwidth of the servo-loop and the reduced noise rejection level both due to the delay Beside the limitations due to the length of the link an other possible source of transmission degradation is related to spurious back reflections which always occurs in a fiber system. They are due to connector interfaces (typically -40dB to -60 dB), Rayleigh backscattering (typically -40 dB with SMF fiber) and splicing points. These effects can be enhanced when online bidirectional amplifiers are used. However, optical frequency transfer over fiber is not sensitive to single backreflection as back-reflected waves do not receive the correct frequency offsets from the AOMs in our scheme and are consequently easily discriminated. This is not the case when double backreflections are considered. Double back-reflected waves lead to additional phase and amplitude noise that is proportional to the fraction of the optical field double back-reflected. Since double back-reflections occur identically on the way there and the way back, the double back-reflection optical phase noise are also cancelled by the compensation system. Consequently, back-reflections, even strong, do not limit the stability of the link.

However, when cascading amplifiers, amplified spontaneous emission can be very large and will require the use of narrow band optical filters to overcome a significant degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio at both ends.


Results from this study also show that many children discuss health issues with their mothers compared to other community members. This is import since some studies have revealed that most children's main contact with medical care is through their mothers [22] . On the other hand children can act as behaviour change agents in the community since women who are most likely to receive health education from school through their children are more likely to be the motivators and participants in household and community based preventive actions. Results on school amenities (Table 1) revealed another huge gap in relation to school based hygienic practices. One school had a non-functional hand washing water tank whilst the other three schools had no water points for hand washing after using toilet. Neither was there any provision of soap and soap basins at strategic points for hand washing. These observations make us wonder whether it was not a desirability bias of children who claimed that they washed their hands always after toilet and those who claimed that they washed their hands with soap always after using the toilet. Thus provision of water and hand washing facilities in schools to enable hand washing after using toilets and before eating food is the key area to be addressed in order to reduce the transmission of water and sanitation related diseases and helminth infestations in school children. This is because schools are often crowded with children drawn from different communities some of which frequently experience diseases outbreaks that are acquired through oral faecal contamination such as cholera, dysentery as well as STHs.

This is import since some studies have revealed that most children's main contact with medical care is through their mothers.


These stocking efforts have resulted in an overload of homogenous, sometimes non-native, genotypes which are responsible for inbreeding and outbreeding depressions (Ludwig 2006) . Although inbreeding is less critical in fishes due to the huge number of offspring, outbreeding is a major risk especially for threatened populations/species with a limited range and only small effective population sizes. The admixture of non-native alleles to local genepools results in the dilution and/or an irreparable loss of locally adopted alleles or allelic combinations. This effect is especially evident for threatened populations because they are by definition of small size and can be overthrown by large numbers of introduced specimens. This negative impact of outbreeding is exacerbated by inter-species hybridisations. Despite these hybrids being less fertile', their existence have been documented for sturgeon a few times. Hybrids are often characterized by a greater growth performance; replacing native species, and often causing their extinction.

These stocking efforts have resulted in an overload of homogenous, sometimes non-native, genotypes which are responsible for inbreeding and outbreeding depressions.


The present investigation showed that seed priming improved the seedling establishment under anaerobic conditions. Besides, seed pretreatment improved yield and yield attributing parameters in both Swarna and Swarna-Sub1 even under normal direct seeding conditions, and similar observation was made before (Farooq et al, 2011) . The increase percent of grain yield under anaerobic conditions was 5.1%−16.8% and 44.2%−55.3% higher in Swarna and Swarna-Sub1, respectively when rice cultivated after seed priming compared to the non-priming conditions. It showed that the variety with SUB1 responded better under flooding due to seed pretreatment compared to the variety without SUB1. Suitable chemicals for seed priming or other management options are to be developed for further improvement of the underwater seedling establishment. Combining genetic tolerance with proper management options could further improve rice productivity under the changing climatic conditions, and greater emphasis is needed to develop such new management options for the newly breeding varieties. Seed priming is one of the options in stabilizing grain yield in rice under direct seeding conditions.

Besides, seed pretreatment improved yield and yield attributing parameters in both Swarna and Swarna-Sub1 even under normal direct seeding conditions, and similar observation was made before.


Our main finding is that the New Zealand ED target was successful in reducing ED LOS, but there are some important caveats. Firstly, it appears that the influence of the target on the median ED LOS was confined to the period from mid-2009 to late 2010. Subsequent improvements in target performance are associated with reductions in ED LOS only if short-stay utilisation is excluded. This suggests that from 2011 onwards, improved target performance was achieved by increasing reliance on short-stay units as a tool for managing acute hospital demand. In this respect our findings reinforce those of Suzanne Mason and colleagues [2] .

In this respect our findings reinforce those of Suzanne Mason and colleagues.


Taking a more global view, we also suggest that whatever value targets have as a mechanism to reduce waiting times in ED, this value is time-limited. While the target did stimulate reductions in the total median ED LOS in the first 12-18 months of implementation, these reductions plateaued thereafter. As such, the overall challenges in managing demand for acute and urgent care in New Zealand hospitals remain [31] . The growth in the utilisation of short-stay facilities also suggests that the target became less effective in 'standing for' the goal of improved timeliness of hospital care in the wake of increasing acute demand.

As such, the overall challenges in managing demand for acute and urgent care in New Zealand hospitals remain.


Information Extraction (IE) is defined as a text analysis task aimed at extracting targeted information from context in the document (Cowie & Lehnert, 1996) . Integrated with computational artefacts, such as information system ontologies that provide a common conceptual ground, IE can deliver a specialised form of document abstraction, known as semantic annotation. This connects natural language text with formal conceptual structures in order to enable new information access and to enhance existing information retrieval processes (Uren et al. 2006) . The output of IE, in this case annotation for the purposes of semantic indexing, delivers abstractions of entities and relations enabling retrieval of facts and findings in context rather than the monolithic retrieval of documents as a whole.

Information Extraction (IE) is defined as a text analysis task aimed at extracting targeted information from context in the document.

This connects natural language text with formal conceptual structures in order to enable new information access and to enhance existing information retrieval processes.


Within the subject domain of archaeology, vocabulary standards have been envisaged as a potential solution to the data inaccessibility imposed by a fragmented fieldwork practice hindering the publication and dissemination of archaeological information (Richards & Hardman, 2008) . Adoption of interoperable standards for encoding and dissemination of archaeological data and information would not only enable cross-searching and meta research studies of structured content but also offer an opportunity for a fundamental change in archaeological practice in terms of recording and disseminating fieldwork data and reports (Falkingham, 2005) . There is a vast reservoir of archaeological reports largely untapped, for meta-research or crossing searching and comparison with published datasets.

Within the subject domain of archaeology, vocabulary standards have been envisaged as a potential solution to the data inaccessibility imposed by a fragmented fieldwork practice hindering the publication and dissemination of archaeological information.

Adoption of interoperable standards for encoding and dissemination of archaeological data and information would not only enable cross-searching and meta research studies of structured content but also offer an opportunity for a fundamental change in archaeological practice in terms of recording and disseminating fieldwork data and reports.


For traffic information estimation based on CFVD, some studies proposed methods to analyze the signals of received signal strength indications (RSSIs), handoffs (HOs), call arrivals (CAs), normal location updates (NLUs), periodical location updates (PLUs), routing area updates (RAUs), and tracking area updates (TAUs). These studies illustrated that higher accuracies of traffic information estimation were performed by using CFVD for highways [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] . However, these studies assumed that vehicles can be tracked to the correct route, but the determination of the correct route driven by the user of a mobile station (MS) is difficult and has not been investigated, especially for urban roads.

These studies illustrated that higher accuracies of traffic information estimation were performed by using CFVD for highways.


While the methodology presented here was developed and tested for sequencing data from the H chain only, cutting-edge technologies, including single-cell sequencing, provide paired IGH-and IGL-chain data (DeKosky et al., 2015; Macosko et al., 2015; Briggs et al., 2017) . These paired data can be incorporated into the proposed method by extending the criteria for the initial grouping of sequences (i.e., VJ( )-groups) to include Number of Processors Speedup Fig. 7 . The SCOPer algorithm can be run efficiently on multiple cores. The speedup, defined as the time it takes the algorithm to execute with one processor divided by the time it takes to execute in parallel, was calculated for the (ham-shm-cdr3) method for different numbers of processing cores. In each case, speedup was calculated as the average across 25 simulated data sets (with error bars showing the standard deviation). Evaluation was carried out on a Linux computer with a 2.20 GHz Intel processor and 32 GB RAM. The linear fit is shown by a dashed line, while the ideal speedup is shown by the dot-dash line.

While the methodology presented here was developed and tested for sequencing data from the H chain only, cutting-edge technologies, including single-cell sequencing, provide paired IGH-and IGL-chain data.


During T-dependent responses, antigen-activated B cells undergo clonal expansion and acquire additional diversity through somatic hypermutation (SHM), an enzymatically-driven process introducing point substitutions into the BCR locus at a rate of ∼ 1/1000 bp/cell division (McKean et al., 1984; Wood et al., 2001) . B cells that acquire mutations that improve their ability to bind the pathogen are preferentially expanded leading to affinity maturation of the B cell population over time. Therefore, SHMs have important consequences for the kinetics (antibody-response), quality (antigen-specificity), and size (response-signature) of the B cell clones as the fundamental building blocks of immune repertoires (Kepler and Perelson, 1993) .

During T-dependent responses, antigen-activated B cells undergo clonal expansion and acquire additional diversity through somatic hypermutation (SHM), an enzymatically-driven process introducing point substitutions into the BCR locus at a rate of ∼ 1/1000 bp/cell division.

Therefore, SHMs have important consequences for the kinetics (antibody-response), quality (antigen-specificity), and size (response-signature) of the B cell clones as the fundamental building blocks of immune repertoires.


Erlotinib causes cell growth arrest in G 1 phase and subsequently induces apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo [28] . We showed that amiloride also induced G 1 phase arrest in Bxpc-3 cells, which was synergistic with erlotinib. In PANC-1 cells, amiloride and erlotinib alone failed to cause G 1 -phase arrest, but the cells were obviously arrested in G 1 phase when treated with the combination of amiloride and erlotinib. Combination treatment of amiloride and erlotinib down regulated cyclin D1 in both Bxpc-3 and PANC-1 cells. Cyclin D1 was demonstrated to be a critical downstream effector of mutant EGFR signaling [29] . Previous studies indicated that gefitinib-sensitive cell lines showed G 1 cell cycle arrest and inactivation of downstream signaling proteins, while resistant cell lines had no changes in NSCLC cells [30] . Therefore, reduction of cyclin D1 expression may be a sensitivity marker for the EGFR-TKI response. Our results indicate that cyclin D1 is down-regulated by amiloride through the suppression of GSK-3β signaling, resulting in G 1 arrest and subsequent apoptosis. Collectively, these data suggest that the sensitizing effects of erlotinib by amiloride may be mediated via the cell cycle regulatory signaling pathway.

Erlotinib causes cell growth arrest in G 1 phase and subsequently induces apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.

Cyclin D1 was demonstrated to be a critical downstream effector of mutant EGFR signaling.

Previous studies indicated that gefitinib-sensitive cell lines showed G 1 cell cycle arrest and inactivation of downstream signaling proteins, while resistant cell lines had no changes in NSCLC cells.


We have shown that the presence of the second laser pulse induces characteristic interference effects, both in the energy spectra of produced particles and the total process probability. These effects are very sensitive to the time delay and particularly pronounced when the pulses are separated by relatively small distances on the order of the pulse lengths. In general, the total production probability exhibits (quasi-)periodic, damped oscillations when D grows. For the case of two identical pulses, we were able to explain this functional dependence by a simplified analytical model. Note that similar features were observed in differential probabilities for pair production in timedependent electric field pulses [28, 30, 40] . Regarding the two pulses as constituents of one combined field, the strong dependence on the pulse distance demonstrates the high sensitivity of the SFBW process on the properties of the driving laser field.

Note that similar features were observed in differential probabilities for pair production in timedependent electric field pulses.


It is important to recognize that positive affect and negative affect can be improved via interventions. For instance, the Three Good Things exercise, a positive psychological intervention which requests participants to write down three good things that they experience and feel grateful, was found to be effective in increasing positive affect [47] . Previous studies have shown that increase in positive affect facilitates better coping with stressors related to HIV, while reduction in negative affect facilitates performance of self-care behaviors [48] .

For instance, the Three Good Things exercise, a positive psychological intervention which requests participants to write down three good things that they experience and feel grateful, was found to be effective in increasing positive affect.

Previous studies have shown that increase in positive affect facilitates better coping with stressors related to HIV, while reduction in negative affect facilitates performance of self-care behaviors.


Gonad histological analysis.-After storage of specimens for 1-2 years in 10% formalin, samples were soaked in water for a minimum of 4 h before further handling. Gonads were blotted dry and weighed (±0.0001 g). Gonad cross sections were embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 4 μ m, mounted on slides, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (McDermott and Lowe 1997) .

Gonad cross sections were embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 4 μ m, mounted on slides, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.


The creation of a learning climate that adapts quickly to rapid changes in the environment enhances the sustainability of an organization and positions it as a forerunner compared with its competitors (Vera and Crossan, 2004) . Learning is a multilevel process within organizations. The most significant learning takes place at the individual and group level. Some learning also occurs at the organizational level and results in changes in procedures, policies and practices which affect the culture and climate of the company (Rowe, 2010) . The challenge for organizations, however, is to create and maintain a learning climate at the individual, group and organizational levels that will sustain their competitive advantage and also retain their talent mindset (Hellriegel and Slocum, 2011) .

The creation of a learning climate that adapts quickly to rapid changes in the environment enhances the sustainability of an organization and positions it as a forerunner compared with its competitors.

Some learning also occurs at the organizational level and results in changes in procedures, policies and practices which affect the culture and climate of the company.

The challenge for organizations, however, is to create and maintain a learning climate at the individual, group and organizational levels that will sustain their competitive advantage and also retain their talent mindset.


The presence of the inner sphere has also been shown to create a discontinuity of the azimuthal flow across the tangent cylinder at ρ = a which is smoothed in a series of nested viscous layers of widths E 1/4 , E 2/7 and E 1/3 , as for the configuration of differentially rotating spheres (Stewartson 1966) . The mean flow correction has been calculated in each of these layers. We have obtained that an axial vorticity field of order ε 2 E −1/4 is created in the outer Stewartson layers, and that a non-uniform axial flow of order ε 2 E 5/42 is present in the inner layer (|ρ − a| = O(E 1/3 )). We have shown that the spatial structures of these two fields in the Stewartson layers are universal functions which do not depend (after rescaling) on any parameter. The ratio of the core size, the oscillation frequency as well as the relative oscillation amplitude of the inner sphere, have been shown only to intervene in an amplitude factor which has been fully characterized. In particular, we have demonstrated that the libration of the inner sphere adds a very simple quantity to the amplitude factor obtained without inner sphere libration, which always tends to increase the anticyclonicity of the vorticity field, and to add an axial flow from the inner core to the outer sphere.

The presence of the inner sphere has also been shown to create a discontinuity of the azimuthal flow across the tangent cylinder at ρ = a which is smoothed in a series of nested viscous layers of widths E 1/4 , E 2/7 and E 1/3 , as for the configuration of differentially rotating spheres.


The paper is organized as follows. In section 2, we present the mathematical framework of the problem. We provide the governing equations and the hypothesis for the asymptotic analysis. The leading order solution at the libration amplitude ε is derived in section 3. In section 4, we focus on the mean flow correction at the order ε 2 . We explain how the nonlinear interactions within the Ekman layer generate a mean zonal flow in the bulk of the shell. We show that a discontinuity appears across the cylinder tangent to the inner core which requires the introduction of viscous layers as for differentially rotating concentric spheres (Stewartson 1966) . The structure of the solution in these layers is provided. We show that both axial vorticity and axial flow are the strongest in these layers. The details of the calculation leading to the expression of the different fields are given in the appendix. In section 5, the asymptotic solution is compared to numerical results obtained for both a sphere and a shell and a fairly good agreement is obtained. A brief conclusion with some perspectives is provided in section 6.

The paper is organized as follows.

We show that a discontinuity appears across the cylinder tangent to the inner core which requires the introduction of viscous layers as for differentially rotating concentric spheres.


Zebrafish metaxin 3 was the first metaxin 3 to be identified (Adolph, 2004) . The zebrafish metaxin 3 protein sequence, deduced from its cDNA sequence, was 40% homologous to zebrafish metaxin 1, and 26% homologous to metaxin 2. Xenopus laevis metaxin 3 was also identified through sequencing of cDNAs (Adolph, 2005) . Zebrafish and Xenopus metaxin 3 proteins have 55% amino acid identities, indicating that the proteins are conserved to a great degree. The recognition that metaxin 3 is a metaxin but distinct from metaxins 1 and 2 was based on factors including amino acid sequence homology, presence of GST_Metaxin domains, phylogenetic analysis, and conserved patterns of protein secondary structure.

Zebrafish metaxin 3 was the first metaxin 3 to be identified.

Xenopus laevis metaxin 3 was also identified through sequencing of cDNAs.


The architecture of cloud computing includes three layers: infrastructure, application and platform which execute its functionalities. Each layer faces particular vulnerabilities, developed by diverse malicious scripts or configuration errors of user/service providers. Cloud's vulnerabilities expose the confidentiality, integrity or/and availability of its resources. This is because that data and virtualised infrastructure of cloud systems can be breached by existing and new attacks [5] . The security challenge of a cloud computing system occurs when a cloud runs a high storage capacity and computing power that is abused by an insider or outsider hacker [6] .

This is because that data and virtualised infrastructure of cloud systems can be breached by existing and new attacks.

The security challenge of a cloud computing system occurs when a cloud runs a high storage capacity and computing power that is abused by an insider or outsider hacker.


We start with describing details of the chemical search space that was explored in the present study. This is essentially the same chemical space for which our ML model for rapid bandgap predictions was trained and validated [22] . Owing to the interpolative nature of ML techniques, we refrain from visiting new parts of chemical space, which were not explored during the model learning. This is ensured by allowing for only those atoms at A-and B-sites, respectively, which were present in the model training and evaluation stages. In other words, possible atom choices for the A and A 0 sites are restricted to Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ag, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Ga, In, Ge, Sn, Tl, La, and Y and the B and B 0 sites are allowed to be occupied by Sc, Al, Ga, In, Ti, Hf, Zr, Si, Ge, Sn, V, Nb, Ta and Sb only. This chemical space is presented in Fig. 1c .

This is essentially the same chemical space for which our ML model for rapid bandgap predictions was trained and validated.


Finally, we note that none of the four compounds identified here have previously been reported in the literature to the best of our knowledge, except one unsuccessful attempt to synthesize Sr 2 GaVO 6 [33] . The unsuccessful effort to synthesize Sr 2 GaVO 6 in an oxygen-rich environment, however, does not eliminate its possible synthetic realization in bulk phase in a reducing environment or in a thin film epitaxial geometry. In this direction, we note that certain Mnbased double perovskites can only be synthesized in a highly reducing environment of forming gas ð5% H 2 , 95% N 2 Þ and attempts to prepare by heating in air do not lead to a perovskite product owing to the redox chemistry of Mn [4] . Lastly, we would like to point out that many complex oxides, including perovskites, double perovskites and layered perovskites, can often be grown epitaxially (using molecular beam epitaxy or advanced pulsed laser deposition methods) even if they are not stable in their bulk form, since one can choose an appropriate substrate that contributes to the overall thermodynamic stability through favorable interfacial energetic effects [34, 35] . In summary, we have presented a systematic computational screening strategy employing a hierarchy of down-selection steps (including structural constraints, thermodynamic stability, constraints on bandgap and band-edge positions) to efficiently explore a large part of the double perovskite chemical space in search of promising candidates for watersplitting applications. Our screening effort has led to four double perovskites, for which a detailed analysis in terms of their thermodynamic stability, dynamical stability, electronic structure and octahedral structural distortions has been presented. We believe that our theoretical investigation will prove to be a motivating factor toward near-future experimental efforts targeted to synthesize these materials.

Finally, we note that none of the four compounds identified here have previously been reported in the literature to the best of our knowledge, except one unsuccessful attempt to synthesize Sr 2 GaVO 6.

In this direction, we note that certain Mnbased double perovskites can only be synthesized in a highly reducing environment of forming gas ð5% H 2 , 95% N 2 Þ and attempts to prepare by heating in air do not lead to a perovskite product owing to the redox chemistry of Mn.

Lastly, we would like to point out that many complex oxides, including perovskites, double perovskites and layered perovskites, can often be grown epitaxially (using molecular beam epitaxy or advanced pulsed laser deposition methods) even if they are not stable in their bulk form, since one can choose an appropriate substrate that contributes to the overall thermodynamic stability through favorable interfacial energetic effects.


Depending on the nature of the cations, various types of cation ordering can consequently arise in the double perovskites [3, 4] . For a doubly substituted AA 0 BB 0 O 6 -type perovskite, there are three common ways in which cations at each of the two sublattices can order, leading to a total of nine different ordered arrangements. Specifically, A and A 0 (and B and B 0 ) cations can order in layered, columnar or rocksalt arrangements. The most commonly observed type of ordering for the B-site sublattice is the one in which the cations alternate in all three dimensions, mimicking a rocksalt-type ordered sublattice to effectively accommodate any local strain arising due to size mismatch of the two cations. Less frequently, the B-site cations may form a layered order, where they alternate only in one direction and form continuous layers along the other two normal Cartesian axes. Rarely, however, a columnar ordering may take place, where the two different cations alternate in two orthogonal directions, but form a continuous column along the third direction. A layered ordering at the A-site is frequently observed when the B-site cations are rocksalt ordered [4] .

Depending on the nature of the cations, various types of cation ordering can consequently arise in the double perovskites.

A layered ordering at the A-site is frequently observed when the B-site cations are rocksalt ordered.


Physical systems can often operate in different modes, and as the time of the transition from one mode to another mode is small, the transition is considered as instantaneous [1] . Events such as impact, dry friction, backlash, hysteresis, saturation and commutation carry a discontinuity or sudden change. Therefore, they can be modeled declaring at least two modes. Each mode is represented by differential equation or mixes of differential and difference equations. The mathematical modeling of these systems switches between different modes and they are classified as piecewise-smooth or non-smooth system.

Physical systems can often operate in different modes, and as the time of the transition from one mode to another mode is small, the transition is considered as instantaneous.