Though most men with prostate cancer initially respond to these AR-targeted therapies, resistance is inevitable. As with other targeted therapies, alteration or modification of the target is a likely resistance mechanism and a number of such mechanisms have already been described including upregulation of AR expression, as well as mutation and deletion of the AR ligand binding domain [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . Nevertheless, translational studies, including assessment of clinical relevance of various AR alterations, have been hampered by a lack of access to tissue. Prostate cancer typically metastasizes to bone, and biopsy of these lesions is invasive, painful, and low yield [10] . A few programs have instituted warm autopsy programs, collecting samples of metastatic disease shortly after willing patients die from their disease [11] . These programs are rare, however, and offer only a final snapshot of the biology of resistant disease.

As with other targeted therapies, alteration or modification of the target is a likely resistance mechanism and a number of such mechanisms have already been described including upregulation of AR expression, as well as mutation and deletion of the AR ligand binding domain.

Prostate cancer typically metastasizes to bone, and biopsy of these lesions is invasive, painful, and low yield.

A few programs have instituted warm autopsy programs, collecting samples of metastatic disease shortly after willing patients die from their disease.


Hydrogen is one of the most promising options for storing and transportation of solar energy [1] . It can be produced from water by electrolysis with electricity coming from solar power, but this technology is currently expensive and has a low total efficiency. Thermochemical cycles appear to be a promising alternative, which potentially offer both, higher efficiencies and lower costs [2] .

Hydrogen is one of the most promising options for storing and transportation of solar energy.

Thermochemical cycles appear to be a promising alternative, which potentially offer both, higher efficiencies and lower costs.


Human face analysis represents both art and science. In order to assess the characteristics of human face, various measurements are used, such as: anthropometry, cephalometry and photogrammetry. Application of photogrammetry in orthodontics was first suggested by Stoner who compared profiles before and after the orthodontic treatment with ideal profiles [1] . Taking into consideration ethnic characteristics, gender, and age, it becomes clear that one culture's concept of beautiful and acceptable can be seen differently in other cultures [2, 3, 4] . By measuring facial soft tissues, as well as dentofacial ratios, standard reference values for different populations were determined [5, 6] .

Application of photogrammetry in orthodontics was first suggested by Stoner who compared profiles before and after the orthodontic treatment with ideal profiles.

Taking into consideration ethnic characteristics, gender, and age, it becomes clear that one culture's concept of beautiful and acceptable can be seen differently in other cultures.

By measuring facial soft tissues, as well as dentofacial ratios, standard reference values for different populations were determined.


The drilling process depends on lots of parameters, but the most important one is the thrust force, applied during the drilling execution [9] . It influences both the precision and the temperature. An interesting attempt to reduce the thrust force is the so called ultrasonically-assisted drilling of cortical bone [10] .

The drilling process depends on lots of parameters, but the most important one is the thrust force, applied during the drilling execution.

An interesting attempt to reduce the thrust force is the so called ultrasonically-assisted drilling of cortical bone.


Gas separation membranes used for post-combustion capture have been investigated by several groups independently [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . In the present paper, multi-stage membrane processes are investigated in two steps: a) energy consumption and b) capture cost analyses. In the first step, by varying the position of compressors and vacuum pumps recycling the flue gas to the feed side, a cascade variant was developed and analyzed in detail. The cascade system was integrated with the 600 MW North Rhine-Westphalia reference power plant and compared with the chemical absorption process. In the second step, an economic analysis process was explored for a cascade membrane system for use in coal-fired power plant. A cost model was developed to make a further analysis of the cascade variant in view of the correlation between membrane parameters (selectivity, permeability) and system performance (energy consumption, capture cost).

Gas separation membranes used for post-combustion capture have been investigated by several groups independently.


The described closed-form solution can be applied accurately to a cylindrical shell under the assumption of infinite length. For a finite length cylinder with varying cross-sectional area along its length and multimaterial construction, the finite element method allows a more expedient and straightforward procedure for determining the critical velocity. Since the composite tube is a laminated construction, ideally a ply-by-ply model will yield the best result and accuracy. However, this would dictate the use of many thousands of elements in the finite element model. The level of detail, coupled with the very short time step interval required for a dynamic analysis, would lead to an unreasonably long computational time. Accordingly, a smeared properties for the composite laminate is used. These properties, which are representative of the unique layup construction of the tube, were calculated using a model developed by Alexander and Tzeng [12] . The smeared property approach allows a single finite element to contain several layers and reduces the size of the finite element model.

These properties, which are representative of the unique layup construction of the tube, were calculated using a model developed by Alexander and Tzeng.


Many data mining problems address the problem of finding a set of patterns that satisfy a constraint. Formally, this can be described as the task of finding the set of patterns Th(Q, D, L) = {ϕ ∈ L | Q(ϕ, D)}, i.e. those patterns ϕ satisfying query Q on database D. Here L is the language in which the patterns or rules are described and Q is a predicate or constraint that determines whether a pattern ϕ is a solution to the data mining task or not [14] . This framework allows us to view the predicate or the constraint Q as an inductive query to an inductive database system [6] . It is then the task of the inductive database management system to efficiently generate the answers to the query. This view of data mining as a declarative querying process is also appealing as the basis for a theory of data mining.

Formally, this can be described as the task of finding the set of patterns Th(Q, D, L) = {ϕ ∈ L | Q(ϕ, D)}, i.e. those patterns ϕ satisfying query Q on database D. Here L is the language in which the patterns or rules are described and Q is a predicate or constraint that determines whether a pattern ϕ is a solution to the data mining task or not.

This framework allows us to view the predicate or the constraint Q as an inductive query to an inductive database system.


As a practical example we analyse the PS arrival with an anomalous polarization excited by a spherical P wave incident on a free surface or on a solid/solid boundary (Hron & Mikhailenko 1981; Tsvankin & Kalinin 1984; Daley & Hron 1987) . We consider a model of a plane interface between two isotropic homogeneous halfspaces (Fig. 1) . If a point source is close to an interface rather intense waves with a shear wave velocity but a longitudinal polarization propagate along the vertical line from the projection of a source on an interface. The amplitude of these anomalous reflected and transmitted PS arrivals is comparable to that of the PP arrivals (50 per cent of the PP wave amplitude for the reflected waves) if a sourceboundary distance is less than 0.5 wavelengths (Tsvankin & Kalinin 1984) .

As a practical example we analyse the PS arrival with an anomalous polarization excited by a spherical P wave incident on a free surface or on a solid/solid boundary.

The amplitude of these anomalous reflected and transmitted PS arrivals is comparable to that of the PP arrivals (50 per cent of the PP wave amplitude for the reflected waves) if a sourceboundary distance is less than 0.5 wavelengths.


Within such theories there is a priori no natural way of relating infinitesimal gauge transfomations with infinitesimal base transformations; we found that a canonical determination of Noether conserved quantities, without fixing any connection a priori, can be performed on a reduced bundle of W (r,k) P determined by the original W (r,k) n G-invariant variational problem. Connections can be characterized by means of such a canonical reduction [4, 5, 13, 17, 18] . Such conserved quantities can be characterized in terms of Higgs fields on gauge principal bundles having moreover the richer structure of a gauge-natural prolongation [19] .

Connections can be characterized by means of such a canonical reduction.

Such conserved quantities can be characterized in terms of Higgs fields on gauge principal bundles having moreover the richer structure of a gauge-natural prolongation.


A major problem of the above works is that they can only achieve edge privacy -each edge corresponds to a participant to be protected. But for many real-world data, such as social networks, each individual participant contributes to the graph a node rather than just an edge. We desire privacy protection based on nodes rather than edges. Unfortunately, it is difficult to achieve node DP while obtaining reasonable query accuracy by current DP mechanisms, because the maximum possible change to the query answer resulted from the change of one node (and all of its incident edges) is comparable to graph size. Prior to our work, it was not known whether any nontrivial graph statistics can be released under node DP with reasonable accuracy for arbitrary kind of input graphs [6] . It was widely believed that algorithms achieving node DP can only return query answers that are too noisy for practical applications [4, 8] . In this paper, we try to challenge this seemingly impossible task.

Prior to our work, it was not known whether any nontrivial graph statistics can be released under node DP with reasonable accuracy for arbitrary kind of input graphs.

It was widely believed that algorithms achieving node DP can only return query answers that are too noisy for practical applications.


Forgetting for a while the string side, we can ask what kind of understanding can be gained from integrability in the gauge theory. This is a natural issue if we are ultimately interested in low-energy physical applications to hadronic phenomenology. As a first step, we can honestly postpone the important problem of taming conformal and supersymmetry breaking and the precise link with QCD [25] . Working within the AE SYM theory, we can examine the outcomes and limitations of integrability as far as it is currently understood.

As a first step, we can honestly postpone the important problem of taming conformal and supersymmetry breaking and the precise link with QCD.


The Standard Grade which was awarded to all the steers despite them having less than four permanent incisors was solely influenced by the lower carcass weights of less than 146 kg. Malawi Zebu is a slow-growing breed which hardly qualifies for top grade at a young age under the Malawian Grading System (Chingala et al., 2017b) . Grading the animals based solely on the carcass weight may disadvantage the farmers who may strive to finish the slow-growing Malawi Zebu under feedlot conditions, especially using forage-based diets.

Malawi Zebu is a slow-growing breed which hardly qualifies for top grade at a young age under the Malawian Grading System.


New concepts may keep evolving in data streams over time. Evolving concepts require data stream processing algorithms to continuously update their models to adapt the changes [17] . Fractal dimension is a powerful tool to describe self-similarity, and changes in the correlation dimension imply changes of data distribution, which can be used to indicate changes in data trends. Summaries of the processed data help in computing important statistics of new clusters with the arrival of new points [18] .

Evolving concepts require data stream processing algorithms to continuously update their models to adapt the changes.

Summaries of the processed data help in computing important statistics of new clusters with the arrival of new points.


Karaboga has recently presented one bee-swarm algorithm for solving numerical optimization problems, which is known as the artificial bee colony (ABC) method [22] . Inspired by the intelligent foraging behavior of a honeybee swarm, the ABC algorithm consists of three essential components: food source positions, nectar-amount and different honey bee classes. Each food source position represents a feasible solution for the problem under consideration, and the nectar-amount of a food source represents the quality of such solution corresponding to its fitness value. Each class of bees symbolizes one particular operation for generating new candidate food source positions (candidate solutions).

Karaboga has recently presented one bee-swarm algorithm for solving numerical optimization problems, which is known as the artificial bee colony (ABC) method.


Transient stability is the stability associated with rotor angle oscillations. Power system stability can be defined as the system's ability to regain its state of equilibrium after the occurrence of a physical disturbance. Transient stability is the ability of the power system to maintain its synchronism when subjected to large disturbances [2] . In the steady state, all the generating units connected in a large power system operate at the same speed, known as synchronous speed. However, a speed imbalance occurs when the steady state of the system is disrupted. This may cause a machine or group of machines to accelerate in one area of a power network and decelerate in another, resulting in low-frequency electromechanical oscillations (LFEMOs) [3] [4] [5] .

Transient stability is the ability of the power system to maintain its synchronism when subjected to large disturbances.

This may cause a machine or group of machines to accelerate in one area of a power network and decelerate in another, resulting in low-frequency electromechanical oscillations (LFEMOs).


Energy is one of the necessities for the survival of human race. It is also important for the progress of the nation and essential factor for economic development. In other words, the absence of access to energy has a negative impact on human race and any country's economic development. The use of solar energy technologies nowadays is increasing in the world and most of the countries are trying to follow the move [1] . It has resulted in studies, in order to assess the energy potentials and show the need to use renewable energies to protect our planet and the environment around us [1, 2] . Nevertheless, sustainable deployment and implementations of any energy projects and diversification of energy mix within any country, the fırst step involves identifying and assessing the energy source potential [1, 3, 4] . However, in most developing countries like Zambia the availability of solar energy resource information is limited due to lack of wide distribution of meteorological stations for collecting weather data across the country [1] . It has resulted in less research and challenges in thorough assessment of solar energy potential in the country. As such, satellite solar datasets are the best alternative to use for assessing solar energy potential for most developing countries [3, 4, 5] . Satellite datasets have been used in many researches and have showed that there was good correlation with the local measured datasets [4, 6] .

The use of solar energy technologies nowadays is increasing in the world and most of the countries are trying to follow the move.

It has resulted in studies, in order to assess the energy potentials and show the need to use renewable energies to protect our planet and the environment around us.

Nevertheless, sustainable deployment and implementations of any energy projects and diversification of energy mix within any country, the fırst step involves identifying and assessing the energy source potential.

However, in most developing countries like Zambia the availability of solar energy resource information is limited due to lack of wide distribution of meteorological stations for collecting weather data across the country.

As such, satellite solar datasets are the best alternative to use for assessing solar energy potential for most developing countries.

Satellite datasets have been used in many researches and have showed that there was good correlation with the local measured datasets.


In most cases, spheric alginate particles are available by use of a typical droplet formation approach in an attempt to minimize the interfacial free energy between particles and gelation solution [22, 27] . Scientists look forward to finding a simple way for the synthesis of aspheric alginate particles, and it is indicated that the shape of particles can be easily tuned by the interfacial tension [28] . Accordingly, various oil/water interfaces and polyelectrolyte complexation were used to change the interfacial tension so as to obtain aspheric particles [18, 23] . The pH value is found as another tunable parameter in alginate gelation process and is directly related to the interfacial tension [26, 29] . Surprisingly, there are few publications on the shape tailoring of aspheric alginate particles by tuning pH-induced interfacial tension. In this study, variation in interfacial tension is obtained by simply changing pH. Various shaped aspheric alginate particles are made by only tuning the pH values of gelation solutions, and their release behaviors are investigated as well.

In most cases, spheric alginate particles are available by use of a typical droplet formation approach in an attempt to minimize the interfacial free energy between particles and gelation solution.

Scientists look forward to finding a simple way for the synthesis of aspheric alginate particles, and it is indicated that the shape of particles can be easily tuned by the interfacial tension.

Accordingly, various oil/water interfaces and polyelectrolyte complexation were used to change the interfacial tension so as to obtain aspheric particles.

The pH value is found as another tunable parameter in alginate gelation process and is directly related to the interfacial tension.


Conventional physical and chemical methods, for example, laser radiation, gamma rays, combination of different toxic hazardous capping, and stabilizing agents, are being widely used for the synthesis of AgNPs [7] . These toxic chemicals can become hazardous for medical application. Nowadays, a clean, nontoxic, and environmental friendly synthetic approach is getting introduced for the synthesis of AgNPs. Green biosynthesis of AgNPs is an efficient nontoxic, cost effective, and environment-friendly method that can be used instead of physical and chemical methods. It can be easily produced in a large scale and there is no need to use high pressure, energy, temperature, and toxic chemicals in this method.

Conventional physical and chemical methods, for example, laser radiation, gamma rays, combination of different toxic hazardous capping, and stabilizing agents, are being widely used for the synthesis of AgNPs.


As a part of the service-learning experience the pre-service educators completed eight weekly written journals. The journals were written in the format of a triple entry journal (Collier & Williams, 2005) . Pre-service educators recorded events they participated in or observed during the lesson in the first paragraph. The second paragraph revealed specific feelings the pre-service educators may have experienced prior to, during, or after the lesson. The third and final paragraph explored the pre-service educator's perceived connections, or perhaps lack of connection, between the service-learning experience and academic class content discussed during the lecture components of the course. The participants were also informed that the content of the journal responses would not be graded, rather each participant received full credit for the journal as long as the journal included responses for the guidelines outlined above.

The journals were written in the format of a triple entry journal.


Service-learning is a pedagogy that bridges academic study and civic engagement. Students participate in meaningful community service that is directly linked to academic course content. Learning occurs in an authentic setting that enables students to validate theoretical and often times complex principles. Service-learning provides a venue for students involved in experiential learning to meet genuine community needs. These experiences are then reinforced through critical reflection activities, both written and oral, which also help ensure and highlight the service-learning program's relevancy to academic course content (Cress, 2005) .

These experiences are then reinforced through critical reflection activities, both written and oral, which also help ensure and highlight the service-learning program's relevancy to academic course content.


During the sixth week of the semester the pre-service educators began instruction of children. Kindergarten children from Wallace Elementary were transported twice a week for a period of eight weeks. Throughout this eight week period the undergraduate students provided the kindergarten children with individualized and group motor skill instruction. The curriculum was based on a mastery motivation approach to learning (Valentini, Rudisill, & Goodway, 1999) . Additionally, the curriculum incorporated the instruction of skill themes and movement concepts (Graham, Holt/Hale, & Parker, 2007) .

The curriculum was based on a mastery motivation approach to learning.

Additionally, the curriculum incorporated the instruction of skill themes and movement concepts.


The Diabetes Outcomes in Veterans Study (DOVES) was a prospective, observational study of insulin-treated veterans with type 2 diabetes mellitus, designed to examine the association between clinical, demographic, lifestyle, socioeconomic, and psychological variables and the clinical outcomes of glycemic control and disease management. DOVES was conducted under the auspices of the Southwestern Group for Outcomes Research in Diabetes (SWORD), a consortium of the largest VA facilities in Veterans Integrated Service Network 18. The protocol for this study was described in detail elsewhere [22] . The institutional review board of each study site approved the protocol. Briefly, computerized pharmacy records were used to identify insulin-treated patients receiving care at the New Mexico VA Health Care System (Albuquerque, NM), the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center (Phoenix, AZ), and the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (Tucson, AZ). Patients were eligible for this study if they had type 2 diabetes diagnosed after age 35; took at least daily one injection of a long-acting insulin preparation, did not selftitrate their insulin doses; and their diabetes medication regimen had been relatively unchanged in the preceding 2 months (the dose of all oral hypoglycemic medications remained unchanged, no oral hypoglycemic medications were added to the treatment regimen, and the total daily insulin dose was changed by no more than 10 units or 15%, whichever was less), thus ensuring that their A1c had equilibrated at the current insulin dose.

The protocol for this study was described in detail elsewhere.


Human behaviour determines the level of traffic safety. The level of traffic safety is the most important aspect of traffic for all traffic cases. All interventions to the traffic have as the main purpose: improvement of traffic safety [20] .

All interventions to the traffic have as the main purpose: improvement of traffic safety.


These are the results of root cause analyses implemented in industry. In the traffic situation, the role of a driver driving a car, the role of a designer of the traffic infrastructure or the role of a constructor are no less important than in the industrial situation. In the focus of this paper is the driver driving a vehicle. A driver in traffic can be compared to a worker at a workplace. Approaches from industrial researches should be the basis for researches of human behaviour in the traffic situation [5] .

Approaches from industrial researches should be the basis for researches of human behaviour in the traffic situation.


In addition to causing intertrigo and hygiene and mobility difficulties, skin deformities have the potential to affect body image, self-esteem and quality of life [6] . Of the body regions that develop deformities, patients tend to complain the most about the abdomen [7] . After significant weight loss, 75 % of female patients wish to perform body-contouring surgery [5, 8] .

In addition to causing intertrigo and hygiene and mobility difficulties, skin deformities have the potential to affect body image, self-esteem and quality of life.

Of the body regions that develop deformities, patients tend to complain the most about the abdomen.

After significant weight loss, 75 % of female patients wish to perform body-contouring surgery.


In this paper we investigate diffusion problems in non homogeneous media for interacting particle systems. More precisely, we adress the problem of energy fluctuations for chains of oscillators with random defects. In the last fifty years, it has been recognized that introducing randomness in interacting particle systems has a drastic effect on the conduction properties of the material. Mathematically the only tractable model is the one dimensional system with harmonic interactions [1] . The aim of this paper is to study the diffusive behavior of disordered harmonic chains perturbed by an energy conserving noise. In some sense, the noise should simulate the non linearities effect, and the conductivity of the onedimensional chain should become finite and positive. We also expect that some homogenization effect occurs and that the conductivity does not depend on the statistics of the disorder in the thermodynamic limit.

Mathematically the only tractable model is the one dimensional system with harmonic interactions.


The study of disordered chains of oscillators perturbed by a conservative noise has appeared more recently, see by instance [2, 3, 5] . In these papers, only the behavior of the thermal conductivity defined by the Green-Kubo formula is investigated. Here, the diffusion coefficient is defined through hydrodynamics.

The study of disordered chains of oscillators perturbed by a conservative noise has appeared more recently, see by instance.


One of the most important stochastic processes used in a variety of applications is the Brownian motion or Wiener process B = {B(t), t ≥ 0}, which is a Gaussian process with zero mean and covariance function min(s, t). The process B has independent increments. Scientist used to model natural phenomena such as rainfall, river levels, temperature, as simple random walk processes or Brownian motion processes. However, during designing an optimal dam for the river Nile when hydrologist Hurst tried to model the river levels over the year as a Brownian motion process, he discovered to his surprise that the river level is not totally random. Instead the process increments have some vivid correlation, which indicates that the natural phenomena of river level fluctuation follows a biased random walk or fractional Brownian motion path more than that of a regular Brownian motion. Later, re-scaled range analysis revealed that this fact is true for several other natural processes including lake levels, rainfall, temperature, sunspot counts, and tree rings etc [11] . Researchers have applied fractional Brownian motion to a wide range of problems, such as particle diffusion, DNA sequences, bacterial colonies, geophysical data, electrochemical deposition, and stock market indicators [1] . In particular, computer science applications of fractional Brownian motion include modeling network traffic and generating graphical landscapes [9] , [23] .

Later, re-scaled range analysis revealed that this fact is true for several other natural processes including lake levels, rainfall, temperature, sunspot counts, and tree rings etc.

Researchers have applied fractional Brownian motion to a wide range of problems, such as particle diffusion, DNA sequences, bacterial colonies, geophysical data, electrochemical deposition, and stock market indicators.

In particular, computer science applications of fractional Brownian motion include modeling network traffic and generating graphical landscapes.


The mutual influence of language development and competence in play has been recognized in studies of preschool children's social interactions (Cannella, 1993; Goncu, 1993) . Based on the findings of this study, it appears that poor expressive language skills have a strong connection with disruptive and disconnected play. Children who cannot communicate their play ideas or resolve conflicts during play may resort to using more aggressive, intrusive means of obtaining what they want. In addition, children who lack the language skills to approach peers and engage them in reciprocal play interactions may become disconnected and withdrawn from play with others. These play styles may also perpetuate the language deficits for children in that they miss key opportunities to practice and refine their communication with peers.

The mutual influence of language development and competence in play has been recognized in studies of preschool children's social interactions.


The effect of temperature is limited in case of laccase production. The optimal temperature differs greatly from one strain to another (Shraddha et al., 2011) . Laccase examined in this study had an optimal temperature at 35°C. Generally, the optimal temperature for fungal laccase activity ranged from 30 to 60°C (Nishizawa et al., 1995; Youn et al., 1995) .

The optimal temperature differs greatly from one strain to another.

Generally, the optimal temperature for fungal laccase activity ranged from 30 to 60°C.


Recently, coordinated multi-point transmission/reception (CoMP) has been proposed in 3GPP LTE-Advanced as a key technique to increase the system spectrum efficiency as well as the cell-edge performance [1] . In the case of CoMP joint transmission, both data and channel state information (CSI) of the users in CoMP mode can be shared by coordinated multiple cells, which can act as a single and distributed antenna array. Data to a user can be simultaneously transmitted from the coordinated cells to improve the received signal quality. Hence, the inter-cell interference is reduced by exploiting the signals transmitted from other cells to assist the transmission rather than treating them as interference. Notice that this technique is also referred as network coordination or network MIMO [3] .

Recently, coordinated multi-point transmission/reception (CoMP) has been proposed in 3GPP LTE-Advanced as a key technique to increase the system spectrum efficiency as well as the cell-edge performance.

Notice that this technique is also referred as network coordination or network MIMO.


Iran has arid and hot climate and most of the regions are arid and semi-arid and its annual rainfall is low. In addition to low rainfall, its spatial and temporal distribution is very unsuitable as even the high rainfall areas of Iran need irrigation during summer. Thus, it is required to save water. On the other hand, one of the most important factors of costs in production and maintenance of plants is irrigation. One method of water conservation and reduction of irrigation costs is using SAP as soil improvement substances. SAPs are hydrogels that can absorb considerable amount of water, saltwater or physiological solutions. These polymers besides having high speed and capacity of water absorption also act as miniature water storage place and give water easily, if required. Optimizing use of water, fertilizer and chemical, avoiding the stresses of humidity fluctuations, can make plantation in arid regions and ramp levels possible, better aeration in the soil and increasing product return are the benefits of using agricultural SAP (Montazar, 2008) .

Thus, it is required to save water.

Optimizing use of water, fertilizer and chemical, avoiding the stresses of humidity fluctuations, can make plantation in arid regions and ramp levels possible, better aeration in the soil and increasing product return are the benefits of using agricultural SAP.


Water shortages as other bad environmental conditions create oxidative stress and via closure of stomata and shortage of CO2 cause blockage (preservation) of photosynthesis and lead to Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in chloroplast and damage the membrane due to lipid peroxidation (Mascher et al., 2005) . In this study, increasing electrolyte leakage was observed by increasing irrigation interval (Table 2) . It showed the increase of damage to cell membrane and increase of electrolyte leakage of the membrane and a criterion of the damage to the plant in water shortage conditions. It seems that reactive radicals produced due to drought stress can increase peroxidation reaction and increase electrolyte leakage in pepper under drought stress. The results of this study showed that super absorbent via reducing humidity fluctuations can reduce electrolyte leakage (Fig 3) . In other words, the drought stress severity is reduced by applying SAP.

Water shortages as other bad environmental conditions create oxidative stress and via closure of stomata and shortage of CO2 cause blockage (preservation) of photosynthesis and lead to Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in chloroplast and damage the membrane due to lipid peroxidation.


Science Target Inc. www.sciencetarget.com increase of the concentration of proline helps osmosis control and is reported due to some factors including the prevention of proline disintegration, avoiding proline participate in protein structure or increase of protein disintegration (Kao, 2005) . Proline via osmosis control, avoiding enzymes destruction and removal of hydroxyl radicals, increased the tolerance of the plants against stresses (Kuznetsov and Shevykova, 1999) . Similarly, by applying of humidity super absorbent, the reduced proline accumulation in sun flower was found (Nazarli et al., 2010) . In this study, using this matter reduced proline accumulation in all irrigation intervals (Fig 4) . By the increase of the ratio of using SAP, proline accumulation was reduced in plant leaves. Lowest amount of proline with an average of 13 µm/g F.W was achieved in using 0.5 weight percent of SAP (Table 2 ). These substances, by giving gradual water for the plant and avoiding humidity fluctuations, avoided drought stress in the plant and provided the background to reduce proline accumulation in the plants under stress. The results of this study supported this item.

Science Target Inc. www.sciencetarget.com increase of the concentration of proline helps osmosis control and is reported due to some factors including the prevention of proline disintegration, avoiding proline participate in protein structure or increase of protein disintegration.

Proline via osmosis control, avoiding enzymes destruction and removal of hydroxyl radicals, increased the tolerance of the plants against stresses.

Similarly, by applying of humidity super absorbent, the reduced proline accumulation in sun flower was found.


The crude protein and moisture contents of VCO cake flour samples were higher than those of coconut milk residue flour under as-is conditions ( Table 1 ). The crude fat content of coconut milk residue flour is significantly higher than for VCO cake flour, which affects its cohesiveness and flowability (Fitzpatrick et al., 2004) . The fibre content of coconut milk residue was significantly higher than that of VCO cake flour, whereas VCO cake flour was richer in ash, free fatty acid, and peroxide value than coconut milk residue flour.

The crude fat content of coconut milk residue flour is significantly higher than for VCO cake flour, which affects its cohesiveness and flowability.


Soil microbes play a vital role in soil food webs and global biogeochemical cycles, including the cycling of nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus and sulphur (Addo-Bediako et al. 2000) . Bacteria, fungi and archaea are important members of soil microbial communities, playing specific roles in the soil ecosystem. For instance, fungi and Gram-positive bacteria degrade complex compounds, while Gram-negative bacteria act on less complex compounds (Tveit et al. 2015) . However, fungi are the dominant decomposers of soil organic matter (de Graaff et al. 2010) .

Soil microbes play a vital role in soil food webs and global biogeochemical cycles, including the cycling of nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus and sulphur.

For instance, fungi and Gram-positive bacteria degrade complex compounds, while Gram-negative bacteria act on less complex compounds.

However, fungi are the dominant decomposers of soil organic matter.


Accretion, by word, means enriching up. Astrophysical accretion, either in a protoplanetary disc or around a massive central engine, means fall of mass towards a gravitating center. Present article discusses the flow of diffused material towards a particular type of compact object, namely Black Hole(BH). Though firstly was a theoretical prediction, BHs, are now-a-days almost proved to be present in X-ray binaries, center of galaxies, especially in Active Galactic Nucleis (AGNs) or in several sources of gravitational waves [1] . However, most the evidences are indirect, i.e., the critical behaviour of infalling matter towards a steep gravitational well brings us the information. Due to the conservation of angular momentum, the infalling flow towards a BH forms a disc like structure. In the disc, accreting fluid simultaneously obeys 2 ), R is the radial distance from the center. Physically which means that angular momentum increases and angular velocity decreases outwards. This gives birth of the outward angular momentum transport. The outward force due to angular momentum is of order 1 R 3 and inward gravitational pull is of order 1 R 2 , so when going towards a compact object, there is a region where gravitational pull is defeated by the outward force of angular momentum and forms a layer which is called CENtrifugal force driven BOundary Layer(CENBOL). For a Keplerian orbit, the centrifugal force is balanced by the gravitational force but once the system turns to be a transonic one, the infalling matter will be piled up at the CENBOL and may create shock waves. Shock waves formation from CENBOL is allowed for a large region of parametric space. We can shrink the parameter space by adding viscosity. But viscosity is such a property that rises the temparature and again the temparature causes the increment in viscosity. So understanding of viscosity in direct way creates a loop.

Accretion, by word, means enriching up.

Though firstly was a theoretical prediction, BHs, are now-a-days almost proved to be present in X-ray binaries, center of galaxies, especially in Active Galactic Nucleis (AGNs) or in several sources of gravitational waves.


Laser drilling is a non-contact machining process which is very useful to make acute angled holes. Two different drilling modes, labeled as percussion drilling and trepan drilling are typically used in the industry. The percussion mode is a fixed beam drilling whereas the trepan mode involves cutting with a circular trajectory centered with the hole. The range of power density generally used for both trajectories is about 1-50 MW/cm 2 during a pulse of about 1 ms. In percussion drilling mode, multiples pulses are produced until the breakthrough of the sheet. The advantage of this last method with regard to the trepan mode is a reduction in processing time by a factor of four (Sezer et al., 2006) . In this range of power density, the physics process consists in heating the surface by focusing the laser beam with temperatures up to the vapor point. The melt part is then ejected by the vapor pressure and the hole is created (Semak, 1997) . In this study, only the percussion mode was used to drill.

The advantage of this last method with regard to the trepan mode is a reduction in processing time by a factor of four.

The melt part is then ejected by the vapor pressure and the hole is created.


Feature influence: In subsequent experiments, we evaluate each of the defined feature groups on the entire data set using 10-fold cross-validation to find out which features perform best for identifying argument components. As assumed, structural features perform well for distinguishing claims and premises in persuasive essays. They also yield high results for separating argumentative from non-argumentative text units ( (Prasad et al., 2008) . For example 'since' indicates temporal properties as well as justifications, whereas 'because' also indicates causal links. Syntactic features also contribute to the identification of argument components. They achieve an F1-score of 0.292 for claims and 0.654 for premises and also contribute to the separation of argumentative from non-argumentative text units. Contextual features do not perform well. However, they increase the accuracy by 0.7% in combination with other features. Nevertheless, this difference is not significant (p = 0.05).

They also yield high results for separating argumentative from non-argumentative text units (.


Google has been constantly creating new services such as Google Books and Google Scholar to cover special contents. Among these search facilities, Google Scholar is important because it is designed specifically to retrieve scholarly literature on the web. Almost all types of scholarly publications available on the web are covered by Google Scholar including full-text papers from conferences and scholarly journals, citations, presentations and technical reports. Compared to specialised citation indexes such as Web of Science, Google Scholar has shown more success in reflecting the quantity of citations in published papers and scholarly publications (Noruzi, 2005; Harzing and Wal, 2008) .

Compared to specialised citation indexes such as Web of Science, Google Scholar has shown more success in reflecting the quantity of citations in published papers and scholarly publications.


Nowadays, the energy spent during the commercialization of food products stored at refrigerated temperatures is about 50% of the total consumption of energy of a typical supermarket [1] . The growing of energy consumption in the commercial sector is due to the increasing demand of large quantities of perishable food products in urban areas and to an effective rigorous regulation of the sector as well as quality and food safety requirements of consumers. In past decades, the investments and costs associated with food refrigeration increased with the installation of refrigeration equipment to maintain perishable products in perfect conditions for consumption [2] . This trend continues as the worldwide demand for commercial refrigeration equipment that is projected to rise 5.2% annually through 2014. Beverage equipment demand will post the fastest gains among products. Reach-in and walk-in coolers and freezers are expected to post solid gains due to their widespread use in all of the major markets. Display cabinets will benefit from a growing middle class, which will spur gains in the food and beverage retail segment [3] . A large part of the refrigeration equipments installed in supermarkets, and retail stores are vertical open refrigerated display cabinets (ORDCs). This merchandising solution contributes to the largest part of electrical energy consumption related with refrigeration on these sites [4] . This type of appliance is equipped with a recirculating air curtain that establishes an aerothermodynamics barrier between the conservation space and the environment, without physical restrictions for the consumer. Thus, the product to be acquired can be seen and handled without inconvenience.

Nowadays, the energy spent during the commercialization of food products stored at refrigerated temperatures is about 50% of the total consumption of energy of a typical supermarket.

In past decades, the investments and costs associated with food refrigeration increased with the installation of refrigeration equipment to maintain perishable products in perfect conditions for consumption.

Display cabinets will benefit from a growing middle class, which will spur gains in the food and beverage retail segment.

This merchandising solution contributes to the largest part of electrical energy consumption related with refrigeration on these sites.


In this note, we will take the classical Lagrangian of the general form (1), and study the dynamics in some detail. First we reformulate the theory in the Hamiltonian formalism. We must emphasize that this is not a sterile mathematical exercise, the crucial point being that, in the limit of V = 0, the correct physical degrees of freedoms appear naturally in the Hamiltonian approach [5] . From general form of Hamiltonian, we learn that the theory reduced to that of stringy fluid of electric flux lines. A finite and fully relativistic, dual formulation is shown to exist, and used to study the stringy behavior of the theory. Finally we discuss on possible interpretations.

We must emphasize that this is not a sterile mathematical exercise, the crucial point being that, in the limit of V = 0, the correct physical degrees of freedoms appear naturally in the Hamiltonian approach.


This naturally leads to the other linear combination of gauge fields that has no charged fields in perturbative open string sector, which posed extra difficulty in understanding how it was removed from the spectrum [2, 3] . On the other hand, while no perturbative state is charged under U(1), there are nonperturbative states that carry magnetic charge. This gives one a possibility that a dual Higgs mechanism exists, induces a massgap, and confines the U(1) gauge field [4] . For instance, one finds precisely this nonperturbative behavior from S-dualizing the perturbative sector of D3-anti-D3 system.

This naturally leads to the other linear combination of gauge fields that has no charged fields in perturbative open string sector, which posed extra difficulty in understanding how it was removed from the spectrum.

This gives one a possibility that a dual Higgs mechanism exists, induces a massgap, and confines the U(1) gauge field.


There has been incremental progress in understanding how open string state might be removed from the spectrum. The pioneering work by A. Sen addressed the fate of some massless open string modes [1] . In particular, in a D-brane and anti-Dbrane system, one linear combination of massless gauge fields was shown to acquire a massgap via an Abelian Higgs mechanism. While this finite mass seemed to fall short of removing the state altogether, it is a step toward the right direction.

The pioneering work by A. Sen addressed the fate of some massless open string modes.


Pre-processing is the most important steps of OCR systems. Pre-processing of poor quality documents is very important for the accuracy of the other phases of OCR. Binarization (thresholding) of document images is the first most important step in pre-processing of poor quality scanned documents to save all or maximum subcomponents such us text, background and image [2] . Binarization computes the threshold value that differentiate object and background pixels [3] . The main advantage of binary images is that it decreases computational load and increases efficiency of the systems. Binary images can be obtained from gray level images by binarization. Binarization of degraded document images is not an easy task. The binarization is become more difficult when there are a varying illumination, variance of gray levels within the background and the object, inadequate contrast, object shape, noise and size non-commensurate with the scene. Degradations appear frequently and may occur due to several reasons which range from the acquisition source type to environmental conditions. Binarization technique can be grouped into two categories: Global and Local. Global binarization methods pick one threshold value for the entire document images which is often based on an estimation of the background level from the intensity histogram of the image. These methods are very fast and produce good results. These methods fail when there are non uniform illuminated document images. Local (adaptive) binarization method uses different values for each pixel according to the local area information. These methods achieve good results even on severely degraded documents, but they are often slow since the computation of image features from the local neighbourhood is to be done for each image pixel.

Binarization (thresholding) of document images is the first most important step in pre-processing of poor quality scanned documents to save all or maximum subcomponents such us text, background and image.

Binarization computes the threshold value that differentiate object and background pixels.


Assessing the impact of a XENONnT signal on the interpretation of current dijet searches at the LHC, we have calculated 95% C.L. exclusion limits on the coupling constant associated with the mediator-quark-quark vertex, g q , as a function of the mediator mass, m med , from the null result of current searches for resonances in dijet final states at the LHC. We have performed this calculation for the simplified models described above (and in greater detail in Appendix A), setting m DM to the benchmark value of 50 GeV, and taking into account the constraint on the effective mediator mass M eff (defined in Eq. (4.1)) arising from the detection of 150 signal events at XENONnT. The 95% C.L. exclusion limits on g q presented here have been calculated using the standard profile likelihood method [46] . We have found that for models for which a XENONnT signal implies M eff m med (in the range of m med values that we have considered), 95% C.L. exclusion limits extend to regions in parameter space where coupling constants are non-perturbative, and therefore become trivial, because of DM detection at XENONnT. At the same time, we have found that models for which 150 signal events at XENONnT require M eff m med are characterised by the constraint g DM 0.

We have performed this calculation for the simplified models described above (and in greater detail in Appendix A), setting m DM to the benchmark value of 50 GeV, and taking into account the constraint on the effective mediator mass M eff (defined in Eq. (4.1)) arising from the detection of 150 signal events at XENONnT. The 95% C.L. exclusion limits on g q presented here have been calculated using the standard profile likelihood method.


Development of automated trading systems and trading robots allows to create algorithms of market-neutral strategy, excluding major risks and in the meantime preserving investor's participation in the work with a trading account in the regulated level. Within algorithmic trading the strategies of pairs trading have shown active development (Serebrennikov, 2011) . Pairs trading is an example of a market neutral strategy, its simplest form.

Within algorithmic trading the strategies of pairs trading have shown active development.


Stocks and securities market professionals trade under conditions of uncertainties and risks. That is the reason why many investors tend to make profits in this stock market using different investment strategies. The history of market-neutral strategies research has only a few decades. Development of market-neutral strategies started with the CAPM (CAPM stands for the Capital Asset Pricing Model), developed in the 60s of the 20 th century (French, 2003) , (Cheremushkin, 2009) . Nevertheless, given the complexity of the analytical calculation of the indicators used for the formation of market risk neutral portfolios, as well as weak development of algorithmic trading tools, until the end of the 90s these strategies remained confined to individual traders and analysts (Whistler, 2004) .

Development of market-neutral strategies started with the CAPM (CAPM stands for the Capital Asset Pricing Model), developed in the 60s of the 20 th century.

Nevertheless, given the complexity of the analytical calculation of the indicators used for the formation of market risk neutral portfolios, as well as weak development of algorithmic trading tools, until the end of the 90s these strategies remained confined to individual traders and analysts.


In parallel processing, problems are divided into several sub problems, and allocated to each processor. This can reduce computing time and enhance computation efficiency [11] . To realize parallel processing, parallel computers like the transputer have been introduced. However, these computers are costly to use. Recently, PC-clustering, one of the types of parallel or distributed processing systems, which is composed of a collection of interconnected workstations or PCs working together as a single, integrated computing resource has been used for parallel computing [12] . In this paper, we used the binary PSO to identify multiple bad data in power system estimation. To overcome the shortcomings of heuristic optimization methods, we proposed parallel processing of the PSO algorithm based on the PC cluster system. The proposed approach was tested in the IEEE-14 bus systems. From the simulation results, we found that binary PSO behave satisfactorily in the identifying multiple bad data.

This can reduce computing time and enhance computation efficiency.

Recently, PC-clustering, one of the types of parallel or distributed processing systems, which is composed of a collection of interconnected workstations or PCs working together as a single, integrated computing resource has been used for parallel computing.


The use of the normalized residual vector is a very common approach of identification by elimination. In particular, the largest normalized residual (LNR) had problems in correctly identifying multiple interacting bad data especially when they are of the confirming type. In such a case, successive elimination of the measurement with the largest normalized residual may result in the suppression of correct measurements instead of the bad data [5] .

In such a case, successive elimination of the measurement with the largest normalized residual may result in the suppression of correct measurements instead of the bad data.


It should be noted that, the emission wavelength also depends on the nature of Yb-doped fiber, the pump wavelength and the cavity configuration [11] . Specifically, the cavity loss affects the wavelength tunable range as well. In our setup the cavity loss is relatively large. In order to get mode-locking status, the single-pass gain of Yb-doped fiber should be large, thus the pump threshold must be relatively high [e.g., see Fig. 3(a) ]. The higher the pump power is, the longer the gain fiber should be in order to benefit the reabsorption effect and get mode-locking at longer wavelength. Above description can also be illustrated by Fig. 5, where the values of G min and G max should be increased as the increasing of cavity loss. Therefore, to obtain mode-locking at long wavelength, the cavity loss, gain fiber length and pump power should be optimized, and the length of Yb-doped fiber depends on the cavity loss.

It should be noted that, the emission wavelength also depends on the nature of Yb-doped fiber, the pump wavelength and the cavity configuration.


Ultrashort pulse lasers have attracted a lot of interests for their great potential applications in many fields, e.g., ultrafast optics, biology and medicine, and micromachining [1] . For lots of those applications, high energy and wavelength-tunable ultrashort pulse source is required. Passively modelocked fiber laser is a stable and cost-effective technique to generate ultrashort pulse. However, the output pulse energy of traditional (soliton) fiber laser is limited by the nonlinear effects of fiber [2] . Recently, all-normal-dispersion (ANDi) ytterbium (Yb)-doped mode-locked fiber laser attracted great interests, for their simplified laser cavity without dispersion-compensation components and high output pulse energy [2] , [3] .

Ultrashort pulse lasers have attracted a lot of interests for their great potential applications in many fields, e.g., ultrafast optics, biology and medicine, and micromachining.

However, the output pulse energy of traditional (soliton) fiber laser is limited by the nonlinear effects of fiber.

Recently, all-normal-dispersion (ANDi) ytterbium (Yb)-doped mode-locked fiber laser attracted great interests, for their simplified laser cavity without dispersion-compensation components and high output pulse energy.


Recently, the effect of pump power on the output wavelength was observed in ANDi laser [10] . From the absorption spectrum of Yb 3þ ion one can see that, for wavelength larger than 980 nm, the absorption at shorter wavelength is stronger than that at longer wavelength [12] . When decreasing the pump power, the reabsorption effect happens and the reduction of gain at shorter wavelength is larger, thus the output wavelength will Bredshift[. Meanwhile, since the signal gain decreases, the nonlinear phase shift of signal pulse will decrease, thus the spectral bandwidth becomes narrower with the decreasing of pump power. When fixing pump power and increasing the length of Ybdoped fiber, the reabsorption effect will also arise, and the variation of emission wavelength is similar to the case of fixing gain fiber length and decreasing pump power. We herein experimentally observed the influence of gain fiber length on the mode-locking wavelength, as shown in Fig. 4 .

Recently, the effect of pump power on the output wavelength was observed in ANDi laser.

From the absorption spectrum of Yb 3þ ion one can see that, for wavelength larger than 980 nm, the absorption at shorter wavelength is stronger than that at longer wavelength.


In order to further illustrate the effect of gain fiber length ðLÞ on the amplification of three-level system, a sketch map of small-signal single-pass gain versus pump power ðPÞ and L at a specific wavelength is given in Fig. 5 . The figure is plotted according to the following facts. For a fixed pump power, there is an optimal length of gain fiber to maximize the gain due to the reabsorption effect of Yb-doped fiber; while for a fixed gain fiber length, the signal gain will saturate by increasing the pump power [12] . Typical curves of gain versus pump power or gain fiber length only are shown in the insets of Fig. 5 . With a small pump power and long gain fiber length, the gain (in decibel) can be less than zero, i.e., absorption is occurred. To support mode-locking and prevent wave-break, the gain should be limited in a range of ½G min ; G max , as depicted in Fig. 5 . Only for those ðP; LÞ pairs, the corresponding gains of which are in the range of ½G min ; G max , stable mode-locking could be possible. Fig. 5 also shows that, for a specific L, there are three classes of the range of pump power with which the mode-locking is possible, i.e., null, ½P min ; þ1 and ½P min ; P max , where the corresponding gain of P min and P max are G min and G max , respectively. Similarly, for a specific P, there are three classes of the range of L with which the mode-locking is possible, i.e., null, ½L min1 ; L min2 and ½L min1 ; L max1 ½L max2 ; L min2 , where the corresponding gain of L min1=min2 and L max1=max2 are G min and G max , respectively. The complete model of mode-locking is much more complicated, however, the rules drawn from the simple sketch map could hold in general.

For a fixed pump power, there is an optimal length of gain fiber to maximize the gain due to the reabsorption effect of Yb-doped fiber; while for a fixed gain fiber length, the signal gain will saturate by increasing the pump power.


The BDI short form recommended cutoff scores for determining mild, moderate, and severe depression are 5, 8, and 16, respectively (Beck & Beck, 1972) . When a cutoffscore of 5 was used, the BDI correctly identified 74% of the cases (120 of 163). The sensitivity of the measure was 0.71 and the specificity was 0.83. When a cutoffscore of 8 was used, the scale correctly identified 88% of the sample (144 of 163), with a sensitivity of 0.59 and a specificity of 0.93. With a cutoff score of 16, the BDI correctly identified 90% of the sample ( 147 of 163), with a sensitivity of 0.29 and a specificity of 0.99.

The BDI short form recommended cutoff scores for determining mild, moderate, and severe depression are 5, 8, and 16, respectively.


Inverse heat conduction problems IHCP have become an interesting subject recently, and many regularization methods have been developed for the analysis of IHCP 1-13 . These methods include Tikhonov method 1, 2 , mollification method 3, 4 , optimal filtering method 5 , lines method 6 , wavelet and wavelet-Galerkin method 7-11 , modified Tikhonov method 12 and "optimal approximations" 13 , and so forth. However, most analytical and numerical methods were only used to dealing with IHCP in semiunbounded region. Some works of numerical methods were presented for IHCP in bounded domain [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] .

Some works of numerical methods were presented for IHCP in bounded domain.


Compressive sensing (or compressed sampling (CS)) theory demonstrated that a high-dimensional signal can be projected into a low-dimensional space with a random measurement matrix when the signal was sparse or compressible which was proposed by Donoho and Candès in 2006 [2, 3] . Then, the original signal can be recovered from the low-dimensional information with solving an optimization problem. The provable success of CS for signal reconstruction motivated that the lowdimensional signal contained the main features of the original signal. Thus, the universality of CS theory can be leveraged in the hypothesis testing problem and mitigate the complexity of data computing [4] .

Compressive sensing (or compressed sampling (CS)) theory demonstrated that a high-dimensional signal can be projected into a low-dimensional space with a random measurement matrix when the signal was sparse or compressible which was proposed by Donoho and Candès in 2006.

Thus, the universality of CS theory can be leveraged in the hypothesis testing problem and mitigate the complexity of data computing.


In previous studies, we conducted the catechol polymerization with laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila using different apparatus, namely a water bath, an ultrasonic bath and a highpressure homogenizer (Su et al., 2018) . The results obtained showed higher conversion yields and polymerization degrees when both high-energy reactors were used, compared to the water bath reactor. Molecular dynamic simulations performed also demonstrated that under these conditions the enzyme presented a more open active site which we consider the main factor for the higher substrate accessibility to the enzyme therefore favoring the production of longer polymers. High-pressure homogenization was thus considered as a promising technique for catechol polymerization.

In previous studies, we conducted the catechol polymerization with laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila using different apparatus, namely a water bath, an ultrasonic bath and a highpressure homogenizer.


It was found that, development of knee flexion deformity during lengthening could be controlled by the extension of the frame above the knee as previously mentioned indications. The hinged construct used allowed for active and passive movements during physiotherapy, and the knee was locked in extension for proper gait control during ambulation of the patients. Early soft-tissue lengthening was performed when indicated in all cases developing contractures to avoid knee dislocation, as was recommended by other authors [17, 18] .

Early soft-tissue lengthening was performed when indicated in all cases developing contractures to avoid knee dislocation, as was recommended by other authors.


Fanconi anemia is a rare hereditary disorder and characterized by bone marrow failure, chromosome breakage and development of cancer. We report a case of FA with classical presentation. The genetic investigation is a rapid method to identify deletions and duplications, enabling faster identification of mutations in FA. A large spectrum of mutations has been reported in the FANCA gene, including microdeletions, large deletions, microinsertions and point mutations [8] [9] [10] 15] .

A large spectrum of mutations has been reported in the FANCA gene, including microdeletions, large deletions, microinsertions and point mutations.


Projected changes in climate and the increasing frequency of extreme events over the 21st century pose serious threats to agricultural development in developing countries [1] . Over the last two decades, Pakistan has become highly vulnerable to climate change events like floods, droughts, extreme temperature and uncertain rainfalls [2] [3] [4] . The agricultural sector, which is a source of livelihood for more than half of the population in Pakistan, has particularly been the most affected sector by climate change due to a lack of infrastructure and adaptive capacity [5] . For instance, the floods in as climatic condition, cropping patterns and socioeconomic settings with the marginal land zone. The district Toba Tek Singh, from the irrigated plains, the district Rahim Yar Khan, from the marginal land zone, and the district Gujrat from the Barani (rain-fed) region were selected. All three selected districts are different in term of local climate, environment and geography and hence are subject to various kinds of environmental and socioeconomic constraints [1, 2] . The district Rahim Yar Khan has a very hot and arid climate in summer with a maximum and minimum temperature recorded at 49.7 • C and 6.8 • C, respectively. The district receives an overall annual rainfall of 165 mm [2] . The historical climate records of the district show an increasing trend towards seasonal temperature and rainfall over the period 1980-2013 [2] . The district Toba Tek Singh is characterized by hot temperatures in summer and cold temperatures in winter. The average temperature in the district ranges between 17 • C-31 • C, and the average rainfall is 383 mm per annum. The historical climate records show an increasing trend for seasonal temperatures and a decreasing trend in winter rainfall over the period of 1980-2013. The district Gujrat has a moderate climate with annual average temperature ranging between 17 • C-30 • C and an average rainfall of 864 mm annually. The historical climate records show an increasing trend towards seasonal temperatures and a decreasing trend for rainfall over the period 1980-2013 [2] . Figure 1 shows the map of case study areas located in the Punjab province.

Projected changes in climate and the increasing frequency of extreme events over the 21st century pose serious threats to agricultural development in developing countries.

Over the last two decades, Pakistan has become highly vulnerable to climate change events like floods, droughts, extreme temperature and uncertain rainfalls.

The agricultural sector, which is a source of livelihood for more than half of the population in Pakistan, has particularly been the most affected sector by climate change due to a lack of infrastructure and adaptive capacity.

All three selected districts are different in term of local climate, environment and geography and hence are subject to various kinds of environmental and socioeconomic constraints.

The district receives an overall annual rainfall of 165 mm.

The historical climate records of the district show an increasing trend towards seasonal temperature and rainfall over the period 1980-2013.

The historical climate records show an increasing trend towards seasonal temperatures and a decreasing trend for rainfall over the period 1980-2013.


Early type 1 diabetes is associated with increases in kidney size and GFR. This state of 'hyperfiltration' reflects hyperglycaemia and can be reversed with intensive insulin therapy [1] . Although patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes may have increased AER at presentation, hyperfiltration usually precedes changes in albuminuria by several years [2] . However, it remains uncertain whether hyperfiltration is merely a marker of glycaemic control or whether it exerts a pathogenetic role in human diabetic nephropathy, independently of factors such as HbA 1c , blood pressure, age and pubertal status, duration of diabetes, AER and smoking [3, 4] . Experimental models of hyperfiltration include hyperfiltration at the single-nephron level, in the whole kidney in the intact animal and in the remnant kidney after subtotal nephrectomy [5, 6] . The latter has a human counterpart in advanced kidney disease. However, it is not clear whether hyperfiltration at the single-nephron or remnant-kidney level is an accurate replica of hyperfiltration in patients with early type 1 diabetes. The present review addresses the evidence that hyperfiltration is an independent predictor and possible pathogenetic factor for diabetic nephropathy. It does this with special emphasis on longitudinal studies of progression of AER and rates of decline of GFR. In particular, it examines the evidence linking hyperfiltration to the onset of microalbuminuria and seeks to rationalise apparently divergent results obtained in several studies [7, 8] . Initial hyperfiltration has also been associated with an increased rate of decline of GFR in some studies, and the onset and duration of this decline are also reviewed [9, 10] .

This state of 'hyperfiltration' reflects hyperglycaemia and can be reversed with intensive insulin therapy.

Although patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes may have increased AER at presentation, hyperfiltration usually precedes changes in albuminuria by several years.

However, it remains uncertain whether hyperfiltration is merely a marker of glycaemic control or whether it exerts a pathogenetic role in human diabetic nephropathy, independently of factors such as HbA 1c , blood pressure, age and pubertal status, duration of diabetes, AER and smoking.

Experimental models of hyperfiltration include hyperfiltration at the single-nephron level, in the whole kidney in the intact animal and in the remnant kidney after subtotal nephrectomy.

In particular, it examines the evidence linking hyperfiltration to the onset of microalbuminuria and seeks to rationalise apparently divergent results obtained in several studies.

Initial hyperfiltration has also been associated with an increased rate of decline of GFR in some studies, and the onset and duration of this decline are also reviewed.


In terms of simulation, numerous modeling tools for computer systems have been introduced, ranging from queuing models to agent-based and other statistical models. The systems modeled range from clusters to grids, and more recently, to clouds and data centers [40] . CloudSim is a recent discrete event simulator that allows simulation of virtualized environments [6] . More specialized simulators such as MRPerf have been designed for MapReduce environments [35] . In general, these simulators are used to analyze the behavior of different workload processing algorithms (e.g., schedulers) and different networking infrastructures. A comprehensive model is GDCSim (Green Data Centre Simulator), a very detailed simulator that takes into account computing equipment and its layout, data center physical structure (such as raised floors), resource management and cooling strategies [16] . However the level of detail limits scalability of the system. Our simulator is more similar to the former examples and allows for large scale simulations of workload management (experiments with 12k nodes).

The systems modeled range from clusters to grids, and more recently, to clouds and data centers.

CloudSim is a recent discrete event simulator that allows simulation of virtualized environments.

More specialized simulators such as MRPerf have been designed for MapReduce environments.

A comprehensive model is GDCSim (Green Data Centre Simulator), a very detailed simulator that takes into account computing equipment and its layout, data center physical structure (such as raised floors), resource management and cooling strategies.


Furthermore, the majority of the learners (95%) disagreed with the statement ëAll the talk about climate change is politicking, and there is no real need to take actioní. Despite vigorous campaigns by contrarians (especially multinational oil corporations which consider corporate profiteering to be of prime importance over environmental concerns), there is enormous scientific evidence that increasing global temperatures are a threat not only to the environment but also to human societies (Pachauri & Meyer, 2014) . These learnersí responses suggest recognition of the fact that climate change is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

Despite vigorous campaigns by contrarians (especially multinational oil corporations which consider corporate profiteering to be of prime importance over environmental concerns), there is enormous scientific evidence that increasing global temperatures are a threat not only to the environment but also to human societies.


These results also have implications for conservation because accurate taxonomic data are critical for determining basic parameters of protection, such as distributions and threat levels (Rondinini et al., 2006) . Also, nominal species already considered endangered or threatened may comprise several species, each of which is often rarer than their 'parent species', making them more susceptible to extinction (Hedges & Conn, 2012) . For these species, taxonomic revisions are urgent. Without published descriptions, these species are essentially 'off the conservation radar' and therefore are not considered in conservation plans (Hedges & Conn, 2012) .

These results also have implications for conservation because accurate taxonomic data are critical for determining basic parameters of protection, such as distributions and threat levels.

Also, nominal species already considered endangered or threatened may comprise several species, each of which is often rarer than their 'parent species', making them more susceptible to extinction.

Without published descriptions, these species are essentially 'off the conservation radar' and therefore are not considered in conservation plans.


In the present study, we focus on Australian blindsnakes of the genus Ramphotyphlops (Scolecophidia, Typhlopidae), whose systematics received little attention until recently (Aplin & Donnellan, 1993; Rabosky et al., 2004; Vidal et al., 2010) . Blindsnakes typically are small (approximately 10-30 cm), burrowing species, and feed on social insects (Vidal & Hedges, 2009) . They comprise 402 named species segregated in five families: Anomalepididae, Leptotyphlopidae, Typhlopidae, Xenotyphlopidae, and Gerrhopilidae (Vidal et al., 2010; Uetz et al., 2013) . The 42 currently recognized Australian scolecophidian species all belong to Ramphotyphlops, a genus of 66 species distributed across South and South-east Asia, Australasia, and Melanesia (as far east as Fiji, and across the Caroline Islands from Palau to Pohnpei), and comprise one of the least-known elements of the Australian herpetofauna (Rabosky et al., 2004; Wynn et al., 2012) . Previous molecular genetic studies on scolecophidian snakes, including members of the families Typhlopidae and Leptotyphlopidae, have suggested a high level of hidden diversity, as indicated by several recognized species being paraphyletic and polyphyletic, and harbouring deep divergences (Hedges & Thomas, 1991; Aplin & Donnellan, 1993; Rabosky et al., 2004; Hedges, 2008; Adalsteinsson et al., 2009; Kornilios et al., 2012; Marin et al., 2013) .

In the present study, we focus on Australian blindsnakes of the genus Ramphotyphlops (Scolecophidia, Typhlopidae), whose systematics received little attention until recently.

Blindsnakes typically are small (approximately 10-30 cm), burrowing species, and feed on social insects.

They comprise 402 named species segregated in five families: Anomalepididae, Leptotyphlopidae, Typhlopidae, Xenotyphlopidae, and Gerrhopilidae.

The 42 currently recognized Australian scolecophidian species all belong to Ramphotyphlops, a genus of 66 species distributed across South and South-east Asia, Australasia, and Melanesia (as far east as Fiji, and across the Caroline Islands from Palau to Pohnpei), and comprise one of the least-known elements of the Australian herpetofauna.

Previous molecular genetic studies on scolecophidian snakes, including members of the families Typhlopidae and Leptotyphlopidae, have suggested a high level of hidden diversity, as indicated by several recognized species being paraphyletic and polyphyletic, and harbouring deep divergences.


Several failures of gas turbine engine blades were reported during service [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . It was attributed primarily to high temperature corrosion of different types and established their relevant theories. Extensive amount of work was carried out in the laboratory on hot corrosion of several superalloys and established their degradation mechanisms [8] [9] [10] . It was shown that the hot corrosion of superalloys takes place through electrochemical reac-tions and it is an electrochemical phenomenon [10, 11] . Further, high performance protective coatings were successfully identified for protection of superalloys under hot corrosion conditions [12] [13] [14] . Efforts made by other researchers in developing protecting coatings helped in understanding their behaviour [15] [16] [17] . Basically, the high temperature corrosion can be divided into oxidation and hot corrosion. The hot corrosion can be further divided into type I (800˚C -950˚C) and type II (600˚C -750˚C). As already mentioned above, any new superalloy material that is developed for gas turbine engine applications should exhibit excellent high temperature corrosion resistance apart from excellent mechanical properties.

Several failures of gas turbine engine blades were reported during service.

Extensive amount of work was carried out in the laboratory on hot corrosion of several superalloys and established their degradation mechanisms.

It was shown that the hot corrosion of superalloys takes place through electrochemical reac-tions and it is an electrochemical phenomenon.

Further, high performance protective coatings were successfully identified for protection of superalloys under hot corrosion conditions.

Efforts made by other researchers in developing protecting coatings helped in understanding their behaviour.


Newer materials with improved properties are essential in order to enhance the efficiency of gas turbine engines. Efforts made in this direction made it possible to develop a new superalloy for aero engines. The developed superalloy exhibits excellent high temperature strength properties [1] . For achieving enhanced efficiency, it is necessary that the developed superalloy should exhibit excellent high temperature oxidation resistance as it is detrimental at elevated temperatures. It reduces the superalloy component life by forming oxides at a faster rate, thereby reducing the load-carry capacity and potentially leading to catastrophic failure of components. Therefore, high temperature oxidation resistance of new superalloy is as important as its high temperature strength properties.

The developed superalloy exhibits excellent high temperature strength properties.


We presented 6 different ways to construct the proposed assessment tool for the performance of water utilities. Because there are critical steps in the construction of the composite indicators (normalisation, aggregation and weighting) that may influence the results and conclusions obtained, the calculation of a set of different WUPIs would make it possible to obtain more consistent results and conclusions compared with the results obtained using a single methodological method. Despite the merits and demerits of each of the WUPIs calculated, and with the aim of avoiding potential bias in the results obtained, further research is needed to confirm our results. Nevertheless, the most suitable way to construct the WUPI for real-life applications seems to be by using the AHP and hybrid form as weighting and aggregation techniques. This is because the AHP allows one to identify the relative importance of the indicators in the local context, and the hybrid aggregation produces more coherent results, not allowing for full compensation between components, and showing potential weaknesses in utility performance. It would be useful to perform a comparative analysis of the results obtained using alternative techniques to aggregate and weight the WUPI and different benchmarking methodologies to measure the performance of the water supply utilities, i.e., data envelopment analysis or total factor productivity (Alegre et al., 2009; Correia and Marques, 2011) . Applications of these types of studies are welcomed and should be further investigated to obtain better information to support decisionmaking processes in the urban water supply sector.

It would be useful to perform a comparative analysis of the results obtained using alternative techniques to aggregate and weight the WUPI and different benchmarking methodologies to measure the performance of the water supply utilities, i.e., data envelopment analysis or total factor productivity.


The latest International Union for Conservation of Nature statistics show that out of over 12,000 plant species, 70 % are threatened, 19 % are critically endangered and 28 species are extinct in the wild. In situ conservation alone may not be enough to rescue some of the rarest plants (Sarasan 2010) . Besides the classical forms of protection of endangered species in the past three decades, advances in biotechnology and especially in the field of in vitro culture techniques led to the development of procedures that can be used as an excellent tool in plant protection (Maryam et al. 2014) . The most important aspects of this protection are the development of efficient regeneration systems for many endangered species, that is micropropagation, and the protection of the morphogenetic potential of cell cultures, tissue or organs (Rybczyński and Mikuła 2006) . Although standard in vitro propagation methods are available, endangered species may have unusual growth requirements and thus may require modified procedures for in vitro culture (Reed et al. 2011) .

In situ conservation alone may not be enough to rescue some of the rarest plants.

Besides the classical forms of protection of endangered species in the past three decades, advances in biotechnology and especially in the field of in vitro culture techniques led to the development of procedures that can be used as an excellent tool in plant protection.

The most important aspects of this protection are the development of efficient regeneration systems for many endangered species, that is micropropagation, and the protection of the morphogenetic potential of cell cultures, tissue or organs.

Although standard in vitro propagation methods are available, endangered species may have unusual growth requirements and thus may require modified procedures for in vitro culture.


Coastal lagoons are shallow water bodies with the influence of marine water and a particular ecology [2, 3] . Freshwater inflow can come from in situ rainfall, runoffs, and horizontal groundwater flow [3] [4] [5] . In the case of the San Jose Lagoon, the groundwater flow plays an important role in the water and mass budget [5] .

Coastal lagoons are shallow water bodies with the influence of marine water and a particular ecology.

Freshwater inflow can come from in situ rainfall, runoffs, and horizontal groundwater flow.

In the case of the San Jose Lagoon, the groundwater flow plays an important role in the water and mass budget.


Climate change scenarios always have an amount of uncertainty, particularly related to the magnitude and rate that each parameter change [29, 30] . This uncertainty increases with time. Although we perform the simulations for the short-term future (to reduce uncertainty), it is possible to expect variability compared to real data. This situation reaffirms the need to continue recalibrating the model as new updates of climate change impacts are published.

Climate change scenarios always have an amount of uncertainty, particularly related to the magnitude and rate that each parameter change.

This uncertainty increases with time.


An aeroengine as the power system of aircraft seriously influences the performance and reliability of air vehicle [1] . Bladed disk as one pivotal part of aeroengine is the important fault source of aeroengine for suffering from high temperature, high pressure, and high rotation speed during operation [2] . Of the faults of aeroengine, the rate of blisk fault is 25%. The performances of aeroengine safety, reliability, and robustness are to decline sharply once blisk fault occurs [3] . Therefore, it is of great significance for improving the whole performance and reliability of aeroengine to investigate the reliability of blisk.

An aeroengine as the power system of aircraft seriously influences the performance and reliability of air vehicle.

Bladed disk as one pivotal part of aeroengine is the important fault source of aeroengine for suffering from high temperature, high pressure, and high rotation speed during operation.

The performances of aeroengine safety, reliability, and robustness are to decline sharply once blisk fault occurs.


Fresh and dry weight of plant shoots and roots were measured at 30 d intervals after the highest salt concentration was reached. Dry mass was determined after drying for 48 h in a forced-draft oven at 60 mC. To determine the relative growth rate (RGR), 15 plants were harvested immediately prior to beginning the salt treatments. Thereafter, successive harvests were taken after 30, 60 and 90 d with five plants per harvest. Dry mass at each harvest was used for calculating the RGR [relative growth rate l (ln mass2-ln mass1)\time]. Plant water status was evaluated by measuring shoot xylem pressure potentials with a pressure bomb apparatus (model 3005, Soil Moisture Equipment Corporation, Santa Barbara, California, USA) on five randomly chosen shoots from each treatment. Osmotic potentials were estimated from pressure volume curves using the bench dehydration method (Richardson and McKell, 1980) . Glycinebetaine and ion measurements were made on ten replicate 0n5 g samples of plant material that were boiled in 10 ml of water for 2 h at 100 mC using a dry heat bath. This hot water extract was cooled and filtered using Whatman no. 42 filter paper, and then directly used to measure glycinebetaine, using a Hewlett Packard HPLC model HP 1050 modular 3D LC system with diode array detector. One ml of hot water extract was diluted with distilled water for ion analysis. Chloride ion content was measured with a Beckman specific ion electrode. Cation content of plant organs was analysed using a Perkin Elmer model 360 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The Na + and K + concentrations of plant tissue were assayed by flame emission spectrophotometry and Ca# + and Mg# + concentrations by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Tissue water content was determined by the difference between fresh weight and dry weight of the tissue.

Osmotic potentials were estimated from pressure volume curves using the bench dehydration method.


The work described herein will address the effects listed above, except for injection-timing effects, which appear to be well understood (i.e., advancing injection timing increases NO x emissions). Mechanisms in addition to those presented above have been proposed, and they may be important as well, but they will not be explicitly addressed herein. H.L. Mencken once wrote that the prototype of the scientist is "…not the liberator releasing slaves, the good Samaritan lifting up the fallen, but the dog sniffing tremendously at an infinite series of ratholes" [30] . This characterization certainly appears to be applicable to the study of the many potential causes of the biodiesel NO x increase.

H.L. Mencken once wrote that the prototype of the scientist is "…not the liberator releasing slaves, the good Samaritan lifting up the fallen, but the dog sniffing tremendously at an infinite series of ratholes".


Topological solitons play a fundamental role in various physical systems, especially in those characterized by gauge interactions. The interplay of the classical or quantum gauge dynamics with the global symmetries in such systems leads to remarkably rich and subtle phenomena. Of particular interest among these is a class of vortex solutions carrying continuous orientational zero modes: non-Abelian vortices [1] - [32] .

Of particular interest among these is a class of vortex solutions carrying continuous orientational zero modes: non-Abelian vortices.


These typically arise when the (complete) gauge symmetry breaking supports vortex solutions, and at the same time the vacuum is invariant under a color-flavor diagonal group so that the system is in the so-called color-flavor locked phase [33] . As the individual vortex breaks the exact global symmetry, it develops orientational zero modes which can fluctuate on the vortex world sheet. At low energies these fluctuations can be described by an appropriate 2D sigma model that has its own nontrivial, large-distance, quantum dynamics. A longstanding goal concerning non-Abelian vortices is to find solutions describing a non-Abelian vortex-monopole complex [2] , [4] , [29] , [24] - [26] .

These typically arise when the (complete) gauge symmetry breaking supports vortex solutions, and at the same time the vacuum is invariant under a color-flavor diagonal group so that the system is in the so-called color-flavor locked phase.

A longstanding goal concerning non-Abelian vortices is to find solutions describing a non-Abelian vortex-monopole complex.


The autonomous robotic exploration of Mars, the Moon, asteroids and other celestial bodies is a necessary step for space exploration and the expansion of human presence in space. These exploration robots can take the form of rovers, stationary landers, hoppers and probes [1] . The term rovers usually applies to systems that employ wheels for locomotion; however they may alternatively use tracks, legs or a combination of these. In relative terms, the most mature locomotion method is wheeled, whereas legged and tracked locomotion are still in an experimental phase for space applications [1, 2] . The focus then is on wheeled rovers, as these have demonstrated their ability to perform autonomously in a robust and reliable manner and do not have the control complexity and power distribution issues associated with legged and tracked vehicles.

These exploration robots can take the form of rovers, stationary landers, hoppers and probes.

In relative terms, the most mature locomotion method is wheeled, whereas legged and tracked locomotion are still in an experimental phase for space applications.


The main objective of innovation measurement is to systematically determine whether the resources committed to innovation activities within companies are justified. This allows the revision of a firm's innovation goals and objectives and the most adequate set of incentives for its promotion and management (Cordero, 1990) . However, this measurement is complex because there is no single or main trend to assess the extent of innovation, plus the information regarding the concept is highly subjective and uncertain (Alfaro-García et al., 2015; Frenkel et al., 2000) .

This allows the revision of a firm's innovation goals and objectives and the most adequate set of incentives for its promotion and management.

However, this measurement is complex because there is no single or main trend to assess the extent of innovation, plus the information regarding the concept is highly subjective and uncertain.


The statistical issue of the variability of TSI composites resulting from the choice of the Nimbus7/ERB or ERBS/ ERBE during the ACRIM-Gap was discussed in Scafetta [6] . The proposed composites were built in such a way to approximately force a merging continuity among the various TSI records based on a 91-day smooth curve. The composites were made using ACRIM1, ACRIM2,and ACRIM3 while the ACRIM-Gap was bridged using (A) the unaltered Nimbus7/ERB record or (B) the Nimbus7/ERB altered in such a way to exactly reproduce the ERBS/ERBE trending during the ACRIM-Gap. The two alternative composites provide the maximum range of uncertainty related to the available TSI database as produced by the divergence between Nimbus7/ERB and ERBS/ERBE during the ACRIM-Gap. Figure 7 shows these two composites updated to 2018 by extending the most recent ACRIM3 data with the VIRGO record after 2013 and then with SORCE/TIM record. Note that VIRGO and TIM are quite similar after 2013, but the SORCE/TIM record suffers of a serious gap lasting several months in 2013 and 2014 caused by spacecraft battery problems.

The statistical issue of the variability of TSI composites resulting from the choice of the Nimbus7/ERB or ERBS/ ERBE during the ACRIM-Gap was discussed in Scafetta.


The effect of process parameters (Toff and servo voltage) of WEDM during machining of MMCs Al 6063/ ZrSiO4 (5%) was reported by using of Box-Behnken design approach of RSM. The cutting rate was decreased with increase in process parameters [12] . The effects of input parameters (dielectric conductivity, wire feed rate, wire mechanical tension and dielectric injection pressure) of EDM during machining of Al/ZrO2 particle composite on MRR. The higher MRR was achieved with the increase in input parameters [13] . The investigation of input process parameter like Oxygen gas, used as dielectric fluid, in the dry WEDM process was carried out. They observed a significant effect on the cutting velocity and surface [14] .

The cutting rate was decreased with increase in process parameters.

The higher MRR was achieved with the increase in input parameters.

They observed a significant effect on the cutting velocity and surface.


Often, larger pairs of cichlids gain a reproductive advantage because they provide more effective parental care (Perrone, 1978; McKaye, 1986; Alonzo et al., 2001) . Our study, however, found no correlation between brood success and parental size in N. nematopus. Varying results on this relationship have been observed in the convict cichlid, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus (Keenleyside, 1985; Wisenden 1994; Alonzo et al., 2001) . Such a correlation might be dependent on breeding heterospecifics within each individual ecosystem. Smaller species like N. nematopus and A. nigrofasciatus are likely to benefit from breeding synchronously in and around larger species via cooperative defense against predators (McKaye, 1984) .

Often, larger pairs of cichlids gain a reproductive advantage because they provide more effective parental care.

Varying results on this relationship have been observed in the convict cichlid, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus.

Smaller species like N. nematopus and A. nigrofasciatus are likely to benefit from breeding synchronously in and around larger species via cooperative defense against predators.


The compression tests are commonly performed at a constant velocity or constant strain. The latter implies that strain increases due to the progressive reduction in the longitude (length), which means that if a fracture is present in the material, the stress-strain curve will show a tendency to decline, despite the deformation and the effect of the increase in velocity. On the contrary, if a contact mechanism dominates, the curve will shows an increase on the slope under a higher velocity, implying an increase in strain [23] .

On the contrary, if a contact mechanism dominates, the curve will shows an increase on the slope under a higher velocity, implying an increase in strain.


The determination of mechanical properties by compression tests comes from the information provided by a force-strain curve. Some concepts, such as the elastic limit, inflection point, yield point, rupture, apparent elasticity modulus, force and maximum resistance, can be realized from the curve. Those concepts are based on the application of quasi-static loads instead of impact loads [13, 18, 19] . Hooke's law does not apply during the compression of agricultural materials because these materials' properties are greatly affected by other factors, such as the moisture content and temperature [20] .

Those concepts are based on the application of quasi-static loads instead of impact loads.

Hooke's law does not apply during the compression of agricultural materials because these materials' properties are greatly affected by other factors, such as the moisture content and temperature.


A cost efficient process is the goal for every production process. In most end products the proportion of the raw material cost is high [1] . In wood manufacturing, each processing step affects the material utilization and the cost efficiency. Wood as a material has got high diversity in its inherent wood features and the different manufacturing steps must be able to handle this. Thus, material utilization and cost efficient processes are of great importance.

In most end products the proportion of the raw material cost is high.