The value of RoCoF in comparison with the deviation of the frequency from 50 Hz is an indicator of the grid stability. Large frequency deviations from 50 Hz and on the same time steep RoCoF reveal an unstable system. Figure 5 depicts the correlation between RoCoF and frequency deviation for the timespan 18 January 2018-18 March 2018 in a 3-D scatter plot. The x-axis represents the deviation of the measured frequency from 50 Hz at time t, the y-axis shows the RoCoF values at the same time and the z-axis shows the number of (RoCoF t , Deviation t ) observations. The calculation of the number of occurrences is done in steps of 0.1 mHz s −1 and 1 mHz respectively, to reduce the computational complexity. The visualization of the data points resembles a rhombus, from which one can observe that the most steep RoCoF values and substantial deviations from 50 Hz do not occur at the same time. Most of the observation points are included within the dashed rhombus and rectangle, which define the maximum frequency deviation and observed frequency gradients after a reference incident in the synchronous grid of continental Europe, namely 200 mHz and 0.01 Hz s −1 , respectively [14, 15] . Indeed, only 51 and 37 measurements exceed the limit of −0.01 Hz s −1 and 0.01 Hz s −1 , respectively, which corresponds to 9.29 × 10 −4 % and 6.66 × 10 −4 % of the total number of measurement points. The resulting diagram is almost symmetrical on the x-axis which is a further stability criterion for the grid. It reveals that the average deviation from 50 Hz is almost 0 and hence the average frequency of the grid is 50 Hz. Indeed, the average absolute deviation from 50 Hz for the overall measurement period is 0.0178 Hz. The average frequency for the whole period is 49.9978 Hz. The symmetry on the y-axis reveals that inertia of the grid is provided similarly for positive and negative imbalances of generation and load during the period of the analysis. Therefore, the response of the grid when Continuing, the maximum NSIP per hour was compared with the minimum RoCoF per hour for the total period of the analysis, resulting in 1440 calculation points. Figure 6 depicts a scatter plot with the x-axis representing the maximum NSIP per hour, the y-axis the maximum share of NSIP per hour and the z-axis (colorbar) the minimum RoCoF per hour.

Most of the observation points are included within the dashed rhombus and rectangle, which define the maximum frequency deviation and observed frequency gradients after a reference incident in the synchronous grid of continental Europe, namely 200 mHz and 0.01 Hz s −1 , respectively.


Considering the differences between propositional rule discovery and distributional-consequent rule discovery, there are inherent differences between the techniques for propositional and distributional-consequent rule pruning and optimizations. Researchers have devoted extensive efforts to develop rule pruning and optimization techniques. Reviews of such work can be found in many related works [9] .

Reviews of such work can be found in many related works.


Part of the large variation in shooting percentages is likely due to the many contextual factors that contribute to the probability of a shot make. Improvements to FG% prediction have been made by including some of these covariates in shot-make prediction models (Piette, Sathyanarayan, and Zhang 2010; Cen et al. 2015) . However, because of the small differences that separate the true shooting skill of players in the NBA, chance variation may also contribute significantly to the variation and instability of FG%. Optical tracking data of shot trajectories can potentially reduce noise in shooting metrics by allowing us to differentiate shots that rim out, air balls, and (unintentional) banks, giving us more information about players' shooting skill with fewer shots. This idea has been demonstrated recently during practice shooting sessions, where FG% augmented by precise shot factor information gathered during these sessions improved the prediction of future shooting (Marty and Lucey 2017; Marty 2018) . Accurate estimates of shot factors using optical tracking data from live games may allow for a similar improvement in the prediction of in-game shooting metrics.

Improvements to FG% prediction have been made by including some of these covariates in shot-make prediction models.

This idea has been demonstrated recently during practice shooting sessions, where FG% augmented by precise shot factor information gathered during these sessions improved the prediction of future shooting.


The formation of d-lactone groups in a-2,8 (or a-2,9)-oligosialic acid (OSA)/PSA suggests that the C-2 carboxylic acid of one residue condenses with the hydroxyl groups at C-9 (or C-8) of an adjacent residue to form a six-membered ring between two adjacent sialic acid residues (Figure 1d, e) (Lifely et al., 1981) . It is apparent that lactonization in OSA/PSA could alter their charge density, conformation, and probably their antigenicity and biological functions (Ando et al., 1989; Kielczynski et al., 1994) . According to the previous report, under acidic conditions, both a-2,8 and a-2,9 PSA can undergo d-lactonization (Lifely et al., 1984) . Due to the steric hindrance in C-8, d-lactonization in a-2,9 PSA is much slower than that in a-2,8 PSA. It is obvious that the diversity of lactonization becomes more complicated if the degree of polymerization (DP) of OSA increases. The same lactonization also occurs between two sialic acid residues in GD3 and GD1b ganglioside (Fronza et al., 1989; Maggio et al., 1990; Yu et al., 1985) . Other types of ganglioside lactones (GM3 and GM4) formed from the carboxyl group of sialic acid and the C-4 (or C-2) hydroxyl group of the adjacent galactosyl residue were found in the whale brain (Terabayashi et al., 1990; Terabayashi and Kawanishi, 1998) . Furthermore, GM3 lactone was found to bind to influenza virus hemagglutinin but not to be substrate for virus neuraminidase (Sato et al., 1999) . As a consequence, it was proposed that lactone formation might represent an on/off signal of a physiological function.

The formation of d-lactone groups in a-2,8 (or a-2,9)-oligosialic acid (OSA)/PSA suggests that the C-2 carboxylic acid of one residue condenses with the hydroxyl groups at C-9 (or C-8) of an adjacent residue to form a six-membered ring between two adjacent sialic acid residues (Figure 1d, e).

It is apparent that lactonization in OSA/PSA could alter their charge density, conformation, and probably their antigenicity and biological functions.

According to the previous report, under acidic conditions, both a-2,8 and a-2,9 PSA can undergo d-lactonization.

The same lactonization also occurs between two sialic acid residues in GD3 and GD1b ganglioside.

Other types of ganglioside lactones (GM3 and GM4) formed from the carboxyl group of sialic acid and the C-4 (or C-2) hydroxyl group of the adjacent galactosyl residue were found in the whale brain.

Furthermore, GM3 lactone was found to bind to influenza virus hemagglutinin but not to be substrate for virus neuraminidase.


Ahead of the global climate conference COP24, the European Investment Bank launched a first-of-its-kind climate survey, in partnership with the global public opinion company YouGov, to find out how 25,000 citizens feel towards climate change in the European Union, the United States and China. First key findings show the public sentiment towards climate change in the European Union. These highlight a geographical disparity between the North and the South. Southern Europeans are particularly concerned about the impacts of climate change and see it much more as an immediate threat. They also believe it is mostly caused by human activities. On the contrary, northern Europeans are less worried about climate change and less convinced of the impact of human activities. Although the survey does not provide sociodemographic profiles of the respondents, uncertainty, coupled with skepticism, is identified as a common finding when asking about sentiments on climate change. Our analysis is in line with this statement as climate change has a domino effect on both farmers and the public, often starting with a concerned sentiment towards direct or indirect impacts on environmental, agricultural, economic and social domains [104, 105] . The survey also reflects how experiencing physical manifestations of climate change at regional scale contribute to farmers' adaptation, while scientific uncertainties and political incomprehension limit the social concern and the need to act [106] . Our analysis from Eurobarometer and research projects have also proved that personal experience of climate change is interdependent with the belief that climate change is happening. What is noticeable from this result is that the greater the years of farmers' farming experiences the greater the percentage rate of their climate change awareness. This contrasts with the attitude of the public according to the Eurobarometer reports, in which climate change generates fatigue in older generations while brings back the consciousness of the youngest and drives adaptation measures. However, one of the main limitations of both sources is that they are unable to deepen into why society and farmers are aware and are concerned about climate change, focusing merely on statements or denials of specific postulates and perceived ambiguity [107] .

Our analysis is in line with this statement as climate change has a domino effect on both farmers and the public, often starting with a concerned sentiment towards direct or indirect impacts on environmental, agricultural, economic and social domains.

The survey also reflects how experiencing physical manifestations of climate change at regional scale contribute to farmers' adaptation, while scientific uncertainties and political incomprehension limit the social concern and the need to act.

However, one of the main limitations of both sources is that they are unable to deepen into why society and farmers are aware and are concerned about climate change, focusing merely on statements or denials of specific postulates and perceived ambiguity.


Image denoising plays an important role in the areas of image processing. A real recorded image may be distorted by many expected or unexpected random factors, of which random noise is an unavoidable one 1, 2 . The objective of image denoising or filtering is to recover the true image from the noisy one. One of the challenges during the denoising process is to preserve and enhance the important features. For images, edge is one of the most universal and crucial features. Denoising via linear filters normally does not give satisfactory performance since both noises and edges contain high frequencies. Therefore, some nonlinear filters 3-18 have been proposed. Median filter 1 is one of the classical examples. Wavelet-based image filters 19-22 are developing quickly. PDE-based nonlinear diffusion filters 23-26 also make a hit on image denoising. One of PDE-based methods is the famous total variation model TVM [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] . TVM has been improved in theory and algorithm continuously.

One of PDE-based methods is the famous total variation model TVM.


Protocols such as Steward, Blink, and Menicus improve on Pbft by partly optimizing for geo-scale aware deployments [5, 4, 70, 71] . In Section 4, we already showed that the design of Steward-which depends on a primary cluster-severely limits its performance. The Blink protocol improved the design of Steward by removing the need for a primary cluster, as it requires each cluster to order all incoming requests [4] . This design comes with high communication costs, unfortunately. Finally, Menicus tries to reduce communication costs for clients by letting clients only communicate with close-by replicas [70, 71] . By alternating the primary among all replicas, this allows clients to propose requests without having to resort to contacting replicas at geographically large distances. As such, this design focusses on the costs perceived by clients, whereas GeoBFT focusses on the overall costs of consensus.

Protocols such as Steward, Blink, and Menicus improve on Pbft by partly optimizing for geo-scale aware deployments.

The Blink protocol improved the design of Steward by removing the need for a primary cluster, as it requires each cluster to order all incoming requests.

Finally, Menicus tries to reduce communication costs for clients by letting clients only communicate with close-by replicas.


After more than a decade of experiments, eclipse mapping has now become a mature and well established technique. There are already many good reviews on this topic in the literature [22, 23, 57, 60] . The main aim of this review is therefore not to provide another description of the technique, but to make a summary of the results obtained so far giving emphasis on the impact they had on our understanding of the physics of accretion discs.

There are already many good reviews on this topic in the literature.


Accretion discs are cosmic devices that allow matter to efficiently accrete over a compact source by removing its angular momentum via viscous stresses while transforming the liberated gravitational potential energy into heat and, thereafter, radiation [17] . They are widespread in astrophysical environments, from sheltering the birth of stars to providing the energetics of quasars and active galactic nuclei. It is, however, in mass-exchanging binaries such as non-magnetic Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) that the best environment for studies of accretion discs are possibly found. In these close binaries mass is fed to a white dwarf by a Roche lobe filling companion star (the secondary) via an accretion disc, which usually dominates the ultraviolet and optical light of the system [57] .

Accretion discs are cosmic devices that allow matter to efficiently accrete over a compact source by removing its angular momentum via viscous stresses while transforming the liberated gravitational potential energy into heat and, thereafter, radiation.

In these close binaries mass is fed to a white dwarf by a Roche lobe filling companion star (the secondary) via an accretion disc, which usually dominates the ultraviolet and optical light of the system.


The current cosmological observations seem to get the simplest and rather concordant interpretation in the homogeneous and isotropic expanding universe models, with latetime acceleration starting around the redshift z ∼ 0.6 [1] [2] [3] . The acceleration is usually seen as an evidence for dark energy, most often in the form of a cosmological constant or vacuum energy. However, the enormous fine-tuning needed to explain both the size and the timing of such an energy component has raised serious doubts about its correctness and thus justified the search for alternatives [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] .

The current cosmological observations seem to get the simplest and rather concordant interpretation in the homogeneous and isotropic expanding universe models, with latetime acceleration starting around the redshift z ∼ 0.6.

However, the enormous fine-tuning needed to explain both the size and the timing of such an energy component has raised serious doubts about its correctness and thus justified the search for alternatives.


The conventional way to apply the Buchert formalism is to average over a single domain, larger than the supposed scale of statistical homogeneity in the galaxy distribution. Consequently, it has been speculated that the averaging method fails if there are inhomogeneities at large scales as well [19] . Motivated by the recently observed large voids and superclusters, we try to extend the averaging method to work with large scale inhomogeneities by going beyond the single scale approximation. In fact, the point we want to bring out is that it would be physically reasonable to replace the single scale R by the distance of the objects R(z) for each redshift z, since the distance the observed light travels depends on how far the object is.

Consequently, it has been speculated that the averaging method fails if there are inhomogeneities at large scales as well.


Reports about radiation effects on this class of alloys, primarily related to Nb/Ti-stabilized 20Cre25Ni alloys, were conducted during 1960se1990s because of their use as a fuel-cladding material for advanced gas-cooled reactors. Radiation-induced (Ni,Nb,Si)-rich and (Ni,Si)-rich precipitates were observed in the alloys irradiated at 440e640 C and 360e480 C, respectively [6] . Generally, radiation-induced hardening was observed in the steels, accompanied by significant reductions in ductility, causing fracture characteristics to change from transgranular (unirradiated) to intergranular (irradiated) at irradiation temperatures of 550e900 C [7, 8] . Similar to the results for general austenitic stainless steels, radiation-induced segregation (RIS) of Cr depletion and Ni enrichment was observed at the grain boundaries of a Fee20Cre24Ni model alloy under proton irradiation to 3 displacements per atom (dpa) at 200e600 C. It exhibited maximum Cr depletion (to~8.7 wt %) and Ni enrichment (to~28.6 wt %) at 500 C and 0.5 dpa [9] . The segregation was slightly aggravated with increasing dpa. Such significant RIS at grain boundaries may be somewhat mitigated in complex alloys like NF709 because of the increase in defect recombination sites in the matrix [10] .

Radiation-induced (Ni,Nb,Si)-rich and (Ni,Si)-rich precipitates were observed in the alloys irradiated at 440e640 C and 360e480 C, respectively.

Generally, radiation-induced hardening was observed in the steels, accompanied by significant reductions in ductility, causing fracture characteristics to change from transgranular (unirradiated) to intergranular (irradiated) at irradiation temperatures of 550e900 C.

Similar to the results for general austenitic stainless steels, radiation-induced segregation (RIS) of Cr depletion and Ni enrichment was observed at the grain boundaries of a Fee20Cre24Ni model alloy under proton irradiation to 3 displacements per atom (dpa) at 200e600 C. It exhibited maximum Cr depletion (to~8.7 wt %) and Ni enrichment (to~28.6 wt %) at 500 C and 0.5 dpa.

Such significant RIS at grain boundaries may be somewhat mitigated in complex alloys like NF709 because of the increase in defect recombination sites in the matrix.


According to the representativeness heuristic, probabilities are evaluated by the degree to which A is representative of B. In other words, when judging the probability of an event by representativeness, one compare the essential features of the event to those of the structure form which it originates (Kahneman and Tversky (1972) ). Therefore, by this heuristic, one estimates probability by assessing similarity or connotative distance. This approach, leads to serious errors, because similarity, or representativeness, is not influenced by several factors that should affect the judgment.

According to the representativeness heuristic, probabilities are evaluated by the degree to which A is representative of B. In other words, when judging the probability of an event by representativeness, one compare the essential features of the event to those of the structure form which it originates).


Until now, there still remain many challenges. Firstly, most surface transfer doping cases are achieved through the adsorption of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing chemical species. Because the adsorbed chemical species could desorb from graphene surface and they can react with reactive molecules such as O 2 or water in air atmosphere, therefore, the graphene doped by surface transfer dopants may have short stability. The substitutional-doped graphene could more stable through foreign atoms bonded covalently with carbon lattice [6] .

The substitutional-doped graphene could more stable through foreign atoms bonded covalently with carbon lattice.


Secondly, the surface coverage of the chemical species and the number of foreign atoms incorporated into the basal plane of graphene is hard to control and the doping of graphene would be hard to reproduce [6] . It would need more exact methods to homogenously and reproducibly dope graphene in a controlled way. Moreover, the doping mechanism is needed further understand. The relationships of doping concentration, mobility, and band gap tuning need more sophisticatedly investigations.

Secondly, the surface coverage of the chemical species and the number of foreign atoms incorporated into the basal plane of graphene is hard to control and the doping of graphene would be hard to reproduce.


In addition to provoking cardiovascular events, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and obesity contribute to progressive graft failure in both paediatric and adult renal transplant patients [3, [24] [25] [26] . Well-controlled blood pressure markedly improves long-term allograft survival in adult renal allograft recipients [26] . It is, therefore, likely that the improvement in arterial hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and obesity in response to steroid withdrawal will both reduce the cardiac risk profile and prolong renal graft survival.

In addition to provoking cardiovascular events, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and obesity contribute to progressive graft failure in both paediatric and adult renal transplant patients.

Well-controlled blood pressure markedly improves long-term allograft survival in adult renal allograft recipients.


Climate change is intensifying rainfall variability over West Africa causing extreme events, such as droughts and floods [1] . This may have consequences on land surface vegetation in this zone since climate plays a key role in vegetation condition. Therefore, it is essential to assess and quantify the response of vegetation to rainfall variability.

Climate change is intensifying rainfall variability over West Africa causing extreme events, such as droughts and floods.


In recent years, as other fibers have taken the place of asbestos, the porosity of brake pads has come to be an important constituent of these composite materials. Porosity is involved in the transmission of heat from friction as well as in the sound produced during braking and it helps vent the decomposition gases that sometimes produce a fading effect during a very sudden braking. A spatial characterization of porosity is vital to controlling the structuring of brake pad materials as they are produced [7] . The current trend in the research field is the utilization of industrial or agricultural wastes as a source of raw materials for composite development [8] . This will provide more economical benefit and also environmental preservation. Moreover, many factors should be considered when developing brake materials to fulfill requirements such as, a stable friction coefficient and a lower wear rate at various operating speeds, pressures, temperatures, and environmental conditions in the automotive sectors [9] [10] [11] .

A spatial characterization of porosity is vital to controlling the structuring of brake pad materials as they are produced.

The current trend in the research field is the utilization of industrial or agricultural wastes as a source of raw materials for composite development.

Moreover, many factors should be considered when developing brake materials to fulfill requirements such as, a stable friction coefficient and a lower wear rate at various operating speeds, pressures, temperatures, and environmental conditions in the automotive sectors.


Tire accumulation is a growing worldwide problem because it is recalcitrant to the environment. Every year about 800 million tires are rejected, and this amount is increasing by 2% each year [12] . Different strategies have been proposed to eliminate rubber wastes including incineration with energy recovery or grinding them down to be used as modifiers for different materials [13] . Sintering of rubber is another possibility of recycling tires. This process requires only the application of heat and pressure to achieve cross-linked rubber with good mechanical properties [14] . No information is available in the literature on the use of Waste Tire Dust (WTD) for the formulation of new brake pad materials. Therefore, brake pad materials have been formulated with the aim of using WTD as a new industrial waste material for automotive friction materials. In the experimental studies, the change of friction coefficient, the amount of wear, density, hardness and porosity were measured. In addition, micro-structural characterizations of braking pads were looked at by using a SEM. The results revealed that WTD can in fact be used for friction materials in the brake lining pad. This study has been undertaken to investigate the effects of porosity on automotive brake pads from 5% to 15% by the weight of waste tire dust. In addition, it was investigated the relationship between wear behavior, porosity and friction characteristics of the pad was investigated.

Every year about 800 million tires are rejected, and this amount is increasing by 2% each year.

Different strategies have been proposed to eliminate rubber wastes including incineration with energy recovery or grinding them down to be used as modifiers for different materials.

This process requires only the application of heat and pressure to achieve cross-linked rubber with good mechanical properties.


Due to very few imports of livestock into Denmark and negligible risk of infection from wildlife (i.e., the two most obvious herd-level risk factors of introduction of bTB into livestock herds), we did not include herd-level risk factors in the model. The sensitivity of the component (CSe) was defined as the probability of detecting at least one bTB infected animal at a design prevalence of 0.0002% corresponding to a herd-level design prevalence of 0.2% multiplied with an animal-level design prevalence of 0.1% when inspecting or testing all units processed in the domestic cattle and pig SSCs. These two prevalence levels were stated in the OIE guidelines for a country to qualify as free from bTB [3] . However, for the deer and export cattle this design prevalence would result in less than one infected animal in those populations, therefore the design prevalence for these two SSCs was estimated as the 1/N, where N is the total number of deer and tested export cattle in the SCC in 2011, respectively. The diagnostic test sensitivity and number of units processed were also entered in the stochastic scenario tree model. The structure and contents of the scenario tree model is described in the sections below. The values for the key parameters entered in the stochastic model were estimated using data from on-going surveillance for bTB and information from the literature ( Table 2) .

These two prevalence levels were stated in the OIE guidelines for a country to qualify as free from bTB.


The Estimation of Signal Parameters Via Rotational Invariance Techniques (ESPRIT) algorithm was presented in 2 International Journal of Antennas and Propagation [4] . Although ESPRIT has been used in a scenario of angle of arrival (AoA) estimation, it can be applied to a wide range of problems, including detection and estimation of parameters of sinusoidal signals in the presence of noise. The technique uses the rotational invariance of signal subspaces, as a consequence of the translational invariance of elements in antenna arrays.

The Estimation of Signal Parameters Via Rotational Invariance Techniques (ESPRIT) algorithm was presented in 2 International Journal of Antennas and Propagation.


Another important contribution for spatial signal processing is found in the literature [3] . The authors present an efficient algorithm for ML estimation of the DoA considering multiple emission sources and signals captured by the elements of an antenna array. The estimator can be applied to signals that arrive through multipath propagation. The algorithm is based on an iterative technique referred to as alternating projection (AP), which transforms the nonlinear multivariate maximization problem in a set of unidimensional problems which are easier to simplify. In spite of the convergence achieved for a wide set of simulations, the authors did not assure the convergence for a general problem.

Another important contribution for spatial signal processing is found in the literature.


Since the change of , 1 , and 2 can significantly affect the functionality of the newly designed prospective memory, it is almost a necessity to know the morphology of BS. Without its knowledge, it is very difficult to find the optimal parameters of the control pulse. Otherwise, the designer of memory is forced to use inefficient method of "trial-error" that does not explain the failure of memory, for example, due to the presence of SLCs. The possibility of practical utilization of SLCs, occurring in memories, is unknown to the author. Therefore, he evaluates negatively their presence in memory structures. Given that in the ternary memory such parameters , 1 , and 2 were found, leading to the extinction of SLCs, it can be assumed that even in fivevalued memory the same analogy would be possible. Then, BS morphology would be much easier. Presence of virtual saddle singularity, or cases of very complex BS morphology can even happen [19] . Mentioned cases make control memory impossible, despite the absence of SLC. Even under these notes, the knowledge of BS morphology is important part in the analysis of MV memories. Other activities for examining the points mentioned earlier will continue if author will meet the interest in science public.

Presence of virtual saddle singularity, or cases of very complex BS morphology can even happen.


Traumatic IVC injuries are a relatively rare event, occurring in only up to 5% of penetrating injuries and only up to 1% of blunt abdominal trauma [8] . Nonetheless, IVC trauma continues to present a formidable challenge to trauma surgeons, carrying an overall high mortality rate in spite of recent improvements in pre-hospital care, resuscitation upon arrival at a trauma center, diagnostic imaging, and timely surgical care. Our overall mortality rate for IVC trauma (37.5%) is consistent with previous reports of IVC trauma mortality ranging from 21% to 56%, with an overall mortality rate of 43% [1, 5, [7] [8] [9] [10] 14, [16] [17] [18] . Previous reports have described predictors of mortality to be level of injury, shock on admission, timing of diagnosis to definitive management, blood loss, requirements for blood transfusions, associated injuries, ED thoracotomy, preoperative lactate and base deficits, ISS, and GCS [1, 5, [7] [8] [9] [10] [16] [17] [18] . In our cohort, we found statistically significant associations with the risk of mortality with hypotension upon arrival at the ER, thoracotomy, operative time, injury severity expressed as ISS, and GCS. There was a trend towards ascending mortality as the level of injury approached the heart, however we were unable to find a statistically significant relation between level of injury and mortality. This is likely due to the small size of our cohort, and the fact that the two patients in our series with intra-perdicardial lesions, both survived. Upon regression analysis, significant predictors of mortality were thoracotomy, IVC ligation as operative management, and GCS. GCS as an independent predictor of mortality in IVC trauma has been previously described in a patient population with a higher incidence of blunt trauma (28%) than our patient cohort (6.3%) [5] . Nonetheless, in our patient cohort presenting with a high incidence of penetrating IVC trauma (93.7%), logistic regression confirmed GCS is significantly associated with mortality. In our cohort, patients did not sustain major head injuries, thus the significant association GCS demonstrated with mortality likely reflects substantial hemodynamic compromise, as has been previously proposed [5] .

Traumatic IVC injuries are a relatively rare event, occurring in only up to 5% of penetrating injuries and only up to 1% of blunt abdominal trauma.

Our overall mortality rate for IVC trauma (37.5%) is consistent with previous reports of IVC trauma mortality ranging from 21% to 56%, with an overall mortality rate of 43%.

Previous reports have described predictors of mortality to be level of injury, shock on admission, timing of diagnosis to definitive management, blood loss, requirements for blood transfusions, associated injuries, ED thoracotomy, preoperative lactate and base deficits, ISS, and GCS.

GCS as an independent predictor of mortality in IVC trauma has been previously described in a patient population with a higher incidence of blunt trauma (28%) than our patient cohort (6.3%).

In our cohort, patients did not sustain major head injuries, thus the significant association GCS demonstrated with mortality likely reflects substantial hemodynamic compromise, as has been previously proposed.


Multiple aspects of physicians' work often overlap with each other, and it may be difficult for physicians to compartmentalize these on busy working days. Timemotion studies, wherein a researcher directly observes and records the subject's activity, are useful to objectively understand physicians' work activities. Several timemotion studies in clinical settings have provided valuable data concerning physicians' work in other countries [10] . In Japan, one such study investigated first-and second-year residents' time allocation, thus the collected data did not necessarily cover the wide range of the physicians' work activities [11] .

Several timemotion studies in clinical settings have provided valuable data concerning physicians' work in other countries.

In Japan, one such study investigated first-and second-year residents' time allocation, thus the collected data did not necessarily cover the wide range of the physicians' work activities.


We isolated a xylanase-producing thermophilic fungus, Melanocarpus albomyces, from compost by enrichment culture in a liquid medium incorporating sugarcane bagasse as the carbon source (Maheshwari and Kamalam 1985) . Besides being a non-sporulating, heterothallic ascomycete, this fungus was noteworthy because it rapidly produced appreciable levels of xylanase activity without contaminating cellulases when grown on sugarcane bagasse-a cheap material available in bulk quantity in the tropics-obviating the use of expensive xylan as the inducer. Moreover, unlike other fungi, xylanase in M. albomyces was inducible also by xylose. Furthermore, the fungus grew and produced stable xylanase activity at the alkaline pH that developed during cultivation in a bagasse-urea medium (Maheshwari and Kamalam 1985) . The purpose of this study was to determine if sugarcane bagasse and xylose induce the same spectrum of xylanases, to purify and characterize them and to study biodegradation of plant cell walls by purified xylanase and in combination with cellulase.

We isolated a xylanase-producing thermophilic fungus, Melanocarpus albomyces, from compost by enrichment culture in a liquid medium incorporating sugarcane bagasse as the carbon source.

Furthermore, the fungus grew and produced stable xylanase activity at the alkaline pH that developed during cultivation in a bagasse-urea medium.


In this paper, we consider the implications that such an incremental value rule would have on innovators' decisions to invest in research and development (R&D) in the first instance and also on their decision to join a cooperative SSO. We find that while the incremental value rule has intuitive appeal for patent licensing within SSOs, it starts from two strong presumptions: 1) that all innovations required for the standard (or for a particular component of the standard) have already been developed and 2) that all innovators have already chosen to participate in the SSO. However, neither of these conditions need be met in practice. First, it is often the case that continual R&D and innovation are required for the commercialization of a standard, especially when multiple generations of a standard are considered. Even without multiple generations, however, getting a standard commercialized can require research effort at multiple points in time, as new problems emerge during the development process (Layne-Farrar, 2010) . Second, SSO participation is voluntary, so the risk that a firm with important technologies for a standard abstains from participating is of genuine concern.

Even without multiple generations, however, getting a standard commercialized can require research effort at multiple points in time, as new problems emerge during the development process.


In the present work, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of polystyrene (PS) melts in free-standing thin films and on a graphite substrate using an explicit all-atom model [53] . Our choice of PS films was motivated, firstly, by the experimental observations that among all the polymers investigated so far, PS films exhibit the most pronounced depression of Tg in thin films and the thickest mobile layer in the free-surface region in the temperature range below the Tg of the bulk sample [6, 54] . Therefore, explicit all-atom molecular simulations of PS melts promise to yield potentially valuable insights into the molecular origin of the decreased Tg in thin PS films.

In the present work, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of polystyrene (PS) melts in free-standing thin films and on a graphite substrate using an explicit all-atom model.

Our choice of PS films was motivated, firstly, by the experimental observations that among all the polymers investigated so far, PS films exhibit the most pronounced depression of Tg in thin films and the thickest mobile layer in the free-surface region in the temperature range below the Tg of the bulk sample.


In what follows, we first formalize social-ecological networks in more detail and examine the metrics used in network studies to describe some of the chosen characteristics of a network, all of which pose different types of challenges with regard to governing the resilience of social-ecological systems. The use of the network perspective is illustrated with four case studies from the set of case studies described in this special issue (Walker and Lawson 2006) . We conclude by discussing potential future steps in the use of a network perspective for assessing the resilience of social-ecological systems.

The use of the network perspective is illustrated with four case studies from the set of case studies described in this special issue.


The 7-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine recommended for universal use in young children in the United States includes pneumococcal serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F [21] . Eight of the 10 isolates recovered from our patients with endocarditis (table 1) were vaccine or vaccine-related serotypes. This vaccine was licensed in 2000; thus, only our patient presenting in 2003 had received it (patient 11 received a single dose 3 weeks before onset of disease due to serotype 14). At least 1 of our patients (patient 8; isolate not serotyped) may have been a candidate for the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine that has been licensed since 1983 and recommended since 1997 by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for patients at least 2 years of age with chronic cardiovascular disease and other high-risk conditions [22] . The pneumococcal vaccines should be used as recommended [21] . Their ability to prevent pneumococcal endocarditis is unknown but likely; the conjugate vaccine recommended for universal use has been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in children [23] .

The 7-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine recommended for universal use in young children in the United States includes pneumococcal serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F.

At least 1 of our patients (patient 8; isolate not serotyped) may have been a candidate for the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine that has been licensed since 1983 and recommended since 1997 by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for patients at least 2 years of age with chronic cardiovascular disease and other high-risk conditions.

The pneumococcal vaccines should be used as recommended.

Their ability to prevent pneumococcal endocarditis is unknown but likely; the conjugate vaccine recommended for universal use has been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in children.


The description of a sheath helix is given in Watkins [14] . A sheath helix can be approximated in practice by winding a very thin conducting wires around the cylindrical surface so that the spacing between the adjacent windings is very small and yet they are insulate from one another. Thus in Fig. 1(e) , d > w and both are very small, and in the limit both tend to zero Fig. 1(b) . An alternative way of realizing the sheath is to have a thin planar sheet made of alternate conducting thin strips and non conducting gaps-obliquely and then wrapping it along the cylindrical core without overlap Fig. 1(c) . The cladding material (n 2 ) is next to be deposited cylindrically around the core with the winding. It is to be admitted that on the microscopic scale the manufacture of such structure will present difficulties; but these may not be insurmountable in the present age of nanotechnology.

The description of a sheath helix is given in Watkins.


The small size and the relatively large surface area of NPs resulted in increased toxicity when compared to particles in micrometer size. Therefore, the present study was carried out with objectives to compare the toxic potentials of nano and Journal of Nanoscience micron size of ZnO and SiO 2 particulates on exposure to human cell lines. The physicochemical characteristics of nano and micron particles of both ZnO and SiO 2 samples revealed that the primary size of micron ZnO and SiO 2 particles provided by the supplier was not compatible with the measurements made in laboratory. The supplier reported that the mean size of micron ZnO particle was <5 m and micron SiO 2 particle was in the range of 0.5 to 10 m; however, the measured particle sizes (Table 1) by TEM were not identical for micron sizes of both ZnO and SiO 2 particles. The average size of nano ZnO and nano SiO 2 was in agreement with the size provided by the supplier. In comparison to measurements in the dry phase (by TEM) the mean particle sizes and size distributions of particles (measured by DLS) were enhanced when measured in aqueous media. Due to high specific surface area and high surface energy level, NPs have the propensity to aggregate together to form micro-size particles that are more stable in the environment [38, 39] . To minimize the effects of particles aggregation and sedimentation, colloidal suspension of particles was always freshly prepared and sonicated before each experiment.

Due to high specific surface area and high surface energy level, NPs have the propensity to aggregate together to form micro-size particles that are more stable in the environment.


UV-photoinitiated polymerization provides advantages over thermal-initiated polymerization, including fast and controllable reaction rates without a need for high temperatures or specific pH conditions [1] [2] [3] [4] . Furthermore, it offers control over the process, which is sensitive to wavelength. The maximum rate can be achieved by optimizing polymer parameters, such as concentration and absorptivity.

UV-photoinitiated polymerization provides advantages over thermal-initiated polymerization, including fast and controllable reaction rates without a need for high temperatures or specific pH conditions.


Statistical Analyses. Values reported represent mean 6 SE. Regularity of nest spacing was calculated using the G-statistic; this index ranges from 0-1 with values .0.65 indicating a uniform distribution of nests (Brown 1975) . Differences in mean nearest neighbor distance (NND) were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA.

Statistical Analyses.

Values reported represent mean 6 SE.

Regularity of nest spacing was calculated using the G-statistic; this index ranges from 0-1 with values .0.65 indicating a uniform distribution of nests.


A technique called work sampling has been proven not only to be a very effective tool for work efficiency or productivity measurement but also to be a powerful and applicable tool for productivity improvement when used with systematic work improvement methods [8] . Thus, as shown in Table 1 Before the main body of the work sampling can be completed, an initial site visit must be conducted. To this end, the research team made an initial site visit to obtain an understanding of the project, and observed the activities being conducted prior to collecting preliminary information for the proper application of a method productivity delay model (MPDM).

A technique called work sampling has been proven not only to be a very effective tool for work efficiency or productivity measurement but also to be a powerful and applicable tool for productivity improvement when used with systematic work improvement methods.


A work sampling technique, sometimes referred to as a productivity rating, was the first task to be completed in the analysis process. This is a measurement technique for the quantitative analysis, in terms of time, the activity of men, machines, or any observable state or condition of operation [6, 7] . The technique, in general, consists of a large number of observations taken at a random interval over a sufficient period of time. During each observation, the state or condition of the object of the work sampling technique is noted, and this information is classified into one of three predefined categories of activities pertinent to the particular work situation. The three major work classifications that are most commonly used are categorized into effective, essential contributory and ineffective work.

This is a measurement technique for the quantitative analysis, in terms of time, the activity of men, machines, or any observable state or condition of operation.


Effective work, or direct work, is defined as the actual process of putting together or adding to the unit being constructed [5] . This category includes tasks such as placing block, applying mortar, and placing reinforcement. In a perfect world, with productivity rates at 100%, all of the tasks completed would contribute to the unit being constructed and thus would be classified as direct work. Certainly this is not the case, as many tasks completed have limited or no direct benefit to the unit being constructed. This leads to the other two categories of work classification of essential contributory and ineffective work.

Effective work, or direct work, is defined as the actual process of putting together or adding to the unit being constructed.


There are many types of red-bed soft rocks such as red siltstone and red mudstone, which are widely distributed at the Sichuan basin, the Shanganning basin, the Yunnan plateau, and other places in China [1] . The Sichuan Province belongs to typical inland basin known as "Red Basin," and the elevations of the inland basin are about 200 m to 750 m with hilly regions as the main geomorphic units. It is generally believed that the iron element in rocks is oxidized to trivalent iron due to the strong oxidation, which is the reason of forming the red appearance [2, 3] . Among these areas, the basis formation condition of red-bed rocks is the proper geomorphological environment with dry and hot paleoclimate, weathering conditions, and rich sediments source from mountains. The different forming conditions, tectonic activity, and climate lead to the differences of the red-bed rocks in colors, microstructure, mineral composition, weathering degree, and others [3] . The widely distributed red-bed rocks have special mechanical properties (especially for the soft rocks) and are often encountered during the construction process of civil engineering. However, the red-bed soft rocks are mostly exposed below the ground surface and are sensitive to the water; therefore the water-softening and weathering are two main problems for the red-bed soft rocks.

There are many types of red-bed soft rocks such as red siltstone and red mudstone, which are widely distributed at the Sichuan basin, the Shanganning basin, the Yunnan plateau, and other places in China.

It is generally believed that the iron element in rocks is oxidized to trivalent iron due to the strong oxidation, which is the reason of forming the red appearance.

The different forming conditions, tectonic activity, and climate lead to the differences of the red-bed rocks in colors, microstructure, mineral composition, weathering degree, and others.


This study adds to current literature by further investigating hope's predictive capabilities among a struggling sample of college undergraduate students. Based on our findings, hope played a significant part in the increase of end of semester UNIV 01 GPA and indirectly impacted student retention. Hope theory specifies that pathways perceptions are influenced by one's learning history and experiences of achieving desired goals. This facilitates agency beliefs and impacts future pathways thinking [37] . Training in specific skills like time management, study behaviors, and building adequate support systems is a way to maximize hopeful beliefs about the future. Students that tend to be hopeful in academic pursuits are more likely to utilize strategies such as managing their time on course work, improving their study skills, and attending class. For students enrolled in UNIV 01: Academic Success, facilitating hopeful pathways was done by reminding students of the availability of academic resources and support; reiterating and/or teaching time management and study skills; reviewing contemporary issues and alternatives that may impact a student's academic success. It may be that in conjunction to providing strategies to increase academic success, student hope should also be addressed through hope-based interventions. It is anticipated that this facilitation of positive belief systems would therefore increase GPA and the probability of these students being retained.

This facilitates agency beliefs and impacts future pathways thinking.


While the instruction of appropriate academic behaviors is important, students need to value this information and believe that it will be useful in improving their academic standing. Students who are more hopeful are more likely to engage in self-regulatory behaviors and internalize strategies to obtain their goals of academic success. Within our study, students with higher levels of hope appeared to have slightly higher beginning of semester GPAs however these differences were not statistically significant. According to our ANCOVA, even when controlling for prior GPA, students with higherhope levels showed higher end of semester GPAs. This could be attributed to students internalizing positive strategies in UNIV 01 designed to improve academic success. This provides a starting point to understanding what is happening among this sample of students. In regards to hope theory, our findings may be showing that students with higher levels of hope were better able to make meaning of UNIV 01 material and apply it to their own academic circumstances in a way that resulted in a significant increase in their GPA. This would be in line with past research indicating that students with high hope tend to excel academically above their low hope counterparts [33] .

This would be in line with past research indicating that students with high hope tend to excel academically above their low hope counterparts.


Again, just as in the cuprates strong magnetic excitations, including the so-called resonance peak, are observed by inelastic neutron scattering [5] [6] [7] [8] . Core level spectroscopy is consistent with the local Fe moment of about 1 μ B [4] . Interestingly, the density functional theory (DFT) calculations always predict the magnetic ground state (AFM or incommensurate order) for the experimental lattice constants [9] [10] [11] [12] . The phonon dispersions observed by inelastic X-ray scattering are consistent with the DFT calculations only when the magnetic ground state is assumed [13] . Only in the collapsed phase of CaFe 2 As 2 , in which the c-axis lattice constant is reduced by as much as 10% compared to the magnetic state, does the material become truly spindegenerate [14] . All these observations strongly suggest that the superconducting samples are locally and dynamically spin-polarized, and show strong dynamic Fe spin fluctuations. Although we do not have precise knowledge of their spin dynamics, judged from the absence of strong quasielastic scattering in neutron scattering with energy resolution of 1 meV, the time-scale of fluctuation must not be slower than 1 ps. This result supports the view that spins are involved in the mechanism of superconductivity, for instance though the spin-fluctuation mechanism [15] [16] [17] .

Again, just as in the cuprates strong magnetic excitations, including the so-called resonance peak, are observed by inelastic neutron scattering.

Core level spectroscopy is consistent with the local Fe moment of about 1 μ B.

Interestingly, the density functional theory (DFT) calculations always predict the magnetic ground state (AFM or incommensurate order) for the experimental lattice constants.

The phonon dispersions observed by inelastic X-ray scattering are consistent with the DFT calculations only when the magnetic ground state is assumed.

Only in the collapsed phase of CaFe 2 As 2 , in which the c-axis lattice constant is reduced by as much as 10% compared to the magnetic state, does the material become truly spindegenerate.

This result supports the view that spins are involved in the mechanism of superconductivity, for instance though the spin-fluctuation mechanism.


The conventional electron-phonon (e-p) coupling through the charge channel is quite small for the Fe pnictide compounds [53] . This led many to conclude that lattice and phonons are irrelevant to the superconductivity of the Fe pnictides. Consequently, the spin-fluctuation mechanism is regarded to be the leading mechanism to explain their high T C [15] . However, the lattice is intimately involved in the magnetism of this compound through the magnetovolume effect, as shown in this paper. This coupling has been known for a long time as Invar effect. The lattice controls the Stoner condition, and thus the onset of spin-splitting. Because the lattice is so intimately involved in magnetism, it is furthermore possible that the e-p coupling through the spin-channel is relevant, for instance involving the As Raman 6 Advances in Condensed Matter Physics phonon mode or the in-plane Fe mode. The lattice effect may be much more important than generally assumed to the properties of Fe pnictides, including superconductivity.

The conventional electron-phonon (e-p) coupling through the charge channel is quite small for the Fe pnictide compounds.

Consequently, the spin-fluctuation mechanism is regarded to be the leading mechanism to explain their high T C.


Even though CARP is a well-known concept in operational research but only limited research and extensions have been studied in this respect. This important routing problem was first introduced by Golden and Wong [9] . CARP refers to the set of problems wherein a fleet of vehicles originally located in one or more depots delivering services on road networks; the main examples of these services include municipal waste collection, snow removal, pouring salt on snows and road surveying. The roads are represented by edges or arcs across these networks. Each edge contains two arcs with different directions. The services should be delivered in such a way to minimize the associated cost. By starting from the associated central depot, the vehicle delivers the planned service and then returns back to the depot. Each vehicle has a certain capacity and all routes are both originated from and terminated to the origin (central depot).

This important routing problem was first introduced by Golden and Wong.


Extensions to HRL learn the hierarchical structure by clustering and extend reinforcement learning (RL) to multiagent systems [2, 4] . Artificial Government applies an adaptive clustering method to learn the structure of the interactions between the producers and consumers in the form of problem groups. Like multi-agent RL algorithms, AG learns on higher-level shared information and then distributes to the producers and consumers the tasks a producer should solve.

Extensions to HRL learn the hierarchical structure by clustering and extend reinforcement learning (RL) to multiagent systems.


It is now well acknowledged that an image retrieval system for arbitrary images should specialize for particular classes of queries. Specializing learning algorithms for classes of tasks is a subject of meta-learning or bias learning [3] . Many meta-learning algorithms learn distance function weights that apply to problems of a known class distribution. This solution is not entirely applicable in image retrieval, however, because relevance is often subjectively defined and not available during training. In image retrieval, the meta-learning approach must be extended to first discover common relevance classes, to determine which retrieval algorithms best serve them, and finally to adapt to changes in relevance measures and learning algorithms. We approach this problem as a multi-agent meta-learning problem and propose a new framework for its solution.

Specializing learning algorithms for classes of tasks is a subject of meta-learning or bias learning.


The research on coproduction of knowledge has found that greater engagement between scientists and stakeholders tends to produce more usable science because engagement engenders trust in both the science and the science producers (Dilling and Lemos 2011; Lemos et al. 2012) . The crucial next step in making coproduction of knowledge a more widely accepted and used approach to creating usable (and used) science is to refine our understanding, through empirical study, of what specific actions and activities most effectively produce the trusting, long-term relationships necessary to the coproduction of usable science. In other words, if we are more deliberate in how we coproduce knowledge and in how we assess the processes and outcomes involved, we can speed the process of learning and be more effective in coproducing climate science. We believe that by using established approaches, such as those described above, we stand a better chance of creating processes in which we can effectively establish working partnerships between scientists and stakeholders. Using and evaluating existing approaches may also help us develop new approaches, through iterative testing, that prove particularly effective in the climate science community.

The research on coproduction of knowledge has found that greater engagement between scientists and stakeholders tends to produce more usable science because engagement engenders trust in both the science and the science producers.


Research on public participation in policy making has demonstrated that the ways in which participatory processes occur matter to the outcomes. More extensive engagement, such as through negotiation and mediation activities, tends to lead to higher-quality policy decisions, while cursory public or management input at meetings does not (Beierle 2002; Rowe and Frewer 2005) . However, inexperience among researchers, insufficient resources, or a lack of clear guidance on best practices in collaborative knowledge production-or a combination of these and other factors-may hinder efforts to coproduce usable climate science. We argue that one way to improve the process of coproduction is to follow an established collaboration protocol, grounded in participatory research literature, because it can provide guidance on how to plan and manage collaborative activities, frameworks in which to examine stakeholders' decision contexts and concerns, and guidance on resources required to undertake collaborative research; it can also create better opportunities to evaluate the effectiveness of coproduced knowledge through comparative analysis. Using an established approach can help ensure that we ''get the right participation and get the participation right'' (Stern and Fireberg 1996) . We present a small sample of approaches that can be applied to collaborative climate research. This is not an exhaustive list, but the approaches have been selected to present a range of possible ways to structure a coproduction process, depending on the research question, strengths of the research team, available resources, and the needs of the stakeholders.

More extensive engagement, such as through negotiation and mediation activities, tends to lead to higher-quality policy decisions, while cursory public or management input at meetings does not.

Using an established approach can help ensure that we ''get the right participation and get the participation right''.


Water temperature, one of the main variables in water quality, influence many chemical processes as well as biological conditions and behaviors [1] . The development of prediction models for water temperature is crucial for aquatic ecosystem studies and management. In environmental studies, most prediction models research efforts are focused on the development of such models and their application for environmental analyses, planning, and decision-making [2, 36] . These research efforts are not intended for real time prediction.

Water temperature, one of the main variables in water quality, influence many chemical processes as well as biological conditions and behaviors.

In environmental studies, most prediction models research efforts are focused on the development of such models and their application for environmental analyses, planning, and decision-making.


A number of studies on the design and stress analysis of asymmetric gears are available in literature. A large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether asymmetric gears are an alternative to conventional gears in applications requiring high performance. In these studies, some standards (e.g. ISO 6336 and DIN 3990), analytical methods (e.g. the Direct Gear Design method and the tooth contact analysis), and numerical methods (Finite elements method-FEM) have been used to compare the performance of conventional and asymmetric gears under same conditions [15] [16] [17] [18] .

In these studies, some standards (e.g. ISO 6336 and DIN 3990), analytical methods (e.g. the Direct Gear Design method and the tooth contact analysis), and numerical methods (Finite elements method-FEM) have been used to compare the performance of conventional and asymmetric gears under same conditions.


Gear dynamics has been a subject of intense interest to the gearing area during the last few decades dynamic loads and vibration are a major concern for gear drives at high speeds. Simulation of meshing of gear drives performed by application of tooth contact analysis and experimental tests of gear drives have confirmed that transmission errors (TE) are the prime cause of noise and vibrations of the gear drives [1] . The definition of transmission error is made as "The difference between the actual position of the output gear and the position it would occupy if the gear drive were perfectly conjugate". This may be expressed as angular displacement or as linear displacement at the pitch point [2] . The causes of transmission error are elastic deflections under load, geometrical errors and geometrical modifications.

Simulation of meshing of gear drives performed by application of tooth contact analysis and experimental tests of gear drives have confirmed that transmission errors (TE) are the prime cause of noise and vibrations of the gear drives.

This may be expressed as angular displacement or as linear displacement at the pitch point.


Durability of resistance may be improved by pyramiding functionally different resistance genes into a single cultivar. This may be an especially effective strategy in dealing with C. caryigenum given its apparent lack of a sexual cycle. However, the formation of complex races capable of overcoming several resistance genes may be hastened (Wolfe, 1993) . Another strategy would be to incorporate mixtures of cultivars containing different resistance genes into an orchard. Simulation models designed for apple scab predict that a mixture of three different cultivars with different resistance genes could reduce the number of lesions after six generations by 65% when planted in alternate rows, and by 79% in a within-row mixture (Gessler and Blaise, 1994) . The development of new cultivars with similar horticultural characteristics but different resistance genes would facilitate the adoption of this strategy in pecan orchards.

However, the formation of complex races capable of overcoming several resistance genes may be hastened.

Simulation models designed for apple scab predict that a mixture of three different cultivars with different resistance genes could reduce the number of lesions after six generations by 65% when planted in alternate rows, and by 79% in a within-row mixture.


Various concerns are there regarding possible biological effects of low-frequency electric and magnetic fields [11] . The calculation of the electric and magnetic field values within a substation is a hard task [8] . Owing to the difficulty arrangements of geometry of the bus bars, power transformers, insulators, voltage and current measurement transformers and increase of connected power lines within the covered space [9] [11] . As a result, it is needed to apply a dimensional based coordinate approach to the computation and study of the electromagnetic field [10] . Artificial intelligence techniques have been effectively used to an estimate the overhead transmission line electromagnetic field during latest years [14] . Fuzzy logic is applied for magnetic field estimations at transformer substations [12] . In fuzzy logic, the overhead line condition index, which symbolizes the numerical expression of the degree of its condition aggravation and the basis for the choice of the maintenance actions to be taken [15] .

Various concerns are there regarding possible biological effects of low-frequency electric and magnetic fields.

The calculation of the electric and magnetic field values within a substation is a hard task.

Owing to the difficulty arrangements of geometry of the bus bars, power transformers, insulators, voltage and current measurement transformers and increase of connected power lines within the covered space.

As a result, it is needed to apply a dimensional based coordinate approach to the computation and study of the electromagnetic field.

Artificial intelligence techniques have been effectively used to an estimate the overhead transmission line electromagnetic field during latest years.

Fuzzy logic is applied for magnetic field estimations at transformer substations.

In fuzzy logic, the overhead line condition index, which symbolizes the numerical expression of the degree of its condition aggravation and the basis for the choice of the maintenance actions to be taken.


For the adjustment of the fuzzy parameters the genetic algorithm has been proposed [16] [17] . Artificial neural networks are addressed in order to give precise solutions to high voltage transmission line problems [18] . ANFIS and RBF network have been effectively employed to a number of engineering problems during latest years [19] . The architecture and learning procedure of fuzzy interference system executed in the framework of adaptive networks. One of ANFIS functions is modelling difficult nonlinear functions by a set of fuzzy rules. Neural network and fuzzy logic system are common approximations. The RBF neural network as well has the ability of common approximation [20] . These artificial intelligence techniques are effectively used for electromagnetic fields estimation around an overhead power transmission line [13] . In this paper, CS algorithm with aid of NFC is proposed to estimate the EMF of transmission line and also find the optimal arrangement of conductors. The detailed description of the proposed technique is presented in Section 3. Prior to that, the recent research works are presented in Section 2. The experimental results and discussion are given in Section 4. Finally, the Section 5 concludes the paper.

For the adjustment of the fuzzy parameters the genetic algorithm has been proposed.

Artificial neural networks are addressed in order to give precise solutions to high voltage transmission line problems.

ANFIS and RBF network have been effectively employed to a number of engineering problems during latest years.

The RBF neural network as well has the ability of common approximation.

These artificial intelligence techniques are effectively used for electromagnetic fields estimation around an overhead power transmission line.


This study demonstrated that doxycycline was the antibiotic most prescribed to Dutch Q fever patients in 2007 and 2008. This is in accordance with prevailing guidelines [5] . Treatment with antibiotics from all three groups with potentially effective antibiotics, i.e. the recommended first and second choice antibiotics (200 mg/day doxycycline and moxifloxacin) and the possibly effective antibiotics (100 mg doxycycline, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, co-trimoxazole), were associated with a reduced risk of hospitalization in Q fever patients after adjustments for known important confounders, compared to treatment with a group of potentially ineffective antibiotics such as penicillins. Doxycycline (200 mg/ day) was associated with the greatest reduction in the risk of hospitalization. In our study a diagnosis of hepatitis or endocarditis (a presentation of chronic Q fever) was rare, therefore results are not necessarily applicable to patients presenting with these clinical pictures. Because of the high number of cases during the Q fever epidemics in The Netherlands in 2007-2009, many cases might be at risk for developing chronic Q fever after the study period. It could be speculated that effective treatment in the acute phase of the disease may also have an effect on the prevention of complications like chronic Q fever.

This is in accordance with prevailing guidelines.


We will discuss the results with reference to the hypotheses stated in the Introduction and then further comment on the implications of the results. It is also expected that relationships could exist between the results from the different NAPLAN tests. For example, a higher reading result could predict a higher numeracy result (Perso, 2011) . While our interest is not on the effect of the results of first test on the performance in the second test, this effect needs to be included in the statistical models. However, these effects will not be discussed.

For example, a higher reading result could predict a higher numeracy result.


Also covered by Caldas and Bankston III was the issue of racial concentration within the school significantly affecting student academic outcomes (Caldas & Bankston III, 1999) . While indigenous status, defined by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, was collected for each student in this study, with the increased multiculturalism of Australia it could be of interest to determine if any trends could be found for other ethnic groups. Similarly, rather than the binary language variable LBOTE, the influence of individual language backgrounds could be of interest in future investigations.

Also covered by Caldas and Bankston III was the issue of racial concentration within the school significantly affecting student academic outcomes.


For improvements in future analysis, it has been recommended (see recommendation 6 at http:// www.aph.gov.au/binaries/senate/committee/eet_ctte/naplan/report/b02.pdf) to extend the NAPLAN testing for all students from grades 3 to 10. This would allow for the progression of results for students to be more easily investigated in addition to analysing the long-term effectiveness of various educational policy implementations. More frequent testing would also provide more data, allowing difference in improvement rates between grades, such as those found in the numeracy test, to be investigated. Caldas and Bankston III found in their 1999 study that differences in the family structure within the school, such as the proportion of single parent families, can have an effect on student achievement above that caused by their own family structure (Caldas & Bankston III, 1999) . To investigate this and other similar issues, obtaining more detail on the individual students and the make-up of the schools would be beneficial.

Caldas and Bankston III found in their 1999 study that differences in the family structure within the school, such as the proportion of single parent families, can have an effect on student achievement above that caused by their own family structure.


The plan for this paper is as follows. In the next section we introduce and discuss the model in some detail and show that it is thermodynamically consistent. In Section 3 we prove that the negative total entropy is a strict Ljapunov functional for the problem, i.e. is strictly decreasing along nonconstant solutions. We identify the equilibria which consist of velocity zero, constant temperature, constant pressures in the phases, and the disperse phase Ω 1 consists of finitely many nonintersecting balls of the same radius. This is in contrast to the isothermal two-phase Navier-Stokes equation with surface tension where phase transitions are neglected: in that case the balls may have different sizes! In our approach we apply the well-known direct mapping method where the problem with moving interface is transformed to a problem on a fixed domain. This transformation will be introduced in Section 4; as a result we obtain a quasilinear parabolic evolution problem with dynamic boundary condition. In Section 5 we study maximal L p -regularity of the underlying linearized problem. It turns out that the linear problem is equivalent to the linearized Stefan problem with surface tension, followed by a Stokes problem where the curvature serves as an input variable on the interface. Here we rely on previous work Prüss, Simonett and Zacher [21] . Local well-posedness is discussed in Section 6, while the proof of the main result is given in Section 7. It is based on maximal L p -regularity of the linear problem and the contraction mapping principle. Finally, in Section 8 we consider global existence of solutions. It is shown that solutions exist globally in time, provided the interface satisfies a uniform ball condition, the temperature and the modulus of the latent heat are bounded from below, and certain a priori estimates on the solution hold. In a forthcoming paper we will show that in this situation the solution converges to an equilibrium in the topology of the state manifold.

The plan for this paper is as follows.

Here we rely on previous work Prüss, Simonett and Zacher.


In clinical practice, spinal stiffness measurements may also be affected by factors such as the stiffness of table support padding and skin tissue rather than the intrinsic stiffness of the spine [14] . With regards to the manner in which the ovine spine was constrained during testing, the support conditions that we used in the current study were designed not only to orient and stabilize the ovine trunk during testing, but a rigid testing frame and stainless steel ensured that the measurements were isolated to the spine and trunk. Stabilization of the ovine spine in the transverse plane helped to minimize any artifacts created by off-axis motion of the ovine trunk, and we standardized the manner in which the ovine trunk was stabilized for all animals tested. As this was an animal model, we chose to avoid problems associated with skin deformation by mechanically coupling the load indenter directly to the spinous process. However, the presence of skin tissue would not be expected to have an appreciable effect on the stiffness measurements, since application of a preload causes the more compliant skin to compress. Nevertheless, the effects of skin tissue compliance on dynamic stiffness measurements deserve further attention.

In clinical practice, spinal stiffness measurements may also be affected by factors such as the stiffness of table support padding and skin tissue rather than the intrinsic stiffness of the spine.


Organizational learning concept first appeared in 1970's. Organizational learning and market orientation are normally expected to measure customer values and responses of products and services offered and improve their performances. Relationships among organizational learning, market orientation and performance need be scrutinized as a part of a resource-based perspective (Barney, 1986) . Therefore, we briefly discuss organizational learning, market orientation and organizational performance along with proposed assumptions, examine the conceptual model and finally present the results.

Relationships among organizational learning, market orientation and performance need be scrutinized as a part of a resource-based perspective.


Unstable machining vibrations can be detected by the analysis of the chatter signal [7] [8] [9] [10] . Trajectory reconstruction methods of stochastic processes can be effectively used for identifying the relative motion of the tool and the workpiece from noisy time series [11] . The stability charts published in the specialist literature are commonly accompanied by frequency diagrams illustrating chatter frequencies at the loss of stability [12, 13] . The reason for this practice is that these frequencies can be identified experimentally and this is a direct way to theoretical models and predictions.

Unstable machining vibrations can be detected by the analysis of the chatter signal.

Trajectory reconstruction methods of stochastic processes can be effectively used for identifying the relative motion of the tool and the workpiece from noisy time series.

The stability charts published in the specialist literature are commonly accompanied by frequency diagrams illustrating chatter frequencies at the loss of stability.


The prefactor c and the exponent n are fitting constants. Bower and Saylor published an excellent review of correlations of this form and evaluated the ability of the correlations to fit their measurements, which were conducted with heated water in square tanks of widths between 15.2 and 60.9 cm [8, 9] . After accounting for slight differences in the definitions of Sh and Ra and recomputing the correlations using uniform definitions, Bower and Saylor found significant differences in the prefactors, c, and the exponents, n, amongst four correlations for water evaporation under conditions of natural convection. Three of the four correlations were developed for the case in which the water vapor is less dense than the surrounding air, which results in a buoyancy-induced upward flow of the vapor [8, 9, 11, 12] . One correlation was developed for the case in which the water vapor was colder and denser than the surrounding air, resulting in a buoyancy-induced downward flow of the vapor [10] . Despite the difference in the nature of the convective flow, the prefactor and exponent for this correlation are within the range of values of the correlations for the upward directed convective flow.

Bower and Saylor published an excellent review of correlations of this form and evaluated the ability of the correlations to fit their measurements, which were conducted with heated water in square tanks of widths between 15.2 and 60.9 cm.

Three of the four correlations were developed for the case in which the water vapor is less dense than the surrounding air, which results in a buoyancy-induced upward flow of the vapor.

One correlation was developed for the case in which the water vapor was colder and denser than the surrounding air, resulting in a buoyancy-induced downward flow of the vapor.


Sessile drop evaporation has an important role in many technical applications, including spray cooling, painting and coating, and some lab-on-a-chip designs. Sophisticated computational models have been developed to analyse and predict evaporation processes, and these models have improved greatly the understanding of the important physical phenomena. However, because of their complexity the models are difficult to implement. For example, for the relatively simple case of diffusion-limited evaporation, researchers use computational techniques to solve the pertinent conservation equations for the evaporation rate [1] [2] [3] [4] . Alternatively, an analytical expression for diffusion-limited evaporation can be obtained through the use of the electrostatic analogy of a flat disc kept at constant potential [5] [6] [7] . To facilitate the inclusion of evaporation in the analyses of practical applications, it is desirable to have a correlation that is simple to implement and that is valid over a broad range of conditions, including those in which natural convection of the vapor is significant.

For example, for the relatively simple case of diffusion-limited evaporation, researchers use computational techniques to solve the pertinent conservation equations for the evaporation rate.

Alternatively, an analytical expression for diffusion-limited evaporation can be obtained through the use of the electrostatic analogy of a flat disc kept at constant potential.


Starch is an environmentally friendly, carbohydrate, macromolecular compound which finds it applications in many field of industry such as a food, pharmaceutical, medicine and paper industries. According to the literature survey, the decomposition mechanism of this natural polymer under various environments, artificial and natural, is widely studied and discussed. Generally, different, simultaneous phase transformations under the heating of starch happen. The most significant of all are melting, evaporation, sublimation, chemical condensation, decomposition and carbonization leading to the creation of the mixture of volatiles [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . Due to the availability of starch, its low cost and the presence of hydroxyl groups in its structure, it can be chemically modified and thus different structure starch graft copolymers with potential applications as fillers, stabilizers, impact resistant materials, plastics, modifiers, matrices, excipients, etc., can be prepared. Among them, the thermal properties of starch graft copolymers obtained using different structure methacrylate and acrylate monomers have been widely studied [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] . Recently, at the Department of Polymer Chemistry UMCS, the intensive studies on the synthesis, physicochemical properties and thermal behavior of novel, non-described in the literature data, starch-g-copolymers are conducted. To this time, we succeed in the preparation the starch-gcopolymers based on aromatic methacrylate and acrylate monomers such as phenyl and benzyl meth(acrylates). The studies of their properties affirmed that the decomposition course of those copolymers is complex and leads to the formation of the mixture of volatile products and covered series, simultaneous processes [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] . Due to the fact that those copolymers were characterized by promising physicochemical properties and thermal stability which acted them as attractive materials for the preparation of more environmentally friendly products which could replace petrochemical plastics, we decided to continue our studies on the chemical modification of starch by other methacrylate and acrylate monomers. Lately, applying the monomers prepared from methacryloyl or acryloyl chloride and natural terpene alcohol: citronellol allowed obtaining amphiphilic starch-g-copolymers with excellent chemical resistance toward acidic, neutral and buffer environment, high moisture resistance, which were resistant to polar and nonpolar solvents with satisfactory thermal properties under inert atmosphere. However, most of the materials are processed and manufactured in the presence of air, so the thermal properties of novel materials under oxidative conditions are of high importance on account of their practical utilization. And thus, the present paper describes the thermal properties and the studies on the evaluation of decomposition course of two types of novel materials: starch-g-poly(citronellyl methacrylate) and starch-gpoly(citronellyl acrylate) copolymers which differ in their grafting percent (%G). The influence of copolymer structure on the course of their degradation under the heating in the presence of oxidative conditions has been evaluated.

The most significant of all are melting, evaporation, sublimation, chemical condensation, decomposition and carbonization leading to the creation of the mixture of volatiles.

Among them, the thermal properties of starch graft copolymers obtained using different structure methacrylate and acrylate monomers have been widely studied.

The studies of their properties affirmed that the decomposition course of those copolymers is complex and leads to the formation of the mixture of volatile products and covered series, simultaneous processes.


Taking the change of wettability parameters (listed in Table 1 ) into account, it can be concluded that the modification process increased the wettability of PTFE membrane successfully with the surface free energy of 72.2 mJ/ m 2 and contact angle of 35°for the as-prepared TiO 2 /PAA/ PTFE membrane. According to the relationship between roughness and wettability established by Wenzel, the increase of surface roughness will enhance the wettability caused by the chemistry of the surface [23] . In other words, for a hydrophilic material, the rougher the surface, the larger the surface free energy, the smaller the contact angle, and the stronger the wettability [24] . Therefore, it is possible in the future to further increase the wettability of TiO 2 /PAA/PTFE membrane by reducing the TiO 2 coating thickness and avoiding TiO 2 nanoparticle agglomerates.

According to the relationship between roughness and wettability established by Wenzel, the increase of surface roughness will enhance the wettability caused by the chemistry of the surface.

In other words, for a hydrophilic material, the rougher the surface, the larger the surface free energy, the smaller the contact angle, and the stronger the wettability.


Some studies demonstrated that individuals discount future outcomes in relation to career decisions similarly to other choice contexts. University students tended to prefer an immediate and less enjoyable job when the more enjoyable option was available after long delays (Hesketh, Watson-Brown, & Whiteley, 1998) . Graduating senior students tended to choose a job with delayed outcomes only if the reward was sufficiently high to offset the delay (Schoenfelder, & Hantula, 2003) . Among employees, the attractiveness of earlier promotion increased with the passage of time compared with long-term senior executive positions (Saunders, & Fogarty, 2001) . Theoretically, employees are more willing to tolerate non-stimulating jobs if they expect to advance in the near future (Fried, Grant, Levi, Hadani, & Slowik, 2007) .

University students tended to prefer an immediate and less enjoyable job when the more enjoyable option was available after long delays.

Graduating senior students tended to choose a job with delayed outcomes only if the reward was sufficiently high to offset the delay.

Among employees, the attractiveness of earlier promotion increased with the passage of time compared with long-term senior executive positions.

Theoretically, employees are more willing to tolerate non-stimulating jobs if they expect to advance in the near future.


The extent to which we opt for immediate gains over future rewards is known as future discounting (Wilson, & Daly, 2004) . This phenomenon has been studied by different fields, such as psychology, economics, biology, and criminology, among others, using various methods (Hardisty, & Weber, 2009; Matta, Gonçalves, & Bizarro, 2012; Muramatsu, & Fonseca, 2008) . However, psychology has traditionally described these behaviors with terms such as impulsivity, myopia, or lack of self-control, assuming that discounting behaviors are dysfunctional, regardless of the situation, socioeconomic factors, and the age of the subject (Daly, & Wilson, 2005) .

The extent to which we opt for immediate gains over future rewards is known as future discounting.

This phenomenon has been studied by different fields, such as psychology, economics, biology, and criminology, among others, using various methods.

However, psychology has traditionally described these behaviors with terms such as impulsivity, myopia, or lack of self-control, assuming that discounting behaviors are dysfunctional, regardless of the situation, socioeconomic factors, and the age of the subject.


From an evolutionary perspective, human psychological mechanisms are a result of selective pressures that operated on our ancestors over the course of the evolutionary process (Tooby, & Cosmides, 1992) . The ability to process environmental cues and make more advantageous choices was fundamental during the evolutionary history of our species. Analyzing the circumstances and deciding to invest in lower shortterm gains or risk higher long-term gains is one of the capacities of our evolved mind.

From an evolutionary perspective, human psychological mechanisms are a result of selective pressures that operated on our ancestors over the course of the evolutionary process.


Importantly, in this study, we must not assume that individuals who choose less difficult courses have short time horizons; after all, they are seeking a university course with a mean duration of 4 to 5 years. But these individuals, when compared with individuals from more privileged social classes, are making less costly choices. It is possible to suppose that if they are compared with their peers from the same income range, then they would be valuing their future (as evidenced by Study 1), given that in Brazil, according to national demographic data, only a very small portion of the underprivileged population enters a university. Brazilian education data, for example, show that the wealthiest 20% of the population have mean schooling of 10.3 years, whereas the poorest 20% have 4.7 years of schooling (Wegrzynovski, 2008) .

Brazilian education data, for example, show that the wealthiest 20% of the population have mean schooling of 10.3 years, whereas the poorest 20% have 4.7 years of schooling.


The arterial blood pressure was stabilized to rule out hypotension as the primary factor for CPZ-induced depression of the patellar reflex, monosynaptic and polysynaptic potentials. In spite of blood pressure stabilization, CPZ still produced its characteristic reflex depressant effects. Spinal cord as well as cerebral blood flow has been demonstrated to be passively controlled by the systemic blood pressure (OTOMO et al., 1960) . Stabilization of systemic blood pressure would therefore either have no effect on blood flow through the central nervous system or would increase it. An alteration in blood flow under conditions of systemic blood pressure stabilization probably is not a significant factor in CPZ-induced reflex depression. These experiments indicate further that CPZ exerted a reflex depressant effect independent of its hypotensive property. However, the elevation of the patellar reflex which occurred after administration of large doses of CPZ to the intact animal (Fig. I) may be related to CPZ-induced hypotension since this did not occur in experiments with blood pressure stabilization.

Spinal cord as well as cerebral blood flow has been demonstrated to be passively controlled by the systemic blood pressure.


The purpose of this paper is to describe a data fitting procedure by which estimates of a supergenerator can be obtained. This problem is nontrivial because, as in many other data fitting problems, the estimates obtained from straightforward (e.g. least-squares) fits turn out to be very sensitive to small, and even random, errors in the measured data. In some cases, this may result in a supergenerator that is obviously physically impossible; in others, it may simply result in large errors in the generator despite it yielding a reasonably good fit to the data. Parameter estimation problems with this property are commonly known as ill-conditioned [7, 8] . The main result of this paper is that, although the problem of estimating a supergenerator from measurements of the superpropagators at various times is ill-conditioned, this ill-conditioning can be greatly alleviated by incorporating prior knowledge of the solution into the fitting procedure as a constraint. The prior knowledge that we use here is a very general property of open quantum system dynamics known as complete positivity.

Parameter estimation problems with this property are commonly known as ill-conditioned.


Previous studies have indicated that in many areas of the United States, children do not have easy access to a pediatric rheumatologist, due to both the small absolute number of pediatric rheumatologists and their concentration in academic centers [1] [2] [3] . Internist rheumatologists -who are more numerous and more geographically dispersed than their pediatric colleagues -may therefore play a prominent role in the care of children with rheumatologic conditions [4] [5] [6] . Some children may receive care from primary care physicians or non-rheumatology specialists for their rheumatologic disease [7] . The variety of physician types providing care to children with rheumatologic diseases is of special concern to primary care physicians, who must determine when and where to refer their patients with rheumatologic complaints. Concerns about specialist availability are particularly salient in states such as Michigan, which has large rural areas, and numerous medically underserved areas (MUAs) and health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in both urban and rural settings.

Previous studies have indicated that in many areas of the United States, children do not have easy access to a pediatric rheumatologist, due to both the small absolute number of pediatric rheumatologists and their concentration in academic centers.

Internist rheumatologists -who are more numerous and more geographically dispersed than their pediatric colleagues -may therefore play a prominent role in the care of children with rheumatologic conditions.

Some children may receive care from primary care physicians or non-rheumatology specialists for their rheumatologic disease.


Since the advent of ultrashort-pulsed lasers there has been an ever-increasing interest in them, from both the scientific and industrial communities. What makes these sources so appealing is mainly their ability to harness light in time by squeezing pulse durations down to femtoseconds. As a result, ultrashort laser pulses have became indispensable for investigating and controlling ultrafast phenomena-events happening on picosecond or femtosecond timescales-such as chemical reactions, plasma dynamics, magnetization dynamics and others [1] [2] [3] . Additionally they make it possible to achieve unprecedented intensity levels in an electric light field, accessing a myriad of light-matter interactions [4, 5] . Ultrashort pulses are commonly described by the temporal variation of their power density and frequency, i.e. their intensity and phase. The dependence of the pulse's electric field on spatial coordinates is often treated separately, assuming that the pulse's temporal properties are the same for every spatial position along the beam, or equivalently, that the pulse's field separates into a product of temporal and spatial factors. However, this assumption is often wrong, primarily as a result of the same property that allows these pulses to be short-their broad spectral bandwidth. Angular dispersion, the best known source of such distortions, is everywhere, and the broader the pulse bandwidth the more distorted the pulse after an angularly dispersive element. Thus, in most practical cases, ultrashort pulses exhibit an interdependence of temporal (or spectral) and spatial (or angular) coordinates, referred to as spatio-temporal couplings (STCs).

As a result, ultrashort laser pulses have became indispensable for investigating and controlling ultrafast phenomena-events happening on picosecond or femtosecond timescales-such as chemical reactions, plasma dynamics, magnetization dynamics and others.

Additionally they make it possible to achieve unprecedented intensity levels in an electric light field, accessing a myriad of light-matter interactions.


Aircraft noise is believed to be one of the most commonly reported residential disturbances (Pepper et al. 2003) . Among the different noise sources, jet noise is found to be the dominant component at takeoff. For the past few decades, jet noise has been one of the most heavily investigated subjects and the outcome has been quite successful. However it is worth noting that the vast majority of research work during this time is for an isolated nozzle and jet. But the realistic configuration of a modern aircraft often involves the jet engines installed below the aircraft wings, as shown in figure 1. The effects of wings and other high-lift devices on the jet noise are often referred to as jet installation effects and the resulting jet is commonly called an installed jet and compared to the isolated jet. Research has shown that the presence of solid boundaries can greatly affect acoustic source behaviours (Curle 1955; Williams & Hall 1970) . Consequently, the close presence of aircraft wings can significantly alter the jet noise heard in the far-field (Bushell 1975; Fisher et al. 1977; Way & Turner 1980; Shearin 1983) . The investigation into the installed jet noise has been, however, rather limited. Particularly, there is a general lack of reliable prediction models and also of understanding of the noise modification mechanism. This paper aims to contribute to bridging that gap: to develop a reliable model that can predict the installed jet noise and to advance the understanding of the noise amplification mechanism.

Aircraft noise is believed to be one of the most commonly reported residential disturbances.

Research has shown that the presence of solid boundaries can greatly affect acoustic source behaviours.

Consequently, the close presence of aircraft wings can significantly alter the jet noise heard in the far-field.