Among the synthesized compounds, compounds 18 and 21 showed the better or comparable activity in comparison to the standard drug while the other compounds showed moderate reductive potential. In case of bulkier substitution (compounds 7, 9, 17, 19) , the substitution increases the activity which may be due to the high electronegativity. The compounds with no substitution (compounds 4 and 14) or less substitution showed very less reducing power in comparison to the substituted compounds due to lesser electronegativity (Venkateswarlu et al., 2006; Singh et al., 2007; Flynn et al., 1991; Rajasekaran et al., 2010; Allegra et al., 2003) .

The compounds with no substitution (compounds 4 and 14) or less substitution showed very less reducing power in comparison to the substituted compounds due to lesser electronegativity.


Antioxidants play an important role in animal health. Conventional antioxidants have been shown to improve animal performance during conditions characterized by increased tissue oxidant levels such as stress, injury and infections (Nickels, 2003) . The semicarbazone is an electron withdrawing group and exhibited antioxidant activity. Favorable substitution may increase their free radical scavenging effect (Dutta et al., 2005) .

Conventional antioxidants have been shown to improve animal performance during conditions characterized by increased tissue oxidant levels such as stress, injury and infections.

Favorable substitution may increase their free radical scavenging effect.


Free radical is an atom or molecule that bears an unpaired electron and is extremely reactive, capable of engaging in rapid change reaction that destabilize other molecules and generate many more free radicals. In plants and animals these free radicals are deactivated by antioxidants. These antioxidants act as an inhibitor of the process of oxidation, even at relatively small concentration and thus have diverse physiological role in the body. The body is constantly exposed to the negative and sometimes lethal effects of oxidants during normal physiological processes. The harmful free radicals such as hydroxyl, peroxyl and the superoxide anion are constantly being produced as a result of metabolic reactions in living systems. On a daily basis, up to 5% of inhaled oxygen may be converted to reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS have the ability to bind to cellular structures, and have been implicated in a number of pathological processes such as aging, inflammation, re-oxygenation of ischemic tissues, atherosclerosis, cancer and even Parkinson's disease in men (Setiadi et al., 2003) . Two processes, which produce free radicals in vivo, have been identified and named the Fenton reaction and the Haber-Weiss reaction.

These ROS have the ability to bind to cellular structures, and have been implicated in a number of pathological processes such as aging, inflammation, re-oxygenation of ischemic tissues, atherosclerosis, cancer and even Parkinson's disease in men.


When the phenyl group of aldehydic and acetophenic moiety of chalcone is substituted with -OH group (compounds 8, 11, 12, 18, 21, 22 ) the compounds exhibited better activity in comparison to substitution with the other groups like p-dimethyl amino groups (compounds 7, 17, 19) , methoxy group (compounds 6, 13, 16, 23) which may be due to more reducing potential. Hydroxyl substitution on both moieties of chalcone has more scavenging effect than substitution on any one moiety (Venkateswarlu et al., 2006; Singh et al., 2007; Flynn et al., 1991) . It was found that 6 hydroxyl substitution is more favorable than 4 or 5 hydroxyl substitution in the aldehydic moiety for antioxidant activity.

Hydroxyl substitution on both moieties of chalcone has more scavenging effect than substitution on any one moiety.


The antioxidant activity of the synthesized chalcone semicarbazones was evaluated using reducing power assay. The results of anti-oxidant screening were depicted in Table 3 and Fig. 5 . Substances, which have reduction potential, react with potassium ferricyanide (Fe 3+ ) to form potassium ferrocyanide (Fe 2+ ), which then reacts with ferric chloride to form ferric ferrous complex that has an absorption maximum at 700 nm (Oyaizu, 1986; Khanam et al., 2004) .

Substances, which have reduction potential, react with potassium ferricyanide (Fe 3+ ) to form potassium ferrocyanide (Fe 2+ ), which then reacts with ferric chloride to form ferric ferrous complex that has an absorption maximum at 700 nm.


A typical operation of service in an oilfield is the removal of fill, such as the production of sand, scale or fines from a production well. The fill is removed from a well primarily to regain the oil or gas well's productivity. Furthermore, it is vital to remove the fill so that operational tools can pass through and the choking material can be removed in order to complete operations. The use of Coiled Tubing (CT) is one of more frequently used operations for fill removal. Coil tubing is used to circulate the solids out of the well by way of carrying fluids. Presently, removal of fill is the greatest application of CT consisting of approximately 50% of all CT operations (Li and Green, 2011) .

Presently, removal of fill is the greatest application of CT consisting of approximately 50% of all CT operations.


Two modes of circulation are available with coiled tubing for the removal of solid particles. These modes are presented in Fig. 1 and are known as the forward circulation mode and the reverse circulation mode. During the operation of the forward circulation mode, fluid is pumped in by way of the coiled tubing and then recalculated to the surface mud pad by way of the annulus. During this process, solids that have been captured at the bottom are carried along with the returning fluid. This method is the most oftenly used cleanout operation. Contrary to that is the reverse circulation mode. In this mode, fluid is pumped down the tubing annulus and the fluid/solid suspension is rerouted to the surface mud pad reservoir by way of the coiled tubing string (Li and Luft, 2006) .

In this mode, fluid is pumped down the tubing annulus and the fluid/solid suspension is rerouted to the surface mud pad reservoir by way of the coiled tubing string.


This study particularly focused on the cultural differences between South Korean and U.S. male consumers in terms of their sex role attitude and its influence on grooming and apparel shopping behavior. The reason for choosing these two cultures was complex. American culture was selected because U.S. represents the Western or Oxidant culture, which is characterized by individualism, whereas South Korea represents the collectivistic, Oriental and Confucian culture. However, at the same time, South Korea has experienced huge social changes during the past 50 years while the U.S. society has gone through a relatively gradual change during the same period of time. Even though South Korean culture is a traditionally patriarchal culture deeply rooted in Confucianism, it also particularly lays high value on socially observable aspects, such as appearance and fashion, due to the rapid social changes it has undergone (Jung et al., 2009) . In an ever-changing social environment in South Korean society, prominent visual cues such as physical appearance serve as heuristics and help people respond better and faster to the world surrounding them. These factors make South Korean culture interesting to examine for the study of male consumers' apparel shopping behavior in comparison to another culture, such as the U.S., which possesses different characteristics in many respects.

Even though South Korean culture is a traditionally patriarchal culture deeply rooted in Confucianism, it also particularly lays high value on socially observable aspects, such as appearance and fashion, due to the rapid social changes it has undergone.


Shopping has been traditionally associated with women, and women's self-identities are defined through what they purchase while men's identities are defined through their achievement at the workplace as well as their status and ability (Bocock, 1993) . This conventional construal of gender differences, however, seems to be no longer valid in the contemporary consumption-oriented society (Bakewell et al., 2006; Sturrock & Pioch, 1998) . With these changes in gender-related expectations, many male consumers have cultivated their skills of shopping to the extent that they enjoy the experience of buying perfect products that fit their image and also finding the best deal.

Shopping has been traditionally associated with women, and women's self-identities are defined through what they purchase while men's identities are defined through their achievement at the workplace as well as their status and ability.

This conventional construal of gender differences, however, seems to be no longer valid in the contemporary consumption-oriented society.


Wives often do the majority of housework in dual-income households even when they work as much as their husbands in paid work [1] . The inequitable household division of labor is observed not only in those countries such as Japan where gender values are more conservative, but also in those countries such as North America and northern Europe where gender values are more egalitarian [2] [3] [4] [5] . Yet, it is known that most women in those regions define their share of household chores as "fair" [5] [6] [7] . Why does this gap between perception and reality occur? What consequences does this perception have on their psychological well-being? These are the research questions to be investigated in this paper.

Wives often do the majority of housework in dual-income households even when they work as much as their husbands in paid work.

The inequitable household division of labor is observed not only in those countries such as Japan where gender values are more conservative, but also in those countries such as North America and northern Europe where gender values are more egalitarian.

Yet, it is known that most women in those regions define their share of household chores as "fair".


While considerable work has been conducted to understand the smoldering combustion of porous fuels, there has been considerably less research conducted on the transition from smoldering to flaming. Prior work in transition from smoldering to flaming considered cellulosic materials or polyurethane foam samples of different sizes and with different oxygen concentrations [3, 4, [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] . Most of the experiments were conducted with a solid/ gas interface, in a horizontal arrangement for loose materials, or vertical for materials that maintained their structure during smolder. The flows were both naturally induced or forced. A common observation of these works is that for the transition from smoldering to flaming to occur the fuel samples have to be fairly large, or the process must be assisted by increasing the oxygen concentration of the oxidizer flow and/or external heating. The present work studies the effects of the heat loss reduction and of increasing the oxidizer flow oxygen concentration on the smolder propagation and its transition to flaming. The work has also demonstrated that both can occur with relatively small fuel samples if the external ambient conditions are appropriate.

Prior work in transition from smoldering to flaming considered cellulosic materials or polyurethane foam samples of different sizes and with different oxygen concentrations.


For these reasons, sensory integration intervention may help to explain, as well as alleviate, the problems experienced by children with developmental disabilities (Lai et al., 1996) . The theory behind this suggests the possibility of a relationship among concentration, activity, and nervous system function. Sensory integration (SI) therapy was developed by A. Jean Ayres to focus on the neurological processing of sensory information (Ayres, 1963) . This concept of intervention is targeted towards understanding the sensory and praxis functions for many aspects of development (Ayres, 1991) . The objective of SI treatment is to improve sensory modulation related to behaviour and attention and to increase social interaction ability, academic skills, and independence, by helping the nervous system modulate, organize, and integrate information from the environment (Ayres, 1991) . In particular, SI treatment emphasizes SI of the tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive senses (Ayres, 1989) .

For these reasons, sensory integration intervention may help to explain, as well as alleviate, the problems experienced by children with developmental disabilities.

Sensory integration (SI) therapy was developed by A. Jean Ayres to focus on the neurological processing of sensory information.

This concept of intervention is targeted towards understanding the sensory and praxis functions for many aspects of development.

The objective of SI treatment is to improve sensory modulation related to behaviour and attention and to increase social interaction ability, academic skills, and independence, by helping the nervous system modulate, organize, and integrate information from the environment.

In particular, SI treatment emphasizes SI of the tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive senses.


Children with developmental disabilities cannot act effectively and efficiently within their environments; this is especially true of children with sensory processing disorders, who may experience profound difficulty in carrying out activities of daily living. Children with developmental disabilities generally evidence problems in at least two areas of development, such as gross motor skills, fine motor skills, language, cognition, social skills, and activities of daily living. Children with sensory integration disorders may experience problems in the areas of attention, arousal, or movement, and these behaviours may result in anxiety, or may negatively affect age-appropriate learning and ultimately damage family relationships (Dunn, 2001) .

Children with sensory integration disorders may experience problems in the areas of attention, arousal, or movement, and these behaviours may result in anxiety, or may negatively affect age-appropriate learning and ultimately damage family relationships.


Interactive metronome was invented in 1969 by Etiennen Loulie from France as a noninteractive metronome for temporal teaching of music (Greenspan, 1992) . Instead of users having to rely on their own mental estimations for their temporal accuracy, the interactive metronome provides accurate real-time guide sounds to indicate users' temporal accuracy during performance in a series of prescribed movements. The tonally and spatially changing guide sounds enable users to correct their rhythms and timing errors deliberately (Robert et al., 2000) . However, the interactive metronome technique, which generally uses a personal computer, has one profound disadvantage, which is that it is quite expensive. Therefore, the theoretical concept of interactive metronome was used in this study in order to improve the motor timing, performance, attention and auditory ability of children with developmental disabilities. Unlike the traditional SI based on three senses -tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular senses, in this study, the auditory sense was additionally integrated into the intervention. A previous study for attention deficits hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), based on the interactive metronome, needed personal computer and sensor device (Shaffer et al., 2001) . However, the present study was to ascertain the effects of auditory clue on motor timing, performance and attention ability without personal computer and sensor device.

Interactive metronome was invented in 1969 by Etiennen Loulie from France as a noninteractive metronome for temporal teaching of music.

The tonally and spatially changing guide sounds enable users to correct their rhythms and timing errors deliberately.

A previous study for attention deficits hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), based on the interactive metronome, needed personal computer and sensor device.


Nowadays, combustion, gasification and pyrolysis are the most common thermochemical conversion routes for recovering energy from biomass. Biomass carbonization is a thermochemical conversion process operating in an inert condition and a moderate temperature range, aiming at converting biomass materials into charcoal, and can be referred to as a low heating rate pyrolysis process [1] . The overall biomass charcoal production process includes devolatilization, depolymerization and carbonization of lignocellulosic biomass to generate charcoal as the main output, and tarry vapors and gases [2, 3] . When carbonized at moderate temperatures between 400 and 500 °C, a major portion of the initial dry biomass mass is retained as a solid product, the rest become gases and vapors. The carbon content of the solid product can reach 90 wt% or even more, with oxygen content below 6 wt% and hydrogen content near 1 wt% [2] . The condensable part of the volatiles can be collected and upgraded into valuable bio-oil and chemicals. The rest can be recirculated or burned to provide heat needed for the carbonization process and improving the process' energy efficiency. In comparison to raw biomass, biomass charcoal has superior properties in terms of combustion applications. Biomass charcoal has significantly lower volatile content and fuel O/C and H/C ratios, compared to the raw biomass [1, 4] . This improves the combustion properties, resulting in decreased emissions and energy loss.

Biomass carbonization is a thermochemical conversion process operating in an inert condition and a moderate temperature range, aiming at converting biomass materials into charcoal, and can be referred to as a low heating rate pyrolysis process.

The overall biomass charcoal production process includes devolatilization, depolymerization and carbonization of lignocellulosic biomass to generate charcoal as the main output, and tarry vapors and gases.

The carbon content of the solid product can reach 90 wt% or even more, with oxygen content below 6 wt% and hydrogen content near 1 wt%.

Biomass charcoal has significantly lower volatile content and fuel O/C and H/C ratios, compared to the raw biomass.


Among diverse nanaoparticles, silver nanoparticles due to various properties such as catalysis, electrochemical conductivity and antimicrobial activity, can be used in different applications like biomedicine, agriculture, photo chemicals and food chemistry [10, 11] . Since ancient times, the silver has been known to be efficient against a wide range of microorganisms [12] . Nowadays, the most important applications of silver nanoparticles in biotechnology science correspond to their antibacterial and antifungal activities [13] .

Among diverse nanaoparticles, silver nanoparticles due to various properties such as catalysis, electrochemical conductivity and antimicrobial activity, can be used in different applications like biomedicine, agriculture, photo chemicals and food chemistry.

Since ancient times, the silver has been known to be efficient against a wide range of microorganisms.

Nowadays, the most important applications of silver nanoparticles in biotechnology science correspond to their antibacterial and antifungal activities.


Phlomis is a perennial native herb plant belonging to Lamiaceae family with more than 100 species in the world. This genus plant is mostly grown in Turkey, Iran, Asia, North Africa and Europe. About 17 species of this plant are in Iran, of which 10 are endemic. A review of several studies shows that phlomis species have unique aromatic compounds, medicinal properties and antimicrobial activity [14, 15] .

A review of several studies shows that phlomis species have unique aromatic compounds, medicinal properties and antimicrobial activity.


The third aim of Regulation is transparency and information. Through increased availability of information, the safe and effective use of medicinal products for children can be increased so promoting public health. In addition, availability of this information will help prevent the duplication of studies in children avoiding unnecessary studies. One of the measures is making all paediatric trials included in the European database (EudraCT) accessible to the public both for protocol and results-related information. The increase of transparency in respect to clinical trials in children in all phases of the progress, beginning from the planning and recruiting of patients to the on-going and finalised studies, is another target of the Regulation. All decisions of the EMA on PIPs, deferrals or waivers of the paediatric development have to be made public and are routinely published on EMA website [16] . Moreover where authorisation is granted, the results of all those paediatric studies, any waivers or deferral, shall be included in the Summary of Product Characteristic and, if appropriate, in the Patient Leaflet of the medicinal product, whether or not all the paediatric indications concerned were approved by the competent authority.

All decisions of the EMA on PIPs, deferrals or waivers of the paediatric development have to be made public and are routinely published on EMA website.


The true incidence of moderate to severe TVR is difficult to determine, but some researchers have reported that at least moderate TVR is present in 24% of patients with symptomatic mitral valve disease [10] . Also, nearly 50% of patients present with increased severity of TVR of more than 2 grades after mitral valve surgery [11] . In addition, the incidence of TVR in patients with percutaneous mitral valve repair is high and has been confirmed to be an independent predictor of death and rehospitalization [12] .

The true incidence of moderate to severe TVR is difficult to determine, but some researchers have reported that at least moderate TVR is present in 24% of patients with symptomatic mitral valve disease.

Also, nearly 50% of patients present with increased severity of TVR of more than 2 grades after mitral valve surgery.

In addition, the incidence of TVR in patients with percutaneous mitral valve repair is high and has been confirmed to be an independent predictor of death and rehospitalization.


In the same vein, commercial enterprises are exploring innovative ways to provide long-term service rather than sale of goods. The World Economic Forum (WEF) suggests that $2 trillion (1.7% of Gross Domestic Product) of economic output would be at risk by 2030 if the major global economies fail to address the potential supply in steel and iron (Lee et al., 2012) . New ways of production and resource use are therefore inevitable, which necessitates innovative ways of facilitating recovery, reuse and remanufacturing of goods and materials. Above all is the implication (and undermining) of scarcities and sustainable resource production in the supply chain, its dominance in the global arena, and moreover how these developments are shaping mindsets of educators and educational practitioners.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) suggests that $2 trillion (1.7% of Gross Domestic Product) of economic output would be at risk by 2030 if the major global economies fail to address the potential supply in steel and iron.


Gradients of hunting intensity and vertebrate defaunation can still be found throughout the tropics today and offer an opportunity to explore the consequences of many interspecific interactions. A handful of studies have documented how partial vertebrate defaunation affects plants and non-game vertebrates (Predictions 1 to 7 above). Higher-order effects are only beginning to be considered (Dirzo 2001; Wright & Duber 2001) . It is too early to predict the long-term consequences of vertebrate defaunation for the composition and diversity of tropical forest plant communities with confidence. There is, however, ample reason for concern.

Higher-order effects are only beginning to be considered.


The dominant doctrine for the distribution network planning and operation has been the fit and forget approach [2] . Under this approach, adequate investments in network components (i.e., lines, cables, transformers, etc.) must be made in order to always avoid congestion and voltage problems. To that end, network planning is made with respect to a set of critical scenarios consisting of DG production and demand levels. In this manner, sufficient operational margins are always ensured [3] . Nevertheless, with the rapid growth of DG resources, the preservation of such conservative margins comes at continuously increasing network reinforcement costs.

The dominant doctrine for the distribution network planning and operation has been the fit and forget approach.

In this manner, sufficient operational margins are always ensured.


More or less independently of the interaction model implemented, computational challenges are a barrier to the application of this formulation to real size systems. Indeed, the complexity of the optimization problem is simultaneously increased by the integer variables, the non-linearity of the power flow equations, and the high dimensionality caused jointly by the multi-period aspect and the explicit treatment of uncertainty. It is certainly worth considering the recent works that propose new approaches for efficiently solving single period OPF problems [17] , [18] . Another interesting research direction would be to develop optimization algorithms specifically designed to tackle the complexity induced by the scenario-tree based approach [19] , [20] .

It is certainly worth considering the recent works that propose new approaches for efficiently solving single period OPF problems.

Another interesting research direction would be to develop optimization algorithms specifically designed to tackle the complexity induced by the scenario-tree based approach.


In Europe, concern about the environmental impact of the electricity industry is currently driving the growth of renewable electricity generation through a number of financial support mechanisms [1] . Such incentives have resulted in the on-going installation of wind and solar power generation resources at the distribution level of the electricity network. This development calls for evolution of distribution network planning and operational strategies, in order to accommodate the energy produced by such DG resources.

In Europe, concern about the environmental impact of the electricity industry is currently driving the growth of renewable electricity generation through a number of financial support mechanisms.


Planet Earth possesses a global magnetic field since at least 3.2 billion years (Tarduno et al., 2007) . The Earth's magnetosphere results from the interaction of the solar wind with this internally generated planetary magnetic field. Variations of the internal magnetic field provoke changes of the magnetospheric field and also of the size of the magnetosphere. During geomagnetic polarity transitions the dipole field orientation not only reverses, but the field strength at the Earth's surface significantly drops. Furthermore, non-dipole contributions, especially quadrupolar field contributions determine the field topology (Leonhardt and Fabian, 2007) .

Planet Earth possesses a global magnetic field since at least 3.2 billion years.

Furthermore, non-dipole contributions, especially quadrupolar field contributions determine the field topology.


People with low scores in the AE (Active Engagement) domain tend not to consider their health as being their own responsibility and to be not engaged with their healthcare [34] . Previous research has shown that the experience of weight discrimination can be a barrier to participation in health-promoting behaviours and a reluctance to seek help and support [6] . The finding from our study suggests that patients experiencing weight stigma may also experience barriers to engagement with health care providers -a potential source of support. Active engagement strategies by PHC providers will be particularly important for those patients with obesity and experiencing discrimination.

People with low scores in the AE (Active Engagement) domain tend not to consider their health as being their own responsibility and to be not engaged with their healthcare.

Previous research has shown that the experience of weight discrimination can be a barrier to participation in health-promoting behaviours and a reluctance to seek help and support.


Studies have shown that the most frequently found microorganisms in cosmetics are P. aeruginosa, K. oxytoca, B. cepacia, S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, E. gergoviae, and S. marcescens, but also other bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. Skin and mucous membranes are protected from microorganisms; however, these may be damaged and slight trauma may be caused by the action of some cosmetics that may enhance microbial infection [9] . Research studies have shown cases of infections caused by contaminated Staphylococcus aureus was found in two products: shea butter and massage cream. S. aureus is also one of the most frequently found contaminants in cosmetic products [36] . S. aureus is a Gram-positive microorganism and a potential human pathogen which can cause impetigo and conjunctivitis [37] .

Skin and mucous membranes are protected from microorganisms; however, these may be damaged and slight trauma may be caused by the action of some cosmetics that may enhance microbial infection.

S. aureus is also one of the most frequently found contaminants in cosmetic products.

S. aureus is a Gram-positive microorganism and a potential human pathogen which can cause impetigo and conjunctivitis.


Among meat products, dry fermented sausages such as various types of salami have high added value. However, this product is an important source of Na, since between 2 -3 % of NaCl is added during its preparation. After dehydration, NaCl concentration usually increases from 3 to 5 % (Cichoski et al., 2011; Toldrá, 2007) .

After dehydration, NaCl concentration usually increases from 3 to 5 %.


An important issue for the effective application of SMPs is to define suitable operational conditions in order to have a safe and reproducible control of the shape-recovery process. The shape-recovery and -fixation ratios (R r and R f ) and the shape-recovery rate (V r ) are commonly used parameters for assessment of the shape-memory response. However, the information they provide on the dynamics of the shape-recovery process is limited. In certain applications, such as opening mechanisms for security systems, fast recovery is required once the shape-recovery process is triggered in order to avoid initial and compromising damage to the device, rather than a high R r at the end. Other applications such as artificial muscles require a high R r , but control of the whole shape-recovery process is also necessary to properly define the artificial movements. Nevertheless, detailed modelling of the mechanical behaviour of polymers requires time-consuming procedures to give relatively accurate and convincing results that, in addition, are limited to certain experimental conditions [9, [23] [24] [25] . More efforts are therefore necessary in order to find methodologies that can easily produce relevant parameters and relationships useful for the specific control of the shape-recovery process.

Nevertheless, detailed modelling of the mechanical behaviour of polymers requires time-consuming procedures to give relatively accurate and convincing results that, in addition, are limited to certain experimental conditions.


High salinity levels in the external medium are known to affect many physiological and metabolic processes leading to growth reduction. High concentration of NaCl causes ion imbalance and osmotic stress in many plant species (Maggio et al. 2000) . As a consequence of these primary effects, secondary stresses such as oxidative damage occur (Zhu 2001) . Plants with high levels of antioxidant activity was reported to have a greater resistance to oxidative damage (Hernandez et al. 2000; Cherian & Reddy 2003; Elkahoui et al. 2005; Niknam et al. 2006) . Cell destruction factors like superoxide anion (O − 2 ), hydroxyl radical ( . OH), singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) raised due to NaCl stress are controlled mainly by antioxidant enzymes (Elkahoui et al. 2005) .

High concentration of NaCl causes ion imbalance and osmotic stress in many plant species.

As a consequence of these primary effects, secondary stresses such as oxidative damage occur.

Plants with high levels of antioxidant activity was reported to have a greater resistance to oxidative damage.

OH), singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) raised due to NaCl stress are controlled mainly by antioxidant enzymes.


In each arm of the tuned RSE, the input and end mirrors stay in the position where the radiation pressure of the laser and restoring forces of the pendulums that suspend the test masses are balanced (control forces are also applied to the test masses in reality). Changing the control force, we can shift the balanced position. A radiation pressure proportional to the displacement from the new balanced position is applied to the test masses and it creates some sort of a spring, which we call optical spring [7] . In the gravitational-wave detector, the central Michelson interferometer is locked to the dark fringe to separate signals for the common and differential motions of the test masses. The optical spring of the differential signal is not produced by shifting the test-mass positions in the arm cavities but by shifting the the signal-recycling mirror position. This interferometer configuration is called detuned RSE. Figure 2 shows sensitivity spectra of the tuned and detuned RSE with KAGRA parameters. The detuned RSE shows a better sensitivity at around 100 Hz.

A radiation pressure proportional to the displacement from the new balanced position is applied to the test masses and it creates some sort of a spring, which we call optical spring.


Although the 3D-printing technology is becoming widespread and affordable day-by-day, the current 3D printers can only work with certain materials with limited range of material parameters. Hence, the current work can be very helpful for designing dielectric materials which cannot be directly handled in 3D printers. Typically, it is difficult to realize the dielectric materials with permittivities that are higher than what is available for 3D-printing. In contrast to this, the infill approach or similar methods can be employed to create materials with lower values [10] . Hence, we will concentrate on the former in this work, namely to increase the effective permittivities of available materials.

In contrast to this, the infill approach or similar methods can be employed to create materials with lower values.


The notion of stability in pharmaceutics is understood as the ability of a pharmaceutical product to maintain its properties within the specified limits during its declared shelf life [1] . In order to define the shelf life for a drug, investigations/tests must be performed, according to a prescheduled program, resulting in information about various aspects of stability (chemical, physical, and microbiological) [2] . Essential goals of stability test performance are as follows: (1) selection of adequate formulation and primary packaging material; and (2) determination of shelf life and storage conditions for the drug.

The notion of stability in pharmaceutics is understood as the ability of a pharmaceutical product to maintain its properties within the specified limits during its declared shelf life.

In order to define the shelf life for a drug, investigations/tests must be performed, according to a prescheduled program, resulting in information about various aspects of stability (chemical, physical, and microbiological).


Now a day's low power and less surface area become the area of interest of VLSI system designers to design a digital circuit. The conventional CMOS gates implemented digital circuits do not fulfill these basic requirements. To overcome this problem they use a very important and effective technique i.e. transmission gate which gives better result in both field of power and area. The extensive development in the field of portable system and cellular network has intensified the research efforts in low power microelectronics [1] . This paper concerns with one x-or gate which is one of the basic building block of various combinational circuits.

The extensive development in the field of portable system and cellular network has intensified the research efforts in low power microelectronics.


Internal erosion processes can modify hydraulic properties of soil as permeability but they can also modify mechanical behaviour of soil (Scholtès et al., 2010) . Finally these modifications can induce instability of the earth structure. The occurrence of failures in new earth structures demonstrates the need of improving the knowledge of these phenomena and its consequences on mechanical behaviour of soil.

Internal erosion processes can modify hydraulic properties of soil as permeability but they can also modify mechanical behaviour of soil.


The environmental issues pertaining to the fossil resources along with their increased scarcity are the main drivers of exploring new technologies for bio-based products manufacturing. As a consequence, in the near future, bio-based fuels, chemicals and materials are expected to achieve a larger market share (van Haveren et al., 2008) . The substitution of non-renewable feedstocks with renewable ones and the reduction of the direct environmental impact during production are two relevant strategies for developing a sustainable product.

As a consequence, in the near future, bio-based fuels, chemicals and materials are expected to achieve a larger market share.


Recent reports on the chemical compatibility and dissolution properties of CNTs have promoted a great deal of interests in developing modification and functionalization of their surface. The chemical functionalization of multiwall CNT can be done by using novel silane coupling agents which helps to covalently link polymers. Besides that, treatment by carboxylic acid groups also can be used in this modification but for the strong acid used it can defects on CNTs sidewalls and decrease the aspect ratio of CNTs and other possible surface modification techniques included plasma, thermal and laser ablation (Ma et al., 2007) . By using silane agents, the coupling process can be accomplished via the chemical reaction between the trialkoxy groups of silane molecules and the hydroxyl groups of silane molecules and the hydroxyl groups on the glass substrates, whereas other functional group of silane molecules, which are generally ethylene, amine, epoxy and thiohydroxy can be remained (Shanmugharaj et al., 2007) .

Besides that, treatment by carboxylic acid groups also can be used in this modification but for the strong acid used it can defects on CNTs sidewalls and decrease the aspect ratio of CNTs and other possible surface modification techniques included plasma, thermal and laser ablation.

By using silane agents, the coupling process can be accomplished via the chemical reaction between the trialkoxy groups of silane molecules and the hydroxyl groups of silane molecules and the hydroxyl groups on the glass substrates, whereas other functional group of silane molecules, which are generally ethylene, amine, epoxy and thiohydroxy can be remained.


Helium atom scattering (HAS) is an established means of investigating the structure and dynamics of insulating as well as conducting surfaces in a completely nondestructive manner [19] . HAS diffraction provides direct information on surface crystallinity; inelastic HAS provides high-resolution (0.5 meV) spectral information in the acoustic phonon region (0e50 meV) and HAS specular scattering is highly sensitivity to surface flatness and defect density [20] . This imposes strong limitations to the samples to be studied by HAS, which are usually limited to single-crystal surfaces.

Helium atom scattering (HAS) is an established means of investigating the structure and dynamics of insulating as well as conducting surfaces in a completely nondestructive manner.

HAS diffraction provides direct information on surface crystallinity; inelastic HAS provides high-resolution (0.5 meV) spectral information in the acoustic phonon region (0e50 meV) and HAS specular scattering is highly sensitivity to surface flatness and defect density.


Measurements of thermal expansion and thermal specular attenuation give semi-quantitative information about graphene's interactions with its substrate. HAS experiments also directly reveal acoustic phonons from scattering angle resolved time-of-flight (TOF) data. As we will show, this is a valuable probe of graphene/ substrate interactions e for example it provides a contact point with first principles theory. In addition, obtaining acoustic phonons by HAS also has the potential to provide critical information on thermal properties of graphene samples as acoustic phonons strongly influence the room temperature thermal conductivity of graphene [39] .

In addition, obtaining acoustic phonons by HAS also has the potential to provide critical information on thermal properties of graphene samples as acoustic phonons strongly influence the room temperature thermal conductivity of graphene.


Our results help to elucidate the current debate on the relative contributions of different acoustic phonon modes to the thermal conductivity of graphene [39] . It is well known that the thermal conductivity in supported graphene is lower by an order of magnitude than that in free-standing graphene. It has been suggested that this reduction is caused by leaking of ZA phonons across the grapheneesupport interface. However, our current data prove that ZA dispersion for graphene/Cu is very similar to the one expected for free-standing graphene. The complete absence of data points from the LA mode suggests that this mode is also involved in heat conduction in graphene.

Our results help to elucidate the current debate on the relative contributions of different acoustic phonon modes to the thermal conductivity of graphene.


The Curie temperature is an important factor for piezoelectric ceramics used in high working temperature. Figure 5 shows the variation of Curie temperatures with compositions in the BF-BTx-PT system. From Fig. 5 , it is evident that the Curie temperature increases obviously with increasing BF content. All the studied compositions exhibit high Curie temperatures compared to PZT system. The composition near MPB exhibited high Curie temperature of 550 ℃ for x=0.15 and 569 ℃ for x=0.10, respectively. Thermal depoling temperature of ferroelectrics determines the usage range of their application in piezoelectric devices. It is well-known that there is a polymorphic phase transition for KNN-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics which limits the applications at elevated temperature due to thermal instability at high temperatures [26] . The effect of thermal depoling on d 33 values of poled BF-BTx-PT (x=0.15, 0.20, and 0.30) ceramics for different thermal treatments measured ex situ is shown in Fig. 6 . As the temperature increases, d 33 for the studied compositions remains almost constant and then drops dramatically above a critical temperature due to thermal depoling. This critical temperature can be defined as depolarization temperature (T d ). As shown in Fig. 6, d 33 decreases at the temperature above the depolarization temperature T d but not zero till to the Curie temperature. This remnant piezoelectric constant d 33 can be ascribed to the asymmetry of crystal structure for the composition till to the symmetric cubic structure above Curie temperature. Also, T d depends on BT content by the variation of the thermal depoling temperature. Based upon these results, the BF-BTx-PT (x=0.15) system shows potentialities as a new type of piezoelectric material used near 300 ℃, about 150 ℃ higher than that of commercialized PZT ceramics.

It is well-known that there is a polymorphic phase transition for KNN-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics which limits the applications at elevated temperature due to thermal instability at high temperatures.


Knowledge of reproductive strategy is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the population dynamics of any fish species (Hilborn and Walters 1992) . Knowledge of individual fecundity is an important parameter to estimate the total egg production of a fish stock. This allows to evaluate the stock reproductive potential (SRP) and might be important for recruitment studies .

Knowledge of reproductive strategy is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the population dynamics of any fish species.


Ovotestis structure and classification of maturity stages Analysis of gonad organization and development confirmed that S. atricauda is a synchronously hermaphroditic species with ovary and testis present in all individuals and maturing at the same time (Fig. 2a) . The ovotestis consists in two lobes of elliptic shape which are fused posteriorly. The male tissue occupies only a small part of the gonad in a ventrolateral position in the anterior region of the ovotestis. As individuals become mature, the testis turns longer and wider occupying a larger region in the ovotestis, but rarely exceeds half of the lobe length. The oocyte development undergoes multiplication, growth and maturation events which can be summarized in four major stages: primary growth, cortical alveoli, vitellogenesis and maturation (Wallace and Selman 1981; Selman and Wallace 1986; Tyler and Sumpter 1996) . In this species, the oocyte development is asynchronous, showing A brief description of each stage and the range size, mean and standard deviation in brackets of the oocytes are given a continuous oocyte diameter distribution among the different phases of development with all stages present in mature phase ( Fig. 2b ; Table 1 ). The testicular tissue of S. atricauda is organized into lobules that consist on many seminiferous tubules containing cysts. Each cyst is formed by spermatogenic cells in the same stage of development and bounded by a thin layer of connective tissue.

The oocyte development undergoes multiplication, growth and maturation events which can be summarized in four major stages: primary growth, cortical alveoli, vitellogenesis and maturation.


It has been reported in literature that the role of free radicals in many disease conditions was due to the reactive oxygen species generated from various biochemical reactions [1] . These are capable of damaging crucial biomolecules and have been the major causative factor of many chronic and degenerative diseases including atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, cancer, Parkinson's disease and immune dysfunction [2, 3] . Primary sources of naturally occurring antioxidants are whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Plant source food antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, carotnenes, phenolic acids, phytate and phytoestrogens have been recognized as having the potential to reduce risk. Moreover, antioxidants from natural sources such as medicinal plants and vegetables have shown to protect against oxidative stress [4] . Compounds such as gallates, have strong antioxidant activity, while others such as the mono-phenols are weak antioxidants. Phenolic compounds, in particular, which are widely distributed in many fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants accounted for their antioxidant capacity of many plants [5] .

It has been reported in literature that the role of free radicals in many disease conditions was due to the reactive oxygen species generated from various biochemical reactions.

These are capable of damaging crucial biomolecules and have been the major causative factor of many chronic and degenerative diseases including atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, cancer, Parkinson's disease and immune dysfunction.

Moreover, antioxidants from natural sources such as medicinal plants and vegetables have shown to protect against oxidative stress.

Phenolic compounds, in particular, which are widely distributed in many fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants accounted for their antioxidant capacity of many plants.


In the other extreme situation, h = 0, and i = 1 so that you are not healthy at all (you are dead). In the case you have only a broken nail, we may write h = 0.999, i = 0.001; if you have a painful gastric ulcer, i = 0.6, h = 0.4, but in the case you have a terminal cancer, probably i = 0.95, h = 0.05. As we will see, this is a particular case of Kosko's hypercube: the one-dimensional case [4] . Uncertainty is now considered essential to science and fuzzy logic is a way to model and deal with it using natural language. We can say that fuzzy logic is a qualitative computational approach.

As we will see, this is a particular case of Kosko's hypercube: the one-dimensional case.


Improving efficiency of city services and facilitating a more sustainable development of cities are the main drivers of the smart city concept. The growth and change in cities are accelerating and make it even harder to provide a sustainable urban living environment [1] . The use of an Information and Communication Technologies-(ICT-) based infrastructure alongside the traditional utilities and services infrastructures will be the next big step in the development of cities [2, 3] . Information systems will help to optimise infrastructure, inform citizens, and build a communication network that spans the city and allows tailoring the utility and services delivery to the actual needs rather than to overprovision for peak demands; in turn, the confluence of ICT and city services will fuel economic growth and prosperity and will form new city ecosystems. This revolution is still only at the beginning as suitable infrastructures are being deployed and significant investments into the city infrastructures are being made.

The growth and change in cities are accelerating and make it even harder to provide a sustainable urban living environment.

The use of an Information and Communication Technologies-(ICT-) based infrastructure alongside the traditional utilities and services infrastructures will be the next big step in the development of cities.


Consequently, this study proposes a novel VR scenario, utilizing the Novint Falcon, to assess motor performance; it has been validated and tested on healthy subjects. More specifically, the protocol consisted of 3D reaching tasks performed in eight directions and perturbed by force fields of increasing magnitude. The subject's motor performance was assessed using the most widely used kinematic indices for evaluating the motor performance of a healthy and clinical population [31] [32] [33] . These indices are typically used with high-cost devices that facilitate reaching tasks. Moreover, the repeatability and reliability of the proposed novel VR based rehabilitation protocol were evaluated involving twenty subjects and repeating the protocol in three different days. Finally, this study could provide reference values of the kinematic indices used to assess motor performance in 3D reaching tasks.

The subject's motor performance was assessed using the most widely used kinematic indices for evaluating the motor performance of a healthy and clinical population.


Wireless Mesh Networks and Related Technics. Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) are regarded as a next-generation technology because they can provide high network extensibility and are economical. WMNs research based on IEEE 802.11s, which is an IEEE 802.11 amendment for mesh networking, is actively progressing [1] . WMNs have been selected as backbone networks in many places due to ability to provide network stability and reliability of data transfer in wireless sensor networks, smart city applications, and so forth.

WMNs research based on IEEE 802.11s, which is an IEEE 802.11 amendment for mesh networking, is actively progressing.


Within the last years, inventory management has received wide attention in such a way the recent researches in this field have focused on the study of inventory system in the presence of supply chain problems such as supply disruption. Various factors can disrupt a supply chain system, including an equipment breakdown, a strike, bad weather, natural disasters, political instability, traffic interruptions, terrorism, and so on [1] . For example, on March 17, 2000, lighting hit a power line in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which in turn started a fire at a local plant owned by Royal Philips Electronics, damaging millions of microchips.

Various factors can disrupt a supply chain system, including an equipment breakdown, a strike, bad weather, natural disasters, political instability, traffic interruptions, terrorism, and so on.


Phase-equilibrium laws have to be satisfied at the liquid-gas interface and can be combined with an equation of state to predict mixture composition on each side of the interface. However, works by Dahms and Oefelein suggest that phase-equilibrium results should be carefully used at supercritical pressures [1, 12, 13] . They propose that traditional phase equilibrium can only be applied far enough of the critical point. In the transcritical region, where temperature is approaching its critical value, the liquid-gas interface enters a continuum region. Under this consideration, fluid properties do not experience a discontinuity across the interface, but they evolve continuously. Then, temperature does not become the same on both sides of the interface. Nevertheless, interface thicknesses of the order of a few nanometers are shown, which could be considered as a discontinuity, similar to the practical treatment of shock waves.

However, works by Dahms and Oefelein suggest that phase-equilibrium results should be carefully used at supercritical pressures.


These combustion chambers often operate at very high pressures, since combustion efficiency is improved and a higher specific energy conversion can be obtained. These pressures can be above the critical pressure of the injected fuel. When this supercritical situation occurs, the thermodynamics and fluid dynamics of the injection phenomena are drastically modified. Since gas readily dissolves in the liquid at high pressures, a new solution is formed typically with a much higher critical pressure than the original liquid. At subcritical pressures, a clear distinction between the liquid and the gas phase exists and the liquid breakup is mainly driven by capillary forces and hydrodynamic instabilities, depending on the fluid properties and configuration of the problem. However, at high-pressure regimes close or above the critical pressure of the new liquid solution, diffusion can become one of the main drivers of the mixing process and a well-defined liquid-gas interface may not be easily identified [1] .

However, at high-pressure regimes close or above the critical pressure of the new liquid solution, diffusion can become one of the main drivers of the mixing process and a well-defined liquid-gas interface may not be easily identified.


To get information about the temperatures of the different phase transitions due to rearrangement of polymer chains on heating, DSC measurements have been carried out on the polymer films. The typical DSC plots of the PPAE and PPAEA polymer films are shown in Figure 2 . The observed sharp endothermic peak indicates the melting temperature, T m of PEO in polymer complexes. There is a reduction in T m value when nano-filler is added to the PPAE polymer film. This is a signature of reduction of crystallinity or in other words, increase in flexibility of the polymer chains. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) is generally used to study the compatibility among various constituents of the polymer electrolytes. The SEM images of the polymer films are depicted in Figures 3(a) and (b) . The micrograph shows with the addition of nano-filler, the surface shows a uniformly distributed area. The above micro-structural observation is in good agreement with XRD and DSC results which have indicated an enhancement in the amorphous phase with the addition of nano-filler. FTIR is a useful technique to characterize the organic, inorganic and composite materials [16] . Figure 4 In PPAEA polymer electrolyte film in which the nanofiller is added, the peaks of IR spectrum is found to be quite broadened as compared to that of PPEA polymer electrolyte. In addition to this, the vibration bands in the wave number 500 -1480 cm -1 range are found absent. The vibration peaks at 1725, 1812 and 1962 cm -1 remain at same position but with decreased peak intensity. Hence, the above IR analysis confirms that the nano-filler Al 2 O 3 helps in enhancing the amorphous nature with flexible polymer chains.

FTIR is a useful technique to characterize the organic, inorganic and composite materials.


Current practice in managing the overabundant SB poses a serious threat to the environment. Eliminating the SB through open and controlled burning could either cause air pollution or furnace chimney corrosion [24] . Because of its woody nature, SB degrades slowly. Dumping SB into nearby rivers is unacceptable as it could cause the rivers to become shallow [24] . On the other hand, leaving tones of SB to naturally degrade would consume space and time besides unpleasant odour and view. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find ways to systematically utilise SB [25] .

Eliminating the SB through open and controlled burning could either cause air pollution or furnace chimney corrosion.

Dumping SB into nearby rivers is unacceptable as it could cause the rivers to become shallow.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to find ways to systematically utilise SB.


Response surface methodology (RSM) is a statistical method used to study the effect of variables and their responses by running minimum number of experiments. The method uses quantitative data from predetermined experiments to obtain regression model equations and operating conditions [26, 27] . RSM is more systematic, energy, cost-and time-saving approach compared to the traditional One-Variable-At-a-Time (OVAT) method.

The method uses quantitative data from predetermined experiments to obtain regression model equations and operating conditions.


Natural organic materials such as lignocellulosic fibres from agricultural residues have been reported as one of the important options of oil sorbents [1] . Some natural sorbents have the ability to absorb significantly more oil compared to commercial sorbents of polypropylene materials [2] . Other advantages of natural sorbents are comparable density with synthetic sorbent, chemical-free, and highly biodegradable [1, 3, 4] .

Natural organic materials such as lignocellulosic fibres from agricultural residues have been reported as one of the important options of oil sorbents.

Some natural sorbents have the ability to absorb significantly more oil compared to commercial sorbents of polypropylene materials.

Other advantages of natural sorbents are comparable density with synthetic sorbent, chemical-free, and highly biodegradable.


Wood is a biological material vulnerable to several biotic agents such as fungal degradation and termite attacks that are a major threat to the service-life of wood. Wood durability depends on species, heartwood and sapwood distribution, chemical composition e.g. extractives and lignin content and composition, density, moisture content, and conditions of use (Panshin and de Zeew 1980) . The servicelife of wood products depends primarily on the specific wood durability (Kollmann and Côté 1984) .

Wood durability depends on species, heartwood and sapwood distribution, chemical composition e.g. extractives and lignin content and composition, density, moisture content, and conditions of use.

The servicelife of wood products depends primarily on the specific wood durability.


Normal males can be stripped repeatedly throughout the spawning season, although there are progressive changes in milt quality and sperm characteristics (Munkittrick and Moccia 1987) . Sex-reversed females, however, present just one opportunity for milt extraction, making them an expensive resource. The use of ultrasound diagnostic offers new opportunities for the optimal control of environmental conditions, the selection of individuals maturing earlier, selection of bisexual specimens or identification of differences in quality of neomales gametes. Presented technique should be applied for verification of the effectiveness of fish sex inversion using hormonal therapy. Moreover, it can be helpful in determining the morphological structure of the gonads (paired-unpaired; symmetrical-asymmetrical testis), which will facilitate selection of sex-reversed females of rainbow trout during breeding procedures and consequently the production of an allfemale population. Because of its high rate of speed and accuracy, ultrasonography may be considered for wider applications in fisheries management in order to protect the specimens with regular gonads and produce a good quality of semen. Furthermore, the results can be applied in selecting suitable fish for artificial propagation and monosex culture purposes. This method can also help to obtain advanced economic benefits of salmonid fish farms.

Normal males can be stripped repeatedly throughout the spawning season, although there are progressive changes in milt quality and sperm characteristics.


NIR-responsive systems release drug upon exposure to NIR light which is resulted by photothermal effect, leading to an increase in temperature. This increase in temperature can also cause cell death (photothermal treatment) which synergies drug action [23, 24] . Other mechanisms involved two-photon conversion and UCNPs [10, 24] . The later one is also used to deliver photosensitive material as a source for photodynamic therapy [25, 26] . Based on these mechanisms, multi-modal carriers have also been developed which contribute to drug release, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy [27, 28] . This review will cover mechanism of drug release from NIRDDSs and their reported applications in the treatment of cancer by different types of drug carriers. We also discussed multimodal systems based on NIR response such as imaging, photothermal, and photodynamic therapy along with multiresponsive DDSs.

This increase in temperature can also cause cell death (photothermal treatment) which synergies drug action.

Other mechanisms involved two-photon conversion and UCNPs.

The later one is also used to deliver photosensitive material as a source for photodynamic therapy.

Based on these mechanisms, multi-modal carriers have also been developed which contribute to drug release, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy.


After the nature of the study was explained, a consent form was signed by the patient before being enrolled. The research followed the Declaration of Helsinki rules and was reviewed and approved by the Scientific Committee of the School of Sciences of Minho University (Portugal). Inclusion criteria required that the subjects did not suffer from any current eye disease or injury, was not taking any ocular or systemic medication that could affect the accommodative response and had best correct visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye. The intraocular pressure was checked with an noncontact tonometer (Nidek Model NT-4000, non-contact tonometer optically) (Queiros et al. 2006) .

The intraocular pressure was checked with an noncontact tonometer (Nidek Model NT-4000, non-contact tonometer optically).


In this paper, the number of iterations and the speed of convergence have permitted us to discuss the efficiency of the algorithm. Of course, a direct measure of the computation time would be more convincing, but only for tests with many degrees of freedom on parallel computers and with the help of modern direct solvers as MUltifrontal Massively Parallel sparse direct Solver (MUMPS [29] ). We are now working in this way.

Of course, a direct measure of the computation time would be more convincing, but only for tests with many degrees of freedom on parallel computers and with the help of modern direct solvers as MUltifrontal Massively Parallel sparse direct Solver (MUMPS).

We are now working in this way.


In section one, we compare and contrast Γ E (R) with the more familiar Γ(R) defined by D. Anderson and P. Livingston [1] . In section two, we consider infinite graphs and fan graphs and answer the question of whether or not the Noetherian condition on R is enough to force Γ E (R) to be finite. Section three is devoted to the relation between the associated primes of R and the vertices of Γ E (R). In particular, we demonstrate how to identify some elements of Ass(R).

In section one, we compare and contrast Γ E (R) with the more familiar Γ(R) defined by D. Anderson and P. Livingston.


The oceanic thermohaline circulation (THC) is a major component of the climate system, transporting heat and salt poleward. The circulation is driven by horizontal buoyancy gradients that result from surface uxes of heat and fresh water. The uxes a ect oceanic surface salinity and temperature in di erent ways: Local sea surface temperature anomalies are quickly removed by a coupling between the ocean surface and the atmospheric boundary layer through sensible and latent heat uxes, whereas there is no corresponding mechanism for sea surface salinity anomalies. A recent anomaly in surface salinity of the northern North Atlantic, the Great Salinity Anomaly (GSA), could thus persist for more than a decade (Dickson et al., 1988) .

A recent anomaly in surface salinity of the northern North Atlantic, the Great Salinity Anomaly (GSA), could thus persist for more than a decade.


Potassium is an important nutrient for improving the crop yield per unit area. Potassium is vital for physiological processes, water availability, photosynthesis, assimilate transport and enzyme activation with a direct effect on crop production. Potassium deficiency significantly reduces the leaves number and size of individual leaf and as a result photosynthetic activity of the plant was affected (William, 2008) . Potassium limits the crop water requirement during drought conditions because K has a dominant role in the opening and closing of stomata, through which transpiration occurs from the leaves and CO2 enters into leaf tissues. If K is inadequate, the stomatal activity decreases and transpiration loss increases. Grain yield increases by enhancing the uptake of potassium under the arid condition (Damon and Rengel, 2008) .

Potassium deficiency significantly reduces the leaves number and size of individual leaf and as a result photosynthetic activity of the plant was affected.

Grain yield increases by enhancing the uptake of potassium under the arid condition.


The adoption and diffusion of educational technologies that leverage ICT and the Internet has provided an unprecedented opportunity for improving higher education around the world (Davis and Wong, 2007) . Therefore, educational technologies must become more popular among developing nations which seek economic improvement (Khasawneh et al., 2011) . In fact, the educational technology is becoming more universal at an increasing rate as most firms recognize the needs to prepare the ICT professionals for the global environment (Margavio, 2005) .

The adoption and diffusion of educational technologies that leverage ICT and the Internet has provided an unprecedented opportunity for improving higher education around the world.

Therefore, educational technologies must become more popular among developing nations which seek economic improvement.

In fact, the educational technology is becoming more universal at an increasing rate as most firms recognize the needs to prepare the ICT professionals for the global environment.


The separation of the TRU from the lanthanides is carried out by selective stripping of the actinides from the organic phase by a hydrophilic complexant, SO 3 -Ph-BTP (2,6-bis(5,6-di(sulphophenyl)-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine tetrasodium salt, Fig. 2 ) [15] . Selectivity is achieved by using an optimised acidity of the strip solution thereby keeping the lanthanides in the organic phase whereas transuranic elements are back-extracted. To ensure efficient stripping of Np and Pu, AHA (acetohydroxamic acid, Fig. 2 ) is also added to the strip solution [6, 16] .

The separation of the TRU from the lanthanides is carried out by selective stripping of the actinides from the organic phase by a hydrophilic complexant, SO 3 -Ph-BTP (2,6-bis(5,6-di(sulphophenyl)-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine tetrasodium salt, Fig. 2 ).

To ensure efficient stripping of Np and Pu, AHA (acetohydroxamic acid, Fig. 2 ) is also added to the strip solution.


Recycling actinides from used nuclear fuel is an important aspect of a sustainable nuclear energy production. The major benefits are a more efficient use of resources and the possibility to reduce the size of the final repository. Recycling requires efficient separation and recovery of the actinides from the spent fuel, which is carried out using solvent extraction processes [1] . The grouped actinide extraction (GANEX) concept was developed for homogenous recycling of actinides from fast reactor mixed oxide fuel. The concept contains two different steps in which uranium is initially removed (GANEX 1) followed by trans-uranium (TRU) elements co-separation in a second process (GANEX 2), thereby avoiding a pure Pu product. Both cycles have successfully been hot tested by the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) in France, using highly radioactive feed solutions obtained from dissolving used nuclear fuel [2, 3] .

Recycling requires efficient separation and recovery of the actinides from the spent fuel, which is carried out using solvent extraction processes.

Both cycles have successfully been hot tested by the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) in France, using highly radioactive feed solutions obtained from dissolving used nuclear fuel.


Historical background. The question of whether H k (T n , Z) is finitely generated, for various values of k and n, is a long standing problem with few solutions. This question was explicitly asked by Vogtmann in her survey article [14] . We now give a brief history of related results, all of which are recovered by our main theorem.

Historical background.

This question was explicitly asked by Vogtmann in her survey article.


The trend observed from this compressive strength result is most probably due to mechanism of the wood fibre that acts as a filler within the geopolymer matrix. The reduction of the value of mechanical strength is assumed to the increased surface of the filler material to be bonded with the matrix and the decreasing surface area of geopolymer itself which cause the decline of strength. The SEM performance from Figure 6 , for this wood fibre lightweight paste clarified the connection between wood fibre and the geopolymer matrix. SEM investigated that the boundary between geopolymer matrix and fibre phase have excellent adhession. It was known that, a strong chemical bond promotes fibre rupture: the fracture energy is declined while the tensile strength of the composite increses hences the material becomes strong but brittle [12] .

It was known that, a strong chemical bond promotes fibre rupture: the fracture energy is declined while the tensile strength of the composite increses hences the material becomes strong but brittle.


One of the challenges in personalized e-learning initiatives pertains to the selection and consideration of tools based on learner characteristics that may increase performance for different types of learners [1] . To date, many user and learner models personalize the learning experience by implementing tutoring support based on perceived or self-reported learner characteristics [2, 3] . Prompts can help learners to engage more with the material but also reflect on their learning progress [4] . They may also remind learners of appropriate learning and questioning strategies, which in turn improve performance in an online environment [5] .

One of the challenges in personalized e-learning initiatives pertains to the selection and consideration of tools based on learner characteristics that may increase performance for different types of learners.

To date, many user and learner models personalize the learning experience by implementing tutoring support based on perceived or self-reported learner characteristics.

Prompts can help learners to engage more with the material but also reflect on their learning progress.

They may also remind learners of appropriate learning and questioning strategies, which in turn improve performance in an online environment.


Behavior changes under influences of awareness of infection risk have been studied by papers [5] [6] [7] 9, 13, 19] . Mathematical models in these papers divide human population into a group with the lower infection risk and a group with the higher infection risk, describe the transfer of behavior trait as a consequence of social interaction, and analyze how these behavior responses affect disease transmission dynamics. They illustrate that behavior adaptations can induce rich dynamical patterns including sustained oscillations and multiple waves of infections.

Behavior changes under influences of awareness of infection risk have been studied by papers.


However, their effectiveness is dependent on isolator performance. If isolators degrade or fail due to aging, temperature cycles or exceeding their design capacity during extreme events, structural safety is no longer guaranteed. In another case, the isolators were too stiff and no isolation was provided, leading to structural damage [5] . Therefore, the identification and monitoring of the building isolation performance is increasingly important in civil engineering.

In another case, the isolators were too stiff and no isolation was provided, leading to structural damage.


The goal of seismic isolation is to shift the fundamental natural period of a building away from the dominant frequency components of the ground motion. Isolators are placed at the base of the structure to physically decouple it from the foundation and provide flexibility and energy dissipation capability. Base isolation systems have been effective in protecting structures from strong motion earthquakes and are used with increasing popularity [1] [2] [3] [4] .

Base isolation systems have been effective in protecting structures from strong motion earthquakes and are used with increasing popularity.


A subgroup H of a word-hyperbolic group G is quasiconvex for some (and hence for any) finite generating set A of G and the corresponding word-metric there is a fixed bound B such that for any geodesic representative of any element of H, the group element represented by any initial segment is within distance B of an element of H. A word-hyperbolic group G is locally quasiconvex if all its finitely generated subgroups are quasiconvex. Quasiconvexity in the context of Kleinian groups essentially corresponds to geometric finiteness. More precisely, if G is a geometrically finite group of isometries of H n without parabolic elements then a subgroup H ≤ G is quasiconvex if and only if H is geometrically finite [57] . Free group of finite rank, hyperbolic surface groups, many 3-manifold groups as well as many small cancellation groups are known to be locally quasiconvex. Locally quasiconvex groups enjoy a number of particularly good algebraic, geometric and algorithmic properties and their study plays an important role in the theory of word-hyperbolic groups [44, 34, 35, 22, 23, 24, 58] .

More precisely, if G is a geometrically finite group of isometries of H n without parabolic elements then a subgroup H ≤ G is quasiconvex if and only if H is geometrically finite.

Locally quasiconvex groups enjoy a number of particularly good algebraic, geometric and algorithmic properties and their study plays an important role in the theory of word-hyperbolic groups.


Because of the global energy crisis and environmental pollution, the past decade has witnessed the rapid development of new energy vehicle technologies, such as Electric Vehicles (EVs), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), etc. As a result, more and more companies that produce transportation vehicles are developing new technologies for EVs/HEVs/PHEVs [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . The main challenge of EVs/HEVs/PHEVs development remains the limited cruising range due to the small battery capacity and the long charging times according to the available battery charging technologies, especially for pure electric vehicles [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . Hence, it is important to maximize the efficiency of each component in the powertrain system of EVs [8] . The high efficiency of the system will distinctly reduce the burden of the battery and extend the cruising range.

As a result, more and more companies that produce transportation vehicles are developing new technologies for EVs/HEVs/PHEVs.

The main challenge of EVs/HEVs/PHEVs development remains the limited cruising range due to the small battery capacity and the long charging times according to the available battery charging technologies, especially for pure electric vehicles.

Hence, it is important to maximize the efficiency of each component in the powertrain system of EVs.


The AEs reported with dulaglutide in the present trial are consistent with the known effects of the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. Dulaglutide was associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal AEs, most commonly nausea, diarrhoea and eructation, consistent with prior dulaglutide studies and the GLP-1 receptor agonist class [17, 18, 25] . The events were mostly mild to moderate, occurred early and were transient in nature. Consistent with the GLP-1 receptor agonist class and previous dulaglutide reports, small increases in heart rate and PR interval were observed [18, [26] [27] [28] . While higher than placebo, the incidence of hypoglycaemic events was relatively low (21%), despite a robust effect on glycaemic control with concomitant SU therapy; no severe events were reported. The incidence of dulaglutide antidrug antibodies was very low (0.8%) and there were no associated systemic or injection site hypersensitivity reactions. Consistent with the class, measurable increases in pancreatic enzymes were observed, but there were no adjudicated cases of pancreatitis and no cases of pancreatic carcinoma [18, 27, 29, 30] . In addition, there were no reports of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Dulaglutide was associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal AEs, most commonly nausea, diarrhoea and eructation, consistent with prior dulaglutide studies and the GLP-1 receptor agonist class.

Consistent with the GLP-1 receptor agonist class and previous dulaglutide reports, small increases in heart rate and PR interval were observed.

Consistent with the class, measurable increases in pancreatic enzymes were observed, but there were no adjudicated cases of pancreatitis and no cases of pancreatic carcinoma.


In all cases, the density of the spaces A(A)(A®1) and A(A)(l®A) in A® A appears as a natural condition. This is no surprise; in the case A = Co(C7), this condition is equivalent to the cancellation property in G. Furthermore, it is known that a compact semi-group with cancellation is a group [2] . And G is compact if and only if A has an identity.

This is no surprise; in the case A = Co(C7), this condition is equivalent to the cancellation property in G. Furthermore, it is known that a compact semi-group with cancellation is a group.


This paper 1 presents an exploratory study on the efficacy of problem-based learning in an online environment to promote numeracy for college algebra students. The number of available online college courses continues to grow (Allen and Seaman 2014) . Online courses can facilitate discussion among students, allow for student choice in assignments, and foster students' research and writing skills. These benefits align with those of a problem-based learning environment, thus motivating this study on the effect of both in tandem. To our knowledge, such an approach to foster numeracy has not been studied among college algebra students. Such research is necessary so that students in terminal college math courses develop the skills they need to navigate a life filled with numbers.

The number of available online college courses continues to grow.


Staying in line with the study's framework for numeracy, students would be successful in QL growth if they improved their (1) communication skills, (2) mathematical disposition, and (3) ability to solve contextualized problems using elementary mathematics. Clearly such a variety of skills could be assessed in a simple exam -a mixed-methods approach was in order (Grawe, 2011) . Here, this approach entailed having students in both courses take the QLRA and answer an open-ended survey question at the beginning and end of the semester. Also used were comments from the discussion forum as secondary data while recognizing that comparisons were unavailable as the forum was not an option for the face-toface course.

Clearly such a variety of skills could be assessed in a simple exam -a mixed-methods approach was in order.


Lastly, spouse escort to health facility has shown to be positively associated with good uptake of several interventions offered at ANC [41] . However, pregnant women in the study population who had a problem with spouse escort were more likely to complete the recommended doses of SP. Mostly, these women were either divorced or windowed or on separation, hence they were socially vulnerable and probably took their situation positively by attending ANC clinics and took the recommended SP doses to avoid MiP and its adverse effects. The other possible explanation would be that they had more autonomy in relation to the use of ANC than married women [42] . This might imply that pregnant women with more autonomy are in a position to have confidence in prioritization of health care services.

Lastly, spouse escort to health facility has shown to be positively associated with good uptake of several interventions offered at ANC.

The other possible explanation would be that they had more autonomy in relation to the use of ANC than married women.


Vermetids are a rather peculiar and poorly studied family. Although they are common inhabitants of coral reefs and rocky shores, little is known about the basic biology of most species [5] . Wormsnails have an irregularly uncoiled calcareous shell, cemented to or embedded in the substrate [2, 3, 6, 8] . Growth rate of the shell is rather fast and enables the vermetid to escape overgrowth by corals and to maintain access to food [9] . Often, only the proteinaceous operculum is seen forming a plug to the accessible shell aperture whose diameter is a good index of body size [5, 10] .

Although they are common inhabitants of coral reefs and rocky shores, little is known about the basic biology of most species.

Wormsnails have an irregularly uncoiled calcareous shell, cemented to or embedded in the substrate.

Growth rate of the shell is rather fast and enables the vermetid to escape overgrowth by corals and to maintain access to food.

Often, only the proteinaceous operculum is seen forming a plug to the accessible shell aperture whose diameter is a good index of body size.


Until now, nothing is known either about predators feeding on the plankton-load nets or any interaction between ambient marine organisms (besides corals) and the mucus veils of Vermetidae. No studies have been done analyzing the toxic potential of mucus net ingredients on corals associated with vermetid gastropods, on surrounding reef inhabitants or their potential application in human medicine. Marine invertebrates are one of the most efficient sources for bioactive secondary metabolites with pharmaceutical properties [24, [32] [33] [34] [35] . Some have entered preclinical and clinical trials or even made it to the commercial sector [34, [36] [37] [38] .

Marine invertebrates are one of the most efficient sources for bioactive secondary metabolites with pharmaceutical properties.

Some have entered preclinical and clinical trials or even made it to the commercial sector.


We present a novel approach for integrating information about executed treatment compliance with a CIG (Computer Interpretable Guideline) into views for patient data and guideline structure of CareCruiser [14] . We combine analytical methods to determine compliance and visualization of the results. We suggest an action based definition of CIG compliance, as well as visual encodings and mappings for the generated information. Our approach was driven by the following main design ideas: abstraction of high frequency parameter data, highlighting of important time points and intervals, and aggregation of data and action counts to provide a quick overview.

We present a novel approach for integrating information about executed treatment compliance with a CIG (Computer Interpretable Guideline) into views for patient data and guideline structure of CareCruiser.


Extending the proposed methodology to handle more image types is straightforward (i.e., the algorithms for logo and trademark selection, description, and matching can be replaced by algorithms for the new image type [19] ). While logos and trademarks are permanent features of the Website, summarization may not be meaningful for other types of images that may be transitory. For example, images from CNN's news pages change every few hours and do not appear frequently and in different variations (these images do not repeat). Aiming for summaries of stream image data (like the CNN data) is a different problem from what we are addressing in this work.

Extending the proposed methodology to handle more image types is straightforward (i.e., the algorithms for logo and trademark selection, description, and matching can be replaced by algorithms for the new image type).


While biological and cognitive factors in navigation have been investigated in prior research, little work has been conducted to determine the role of (spatial) experience in spatial learning and memory. Given the variety of experience over the lifetime of an individual, it is difficult to isolate any given variable to determine its effect on spatial learning. The present work focused on video game experience, which has been shown to be associated with various aspects of perception and cognition. The results of this experiment showed that video game experts navigated shorter paths than novices. While we cannot make inferences about a causal relationship between video game experience and VMWM performance, these results suggest a positive correlation between the two. Interestingly, females appear to have benefited from prior video game experience more so than males, and this finding is consistent with past research (Feng et al., 2007) .

Interestingly, females appear to have benefited from prior video game experience more so than males, and this finding is consistent with past research.


In Central Finland, the consumption of forest chips in 2012 has been 1.07 million m 3 , of which 325 000 m 3 was logging residues and 32 000 m 3 was from large-sized timber (Ylitalo 2013) . The consumption of logging residues represents 80% of the potential estimated using the basic and optional constraints. The amount of stump and root biomass used in 2012 was 205 000 m 3 , indicating that part of the feedstock originates outside Central Finland.

In Central Finland, the consumption of forest chips in 2012 has been 1.07 million m 3 , of which 325 000 m 3 was logging residues and 32 000 m 3 was from large-sized timber.


One of these developed techniques is the focused-beam reflectance measurement (FBRM). This instrument is increasingly used to investigate and monitor CSD during industrial crystallization processes. This tool offers a solution to the classic light scattering techniques that provide useful CSD measurements but require a sampling and dilution unit. The FBRM technique overcomes these limitations by focusing a laser beam through a window in the probe tip and then collecting the laser light that is scattered back to the probe [7] . In fact, the FBRM probe emits a laser beam rotating at a high velocity (9000 rpm), which propagates into the suspension through a sapphire window. Particle motion is therefore insignificant to the measurement [8] . The beam intersects particles suspended in the solution and is backscattered until it reaches the opposite edge of the particle. This back-scattered light is collected by the FBRM optics and is converted into chord length as the product of the measured crossing time and the beam velocity [9] . The instrument can acquire thousands of chord lengths per second. On a counter board, these lengths are classified into a series of size ranges and are expressed as a distribution, which is referred to as the chord length distribution (CLD). The most attractive advantage of this technique is its utility both for in situ measurement of high solid-concentration suspensions and for following rapid crystallization kinetics. However, the CLD is only an indication of the real population. This probe does not detect particle shape. In fact, CSD is more meaningful for the characterization of a crystal product. Thus, many papers have discussed methods to recover the CSD value from a measured CLD. If the crystal shape is known, particularly when the crystals can be considered as spherical, this restoration is possible. Furthermore, if crystal shape does not change during freezing, the mean chord length can be considered proportional to the mean diameter.

The FBRM technique overcomes these limitations by focusing a laser beam through a window in the probe tip and then collecting the laser light that is scattered back to the probe.

Particle motion is therefore insignificant to the measurement.

This back-scattered light is collected by the FBRM optics and is converted into chord length as the product of the measured crossing time and the beam velocity.


The smooth texture and creamy mouthfeel of sorbet and ice cream are two sensory characteristics of these products that are most appreciated by consumers. A small mean ice crystal size (10-20 m) is essential to give the product its desired texture [1] . Ice crystals larger than about 50 m, if present in sufficient number, confer a coarse or grainy texture to the final product [2] . To control ice crystal size distribution, it is important to understand how crystals both are formed and grow during the manufacturing process. Formation of ice occurs within two stages of the ice cream manufacturing process: after the initial freezing in a continuous scraped-surface heat exchanger SSHE (known as the freezer) and then during the hardening in a blast freezer where air (at around −25 • C) is the cooling medium. During hardening, undercooling is not sufficient to allow the nucleation of new crystals, but ice phase volume increases due to the growth of existing nuclei [3] . Because of this observation, the properties of the crystal population in the hardened product are largely determined by the initial freezing. Therefore, it is important to better understand the ice crystallization mechanisms and the proceeding parameters that affect them.

A small mean ice crystal size (10-20 m) is essential to give the product its desired texture.

Ice crystals larger than about 50 m, if present in sufficient number, confer a coarse or grainy texture to the final product.

During hardening, undercooling is not sufficient to allow the nucleation of new crystals, but ice phase volume increases due to the growth of existing nuclei.


We created various network topologies and simulated them using both a regular network simulator and an asynchronous VLSI simulator. For network simulation we used ns-2 [10] . The circuits we designed were simulated with SPICE as well as chpsim, a compiled simulator for asynchronous circuits that reports accurate timing information.

For network simulation we used ns-2.


Due to the linear nature of the diffusion equation, the non-homogeneous diffusion processes of different criminal cases can be accumulated based on superposition principle. Under the experiential environment in the paper, it takes about 0.05 seconds to process a case. With the progress of the diffusion procedure, the final results are compared (Figures 9 and 10 ) by using the case data from January to June 2014 and they are analyzed as shown below with reference to the time-space distance of diffusion [2] .

With the progress of the diffusion procedure, the final results are compared (Figures 9 and 10 ) by using the case data from January to June 2014 and they are analyzed as shown below with reference to the time-space distance of diffusion.


There are some limitations in this paper. First, the data of housing boundary are only used as a spatial constraint in the article, without considering the information of spatial structure, which is one of the important factors of the social environment, and further study can focus on the usage of housing boundary as space syntax [21, [45] [46] [47] . Second, due to the sensitivity of data, the thematic attributes available for analysis is limited to household density, and more data related to residential burglary should be collected in the future, mainly covering the following categories.

First, the data of housing boundary are only used as a spatial constraint in the article, without considering the information of spatial structure, which is one of the important factors of the social environment, and further study can focus on the usage of housing boundary as space syntax.


The detection of hot spots is a starting point to policy-relevant understanding of crime and to making predictions about potential crimes. In fact, crime hot spots are often generated based on the discrete data of the criminal events. Once the police launch an intervention, some criminals may be arrested and removed from the streets. Others may choose to stop committing crimes, change where they commit crimes, or change the way they go about committing crime in response to the police intervention. Thus, a hot spot might disappear, with some criminal activities moving to another area. These changes will make the original data set obsolete. The most common practice involves calculating the probability density of crime distribution, ignoring the spatial constraints and environmental characteristics of the area [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . Consequently, the results just indicate the distribution of existing data, particularly when the data of specific crimes is insufficient.

The most common practice involves calculating the probability density of crime distribution, ignoring the spatial constraints and environmental characteristics of the area.


However, the performance of free-space based optical interconnects is normally degraded by the turbulence caused by heat airflows existing in typical interconnection environments [10] . The turbulence may lead to refractive index fluctuations along the optical path and effects such as scintillation of the received signal, beam wander, and beam broadening. These may then result in the increase of system BER and degradation in the receiver sensitivity. In this paper, the impact of turbulence on our proposed high-speed reconfigurable free space card-to-card optical interconnect architecture is experimentally investigated. Results show that compared with the scenario without turbulence, with moderate turbulence, the BER performance of the proposed interconnect is slightly worse for the same horizontal distance between the transmitter and receiver cards, and the receiver sensitivity at BER < 10' 9 is degraded by -0.5 dB. When the turbulence intensity is comparatively strong, the power penalty is found to be � 1.6 dB. The proposed reconfigurable free-space card-to-card optical interconnect architecture is shown in Fig. 1 , where a dedicated optical interconnect module is integrated onto each electrical card (typically a printed-circuit-board (PCB)) [9] . This optical interconnect module mainly consists of a VCSEL arr ay, a photodiode (PD) arr ay, two micro-lens arr ays, and two MEMS based steering mirror arrays. At the transmitter side, the electrical signal from the attached card first modulates the VCSEL optical beam, and then the modulated optical beam is collimated by the associated micro-lens. To minimize the VCSEL beam divergence, the distance between the VCSEL and micro-lens is made equal to the focal length of the micro lens. Subsequently, the optical signal is steered towards the corresponding receiver with a steering MEMS mirror element. At the receiver side, the modulated optical signal is appropriately steered with another MEMS mirror element and focused onto the corresponding PD element. With analog steering mirrors being used, the transmitted optical beam can dynamically be steered along arbitrary directions, realising adaptive optical interconnection with receivers at arbitrary locations within a communication range. In addition, inside a typical rack, the electrical cards are placed in parallel and the free-space link may be blocked if the optical interconnect modules are placed at the same position with respect to the adjacent cards. Since the proposed optical interconnect module is small in size, this possible blockage problem can be avoided by installing the module at different positions of the cards, as shown in Fig. 1 .

However, the performance of free-space based optical interconnects is normally degraded by the turbulence caused by heat airflows existing in typical interconnection environments.

Results show that compared with the scenario without turbulence, with moderate turbulence, the BER performance of the proposed interconnect is slightly worse for the same horizontal distance between the transmitter and receiver cards, and the receiver sensitivity at BER < 10' 9 is degraded by -0.5 dB. When the turbulence intensity is comparatively strong, the power penalty is found to be � 1.6 dB. The proposed reconfigurable free-space card-to-card optical interconnect architecture is shown in Fig. 1 , where a dedicated optical interconnect module is integrated onto each electrical card (typically a printed-circuit-board (PCB)).