The occurrence (qualitative aspect) and frequency (quantitative aspect) of matching virulence in the pathogen population define the efficiency of a resistance gene. The expression of variety resistance in the field is affected by the environment and especially by the actual inoculation potential of the pathogen (Dreiseitl and Pařízek 2003) . If the pathogen is absent, all varieties appear to be resistant, and under such conditions, a potential change in resistance is impossible to determine. Therefore, only data on the resistance of varieties from trials with high powdery mildew severity were used in this study (Dreiseitl and Jurečka 2003) .

The expression of variety resistance in the field is affected by the environment and especially by the actual inoculation potential of the pathogen.

Therefore, only data on the resistance of varieties from trials with high powdery mildew severity were used in this study.


The season of the year and daily dry-bulb temperature had major influence on mortality variability. For dispersion model, the external temperature was modeled through orthogonal polynomial, with the aim of to minimize the ill-conditioning in the numeric process of estimation. Afternoon reduced the variability in the number of dead birds compared with morning. This is expected, because afternoon during the most part of the year show inadequate thermal conditions for broiler transportation, maintaining high mortality rates in this period, which reduces the variability due to low frequency of situations with temperature and relative humidity in the thermal comfort range for broiler chickens (Baker et al., 1994; Petracci et al., 2006; Simões et al., 2009) .

This is expected, because afternoon during the most part of the year show inadequate thermal conditions for broiler transportation, maintaining high mortality rates in this period, which reduces the variability due to low frequency of situations with temperature and relative humidity in the thermal comfort range for broiler chickens.


Since the concept of HR emerged in the early 1980s, two basic paths of research have been developed in investigating the relationship between HR practices and organizational performance (Chand & Katou, 2007) . The first was based on the assumption that there is a direct relationship between individual HRM practices and/or internally consistent HRM systems of HRM practices, and organizational performance, e.g. The general consensus developed among researchers is that HRM practices and/or HRM systems do not lead directly to business performance (Katou & Budhwar, 2006) . Rather, HR practices influence firm resources, such as human capital, or employee behaviors, and it is these resources and behaviors that ultimately lead to performance (P. M. ). This implicit model assumes that there are variables that mediate a link between HRM practices and business performance (Chand & Katou, 2007) .

Since the concept of HR emerged in the early 1980s, two basic paths of research have been developed in investigating the relationship between HR practices and organizational performance.

The first was based on the assumption that there is a direct relationship between individual HRM practices and/or internally consistent HRM systems of HRM practices, and organizational performance, e.g. The general consensus developed among researchers is that HRM practices and/or HRM systems do not lead directly to business performance.

This implicit model assumes that there are variables that mediate a link between HRM practices and business performance.


Research on physical and mental health has consistently concluded that health professionals are an occupational group that is at risk because of the effects of psychosocial hazards or psychological difficulties, such as stress, fatigue, or burnout [1] . It is due to demographic factors, such as sex, age, or home-work interface, as well as organizational factors, such as workload, job satisfaction, job insecurity, or lack of resources [2] . Moreover, healthcare professionals suffer high rates of occupational-related distress and higher rates of suicide [3] . Indeed, an European study estimated that 12% of male and around 14% of female university hospital physicians from a sample in Sweden and Italy had suicidal thoughts due to degrading work experiences, role conflicts, and working conditions [4, 5] .

Research on physical and mental health has consistently concluded that health professionals are an occupational group that is at risk because of the effects of psychosocial hazards or psychological difficulties, such as stress, fatigue, or burnout.

It is due to demographic factors, such as sex, age, or home-work interface, as well as organizational factors, such as workload, job satisfaction, job insecurity, or lack of resources.

Moreover, healthcare professionals suffer high rates of occupational-related distress and higher rates of suicide.

Indeed, an European study estimated that 12% of male and around 14% of female university hospital physicians from a sample in Sweden and Italy had suicidal thoughts due to degrading work experiences, role conflicts, and working conditions.


It is assumed that the variance of each measurement could be decomposed into common and unique portions. Thus, a ''factor analysis'' was applied. Such an analysis is especially recommended when the measured variables are assumed to be a linear function of the unmeasured (covert) variables. Since the analysis was drawn on the sample rather than the population, maximum likelihood factor analysis with varimax rotation was considered appropriate (Costello and Osborne 2005) .

Since the analysis was drawn on the sample rather than the population, maximum likelihood factor analysis with varimax rotation was considered appropriate.


Students in China are particularly frequently tested (Cheng, 2008) . They are involved in internal tests and examinations; competitions with other local or regional schools; and most fundamentally, large-scale high-stakes examinations which deeply impact on their future life chances. There are, however, few major studies which document how Chinese high school students respond to testing and assessment. How do different students react to preparing for and taking tests? To what extent do tests lead to student satisfaction and achievement or pressure and discouragement? How and why do some students derive some formative orientation from assessment, whereas many seem to perceive it as mainly carrying a summative function?

Students in China are particularly frequently tested.


During periods of endemicity, selective antimicrobial pressure is one of the major mechanism of MDRGN acquisition [11, 27] . The endogenous acquisition of antimicrobial-resistant gramnegative bacteria implies that if a host is colonized with subpopulations of pansusceptible, single-, two-and multidrug-resistant strains, sequential antimicrobial therapy with different antibiotics should promote the emergence of MDRGN in favor of the other strains of gram-negative bacteria ( Figure 1 ). The frequency, patterns and types of antimicrobial exposure are therefore crucial to consider when analyzing the factors contributing to the emergence of MDRGN.

During periods of endemicity, selective antimicrobial pressure is one of the major mechanism of MDRGN acquisition.


Several attempts to reduce the incidence of postoperative PF have been made in recent years, but no standard methods with which to minimize the incidence of postoperative PF have yet been established. According to a recent study, a soft pancreas texture is probably the most influential factor for postoperative PF [9] [10] [11] [12] . In the current study, we compared the rate of CR-PF between the Kakita and Blumgart anastomosis groups of patients with a soft pancreas texture.

According to a recent study, a soft pancreas texture is probably the most influential factor for postoperative PF.


Third, the individual studies used radionuclides of varying quality. We attempted to include only studies using radionuclides of sufficient affinity and selectivity for 5-HT (Paterson et al., 2013) . Finally, we only included cross-sectional studies whereby the reported age effects could potentially be biased by cohort effects. The only longitudinal study so far showed stable 5-HT-2A receptor levels after two years but suffered from a small sample size and a limited age range (Marner et al., 2009) . Hence, longitudinal studies with sufficient power and a broad age range will be necessary to disentangle age and cohort effects.

We attempted to include only studies using radionuclides of sufficient affinity and selectivity for 5-HT.

The only longitudinal study so far showed stable 5-HT-2A receptor levels after two years but suffered from a small sample size and a limited age range.


Damage caused by nematodes is often proportionally greater in sandy soils where nematodes can move more freely, than in heavier soils where movement is impeded (Ravichandra, 2014) . Adequate soil moisture is also essential for free movement to infect roots, therefore, plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were also equally affected in different types of soils by nematode parasitism (Trudgill and Phillips, 1997) . However, highest nematode multiplication was observed in 40:60 sand:clay mixture. High rate of nematode multiplication in 40:60 sand:clay may partly be due to higher content of coarse particles in the soil (Koenning et al., 1988) . Increased pore size and soil characteristics are favourable for nematode movement and multiplication (Wallace, 1963) . On the other hand, pure clay has unfavourable pore size and aeration which probably resulted in poor nematode multiplication and movement (Young and Heatherly, 1990) . Low multiplication of nematodes in 60:40 sand:clay may be due to low water holding capacity (Wallace, 1963) .

Damage caused by nematodes is often proportionally greater in sandy soils where nematodes can move more freely, than in heavier soils where movement is impeded.

Adequate soil moisture is also essential for free movement to infect roots, therefore, plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were also equally affected in different types of soils by nematode parasitism.

High rate of nematode multiplication in 40:60 sand:clay may partly be due to higher content of coarse particles in the soil.

Increased pore size and soil characteristics are favourable for nematode movement and multiplication.

On the other hand, pure clay has unfavourable pore size and aeration which probably resulted in poor nematode multiplication and movement.

Low multiplication of nematodes in 60:40 sand:clay may be due to low water holding capacity.


In this work, we focus on increasing NoC throughput and improving energy efficiency. We observe that the critical path of existing 2D-mesh routers with virtual channels (VCs) is in the control logic. As shown in literature and confirmed by our experiments, the datapath of a typical three-stage router 1 could be 45% faster than its control (allocation) [19, 24, 29] . Moreover, ShortPath, the current fastest published NoC router architecture 2 adds to the Switch Traversal (ST) the delay of half a Switch Allocator and credit-check, which define its critical path [27] . In this case, ST and link traversal (LT) could be clocked at about 25% higher frequency than the ShortPath router. We leverage on this observation and exploit this slack to dynamically boost router's datapath utilization.

As shown in literature and confirmed by our experiments, the datapath of a typical three-stage router 1 could be 45% faster than its control (allocation).

Moreover, ShortPath, the current fastest published NoC router architecture 2 adds to the Switch Traversal (ST) the delay of half a Switch Allocator and credit-check, which define its critical path.


This project seeks to provide new knowledge in an area of active ED practice and current interest. We will develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a theory-based intervention strategy using two expert-derived pediatric emergency CPs-Asthma and Vomiting and Diarrhea (V&D). These conditions have a strong evidence base for care, documented gaps in quality of care, and existing provincial leadership in pathway development [6, 7, [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] . Rigorous evaluation of key clinical and process outcomes related to each CP, and process evaluation of the implementation experience will identify important factors for implementation success that will be highly valuable in guiding future CP implementation strategies.

These conditions have a strong evidence base for care, documented gaps in quality of care, and existing provincial leadership in pathway development.


As activities of rural tourism have become diverse, the demand for rural tourism is becoming more and more experience oriented (Ohe, 2007) . One of these trends in diversified rural tourism is typically observed in the combination of an educational program with rural tourism in Western European countries and Japan. These diversified activities with an educational function open a new possibility for farm activity in response to diversifying the social needs of agriculture and rural areas in this century (Shichinohe et al., 1990) . The educational function of rural tourism gives mainly urbanites a chance to experience farm and rural life and the significance of its cultural heritage. Specifically, here we focus on rural tourism accompanied by an educational program as a farm-stay with farm and rural experience services implemented as a part of school trips.

As activities of rural tourism have become diverse, the demand for rural tourism is becoming more and more experience oriented.

These diversified activities with an educational function open a new possibility for farm activity in response to diversifying the social needs of agriculture and rural areas in this century.


One of the indications of such situation was observed by Brunella [7] . He proved that, under some regularity conditions, Takeuchi 1-convexity of the complement of a smooth compact Levi-flat real hypersurface follows from the positivity of its normal bundle N 1,0 . We can also go through its converse actually, and are able to establish the correspondence between these qualitative properties.

One of the indications of such situation was observed by Brunella.


Our previous research conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Medical University of Bialystok for the selected courses "Problems of Figure 1 . Main window of e-learning platform for the Medical University of Bialystok multiculturalism in medicine" and "Selected issues in visual rehabilitation" among full-time students (Figure 1 ) confirmed the fact that the effectiveness of teaching in the traditional and distance learning forms were comparable. Satisfaction of students with classes held in both forms was at the level of 85% (Półjanowicz et al., 2013 Półjanowicz, 2014) . The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of teaching and satisfaction with the activities carried out with the e-learning portal by a group of part-time students of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Medical University of Bialystok (Poland). In the analysis, we included the effectiveness of education, the level of student satisfaction with the course, and the interest of students in distance learning.

Satisfaction of students with classes held in both forms was at the level of 85%.


A self-assembled one-dimensional photonic bandgap structure of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) gives rise to the formation of a selective reflection band (SRB), which enables mirrorless laser operation near the SRB edges [1] [2] [3] . By doping a CLC with azo moiety, optical tuning of the CLC laser wavelength has been achieved, the underlying mechanism being a trans-cis-isomerization process occurring inside the CLC doped with an azo-containing compound, namely, azo-CLC. Examples of azo-CLC include CLCs doped with chiral azo-compounds or CLC structures composed of nematic azo-or azoxy-compounds [4] [5] [6] [7] . In the study of a series of azo-CLCs, optical tuning of the laser wavelength has been simply attributed to a change in the helical twisting power, related to the helical pitch p of the CLC structure, caused by the conformational change between trans-and cis-isomers of the azo moiety. By noting that the spectral position of the band edges of SRB is determined by n o p and n e p with ordinary and extraordinary indices n o and n e as well as the helical pitch, it is necessary to address changes in the effective refractive indices as well when going through the transcis-isomerization process.

A self-assembled one-dimensional photonic bandgap structure of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) gives rise to the formation of a selective reflection band (SRB), which enables mirrorless laser operation near the SRB edges.

Examples of azo-CLC include CLCs doped with chiral azo-compounds or CLC structures composed of nematic azo-or azoxy-compounds.


A polymer molecule in a plane, linear, steady shear flow is oriented in the flow direction by the velocity field. As the rotational motion of the polymer is determined only by the velocity difference in the space points, when it is aligned along the shear direction the external flow effect becomes negligible, and the thermal noise is the most relevant external force. Thermal fluctuations can push the polymer to regions where the external flow is relevant again. In these cases the shear flow can induce a fast rotation and align the polymer again along the (reverse) flow direction, i.e. the polymer tumbles [21, 3, 4, 8, 9, 7] .

In these cases the shear flow can induce a fast rotation and align the polymer again along the (reverse) flow direction, i.e. the polymer tumbles.


Semiclassical techniques attempt to describe quantum phenomena using only classical information as input (besides h), but keeping all the kinematical and interpretational aspects of quantum mechanics untouched. Semiclassical methods should therefore be distinguished from quasi-classical approaches, which are based on the quantum-classical correspondence and do not only use classical information, but T. Engl Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Regensburg, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany E-mail: thomas.engl@physik.uni-regensburg.de also try to export classical concepts to approximate quantum mechanics. The epitome of the quasi-classical approach is the use of the Ehrenfest theorem to approximate the quantum mechanical evolution of wave packets, with systematic corrections given by the Wigner-Moyal expansion [1] .

The epitome of the quasi-classical approach is the use of the Ehrenfest theorem to approximate the quantum mechanical evolution of wave packets, with systematic corrections given by the Wigner-Moyal expansion.


These remarks indicate already a possible solution of the problem. If a second-quantized picture in Fock space is adopted instead, both quantum indistinguishability and flexibility in the number of particles are automatically included at the kinematic level: the Fock space of quantum states is by definition spanned by states which are correctly (anti-) symmetrized, and the number of particles is simply another observable represented by a hermitian operator [29] . When invoking a Fock space description, this change of perspective implies for the semiclassical program that particles appear as an emergent concept, derived from the more fundamental degree of freedom: the quantum field [30] .

If a second-quantized picture in Fock space is adopted instead, both quantum indistinguishability and flexibility in the number of particles are automatically included at the kinematic level: the Fock space of quantum states is by definition spanned by states which are correctly (anti-) symmetrized, and the number of particles is simply another observable represented by a hermitian operator.

When invoking a Fock space description, this change of perspective implies for the semiclassical program that particles appear as an emergent concept, derived from the more fundamental degree of freedom: the quantum field.


However, in many practical applications, the steering vector of the SOI cannot be obtained precisely due to the differences between the estimated signal DOA and the true DOA or between the assumed array response and the true array response (array calibration errors). With the imprecise SOI steering vector, the performance of the SCB may be even worse than that of the data-independent beamformers [3] . In order to overcome this problem, the robust beamformer has to be adopted.

With the imprecise SOI steering vector, the performance of the SCB may be even worse than that of the data-independent beamformers.


In (1), α is the linewidth enhancement factor, γ is the inverse photon lifetime, κ is the feedback strength, δ is the feedback roundtrip time, ω is the emitting frequency of the laser without feedback, γ e is the inverse carrier lifetime, C is the pump current, and N th is the threshold carrier number. Note that the system without feedback can be obtained by simply setting κ = 0. The last term in (1a) and that in (1b) represent the spontaneous emission noise and carrier noise, respectively, and are the focus of this paper. In (2), g is the differential gain coefficient, N 0 is the carrier number at transparency, and s is the saturation coefficient [14] .

In (2), g is the differential gain coefficient, N 0 is the carrier number at transparency, and s is the saturation coefficient.


There are 219 three-dimensional crystallographic space groups (or 230 if we distinguish between mirror images). They were independently enumerated in the 1890's by W. Barlow in England, E.S. Federov in Russia and A. Schönfliess in Germany. The groups are comprehensively described in the International Tables for Crystallography [10] . For a brief definition, see Appendix I.

The groups are comprehensively described in the International Tables for Crystallography.

For a brief definition, see Appendix I.


The essence of conditional probability is that, learning about one event (or measurement) changes or affects the probability for a second event. Classically, this is well known termed as Fisher information (FI) function [1] . In the other words, the FI extracts information about an unknown parameter, β, from a previously measured result result, say, x.

Classically, this is well known termed as Fisher information (FI) function.


Substantial research has been carried out on the surface modification of wood fiber using coupling agents to improve the strength properties of plastic-wood-fiber composites [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . Among them, the influence of surface treatment of wood flour with maleated polypropylene (MAPP) on the strength properties of polypropylene (PP)-wood-fiber composites has received particular attention [3] [4] [5] [6] . Many in-depth studies have reported improvement in the strength properties of PP-wood-fiber composites when MAPP was used in the formulation and the mechanisms of adhesion between wood fiber and PP matrix that caused the improvement [3] [4] [5] [6] [12] [13] [14] [15] . In addition, few studies have discussed the effect of fiber treatments on the performance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-wood-flour composites [7, 8] . Despite these studies, PP and PVC matrices account for only 30% of the thermoplastics used in the manufacture of plastic-wood-fiber composites in the current North American market [16] . On the contrary, polyethylene (PE) represents the largest portion (70%) of the polymer matrix for the production of plastic-wood-fiber composites [16] . However, the research on the surface modified wood fiber and PE composite system has not been extensive.

Substantial research has been carried out on the surface modification of wood fiber using coupling agents to improve the strength properties of plastic-wood-fiber composites.

Among them, the influence of surface treatment of wood flour with maleated polypropylene (MAPP) on the strength properties of polypropylene (PP)-wood-fiber composites has received particular attention.

Many in-depth studies have reported improvement in the strength properties of PP-wood-fiber composites when MAPP was used in the formulation and the mechanisms of adhesion between wood fiber and PP matrix that caused the improvement.

In addition, few studies have discussed the effect of fiber treatments on the performance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-wood-flour composites.

Despite these studies, PP and PVC matrices account for only 30% of the thermoplastics used in the manufacture of plastic-wood-fiber composites in the current North American market.

On the contrary, polyethylene (PE) represents the largest portion (70%) of the polymer matrix for the production of plastic-wood-fiber composites.


Suaeda salsa (L.), a succulent halophytic herb, widely distributed in northeast China, naturally grows on inland saline soils and coastal saline wetland [2] . Leaves of S. salsa can absorb many salt ions, which made them sustain high salt environment during germination and seedling stage. Fresh shoots of S. salsa are very valuable as a vegetable, and its seeds can produce edible oil [3] . S. salsa salt marsh, covering most forelands in the Yellow River Delta, is important to keep the natural succession of the wetland eco-system. The optimum soil salinity for S. salsa was about 12.71 g/kg [4] . In recent decades, with the exploitation of wetland resources and the rush of environmental problems, this habitat suitable to S. salsa is degrading.

Suaeda salsa (L.), a succulent halophytic herb, widely distributed in northeast China, naturally grows on inland saline soils and coastal saline wetland.

Fresh shoots of S. salsa are very valuable as a vegetable, and its seeds can produce edible oil.

The optimum soil salinity for S. salsa was about 12.71 g/kg.


In spectrum sharing, the main design objective is to maximize the achievable capacity of the secondary service subject to the primary service QoS as well as other system and service constraints. In this paper, the QoS of the primary user is represented by a pair of parameters, (Q, ξ), where Q is the interference threshold constraint and ξ is the maximum allowable collision probability [3] . The interference threshold is the maximum allowed interference level imposed by the secondary service at the primary service receiver. Hereafter, we refer to (Q, ξ) as the collision probability constraint. A collision is experienced if the secondary service transmission imposes an interference level higher than Q at the primary service receiver. In fact, the availability of the spectrum is subject to satisfying the collision probability constraint for the primary service.

In this paper, the QoS of the primary user is represented by a pair of parameters, (Q, ξ), where Q is the interference threshold constraint and ξ is the maximum allowable collision probability.


Recent studies have revealed that mesopores and macropores in capacitor electrodes have limited capacitance [11, 12] . The presence of narrow micropores is essential for the formation of an electrical double layer by solvated and desolvated ions. According to the literature, pore sizes ranging from 0.7-1.2 nm produce the optimum specific capacitance in aqueous electrolytes [13] . Therefore, producing microporous carbons with pore size in the abovementioned range is an effective way to improve the supercapacitor capacitance. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is usually used as the polymer precursor for preparing the electrodes of supercapacitors. PVDF is converted to microporous carbon by carbonization without other activation methods. The microporous carbon has high specific surface area and potential. It also possesses narrow micropore distribution characteristics [14] [15] [16] [17] . Melamine is a nitrogen rich compound, which is easy to handle. It is usually used for doping nitrogen functional groups. Nitrogenenriched carbons possess high specific surface area and specific capacitance [18] [19] [20] [21] . Nitrogen in melamine-derived carbons exists mainly in pyridinic, quaternary, and oxidized forms. The oxidized nitrogen is the most stable and the pyridinic nitrogen affects the electron donor-acceptor characteristics of the carbon materials, which leads to pseudocapacitive attraction between the protons of the electrolyte and the carbon electrode materials [22] . At a high carbonization temperature, more stable nitrogens are produced by the carbonization of melamine [23, 24] .

Recent studies have revealed that mesopores and macropores in capacitor electrodes have limited capacitance.

According to the literature, pore sizes ranging from 0.7-1.2 nm produce the optimum specific capacitance in aqueous electrolytes.

It also possesses narrow micropore distribution characteristics.

Nitrogenenriched carbons possess high specific surface area and specific capacitance.

The oxidized nitrogen is the most stable and the pyridinic nitrogen affects the electron donor-acceptor characteristics of the carbon materials, which leads to pseudocapacitive attraction between the protons of the electrolyte and the carbon electrode materials.

At a high carbonization temperature, more stable nitrogens are produced by the carbonization of melamine.


Supercapacitors are used for energy storage in various portable electronic devices and hybrid electric vehicles. They possess higher power and energy density, longer cycle life, and higher chemical stability compared to secondary batteries [1] [2] [3] . Recently, various carbonbased electrodes have been employed in supercapacitors because of their good electrical conductivity and large pseudocapacitance; however, they exhibit low capacitance values [4] [5] [6] . To improve their capacitance, nitrogen-containing functional groups are incorporated into the carbon materials. The pseudocapacitance originates from the interaction between the nitrogen species and protons of the electrolyte [7] [8] [9] [10] .

They possess higher power and energy density, longer cycle life, and higher chemical stability compared to secondary batteries.

Recently, various carbonbased electrodes have been employed in supercapacitors because of their good electrical conductivity and large pseudocapacitance; however, they exhibit low capacitance values.

The pseudocapacitance originates from the interaction between the nitrogen species and protons of the electrolyte.


Gender identity with sex and gender itself are all elements constituting human sexuality. Each of the above mentioned notions are connected with a description of sex from a psychological, biological and social perspective [1] . The psychological phenomenon of gender identity has been aptly explained in the Gender Schema Theory by Sandra L. bem. According to this theory, culture provides an individual with obligatory definitions of femininity and masculinity creating a so-called gender schema.

Each of the above mentioned notions are connected with a description of sex from a psychological, biological and social perspective.


One particular aspect of this literature is focused on 'mental health literacy', which refers to the knowledge and beliefs that the general public has about mental health disorders and their prevention [13] [14] . Indeed, there is growing evidence that poor mental health literacy negatively impacts upon help-seeking behaviors for psychiatric symptoms and influences decisions about treatment and compliance [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] . Although the measurement of mental health literacy takes different forms, one of the most commonly-used methods involves the presentation of case vignettes that satisfy diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders [20] . Using this method, studies consistently show that members of the general public have difficulty identifying cases of mental health disorders.

One particular aspect of this literature is focused on 'mental health literacy', which refers to the knowledge and beliefs that the general public has about mental health disorders and their prevention.

Indeed, there is growing evidence that poor mental health literacy negatively impacts upon help-seeking behaviors for psychiatric symptoms and influences decisions about treatment and compliance.

Although the measurement of mental health literacy takes different forms, one of the most commonly-used methods involves the presentation of case vignettes that satisfy diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders.


With regard to research and practice in terms of HL, two approaches have predominated during recent decades: the individual (clinical) level and the public health level. The first approach is the oldest: it focuses on an individual's capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information, including health services, needed to make appropriate health-related decisions. This approach highlights existing gaps within strategies of treatment, prevention, and health promotion as well as overall health behavior, including specific individual health-related outcomes [2] . The second approach incorporates knowledge as to the social determinants of health and relates to the definition of public health literacy, "the degree to which individuals and groups can obtain, process, understand, evaluate, and act upon information needed to make public health decisions that benefit the community" [3, 4] .

This approach highlights existing gaps within strategies of treatment, prevention, and health promotion as well as overall health behavior, including specific individual health-related outcomes.

The second approach incorporates knowledge as to the social determinants of health and relates to the definition of public health literacy, "the degree to which individuals and groups can obtain, process, understand, evaluate, and act upon information needed to make public health decisions that benefit the community".


A review of the literature found that the majority of resilience studies with street-involved youth focus on how youth survive on the streets without a specific focus on IDU prevention. Further, much of the research examining IDU among street-involved youth focuses on risk factors for IDU initiation, and few studies examine the factors that may prevent youth from IDU initiation [7] . Therefore, the Youth Injection Prevention (YIP) project set out to investigate IDU prevention from a unique angle, namely resilience. The project framed its inquiry to identify protective (rather than risk) factors that youth perceive as preventing them from using IV drugs, and moreover foster resiliency. It is anticipated that findings from this study will help service providers working with street-involved youth to identify, encourage and provide access to factors that enable resiliency with an eye to preventing IDU initiation among this at-risk population.

Further, much of the research examining IDU among street-involved youth focuses on risk factors for IDU initiation, and few studies examine the factors that may prevent youth from IDU initiation.


The integration of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) such as GPS, Glonass, Galileo and Compass and inertial measurement units (IMU) with data acquisition sensors of different nature both optic (high resolution cameras, video-cameras and multispectral sensors) and non-optic (radar, laser scanner) are becoming essential tools especially in multi-sensor mobile mapping systems for navigation, georeferencing, surveying, updating databases and data flow optimization [1] . The concept of using GNSS/IMU for direct georeferencing of aerial images emerged in the 1980's and early 1990's [2] . Differential GNSS combined with high accuracy inertial systems were successfully used to determine the full exterior orientation for photogrammetry. Accurate direct georeferencing alleviated the need of ground control in object space and has long been optimised for mobile mapping systems that integrate multiple image-based and navigation sensors. At present direct georeferencing is used to determine the orientation of many sensors such as digital cameras, video-cameras, LIDAR and SAR. In many cases it is the only way to georeference the sensor.

The integration of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) such as GPS, Glonass, Galileo and Compass and inertial measurement units (IMU) with data acquisition sensors of different nature both optic (high resolution cameras, video-cameras and multispectral sensors) and non-optic (radar, laser scanner) are becoming essential tools especially in multi-sensor mobile mapping systems for navigation, georeferencing, surveying, updating databases and data flow optimization.

The concept of using GNSS/IMU for direct georeferencing of aerial images emerged in the 1980's and early 1990's.


Specific combinations of physiological and genotypic trade-offs are favoured as a result of natural selection in every population. A set of these specific traits as the only combination of variables comprising temporal course of density pattern, reproductive output and growth rate is defined as life history (Stearns, 1992) . For some animals life-history is very plastic and it can change along with changes in the type and exertion of stressors (Boeing et al., 2006) . Among many types of stressors altering life-history of the species under impact the most important ones are predation and competition.

A set of these specific traits as the only combination of variables comprising temporal course of density pattern, reproductive output and growth rate is defined as life history.

For some animals life-history is very plastic and it can change along with changes in the type and exertion of stressors.


Population level tuberculosis (TB) prevalence and incidence studies are resource and time-intensive, and so impractical for regular evaluation of TB trends in most settings. Almost universally, data acquired from routine programmatic TB notifications are adjusted by a number of methods, including expert opinion regarding case detection rates (CDR) in the local context, to estimate and report TB incidence [1] . In the few countries with recent and well-conducted prevalence surveys, incidence is calculated from a combination of these survey findings and estimates of the duration of disease, with the latter derived from the pre-chemotherapy era or from mathematical models [2, 3] . Because of uncertainties in the duration of disease, incidence estimates from these methods differ and optimal methods remain elusive [2] . As a result, significant uncertainty exists regarding the true TB incidence and other programmatically important unobserved values, such as CDR [4] .

Almost universally, data acquired from routine programmatic TB notifications are adjusted by a number of methods, including expert opinion regarding case detection rates (CDR) in the local context, to estimate and report TB incidence.

In the few countries with recent and well-conducted prevalence surveys, incidence is calculated from a combination of these survey findings and estimates of the duration of disease, with the latter derived from the pre-chemotherapy era or from mathematical models.

Because of uncertainties in the duration of disease, incidence estimates from these methods differ and optimal methods remain elusive.

As a result, significant uncertainty exists regarding the true TB incidence and other programmatically important unobserved values, such as CDR.


Intensification of agricultural production may lead to higher living standards of the producers and more wealth in a country. However, if not coupled with sound environmental management, severe environmental problems may arise, both at the farm level and off-site. This is especially true in transitional economies such as Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil, with a well-developed market system, but languid environmental legislation or enforcement. An example is intensive swine production, causing large accumulations of manure and consequently water pollution (EPAGRI, 2002) . Indeed, information on the environmental impact, in particular water pollution, is in high demand by decision-makers, both farmers and policy makers, in search of enhanced management systems and land use zoning .

An example is intensive swine production, causing large accumulations of manure and consequently water pollution.


In the past several decades, the growth of computational resources along with the theoretical and algorithmic development in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has led to a large number of commercial and open-source codes in the fields [1] . These powerful software tools have enabled scientists and engineers to numerically simulate the heat and fluid flows in complex systems at unprecedented fidelities. These numerical simulations have played critical roles in scientific enquiry, engineering design and decision making, and operational forecasting involving complex systems. For example, in commercial aircraft design, CFD simulations have largely replaced wind tunnel testing, reducing the required number of wind tunnel tests from 77 in the 1980s to less than ten in present day. Consequently, the use of CFD tools has led to drastic reduction of the development cycle duration and costs [2, 3] .

In the past several decades, the growth of computational resources along with the theoretical and algorithmic development in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has led to a large number of commercial and open-source codes in the fields.

Consequently, the use of CFD tools has led to drastic reduction of the development cycle duration and costs.


That is, highly educated mothers are largely in dual-income households (and partnered to highly educated men), and lower educated mothers are largely in single-income households (and partnered to lower educated men), consolidating economic advantages of more highly educated households. In the US, this phenomenon, coupled with the growth of single mother families among lower educated women, has given rise to "diverging destines" of children, wherein children born to higher educated mothers are gaining advantages, on average, while children born to mothers with lower levels of education are falling behind (McLanahan, 2004) . Although, France also displays the polarization model, social policy dampens its effect on inequality. For example, France, Italy, and the U.S. have similarly high levels of child poverty, over 25%, prior to taxes and transfers, but France reduces child poverty to below 10% whereas Italy and the U.S.

In the US, this phenomenon, coupled with the growth of single mother families among lower educated women, has given rise to "diverging destines" of children, wherein children born to higher educated mothers are gaining advantages, on average, while children born to mothers with lower levels of education are falling behind.


The study has several limitations. Due to data availability, this study mixes observations from before and after the start of the Great Recession, which may impact comparisons of differences in work-family arrangements across countries, particularly among lower skilled workers. Additionally, I focus on educational attainment, which is only one potential measure of class and one aspect of diversity among women. Further attention should be paid to race and ethnicity, immigration, and geographic variation within countries (Misra and Akins, 1998) .

The study has several limitations.

Further attention should be paid to race and ethnicity, immigration, and geographic variation within countries.


Disaggregating by class sheds additional light on the Three Worlds typology. The conservative regime displays a clear split into two groups that largely corresponds with overall levels of income inequality. Scholars have argued that the Mediterranean countries, compared to other conservative countries, are distinctly familialist and this suppresses women's labor force participation (Gal, 2010) . The results here suggest that the story is more complex. The higher levels of income inequality in Spain, Italy, and Greece coupled with low levels of spending on either supported familialism or de-familialization put these countries more on par with members of the liberal regime than with their conservative northern neighbors. Disaggregating work-21 family arrangements by class reveals that the Mediterranean countries are not distinctly familialist in outcomes, at least not for highly educated mothers.

Scholars have argued that the Mediterranean countries, compared to other conservative countries, are distinctly familialist and this suppresses women's labor force participation.


Instead, the future motion of the target from its current position is assumed to be a planar random walk [13] . The Dubins vehicle tracking control based on this assumption accounts for wild target kinematics, perhaps that of a target avoiding pursuit. Moreover, any continuous, smooth target trajectory can be considered as a realization of the random walk, although the probability of a particular realization may be very small. Therefore, although strictly speaking our tracking control is optimal in the expected value sense for the random walk, it can be applied to a wider class of continuous and smooth target trajectories.

Instead, the future motion of the target from its current position is assumed to be a planar random walk.


It has now been almost 2 decades since changes in clinical practises have led to aluminium phosphate binders being replaced by other binders and reverse osmosis (RO) water being used for the preparation of dialysate fluid. High serum aluminium levels are now rare in the dialysis patients [7] . However, aluminium-based binders are highly effective at binding phosphate and causes relatively mild gastrointestinal discomfort. Fears of re-introducing aluminium toxicity remains despite the fact that many believe aluminium-contaminated dialysate water were a greater contributor to the historic problem than oral phosphate binder usage; in an epidemiological survey of dialysis units, concentration of aluminium in dialysate water correlated with the incidence of both aluminium bone disease and encephalopathy [8] .

High serum aluminium levels are now rare in the dialysis patients.

Fears of re-introducing aluminium toxicity remains despite the fact that many believe aluminium-contaminated dialysate water were a greater contributor to the historic problem than oral phosphate binder usage; in an epidemiological survey of dialysis units, concentration of aluminium in dialysate water correlated with the incidence of both aluminium bone disease and encephalopathy.


The great majority of facility births in Burkina Faso take place in primary health centres (Centres de Santé et de Promotion Sociale). The data on outcomes of these facility births are suggestive of poor quality care; few are able to provide BEmONC and one prospective study found no difference in perinatal death risk between home-based and institutional deliveries [17, 18] . Studies of the quality of care provided in health centres have shown limited knowledge and compliance with guidelines among health personnel, unavailability of necessary drugs and diagnostic tests, delayed provision of care and inadequate counselling about danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth [18] [19] [20] [21] . Even so, women giving birth in these health centres report a high degree of satisfaction with the services provided [22] .

The data on outcomes of these facility births are suggestive of poor quality care; few are able to provide BEmONC and one prospective study found no difference in perinatal death risk between home-based and institutional deliveries.

Studies of the quality of care provided in health centres have shown limited knowledge and compliance with guidelines among health personnel, unavailability of necessary drugs and diagnostic tests, delayed provision of care and inadequate counselling about danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth.

Even so, women giving birth in these health centres report a high degree of satisfaction with the services provided.


The immobilization of NPs was also investigated on a larger scale by ellipsometry. All samples, except SAM-NH2 after 10 min, display an increased thickness of 9 nm which agrees well with the immobilization of a monolayer of 12 nm-sized NPs. This lower value than the NPs diameter can be related to the incomplete coverage of the surface by NPs and also by the fact that NPs are spherical. Contact angle measurements were also performed after the immobilization of NPs ( Table 1) . The values are higher than for the corresponding SAM-NH2 and SAM-THY and agree with the immobilization of NPs coated with oleic acid molecules on the side exposed to air and hydrophobic surfaces. Surfaces with the highest density in NPs display the highest values of contact angle. In contrast, the contact angle measured for SAM-NH2 with a shorter exposure time (10 minutes) to the NPs suspension is slightly lower which is in agreement with larger unoccupied areas of the SAM. The topography of the SAM-THY was also studied by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in tapping mode after immersion in the NPs suspension for 10 min. The analysis was performed on several regions to characterize the SAMs before and after deposition of NPs (Fig. 4) . After immersion in the NPs suspension, the SAM-THY is featured by a higher roughness (2.2 ± 0.1 nm) than the corresponding SAMs before immersion (0.5 ± 0.1 nm). These results are very similar to those obtained from SAMs prepared on gold substrates [10, 11] . It appears that the higher roughness of gold substrates compared with silicon wafer does not influence the assembling of NPs. Topographic height measurements demonstrate the homogeneous assembling of NPs on the SAM with a high coverage density. Some unoccupied areas are observed as the occurrence of darker regions but do not exceed 15%. Such free areas enable us to confirm the formation of a monolayer of nanoparticles as revealed by the surface cross section which shows average height differences of about 8 nm which is consistent with the particle size. Individual nanoparticles are not clearly observed and appear as irregularly shaped blocks because of their coating with oleic acid and of usual tip effects upon scanning. In addition, SAMs of organoalkoxysilanes exhibit a very low roughness and a very flat surface cross section similarly to those of silicon wafer (not shown). This agrees with the self-assembling of molecules as a continuous layer with an homogeneous thickness.

These results are very similar to those obtained from SAMs prepared on gold substrates.


Here, we report on the assembling of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles controlled by SAMs of alkoxysilanes-based molecules. The self-assembling of such molecules was performed by the covalent bonding at the surface of a silicon wafer which results in much more stable systems than SAMs prepared by the adsorption of thiol molecules on gold surfaces which is reversible [12] . Such approach to prepare SAMs is also very interesting because of the very low roughness of silicon wafers compared with that of gold surfaces [13] . Two different kinds of SAMs have been prepared to decorate the silicon wafer surface with amine and thymine terminal groups which are both polar but have different abilities to immobilize nanoparticles and should control the assembling of NPs.

The self-assembling of such molecules was performed by the covalent bonding at the surface of a silicon wafer which results in much more stable systems than SAMs prepared by the adsorption of thiol molecules on gold surfaces which is reversible.

Such approach to prepare SAMs is also very interesting because of the very low roughness of silicon wafers compared with that of gold surfaces.


The assembling of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) into arrays represents a very exciting and important challenge regarding their high potentials in the development of new nanodevices for spintronic, magnetic and magneto-electronic applications [1] [2] [3] . It is well argued that the key to successful applications of such nanoparticle-based devices is the engineering of the assembling of nanoparticles. Therefore, assembling methods are developed to organize nanoparticles on surfaces.

The assembling of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) into arrays represents a very exciting and important challenge regarding their high potentials in the development of new nanodevices for spintronic, magnetic and magneto-electronic applications.


Although nurses work in a wide variety of settings, the majority of research has focused on work-related professional and personal consequences for hospitalbased nurses who practice in specialty areas such as oncology, intensive care, or pediatrics [2] [3] [4] [5] . To date, there is limited research focusing on the potential impacts and consequences for nurses who practice in community-based settings. Given the varying complexity of community or home-based nursing roles and the populations they serve, the challenges and consequences may differ from the findings associated with hospital-based nursing practice.

Although nurses work in a wide variety of settings, the majority of research has focused on work-related professional and personal consequences for hospitalbased nurses who practice in specialty areas such as oncology, intensive care, or pediatrics.


The impacts throughout the different life cycle stages have been mapped and assessed against the framework developed by the TC350 Committee [16] . In terms of system boundaries, detailed classifications exist to cluster building elements into defined categories [39] . However, such detailed classifications would not match the loosely defined data in the original studies. Therefore, this study adopts a simplified approach with three macro-categories; namely (1) structure only, (2) shell and core, (3) up to internal finishes, and a further category (4) when the specification of the system boundaries lacked in the original paper.

The impacts throughout the different life cycle stages have been mapped and assessed against the framework developed by the TC350 Committee.

In terms of system boundaries, detailed classifications exist to cluster building elements into defined categories.


Here we document the efficacy of coastal zone policy in Hawai i over the past century to protect the shoreline, a time characterized by relatively low rates of sea level rise (SLR). During the past century, the historic SLR trend for O ahu (1 to 2 mm/yr) is similar to that of the island of Kaua i but different from Maui (2 to 3 mm/yr) (Romine et al. 2013) . In Hawai i, coastal erosion is linked to SLR. However, the relative influence of SLR on shoreline change is understood to be presently minor compared with other driving factors, although this is expected to change with future SLR (Anderson et al. 2015) . Coastal erosion is the result of several physical drivers including impacts to sediment supply, wave conditions, sediment transport processes, human derived structures, and geomorphology (Romine et al. 2013) .

During the past century, the historic SLR trend for O ahu (1 to 2 mm/yr) is similar to that of the island of Kaua i but different from Maui (2 to 3 mm/yr).

However, the relative influence of SLR on shoreline change is understood to be presently minor compared with other driving factors, although this is expected to change with future SLR.

Coastal erosion is the result of several physical drivers including impacts to sediment supply, wave conditions, sediment transport processes, human derived structures, and geomorphology.


Urinary diversion can be classified as either continent or incontinent. Continent urinary diversion refers to a reservoir which can be emptied through clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). Incontinent diversion refers to situations where a continuous free urinary flow through an interposed intestinal segment pours into a collecting bag [2] .

Incontinent diversion refers to situations where a continuous free urinary flow through an interposed intestinal segment pours into a collecting bag.


The need for sensors in the environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics domain is ever increasing [1] [2] [3] [4] . For instance, in neonatal pediatrics, survival of newborn baby is highly dependent on the incubator's relative humidity level [5] . The humidity control is also necessary in moisture-sensitive environments, such as in pharmaceutical industries, food storages, building air-conditioning, museums, paper industry and libraries. Resultantly, in view of their significant technological importance, there is rapid and continued advancement in fabrication of economical, miniaturized and sensitive humidity sensors [6, 7] .

The need for sensors in the environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics domain is ever increasing.

For instance, in neonatal pediatrics, survival of newborn baby is highly dependent on the incubator's relative humidity level.

Resultantly, in view of their significant technological importance, there is rapid and continued advancement in fabrication of economical, miniaturized and sensitive humidity sensors.


The phase angle of impedance (ZƟ calculated in radians) shows an increase with humidity level increment. At higher frequency, there is less variation in phase angle with the increase in humidity. At a particular humidity level, ZƟ shows interesting variation with frequency: initially it shows decreases with frequency increment but after a critical frequency it starts increasing. In fact, below that critical frequency, the capacitance of the device strongly contributes to the phase angle of impedance (ZƟ). As is known, the capacitance of the device shows a continuous decrease in its value with the frequency increment, so does the ZƟ. However, above the critical frequency, the phase angle of impedance (ZƟ) starts increasing. This could be explained by the fact that at higher frequency, the contribution of capacitance of the device is depressed and the effect of sensor's resistance starts to dominate. The same trend for phase angle of the impedance of the device after a critical frequency has also been observed by other researchers [37, 38] . Therefore, an increase in value of ZƟ after a For both sensors, increase in the capacitance is observed with the increment in the relative humidity (RH) of the surrounding air. It is inferred from the experimental results that the sensor with interdigitated electrode configuration shows higher humidity sensitivity as compared to the counter one. The capacitance of the sensors is basically dependent upon several parameters, i.e., the area (A) and the separation between the parallel plates (d) and polarizability of the dielectric medium present in between the plates. In the case of our humidity sensor, the organic-inorganic hybrid blend serves the purpose of dielectric and its polarizability (α r ) itself is of several origins. In organic-inorganic materials hybrid blended thin film, it may have dipolar (α dip ), ionic (α i ) and electronic polarizability (α e ). Hence the Equation (1), [36] .

The same trend for phase angle of the impedance of the device after a critical frequency has also been observed by other researchers.

Hence the Equation (1).


By a relation we mean a system of equalities of the form f (x 1 , ..., x n , x such that the diagram These notions provide an algebraic setting of lifting and stability questions: a relation is liftable (stable, weakly stable) if and only if its universal C * -algebra is projective (semiprojective, weakly semiprojective), [2] , [5] . Of course it is assumed that the universal C * -algebra of a relation exists. Note that in general a relation needn't have a universal C * -algebra, but if it includes restrictions x i ≤ c i , for all generators, then the universal C * -algebra exists (of course if the relation has at least one representation in a Hilbert space).

By a relation we mean a system of equalities of the form f (x 1 , ..., x n , x such that the diagram These notions provide an algebraic setting of lifting and stability questions: a relation is liftable (stable, weakly stable) if and only if its universal C * -algebra is projective (semiprojective, weakly semiprojective).


Research on the recruitment practices for expatriates has revealed the importance of expectations for the success of the expatriate assignment and furthermore identified mechanisms for expectancy calibration that may ease adjustment to a new position and culture (Gibson et al. 2015) . The key approaches include the realistic job preview (RJP), which is aimed at providing both positive and negative information about the position in question, and the expectancy lowering procedure (ELP), which is a more generalized approach that has shown good results (Morse and Popovich 2009) . While the relationship between the TSA and the TAW is different from an employer and expatriate, the role of expectations is no less valid. The recruitment process must present the temporary placement in a positive enough light to recruit the employee, while not creating unrealistically positive expectations.

Research on the recruitment practices for expatriates has revealed the importance of expectations for the success of the expatriate assignment and furthermore identified mechanisms for expectancy calibration that may ease adjustment to a new position and culture.

The key approaches include the realistic job preview (RJP), which is aimed at providing both positive and negative information about the position in question, and the expectancy lowering procedure (ELP), which is a more generalized approach that has shown good results.


Animals that are able to move among habitats can actively select locations to live, which is mainly determined by both landscape features and behaviour of the animals. Natural selection will favour individuals that are able to choose habitats in which most progeny can reach the adult stage successfully, and ecologically specialised life-history traits are generated that can make use of this advantage (Krebs, 2001 ) . Th e more specialised the life history of a certain species is, the more narrowly defi ned the requirements for successful development of their progeny are. One of the complex forms of habitat selection is the choice of specifi c oviposition sites in insects (Th omas, 1983a (Th omas, , 1983b (Th omas, , 1991 Bourn and Th omas, 1993 ; Ravenscroft, 1994 ; Bergmann, 1999 ; Gutiérrez et al., 1999 ) . Especially butterfl ies whose larvae are specialist parasites are expected to have narrowly defi ned requirements with respect to oviposition sites, because the choice of oviposition site has a large infl uence on the survival probability of the caterpillars. One would expect that the adults are able to select for oviposition sites that meet these requirements.

Natural selection will favour individuals that are able to choose habitats in which most progeny can reach the adult stage successfully, and ecologically specialised life-history traits are generated that can make use of this advantage.

One of the complex forms of habitat selection is the choice of specifi c oviposition sites in insects.


Microglia are the immune-cells of the brain. They react to inflammatory signals, seek out and phagocytize debris, promote repair and regeneration by excreting growth factors [1] . Microglia might, however, promote neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer or multiple sclerosis by dysregulation and overreaction to chronic inflammatory signals. A suspected loss of their ability to function as debris clearing cells with age or an insufficient renewal of their population in age was described [1] . The role microglia play in these diseases and the possible changes the microglia population undergoes with age are the key to understand and combat the causes of neurodegeneration.

They react to inflammatory signals, seek out and phagocytize debris, promote repair and regeneration by excreting growth factors.

A suspected loss of their ability to function as debris clearing cells with age or an insufficient renewal of their population in age was described.


Transportation risk analysis consists in developing a quantitative estimate of risk based on engineering assessments and possible mathematical techniques for combining estimates of incidents, consequences and frequencies [10] . In this paper, transportation risk analysis is proposed through a simulation approach with quantitative models where real conditions are reproducible on a computer. Computer simulation is cheaper than real simulation in terms of cost and time, and different strategies and scenarios can be tested. Real simulation may be useful to calibrate some parameters. For new users, some hypotheses can be made; stochastic models may help in this direction.

Transportation risk analysis consists in developing a quantitative estimate of risk based on engineering assessments and possible mathematical techniques for combining estimates of incidents, consequences and frequencies.


In relation to the proposed objectives in this paper: 2 RISK FUNCTION Risk can be defined as a cardinal measure of potential economic loss, human injury or environmental damage in terms of both incident probability and magnitude of the loss, injury, or damage [10] . Risk has to be assessed in all its components (probability, vulnerability and exposure) and a numerical value has to be obtained. This value can be considered a cardinal measure of the safety and security level. An increase in the risk level is equivalent to a reduction in safety and security. A general formulation for risk assessment in all its components has to be developed.

In relation to the proposed objectives in this paper: 2 RISK FUNCTION Risk can be defined as a cardinal measure of potential economic loss, human injury or environmental damage in terms of both incident probability and magnitude of the loss, injury, or damage.


With respect to glycopeptide susceptibility of E. faecium, we noted that 95.1% of strains were resistant to vancomycin and teicoplanin, which is six times higher than reported in 2007 (13%) [14] . Furthermore, in the period from 1997 to 2002 in Serbia, all Enterococcus strains were susceptible to vancomycin [25] . This is highly alarming given the fact that VRE in our study was susceptible only to linezolid, which, to a great extent, increases the difficulty and the cost of the treatment [26] . In contrast, countries of our region, Croatia, Slovenia, and Greece reported decreasing trends of VRE [6] .

With respect to glycopeptide susceptibility of E. faecium, we noted that 95.1% of strains were resistant to vancomycin and teicoplanin, which is six times higher than reported in 2007 (13%).

Furthermore, in the period from 1997 to 2002 in Serbia, all Enterococcus strains were susceptible to vancomycin.

This is highly alarming given the fact that VRE in our study was susceptible only to linezolid, which, to a great extent, increases the difficulty and the cost of the treatment.

In contrast, countries of our region, Croatia, Slovenia, and Greece reported decreasing trends of VRE.


This study measured the specific heat capacity of the Phyllostachys edulis (Moso Bamboo) in three directions of the cylindrical coordinate system. A previous study found that the density and porosity of Moso bamboo varied in these directions (Huang et al. 2015) . Better understanding the thermal properties in different directions of the bamboo is the foundation for gaining more insights into the heat and moisture transfer mechanism.

A previous study found that the density and porosity of Moso bamboo varied in these directions.


Nitrogen, as a plant macronutrient, constructs chlorophyll for plant photosynthesis. One of the most widely used sources of nitrogen is urea, which has a nitrogen content of 46% [1] . Urea is capable of undergoing nitrification reaction and generating nitrate which can be adsorbed biologically by the plant [2] . Unfortunately, because of this reaction and also the high solubility of urea, the application effectiveness of urea means that only 30% of the urea applied is absorbed by the plant, with the remainder lost to the environment as urea waste [3] .

One of the most widely used sources of nitrogen is urea, which has a nitrogen content of 46%.

Urea is capable of undergoing nitrification reaction and generating nitrate which can be adsorbed biologically by the plant.

Unfortunately, because of this reaction and also the high solubility of urea, the application effectiveness of urea means that only 30% of the urea applied is absorbed by the plant, with the remainder lost to the environment as urea waste.


Mathematical modelling of the releasing material can indicate the process that occurs inside material based on active-compound mass transfer [21] . There are many types of mathematical modelling with each respective approximation, e.g. the unsteady state diffusion model and the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The unsteady state model incorporates a type of the mathematical modelling that considers the activecompound is released from a spherical shape material with the flux changing as a time function [22] . Whereas, the Korsmeyer-Peppas model considers that the activecompound is released from sheet shape material with flux changing as a time function [23] . However, the Korsmeyer-Peppas is used not only for sheet shape material but also spherical shape material. Furthermore, Korsmeyer-Peppas is widely used in mathematical modelling due to its simple linear equation form.

Mathematical modelling of the releasing material can indicate the process that occurs inside material based on active-compound mass transfer.

The unsteady state model incorporates a type of the mathematical modelling that considers the activecompound is released from a spherical shape material with the flux changing as a time function.

Whereas, the Korsmeyer-Peppas model considers that the activecompound is released from sheet shape material with flux changing as a time function.


Considering the global benefits of using our acenocoumarol pharmacogenetic algorithm, the number needed to genotype to avoid a misclassified patient (NNG) can be calculated to be 5 in any cohort. This result is at least as clinically relevant as those obtained by similar studies with warfarin [21] . Therefore if dose adjustment in clinical practice behaves similar to the clinical algorithm, this pharmacogenetic algorithm could better predict the needed acenocoumarol dose and prevent patients from being over-or undercoagulated.

This result is at least as clinically relevant as those obtained by similar studies with warfarin.


Coumarin anticoagulants, including warfarin, acenocoumarol and phenprocoumon, are highly effective antithrombotic drugs for the treatment of thromboembolic diseases (such as deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), atrial fibrillation and artificial heart valves [1] . Appropriate dosing of coumarins is difficult to establish, due to widespread inter-individual variability in its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic responses and its narrow therapeutic window. Numerous genetic and non-genetic factors have been associated with the inter-individual variability in warfarin and acenocoumarol dosing requirements. Although warfarin and acenocoumarol are very similar, the recommended doses are different and they have differences in their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as in the influence of genetics and other factors [2] . Thus, the effect of CYP2C9 defective variants is more pronounced for warfarin than for acenocoumarol and as a consequence the explained variability in dosing is 10-15% in the case of warfarin and about 5% in the case of acenocoumarol [3] . Therefore, data on the influence of pharmacogenetics and other factors on warfarin dose (the most well-studied to date) to obtain stable anticoagulation are not applicable to acenocoumarol or phencroumon.

Coumarin anticoagulants, including warfarin, acenocoumarol and phenprocoumon, are highly effective antithrombotic drugs for the treatment of thromboembolic diseases (such as deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), atrial fibrillation and artificial heart valves.

Although warfarin and acenocoumarol are very similar, the recommended doses are different and they have differences in their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as in the influence of genetics and other factors.

Thus, the effect of CYP2C9 defective variants is more pronounced for warfarin than for acenocoumarol and as a consequence the explained variability in dosing is 10-15% in the case of warfarin and about 5% in the case of acenocoumarol.


There always exist model uncertainties and external disturbances in real physical systems. In recent years, this had led to an interest in the induced l ∞ approach [11, 12] . The induced l ∞ approach is an effective tool to treat several dynamic systems because we can obtain general stability results using only inputs and outputs measurements. Now, the following question arises: is there an induced l ∞ stability condition for digital filters with external interference and saturation arithmetic? However, as far as we are aware, for the induced l ∞ stability for digital filters with external interference and saturation arithmetic, there are no results published in the literature so far.

In recent years, this had led to an interest in the induced l ∞ approach.


In the hardware implementation of high-order digital filters, they are usually split into some biquad filters before hardware implementation. Then, there may exist interferences between these biquad filters. These interferences lead to malfunction as well as destruction in the last [9, 10] . However, most existing stability criteria for digital filters are only available under specific conditions without external interference, while in unfavorable environments with external interference, unfortunately, we cannot use these existing stability criteria any more. Therefore, it is important to study an alternative criterion that can overcome the shortcomings of existing stability criteria for digital filters.

These interferences lead to malfunction as well as destruction in the last.


When designing a linear time-invariant digital filter using a fixed-point arithmetic, one encounters quantization and overflow nonlinearities. The presence of these nonlinearities may result in the instability of designed filters. The zero-input limit cycles, which are undesirable, may possibly occur due to these nonlinearities. The quantization and overflow nonlinear-ities may interact with each other. However, if the number of quantization steps is large, quantization effects may be decoupled when investigating the effects of overflow. Several researchers have studies stability criteria for digital filters employing saturation overflow arithmetic [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] .

Several researchers have studies stability criteria for digital filters employing saturation overflow arithmetic.


Mars Observer was designed for a sun-synchronous polar orbit with a period of 0.08 sols (Martian days). While Mars spins, the orbit stays fixed at the same local time of day, so successive dayside equator crossings move west by slightly less than 30 degrees. In one sol the spacecraft covers the globe with 12-13 equally spaced (in longitude) polar passes on both dayside and nightside. For our purposes, a steady-state observing system is one where the same instruments are taking data from the same point in the orbit on each polar pass. Our first objective was to assimilate data from one instrument, the Pressure Modulator Infrared Radiometer (PMIRR), which obtains profiles of temperature, water vapor, and dust to 80-km altitude every 115 km downtrack, that is, along the track of the spacecraft (McCleese et al. 1992) . Since the spacecraft moves at 3.3 km s _, , more than 10 profiles are obtained during each 7-minute time step of the MGCM.

Our first objective was to assimilate data from one instrument, the Pressure Modulator Infrared Radiometer (PMIRR), which obtains profiles of temperature, water vapor, and dust to 80-km altitude every 115 km downtrack, that is, along the track of the spacecraft.


To see this, letZ V be the mean of the variable Z over all points in the region. Then the variance ofZ V is equal to the variance that would be obtained by an uncorrelated sample of M observations from V , where M = |V |/A (Chiles and Delfiner, 1999) . Thus, full observation of the spatial field V is in some sense equivalent to M independent observations, at least for the purpose of estimating the mean of Z. The quantity M can be considered to be the "effective sample size" of the region V .

Then the variance ofZ V is equal to the variance that would be obtained by an uncorrelated sample of M observations from V , where M = |V |/A.


The distribution network reconfiguration problem can be theoretically conclude to a extremely complicated nonlinear integer combination optimization problem [2, 3] . Because of switch combination in process of reconfiguration is characteristics of huge quantity, therefore, the single direct solution will fail into the "curse of dimensionality". And due to the solution space of network reconfiguration is tremendous huge. These will cause large amount of calculation in solution process, and couldn't guarantee the reliable convergence. At present, the solving methods of reconfiguration approximately divided into traditional mathematical method, heuristic algorithm and artificial intelligence optimization algorithm.

The distribution network reconfiguration problem can be theoretically conclude to a extremely complicated nonlinear integer combination optimization problem.


With more and more DG access to the distribution network, the original management and operation will be influenced by them. On this background, the traditional distribution network reconfiguration method is not applicable. Reconfiguration entails altering the topological structure of distribution by changing the status of the switches (sectionalizing switches and tie switches) [1] . We hope that the entire network could reduce power loss, eliminate branches congestion, balance line load and improve voltage quality.

Reconfiguration entails altering the topological structure of distribution by changing the status of the switches (sectionalizing switches and tie switches).


Despite the difficulty in the external environment, Malaysian SMEs continue to expand at a faster pace than the overall economy, with real GDP growth of 6% in 2012. This tremendous achievement was due to strong domestic economic activity, the rise in income levels, favorable labour market conditions and continued access to financing. The projected growth of Malaysian SMEs will be around 5 -6% for 2013 and 2014, while the overall GDP is projected against a backdrop of 4.5 -5%. Economic Transformation Program and the SME Master Plan initiatives together with domestic demand will be the pillars to reinforce and sustain the SME growth in the future SME annual report [13] .

Economic Transformation Program and the SME Master Plan initiatives together with domestic demand will be the pillars to reinforce and sustain the SME growth in the future SME annual report.


Fiber lasers have attracted enormous attention in recent years due to their rich advantages, such as high beam quality, high efficiency, low cost, high power, and so on [1] - [7] . In high power doublecladding all-fiber lasers and amplifiers, there are many splice loss sources of fiber and leakages of light from the core to the cladding [8] , [9] . The main source of the cladding light is unabsorbed pump light at the end of the gain fiber, which can reach hundreds of watts in the kilowatt-class systems [10] , [11] . If the cladding light is not filtered properly, it will not only degrade the laser beam quality, but also increase the risk of damage of different components, e.g., collimators. In order to improve the quality of the systems and the output beam, it is important to filter all of the cladding light efficiently.

Fiber lasers have attracted enormous attention in recent years due to their rich advantages, such as high beam quality, high efficiency, low cost, high power, and so on.

In high power doublecladding all-fiber lasers and amplifiers, there are many splice loss sources of fiber and leakages of light from the core to the cladding.

The main source of the cladding light is unabsorbed pump light at the end of the gain fiber, which can reach hundreds of watts in the kilowatt-class systems.


The interactions occurring within a composite constituted by a system A and a reservoir R determine the state P. Palazzo 2004 of stable equilibrium which represents the foundation of the Second Law statement reported in the literature and in particular by Gyftopoulos and Beretta [1] . The reservoir is defined as an auxiliary system experiencing stable equilibrium states only [1] . The mutual stable equilibrium between system and reservoir implies the necessary conditions of equal temperature, chemical potential and pressure of the system-reservoir composite AR [1] . Instead, the canonical definition of entropy, founded on this statement of the Second Law and derived from energy and available energy, is underpinned by the equality of temperature as the sole necessary condition for the stable equilibrium of AR and for this reason is based only on the constant temperature R T of the reservoir [1] . The chemical potential R µ and pressure R P of the reservoir do not appear in the formulation of entropy. The first aim is here to explore the possibility of generalizing the definition of exergy property, and consequently the definition of entropy, considering the equality of chemical potential R µ µ = and pressure R P P = , within the system-reservoir composite, as further necessary conditions of mutual stable equilibrium in addition to equality of temperature and characterizing the definition of generalized entropy by R µ and R P in addition to R T . The second aim is to demonstrate that equality of temperature, equality of potential and equality of pressure are conditions that are also sufficient for stable equilibrium and the proof is attained by means of the generalized entropy derived from the generalized exergy here defined, which is used to derive stable equilibrium as a logical consequence of the equality of generalized potentials.

The interactions occurring within a composite constituted by a system A and a reservoir R determine the state P. Palazzo 2004 of stable equilibrium which represents the foundation of the Second Law statement reported in the literature and in particular by Gyftopoulos and Beretta.

The reservoir is defined as an auxiliary system experiencing stable equilibrium states only.

The mutual stable equilibrium between system and reservoir implies the necessary conditions of equal temperature, chemical potential and pressure of the system-reservoir composite AR.

Instead, the canonical definition of entropy, founded on this statement of the Second Law and derived from energy and available energy, is underpinned by the equality of temperature as the sole necessary condition for the stable equilibrium of AR and for this reason is based only on the constant temperature R T of the reservoir.


As one can see, the equation (14) is integro-differential and cannot be treated analytically. Instead, we performed a numerical study of this equation [12] . The result is shown in Fig.3 . One can see that all the curves practically have the same behaviour. It is clearly seen that the numerical curve reproduces both poles and is close to the ladder approximation. This comparison justifies our conclusion that the ladder approximation reproduces the correct behaviour of the function.

Instead, we performed a numerical study of this equation.

The result is shown in Fig.3 .


Any local quantum field theory has a remarkable property that after performing the incomplete R-operation, the so-called R -operation, the remaining UV divergences are always local. This property allows one to construct the so called recurrence relations which relate the divergent contributions in all orders of perturbation theory (PT) with the lower order ones. In renormalizable theories this relations are known as pole equations (within dimensional regularization) and are governed by the renormalization group [8] .

In renormalizable theories this relations are known as pole equations (within dimensional regularization) and are governed by the renormalization group.


Applying first the color decomposition of the amplitudes, we are left with the partial amplitudes. Within the spinor-helicity formalism the tree level partial amplitudes depend on the Mandelstam variables s, t and u and have a relatively simple universal form. The advantage of the superspace formalism is that the tree level amplitudes always factorize so that the ratio of the loop corrections to the tree level expression can be expressed in terms of pure scalar master integrals shown in Fig.1 [7] . Within the dimensional regularization (dimensional reduction) the UV divergences manifest themselves as the pole terms with the numerators being the polynomials over the kinematic variables. In D-dimensions the first UV divergences start from L=6/(D-4) loops, consequently, in D=8 and they start already at one loop. Notice that all simple loops as well as triangles completely cancel in all orders of PT. This is the consequence of maximal supersymmetry and it seems this is maximal it can do. In D=4 this leads to the the cancellation of all the UV divergences since boxes are finite, however, in higher dimensions the UV divergences remain non-renormalizable.

The advantage of the superspace formalism is that the tree level amplitudes always factorize so that the ratio of the loop corrections to the tree level expression can be expressed in terms of pure scalar master integrals shown in Fig.1.


In the world of (∞, 1)-categories, a beginning step in the comparison between simplicial categories and Segal categories, which can be thought of as up-to-homotopy nerves of simplicial categories, was the single-object case: the comparison between simplicial monoids and Segal monoids. This result of the first-named author was extended to the case of simplicial categories and Segal categories with a given fixed object set, which then played a role in the proof of the general case [6] , [7] . The idea behind the proof was that simplicial monoids can be regarded as product-preserving functors from the algebraic theory of monoids T M to the category of simplicial sets; finding an equivalence with certain kinds of diagrams from ∆ op to the category of simplicial sets was, in a sense, replacing T M with a simpler diagram that served the same purpose.

This result of the first-named author was extended to the case of simplicial categories and Segal categories with a given fixed object set, which then played a role in the proof of the general case.


Recall that an operad in simplicial sets is a sequence {P (k)} k≥0 of simplicial sets, each with a right action of the symmetric group Σ k , a unit element 1 ∈ P (1), and operations P (k) × P (j 1 ) × · · · × P (j k ) → P (j 1 + · · · + j k ) satisfying associativity, unit, and equivariance conditions [23] . More generally, one can look at colored operads, in which inputs and outputs for each operation have designated labels, and composition respects these labels [3] , [10] . In fact, a colored operad in simplicial sets is the same as a symmetric simplicial multicategory, in which morphisms have a single target but possibly multiple (or no) inputs.

Recall that an operad in simplicial sets is a sequence {P (k)} k≥0 of simplicial sets, each with a right action of the symmetric group Σ k , a unit element 1 ∈ P (1), and operations P (k) × P (j 1 ) × · · · × P (j k ) → P (j 1 + · · · + j k ) satisfying associativity, unit, and equivariance conditions.

More generally, one can look at colored operads, in which inputs and outputs for each operation have designated labels, and composition respects these labels.


A search for anisotropic birefringence is motivated because if, for example, the scalar field is dynamical, then it should have spatial fluctuations that would propagate as spatial variations in α [6, 8, 10] . There are also models for which a uniform rotation α vanishes, in which case these models would only be detectable in a search for the anisotropies of α. If detected, the power spectrum of α would give considerable insight on the nature of the source of birefringence and new physics. In particular the sourcing field could in principle contain a special direction (similar to birefringent crystals such as calcite or sapphire), which would impart a signal in a large scale map of α. A final reason for such a study is a more practical one, namely that a uniform α is degenerate with a systematic uncertainty in the orientation of the detectors, particularly polarization-sensitive-bolometers (PSBs) used in CMB experiments [11, 12] . Currently, measurements of a uniform rotation are systematics dominated at the |α| 0.

A search for anisotropic birefringence is motivated because if, for example, the scalar field is dynamical, then it should have spatial fluctuations that would propagate as spatial variations in α.

A final reason for such a study is a more practical one, namely that a uniform α is degenerate with a systematic uncertainty in the orientation of the detectors, particularly polarization-sensitive-bolometers (PSBs) used in CMB experiments.


Two-dimensional (2-D) search radar networking, which is generally utilised in the first line of air defence, has been widely applied in modern airspace control [1] [2] [3] . This fact generally has two reasons: on one hand, 2-D radars are cheaper than threedimensional (3-D) radars; on the other, single 2-D radar can't directly determine a target's position since it is merely able to obtain the range and azimuth without the height of the target. Consequently, it is a valuable task-how to utilise the resources and measurements from multiple 2-D radars to estimate the position of a target. To simplify the description, all radars below denote two-dimensional search radars.

Two-dimensional (2-D) search radar networking, which is generally utilised in the first line of air defence, has been widely applied in modern airspace control.


While the major financial consequence of tolerance choices is that of manufacturing precision, where it is more expensive to produce more precisely-machined parts, another factor to consider is scrap parts [4] . When some parts are produced with unacceptable dimensions, those parts must be either discarded or reworked, which adds to the bottom line of production costs [5] . Significant numbers of scrapped or reworked parts can also influence the ecological impacts due to increased material and waste requirements and social impacts due to increased human workload.

While the major financial consequence of tolerance choices is that of manufacturing precision, where it is more expensive to produce more precisely-machined parts, another factor to consider is scrap parts.

When some parts are produced with unacceptable dimensions, those parts must be either discarded or reworked, which adds to the bottom line of production costs.


Palm oil fuel ash (POFA) is a by-product from biomass power plants, in which palm oil residues such as fibers, shells, and empty fruit bunches are burned to generate electricity. In 2013, approximately 6.25 million tons of palm oil residues were produced in Thailand. After combustion, approximately 312,500 tons of POFA were obtained or approximately 5% by weight of palm oil residue [1] . Since the palm oil is the main material in the production of biodiesel, the by-product of palm oil fuel ash is tended to increase annually, whereas the application of POFA remains to be very limited. Thus, most POFA is disposed as waste in landfills, which causes many environmental problems. The main chemical composition of palm oil fuel ash is silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), and previous studies have shown that POFA in its original size is not suitable as a good pozzolan due to its large particle and high porosity [1] . However, high fineness POFA is a good pozzolanic material. Therefore, the POFA should be ground to higher fineness before it is used to partially replace OPC in concrete [2] [3] [4] .

After combustion, approximately 312,500 tons of POFA were obtained or approximately 5% by weight of palm oil residue.

The main chemical composition of palm oil fuel ash is silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), and previous studies have shown that POFA in its original size is not suitable as a good pozzolan due to its large particle and high porosity.

Therefore, the POFA should be ground to higher fineness before it is used to partially replace OPC in concrete.


In the last years, Frequency Agile Materials for Electronics (FAME) have been the aim of numerous studies to implement cheap electronics functions such as phase shifter, filter, etc. Among these materials, we can cite the nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) [1] . The development of microwave frequency agile devices based on NLCs requires knowing dielectric tensor properties in a broad band of frequency. These properties can be obtained from a characterization method using a measuring cell.

Among these materials, we can cite the nematic liquid crystals (NLCs).


The Burnett Mary region is the catchment for rivers flowing into the southern part of the GBR. The region is known for producing sugarcane and horticultural produce, with the value of the horticulture industry in the region growing from AU$27.4 M in 1980 to $467.8 M in 2010 [11] . More than 70% of that gross value is derived from intensive vegetable production, with the majority of that grown in rotation with sugarcane-often as a one (year vegetable) in five year rotation. The favourable sub-tropical climate allows vegetables to be grown year round, with at least two vegetable crops grown during the vegetable break year.

The region is known for producing sugarcane and horticultural produce, with the value of the horticulture industry in the region growing from AU$27.4 M in 1980 to $467.8 M in 2010.


Sub-Sahara Africa countries and other developing nations are facing challenges of development, which can be directly linked to the means and methods of energy generation and its use. The desire to have access to energy has created negative multiplier effects, namely climate change, non-equilibrium of the ecosystem, pollution of the environment and anxiety among nations. These challenges form the nucleus of the search for optimal socio-economic and environmental decisions to deploy clean and affordable energy solutions, as stipulated in No. 7 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is due to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) [1] . This is evident from an avalanche of literature from intergovernmental organisations towards the policy of deploying a clean and creative energy supply, namely the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) [2] . All the intergovernmental organisations continue to stress the importance of drastic reductions in the use of climate impeding energy sources (especially fossil fuels) to minimise the dangerous impacts of climates change [3] .

These challenges form the nucleus of the search for optimal socio-economic and environmental decisions to deploy clean and affordable energy solutions, as stipulated in No. 7 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is due to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This is evident from an avalanche of literature from intergovernmental organisations towards the policy of deploying a clean and creative energy supply, namely the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

All the intergovernmental organisations continue to stress the importance of drastic reductions in the use of climate impeding energy sources (especially fossil fuels) to minimise the dangerous impacts of climates change.


Most of the existing work in the consensus literature concentrates on the consensus protocols that reach a single equilibrium value. Such results are quite restrictive in the sense that they ignore the possibility of the network converging to multiple distinct consensus values. Lately, considerable interest has been directed toward group consensus or cluster synchronization [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] .

Lately, considerable interest has been directed toward group consensus or cluster synchronization.


Though the convergence properties of networks under fixed topology has been extensively studied, determining the convergence properties of a time-varying network is not an easy task since the communication topology changes dynamically due to the creation of new links and/or breakage of existing links. In order to analyze convergence properties of the consensus protocol over time-varying networks, the concept of joint connectivity condition is introduced [3] [4] [5] . This condition requires the dynamic graph G(t) not necessarily to be connected at each time t, but the union of graphs 1 to be connected. One of the shortcomings of this condition is to divide the time axis into intervals such that the weighting coefficients among the agents are continuous on each interval. Moreover, it is also assumed that the time intervals are upper bounded. However, these assumptions on the weighting coefficients or topology may be difficult to verify for a given network which motivated the integral connectivity based criteria studied in this paper.

In order to analyze convergence properties of the consensus protocol over time-varying networks, the concept of joint connectivity condition is introduced.


Many of today's studies on multi-agent networks focus on distributed coordination problems. Particularly, there has been much recent interest in consensus problems wherein a group of autonomous agents try to cooperatively agree on a common decision. This interest is primarily motivated by the wide variety of practical applications, including social networks, unmanned vehicles, intelligent highway systems and wireless sensor networks [1] [2] [3] . The analysis and design of classical consensus protocols for such complex and large-scale systems has become a significant research topic due to the rapid developments in the network technologies [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] .

This interest is primarily motivated by the wide variety of practical applications, including social networks, unmanned vehicles, intelligent highway systems and wireless sensor networks.

The analysis and design of classical consensus protocols for such complex and large-scale systems has become a significant research topic due to the rapid developments in the network technologies.