Sound detectors or microphones are transducers that convert acoustical energy into electrical energy. Many transduction schemes have been developed over the years to achieve such conversion, including piezoelectric, capacitive, FET and piezoresistive [1] . The current paper describes the development and testing of piezoresistive silicon sound detectors for measurement of the sound field at the lip of a jet during supersonic jet screech [2, 3] . Ultimately, an array of these detectors is to be integrated with microactuators to implement a feedback control algorithm aimed at reduction/cancellation of screech noise. For more information on jet screech, its physical nature, and associated sound pressure levels (SPLs) and frequencies, the reader is referred to Tam [4] .

Many transduction schemes have been developed over the years to achieve such conversion, including piezoelectric, capacitive, FET and piezoresistive.

The current paper describes the development and testing of piezoresistive silicon sound detectors for measurement of the sound field at the lip of a jet during supersonic jet screech.

For more information on jet screech, its physical nature, and associated sound pressure levels (SPLs) and frequencies, the reader is referred to Tam.


To compensate for the lower sensitivity of the piezoresistive readout, an ultra-thin diaphragm and ultra-thin monocrystalline highly boron-doped piezoresistors have been developed using a fabrication technology compatible with that of the microactuators [3] . Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional cut-out in the structure of the sound detector developed here. The device consists of a 0.38 µm thick two-layer dielectric diaphragm on top of a 'large' ∼20 µm deep cavity. The static (zero-frequency) pressure is equalized across the diaphragm using an equalization channel which runs below the side of the diaphragm and connects to a venting slit in the silicon anchor surrounding the diaphragm. An inset in figure 1 reveals the details of the venting channel.

To compensate for the lower sensitivity of the piezoresistive readout, an ultra-thin diaphragm and ultra-thin monocrystalline highly boron-doped piezoresistors have been developed using a fabrication technology compatible with that of the microactuators.


In the next section, the details of the fabrication sequence are presented. This is followed by results of the characterization of the static and dynamic response of the sensor. It should be noted that this paper is the first to describe the fabrication of a piezoresistive MEMS pressure sensor based on the dissolved wafer process [11] . This fabrication sequence is more complicated than that employed in other investigations dealing with the development of similar sensor types. The need to use a more elaborate process here stems from the requirement to make the process compatible with the fabrication sequence of the on-chip actuators mentioned before. In this respect, the current paper adds to existing literature in demonstrating a new way of fabricating MEMS piezoresistive pressure transducers, which in turn adds to the overall versatility of the piezoresistive sensor technology and associated range of applications.

It should be noted that this paper is the first to describe the fabrication of a piezoresistive MEMS pressure sensor based on the dissolved wafer process.


A lot of research effort is being invested to develop new combustion concepts which capture the advantageous efficiency of the CI and low emissions of the SI engine [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . A shared fundamental characteristic of many of these concepts is that a more or less premixed fuel/air charge is brought to auto-ignition. As a result, both fuel and (flame) temperature are well dispersed in the combustion chamber, ideally resulting in near-zero levels of both soot and NOx respectively. Collectively, such concepts are referred to as Premixed Charge Compression Ignition.

A lot of research effort is being invested to develop new combustion concepts which capture the advantageous efficiency of the CI and low emissions of the SI engine.


Various industrial applications of mechatronic systems such as CNC machining, rolling, assembling, welding, packaging or material handling require highly dynamic motions which have to be precisely executed by a machine (e.g. robotic manipulator, conveyor belt, machine-tool or rolling mill). Higher bandwidth of the control loops is needed in order to meet the increasing demands for precision and dynamics of the controlled motion. On the contrary, high control gains along with new types of lightweight constructions with reduced stiffness or the use of compliant components in the driven mechanisms often lead to excitation of unwanted mechanical vibrations. Such vibrations significantly reduce the overall quality of control and are recognized as the most limiting factor for the achievable bandwidth (Isermann (1997) ). The motion induced oscillations complicate and prolong the process of machine commissioning and tuning of the controller gains. There is a strong demand from the industry for effective and reliable methods for the automatic or semiautomatic identification and motion control loop settings (Weißbacher et al. (2013) ).

Such vibrations significantly reduce the overall quality of control and are recognized as the most limiting factor for the achievable bandwidth).

There is a strong demand from the industry for effective and reliable methods for the automatic or semiautomatic identification and motion control loop settings).


The timely initiation of breastfeeding is defined as putting the newborn baby to the breast within one hour of birth [1] . Breastfeeding is an important public health strategy to reduce infant, child and maternal morbidity and mortality and helps to control health care costs. Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of otitis media, gastroenteritis, respiratory illness, sudden infant death syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, obesity, and hypertension [2] .

The timely initiation of breastfeeding is defined as putting the newborn baby to the breast within one hour of birth.

Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of otitis media, gastroenteritis, respiratory illness, sudden infant death syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, obesity, and hypertension.


With equal levels of social-emotional competence, girls were more likely to be reported as exhibiting internalizing problematic behaviors than boys, including on items asking about clinging ("Does your child cling to you more than you expect?") and hours spent sleeping ("Does your child sleep at least 8 hours in a 24-hour period?"). On the other hand, boys tended to be rated by parents as having a higher probability of potential problems with social interactions and externalizing behaviors (i.e., "Does your child try to hurt other children, adults, or animals?"). Our findings are similar to previous studies in Dutch and China that found boys overall had more behavioral problems and peer difficulties than girls [52, 53] .

Our findings are similar to previous studies in Dutch and China that found boys overall had more behavioral problems and peer difficulties than girls.


United States: A total of 15,110 young children (8,748 boys and 6,362 girls) in the U.S. sample were collected between 2007 and 2014 as part of a national normative study of the ASQ:SE second edition [35] . Recruitment of families was strategically conducted so that the sample roughly reflected the U.S. 2010 census data on variables including race/ethnicity, mother's education level, and family income. Recruitment materials included notices in online publications and parenting newsletters. Depending on how parents were recruited, they completed a paper-pencil version or completed an on-line version of the ASQ:SE. The distribution of ethnicity was White (62.9%); African American (6.7%); Hispanic (6.3%); mixed race/ethnicity (5.7%); Asian (3.7%); Native American (0.7%); Pacific Islander (0.2%); Hawaiian (0.1%); other race/ethnicity (0.4%); don't know(0.3%); and missing (13.1%).

United States: A total of 15,110 young children (8,748 boys and 6,362 girls) in the U.S. sample were collected between 2007 and 2014 as part of a national normative study of the ASQ:SE second edition.


South Korea: A sample of 2,568 young children (1,359 boys and 1,209 girls) was recruited in Korea between 2008 and 2009 for a national normative study of the Korean ASQ:SE. Recruitment included sending flyers to childcare centers, preschools, pediatric offices, children's play centers, and posting on web pages. Children were recruited nationally in a variety of early childhood settings and were stratified according to the Korean population census related to gender and family income. In terms of parental education level, the sample included about 15% more than the national average of higher education graduates. Detailed information on recruitment and research process was provided in the Korea ASQ:SE psychometric study [20] .

Detailed information on recruitment and research process was provided in the Korea ASQ:SE psychometric study.


Near the EOL, timely cessation of chemotherapy and hospice referral allows patients and their families to receive sufficient physical support and prepare for death emotionally and spiritually [4, 11] . Recently, cancer treatment near the EOL seems to have changed with development of monoclonal antibodies and small molecules for various molecular targets. However, there are no available data regarding cancer treatment near the EOL. We conducted this study to investigate and compare changes in cancer treatment near the EOL during 10 years and their effects on EOL care at a single institute.

Near the EOL, timely cessation of chemotherapy and hospice referral allows patients and their families to receive sufficient physical support and prepare for death emotionally and spiritually.


While there are a wide variety of options for pharmacotherapy of diabetes, there is no one recommended regimen [7] . New classes of medications have been introduced since 1999, including the thiazolidenediones (TZDs), acarbose, and both ultra-short acting and 24-hour insulin analogues. It is not clear how the addition of these new medication classes has changed the landscape of pharmacotherapy of diabetes.

While there are a wide variety of options for pharmacotherapy of diabetes, there is no one recommended regimen.


Asia's economy and China's very rapid economic growth in recent years, has become a significant market force in the global economy. The process of industrialization in the developing countries like China is still far from complete. In order to promote technological and industrial upgrades, the development of domestic high-technology industries is necessary and the governmental policies such as science parks or industrial clusters to incubate high-technology industries have been one of the focuses [5] [6] [7] . Beginning in the early 1990s, the Chinese government has established science parks in 53 major Chinese metropoli under its Torch (Huoju) Program, a science and technology initiative to promote technology transfer and diffusion [8] . Although the science parks have a great potential, the energy consumption of high-technology industries and CO 2 emissions can lead to governmental concerns. A proactive strategy of industrial development is to make more effective use of resources and implement clean production, as well as to expedite upgrades of the labor-intensive section in the high-technology industrial chain. A developing country's economic development is necessary in order to face the trend of deep internationalization, and an important way to enhance its competitiveness by enhancing the rate of economic growth-while (ideally) reducing energy consumption and CO 2 emissions. The phenomenon is very similar to the past industrial economies of Taiwan. Therefore, in recent years, many investigations have been conducted on the development of industrial clusters between Taiwan and China [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] . As Taiwan is recognized as one of the World's largest manufacturers of high-technology components and products, the successful practices of science parks in Taiwan are worthy of study.

In order to promote technological and industrial upgrades, the development of domestic high-technology industries is necessary and the governmental policies such as science parks or industrial clusters to incubate high-technology industries have been one of the focuses.

Beginning in the early 1990s, the Chinese government has established science parks in 53 major Chinese metropoli under its Torch (Huoju) Program, a science and technology initiative to promote technology transfer and diffusion.

Therefore, in recent years, many investigations have been conducted on the development of industrial clusters between Taiwan and China.


To frame some of the discussion to follow, we now review the two distinct ways in which the two cut system exhibits metastable behavior [8] . One decay mode is given by direct flux line annihilation where the domain wall delimiting the bubble of vacuum with lower flux is a stack of D5-branes wrapping the compact interpolating 3-cycle between the two S 3 's supported by flux. See figure 1 for a depiction of this process. Two loop effects reveal another way in which the vacua of the brane/anti-brane system are metastable. Whereas at one loop order the distinct confining vacua of the theory are energetically degenerate, beginning at two loop order this degeneracy is lifted. At large N and when the scale of confinement is not exponentially suppressed, the many confining vacua of the theory are all metastable. Geometrically, these vacua correspond to distinct orientations of the branch cuts. The decay to the lowest energy confining vacuum corresponds to a re-alignment of the branch cuts. See figure 2 for a depiction of this decay process.

To frame some of the discussion to follow, we now review the two distinct ways in which the two cut system exhibits metastable behavior.


Probabilistic databases are becoming an increasingly appealing option to store and query uncertain data generated in many application domains. In this paper, we focused on efficiently supporting query evaluation over probabilistic databases that contain correlated data, naturally generated in many applications of probabilistic databases. We introduced a novel framework that exploits the prevalent determinism in the correlations, and other types of local structure such as context-specific independence. Our framework builds upon arithmetic circuits, an enhanced exact inference technique that exploits such local structure for compact representation and efficient inference. We introduced an extension of arithmetic circuits, called annotated arithmetic circuits, and showed how to execute probabilistic queries over them. Our experimental evaluation shows that our approach can result in orders-of-magnitude speedups in query execution times over prior approaches. Our techniques are also of independent interest to the machine learning community where arithmetic circuits have re-emerged as an appealing alternative to model uncertainties in several domains with large volumes of uncertain data [28, 33] . Our research so far has raised several interesting challenges, including developing lifted inference-based approaches that can exploit not only local structure but also symmetry and other regularities in the uncertainties, and developing approximate query evaluation techniques.

Our techniques are also of independent interest to the machine learning community where arithmetic circuits have re-emerged as an appealing alternative to model uncertainties in several domains with large volumes of uncertain data.


But the HOC have high computational complexity and cost a great deal of time. As a special case of HOC, the 1.5 dimension spectrum provides an alternative because it not only retains the advantages of HOC but also has low computational complexity [8, 9] . Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is a new adaptive decomposition method, and the decomposed components can reconstruct the original signal, which laid a foundation for further signal processing [10] . Based on the combination of EMD and 1.5 dimension spectrum, a fault feature extraction method is proposed in this paper. And it is applied in the gearbox fault diagnosis to explore its ability of fault feature detection.

As a special case of HOC, the 1.5 dimension spectrum provides an alternative because it not only retains the advantages of HOC but also has low computational complexity.

Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is a new adaptive decomposition method, and the decomposed components can reconstruct the original signal, which laid a foundation for further signal processing.


A common method for extracting the mechanical fault is assuming that vibration signals are stable with Gaussian distribution [1] [2] [3] . But the real measured signals often are nonstationary and non-Gaussian distribution. In particular, in the event of failure, signal is easy to be affected by the Gaussian noise. The gear fault signal is a typical nonlinear and nonstationary signal [3] . The machinery system usually produces sum and difference frequency components when the failure occurs. This is a nonlinear coupling phenomenon. In power spectrum, it is presented as the sum and the difference of frequency side bands [4, 5] . For this nonlinear phenomenon, it is difficult to solve the problem fundamentally by the traditional power spectrum analysis and processing method [5] . In theory, the Gauss noise and the non-Gaussian colored noise can be completely inhibited and the phase information of the nonlinear system can be maintained by High-order cumulants (HOC) [6, 7] . Nonlinear coupling feature can be effectively detected by HOC, which provides a reliable and effective tool for the extraction of fault features.

A common method for extracting the mechanical fault is assuming that vibration signals are stable with Gaussian distribution.

The gear fault signal is a typical nonlinear and nonstationary signal.

In power spectrum, it is presented as the sum and the difference of frequency side bands.

For this nonlinear phenomenon, it is difficult to solve the problem fundamentally by the traditional power spectrum analysis and processing method.

In theory, the Gauss noise and the non-Gaussian colored noise can be completely inhibited and the phase information of the nonlinear system can be maintained by High-order cumulants (HOC).


In addition, in Study 1, the inter-rater reliability was checked through examining the correlations between parent and teacher ratings. Except for the narcissism dimension, all correlations between parent and teacher ratings, ranging between .20 and .30, were significant, indicating a satisfactory inter-rater reliability. For the original scale, interrater correlation coefficients were reported to range between .26 and .43, all at p <.01 in the community sample (Frick, Bodin, & Barry, 2000) . This degree of correlation between different informants was reported as typical in the assessment of childhood psychopathology (Piacentini, Cohen, & Cohen, 1992) . After making the corrections in the translations of two problematic items, inter-rater reliability was reassessed in Study 2. All correlations between parent and teacher ratings increased, indicating an even higher inter-rater reliability reported for the original scale (Frick, Bodin, & Barry, 2000) . Moreover, in Study 1, test-retest correlation coefficients for an interval of three or four weeks were checked for a subset of the sample. Results indicated significant test-retest reliability.

For the original scale, interrater correlation coefficients were reported to range between .26 and .43, all at p <.01 in the community sample.

This degree of correlation between different informants was reported as typical in the assessment of childhood psychopathology.

All correlations between parent and teacher ratings increased, indicating an even higher inter-rater reliability reported for the original scale.


Surgical re-interventions in both the Ross and Yasui recipients are anticipated for stenosis of the RVOT conduit. However, the heterogeneity within our Ross cohort both in terms of substrate and outcome is again illustrated by the fact that half of all re-operations after Ross were for reasons unrelated to the RVOT conduit. Complete failure of the complex biventricular approach transpired in 40% of Ross recipients as evidenced by cardiac transplantation or reversion to univentricular physiology. This latter point serves to highlight the importance of decision tools that we previously reported to aid the univentricular/biventricular conundrum at the time of presentation in borderline candidates [1] .

This latter point serves to highlight the importance of decision tools that we previously reported to aid the univentricular/biventricular conundrum at the time of presentation in borderline candidates.


IT implementation is not just a technical enhancement but a managerial decision that involves re-engineering of organizational functions and operations. The traditional job design, work flow, reporting system, accounting procedures and control mechanisms are in need of being reengineered on the basis of new possibilities created by IT. IT should be used not to automate old processes but to enable new ones (Ahmad et al., 1995) .

IT should be used not to automate old processes but to enable new ones.


The mathematical modeling of realistic systems with memory effects has been a big challenge for many scientists, since the nonlocal dynamics cannot always be properly characterized by the classic version of fractional derivatives (FDs) with singular kernel. Hence, to describe the nonlocality of complex processes better, some new definitions of the FDs with nonlocal and nonsingular kernel have been introduced into the literature. Among the existing definitions, a new FD with Mittag-Leffler (ML) kernel is one of the most desirable candidates to model the real-world problems [35] . Indeed, this new fractional differentiation is more natural and more suitable to model realistic systems than the other FC derivatives due to the wide applicability of ML function as well as its nonlocal and nonsingular characteristics. Applying this new definition, a different type of nonlocal dynamics is exhibited in comparison with the classical fractional dynamics. Indeed, the asymptotic behaviors within this derivative are different from those of the classical FC differentiations. However, the advantages of models within this new derivative should be deeply examined compared to the other FC derivatives, and efficient numerical methods to solve the fractional differential equations within this calculus should be continuously investigated. Inspired by the above discussions, this paper aims to develop a new fractional mathematical model to investigate new aspects of the poor nutrient status of pregnant women. In this formulation, we use the new definition of FDs with ML nonsingular kernel [35] . We also provide an efficient numerical scheme to solve the fractional model under consideration. Numerical simulations verify that there exists a new asymptotic behavior within this new formulation, which is different from that exhibited by using the other FC derivatives. Hence, this new model has the potential to better represent hidden aspects of the poor nutrition system in the life cycle than the classic type of fractional operators.

Among the existing definitions, a new FD with Mittag-Leffler (ML) kernel is one of the most desirable candidates to model the real-world problems.

In this formulation, we use the new definition of FDs with ML nonsingular kernel.


An undergrown child, which is also a result of poor nutrition during pregnancy, is viewed as a child whose weight or associated height is totally different from what he/she ought to be at that age. There are other factors that usually account for this situation, including heredity, malnutrition, and improper balanced diet [3, 5, 8] . In fact, this under-growth becomes a serious issue at the adolescent age of the child [9] . There are a number of interventions designed to mitigate this effect of undergrowth at the adolescent stage. For instance, UNICEF tries to improve the quality of nutrition of adolescent girls because they are potentially women capable of giving birth [9, 10] . It has been established that the first year of adolescent life of a woman requires more energy and nutrients, and UNICEF provides supplements such as iron and folate through workshops during this stage of development [11] [12] [13] . The life cycle which is the bedrock of human race calls for the need to invest in the provision of adequate nutrients to humans, particularly pregnant women [14] .

There are other factors that usually account for this situation, including heredity, malnutrition, and improper balanced diet.

In fact, this under-growth becomes a serious issue at the adolescent age of the child.

For instance, UNICEF tries to improve the quality of nutrition of adolescent girls because they are potentially women capable of giving birth.

It has been established that the first year of adolescent life of a woman requires more energy and nutrients, and UNICEF provides supplements such as iron and folate through workshops during this stage of development.

The life cycle which is the bedrock of human race calls for the need to invest in the provision of adequate nutrients to humans, particularly pregnant women.


Sometimes the newborn babies are put into incubators for some number of days and monitored. The quality of human life cycle depends on the quality of nutrients consumed by the pregnant woman during this stage. In the developing countries, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, the situation is worse; many families find it difficult to feed pregnant women with quality food containing the required nutrients. In some cases, due to religious and cultural believes, many pregnant women are denied of a nutritious diet [5] [6] [7] .

In some cases, due to religious and cultural believes, many pregnant women are denied of a nutritious diet.


Effective environmental governance requires vertical interactions among different administrative levels and horizontal interactions across different jurisdictions [1] . However, administrative fragmentation among horizontal departments has been a critical public administration problem [2] [3] [4] . The involvement of multiple departments often leads to inefficient cooperation, which has been a primary challenge for environmental governance [5] . Fragmentation has also led to various institutional collaborative solutions, including inter-jurisdiction agreement, intergovernmental networks and inter-local consolidation. In contrast to traditional bureaucratic structure, network governance presents an innovative approach to implementing public policy by building interdependent relationships among governments, businesses and civil society [6] [7] [8] .

Effective environmental governance requires vertical interactions among different administrative levels and horizontal interactions across different jurisdictions.

However, administrative fragmentation among horizontal departments has been a critical public administration problem.

The involvement of multiple departments often leads to inefficient cooperation, which has been a primary challenge for environmental governance.

In contrast to traditional bureaucratic structure, network governance presents an innovative approach to implementing public policy by building interdependent relationships among governments, businesses and civil society.


A fragmented system could lead to collective action dilemma, which could have horizontal, vertical and functional manifestations [4] . From the EGF perspective, this paper examined the status of inter-agency water cooperation in Dongguan City, China, in terms of solving network collaboration problems. As an institutional innovation, network governance has been experimented with in Dongguan, whose experiences and lessons are potentially relevant for other policy and national contexts. With empirical data collected via survey questionnaires and in-depth interviews informed by the EGF, we find that Dongguan has responded well to water governance issues, realized the significance of cooperative governance, and achieved integrated management of its water resources. Although the policy-making in Chinese local governments remains bureaucratic, network governance was introduced into the system to some extent, consistent with the findings on inter-agency collaboration in previous studies [76] [77] [78] . We found in this study that water-related governmental agencies in Dongguan were not substantially familiar with each other, thus they did not achieve full cooperation and reach the potential of cooperative water governance. By analyzing the cooperative network, we found this network has weak to moderate density, allowing for collective action problems. The network has also presented central actors with high power and control over information and resources. It also captures strong bonding capital among some policy actors, as shown in high reciprocity, clustering coefficient and transitivity.

A fragmented system could lead to collective action dilemma, which could have horizontal, vertical and functional manifestations.

Although the policy-making in Chinese local governments remains bureaucratic, network governance was introduced into the system to some extent, consistent with the findings on inter-agency collaboration in previous studies.


Constant decline in the number of maternal deaths reflects a need for the search of a new indicator. This has motivated investigators to study hospital obstetrical morbidity data [7] . Various studies have revealed that maternal mortality represents the tip of an iceberg [8] . For each death, many other women survive serious complications during pregnancy, delivery and the puerperium. Investigating this group of women will increase the understanding of failures in obstetrical care within the healthcare systems of developing countries.

This has motivated investigators to study hospital obstetrical morbidity data.

Various studies have revealed that maternal mortality represents the tip of an iceberg.


This second class of approaches has the advantage that they allow the bias estimate to evolve in time as would be expected, for example, if the bias is being advected by the time changing large-scale flow field. These approaches have the disadvantage that they do not retain long-term memory and thus cannot fully account for predictable biases with longer time-scales such as those linked to the annual cycle. A third class of approaches useful in linear one-dimensional problems involves prewhitening the errors so that their frequency spectrum resembles white noise (Kamen and Su, 1999) .

A third class of approaches useful in linear one-dimensional problems involves prewhitening the errors so that their frequency spectrum resembles white noise.


Feeding habits and wide diet spectrum of fishes puts them into contact with several potential intermediate hosts of parasites. This might be increasing the presence of endo-parasites in these fishes (Alves and Luque, 2001) . The diet of the host species is the main factor affecting to the parasite community structure, especially for the trematodes, acanthocephalans and nematodes transmitted to their host through a predator-prey relationship (Sasal et al., 1999) . Parasite species might accumulate along food chain (Aho and Bush, 1993) .

This might be increasing the presence of endo-parasites in these fishes.

The diet of the host species is the main factor affecting to the parasite community structure, especially for the trematodes, acanthocephalans and nematodes transmitted to their host through a predator-prey relationship.

Parasite species might accumulate along food chain.


The healthy human vagina in reproductive aged women is acidic, with a pH ranging from 3.5 to 4.5, primarily because of lactic acid and this environment inactivates sperm [7] . However, following sex, the pH is neutralized to at least 6.0 by semen (pH 7.2-8.2) to promote sperm survival. These observations provided the rationale for developing acid-buffering products as candidate multi-purpose agents that could serve as topical contraceptives and provide protection against acid-sensitive microbes.

The healthy human vagina in reproductive aged women is acidic, with a pH ranging from 3.5 to 4.5, primarily because of lactic acid and this environment inactivates sperm.


Up until the present day searches have been undertaken for signals of two types of extra-terrestrial intelligence (ETI): monochromatic (continuous wave, CW) and pulses, [1] , [2] . The detection of any such signal is presumed to be a demonstration of the existence of ETI. The signals are expected from both planetary systems similar to our Solar system and from beacons scattered across our Galaxy.

Up until the present day searches have been undertaken for signals of two types of extra-terrestrial intelligence (ETI): monochromatic (continuous wave, CW) and pulses.


Organizations can be represented with many different networks. Relationships between people form social networks. Relationships between people and their knowledge, resources, tasks, beliefs, and other dimensions all form networks as well. The collection of these networks is referred to as a meta-network (Krackhardt and Carley, 1998) . One advantage in representing organizations using meta-networks is the ability to mathematically quantify and represent complex interrelated organizational behavior. In addition, network representations of organizations can have a visual appeal that enhances insight and understanding of organizational dynamics. If we accept the notion that organizations consist of a meta-network of relationships, the data collected on the organization over time can be used to construct observed instances of the network. Due to normal fluctuations in behavior and data collection errors, it is conceivable that an observed network might differ slightly from the actual underlying network of organizational relations. How then, can we detect statistically meaningful changes in the organization, within this meta-network representation? This paper proposes an approach that is focused on social networks, but could be expanded to include other network dimensions in the future.

The collection of these networks is referred to as a meta-network.


Control charts are a critical quality-engineering tool that assist manufacturing firms in maintaining profitability (Montgomery, 1991; Ryan, 2000) . The TOEP and al Qaeda examples demonstrate that social network monitoring could enable analysts to detect important changes in the monitored communication of both command and control networks as well as terrorist networks. Furthermore, the most likely time that the change occurred can also be determined. This allows one to allocate minimal resources to tracking the general patterns of a network and then shift to full resources when changes are determined 1 . This paper describes an algorithm for change detection, and then demonstrates its ability to detect changes in networks. No doubt other change detection methods will emerge. Our point, is that it is critical to be able to detect change in networks over time and to determine when those changes are not simply the random fluctuations of chance. The strengths of the proposed method are its statistical approach, ability to quantify the rate of false alarm, a wide range of social network metrics suitable for application, its ability to identify change points in organizational behavior, and its flexibility for various magnitudes of change. The proposed method is limited to normally distributed network measures, and a period of dynamic equilibrium must be assumed to estimate parameters of the control chart. Other limitations of the algorithm cannot yet be determined as this is the first application of statistical process control methods to the problem of social network change detection. Future research will provide much greater insight into the strengths and limitations of this approach to the problem. The remainder of this section will identify specific areas of caution when interpreting findings and identify areas for future research.

Control charts are a critical quality-engineering tool that assist manufacturing firms in maintaining profitability.


Farm business is the sector of production in which factors outside the manager's control may greatly affect final outcomes. In particular, agriculture is largely affected by weather fluctuations and climate changes [1] . These peculiarities have contributed to forms of public intervention aimed at reducing income variability that have no parallel in other sectors of the economy. In the United States, Canada and parts of Europe, the attention of farmers and their representatives has focused on the potential offered by the role of governments in farm risk management programmes [2] . The environmental consequences of risk management policy, such as crop insurance, have been hotly debated [3] [4] [5] . In particular, the determinants of insuring decisions are still not clear cut. Moreover, whether or not the purchase of crop insurance induces farmers to reduce the use of potentially polluting chemical inputs (intensive margin), expanding the cultivated land (extensive margin) is unresolved.

In particular, agriculture is largely affected by weather fluctuations and climate changes.

In the United States, Canada and parts of Europe, the attention of farmers and their representatives has focused on the potential offered by the role of governments in farm risk management programmes.

The environmental consequences of risk management policy, such as crop insurance, have been hotly debated.


Screening of antilisterial activity. Antilisterial activities were tested by the agar diffusion method. BHI soft agar (7.5 g/l, 10 ml) (HiMedia, Mumbai, India) was inoculated (inoculum 1% v/v) with freshly grown L. monocytogenes strain (10 9 CFU/ml) and poured on Petri dish. After solidification and drying up, freshly grown cells of individual LAB strains and cheese starter cultures (10 9 CFU/ml), their CFNS and heated CFNS were spotted (10 µl) on the surfaces of BHI soft agar. The assay plates were incubated at 30°C for 20 h, aerobically (Schillinger et al. 1993) . After that, the plates were checked for the presence of clear growth inhibition zones around the spots in order to determine the antilisterial activity of fresh cells, CFNS and heated CNFS of the used individual LAB strains and cheese starter cultures. The diameters of inhibition zones were measured. Results represent an average of three realized experiments.

Screening of antilisterial activity.

The assay plates were incubated at 30°C for 20 h, aerobically.


In spite of these historical records, the 2010 census indicated that only 0.3% of individuals from the Misiones population consider themselves to be African descendants [59] . However, this study has some limitations when extrapolating the patterns of genetic diversity to populations as a whole, as it only provides a view of female genetic history (as inferred from the mtDNA). In Argentina, the use of different markers (Y chromosome, AIMs, mtDNA) usually provides different proportions of geographic ancestry, while also indicating a sex-bias in the contribution coming from the different source populations [26, 43] . Nevertheless, we have shown that African genes (markers) can be traced in the Argentinean gene pool, and indicated the potential association between African ancestry and cervical cancer, emphasizing the importance of taking African genetic variation into account in future association studies.

In spite of these historical records, the 2010 census indicated that only 0.3% of individuals from the Misiones population consider themselves to be African descendants.

In Argentina, the use of different markers (Y chromosome, AIMs, mtDNA) usually provides different proportions of geographic ancestry, while also indicating a sex-bias in the contribution coming from the different source populations.


Fault-tolerant PM (FTPM) motors have shown promise for direct-drive applications due to their merits of high torque-to-weight ratio, mechanical robustness, and high air-gap flux density [5] . Their performances are governed by electromagnetic and thermal design. In fact, both designs are interrelated. Thus, attention to the thermal design can be rewarded by major improvements in the overall performance. The rise in awareness of PM motor thermal issues leads to a plenty of work devoted to it. However, the number of published technical papers relating to the thermal analysis of PM motors is still fewer than those associated with electromagnetic analyzes [5] [6] [7] [8] . Namely, thermal analysis has received less attention than electromagnetic analysis. This is because the thermal analysis of an motor seems to be more of a three-dimensional (3-D) problem with complex heat transfer phenomena, such as heat transfer through composite components such as the winding slots.

Fault-tolerant PM (FTPM) motors have shown promise for direct-drive applications due to their merits of high torque-to-weight ratio, mechanical robustness, and high air-gap flux density.

In fact, both designs are interrelated.

However, the number of published technical papers relating to the thermal analysis of PM motors is still fewer than those associated with electromagnetic analyzes.


The first step in auto calibration is to recover the projection matrices and the projective structure of a camera moving in a rigid scene. Features are extracted and matched to obtain feature tracks. The mismatched features are obtained by recovering the fundamental matrices between adjacent frames of the camera. The good feature matches are used to obtain the projective structure and the camera matrices using the standard iterative perspective factorization algorithm [8] . Finally, semidefinite programming is applied to recover the aspect ratio, focal length and the principal points of the camera.

The good feature matches are used to obtain the projective structure and the camera matrices using the standard iterative perspective factorization algorithm.


Understanding the behaviour of a vessel in a real seaway is critical for determining its performance. Rough sea conditions induce significant ship motions, which affect a ship's resistance. The resulting increase in resistance can compromise propulsive efficiency and can increase fuel consumption. Ship motions and seakeeping behaviour are also very important with regards to crew, vessel and cargo safety. An awareness of the impacts of ship motions on resistance is particularly important in the current economic climate, which has seen a significant increase in fuel costs in comparison to charter rates. For example, for a typical commercial vessel, the fuel costs will now account for well over half of its operating costs, whereas for a container ship, the figure may be as high as 75% (Ronen, 2011) .

For example, for a typical commercial vessel, the fuel costs will now account for well over half of its operating costs, whereas for a container ship, the figure may be as high as 75%.


Continued technological advances offer ever-increasing computational power. This can be utilised for viscous flow simulations to solve RANS equations in the time domain. CFD-based RANS methods are rapidly gaining popularity for seakeeping applications. These methods have the distinct advantage of allowing designers to assess the seakeeping performance of a vessel during the design stages, therefore allowing any corrective action to be taken promptly, before the vessel is actually built (Tezdogan et al., 2014b) .

These methods have the distinct advantage of allowing designers to assess the seakeeping performance of a vessel during the design stages, therefore allowing any corrective action to be taken promptly, before the vessel is actually built.


The resistance of a ship operating in a seaway is greater than its resistance in calm water. The difference between these two resistances arises from ship motions and wave drift forces in waves and has been termed the added resistance due to waves. Added resistance can account for up to 15-30% of the total resistance in calm water (Pérez, 2007) . It is therefore critical to be able to accurately predict the added resistance of a ship in waves, and this should be included in ship performance assessments. One purpose of this study is to predict the added resistance due to waves with higher accuracy than potential theory-based methods.

Added resistance can account for up to 15-30% of the total resistance in calm water.


We assume that the input size at each node is L bits, where L is a given parameter. We focus on the case where L = Θ(nB). This allows us to consider inputs which describe graphs using O(B) bits per edge. The main question that drives us is whether there are problems that require superconstant number of rounds in this model. The simple lower bound argument that "all input must be communicated" does not hold, because the complete input can be communicated in this case in a constant number of rounds. No such decision problems are known to date, and on the other hand some important functionalities can be computed in constant time, e.g., selection and sorting [13, 10, 8] .

We focus on the case where L = Θ(nB).

No such decision problems are known to date, and on the other hand some important functionalities can be computed in constant time, e.g., selection and sorting.


Recent financial press commentary paints a positive picture for Ireland's future. The tenth review by the European Union/European Central Bank/International Monetary Fund (EU/ECB/IMF -the Troika) of Ireland's progress concludes that: the gradual recovery is continuing and there have been further improvements in market conditions for the sovereign debt problem and the banks. Ireland has earned the nickname of the 'poster boy for austerity' for adhering to the Programme of Support from the Troika (Halpin and Papachristou, 2013) . Ireland became the first Eurozone country to slide into recession In September 2008 with economic activity at its weakest in a quarter of a century (Smith, 2008) . Now Ireland looks to become the first country to exit an EU-led bailout (Horta e Costa, 2013) . There are differing views on this success.

Ireland has earned the nickname of the 'poster boy for austerity' for adhering to the Programme of Support from the Troika.

Ireland became the first Eurozone country to slide into recession In September 2008 with economic activity at its weakest in a quarter of a century.

Now Ireland looks to become the first country to exit an EU-led bailout.


Cognitive appraisal theory is adopted in this study to provide the theoretical basis for the causal relationship between stimuli and emotions elicited. In cognitive appraisal theory, any particular emotional response to an experience is elicited based on a (usually unconscious) cognitive evaluation using various dimensions such as novelty, goal relevance and the degree of goal realisation. Therefore, tourists with similar experiences may feel delighted or satisfied dependent on their goals, goal relevance and so on. In this study, cognitive appraisal theory is used to to investigate the differences in antecedents and consequences of satisfaction or delight derived from visitors' theme park experiences -a typical hedonic tourism consumption experience (Bigne, Mattila, & Andreu, 2008; Milman, 2001) .

In this study, cognitive appraisal theory is used to to investigate the differences in antecedents and consequences of satisfaction or delight derived from visitors' theme park experiences -a typical hedonic tourism consumption experience.


In the 20 years since Cropper, Deck, and McConnell's innovative study (henceforth CDM) econometric methodology in the hedonic literature has evolved to address omitted variables directly. In studies with large cross-section data sets, it has become standard practice to add spatial fixed effects to the hedonic price function (e.g. fixed effects for school districts, subdivisions, or census tracts). The intention is to absorb the price effect of spatially clustered omitted variables. Likewise, the increasing availability of repeated cross-section and panel data sets has allowed researchers to develop quasi-experimental designs that offer the potential to purge the price effect of time-constant omitted variables [11, 22, 27] . Surprisingly there has been no systematic effort to evaluate the relative performance of these techniques in dealing with omitted variables and in recovering nonmarket values. We seek to fill this void. This paper describes a theoretically consistent Monte Carlo evaluation of the accuracy of modern hedonic methods in recovering nonmarket values when key variables are omitted from the model. Five features of our analysis add realism and allow us to inform current hedonic practice: (i) we define the urban landscape using a comprehensive set of data on 104,000 housing sales that occurred in Wake County, NC during the late 1990s, (ii) these data are used to compute hedonic equilibria that reflect the real pattern of spatial correlation between housing characteristics and amenities, (iii) each Monte Carlo replication uses a sample size of 2000 homes, which is consistent with modern empirical studies and allows the use of spatial fixed effects, (iv) our evaluation of alternative hedonic methods focuses on the consequences of omitting a subset of neighborhood characteristics from the regression and we test the robustness of our results by randomly selecting which variables to omit, and (v) we simulate how housing markets adjust to the types of unexpected events that form the basis for quasi-experiments. For realism, our analysis is based on an actual change in commuting patterns that occurred in Wake County during our study period. This allows us to simulate a quasi-experimental design to evaluate pooled cross-section, first difference, and difference-in-difference approaches to estimation.

Likewise, the increasing availability of repeated cross-section and panel data sets has allowed researchers to develop quasi-experimental designs that offer the potential to purge the price effect of time-constant omitted variables.

We seek to fill this void.


One stylized fact is that more parsimonious functional forms are less susceptible to omitted variable bias. This is the frequently cited result from Cropper, Deck, and McConnell [9] . We find that this result no longer holds when spatial fixed effects are used to control for omitted variables. In this case, the more flexible specifications for the price function, such as the quadratic Box-Cox model, outperform the simpler linear, log-linear, and log-log specifications that have dominated empirical practice for the past two decades. This result is robust to features of our simulation including the specification for utility that underlies hedonic equilibrium and the composition of the set of omitted variables. Thus, it may be time to reconsider the quadratic Box-Cox model and other flexible specifications for empirical hedonic research.

This is the frequently cited result from Cropper, Deck, and McConnell.


Since the first use of lasers in the medical field, considerable effort has been made to replace conventional surgical tools with lasers. To be a practical alternative, clinical lasers have to be easy to control, safe, and effective in cutting and removing tissue with limited collateral damage. UltraShort pulse lasers (e 1 psec) are of significant interest to clinicians and researchers due to precise and highly effective ablation capabilities (-1~pulse) accompanied by minimal collateral thermal/mechanical damage [1] - [5] . Thermal damage is minimized for two reasons. First, USPL has a high ablation efficiency, i.e. less energy is required per pulse compared to the nanosecond pulses. For example, the ablation threshold is less than 1 J/cm2 for 0.35 psec pulses vs. 20 J/cm2 for 1 ns pulses for tooth ablation [2] .

UltraShort pulse lasers (e 1 psec) are of significant interest to clinicians and researchers due to precise and highly effective ablation capabilities (-1~pulse) accompanied by minimal collateral thermal/mechanical damage.

For example, the ablation threshold is less than 1 J/cm2 for 0.35 psec pulses vs. 20 J/cm2 for 1 ns pulses for tooth ablation.


Second, most of the energy that is deposited is taken away by the expanding plasma and ejected meterial. Me+nical damage is also not significant since due to the above reason and the short deposition time, the shockwave into the material experiences a rapid decay [6] . In Fig. 1 , we show the results of drilling a human tooth with 350 fsec laser pulses [7] . The smooth ablation surface and absence of mechanical cracking is characteristic of USPL ablation.

Me+nical damage is also not significant since due to the above reason and the short deposition time, the shockwave into the material experiences a rapid decay.

In Fig. 1 , we show the results of drilling a human tooth with 350 fsec laser pulses.


This lottery game can be desirable as application on its own, but is also studied independently as a useful "leader election" primitive for building randomized distributed systems [1] . Cryptographic protocols for this task based on "commitments" are well-known in the research literature. Though there are many ways of implementing a lottery (such as by using a randomness beacon to draw a random number), a secure implementation of the commitment-based approach is the one with the least reliance on trust assumptions. This is because it can guarantee that an honest player will win the pot with essentially 1/N probability, regardless of external factors and the behavior of the other players.

This lottery game can be desirable as application on its own, but is also studied independently as a useful "leader election" primitive for building randomized distributed systems.


We have demonstrated in previous works the antiulcer properties of the aqueous and methanol extracts of the stem bark of Anthocleista vogelii in rats [5] . This plant is a small tree, which grows in the tropical rain forest areas of West Africa [6] . In African traditional medicine, the stem bark and leaves are used as an anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic and also in the treatment of wounds [6, 7] . Previous studies on this plant showed the presence of alkaloids, xanthones, secoiridoids, terpenes, and phthalides [7, 8] . Complete prevention of lesion formation observed in the oral administration of a dose of 500 mg/kg in both HCl/ethanol and Indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer methods of the methanol extract prompted us to pursue further works on this extract. From the methanol extract of the stem bark of this plant, we have isolated one Ulcers xanthone named 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone designated AV whose antiulcer properties are being reported here for the first time.

We have demonstrated in previous works the antiulcer properties of the aqueous and methanol extracts of the stem bark of Anthocleista vogelii in rats.

This plant is a small tree, which grows in the tropical rain forest areas of West Africa.

In African traditional medicine, the stem bark and leaves are used as an anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic and also in the treatment of wounds.

Previous studies on this plant showed the presence of alkaloids, xanthones, secoiridoids, terpenes, and phthalides.


Parkinson's disease (PD) is also known as idiopathic Parkinsonism or paralysis agitans [1] . PD is a chronic and degenerative disorder of the brain parts controlling the motor system. It occurs when nerve cells in the substantia nigra of the midbrain (a brain area that controls movement) die or suffer some deterioration [2] . PD is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder, which eventually leads to a progressive disability, for reasons still unknown [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . PD is the second neurodegenerative disorder by their frequency, ranking behind only Alzheimer's disease [2] .

Parkinson's disease (PD) is also known as idiopathic Parkinsonism or paralysis agitans.

It occurs when nerve cells in the substantia nigra of the midbrain (a brain area that controls movement) die or suffer some deterioration.

PD is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder, which eventually leads to a progressive disability, for reasons still unknown.

PD is the second neurodegenerative disorder by their frequency, ranking behind only Alzheimer's disease.


PD is not only a motor system disorder. It has a wider spectrum of affectedness such as emotional wellbeing, affecting sleep, cognition, visuospatial deficits, and sensation and perception [3] [4] [5] . For all these reasons there are also other aspects of PD to be considered such as social and economic cost, for instance, within families and work places of the PD affected patients.

PD is not only a motor system disorder.

It has a wider spectrum of affectedness such as emotional wellbeing, affecting sleep, cognition, visuospatial deficits, and sensation and perception.


In summary, an efficient and robust dynamic algorithm of data hiding is proposed in this paper. This algorithm aims to improve the embedding capacity of the secret data, enhance the visual quality of stego-image, and make steganalysis a very hard task. The proposed algorithm is based on multi-directional PVD and modified LSB. The idea of MLSB is to increase or decrease the pixel gray value after embedding, using simple LSB replacement by 2 k (where k is the number of secret data bits that have to be embedded in LSBs of each pixel in a cover image) in order to enhance the image quality [29, 42] .

The idea of MLSB is to increase or decrease the pixel gray value after embedding, using simple LSB replacement by 2 k (where k is the number of secret data bits that have to be embedded in LSBs of each pixel in a cover image) in order to enhance the image quality.


Surface observation methods and section observation methods can both be used in otolith analysis. Surface observations are associated with a greater ease of handling and observation. Otoliths grow in the posterior-anterior and dorsal-ventral directions in young fish, but grow in a proximal direction, increasing in thickness, as the fish ages. It would appear that this growth is synchronized with a period of stagnant somatic growth that occurs once a fish has passed spawning age. Due to the increased thickness of the otolith, surface observation is unsuitable for age determination in older fish for which the section method is used; such studies have already been reported for some species (Hayashi et al. 1995; Sekigawa et al. 2002; Yamamoto et al. 2008) . The section method allows for the observation of the array of annuli in the proximal part of otolith and surrounding the otolith ridge. Zones of Type B and D opaque zones are only visible in cross-section, and their presence can greatly enhance the precision of age determinations. Types B and D opaque zones consist of an aggregation of grooves and/or discontinuous crystals which can be highlighted by etching; these two zones can be clearly observed under the microscope using transmitted light.

Due to the increased thickness of the otolith, surface observation is unsuitable for age determination in older fish for which the section method is used; such studies have already been reported for some species.


TiO 2 has been widely recognised as one of a few leading photocatalysts in semiconductor system for water treatment, due to its chemical stability, non-toxicity and advanced oxidation property [1] . The basic mechanism of TiO 2 stimulated photocatalysis is the creation of an electron-hole pair by exciting an electron from valence band to conduction band through photon absorption. As TiO 2 rutile and anatase have their band gaps of 3.1 and 3.2 eV, the photo-oxidation reaction using pure TiO 2 could only be stimulated by UV, which is only a small fraction (< 4 %) of solar spectrum [1, 2] . In recent decades, enormous researches have been given to the development of nano-sized and/or structured TiO 2 as pioneering photocatalysts for water treatment. These TiO 2 nanoparticles show large surface areas and diverse morphologies, which are beneficial for the photocatalysis. It is believed that the nanosized photocatalysts are able to demonstrate enhanced oxidation efficiency in a photoreactor [3] . However, the separation of these TiO 2 nanoparticles from the photo-reactor system for reuse is an expensive practice, which makes the TiO 2 -based technology economically infeasible for an industrial application [1] . Therefore, their applications for the industrial processes are still facing a significant challenge due to the high operational costs for recovery or reuse of the TiO 2 catalysts, and UV light use.

TiO 2 has been widely recognised as one of a few leading photocatalysts in semiconductor system for water treatment, due to its chemical stability, non-toxicity and advanced oxidation property.

As TiO 2 rutile and anatase have their band gaps of 3.1 and 3.2 eV, the photo-oxidation reaction using pure TiO 2 could only be stimulated by UV, which is only a small fraction (< 4 %) of solar spectrum.

It is believed that the nanosized photocatalysts are able to demonstrate enhanced oxidation efficiency in a photoreactor.

However, the separation of these TiO 2 nanoparticles from the photo-reactor system for reuse is an expensive practice, which makes the TiO 2 -based technology economically infeasible for an industrial application.


The expected impacts of climate change may pose considerable challenges to coastal cities, particularly to those in low-lying deltas [1] . Changes in sea level, river discharge and weather extremes, combined with increasing potential impacts due to population growth and increasing value of capital, enhance the need to make cities 'climate-proof'. Irrespective of mitigation efforts, some degree of climate change is inevitable, and adaptation will be necessary [2, 3] . Projections of climate change, however, are plagued by substantial uncertainties, particularly when translated into local impacts [4] . For decision makers, it is not always easy or straightforward on how to interpret and use climate scenarios and uncertainty information, and how to appraise the policy implications of uncertainties [5, 6] . In literature, various approaches for dealing with uncertainty are formulated for climate change adaptation [4, 7] . Examples include: risk approach, anticipating design, resilience, adaptive management, and robust decision making. This paper presents a case-study on a system-oriented strategy: strengthening the resilience of the impacted system to climatic changes.

The expected impacts of climate change may pose considerable challenges to coastal cities, particularly to those in low-lying deltas.

Irrespective of mitigation efforts, some degree of climate change is inevitable, and adaptation will be necessary.

Projections of climate change, however, are plagued by substantial uncertainties, particularly when translated into local impacts.

For decision makers, it is not always easy or straightforward on how to interpret and use climate scenarios and uncertainty information, and how to appraise the policy implications of uncertainties.

In literature, various approaches for dealing with uncertainty are formulated for climate change adaptation.


Other factors apart from yoga practice can change the P300. The effect of emotions on a respiratory related evoked potential was studied when healthy volunteers were presented with pictures of pleasant, neutral or unpleasant content [9] . When the participants viewed either affectively pleasant or unpleasant pictures the P300 amplitude of the RREP was reduced, suggesting that emotions (pleasant or unpleasant) reduce attentional resources which are available for processing afferent respiratory sensory signals.

The effect of emotions on a respiratory related evoked potential was studied when healthy volunteers were presented with pictures of pleasant, neutral or unpleasant content.


Space-borne infrared hyperspectral instruments typically measure Earth views in a spectral range from 600 to 3000 cm −1 wavenumbers with a spectral sampling of about 0.25 cm −1 providing thousands of channels across their full spectral range. From these measurements it is possible to retrieve atmospheric profiles of temperature and water vapour with a relatively high vertical resolution and high degree of accuracy. These (so-called) retrievals can have a temperature accuracy of about 1 K in layers 1 km thick and humidity accuracy from 10 to 20 % in layers 2 km thick within the troposphere (Smith et al., 2001) . The algorithms to obtain these retrievals are usually of the following two kinds.

These (so-called) retrievals can have a temperature accuracy of about 1 K in layers 1 km thick and humidity accuracy from 10 to 20 % in layers 2 km thick within the troposphere.


The piecewise linear beam system which is investigated in this paper is an archetype system. Many mechanical systems in engineering practice show similar dynamic behaviour. A practical example of a piecewise linear system is a system of solar array panels, which take care of the energy supply for satellites [10] . During launch the solar array panels are attached to the satellite in folded position and suffer from intensive vibration. To prevent the panel ends striking each other rubber snubbers are mounted, which act as elastic stops. In order to justify linear analysis to predict the dynamic behaviour of the structure, the snubbers are brought under pre-stress. As a negative consequence, the residual strength of the structure is low. An alternative is to lower the pre-stress, resulting in the snubbers loosing contact with the solar arrays. In that case, behaviour similar to the behaviour of a piecewise linear beam system can be seen.

A practical example of a piecewise linear system is a system of solar array panels, which take care of the energy supply for satellites.


Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) have been increasingly implemented in schools to foster better emotional regulation skills for students with special education needs. Preliminary evidence suggests that these interventions hold promise in reducing the burden of LDs, especially regarding reduced anxiety and depression and increased attention (Malboeuf-Hurtubise, Joussemet, Douaire, & Lacourse, 2015; Taylor & Malboeuf-Hurtubise, 2016; Zenner, Herrnleben-Kurz, & Walach, 2013) . To date, one study reported results of a MBI with adolescents with LDs and suggested that it could be useful to decrease anxiety and promote better social skills (Beauchemin, Hutchins, & Patterson, 2008) . However, MBIs have not yet been used with elementary school children with LDs in special education classes with the aim of increasing their basic psychological need satisfaction, and ultimately, their well-being.

Preliminary evidence suggests that these interventions hold promise in reducing the burden of LDs, especially regarding reduced anxiety and depression and increased attention.

To date, one study reported results of a MBI with adolescents with LDs and suggested that it could be useful to decrease anxiety and promote better social skills.


An analysis of the benefits derived by nanoTiO 2 application by the modified IMPACT 2002+ method reveal a moderate gain in reducing airborne pollutants during the use phase, i.e., toluene (−2.92 kg) and NO x (−9.3E−2 kg) emissions for the Respiratory organics and Respiratory inorganics impact categories, respectively. However, it is necessary to point out that the data related to the nanoparticle emissions in all life cycle stages are not up to date and are still unknown. Therefore, scientific effort must be made to obtain adequate life cycle inventory (LCI) data on these new materials in order to ascertain the real sustainability of nanoparticle coatings for outdoor application [24] .

Therefore, scientific effort must be made to obtain adequate life cycle inventory (LCI) data on these new materials in order to ascertain the real sustainability of nanoparticle coatings for outdoor application.


Although the self-cleaning property that photocatalytic TiO 2 nanoparticles can impart to common materials is promising, the unexpected growth of nanotechnology is raising several concerns about the potential negative impacts that these new materials could cause on human health and the environment. The release of nanoparticles into environmental matrices could occur during different stages of their life cycles [8, 9] . Therefore, considerable efforts should be made to assess the toxicity of nanoparticles, first on humans and then-though no less important-on the environment. The European Commission encouraged the life cycle approach to assess the sustainability of nanoproducts [10] . Life cycle assessment (LCA) is the most adequate methodology for determining the potentially adverse effects on human health and the environment of a product, process or service. It has thus been recognized as a useful tool to assess the environmental performance of nanoproducts [11] .

The release of nanoparticles into environmental matrices could occur during different stages of their life cycles.

The European Commission encouraged the life cycle approach to assess the sustainability of nanoproducts.

It has thus been recognized as a useful tool to assess the environmental performance of nanoproducts.


The aim of this work was to develop strategies to reinforce cork based composites with natural fibres, with and without chemical treatment, in the presence of low amounts of the coupling agent to ameliorate the mechanical properties. The production of hybrid composites was tested to obtain a composite with enhanced performance that could be used in complex geometries without failure, where cork cannot compete alone. Additionally one and two step extrusion processes were tested to evaluate the correct form to obtain the hybrid cork-polymer pellets reinforced with sisal fibres, to be applied in the compression moulding process in order to produce specimens of reinforced cork composites. The properties of the composites depend on the individual components and fibre-matrix interfacial compatibility. The Weibull distribution provides a reliable possibility to predict the tensile strength of a needed composite material, and this should be taken into account by the designer [24, 25] . Therefore, in this work we also consider the Weibull distribution to be a viable tool to predict the tensile strength failure of the novel hybrid composites under analysis.

The Weibull distribution provides a reliable possibility to predict the tensile strength of a needed composite material, and this should be taken into account by the designer.


The World Health Organization (WHO) declared TB a global public health emergency in 1993. Starting in the mid1990s, efforts to improve TB care and control intensified at national and international levels. WHO developed the Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course (DOTS), strategy within a decade, almost all countries had adopted the strategy, and there was considerable progress towards global targets established for 2005 [2] . The growing HIV epidemic represents a great challenge for the National Tuberculosis 2 Advances in Public Health Programs, which are seeing an increase in HIV infection among TB cases and the appearance of new TB cases among persons infected with HIV. This is compromising health system performance and National Tuberculosis Program efficiency due to increased TB incidence, case-fatality, treatment abandonment, and challenges for the comprehensive treatment of both diseases [3] . Globally, in 2014, there were an estimated 1.2 million new HIV positive TB cases and almost three-quarters of these cases were in the African Region [1] . Challenge in the management of TB and HIV coinfected individual is pill burden, increase of adverse effect, drug-todrug interaction, and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. HIV/AIDS has a number of impacts on prevention and control of TB [4] . Tuberculosis is an obstacle to socioeconomic development; 75% of people affected by TB are within the economically productive age group of 15-54 years. The HIV epidemic worsened the TB situation and it is estimated that 50 to 60% of HIV infected people will develop TB disease in their lifetime in contrast with HIV negative persons, whose lifetime risk is only 10% [5] .

WHO developed the Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course (DOTS), strategy within a decade, almost all countries had adopted the strategy, and there was considerable progress towards global targets established for 2005.

This is compromising health system performance and National Tuberculosis Program efficiency due to increased TB incidence, case-fatality, treatment abandonment, and challenges for the comprehensive treatment of both diseases.

Globally, in 2014, there were an estimated 1.2 million new HIV positive TB cases and almost three-quarters of these cases were in the African Region.

HIV/AIDS has a number of impacts on prevention and control of TB.

The HIV epidemic worsened the TB situation and it is estimated that 50 to 60% of HIV infected people will develop TB disease in their lifetime in contrast with HIV negative persons, whose lifetime risk is only 10%.


We note that if one interchanges F by its Hodge dual * F in the Lorentzian EinsteinMaxwell equations, this simply maps solutions to solutions as Lorentzian Maxwell stress energy tensor is unchanged by this transformation. In the Euclidean case, however, this is no longer the case and the stress energy tensor picks up a minus sign. Therefore with Euclidean signatures, solutions for theory with the wrong sign of the coupling of Maxwell field are those for the theory with the "correct" sign of the coupling but with F and * F interchanged [11] .

Therefore with Euclidean signatures, solutions for theory with the wrong sign of the coupling of Maxwell field are those for the theory with the "correct" sign of the coupling but with F and * F interchanged.


The aetiology is very heterogeneous and, unfortunately, in about than one-half of cases the cause of MR is still elusive [2] . Anything that damages and interferes with the growth and maturation of the brain can lead to MR, and this might happen before, during or after the birth of the child (complications of pregnancy/birth, toxics, malnutrition, trauma, infections, understimulation). Moreover, genetically determined MR aetiology (comprising chromosomal aberrations, single-gene disorders, and other genetic conditions) account by itself for 17 to 41% of cases, depending of the different techniques of analysis [2] .

The aetiology is very heterogeneous and, unfortunately, in about than one-half of cases the cause of MR is still elusive.

Moreover, genetically determined MR aetiology (comprising chromosomal aberrations, single-gene disorders, and other genetic conditions) account by itself for 17 to 41% of cases, depending of the different techniques of analysis.


Even when progress is made from the justice viewpoint, the intimate violence problem remains mainly hidden for several reasons, such as low victimization acceptance, as it takes place at the heart of the couple. It produces social shame and a feeling of emotional failure experienced by women, which are the strength of a male chauvinist culture. There is also common victim tendency to forgive and forget lower levels of violence based on the myth of the romantic love that causes intimate partner violence (IPV) to persist [13] . Furthermore in those cases in which women recognize themselves as victims, lack of immediate public protocols reduces the number of legal complaints about victims' insecurity [14] .

There is also common victim tendency to forgive and forget lower levels of violence based on the myth of the romantic love that causes intimate partner violence (IPV) to persist.

Furthermore in those cases in which women recognize themselves as victims, lack of immediate public protocols reduces the number of legal complaints about victims' insecurity.


It is now clearly established that oxidative stress, defined as excess production of ROS or imbalance between ROS and antioxidants, could be an early event in the pathogenic mechanism of I/R injury. The production of ROS by ischemia-stimulated Kupffer cells is an important mechanism for liver reperfusion injury (Arai et al., 2007; Jaeschke, 2003) . It has been shown that ROS-induced lipid peroxidation perturbs bio-membrane. They seem to disturb fine organizations, modification of integrity and permeability of cell membranes (West and Marnett, 2006) . Moreover, lipid peroxidation is associated with carcinogenic and mutagenic effects as well as expansion of liver I/R damage (Atalla et al., 1985; Jaeschke, 2003; West and Marnett, 2006) . This study shows that ischemia followed by reperfusion significantly enhanced MDA level as a major lipid peroxidation product. As anticipated, aminotransferases levels similarly increase in IR rat hepatocytes. This appears to be due to reactivity of MDA with the free amino groups of proteins and phospholipids (Dalle-Donne et al., 2006; Esterbauer et al., 1991) . These structural modifications can lead to hepatocyte damage and increment of ALT and AST levels during hepatic I/R injury and lead to liver dysfunctions.

The production of ROS by ischemia-stimulated Kupffer cells is an important mechanism for liver reperfusion injury.

They seem to disturb fine organizations, modification of integrity and permeability of cell membranes.

Moreover, lipid peroxidation is associated with carcinogenic and mutagenic effects as well as expansion of liver I/R damage.

This appears to be due to reactivity of MDA with the free amino groups of proteins and phospholipids.


Although, the precise pathways underlying the augmentation of endothelin production following I/R are not fully understood, it has been proposed that proinflammatory mediators as well as elevated level of ROS can provoke endothelin release from activated Kupffer and stellate cells (Ferrari, 1994; Lopez-Ongil et al., 1998) . In endothelial cells, ET-1 production can be reduced by NO, thus its generation can be augmented by inhibitors of NOS (Boulanger and Lüscher, 1991; Mitsutomi et al., 1999) . A decrease in ET-1 concentration and an elevation of NO can lessen the intensity of I/R injury (Scommotau et al., 1999) .

Although, the precise pathways underlying the augmentation of endothelin production following I/R are not fully understood, it has been proposed that proinflammatory mediators as well as elevated level of ROS can provoke endothelin release from activated Kupffer and stellate cells.

In endothelial cells, ET-1 production can be reduced by NO, thus its generation can be augmented by inhibitors of NOS.

A decrease in ET-1 concentration and an elevation of NO can lessen the intensity of I/R injury.


ET-1, one of the most potent vasoconstrictors discovered so far, is a 21-amino acid peptide; which is produced as a 212-amino acid precursor known as preproET-1. Removing signal peptide converts preproET-1 to proET-1, which is secreted into the cytoplasm. Further cleavage of proET-1 molecule by end-peptidases, generates 38-amino acid big-ET-1 molecule, which circulates in plasma with very low bioactivity and has been used as an index of ET-1 secretion. Several lines of evidence indicate that the active form of this vasoconstrictor, which is produced by the final cleavage of the C-terminal 17-amino acid residues has a crucial role in pathogenesis of I/R injury (Kirkby et al., 2008) .

Several lines of evidence indicate that the active form of this vasoconstrictor, which is produced by the final cleavage of the C-terminal 17-amino acid residues has a crucial role in pathogenesis of I/R injury.


Ethical leadership is a form of the leadership requiring development of ethical standards managing employees' behaviors and application of the ethical standards effectively with their behaviors (Connock and Johns; 1995) . Ethical leadership can be described as trying to spread fairness, showing respect to others' personal qualities, and the combination of the abilities of honesty, reliability, trustworthiness, sincerity, reciprocity, democratic decision making and supporting participation, being sympathetic and gentle. Ethical leadership is having ethical values of a leader and and acting upon these values (Cuilla, 1998) .

Ethical leadership is a form of the leadership requiring development of ethical standards managing employees' behaviors and application of the ethical standards effectively with their behaviors.

Ethical leadership is having ethical values of a leader and and acting upon these values.


In case of N. benthamiana GA 3 did not break seed dormancy (Fig. 3A) . Unlike GA 3 , GA 4+7 had a soughtafter effect (Fig. 3B) . The observed outcome is probably due to GA 4 which has already been shown to be able to break seed dormancy (Li et al. 2005) . However GA 7 is considered as biologically active but its function has not been defined in regard to seed dormancy (Finkelstein et al. 2008) .

The observed outcome is probably due to GA 4 which has already been shown to be able to break seed dormancy.

However GA 7 is considered as biologically active but its function has not been defined in regard to seed dormancy.


Following results deal with an important topic whether the light is a necessary factor for germination of N. benthamiana seeds. Our experiments show that seeds of N. benthamiana do not germinate in darkness as well as photodormant Nicotiana tabaccum seeds. It is known that photodormancy of tobacco is established during seed development and can be broken by application of GAs (Leubner-Metzger & Meins 2000) . Photodormancy of N. benthamiana dormant seeds was successfully broken by application of GA 4+7 , but not GA 3 .

It is known that photodormancy of tobacco is established during seed development and can be broken by application of GAs.


Steam gasification processing is possible at reaction temperature lower than combustion and under normal pressure. The subject of cost or safety can be solved. As for what used sodium hydroxide, molten salt is cheap and can use it by ordinary pressure as a widespread reaction medium, and this is because the resolution of the organic halide can use it [6] .

As for what used sodium hydroxide, molten salt is cheap and can use it by ordinary pressure as a widespread reaction medium, and this is because the resolution of the organic halide can use it.


No inflation after the first bout means thatä ≤ 0 forever. It is difficult to believe that any quantity which can be positive or negative will forever choose one sign over the other. Strong no-go theorems would be required and none exist. It is true that normal matter obeying the strong energy condition does not giveä > 0. However, the universe may contain all sorts of matter, e.g. topological defects, vacuum energy, etc. In fact, the universe now seems to be filled with some sort of quintessential vacuum energy causing it to accelerate today [8] .

In fact, the universe now seems to be filled with some sort of quintessential vacuum energy causing it to accelerate today.


Nitrogen is one of the major plant nutrients required for plant growth. For maximizing yield of rice, nitrogenous fertilizer is the kingpin in rice farming. It is essential for the synthesis of protein, which is the constituent of protoplasm and chloroplasts. It is a constituent of numerous important compounds found in living cells, including amino acid, protein (enzymes), nucleic acid and chlorophyll (Traore and Maranville, 1999) . This element is the most essential element in determining the yield potential of intensified agriculture system (Mae, 1997) . But nitrogen use efficiency is very low and the recovery of N in wetland rice seldom exceeds 40% (De Datta and Buresh, 1989) . Many factors determine the fertilizer efficiency for rice crop during cultivation such as soil, cultivar, season, environment, planting time, water management, weed control, cropping pattern, source, form, rate, time of application and method of application (De Datta, 1978) . In many cases aerial spray of nutrients is preferred and gives quicker and better results than the soil application (Jamal et al., 2006) . Recently foliar application of nutrients has become an important practice in the production of crops while application of fertilizers to the soil remains the basic method of feeding the majority of the crop plants. In this aspect, the present study was, therefore, undertaken to see the effect of soil and foliar application of urea on BRRIdhan 29.

It is a constituent of numerous important compounds found in living cells, including amino acid, protein (enzymes), nucleic acid and chlorophyll.

This element is the most essential element in determining the yield potential of intensified agriculture system.

But nitrogen use efficiency is very low and the recovery of N in wetland rice seldom exceeds 40%.

Many factors determine the fertilizer efficiency for rice crop during cultivation such as soil, cultivar, season, environment, planting time, water management, weed control, cropping pattern, source, form, rate, time of application and method of application.

In many cases aerial spray of nutrients is preferred and gives quicker and better results than the soil application.


The anaerobically digested residue (bioslurry) is being used for raising soil fertility, improving soil and increasing agricultural production (Stout 1984) . Therefore, it must be proven hygienically safe for both people and animals in order to be recycled or reused. Otherwise new possible routes of disease transmission between urban and rural areas are created (Albihn 2001) . In Nepal, the biogas plants are largely dominated by the household level biogas plants in rural areas that use animal and human excreta as feeding materials (Karki et al. 2005) . However, institutional biogas plants using kitchen waste, fruit and vegetable waste, poultry waste, human excreta, etc as feeding materials are being constructed in the urban areas.

The anaerobically digested residue (bioslurry) is being used for raising soil fertility, improving soil and increasing agricultural production.

Otherwise new possible routes of disease transmission between urban and rural areas are created.

In Nepal, the biogas plants are largely dominated by the household level biogas plants in rural areas that use animal and human excreta as feeding materials.


From each side of the fault plane, seismic features were projected along the horizons' orientations onto the fault plane as described in section 4. The trend surfaces were determined by gradient structure tensor (GST), a tool to analyze local structure in images [3] . GST ( S S t ) models the seismic section at sides of the fault as being locally planer and yields an estimate of the orientation of the structure. Then, the orientation estimation was used to steer the integration of the seismic features. The coefficients were from a gaussian kernel. As the fault plane was only an approximation of the 3d fault region, seismic information is distorted at locations close to the fault plane. To correct for this, integration along the horizon was started at a five pixel distance from the fault plane.

The trend surfaces were determined by gradient structure tensor (GST), a tool to analyze local structure in images.


Research on innovations for increasing student engagement typically focuses on redesigning course assignments, enhancing teaching methods, and improving institutional practices [13, 19, 22] . Other studies purport to evaluate the effects of these innovations on student success [12] . However, much existing research focuses on teaching practices or impacts, not the quantitative methodology to measure engagement and its relationship with course success. The goal of this research is to fill this gap. The measurement of engagement is essential for the timely identification of students who may not successfully complete a course.

Research on innovations for increasing student engagement typically focuses on redesigning course assignments, enhancing teaching methods, and improving institutional practices.

Other studies purport to evaluate the effects of these innovations on student success.


Several of the AAs, most notably olanzapine and clozapine, have been associated with the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) when used to treat schizophrenia [5, 6] . Though rare, there are also case reports of new-onset DM associated with quetiapine use in schizophrenia [5] [6] [7] . In the setting of parkinsonism, the association with DM is unclear and has not been carefully investigated. Previously we described a lower incidence of DM with clozapine in the parkinsonian population when compared to age-matched controls [8] . Although published reports indicate no dose relationship between clozapine and glucose tolerance, most studies involve schizophrenia patients who are typically on 200-800 mg/day of clozapine. Since the average dose of clozapine was lower in parkinsonism than in schizophrenia, we hypothesized that perhaps the risk of DM could be dose-related.

Several of the AAs, most notably olanzapine and clozapine, have been associated with the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) when used to treat schizophrenia.

Though rare, there are also case reports of new-onset DM associated with quetiapine use in schizophrenia.

Previously we described a lower incidence of DM with clozapine in the parkinsonian population when compared to age-matched controls.


In 2005, an interdepartmental group of policymakers of the Netherlands government came to Wageningen University and Research Centre to commission a research project on genetic modification in crops. At that time, there was a public tendency against the use of such techniques, fueled by non-governmental organisations concerned about possible adverse effects on humans, environment and society. In 2005, globally, 90 million ha of genetically modified crops were planted of which hardly any in Europe and none in the Netherlands. In 2014, this global area had more than doubled (James 2014) . The Netherlands government wanted to invest in a genetic modification (GM) research and development project in order to remain scientifically competitive while promoting a more sustainable agriculture. This effort needed to be carried out with public funds because companies did not invest in view of consumer's reluctance and high costs associated with regulatory requirement of GM crops. Hence, it was proposed to set up a research project on genetic modification. A vision on biotech and innovation, expressed by a joint project group of several Netherlands ministerial departments, identified important stumbling blocks for the acceptance of genetically modified crops. These were that citizens are informed too little or unilaterally; that the government, science and industry were insufficiently transparent; and that these parties offered citizens too few possibilities to learn and comment when it comes to research and development with respect to GM crops.

In 2014, this global area had more than doubled.


There are several directions for future investigations. As already mentioned, it would be interesting to seek new examples of Frobenius algebras that lead to novel spectral properties and interactions in the context of higher spin gravity, compared to the ones known until now [21, 16, 22, 23, 18] . Of considerable interest are also generalizations of FrobeniusChern-Simons gauge theory that includes higher than cubic interactions as well as quadratic terms. Polynomial interactions, including quiver-like interactions will be presented elsewhere.

As already mentioned, it would be interesting to seek new examples of Frobenius algebras that lead to novel spectral properties and interactions in the context of higher spin gravity, compared to the ones known until now.


International players may fare well relative to native players in Japan. The famous hypothesis of a winner's curse argues that teams may overestimate a player's marginal revenue product (MRP) since limited information and trade uncertainty exists in the labor market [1] . Specifically, when international players have no Japanese baseball experience, NPB teams lack comparative information regarding their true talent and are apt to overestimate their talent, which creates a tendency to overpay international players.

The famous hypothesis of a winner's curse argues that teams may overestimate a player's marginal revenue product (MRP) since limited information and trade uncertainty exists in the labor market.


Iron monosulfides (pyrrhotite, troilite and mackinawite) form in reductive conditions. When minerals are exposed to aqueous solutions containing dissolved oxygen they are oxidized and release ferrous/ferric iron, sulfur/polysulfide/sulfoxy species, and protons [1] [2] [3] . Protons and ferric iron (a strong oxidant) can in turn enhance dissolution of accompanying minerals, such as CuFeS 2 , FeAsS, CuS, HgS, CdS, thereby releasing toxic elements incorporated in these matrices. The incomplete oxidation of iron monosulfides (IMS) produces soluble sulfur-bearing anions with sulfur in low oxidation states [1, 2, 4, 5] . These anions can migrate and alter the redox potential of reached geologic media [2, 4] .

When minerals are exposed to aqueous solutions containing dissolved oxygen they are oxidized and release ferrous/ferric iron, sulfur/polysulfide/sulfoxy species, and protons.

The incomplete oxidation of iron monosulfides (IMS) produces soluble sulfur-bearing anions with sulfur in low oxidation states.

These anions can migrate and alter the redox potential of reached geologic media.


In addition to family changes, in the past decade the US housing market has been buffeted first by increasing prices and reduced affordability and then the 'crash' in housing prices during what has come to be known as the great recession. Rising house prices made it difficult for young house buyers to enter the market and those who stretched their budgets to buy into ownership were often unable to sustain their mortgages in a time of economic uncertainty (Clark, 2013a) . Thus the external effects of job losses and housing foreclosure increased the likelihood of household and family duress. In this context I examine the three questions about the extent, likelihood and outcomes of disruption in families and consequent decisions about residential moves. The core focus of the paper is to redirect attention from the previous generally positive view of residential change to the situations where disruptive events may generate outcomes that are less positive for families.

Rising house prices made it difficult for young house buyers to enter the market and those who stretched their budgets to buy into ownership were often unable to sustain their mortgages in a time of economic uncertainty.


Weather stress index is normally designed to assess the frequency and magnitude of the most uncomfortable weather conditions. Generally, translation of the stress in terms of physiological and psychological strain is complex. There are many indices that have been suggested, categorized into three groups: indices that are based on calculations involving the heat balance equation (rational indices), indices that are based on objective and subjective strain (empirical indices), and measurements of environmental variables (direct indices). Owing to their complexity, the first two groups are not applied in day to day life use. Direct indices; Discomfort Index (DI) and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) are very easy to use [1] .

Direct indices; Discomfort Index (DI) and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) are very easy to use.


The oxidative stress is a key component of environmental stress [31] . Various environmental stresses cause accumulation of H 2 O 2 in different tissue segments and the regulation of H 2 O 2 levels is of utmost importance in plant cell metabolism [32] . The enhancement of antioxidant enzymes activities was correlated with increased protection from damage associated with oxidative stress [33] . In the present experiment, excess Mn increased the activities of SOD, APX and GR, particularly under hypoxia stress. It may be concluded that appropriate amount of Mn 2+ could reduce the damage of active oxygen under hypoxia stress, but reversely, excessive level of Mn 2+ were just to aggravate the already serious damage to the tomato seedlings.

The oxidative stress is a key component of environmental stress.

Various environmental stresses cause accumulation of H 2 O 2 in different tissue segments and the regulation of H 2 O 2 levels is of utmost importance in plant cell metabolism.

The enhancement of antioxidant enzymes activities was correlated with increased protection from damage associated with oxidative stress.


Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element for plant systems. It is involved in photosynthesis, respiration and activation of several enzymes including superoxide dismutase, NADPH-specific decarboxylating malate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase [1] . The availability of manganese (Mn) to plants is governed by redox processes, which depend on soil Mn reserve, pH and the availability of electrons [2] .

It is involved in photosynthesis, respiration and activation of several enzymes including superoxide dismutase, NADPH-specific decarboxylating malate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase.

The availability of manganese (Mn) to plants is governed by redox processes, which depend on soil Mn reserve, pH and the availability of electrons.


Japan has a great tradition in the care of patients with schizophrenia [6] . Japan has the biggest number of psychiatric beds in the world (with 1600 psychiatric hospitals). In 1980, more than 300,000 mentally ill stayed at psychiatric hospitals in Japan; out of them, more than 100,000 patients had stayed over 10 years [6] . About 80% of them were diagnosed as schizophrenia [6] . In addition, political, social and economic conditions of Japan have greatly influenced the development of psychiatry in Japan during last three decades.

Japan has a great tradition in the care of patients with schizophrenia.

In 1980, more than 300,000 mentally ill stayed at psychiatric hospitals in Japan; out of them, more than 100,000 patients had stayed over 10 years.

About 80% of them were diagnosed as schizophrenia.