Industrialization and urbanization are important symbols of the level of countries' economic and sociobiological development [1] . Nevertheless, because of heavy industrial development and imperfect pollution control measures, a large amount of energy was consumed, different kinds of pollutants were directly discharged without any treatments, and the ecological environment was seriously damaged, especially in developing countries [2, 3] . According to statistics, China's carbon dioxide emissions have become the largest in the world, with those of the United States being second, and account for approximately 14% of the world's emissions [4] . Meantime, urbanization promotes population and industry aggregation, which has caused land cover changes, and damaged food and ecological security [5] . In China, since 1996, its farmland has decreased by 83 thousand km 2 , or 5.95 thousand km 2 per year, thus, the limited farmland resources are experiencing production pressure and threating human life [6] . Therefore, the pursuit of economic development and ecological security is a contradiction; the coordination degree of the two will affect the health and sustainability of regional development [7, 8] . Therefore, research regarding the relationship between ecological and economic system has been necessary and prevalent [9, 10] .

Industrialization and urbanization are important symbols of the level of countries' economic and sociobiological development.

Nevertheless, because of heavy industrial development and imperfect pollution control measures, a large amount of energy was consumed, different kinds of pollutants were directly discharged without any treatments, and the ecological environment was seriously damaged, especially in developing countries.

According to statistics, China's carbon dioxide emissions have become the largest in the world, with those of the United States being second, and account for approximately 14% of the world's emissions.

Meantime, urbanization promotes population and industry aggregation, which has caused land cover changes, and damaged food and ecological security.

In China, since 1996, its farmland has decreased by 83 thousand km 2 , or 5.95 thousand km 2 per year, thus, the limited farmland resources are experiencing production pressure and threating human life.

Therefore, the pursuit of economic development and ecological security is a contradiction; the coordination degree of the two will affect the health and sustainability of regional development.

Therefore, research regarding the relationship between ecological and economic system has been necessary and prevalent.


At present, the relevant methods used to measure the coordinated development of the ecological-economic (eco-economic) system include energy analysis, ecological footprint analysis, material flow analysis, the market value method, and the sustainability evaluation method [26] [27] [28] . However, the applicability of these methods is still restricted with respect to external ecological and socioeconomic factors, and also in terms of the accuracy of regional spatial analysis [29] . To overcome these shortcomings, and with the support of remote sensing and geo-information system technology, many scholars have adopted the eco-economic harmony (EEH) model to conduct regional eco-economic sustainability evaluations and spatial grading division. Nevertheless, these studies have mainly focused on large cities, plains, and areas experiencing rapid development. Conversely, large-scale research in mountainous areas is comparatively limited [30] . In China, mountainous areas account for 70% of the total area, and are inhabited by almost 40% of the population [31] . Mountainous areas are therefore important regions for population and economic studies. Moreover, the ecosystems of mountainous areas are often fragile, which poses substantial challenges for regionally sustainable development strategies. The ecological equilibria of such ecosystems can easily be damaged by the pressures associated with social, economic, and technological development [32] . Therefore, achieving a coordinated development of the economy and ecological environment in mountain areas has become a major scientific problem that needs to be resolved.

At present, the relevant methods used to measure the coordinated development of the ecological-economic (eco-economic) system include energy analysis, ecological footprint analysis, material flow analysis, the market value method, and the sustainability evaluation method.

However, the applicability of these methods is still restricted with respect to external ecological and socioeconomic factors, and also in terms of the accuracy of regional spatial analysis.

Conversely, large-scale research in mountainous areas is comparatively limited.

In China, mountainous areas account for 70% of the total area, and are inhabited by almost 40% of the population.

The ecological equilibria of such ecosystems can easily be damaged by the pressures associated with social, economic, and technological development.


Land cover change can generally be defined as a human-induced process that has considerable repercussions for the landscape and associated ecosystems [54] . These changes typically lead to the degradation of environmental quality and ecosystem services. For Hengduan Mountain area, a series of development activities were carried out from 1990 to 2000 to meet the needs of economic development and human life. Forests were cut down and farmland was converted to alternative land uses (Table 5, Figure 2 ). During this period, ESV growth was negative in the study area, and the land cover changes attributable to human activities had already had harmful effects on the ecological environment. However, humans invariably attempt to modify land cover types for greater benefits and a better quality of life. Accordingly, since 2000, various ecological protection measures have been implemented in this region, such as the "Grain for Green" Project [55] . The areas of forest and water bodies were significantly increased during the period from 2000 to 2010 (Table 5 , Figure 2 ). These are land cover types that have high ecosystem service value, which is the main reason why the ESV increased dramatically from 2000 to 2010.

Land cover change can generally be defined as a human-induced process that has considerable repercussions for the landscape and associated ecosystems.

Accordingly, since 2000, various ecological protection measures have been implemented in this region, such as the "Grain for Green" Project.


At present, the Hengduan Mountain area can be considered to conform to a dual-core spatial structure centered on a low conflict zone and a potential crisis zone. With the passage of time, the economic and ecological conditions of most counties have shown signs of improvement, gradually being transformed from a conflict state to a coordinated state. This demonstrates that economic growth generally causes a certain amount of ecological destruction during the early stages of economic development, whereas over time, the quality of the ecological environment tends to improve concomitantly with economic advances [57] . However, it is noteworthy that the degree of coordination between the economy and ecology was not high in Hengduan Mountain area, and any form of extensive or intensive disturbance is likely to disrupt the existing state of balance [58] . Therefore, the central government should consolidate and strengthen the existing coordinated state by exploring the industrial potential of the region, increasing the economic outputs and industrial level, and improving the strength and sustainability of ecological environmental protection.

This demonstrates that economic growth generally causes a certain amount of ecological destruction during the early stages of economic development, whereas over time, the quality of the ecological environment tends to improve concomitantly with economic advances.

However, it is noteworthy that the degree of coordination between the economy and ecology was not high in Hengduan Mountain area, and any form of extensive or intensive disturbance is likely to disrupt the existing state of balance.


PTEN is a haploinsufficient tumor-suppressor gene since the loss of 50% of its function compromises tumor suppression [6, 7] . Further, even subtle variations of PTEN function can have dramatic effects on cancer predisposition and tumorigenesis, suggesting a strict dosage-dependency of PTEN tumor suppression [8] . The apparent paradox that complete ablation of PTEN can be detrimental to tumor growth, in the absence of other mutations, is due to the activation of p53-dependent senescence that counteracts tumor progression (obligate haploinsufficiency) [9] . Genetic ablation of PTEN leads to at the N-terminal containing a secretion signal that enables this membrane-permeable isoform to be secreted and uptaken by recipient cells in a paracrine manner [46] . PTEN-L is expressed in normal tissues and detectable in human serum and plasma whereas lower expression is reported in human breast tumor and mouse models of glioblastoma [49] . Of note, administration of PTEN-L protein to tumor-bearing mice showed an interesting therapeutic potential [46] . Moreover, Liang and collaborators reported an N-terminally extended form, named PTEN-α, localized in the cytoplasm and mitochondria, where it can regulate mitochondrial function and energy production [47] . Further, another variant named PTEN-β, was recently identified in the nucleolus, where it binds to and dephosphorylates nucleolin, thus inhibiting ribosomal DNA transcription and ribosomal biogenesis [48] . Strategies focused at improving PTEN secretion and uptake by target cells may offer a feasible way for tumor treatment [5, 50] .

PTEN is a haploinsufficient tumor-suppressor gene since the loss of 50% of its function compromises tumor suppression.

Further, even subtle variations of PTEN function can have dramatic effects on cancer predisposition and tumorigenesis, suggesting a strict dosage-dependency of PTEN tumor suppression.

The apparent paradox that complete ablation of PTEN can be detrimental to tumor growth, in the absence of other mutations, is due to the activation of p53-dependent senescence that counteracts tumor progression (obligate haploinsufficiency).

Genetic ablation of PTEN leads to at the N-terminal containing a secretion signal that enables this membrane-permeable isoform to be secreted and uptaken by recipient cells in a paracrine manner.

PTEN-L is expressed in normal tissues and detectable in human serum and plasma whereas lower expression is reported in human breast tumor and mouse models of glioblastoma.

Of note, administration of PTEN-L protein to tumor-bearing mice showed an interesting therapeutic potential.

Moreover, Liang and collaborators reported an N-terminally extended form, named PTEN-α, localized in the cytoplasm and mitochondria, where it can regulate mitochondrial function and energy production.

Further, another variant named PTEN-β, was recently identified in the nucleolus, where it binds to and dephosphorylates nucleolin, thus inhibiting ribosomal DNA transcription and ribosomal biogenesis.

Strategies focused at improving PTEN secretion and uptake by target cells may offer a feasible way for tumor treatment.


The consistency analysis itself is realized using a parametrized transformation to an Alloy [13] module. The input for the parametrized transformation consists of a valid configuration of the feature model, a CD, and an OD. The Alloy module is analyzed using a SAT solver and the result shows whether the CD and the OD are consistent given the semantics defined by the configuration. An overview of the architecture of our solution is shown in Fig. 1 .

The consistency analysis itself is realized using a parametrized transformation to an Alloy module.


Refactorings are software transformations that restructure an object-oriented program while preserving its behaviour [1] [2] [3] . The key idea is to redistribute instance variables and methods across the class hierarchy in order to prepare the software for future extensions. If applied well, refactorings improve the design of software, make software easier to understand, help to find bugs, and help to program faster [1] .

Refactorings are software transformations that restructure an object-oriented program while preserving its behaviour.

If applied well, refactorings improve the design of software, make software easier to understand, help to find bugs, and help to program faster.


To analyze how the five moral foundations specified in MFT are related to personal climate change norms, a survey was conducted in Sweden. Conducting the study in Sweden could provide important insights, since Sweden ranked highest on a set of sustainable development indicators among the EU countries in a recent study (Grzebyk and Stec, 2015) . Data were collected using a postal mail-in respondent self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to 5000 individuals randomly drawn from the Swedish population register (SPAR), which lists all Swedes resident in Sweden. A number of surveys did not reach the recipients due to change of address (59). After one reminder with an additional enclosed questionnaire a total of 1144 questionnaires were returned (response rate: 23.2%). When entering data, 58 questionnaires were found to be either close to blank or filled out to less than 50%. These were removed from further analysis, leaving 1086 questionnaires to analyze.

Conducting the study in Sweden could provide important insights, since Sweden ranked highest on a set of sustainable development indicators among the EU countries in a recent study.


This work is organized as follows. Section 2 is devoted to investigate the solutions, mean square displacement, survival probability, and FPT distribution obtained from equations (1) and (2) . In section 3, we present our discussions and conclusions.

This work is organized as follows.

Section 2 is devoted to investigate the solutions, mean square displacement, survival probability, and FPT distribution obtained from equations (1) and.


In a step towards bio-inspired design, the behavior of compliant mechanisms has been studied in order to develop design rules for realizing actual mechanisms. A compliant mechanism is a flexible structure that elastically deforms to produce desired force or displacement. Similar to rigid mechanisms, compliant mechanisms will still transfer or transform motion, force, or energy, but they will also store strain energy in the flexible members as well [9] . Compliant mechanisms mainly consist of rigid objects or features with added compliant or soft materials at strategic locations. There are several different types of compliant mechanisms currently being researched and developed. Some of the mechanisms developed include bistable mechanisms, orthoplanar flat spring, centrifugal clutches, overrunning pawl clutches, near-constant-force compression mechanisms, near-constant-force electrical connec-tors, bicycle brakes, bicycle derailleur, compliant grippers, and microelectromechanical systems [9] .

Similar to rigid mechanisms, compliant mechanisms will still transfer or transform motion, force, or energy, but they will also store strain energy in the flexible members as well.

Some of the mechanisms developed include bistable mechanisms, orthoplanar flat spring, centrifugal clutches, overrunning pawl clutches, near-constant-force compression mechanisms, near-constant-force electrical connec-tors, bicycle brakes, bicycle derailleur, compliant grippers, and microelectromechanical systems.


An example of the type of unique performance that can be achieved through the use of compliance in natural structures is the flapping of bird wings to achieve flight ( Fig. 1) . It has been shown that birds are designed with an integrated flexibility to promote draft and lift, caused by the air, to rotate the wings throughout the cyclic process [19] . This enables the bird to achieve much higher cyclic flapping rates at lower energy consumption.

It has been shown that birds are designed with an integrated flexibility to promote draft and lift, caused by the air, to rotate the wings throughout the cyclic process.


Compliant designs have many advantages over traditional designs that employ articulated joints. Included in these advantages is the reduction of wear between joint members, reduction in backlash, and high potential energy stored in deflected members [10] . In addition, absence of assembly in production methods, reduction of weight, and part count found in compliant mechanisms all lead to the reduction of cost to manufacture the product. Several studies have indicated that assembly costs make up 40-50% of the manufacturing costs to produce a product [1] . Part reduction reduces the assembly labor, purchasing, inspecting, warehousing, capitol requirements, and piece part costs of a product [17] . Therefore any decrease in part count and manufacturing cost, no matter how minimal, will have a drastic effect on the total cost of the product.

Included in these advantages is the reduction of wear between joint members, reduction in backlash, and high potential energy stored in deflected members.

Several studies have indicated that assembly costs make up 40-50% of the manufacturing costs to produce a product.

Part reduction reduces the assembly labor, purchasing, inspecting, warehousing, capitol requirements, and piece part costs of a product.


A common misconception is that an object has to be rigid to be strong [19] . However, nature shows us that objects can be strong and compliant. Throughout human existence, nature has proven to be a fertile source for inspiration. Until recent years, many of these ideas could never be fully understood and reconstructed. With an improved understanding of the structure-property-function relationship in biological materials and systems and the invention of new materials and manufacturing techniques, bio-inspired designs are rapidly increasing in popularity [6] .

A common misconception is that an object has to be rigid to be strong.

With an improved understanding of the structure-property-function relationship in biological materials and systems and the invention of new materials and manufacturing techniques, bio-inspired designs are rapidly increasing in popularity.


Synthetic and natural structures have several distinct differences. Perhaps the greatest difference between these two types of structures is the use of compliance. Compliance, in relation to structures and mechanisms, is the ability or process of elastically deforming in response to changes in force without disruption of structure or function. It has been well recognized that man-made objects are primarily made up of relatively rigid materials, while natural objects are made with soft compliant materials, using rigid materials such as bones and teeth only in select places [19] . It has been suggested that this distinct difference occurs from the assembly and production methods for each of the products. The fundamental requirement for natural structures is the absence of assembly. The entire system must be grown from a source or cell as a single entity [1] .

It has been well recognized that man-made objects are primarily made up of relatively rigid materials, while natural objects are made with soft compliant materials, using rigid materials such as bones and teeth only in select places.

The entire system must be grown from a source or cell as a single entity.


Antibiotics resistance is a timely topic due to the possibility of its transfer among pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria (Rahube and Yost 2010) . This phenomenon is possible because the resistance genes are often located on mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids, which appear commonly in bacteria-rich areas such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). From WWTPs they are directed to the water tracts becoming a danger for public health. The monitoring of antibiotic resistance presence and transfer in activated sludge seems to be reasonable part of the antibiotics usage politics. These analyses can be performed with traditional cultivation methods but more often than not, the molecular approach based on PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is used due to the higher sensitivity and precision of the test. More than 95% of the environmental bacteria cannot be cultivated in the laboratory (Oliver 2010) . That is the other reason why traditional microbiological methods should be supported with molecular tools.

Antibiotics resistance is a timely topic due to the possibility of its transfer among pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria.

More than 95% of the environmental bacteria cannot be cultivated in the laboratory.


In order rural tourism (including agrotourism) to be a way for rural area development, appropriate business environment must be set up, including business support and infrastructure. Local community and the level of its participation in a decision making process must also be considered (DCLG, 2006) . Tourism of any kind in general always relates to a particular locality and its community. If the community perceives tourism positively and accepts its economic role, then the community must be prepared to act as a host and protect local traditions and habits. It is some degree of a burden and as such must be managed in respect of social relations and intra-community connections, organization and management of all activities in the locality. Examples of tourism management in Austria show that the key factor for successful development of tourism activities, including activities in rural areas is an eff ective institutional framework and cooperation among all interested subjects. Eff ective management system in tourism together with municipality cooperation, involvement of entrepreneurs and local people can contribute to higher competitiveness of products representing particular region, people, habits, customs, or even atmosphere.

Local community and the level of its participation in a decision making process must also be considered.


The findings from needle analyses were confirmed by moss analyses. In contrast to needles, for mosses the atmosphere is the main nitrogen source. The analyses indicate that the nitrogen content of mosses is a useful integrating parameter for the long-term supply of nitrogen from atmospheric sources [21, 35] .

The analyses indicate that the nitrogen content of mosses is a useful integrating parameter for the long-term supply of nitrogen from atmospheric sources.


In the late 1970s, increasing evidence for forest decline arose [1] . The topic attracted a lot of public attention, followed by initiatives to reduce emissions and improve forest soils [2, 3] . In the mid 1980s, the nitrogen saturation hypothesis was brought up. Due to industrial processes the nitrogen input to forests has reached unprecedented levels [4] [5] [6] . It was expected that the release of ammonium into soils is harmful due to the proton generation during nitrification [7] [8] [9] . The formed nitrate is leached into the groundwater, and as a consequence base cations are lost. The nitrogen saturation hypothesis was expanded to nutrient imbalances; these occur as a consequence of high growth rates, caused by excess nitrogen, when other nutrients are in short supply [10] . Following the general trend, Austrian forest soils are affected by acidic deposition. Many sites are carrying a legacy of nutrient exploitation due to previous land-use practices. These sites were especially predisposed to acidification [11] . Soils formed on calcareous bedrock are less vulnerable. Historic forms of land use also have affected the nitrogen cycle. With respect to the nitrogen saturation hypothesis, it was expected that many forest soils were critically depleted in nitrogen in the past. These forest soils are, therefore, not easily oversaturated by incoming nitrogen, even when deposition loads exceed the actual nitrogen demand.

In the late 1970s, increasing evidence for forest decline arose.

The topic attracted a lot of public attention, followed by initiatives to reduce emissions and improve forest soils.

Due to industrial processes the nitrogen input to forests has reached unprecedented levels.

It was expected that the release of ammonium into soils is harmful due to the proton generation during nitrification.

The nitrogen saturation hypothesis was expanded to nutrient imbalances; these occur as a consequence of high growth rates, caused by excess nitrogen, when other nutrients are in short supply.

These sites were especially predisposed to acidification.


Forest disturbances are predicted to increase and have the potential to mobilize reasonable amounts of N as shown by our case studies and elsewhere [27] . The uncertainty regarding the identification of critical input rates cannot be a justification to ignore the challenge. From the viewpoint of the chemical quality of water from forest ecosystems, it is important to know the limit of nitrogen retention capacity.

Forest disturbances are predicted to increase and have the potential to mobilize reasonable amounts of N as shown by our case studies and elsewhere.


The present article attempts to shed light on the factors influencing the dominance of cattle-based systems in agrarian reform settlements, which contradict the agro-ecology and diversified production systems promoted by social movements. To this end, it presents the findings of several research activities undertaken in Southeastern Pará, a region that has long been targeted by development policies, and has therefore experienced significant growth associated, in part, with an expanding cattle sector. Today, this region is one of Brazil's largest beef exporting areas to international markets, as a result of concerted government investments to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and its subsequent designation as a FMD-free zone in 2007, open to international export under requirements of the World Organization for Animal Health [12] . The region also has a long history of land conflict, pitting the landless against large ranchers, and triggering political mobilization for the purposes of agrarian reform that has resulted in the creation of many SPs [4] .

Today, this region is one of Brazil's largest beef exporting areas to international markets, as a result of concerted government investments to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and its subsequent designation as a FMD-free zone in 2007, open to international export under requirements of the World Organization for Animal Health.

The region also has a long history of land conflict, pitting the landless against large ranchers, and triggering political mobilization for the purposes of agrarian reform that has resulted in the creation of many SPs.


The goal of the present paper is to examine the productive activities of smallholders living in SPs, and how expanding engagement with the global cattle economy is affecting land-use decisions in agrarian reform settlements that were created as a mechanism to alleviate poverty and promote food security through diversified and sustainable crop production. It does so by first charting the path of cattle expansion in the Brazilian Amazon, and linking this to skewed patterns of land ownership that have arisen in its wake. The paper then explores how agrarian reform movements have arisen as a consequence, with a particular emphasis on the formation of SPs through political mobilization that has been referred to as direct action land reform, or DALR [4] . Next, research results are presented that document the circumstances that have encouraged smallholders in Southeastern Pará to adopt livelihood systems focused on cattle, which is in contradiction to the environmental requirements for SP formation. In addition, findings give evidence to the emergent cattle production chain, including the practice of contract "calving" arrangements that link smallholders in SPs to large ranching operations and the appearance in the region of heavily capitalized corporate interests engaged in export.

The paper then explores how agrarian reform movements have arisen as a consequence, with a particular emphasis on the formation of SPs through political mobilization that has been referred to as direct action land reform, or DALR.


Multi-class categorization in a Machine Learning is based on assigning labels to instances that belong to a finite set of object classes N (N > 2). Nevertheless, designing a multi-classification technique is a difficult task. In this sense, it is common to conceive algorithms that distinguish between two classes and combine them following a special criterion. Pairwise (one-versus-one) voting scheme or one-versusall grouping strategy are the procedures most frequently used. Error Correcting Output Codes were born as a framework for handling multi-class problems using binary classifiers (Dietterich and Bakiri, 1995) . ECOC has shown to dramatically improve the classification accuracy of supervised learning algorithms in the multi-class case by reducing the variance of the learning algorithm and correcting errors caused by the bias of the learners (Dietterich and Kong, 1995) . Furthermore, ECOC has been successfully applied to a wide range of applications, such as face recognition, text recognition or manuscript digit classification (Zhou and Suen, 2005) .

Error Correcting Output Codes were born as a framework for handling multi-class problems using binary classifiers.

ECOC has shown to dramatically improve the classification accuracy of supervised learning algorithms in the multi-class case by reducing the variance of the learning algorithm and correcting errors caused by the bias of the learners.

Furthermore, ECOC has been successfully applied to a wide range of applications, such as face recognition, text recognition or manuscript digit classification.


Free-space optical (FSO) communications transmit high-quality signals and high-speed data rates by laser light propagation in free-space links. The main features of FSO communications are high directivity, unlicensed bandwidth, easy installation, and multi-gigabit mobile applications by using flexibility through a free-space link [1] - [6] . FSO communications have attracted a lot of attention as one of the promising candidates for wireless communications due to several advantages over the conventional radio frequency (RF)-based wireless communications. FSO communications are therefore developed with high expectation to overcome the wireless connection issues. A 10 m/25 Gb/s two-stage injection-locked 680-nm vertical-cavity surfaceemitting laser (VCSEL)-based light-based WiFi (LiFi) transmission system was demonstrated previously [7] , [8] . However, the performances of LiFi transmission systems can be further improved by employing three-stage injection-locked technique and the afocal scheme. Three-stage injection-locked technique has been used in optical fiber networks to improve the transmission performance of systems [9] , [10] . However, it has not been used as a system performance improvement technique in FSO communications. Three-stage injection-locked technique, which can significantly enhance the resonant frequency of the 1.55-m VCSEL for fiber transmission, is therefore expected to greatly increase the resonant frequency of the 680-nm VCSEL for FSO communication. The afocal scheme, which can greatly reduce the beam size of the collimated beam, is expected to provide longer free-space link in an FSO communication. In this paper, a 680-nm VCSEL-based FSO communication employing three-stage injection-locked technique and afocal scheme is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The free-space transmission rate is significantly increased by the three-stage injection-locked technique, and the free-space transmission distance is greatly extended by the afocal scheme. We successfully demonstrate that a 40 Gb/s data stream can be delivered to a maximum of 50 m free-space link. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first one that employs a three-stage injection-locked technique and afocal scheme in a 50 m/40 Gb/s FSO communication. With the assistance of low noise amplifier (LNA) and clock/data recovery (CDR) at the receiving site, low bit error rate (BER) of G 10 À9 and clear eye diagram at 50 m/40 Gb/s operation are achieved. A 4 Â 50 Gb/s wavelengthdivision-multiplexing (WDM) FSO communication has been demonstrated previously [11] . However, the transmission rate of each wavelength is the same as our proposed one but expensive high-bandwidth Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZMs) are needed. Furthermore, a 2 Â 80 Gb/s dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) bidirectional optical wireless link has been illustrated formerly [12] . Nevertheless, the transmission rate of each wavelength and the free-space transmission distance are far from than our proposed one. This proposed 680-nm VCSEL-based FSO communication is shown to be a distinguished one not only offers the advantages of a communication link for higher transmission rate (40 Gb/s) and longer free-space link (50 m) but reveals its feasibility for optical wireless communications as well.

The main features of FSO communications are high directivity, unlicensed bandwidth, easy installation, and multi-gigabit mobile applications by using flexibility through a free-space link.

A 10 m/25 Gb/s two-stage injection-locked 680-nm vertical-cavity surfaceemitting laser (VCSEL)-based light-based WiFi (LiFi) transmission system was demonstrated previously.

Three-stage injection-locked technique has been used in optical fiber networks to improve the transmission performance of systems.

A 4 Â 50 Gb/s wavelengthdivision-multiplexing (WDM) FSO communication has been demonstrated previously.

Furthermore, a 2 Â 80 Gb/s dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) bidirectional optical wireless link has been illustrated formerly.


Moreover, it has been shown that in several euryoxic bivalve molluscs there is only xanthine dehydrogenase and no xanthine oxidase activity (Dykens and Shick, 1988; Cancio and Cajaraville, 1997; Cancio and Cajaraville, 1999) . This was interpreted as a mechanism to avoid the harmful effects of ROS that would be produced by xanthine oxidase during periods following anoxic conditions at low tides. Xanthine dehydrogenase can also produce superoxide anion radical, although only 10-25% of the amount that xanthine oxidase produces (Kooij et al., 1994; Sanders et al., 1997) .

Moreover, it has been shown that in several euryoxic bivalve molluscs there is only xanthine dehydrogenase and no xanthine oxidase activity.

Xanthine dehydrogenase can also produce superoxide anion radical, although only 10-25% of the amount that xanthine oxidase produces.


A study conducted in 10 pharmacy schools in the United States demonstrated that the majority of students agreed that CAM knowledge would be needed in future pharmacy practice, however they did not necessarily possess that knowledge at the time of questioning. Students also agreed that there are limitations to conventional medicine and that patient's values and beliefs should be integrated into the patient care process. Furthermore, the study concluded that female students and those who had previous experience with CAM exhibited a more favorable attitude towards CAM [6] .

Furthermore, the study concluded that female students and those who had previous experience with CAM exhibited a more favorable attitude towards CAM.


The indentation cycle (loading and unloading) was simulated using the prescribed displacement of the penetrator, allowing better numerical control at the outset and during simulation of the test [10] . In addition to this numerical control, the test was executed in two phases, one on the downstroke of the penetrator, and the other on the upstroke, completing the cycle. Incremental analysis of the problem used one hundred centimeters for both the loading and unloading phases. Numerical representation used four-node isoparametric flat elements. In order to obtain better distribution of field stresses and strains in the contact region of the indenter and at the interface with the substrate, a more refined grid was used in these regions (Figure 2) . The decrease in element size increases their number in these regions, raising computational costs, but reducing instability in the numerical result of the loading curve as a function of displacement in these simulations [1] .

The indentation cycle (loading and unloading) was simulated using the prescribed displacement of the penetrator, allowing better numerical control at the outset and during simulation of the test.

The decrease in element size increases their number in these regions, raising computational costs, but reducing instability in the numerical result of the loading curve as a function of displacement in these simulations.


Indentation tests have been applied to determine surface hardness in different classes of materials [2] . On the other hand, the instrumented indentation test is conducted using precision equipment equipped with sensors that monitor variations in penetration depth (h) of a penetrator as a function of applied load (F), when it penetrates the study material, reaching maximum displacement, then returning to the initial position, completing a loading and unloading cycle. However, implementation of this indentation technique to assess mechanical properties and the results obtained still raise doubts in the scientific community. According to the literature, these problems are more serious when assessing the mechanical behaviour of thin films deposited on soft substrates [3] . However, due to their versatility, a large number of studies have been carried out to investigate new technologies and applications for these assays. Recent proposals used indentation tests as a tool to assess the mechanical characteristics of materials and surface hardness, such as modulus of elasticity (E), Poisson's ratio (ν), fracture toughness (K IC ) and a stress curve as a function of elastic/plastic strain behaviour [4] - [7] .

Indentation tests have been applied to determine surface hardness in different classes of materials.

According to the literature, these problems are more serious when assessing the mechanical behaviour of thin films deposited on soft substrates.

Recent proposals used indentation tests as a tool to assess the mechanical characteristics of materials and surface hardness, such as modulus of elasticity (E), Poisson's ratio (ν), fracture toughness (K IC ) and a stress curve as a function of elastic/plastic strain behaviour.


Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the only curative treatment option for many malignant diseases due to the beneficial immunological graft-versusleukemia (GVL) effect [1] . However, (acute) graft-versushost disease ((a)GVHD) continues to be a major complication after allo-HCT. This syndrome is caused by donor T cells that attack the intestinal tract, liver, and skin [2] . Early diagnosis remains challenging and to date mainly relies on clinical symptoms and histopathology. When clinical symptoms are readily detected, response to therapy is rarely beneficial to the patient. Therefore, a predictive test to identify patients at risk before the visible onset of aGVHD is highly desirable.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the only curative treatment option for many malignant diseases due to the beneficial immunological graft-versusleukemia (GVL) effect.

This syndrome is caused by donor T cells that attack the intestinal tract, liver, and skin.


Forti®ed wines are fermented or partly fermented wines which have been supplemented with distilled spirit of grape origin. These include products as diverse as port and madeira (Portugal), sherry (Spain), vins doux naturels (France) and various other products from Australia, South Africa or USA, which may or may not be produced to resemble the European products listed. Many forti®ed wines are produced in such a way that their composition enables them to withstand considerable ageing either in bottle or in wooden cask, the characteristics developed during this ageing being perceived as essential to their style. Tokay wines, which originate from Hungary, range from dry to sweet and are characterised by a large amount of extract, displaying characteristic¯avour and aroma (FarkasÏ , 1988) . Tokay AszuÂ wines, which are the best known of these wines, are aged for at least 4 years in wooden cask, their characteristics lead them to be considered in the same category as wood-aged forti®ed wines and for this reason they are included in this study.

Tokay wines, which originate from Hungary, range from dry to sweet and are characterised by a large amount of extract, displaying characteristic¯avour and aroma.


At the second stage tasks of wave propagation from the point-sources in semi-infinite elastic medium are reviewed. At this stage tasks of vibration of semi-infinite elastic medium surface from different point-sources of waves at various depths with account of waves reflected from free surface are solved. The solutions make it possible to evaluate a dynamic impact on the environment in case of earthquake, as well as the dynamic impact of different devices and machines used for underground works. This paper deals with a task of waves propagation from the point-sources of different types in the 2 Advances in Materials Science and Engineering infinite space. In the performance of the tasks the Fourier integral transform and generalized functions are used [1] [2] [3] .

In the performance of the tasks the Fourier integral transform and generalized functions are used.


The achieved method is used upon getting of functions describing wave propagation from different sources. Wave radiation patterns from such sources are provided below with the required clarifications. Propagation of stress waves from the point-sources of different types acting in the infinite elastic medium. Figures 1-10 have been obtained with use of MATLAB program complex [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] .

Figures 1-10 have been obtained with use of MATLAB program complex.


Cheeses made from raw milk have a higher flavor intensity than cheeses made from pasteurized milk [7, 8, 9] . Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that the production of volatile compounds varies considerably between bacterial isolates and is strain dependent [10, 11, 12, 13] . Cheese made from raw milk is therefore particularly complex due to the varying composition of microbes [14, 15] . Most of the studies that compare flavor compounds and bacteria in cheese use chemical analytical instruments such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry [12] . In contrast, our study is based on quantitative descriptive sensory methods. Sensory methods study the sensory attributes of products, e.g. cheese, giving a profile consisting of basic taste, flavor and/or texture for the analyzed product. This profiling is carried out by selected and trained assessors, which form a panel with the purpose of objectively evaluating the products [16] .

Cheeses made from raw milk have a higher flavor intensity than cheeses made from pasteurized milk.

Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that the production of volatile compounds varies considerably between bacterial isolates and is strain dependent.

Cheese made from raw milk is therefore particularly complex due to the varying composition of microbes.

Most of the studies that compare flavor compounds and bacteria in cheese use chemical analytical instruments such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

This profiling is carried out by selected and trained assessors, which form a panel with the purpose of objectively evaluating the products.


Recently, the authors had presented some preliminary anti-tarnishing results of the silver solid solution phase with indium [23] . In the present work, we have designed a new quantitative test method and performed the reaction experiments with well-controlled and repeatable environments. The authors hope to establish this method as a standard anti-tarnishing test method for silver-based alloys. In the following sections, silver solid solution phase with indium, designated as (Ag)-xxIn in this paper, are produced in polycrystalline ingot form at two different compositions. After examining their chemical composition using SEM/EDX and XRD, the prepared samples are tested in the designed sulfurization experiment. The details of the design of the sulfurization test experiment have been described. Experimental results are reported, analyzed, and discussed. Finally, a summary is then given.

Recently, the authors had presented some preliminary anti-tarnishing results of the silver solid solution phase with indium.

Finally, a summary is then given.


Furthermore, the SMA with the most theoretically compatible interfaces reported to date but no precipitates, Zn 45 Au 30 Cu 25 fractured after some 16,000? cycles through phase transformation without any load [20] . NiTiCu alloys with precipitates yet worse compatibility, however, have demonstrated 10 7 fully reversed transformation cycles under load [5] . Growth of precipitates has also been shown to dramatically reduce hysteresis [1] . Thus, it is clear that while theoretically rational, the established methodology of screening alloys solely based on compatibility of austenite-martensite interfaces is incomplete in its ability to evaluate all engineering aspects of SMAs. Still, the alternative program of decade-long alloy development programs is expensive and cumbersome.

Furthermore, the SMA with the most theoretically compatible interfaces reported to date but no precipitates, Zn 45 Au 30 Cu 25 fractured after some 16,000? cycles through phase transformation without any load.

NiTiCu alloys with precipitates yet worse compatibility, however, have demonstrated 10 7 fully reversed transformation cycles under load.

Growth of precipitates has also been shown to dramatically reduce hysteresis.


Shape memory behaviors in alloys are enabled by a thermoelastic martensitic transformation between a hightemperature, high-symmetry austenite phase and a lowtemperature, low-symmetry martensite phase [7] . Overall SMA performance is generally defined in terms of operating temperatures, mechanical work, life, and energy dissipation/efficiency. Operating temperatures for SMAs are defined with respect to the start (s) and finish (f) temperatures for transforming to austenite (A) and martensite (M) phases, A s , A f , M s , and M f . Mechanical work is the integrated area under the stress-strain curve; thus, higher transformation stresses and/or strains increase this & Aaron P. Stebner astebner@mines.edu performance metric. Life, for SMAs, can refer to cycles to material failure (structural fatigue) or cycles to operational failure (functional fatigue) [8] . Finally, energy dissipation/efficiency is dictated by the transformation hysteresis which is a direct measure of the energy dissipated during forward and reverse phase transformation [9, 10] . Hence, hysteresis and the life of SMAs are related, as small hysteresis is an indicator of highly reversible transformation and low amounts of damage or irreversible plastic deformation incurred during the phase transformation process.

Shape memory behaviors in alloys are enabled by a thermoelastic martensitic transformation between a hightemperature, high-symmetry austenite phase and a lowtemperature, low-symmetry martensite phase.

Life, for SMAs, can refer to cycles to material failure (structural fatigue) or cycles to operational failure (functional fatigue).

Finally, energy dissipation/efficiency is dictated by the transformation hysteresis which is a direct measure of the energy dissipated during forward and reverse phase transformation.


The values of the second cofactor condition, CC2, for cubic-to-monoclinic alloys are shown in Fig. 12 . For Modes A-C, CC2 decreases as k II approaches unity and as composition decreases. For Mode D (Fig. 12k-n , and this is even closer-to-ideal than Zn 45 Au 30 Cu 25 , which has CC2 values of roughly 5.0e-5 and 8.1e-4 for its two Compound modes, 4.0e-5 and 9.9e-4 for its two Type I modes, and 3.6e-5 and 9.9e-4 for its two Type II modes [20] . The unaged 20Hf Ni has the second lowest CC2 after aged 20Hf Ni at 3.0e-5.

For Mode D (Fig. 12k-n , and this is even closer-to-ideal than Zn 45 Au 30 Cu 25 , which has CC2 values of roughly 5.0e-5 and 8.1e-4 for its two Compound modes, 4.0e-5 and 9.9e-4 for its two Type I modes, and 3.6e-5 and 9.9e-4 for its two Type II modes.


Accurate prognostic indicators for patients' survival in ICU are important and helpful to guide clinical decision making. The development of several scoring systems enabled the critical care physician to accurately and reliably measure the severity of illness in ICU. The scoring system in ICU should assess various degrees of organ dysfunction starting from normal function to organ failure; assessment of organ dysfunction needs to be based on simple, easy repeatable variables specific to the desired organ, readily available and able to reflect the dynamic changes of illness over time [2] . SOFA score has been used to determine individual severity; it allows for repeated measurements of multiple organ dysfunction or failure and consequently, acts as an index for determining either sequential improvement or deterioration of the pathological status of the patients during their ICU stay [7] .

The scoring system in ICU should assess various degrees of organ dysfunction starting from normal function to organ failure; assessment of organ dysfunction needs to be based on simple, easy repeatable variables specific to the desired organ, readily available and able to reflect the dynamic changes of illness over time.

SOFA score has been used to determine individual severity; it allows for repeated measurements of multiple organ dysfunction or failure and consequently, acts as an index for determining either sequential improvement or deterioration of the pathological status of the patients during their ICU stay.


In this paper, we have discussed how to integrate the IBE, IBPRE identity related techniques into a E-health cloud system to achieve its confidential property. We have presented the system model and show how to properly use these identity related primitives to achieve the security objective. We have also proposed a new IBE scheme, which does not rely in the IBE's three frameworks [11] . The main novelty is the way we have embedded the master key in the private key. We have proven this IBE is IND-sID-CPA secure in the standard model based on a related DBDH assumption in the bilinear groups. Based on this new IBE scheme, we have proposed a new IBPRE scheme, which is IND-ID-CCA2 secure, efficient for the proxy and master secret secure. Finally we have given the performance analysis on the critical part of our E-health system, the IBPRE scheme. These results showed the IBE, IBPRE identity related techniques are suitable for securing E-health cloud systems.

We have also proposed a new IBE scheme, which does not rely in the IBE's three frameworks.


The species now numbers around 1300 seals, principally in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands but with increasing numbers in the main Hawaiian Islands [2, 20, 35] . The key factor in the recent decline of Hawaiian monk seals is poor survival of juvenile seals, hypothesized to be related to poor foraging success. Consequently, the basic motivation of contemporary data collection is to learn where the animals go to forage geographically and vertically. Such information is needed for management and conservation purposes. This work studies the geographic movements of a single animal preparatory to analysis of a larger data set.

The species now numbers around 1300 seals, principally in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands but with increasing numbers in the main Hawaiian Islands.


In contrast to earlier comparative empirical work on support provision between parents and children in Europe, we chose not to cluster countries by welfare regimes (Albertini, Kohli and Vogel 2007) . Although this hampers the comparability of our findings with those of previous research, we argue that examining individual countries provides more nuanced insights into macro-level differences and how they are translated at the micro-level. The variations in the aggregate level of financial support from parents to adult children among the ten countries have shown that, on the whole, within-cluster differences were just as large as between-cluster differences. When the considerable compositional differences between countries were taken into account, the differences in the likelihood of support receipt were reduced, and those that remained were not consistent with the three commonly-used welfare regimes. Furthermore, we have not found evidence that the generosity of the welfare state consistently influences the likelihood of transfer receipt by specific groups of children. The likelihoods of receipts from retired parents did not differ across the countries, and the same applied to adult children who received childcare support from the state.

In contrast to earlier comparative empirical work on support provision between parents and children in Europe, we chose not to cluster countries by welfare regimes.


We highlighted major time-dependent and size-independent changes over time in beech radial growth at the scale of Belgium. The effects of tree developmental stage (i.e., increasing tree size) were filtered out as they were related to a decline in forest productivity and to an increased sensitivity to disturbances [16, 17, 19, 20] . Consequently, the highlighted changes cannot be attributed to size-or age-related processes. We identified changes in the low-frequency signal (growth rate) and in the high-frequency variability (growth variability), as they were related to different sources of change over time in the forest ecosystem.

The effects of tree developmental stage (i.e., increasing tree size) were filtered out as they were related to a decline in forest productivity and to an increased sensitivity to disturbances.


Much of the HSs used in organic fertilizers is derived from leonardite, a material with a HSs content of over 90 wt%. In Brazil leonardite deposits are not found, so one has to consider other sources of HSs, such as mineral coal, lignite, worm compost and peat. Mineral coal is not an attractive source because it contains less than10 wt% in HSs (Clasen et al., 1998) . Lignite recovery is not economical. Worm composts contain up to 80 wt% of HSs, but are cumbersome and expensive for large scale production (Castilhos et al., 2008) . An attractive alternative is peat, which contains HSs in acceptable concentrations, varying between 20 and 40 wt%, and is simple to recover either from surface deposits or as a byproduct in sand mining (Davis, 1985) .

Mineral coal is not an attractive source because it contains less than10 wt% in HSs.

Lignite recovery is not economical.

Worm composts contain up to 80 wt% of HSs, but are cumbersome and expensive for large scale production.

An attractive alternative is peat, which contains HSs in acceptable concentrations, varying between 20 and 40 wt%, and is simple to recover either from surface deposits or as a byproduct in sand mining.


Remark 2 A side benefit of our new proof is the inclusion of the n D 6 case. In fact, our proof is also valid in dimension five when all of the groups involved are 'good' in the sense of Freedman and Quinn [4] . In that dimension the pseudo-collar structure obtained is purely topological-as opposed to PL or smooth. This parallels the status of Siebenmann's theorem in dimension 5. We discuss dimensions Ä 4 at the end of this section.

In fact, our proof is also valid in dimension five when all of the groups involved are 'good' in the sense of Freedman and Quinn.


Most work on embedding-based analogy detection uses relational similarities as a measure of the quality of embeddings. However, relatively little has been done in the opposite direction, exploring how to leverage embeddings for improving relational similarity algorithms. We empirically study the use of word embeddings for Chinese analogy detection and mining, leveraging syntactic dependencies, which has been shown to be closely associated with semantic relations (Levin, 1993; Chiu et al., 2007) . Compared with many other languages, this association is particularly strong for Chinese, which is fully configurational and lacks morphology. To our knowledge, relatively little work has been reported on Chinese relational similarities, compared to other tasks in Chinese NLP, including syntactic parsing, information extraction and machine translation.

We empirically study the use of word embeddings for Chinese analogy detection and mining, leveraging syntactic dependencies, which has been shown to be closely associated with semantic relations.


In accordance with our results about PON1Q/R192 are various human studies on OPs toxicities, in several countries under different circumstances, reported that human toxicity with Ops differed according to their genotypes and PON1 polymorphism. In the Gulf area in 1990-1991, studies investigated PON1 polymorphisms in military personnel, who were exposed to low levels of sarin, OP insecticides, in addition to several other biological and chemical agents [25, 26] . They found that PON1R192 homozygotes or PON1Q/R192 heterozygotes were more likely to have neurologic symptoms than individuals homozygous for PONQ192 [26] . Low activity of the plasma PON1Q192 isoform also appeared to better correlate with illness than the PON1 genotype or the activity levels of the PON1R192 genotype [27] . Another study on South African workers, reported that symptoms of chronic OP toxicity were significantly more likely among subjects with the QQ or QR genotypes than those with the RR genotype [28] . A different supporting study is an occupational one on Brazilian agricultural workers, which conveyed that workers with homozygotes for PON1Q192 presented with higher genotoxic effects (as determined by a higher lymphocyte micronucleus frequency) than other workers [29] . However, this population of workers was exposed to a large number of pesticides; among the few OPs, none was a known PON1 substrate. Thus, the significance of this finding is obscure, at best. In a similar study in India, agricultural workers exposed to unknown OP insecticides were reported to have higher DNA damage in lymphocytes if they had low PON1 status (only identified as QQ/MM genotypes) [30] . Another study in Spain investigated the association between PON1 statuses, OP exposure and thyroid function [31] . Results indicated that impaired thyroid function in OP-exposed agricultural workers was greater in individuals with lower PON1 activity.

In the Gulf area in 1990-1991, studies investigated PON1 polymorphisms in military personnel, who were exposed to low levels of sarin, OP insecticides, in addition to several other biological and chemical agents.

They found that PON1R192 homozygotes or PON1Q/R192 heterozygotes were more likely to have neurologic symptoms than individuals homozygous for PONQ192.

Low activity of the plasma PON1Q192 isoform also appeared to better correlate with illness than the PON1 genotype or the activity levels of the PON1R192 genotype.

Another study on South African workers, reported that symptoms of chronic OP toxicity were significantly more likely among subjects with the QQ or QR genotypes than those with the RR genotype.

A different supporting study is an occupational one on Brazilian agricultural workers, which conveyed that workers with homozygotes for PON1Q192 presented with higher genotoxic effects (as determined by a higher lymphocyte micronucleus frequency) than other workers.

In a similar study in India, agricultural workers exposed to unknown OP insecticides were reported to have higher DNA damage in lymphocytes if they had low PON1 status (only identified as QQ/MM genotypes).

Another study in Spain investigated the association between PON1 statuses, OP exposure and thyroid function.


The hypothetical control rod ejection in a Pressurized Water Reactor leads to a rapid RIA, which triggers rapid thermal expansion of the fuel pellets. These pellets expansion induced a strain-controlled loading on the cladding at approximately 1 s -1 circumferential strain rate [1] . This phase is referred to as PCMI (Pellet Cladding Mechanical Interaction). Such a 1 s -1 strain rate is susceptible to cause an important increase of the cladding temperature due to plastic heat dissipation. The aim of the present study is to quantify this temperature increase and its effect on the Zircaloy-4 cladding tubes behavior and fracture.

These pellets expansion induced a strain-controlled loading on the cladding at approximately 1 s -1 circumferential strain rate.


We have shown in this paper that the unifying concept underlying the line-process and robust-statistical approaches is the notion of outlier rejection. The generalization of line process to outlier processes makes the connection to robust statistics clear. Moreover, the elimination of the outlier processes by minimization (e.g., Blake and Zisserman) or by integration (e.g., Mean-Field approaches) provides the connection to robust estimation approaches based on influence functions (Hampel et al., 1986) .

Moreover, the elimination of the outlier processes by minimization (e.g., Blake and Zisserman) or by integration (e.g., Mean-Field approaches) provides the connection to robust estimation approaches based on influence functions.


Glaciers in the European Alps have been withdrawing since the Little ice age ended in 1850, creating chronosequences that can be used to study soil formation and vegetation succession (Matthews 1992) . Just after a glacier has withdrawn, the rocky 'soil' lacks practically any organic material, and therefore nitrogen (N), whereas phosphorus (P) is present mainly as apatite (Matthews 1992) . Total N in the soil usually increases exponentially during the first 100 years after deglaciation, after which it reaches a plateau (Chapin et al. 1994; Jacobson and Birks 1980; Matthews 1992; Walker 1993) . In contrast, total P usually declines with soil development as a result of weathering processes (Menge et al. 2012; Walker and Syers 1976) . This increase in N and decrease in P means that the factor limiting plant growth may shift after several hundred to many thousands of years from N to P (Chapin et al. 1994; Wardle et al. 2004) .

Glaciers in the European Alps have been withdrawing since the Little ice age ended in 1850, creating chronosequences that can be used to study soil formation and vegetation succession.

Just after a glacier has withdrawn, the rocky 'soil' lacks practically any organic material, and therefore nitrogen (N), whereas phosphorus (P) is present mainly as apatite.

Total N in the soil usually increases exponentially during the first 100 years after deglaciation, after which it reaches a plateau.

In contrast, total P usually declines with soil development as a result of weathering processes.

This increase in N and decrease in P means that the factor limiting plant growth may shift after several hundred to many thousands of years from N to P.


This information on how different management interventions succeed over a range of futures makes it possible to be prepared to adapt should circumstance change from what is expected. Adaptive management is a decision making process that facilitates the prioritisation of management interventions based on level of necessity, along with the freedom to change these priorities over time (Lempert and Groves 2010; Ranger et al. 2010) . When preparing an adaptive management plan, it's important to have a portfolio of different management actions that can respond to different system conditions. To place heavy investment in management options for a severe future without full evidence of its actuality would not be prudent and likewise, to not be prepared to shift management direction towards options that safeguard for severe conditions would not be responsible. The management options explored in this paper are not designed as adaptive portfolios, but are investigated as different options that could become part of an adaptive management plan.

Adaptive management is a decision making process that facilitates the prioritisation of management interventions based on level of necessity, along with the freedom to change these priorities over time.


Unfortunately, despite of the recent advances in optical technologies that are fostering the deployment of such transparent optical networks, the physical layer impairments (PLIs) of the optical transmission systems prevent it from taking place, at least, in the short-medium term [1] . In fact, while transparency implies that the physical layer must support end-to-end communication, actually the transmission reach of optical signals is limited due to the accumulation of PLIs such as cross-talk, chromatic and polarization-mode dispersion, opticalfiber nonlinearities, amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise, etc. Such PLIs cause signals' quality of transmission (QoT),-for example the Bit Error Rate (BER), -to drop beyond an acceptable level making the correct reception at destination unviable. To go beyond this limit, re-timing, re-shaping, and re-amplifying the optical signal by means of 3R regeneration is essential. Unlikely, optical 3R regenerators are still not available and transparency is feasible only in limited-size networks.

Unfortunately, despite of the recent advances in optical technologies that are fostering the deployment of such transparent optical networks, the physical layer impairments (PLIs) of the optical transmission systems prevent it from taking place, at least, in the short-medium term.


For that very reason, translucent (or semi-transparent) optical networks are emerging as a promising solution for bridging the gap between opaque and transparent networks. Indeed, translucent networks combine features of both opaque and transparent networks strategically placing OEO regeneration (i.e. by means of OEO conversion) only at selected points in the network [2] . The so-called regenerator placement (RP) problem arises: an RP algorithm must be able to find both the minimum number of regenerators and their exact location for a network topology so that for every source-destination node pair a path can be established. This approach eliminates much of the required electronic processing and allows a signal to remain in the optical domain for much of its path.

Indeed, translucent networks combine features of both opaque and transparent networks strategically placing OEO regeneration (i.e. by means of OEO conversion) only at selected points in the network.


The influence of a-LA on the development of diabetesassociated vascular changes is poorly understood. It has recently been reported that a-LA can reduce dyslipidaemia associated with obesity in rats and with the development of diabetes in streptozotocin-treated/apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (Yi and Maeda, 2006) . The aim of our study was to assess the effect of a-LA on development of dyslipidaemia, local and systemic oxidative stress and NOrelated endothelial dysfunction in aged Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a model of non-obese type 2 diabetes. We show here that a-LA leads to significant diminishing of all biomarkers of oxidative stress evaluated and significantly ameliorates the accelerated atherosclerosis, microalbuminuria and endothelial dysfunction observed in aged diabetic GK rats with hyperlipidaemia through a mechanism that involves eNOS recoupling.

It has recently been reported that a-LA can reduce dyslipidaemia associated with obesity in rats and with the development of diabetes in streptozotocin-treated/apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.


Endothelial dysfunction is an early and crucial event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. It is characterized by a shift in the actions of the endothelium towards reduced vasodilation, a proinflammatory state, and prothrombic properties and is associated with several risk factors, such as hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, diabetes and ageing (Schalkwijk and Stehouwer, 2005) . The predisposition to atherosclerosis in diabetes appears to be the consequence of pathogenic dyslipidaemia in insulin-resistant states, which is characterized by hypertriglyceridaemia, as well as increased concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (Goldberg, 2001) .

It is characterized by a shift in the actions of the endothelium towards reduced vasodilation, a proinflammatory state, and prothrombic properties and is associated with several risk factors, such as hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, diabetes and ageing.

The predisposition to atherosclerosis in diabetes appears to be the consequence of pathogenic dyslipidaemia in insulin-resistant states, which is characterized by hypertriglyceridaemia, as well as increased concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.


Service composition has received much attention in the last decade. This is due to its potential to build complex web service-based applications from elementary component services, thus, causing a considerable momentum to Service Oriented Computing [19] . During this period, a large number of research projects have treated with the service composition based on Workflow Patterns This survey is mainly characterized by presenting a broader literature review than other related surveys, encompassing approaches that employ very different strategies and techniques for generating service compositions. Its other unique feature is to evaluate the ability of the approaches for generating compositions containing the well-established workflow patterns [68] . The results presented here are important for establishing a synthetic panorama of the approaches' potentialities in addition to providing an updated literature review on this research subject which has been extensively studied in the last decade.

This is due to its potential to build complex web service-based applications from elementary component services, thus, causing a considerable momentum to Service Oriented Computing.

Its other unique feature is to evaluate the ability of the approaches for generating compositions containing the well-established workflow patterns.


Natural gas and petroleum transmission pipeline system is one of the most important infrastructures and is considered as economic and safe way, that is used worldwide efficiently of transporting a large volume of natural gas or crude oil over a long distance [1] [2] [3] . One of the challenges facing the oil and gas industry is the assurance of more reliable and fail-safe operations of the infrastructure for production and transportation [4] . Modern gas steel pipelinesare built with large-diameter, thin-wall pipes in highstrength, high-toughness steels, and is designed to be worked under high internal pressure with high performance. As well as to reduce the cost of construction and operation for a pipeline system [1, 3, 5] . In order to maintain structural integrity of components such as large-diameter pipelines and to prevent fracture by unstable longitudinal dynamic propagation of cracks, a minimum toughness level is required for pipeline steels [6] .

Natural gas and petroleum transmission pipeline system is one of the most important infrastructures and is considered as economic and safe way, that is used worldwide efficiently of transporting a large volume of natural gas or crude oil over a long distance.

One of the challenges facing the oil and gas industry is the assurance of more reliable and fail-safe operations of the infrastructure for production and transportation.

As well as to reduce the cost of construction and operation for a pipeline system.

In order to maintain structural integrity of components such as large-diameter pipelines and to prevent fracture by unstable longitudinal dynamic propagation of cracks, a minimum toughness level is required for pipeline steels.


We calculated the complete one-loop effective action for the considered theory in the framework of the background superfield method in N = (1, 0) harmonic superspace. We restricted our attention to the special case of the slowly varying background superfields satisfying the free classical equations of motion. We also assumed that background superfields align in the Cartan subalgebra of su (2) . The obtained result (4.29) for the effective action is the complete one-loop effective action for the six-dimensional N = (1, 1) SYM theory in the constant background approximation.

We also assumed that background superfields align in the Cartan subalgebra of su.


Electroencephalographic data (EEG) measured on the scalp suffer from a smoothing effect of the skull, which acts as a spatial low-pass filter. Surface Laplacian methods are often used to sharpen the data, but they do not take into account the 3D head geometry of the particular subject [23] . Cortical mapping methods are therefore needed, that aim to reconstruct electric field inside the brain from the surface measurements, taking advantage of the physical model for a specific subject.

Surface Laplacian methods are often used to sharpen the data, but they do not take into account the 3D head geometry of the particular subject.


The rationale for this is that farmers need to monitor the harvested paddy grain and adjust their combine harvester operation settings (such as travelling speed, threshing depth, sieves, wind blower, etc.) to optimize grain yield, minimize grain damage and quality deterioration, and minimize dockage (see Table 1 ). Currently, in order to do this, though, they need to continually stop the harvester and inspect the harvested paddy grain in the grain tank during harvesting. Improper adjustment of operating parameters can lead to grain damage, increased grain loss, excessive unwanted material (straw, grass and etc.) and clogging [8, 9] . Moreover, the farmers can only qualitatively assess the damaged grain and amount of dockage in the harvested grain, leading to inconsistent assessment, and an assessment that is highly dependent on the experience and expertise of the farmer.

Improper adjustment of operating parameters can lead to grain damage, increased grain loss, excessive unwanted material (straw, grass and etc.) and clogging.


Clinical experience also has long favored diclofenac resulting in it becoming one of the most commonly used NSAIDs in the world. Concerns about hepatotoxicity of diclofenac have caused some clinicians to hesitate to use it as first line agent. Topical diclofenac produces analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects similar to the oral, systemic dosage forms, without the systemic levels that are believed to produce the hepatotoxicity. As the amount and frequency of topical formulation applied at painful site may vary, it is important to recognize that use of excessive amounts topically may cause systemic adverse effects including major GI bleeding [78] . Both clinicians and patents should follow the manufacturers' safety recommendations regarding the amount of drug to apply. For diclofenac 1% gel that is 16 g of gel per joint daily for a maximum 24-hour total of 32 g of the gel. The data on the two most extensively studied topical NSAIDs, diclofenac and ketoprofen, suggests that topical administration of both these agents at the recommended doses does not produce the plasma concentrations that are associated with systemic adverse effects. Diclofenac epolamine plasters produce the lowest plasma concentration of diclofenac, while diclofenac solution with DMSO appears to produce the highest penetration into the deep tissues and systemic circulation.

As the amount and frequency of topical formulation applied at painful site may vary, it is important to recognize that use of excessive amounts topically may cause systemic adverse effects including major GI bleeding.


Acquisition of o-sec delay matching. Acquisitionof MTO matching with temporal and color samples immediately followed preliminary training. All pigeons were trained with the same set of sample stimuli (red or green colored fields, and 2-or 8-sec illumination of crossed diagonal lines) and the same set of comparison stimuli (vertical and horizontal lines) at a O-sec delay. Each trial began with the warning stimulus (black dot on a white background) presented on the center key. A single peck to it resulted in presentation of one of the four sample stimuli on the center key. The color samples were presented for 4 sec, because this is an approximate estimate of the point of subjective equality between 2-and 8-sec temporal samples for pigeons (Spetch & Wilkie, 1983) . Immediately following the offset of the sample stimulus, the comparison stimuli were presented. For 8 birds, a peck to the vertical line comparison following either a red or a 2-sec sample and a peck to the horizontal line comparison following a green or an 8-sec sample was correct. For the remaining 8 birds, the relationship between the samples and the correct comparison stimulus was reversed. A single peck to the comparison stimuli turned them off and if correct permitted a 2-to 3-sec access to mixed grain. Reinforcement time was varied slightly between birds in order to maintain them at their 80% adlib weight. When necessary, supplementary feedings of Purina Pigeon Chow occurred after the experimental sessions. Incorrect responses to the comparison stimuli added 3 sec to the 20-sec IT!.

Acquisition of o-sec delay matching.

The color samples were presented for 4 sec, because this is an approximate estimate of the point of subjective equality between 2-and 8-sec temporal samples for pigeons.


It is interesting to note that several species of North American native parasitoids, Atanycolus spp., Spathius floridanus Ashmead, S. laflammei Provancher, S. simillimus Ashmead, Phasgonophora sulcata Westwood, and one accidentally introduced Asiatic wasp Balcha indica (Mani and Kaul), have been recently reported attacking the invasive emerald ash borer. One group of native parasitoids, Atanycolus spp., has recently become the dominant mortality factor associated with emerald ash borer, attacking >50% of A. planipennis larvae at some forest sites in Michigan (USA) [19, 33] . The potential of both the native (new-association) parasitoids and the introduced (old-association) parasitoids A diverse group of hymenopteran parasitoids attacks eggs and larvae of Agrilus woodborers in North America, Asia, and Europe. Literature review of this genus, in regards to its parasitoid guild, has interest due to the introduction of two species in North America (GSOB and EAB). In biological control, parasitoid species of invasive pests are often introduced from the land of origin, if proved to be safe (not become a pest themselves). In addition, new-association parasitoids that inhabit the region prior to the pest introduction sometimes exert pressure on this newly arrived pest and offer opportunity for research and augmentation of indigenous parasitoid populations. Our literature review has provided documentation of research activities for 12 egg parasitoid species and 56 larval parasitoid species. These parasitoids are identified from 19 species of Agrilus, a small representation of almost 3000 described, that attack 18 recorded plant types (13 hardwoods, 5 shrubs). Being a diverse genus, these results show a wealth of research opportunities for further work on Agrilus parasitoids worldwide. Nearly two thirds (64.3%) of the literature found was published after year 2000. Twentyseven of 83 entries (32.5%), in Table 2 Although Agrilus species are relatively host specific, because of larvae's concealed nature, early stages and damage are difficult to assess and take much effort to obtain. This has implications on finding and identifying parasitoid complexes for biocontrol and may be a reason for so little literature. Of those parasitoid species found in association with EAB, some are ectoparasitoids and known to attack woodborers in different families (e.g., Cerambycidae). While data from the current literature do not show any particular relationship between host specificity and mode of parasitization (endoversus ectoparasitoids), further research is needed to investigate such relationship.

One group of native parasitoids, Atanycolus spp., has recently become the dominant mortality factor associated with emerald ash borer, attacking >50% of A. planipennis larvae at some forest sites in Michigan (USA).


The influence of Marangoni flow on chemical waves in a bistable system has been first investigated theoretically for shallow layers enabling lubrication approximation [5, 6] . The chemical model was later extended to the two-component FitzHugh-Nagumo system, which is pattern-forming in its own right [7] . Further numerical modeling confirmed that Marangoni flow may change relative stability of the two stable steady states, reversing in some cases the direction of propagation of the front [8] .

The influence of Marangoni flow on chemical waves in a bistable system has been first investigated theoretically for shallow layers enabling lubrication approximation.

The chemical model was later extended to the two-component FitzHugh-Nagumo system, which is pattern-forming in its own right.

Further numerical modeling confirmed that Marangoni flow may change relative stability of the two stable steady states, reversing in some cases the direction of propagation of the front.


Since the asynchronisity of the two modes occurs in practice, an algorithm that can handle this should be provided. There are two main types of multimodal recognition methods: one integrates signals at the feature level (featurefusion) and the other at the semantic level (decisionfusion) [1] . Feature fusion combines multiple input streams in a single feature space. The correlation structure between the two modes can be taken into account automatically via learning. Feature fusion is generally appropriate for closely coupled and synchronized modes, such as speech and lip movements [2] . However, continuous speech and pen inputs often differ in their input speeds and beginning times. For these semi-synchronous inputs, integrating modes at the feature level is difficult. On the other hand, decision fusion generally includes an individual recognizer for each mode and combines the output ofthe recognizers after the input finishes. These individual recognizers can be trained using unimodal data, which are relatively easy to collect or are already publicly available for modes like speech and handwriting [1] . However, decision fusion cannot fully utilize the correlated information of multiple modes along the time axis. Furthermore, determining when to combine multiple modes is difficult when one or more ofthe input modes is a sequence of segments whose boundaries are unknown. The typical example for this case is continuous speech with many words. Thus, neither feature nor decision fusion is clearly applicable for our interface.

There are two main types of multimodal recognition methods: one integrates signals at the feature level (featurefusion) and the other at the semantic level (decisionfusion).

Feature fusion is generally appropriate for closely coupled and synchronized modes, such as speech and lip movements.

These individual recognizers can be trained using unimodal data, which are relatively easy to collect or are already publicly available for modes like speech and handwriting.


Phase-change problems often involve nonlinearities, strong couplings, and a moving boundary [1] . As a result, only the simplest configurations are amenable to analytical tools, while solving most problems of interest requires the use of numerical methods. An additional difficulty is introduced due to the necessity of assessing the accuracy of the numerical solution. This is done by testing the code on test problems with known solutions, called benchmarks problems. Neither analytical solutions nor benchmark solutions are currently available for phase-change problems involving convection in the melt. Hence, the assessment of numerical solutions in past studies was done by comparison with experimental results or other numerical results, usually obtained by alternative numerical techniques.

Phase-change problems often involve nonlinearities, strong couplings, and a moving boundary.


The first example of a symplectic 4-manifold with nonzero degeneracy occurs when b 1 = 2 and b + = 1. A symplectic 4-manifold with b + = 1 and κ = 1 must satisfy b 1 = 0 or b 1 = 2 using the fact that 2χ+3σ = 0. Examples of b 1 =2 4-manifolds of Lefschetz type are easy to construct and have been known for some time, but examples of manifolds not of Lefschetz type remained unknown until Baldridge [1] . These b + = 1 manifolds with nonzero degeneracy are the starting point for the examples described in this paper. In the above definition, a corresponds to the signature of a symplectic 4-manifold, b is the first Betti number, and c is the degeneracy. This definition covers all triples except possible counterexamples to the conjectured BMY inequality. The next lemma explains why b − c should be even.

Examples of b 1 =2 4-manifolds of Lefschetz type are easy to construct and have been known for some time, but examples of manifolds not of Lefschetz type remained unknown until Baldridge.


In recent years the number of fire fatalities in the UK has tended to decrease, however still about 50% of them are due to smoke inhalation. In addition to that, about 18% of deaths are related to smoke and burns together, so the conclusion is that about 70% of fire fatalities in the UK are related to some extent to smoke and toxic gases. Regarding non-fatal casualties, 33% of them in the year 2005 were due to the effects of gas and smoke [1] .

Regarding non-fatal casualties, 33% of them in the year 2005 were due to the effects of gas and smoke.


Phosphates are used as processing aids or additives in a variety of foods. In seafood their most common use is in frozen products. They reduce thaw drip, and when used properly the retention of moisture improves texture and flavor because flavor components are not lost in the thaw drip (Finne, 1995) . Use of phosphates can be abused, leading to excessive increase in water weight in raw seafood. Detection of phosphates in shrimp is not easy. Shrimp has naturally occurring phosphates, and their levels vary according to the species and harvest location. Phosphates also have strong interactions with the protein structure, which make them difficult to quantitatively extract using nondestructive solvent systems. Moreover, they can be transformed to other forms (orthophosphates) making them difficult to quantify (Finne, 1995) . Therefore, alternative or indirect methods need to be developed to determine if shrimp were treated, or treated abusively with phosphates.

They reduce thaw drip, and when used properly the retention of moisture improves texture and flavor because flavor components are not lost in the thaw drip.

Moreover, they can be transformed to other forms (orthophosphates) making them difficult to quantify.


A recently published RECODe risk engine has also used the ACCORD trial data to develop a set of risk equations for modeling the risk of diabetes complications [41] . Besides the methodological differences in the modeling strategy, outcomes inclusion, and variable definition, the BRAVO risk engine and RECODe risk engine have very different purposes of risk predictions. The RECODe risk engine is intended for use in clinical settings to assist the initial treatment decision because the models only use baseline characteristics to predict the incidence rates of diabetes outcomes in a specified period (5 or 10 years). The BRAVO risk engine aims to use an agent-based microsimulation modeling algorithm and ultimately to develop a diabetes model in predicting life-time disease progression. Because the BRAVO risk engine uses all time-dependent biomarkers, disease history, and other risk factors, the BRAVO risk engine will be more appropriate than the RECODe risk engine to support a cost-effectiveness analysis such as prioritizing therapeutic strategies or treatment targets of HbA 1c , LDL, and blood pressure. A table has been developed to briefly summarize the key differences between the RECODe risk engine and BRAVO risk engine (eTable 4 of the ESM).

A recently published RECODe risk engine has also used the ACCORD trial data to develop a set of risk equations for modeling the risk of diabetes complications.


Even at slower infusion rates, however, the increase in mean arterial pressure over the fi rst 10 minutes was shown to be in the range of 7%, with a decrease in heart rate between 16% and 18% [18] . The initial response lasts for 5 to 10 minutes and is followed by a decrease in blood pressure of approximately 10% to 20% below baseline and a stabilization of the heart rate, also below baseline values; both of these effects are caused by the inhibition of the central sympathetic outfl ow overriding the direct stimulating effects [19] . Another possible explanation for the subsequent heart rate decrease is the stimulation of the presynaptic á2-adrenoceptor, leading to a decreased norepinephrine release [20] . The application of a single high dose of dexmedetomidine reduced norepinephrine release by as much as 92% in young healthy volunteers [21] . The release of epinephrine is also reduced by the same amount [22] . This seems to be more important than either central á2-adrenoceptor agonism or non-á adrenaline imidazole-preferring receptors in effecting the change [19] .

Even at slower infusion rates, however, the increase in mean arterial pressure over the fi rst 10 minutes was shown to be in the range of 7%, with a decrease in heart rate between 16% and 18%.

The initial response lasts for 5 to 10 minutes and is followed by a decrease in blood pressure of approximately 10% to 20% below baseline and a stabilization of the heart rate, also below baseline values; both of these effects are caused by the inhibition of the central sympathetic outfl ow overriding the direct stimulating effects.

Another possible explanation for the subsequent heart rate decrease is the stimulation of the presynaptic á2-adrenoceptor, leading to a decreased norepinephrine release.

The application of a single high dose of dexmedetomidine reduced norepinephrine release by as much as 92% in young healthy volunteers.

The release of epinephrine is also reduced by the same amount.

This seems to be more important than either central á2-adrenoceptor agonism or non-á adrenaline imidazole-preferring receptors in effecting the change.


We capitalized on a large, prospectively assembled collection of ET brains, including both familial and sporadic forms, to investigate whether the postmortem changes in the cerebellum differ across these two disease groups. To our knowledge, this specific issue has not been the focus of prior in-depth analysis. We found that familial ET and sporadic ET cases shared similar pathological changes in cerebellum. We defined familial ET using alternative sets of criteria, and this did not influence the results either. These data indicate that pathological changes in the cerebellum are a part of the pathophysiological cascade of events in both forms of ET. The data further suggest that both groups reach the same pathological endpoints at a similar age of death. While the two groups of patients, familial and sporadic ET, obviously differ with respect to their presumed underlying etiologies, prior studies have not been able to detect substantive differences between familial ET and sporadic ET in terms of a wide range of clinical variables, including rate of progression [35, 36] . Hence, it is possible that postmortem features share certain similarities as well. It may be that the differences between familial and sporadic ET will eventually become apparent on a molecular level, once the molecular bases for ET are better explored.

While the two groups of patients, familial and sporadic ET, obviously differ with respect to their presumed underlying etiologies, prior studies have not been able to detect substantive differences between familial ET and sporadic ET in terms of a wide range of clinical variables, including rate of progression.


An interesting platform emerged recently for using XML repositories evolving through web services, namely Active XML (AXML) [4] . These are XML-based documents that Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. To copy otherwise, to republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Copyright 200X ACM X-XXXXX-XX-X/XX/XX ...$10.00.

An interesting platform emerged recently for using XML repositories evolving through web services, namely Active XML (AXML).


To test our hypotheses regarding the factors impacting taxpayer decisions to support and voluntarily adopt differing tax schemes, we developed an experimental simulation that controlled for the exogenous and output factors in the cognitive processing model described in Figure 1 . We did so by designing a full-crossed 2 by 2 factorial experiment and administered the experimental protocol in a controlled setting. We examined decision-making under high and low levels of potential decision-maker self interest and under tax conditions that would be perceived as simple or complex. The experimental design used has been commonly employed in cognitive testing for assessing the direct and interactive effects of variables on decision-maker behavior (Staw, 1976) .

The experimental design used has been commonly employed in cognitive testing for assessing the direct and interactive effects of variables on decision-maker behavior.


Based on our study, the dominant factor in determining support for a new tax scheme appears to be taxpayer self-interest consistent with the agency literature on incentive alignment and monitoring (Jensen & Meckling, 1976; Tosi et al., 1997) . That is, individual taxpayer support for a new tax scheme will be contingent at the first order on whether the taxpayer personally benefits through perception of control or financial outcome. Secondarily, our study shows that the taxpayer will also evaluate the likely level of monitoring by external parties under the new tax scheme (see Table 3 ). Our study suggests this is true for taxpayers with simple or complex tax situations.

Based on our study, the dominant factor in determining support for a new tax scheme appears to be taxpayer self-interest consistent with the agency literature on incentive alignment and monitoring.


Understanding of the mechanisms underlying synchronization between neuronal populations is extremely important in the study of normal and abnormal brain functions. Measures of synchronization are important and challenging in the study of neuronal dynamics. Synchronization phenomena have been increasingly recognized as a key feature for establishing the communication between different regions of the brain [10] [16] .

Synchronization phenomena have been increasingly recognized as a key feature for establishing the communication between different regions of the brain.


The oxidation of NH 4 + to hydroxylamine (NH 2 OH) and nitrite (NO 2 − ) occurs inside ammonia oxidizer cells. The ammonia oxidizers release the NO 2 − and then nitrifiers oxidize the NO 2 − to NO 3 − (Whalen 2014) . In general, this process of ammonia oxidation and nitrification is referred to as nitrification. The previous researchers observed that urea application stimulates the nitrification process, with increasing chances of N loss via leaching of NO 3 − and (or) gaseous N emissions (N 2 O), which reduces N-use efficiency in agricultural systems (Bouwman et al. 2002; Zhang et al. 2015) . Therefore, it is necessary to understand the effects of different fertilization practices on N mineralization and nitrification, so that management practices can be developed to maximize recovery of fertilizer N. Hunan is one of the major provinces in China that is capable of ∼4000 ha of rice cultivation using a double rice cropping system. For many centuries, farmers in this region have used farm manure and crop residue to maintain or improve soil fertility. However, this traditional management practice shifted in the 1980s due to the increasing affordability of chemical fertilizers; more chemical and less organic fertilizers are being now used in this area. To assess the shift in fertilization practices, a long-term experiment was established in this region in 1986. Our objective was to quantify mineralizable N, nitrification, and soil microbial biomass after 20 yr of contrasting fertilizer management practices at three sites in the Hunan province of China.

The ammonia oxidizers release the NO 2 − and then nitrifiers oxidize the NO 2 − to NO 3 −.

The previous researchers observed that urea application stimulates the nitrification process, with increasing chances of N loss via leaching of NO 3 − and (or) gaseous N emissions (N 2 O), which reduces N-use efficiency in agricultural systems.