In 1851, it was the first time that a device named pantograph was used in the construction of the electric locomotive which this name was originated from that time. Pantograph was modeled mathematically in 1971 [1] . Pantograph equations are one of the most prominent kinds of functional differential equations with proportional delay and often appear in many scientific models such as number theory, nonlinear dynamical systems, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, population studies, etc.

Pantograph was modeled mathematically in 1971.


Seven of the most frequently used introductory ecology textbooks in the US were critically assessed for their coverage of women's contributions to ecology (Table 1) . Methods for content analysis came from similar studies in other fields (Phillips and Hausbeck 2000; Rosser 1991) . Two layers of analysis were used: (1) a quantitative determination of the proportion of scientific contributions by men and women, and (2) a qualitative assessment of the coverage of the social and cultural context of science. Texts were examined with the assumption that the reader had no prior knowledge about the people and topics included, since our goal was to assess the impact of course materials on undergraduate learning experiences. While some students may initially be exposed to the field of ecology in a general biology course, most students receive their first in-depth exposure to people and topics in ecology in introductory ecology courses.

Methods for content analysis came from similar studies in other fields.


In the ovariectomized macaque menstrual model, menstruation can be induced by withdrawing P4. Restoring P4 could prevent frank menses if done up to 36-40 h after P4 withdrawal and could attenuate the menses for up to 48 h after P4 withdrawal, Thus, in the macaque model, the critical period of P4 withdrawal before menses lasts 36-48 h (Slayden and Brenner, 2006) . This critical period divides P4 withdrawal into the P4-dependent and P4-independent phases of endometrial breakdown, and also provides the proper timing for potential interventions for relevant pathological complications.

Restoring P4 could prevent frank menses if done up to 36-40 h after P4 withdrawal and could attenuate the menses for up to 48 h after P4 withdrawal, Thus, in the macaque model, the critical period of P4 withdrawal before menses lasts 36-48 h.


Hepatic resection is potentially curative in colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases. In resectable cases, a 5-year survival rate of more than 50% can be anticipated [2] . However, only 15-20% of patients are considered resectable. This is because the liver metastases have spread to both lobes or because adequate residual liver volume cannot be ensured. Meanwhile, chemotherapy is an option in other patients who are considered unresectable. Some of these patients become resectable after conversion chemotherapy, and the importance of multimodal therapy that combines conversion chemotherapy and surgical resection in such cases has been reported [3, 4] .

In resectable cases, a 5-year survival rate of more than 50% can be anticipated.

Some of these patients become resectable after conversion chemotherapy, and the importance of multimodal therapy that combines conversion chemotherapy and surgical resection in such cases has been reported.


Studies in this area have recognized the complexity of coordination processes and the need for representing nonverbal dialogue when the interaction is distributed. It has been acknowledged that in copresent communication a physically shared workspace allows gesture production from any individual and this leads to an effective interaction. The sharing of a task space, remotely or otherwise, is critical to activities like determining the partner's need for assistance, instruction efficiency and feedback [4, 9] .

The sharing of a task space, remotely or otherwise, is critical to activities like determining the partner's need for assistance, instruction efficiency and feedback.


The charge produced by ionizing particles in the liquid is drifted towards the liquid-vapor interface, where electrons are extracted to the vapor phase by means of an appropriate electric field produced by two grids. In the vapor phase, Townsend avalanche takes place in the high electric field regions confined in the LEM holes, similar to the situation of the Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) [7] . The LEM is a macroscopic hole electron multiplier built with standard PCB techniques. The amplified charge is collected by a set of segmented electrodes, on which signals are induced.

In the vapor phase, Townsend avalanche takes place in the high electric field regions confined in the LEM holes, similar to the situation of the Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM).


Furthermore, it was observed that the prior knowledge about wild legumes is independent of gender, age, education level, and farming experience, but dependent on the farmers' location. However, it is curiously noted that after carefully sighting the wild Vigna legumes performing in the field by participants, it is revealed that there is a significant relationship between the farmers' preferences and their gender, farming experience, and location (likelihood ratio test). This could explain that the knowledge of wild legumes increases farmers' attraction and preferences of wild legumes depending on their gender, farming experience, and location. Less than 50% (74 out of 160) of the planted accessions were preferred by farmers in both research sites (Figure 6 ), showing that several accessions had common preferences depending on the locations. Although this could be influenced by the number of accessions that reached an appreciable growth level by the selection period, the selection should depend on other parameters such as farmers' gender (G 2 = 130.813, df = 73, p < 0.000), farming experience (G 2 = 669.196, df = 511, p < 0.000), and location (G 2 = 1110.606, df = 73, p < 0.000), as confirmed by the X 2 test. In a similar study, significant correlations between preferences of male and female farmers in an on-farm trial indicated that both groups have similar criteria for the selection of rice varieties in India [29] . Experiments investigating farmers' knowledge about unknown or wild food crops are lacking or almost non-existent in the literature [12] . The wild Vigna species are not well-known legumes, which could be the reason taxonomic characterizations have still been under investigation by scientists until recently [30] .

In a similar study, significant correlations between preferences of male and female farmers in an on-farm trial indicated that both groups have similar criteria for the selection of rice varieties in India.

Experiments investigating farmers' knowledge about unknown or wild food crops are lacking or almost non-existent in the literature.

The wild Vigna species are not well-known legumes, which could be the reason taxonomic characterizations have still been under investigation by scientists until recently.


The Phaseolus and Vigna genera comprises the most widely consumed legumes, namely common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) [2, 4, 5] . Within each genus, there are fewer domesticated edible species as compared with the numerous non-domesticated wild species. Some domesticated or semi-domesticated species have been termed as neglected and underutilized species due to little attention being paid to them or the complete ignorance of their existence by agricultural researchers, plant breeders, and policymakers [6] . This study mainly focuses on the genus Vigna.

The Phaseolus and Vigna genera comprises the most widely consumed legumes, namely common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata).

Some domesticated or semi-domesticated species have been termed as neglected and underutilized species due to little attention being paid to them or the complete ignorance of their existence by agricultural researchers, plant breeders, and policymakers.


The 1 H-NMR spectra of P(HEMA-co-MMA) copolymers are given in Figure 4 . The signal for methyl protons of -OCH 3 (a) in MMA units appeared at 3.55 ppm [38, 39] . The signals of -CH 3 protons were seen at 0.88-1.36 ppm in both MMA and HEMA units, while for methylene protons they were in the range of 1.5-2.1 ppm. The signals at 3.78 ppm (b) and 4.05 ppm (c) correspond to -CH 2 OH and -CH 2 O protons, respectively [38] .

The signal for methyl protons of -OCH 3 (a) in MMA units appeared at 3.55 ppm.

The signals at 3.78 ppm (b) and 4.05 ppm (c) correspond to -CH 2 OH and -CH 2 O protons, respectively.


International Journal of Polymer Science 5 Finally, propargyl moieties were introduced via the Steglich esterification between the hydroxyl side-functionalities of HEMA and propiolic acid. Alkyne-P(HEMA-co-MMA)-block-PPEGMA (3b, 3d) was then click-coupled with model compound, namely, 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl azide to yield (4) . Copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was carried out via ATRP using ethyl -bromoisobutyrate (EBIB), CuCl, and bipyridine as initiator, catalyst, and ligand, respectively, at room temperature in methanol. Conditions and results are summarized in Table 1 . Molar ratio of MMA and HEMA was varied to get random copolymers with different HEMA contents. For instance, to obtain P(HEMA (20) Chemical structures of the copolymers were identified using several techniques. The FT-IR spectra of four different compositions of copolymers P(HEMA-co-MMA) are given in Figure 3 . The broad band at 3540 cm −1 due to the -OH stretching, increasing with the HEMA content in the copolymers, was an apparent characteristic peak of the series. The -CH stretching appeared around 2957 cm −1 . The characteristic -C=O stretching band in both HEMA and MMA units in the copolymer occurred at 1726 cm −1 [37, 38] . The strong -C-O-C-type ester stretching band appeared at 1151 cm −1 [38] .

Alkyne-P(HEMA-co-MMA)-block-PPEGMA (3b, 3d) was then click-coupled with model compound, namely, 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl azide to yield.

The characteristic -C=O stretching band in both HEMA and MMA units in the copolymer occurred at 1726 cm −1.

The strong -C-O-C-type ester stretching band appeared at 1151 cm −1.


The temperature of 5% weight loss, the temperature of 10% weight loss, the temperature of the rapid weight loss ( max ) before 750 ∘ C, and the char yield at 750 ∘ C in nitrogen are summarized in Table 4 . Propargyl side-functional block copolymers, alkyne-P(HEMA-co-MMA)-block-PPEGMA (3b and 3d), were prepared by the Steglich esterification between hydroxyl groups of HEMA and propiolic acid in the presence of DCC and DMAP at room temperature [35] . The GPC analysis provided evidence for the success of reaction. As expected, there was a slight increase in the values. Further proof was supplied by FT IR analysis as depicted in Figure 9 . As compared to the spectrum of P(HEMA-co-MMA)-block-PPEGMA, two new bands (2b, 2d) appeared at around 2350 and 3320 cm −1 in the spectrum of alkyne-P(HEMA-co-MMA)-block-PPEGMA (3b, 3d), which were assigned to the stretching vibration of the alkyne group [35] .

Propargyl side-functional block copolymers, alkyne-P(HEMA-co-MMA)-block-PPEGMA (3b and 3d), were prepared by the Steglich esterification between hydroxyl groups of HEMA and propiolic acid in the presence of DCC and DMAP at room temperature.

As compared to the spectrum of P(HEMA-co-MMA)-block-PPEGMA, two new bands (2b, 2d) appeared at around 2350 and 3320 cm −1 in the spectrum of alkyne-P(HEMA-co-MMA)-block-PPEGMA (3b, 3d), which were assigned to the stretching vibration of the alkyne group.


In particular, we shall show that given a deformation of the bracket between two modified Hamiltonian constraints, the same deformation function appears in the time-time component of the effective line-element. If the bracket is deformed such that its structure function changes sign, the time-time component of the effective line element turns positive, while the remaining contributions remain positive definite. This result unequivocally demonstrates the change in signature of the space-time metric which had earlier been deduced more indirectly from the change in sign of the hypersurface-deformation brackets, or from field equations they imply [11, 12] . Thus, signature-change is a necessary effect of having deformed hypersurface-deformations such that their structure function changes sign, as long as one is careful in deriving an invariant line-element that is consistent with the modified gauge transformations of the effective theory.

This result unequivocally demonstrates the change in signature of the space-time metric which had earlier been deduced more indirectly from the change in sign of the hypersurface-deformation brackets, or from field equations they imply.


Current studies have paid more attention to case studies, which explore the practical experience and lessons of affordable housing programs in various counties and cities [7] [8] [9] [10] . Some studies discuss topics related to the role of federal government in the responsibilities and implementation of affordable housing programs [11] . For example, in the United States, the diminishing federal support from political leaders and legislators for affordable housing policy has made the implementation of related affordable housing plans more difficult [12, 13] . Although the responsibility for implementing affordable housing is being transferred to the states and, particularly, to local actors, the financial support from federal government has still influenced the development of affordable housing programs [6, 7, 14] .

Current studies have paid more attention to case studies, which explore the practical experience and lessons of affordable housing programs in various counties and cities.

Some studies discuss topics related to the role of federal government in the responsibilities and implementation of affordable housing programs.

For example, in the United States, the diminishing federal support from political leaders and legislators for affordable housing policy has made the implementation of related affordable housing plans more difficult.

Although the responsibility for implementing affordable housing is being transferred to the states and, particularly, to local actors, the financial support from federal government has still influenced the development of affordable housing programs.


Due to the huge financial burden incurred with the promotion of affordable housing programs, many local governments become reluctant to exert effort to develop affordable housing in the long run. Almost all of the funding for affordable housing projects comes from local governments, while there is barely any essential financial support from the Chinese central government [31] . Local fundraising innovations for affordable housing, despite being discussed frequently on social media, are still underdeveloped and considered a "forbidden zone" in housing projects. Thus, it would be a huge challenge to maintain such tremendous scale and investment in affordable housing developments to ensure the sustainable development of Chinese cities in the coming decades.

Almost all of the funding for affordable housing projects comes from local governments, while there is barely any essential financial support from the Chinese central government.


The new era of post-federal housing innovation has shifted away from the nation's capital toward the state capitals, city halls, and nonprofit organizations (NPOs) [12, 15, 16] . Similar situations have been prevailing in China. In China, significant changes have taken place in the urban housing system since the early 1990s, and market-oriented housing reforms have improved both quality and living space for urban residents. On the other hand, the marketization of the housing system has engendered a real-estate boom, leading to dramatic housing-price inflation, a booming job market, and a lack of housing affordability [17, 18] .

The new era of post-federal housing innovation has shifted away from the nation's capital toward the state capitals, city halls, and nonprofit organizations (NPOs).

On the other hand, the marketization of the housing system has engendered a real-estate boom, leading to dramatic housing-price inflation, a booming job market, and a lack of housing affordability.


Moreover, affordable housing plays the role of catalyst for urban sustainable development [19] . However, the ongoing process of urbanization and industrialization throughout the decade has aggravated the housing affordability problem. Policy makers at different levels are striving to search for effective ways to implement affordable housing programs efficiently and provide affordable housing for low-income groups. The central government has merely provided guidelines and relatively small loans as an initial source of financial support, while the majority of the large funds required for the implementation of the public housing provisions must be raised solely by local governments [20] .

Moreover, affordable housing plays the role of catalyst for urban sustainable development.

The central government has merely provided guidelines and relatively small loans as an initial source of financial support, while the majority of the large funds required for the implementation of the public housing provisions must be raised solely by local governments.


Power transformers are one of the most critical pieces of apparatus in electrical power systems. Mineral oil is the most commonly used insulation liquid and coolant in transformers for its good dielectric and thermal properties [1] . However, with increasing concerns over environmental protection and fire safety, non-renewable, poorly biodegradable and low-flashpoint mineral oil is gradually being replaced by vegetable oils in transformers rated up to 420 kV. Based on natural ester oils, vegetable insulation oils are recyclable, have high biodegradability and are fire resistant [2, 3] . Some studies have been carried out to investigate physical, dielectric and thermal characteristics of vegetable oils in recent years [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] . It was found that, refined vegetable oils can satisfy the requirements of dielectric fluid, however, studies on long gap breakdown of vegetable oils need to be carried out urgently for further application in transformers at or over 500 kV, and the design of large power transformers filled with vegetable oils should be carefully considered because of increased viscosity.

Mineral oil is the most commonly used insulation liquid and coolant in transformers for its good dielectric and thermal properties.

However, with increasing concerns over environmental protection and fire safety, non-renewable, poorly biodegradable and low-flashpoint mineral oil is gradually being replaced by vegetable oils in transformers rated up to 420 kV. Based on natural ester oils, vegetable insulation oils are recyclable, have high biodegradability and are fire resistant.

Some studies have been carried out to investigate physical, dielectric and thermal characteristics of vegetable oils in recent years.


The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is an ambitious design study for a 46 km long electronpositron collider using the principle of two-beam acceleration [1] . In this scheme, a high-current, low-energy drive beam transfers its energy via Power Extraction Transfer Structures (PETS) to a low-current, high-energy main beam. At the interaction point, the main beams each have an energy of 1.5 TeV. The drive beam starts with an energy of 2.38 GeV and is decelerated along the Drive Beam Decelerator (DBD) to a final energy of 240 MeV. The two DBD lines each have 24 sectors of 876 m each, and have a combined total length of 42 km. Quadrupoles are placed at approximately one-metre intervals to keep the beam focused in a FODO lattice configuration. In total, 41,848 quadrupoles are required.

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is an ambitious design study for a 46 km long electronpositron collider using the principle of two-beam acceleration.


We believe the most important factor is suboptimal embedding of the MIH in the Dutch system of incident relief. The organization of disaster relief in the Netherlands is strongly developing and new liaisons with the MIH are still in progress. The fact that the MIH is not used in regular trauma care might also contribute to suboptimal use of its capacity. The regional medical officer in charge of an incident, as well as the regional command center, might not always be familiar with the advantages the MIH has to offer. The National Coordination centre was not always deployed, although it is appointed for interregional activities and major incidents. Furthermore, hospitals in the affected region, and especially trauma centers, are eager to care for ''their own'' patients and do what they trained for in trauma care and in their hospital disaster plans. Performance of the regular Dutch trauma centers and hospitals proved to be good for multiple trauma/incident patients in terms of direct care within surge capacity [14, 15, 21] . Leap-frogging could guard these capacities in not-tooextensive incidents, but it also complicates communication, patient overview, logistics, impact on regular care (overand under-alert of several hospitals), family support, media and security [13, 15, 21] . The MIH could make a valuable contribution in effective use of all available capacity and delivering the best care to the greatest number of patients. This does not necessarily mean that all patients should always go to the MIH. A good distribution could be to transport T1 victims to trauma centers and group T2 and T3 victims to the MIH. This allows trauma centers and local hospitals to focus on T1 victims and unavoidable selfreferrals. Meanwhile the MIH can sort out the bulk, eventually with some of the T1 victims, in a situation that is designed for further triage through successive echelons of care, and where other conditions for good group wise treatment are prearranged, such as reserved availability of resources (100-300 beds; 12 ICU, 38 medium care and 50 low care, OR, radiology, etc.), registration, psychological support, media, family issues and security. This could facilitate prehospital organization and quicker patient overview [15] . In contrast to the situation after the Polder Crash, for example, where completing the victim list took 4 days, institutions have only to contact one hospital with regard to numbers of patients, severity of injury and personal data. The PBRS directly provides a real time overview. Relief for T1 victims is also possible in the MIH, but this patient group benefits most from fast treatment, justifying transportation to the nearest adequate facility. Furthermore, they generally have a longer and more intense treatment path that merits significant and highly qualified personnel and resources. Spreading of these patients among trauma centers can probably guarantee better continuity of care after first relief. For these patients the additional value of being among fellow survivors is less relevant.

Performance of the regular Dutch trauma centers and hospitals proved to be good for multiple trauma/incident patients in terms of direct care within surge capacity.

Leap-frogging could guard these capacities in not-tooextensive incidents, but it also complicates communication, patient overview, logistics, impact on regular care (overand under-alert of several hospitals), family support, media and security.

This could facilitate prehospital organization and quicker patient overview.


Vehicle routing problem (VRP) has become more crucial in real world application nowadays. Consumers are really known what the best for them. Suppliers also needs to know how to cater the customer's need in optimal way, so the customers can get the best out of it and so do suppliers. The good vehicle routing will lead to a win-win situation between suppliers and the customers. Latest survey on the VRP and its variants was returned by Kumar and Panneerselvam [1] .

Latest survey on the VRP and its variants was returned by Kumar and Panneerselvam.


This judgment includes assessing the risks of material misstatements of financial statements, performing audit procedures to address those risks, evaluating audit evidence, and forming an opinion on the financial statements. A uditor judgment is of crucial importance in the audit of financial statements, because it directly determines audit quality (Wedemeyer, 2010) . For this reason, much research has been undertaken to examine the factors that influence auditor judgment.

A uditor judgment is of crucial importance in the audit of financial statements, because it directly determines audit quality.


The third biopolymer involved in this research is keratin, a fibrillar protein, found in hair, nails, horn, wool and feathers. Human hair and wool have been amply studied due to textile and medical importance; however feather keratin has not been fully exploited. The basic structure of chicken feathers is composed of a main shaft called rachis, side branches known as barbs and extending from them the barbules. Feather keratin is distinguished by a hierarchical structure, with a highly ordered conformation, the product of large birds' evolution, in fact it is considered as a biological fiber-reinforced composite consisting of a high modulus fiber and a lower modulus viscoelastic matrix. Keratin fibers from feathers are non-abrasive, eco-friendly, biodegradable, renewable, insoluble in organic solvents, and also have good mechanical properties, low density, hydrophobic behavior, ability to dampen sound, warmth retention and finally low cost. These characteristics make keratin fibers from chicken feathers a suitable material to be used as a high structural reinforcement in polymer composites [1, 17, 18] .

These characteristics make keratin fibers from chicken feathers a suitable material to be used as a high structural reinforcement in polymer composites.


On the other hand, starch has been studied for several decades due to its availability, biodegradability and lower cost. Starch is composed of linear amylose and branched amylopectin, and is considered the main form of stored carbohydrates in plants such as rice, potatoes or corn. Starch can show a thermoplastic behavior if water, glycerol or sorbitol is added as plasticizer. In spite of its many advantages, starch based materials have severe disadvantages due to poor processability, weak mechanical properties, poor long-term stability and high water sensitivity [5, 9] .

In spite of its many advantages, starch based materials have severe disadvantages due to poor processability, weak mechanical properties, poor long-term stability and high water sensitivity.


As an alternative to using ammonium bicarbonate byproduct as a fertiliser, the ammonia (NH 3 ) content in ammonium bicarbonate could be regenerated for recycling. Ammonium bicarbonate decomposes at the relatively low temperature of 60°C [6] . This compares with a 120°C regeneration temperature for MEA solutions. Ammonia gas and carbon dioxide gas can be separated by using ammonia's high solubility-in-water property. Carbon dioxide in pure form will subsequently be separated.

Ammonium bicarbonate decomposes at the relatively low temperature of 60°C.


Gas-phase oxidation of nitric oxide to NO 2 can be accomplished by strong oxidisers. One oxidation procedure is carried out by injecting liquid hydrogen peroxide into the flue gas; the H 2 O 2 vaporises and dissociates into active hydroxyl radicals which oxidise the NO to NO 2 [11] . Hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant can also be effective in aqueous solutions [12] . Nitric oxide can also be oxidised at low to moderate temperature using ozone [11, 13, 14] . Ozone may be replaced by chlorine dioxide to oxidise NO [13] .

One oxidation procedure is carried out by injecting liquid hydrogen peroxide into the flue gas; the H 2 O 2 vaporises and dissociates into active hydroxyl radicals which oxidise the NO to NO 2.

Hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant can also be effective in aqueous solutions.

Nitric oxide can also be oxidised at low to moderate temperature using ozone.

Ozone may be replaced by chlorine dioxide to oxidise NO.


In the hotel sector buildings are high energy and water consumers per capita, namely the four and five stars' hotels due to the required high comfort standards. In Lisbon and Algarve they could have energy consumption of 10 to 100 kWhpe/(guest.night) and water consumption of 50 to 2000 l/(guest.night), compared with 3 to 4 kWhpe/(person.night) and 100 to 150 l/(person.night) at homes [9] . However, hotels present a great potential of water and energy conservation.

In Lisbon and Algarve they could have energy consumption of 10 to 100 kWhpe/(guest.night) and water consumption of 50 to 2000 l/(guest.night), compared with 3 to 4 kWhpe/(person.night) and 100 to 150 l/(person.night) at homes.


One potential mechanism for social facilitation of feeding in folivores involves overcoming trichome defenses by collective production of silk (Rathcke and Poole, 1975; Fordyce and Agrawal, 2001) . Trichomes are hair-like appendages extending from aerial surfaces of plants and constitute important defenses that can significantly reduce herbivore survival and damage by physically impeding or even impaling small herbivores, or by exuding toxic or sticky compounds to deter, kill or entrap them (Levin, 1973) . Plants in the genus Solanum exhibit several different types of trichomes: non-glandular trichomes are purely mechanical defenses and can take several shapes from simple hairs to stellate rosettes, whereas glandular trichomes contain toxic or sticky secretions (Tian et al., 2012) .

One potential mechanism for social facilitation of feeding in folivores involves overcoming trichome defenses by collective production of silk.

Trichomes are hair-like appendages extending from aerial surfaces of plants and constitute important defenses that can significantly reduce herbivore survival and damage by physically impeding or even impaling small herbivores, or by exuding toxic or sticky compounds to deter, kill or entrap them.

Plants in the genus Solanum exhibit several different types of trichomes: non-glandular trichomes are purely mechanical defenses and can take several shapes from simple hairs to stellate rosettes, whereas glandular trichomes contain toxic or sticky secretions.


In this paper we investigate the collider signals of a simple and minimal supersymmetric hidden valley. The theory consists of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) together with a much lighter hidden sector consisting of a supersymmetric U(1) x gauge multiplet and a pair of chiral multiplets H and H ′ that spontaneously break the new gauge symmetry at an energy scale well below the electroweak. The MSSM and hidden sectors are assumed to couple exclusively through a gauge kinetic mixing interaction [9] .

The MSSM and hidden sectors are assumed to couple exclusively through a gauge kinetic mixing interaction.


In this paper we determine the critical coupling of the two dimensional lattice φ 4 theory employing the TRG method with our TN formulation. The critical coupling is determined from the power law behavior of the susceptibility for the expectation value of the scalar field near the critical point. We extrapolate the critical coupling to the continuum limit and compare it to other recent results obtained by different approaches [16, 17, 20, 23] .

We extrapolate the critical coupling to the continuum limit and compare it to other recent results obtained by different approaches.


Avian respiratory systems mainly consist of the trachea, bronchi and air sacs. The bronchi form a continuous loop, starting from the mesobronchus, ventrobronchi, parabronchi, and ending up with the dorsobronchi [1] [2] [3] . This loop structure allows inhaled air to flow in only one direction. Oxygen-rich inhaled air passes, during both inspiration and expiration, through the parabronchi, where an exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place [4] [5] [6] . This lung design helps birds maintain high metabolic rates for flight at altitude [6, 7] .

The bronchi form a continuous loop, starting from the mesobronchus, ventrobronchi, parabronchi, and ending up with the dorsobronchi.

Oxygen-rich inhaled air passes, during both inspiration and expiration, through the parabronchi, where an exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

This lung design helps birds maintain high metabolic rates for flight at altitude.


The present study has some limitations. First, the model geometry was an anatomically simplified avian lung and differed from the real lung in the number of bronchi, their angulation, and their diameters [1, 2, 32, 33] . However, the simplification was necessary because of the both limited availability of detailed anatomical information and limited computational resources. In fact, similar geometrical simplifications for flow analyses have been used in many studies, and they successfully captured macroscopic flow characteristics in the avian lung [5, 10, 12] . In this sense, the usage of the geometrically simplified model would be allowed as far as we discuss only the main features of the flow. Second, mechanical parameters such as flow rates were taken from various species of birds. Thus, the simulation here was a kind of "chimeric" analysis, although we attempted to use data from species with similar body sizes, as far as possible. Third, the model for expressing the mechanics of air sacs to determine the pressure boundary did not take account of intra-thoracic pressure and the elasticity of the air sacs. Here, we imposed an inlet flow condition regardless of the air sac compliance, meaning that breathing was involuntary. Inspiration and expiration should be driven by the intra-thoracic pressure or the transmural pressure over the air sacs. Another problem when modeling the air sacs is the use of a constant compliance value throughout the respiratory cycle. In reality, compliance varies with a change in air sac volume [37, 41] . Notwithstanding these limitations, this preliminary study addressed the importance of air sac compliance in avian respiratory function, thereby suggesting that air sac compliance in the avian lung is optimized for each species to achieve unidirectional flow in the parabronchi. In future studies, we will address the shortcomings listed above by including more realistic geometry of the avian lung using magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography and establishing a realistic respiratory system by incorporating a change in intra-thoracic pressure and air sac elasticity for quantitative analysis of the compliance of avian air sacs.

The present study has some limitations.

First, the model geometry was an anatomically simplified avian lung and differed from the real lung in the number of bronchi, their angulation, and their diameters.

In fact, similar geometrical simplifications for flow analyses have been used in many studies, and they successfully captured macroscopic flow characteristics in the avian lung.

In reality, compliance varies with a change in air sac volume.


These include BancoSol, Caja Los Andes, PRODEM, FIE, and Sartawi in Bolivia; Caja Social in Colombia; ADEMI in the Dominican Republic; Financiera Calpiá in El Salvador; Compartamos in México; and ACP/MiBanco in Perú. Worldwide, the bestknown microfinance organizations are the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh and the unit desa system of Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Yaron, Benjamin, and Piprek, 1997) . Grameen and BRI reach millions of depositors and borrowers, and many if not most are poor women. A survey of 200 of the thousands of microfinance organizations worldwide 2 found 13 million loans worth $7 billion outstanding as of September 1995 (Paxton, 1996) .

Worldwide, the bestknown microfinance organizations are the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh and the unit desa system of Bank Rakyat Indonesia.

A survey of 200 of the thousands of microfinance organizations worldwide 2 found 13 million loans worth $7 billion outstanding as of September 1995.


Methyl mercury (MeHg) is an important species due to its persistence, bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and because of its toxicity to man and ecosystems [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . In past decades, MeHg and the methylation/demethylation process have drawn significant attention from scientists worldwide. Because of its high solubility, mobility, bioavailability, and especially methylation potential, biogeochemically reactive inorganic mercury (RHg) has been recognized to be an important fraction of Hg for the transformation, reaction, and methylation of Hg in biogeochemical cycling [6] [7] [8] [9] . For characterization and assessment of Hg impacted sites, research and development of remediation practices, and evaluation of remediation efficiency, RHg may be the best choice for analysis in ways that total methyl, and other species of Hg cannot duplicate. However, unlike MeHg, RHg measurement has not gained widespread acceptance to match its importance, even after over two decades of practice [10] . What is the challenge, and what is the solution?

Methyl mercury (MeHg) is an important species due to its persistence, bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and because of its toxicity to man and ecosystems.

Because of its high solubility, mobility, bioavailability, and especially methylation potential, biogeochemically reactive inorganic mercury (RHg) has been recognized to be an important fraction of Hg for the transformation, reaction, and methylation of Hg in biogeochemical cycling.

However, unlike MeHg, RHg measurement has not gained widespread acceptance to match its importance, even after over two decades of practice.


Foliage area, number of leaves and number of branchlets (i.e., small branches) were determined for each plant species. The sample unit was a 50 cm terminal branch from a limb rising horizontally from the center of the plant (McCaffrey et al. 1984) . Foliage area was measured by drawing the contour of all leaves present on the branch on millimetric paper with 1 mm divisions. The procedure was repeated on three branches for each species and the mean area (cm 2 ) per branch was calculated. Mean number of leaves, or leaflets for bipinnate species, and branchlets per branch was obtained from the three samples of each species. Plant height was recorded in a sample of 10 individuals for each species. All plant variables were averaged from measures from both sites.

The sample unit was a 50 cm terminal branch from a limb rising horizontally from the center of the plant.


The traditional approach to CBIR represents each image in the database by a vector of feature values [12] , [20] , [23] , [28] , [31] , [32] . During retrieval, the images that are most similar to the query in terms of some distance measure (e.g., Euclidean distance) are then retrieved. We call this approach to CBIR the single feature vector approach. For this approach, the choice of similarity metric and features to include for characterizing the images are critical factors in its ability to achieve high retrieval precision.

The traditional approach to CBIR represents each image in the database by a vector of feature values.


As a fundamental research, power load forecasting has been investigated for a long time. Many experts and scholars have done a lot of research on prediction theory and methods and put forward several prediction models and methods [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . At present, the prediction method of power load can be divided into two categories [12] [13] [14] . One is the classical prediction method of statistical class, such as regression analysis, time series method, and grey prediction method. And the other is the novel prediction method of artificial intelligence class, such as expert systems and artificial neural networks. Because there are many factors affecting the shortterm power load and different prediction methods have different applications, none of these methods is applicable to all power systems, which need to choose different prediction models according to different power load conditions [15] [16] [17] [18] .

Many experts and scholars have done a lot of research on prediction theory and methods and put forward several prediction models and methods.

At present, the prediction method of power load can be divided into two categories.

Because there are many factors affecting the shortterm power load and different prediction methods have different applications, none of these methods is applicable to all power systems, which need to choose different prediction models according to different power load conditions.


Aim of this study considers only dead coral substrate, which constitutes on the particular groups has abundant in dead coral and rocky substrata. Earlier studies have demonstrate the rate of bioerosion in dead coral substrate can be used as a monitoring tool to determine the ''health'' of a reef (Holmes et al. 2000) . The distribution of boring eunicids and determine the species availability and understand the colonization to evaluate the increasing of dead coral patches of the three different shores of the Nicobar Island.

Earlier studies have demonstrate the rate of bioerosion in dead coral substrate can be used as a monitoring tool to determine the ''health'' of a reef.


The main problem which we encounter for the practical realization of the derivation of effective Lagrangians of low-energy interactions of the deuteron through one-nucleon loop exchanges lies in the necessity to satisfy requirement of locality of these interactions related to the condition of microscopic causality in a quantum field theory approach [32] . Since in the RFMD one-nucleon loop diagrams are defined by the point-like vertices and the Green functions of free virtual nucleons with constant masses, there is only a naive way to satisfy requirement of locality of effective interactions through the formal application of the long-wavelength approximation to the computation of one-nucleon loop diagrams. This approximation implies the expansion of one-nucleon loop diagrams in powers of external momenta by keeping only the leading terms of the expansion. Of course, the application of such anapproximation to the computation of one-nucleon loop diagrams, when on-mass shell the energy of the deuteron exceeds twice the masses of virtual nucleons, can seem rather unjustified.

The main problem which we encounter for the practical realization of the derivation of effective Lagrangians of low-energy interactions of the deuteron through one-nucleon loop exchanges lies in the necessity to satisfy requirement of locality of these interactions related to the condition of microscopic causality in a quantum field theory approach.


In this study, experiments on the monitoring of cells exposed to cyclic stretch were conducted to demonstrate the performance of the system. As a highlight, the drastic change of cell-cell junctions observed after around 85-min stretch was shown in Figure 12 . We showed that the system provides the ability to capture images of cell response at almost any time point except the first stretch cycle when the x and z displacements were determined. However, the interpretation of the rapid cell response after the first stretching cycles should be an issue to be worthy of consideration. As a typical phenomenon, it was reported that focal adhesions in cells increased prominently after exposure to stretch for 2 min in a previous study [28] . Here, we want to point out that the first frames collected using the system may not relevant to a rapid response (if there is such a response) at the beginning of the stretching activity.

As a typical phenomenon, it was reported that focal adhesions in cells increased prominently after exposure to stretch for 2 min in a previous study.


Cells in vivo are exposed to various mechanical forces [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . For example, endothelial cells, which line the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, are mainly exposed to three types of mechanical forces: (1) shear stress caused by blood shear flow; (2) cyclic stretch results from vasodilation; and (3) hydrostatic pressure from blood pressure [6, 7] . In vivo cells sense mechanical forces and have appropriate morphological responses, which plays an important role in health maintenance. For example, it has been reported that atherosclerosis is always located at the bifurcation of the artery, where the mechanical forces and cell morphology are different from those in uniform linear blood vessels [8, 9] . Over the past 30 years, many researchers have attempted to study the mechanisms by which cells perceive and respond to mechanical forces, which may provide new types of drug targets that are different from those discovered from chemical methods [10] [11] [12] .

Cells in vivo are exposed to various mechanical forces.

For example, endothelial cells, which line the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, are mainly exposed to three types of mechanical forces: (1) shear stress caused by blood shear flow; (2) cyclic stretch results from vasodilation; and (3) hydrostatic pressure from blood pressure.

For example, it has been reported that atherosclerosis is always located at the bifurcation of the artery, where the mechanical forces and cell morphology are different from those in uniform linear blood vessels.

Over the past 30 years, many researchers have attempted to study the mechanisms by which cells perceive and respond to mechanical forces, which may provide new types of drug targets that are different from those discovered from chemical methods.


An understanding of community attitudes and perceptions toward living with urban wildlife is now considered a prerequisite to designing and implementing effective multipronged management schemes (Decker, Lauber & Siemer, 2002) . Studies of other species of urban wildlife have shown that psychological impacts, either positive (e.g., enjoying wildlife viewing) or negative (e.g., risk perceptions), may influence stakeholder attitudes toward these species (Hill, Carbery, & Deane, 2007; Soulsbury & White, 2015) . These perceptions may also predict the type of wildlife management preferred by stakeholders, as well as their interest in wildlife conservation (Gore, Knuth, Curtis, & Shanahan, 2006; Riley & Decker, 2000) . Despite the increasing prevalence of urban human-primate interfaces, there is a lack of similar research that explores how people's attitudes and perceptions of risk over sharing space with urban primates may affect their interest in local primate conservation and their preference for the management of urban primates. We explored the relationship between a sample of residents and chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in an emerging suburban area in South Africa where problematic encounters between the two have recently arisen. We investigated level of perceived threat, respondent attitude toward baboons, and the extent to which they considered baboon presence problematic. We then examined the interplay between these factors and their relationships with support for local baboon conservation and preferred baboon management strategies.

An understanding of community attitudes and perceptions toward living with urban wildlife is now considered a prerequisite to designing and implementing effective multipronged management schemes.

Studies of other species of urban wildlife have shown that psychological impacts, either positive (e.g., enjoying wildlife viewing) or negative (e.g., risk perceptions), may influence stakeholder attitudes toward these species.

These perceptions may also predict the type of wildlife management preferred by stakeholders, as well as their interest in wildlife conservation.


Based on the placement of electrodes the EEG can be classified into two: scalp and intracranial. In the scalp EEG, the electrodes are placed over the scalp whereas in intracranial EEG, the electrodes are placed inside the scalp. In this case, neurosurgeons typically implant strip, grid or penetrating depth electrodes under the dura mater. The signals recorded from intracranial EEG are on a different scale of activity than the brain activity recorded from scalp EEG. Scalp electrodes provide the global information, whereas the intracranial one provides the local information from the brain structure (Cosandier-Rimélé et al., 2007) . Low voltage or high frequency components that cannot be seen easily in scalp EEG can be seen clearly in intracranial EEG. Also the scalp EEG is susceptible to different types of artifacts and noise compared to intracranial.

Scalp electrodes provide the global information, whereas the intracranial one provides the local information from the brain structure.


A knot algebra is an algebra that is used in the construction of invariants of classical links. Our main interest lies in those knot algebras that are involved in the construction of invariants through Jones' formula [9] . More precisely, a knot algebra A is a triplet (A, π, τ ), where π is an appropriate representation of the braid group in A and τ is a Markov trace function defined on A. The Temperley-Lieb algebra, the Iwahori-Hecke algebra and the BMW algebra are the most important examples of knot algebras.

Our main interest lies in those knot algebras that are involved in the construction of invariants through Jones' formula.


The myocilin coiled-coil imparts a unique tri-branched supramolecular architecture. After unsuccessful attempts to express soluble full-length myocilin in E. coli or purify sufficient quantities from spent media of primary human TM cells (not shown), we generated well-behaved constructs of myocilin outside of the OLF domain whose structure we solved previously . Biophysical characterization of NTD , which includes linker regions before and after the predicted CC domain (Figure 1 ), reveals the typical circular dichroism (CD) signatures for α-helices. Thermal unfolding is reversible ( Figure 2a , Table 1 , melting temperature ((T m ) ~ 67 °C), a value considerably higher than the ~52 °C measured for the OLF domain (Orwig and Lieberman, 2011) . To investigate the contribution of Cys residues to the stability and oligomeric state of NTD 33-227 , Cys-to-Ser mutants were prepared. The Cys residues thermally stabilize NTD 33-227 nearly 20 °C, with Cys185 contributing the biggest thermal increase (Table 1) , but do not change the elution profile from size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and thus the apparent quaternary structure (Figure 2b ). In each case, the predominant species present upon disulfide bond formation is a dimer (Figure 2c ). To clarify further the oligomeric state and shape of the structural coiled coil of myocilin, we next prepared a CC construct bracketed by the two Cys residues closest to the predicted CC-(CC 60-185 ). The SEC elution profile of this species is consistent with a 4-or 5-mer (Supplemental Figure S2a ). The molecular envelope determined by SEC-SAXS analysis (Supplemental Figure   S2 ) reveals a branched, tripartite structure that looks like the letter 'Y' (Figure 3a , Table 2 ).

Thermal unfolding is reversible ( Figure 2a , Table 1 , melting temperature ((T m ) ~ 67 °C), a value considerably higher than the ~52 °C measured for the OLF domain.


Dendrochronology is the science studying annual growth rings in trees and other woody plants by relating characteristics of these rings with the environmental conditions in which they were formed [1] . The features of tree rings constitute an indirect source for understanding the historical characteristics of the environment in which trees have grown [2] . Usually, sensitive tree species are chosen because they form annual growth rings with certain amount of variability, which allows for synchronizing tree-ring series of different trees growing at the same site. In this way, the targeted tree species should be able to record different types of temporal signals in their rings due to the variability of environment conditions, especially the climate [3] [4] [5] .

Dendrochronology is the science studying annual growth rings in trees and other woody plants by relating characteristics of these rings with the environmental conditions in which they were formed.

The features of tree rings constitute an indirect source for understanding the historical characteristics of the environment in which trees have grown.

In this way, the targeted tree species should be able to record different types of temporal signals in their rings due to the variability of environment conditions, especially the climate.


In the present experiments, the micro/nanowires were all found deposited on the step edges of the HOPG substrates instead of the terraces, suggesting that step edges offer a lower nucleation barrier than terraces, in accordance with the common belief that nuclei are more readily formed on the step edges thus causing the high degree of selectivity during electrodeposition [15, 26] . Thus, nucleation may first occur on the HOPG steps to form discrete nanocrystals. After some time, the crystals grow and subsequently coalesce into a continuous nanowire. As in Fig. 1(c) , the nanowire is polycrystalline comprising many single crystals with different orientations arranged in series along the step edge.

In the present experiments, the micro/nanowires were all found deposited on the step edges of the HOPG substrates instead of the terraces, suggesting that step edges offer a lower nucleation barrier than terraces, in accordance with the common belief that nuclei are more readily formed on the step edges thus causing the high degree of selectivity during electrodeposition.


In Study 1 we summarized the steps to develop the Portuguese version of the BMPN and the analytic procedures selected to examine the dimensionality and validity of the preferred model of scales. EFA performed on the 18-item BMPN extracted six correlated, but distinct factors distinguishing the scales assessing the satisfaction and frustration for autonomy, competence and relatedness needs. In subsequent CFAs we found that the models that somehow distinguished the components of satisfaction and frustration of basic needs (Model 2, 3, and 4) fitted better the data than the model that envisioned both components as opposite dimensions (Model 1) supporting H1a. CFA findings also support H1b, when they show the progressive better fit from models that organize need satisfaction and need frustration as two distinct components (Models 2 and 3) to the model that distinguishes the components of satisfaction and frustration for each need (Model 4). Indeed, Model 4 yielded a comparatively better fit than the other models across all the fit indices considered. In addition, the lowest AIC estimates were obtained for Model 4, along with the absence of threats to the convergent and discriminant validity of the six scales. Therefore we preferred the sixfactor solution to interpret the structural organization of the BMPN items (support for H2). These findings further suggest that the three frustration BMPN subscales can be examined in separate, what is in line with recent studies suggesting that that the satisfaction and frustration forms of the needs may be substantive and distinguishable in and of themselves (Bartholomew et al., 2011; Sheldon & Gunz, 2009; Sheldon, 2011; Sheldon & Hilpert, 2012; Vlachopoulos & Michailidou, 2006) .

These findings further suggest that the three frustration BMPN subscales can be examined in separate, what is in line with recent studies suggesting that that the satisfaction and frustration forms of the needs may be substantive and distinguishable in and of themselves.


People suffering from diseases such as locked-in syndrome, Lou Gehrig's disease, and muscular dystrophy are unable to communicate because they lack control of their voluntary muscles. However, these patients are still conscious and their mental abilities are unimpaired. Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is now being incorporated into their treatment, offering the promise of a greatly enhanced quality of life [1] [2] [3] .

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is now being incorporated into their treatment, offering the promise of a greatly enhanced quality of life.


Some researchers have countered that a system that uses both EEG and EOG data is not viable, particularly because eye movements and blink contamination are pervasive problems in EEG-based BCI research. The "noise" generated by eye movements and picked up by EEG is considered an artifact that should be removed from EEG signals [27] . However, the present authors feel that these artifacts are actually EOG data which can be measured via EEG. These artifacts are actually a valuable source of data and are useful for communication and control. Our research has shown that the same data can be obtained from EEG and EOG signals using the same number of electrodes with almost the same classification accuracy. In light of the problems associated with collecting EOG signal data, particularly related to physical discomfort caused by the electrode positions, EEG is preferable to EOG. The results of other studies also support this use of EEG data [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] .

The "noise" generated by eye movements and picked up by EEG is considered an artifact that should be removed from EEG signals.

The results of other studies also support this use of EEG data.


In summary, we presented a method for engineering room temperature quantum emission in a scalable platform where the emitters are activated at the array sites via substrate engineering. For suitable array parameters, the defect emission couples to the optically active plasmonic substrate and undergoes a modification in its directionality and spectral intensity. The coupling of emitter systems with photonic structures that support delocalized or propagating modes permits the mutual interaction between these distinct and spatially separated color centers. Such structures could facilitate long range energy transfer between individual emitters. Future works could focus on controlling the number of emitters coupling to the SLR mode via the size of the active region; this can be done by considering the number of intrinsic defects present in the material or by conducting spectral filtering [33] .

Future works could focus on controlling the number of emitters coupling to the SLR mode via the size of the active region; this can be done by considering the number of intrinsic defects present in the material or by conducting spectral filtering.


The relevant modes here are the so-called "out-of-plane SLRs" that correspond to the LSPRs predominantly localized near the upper and lower ends of the pillars [50, 51] . For the geometry in Figure 1A , the non-dispersive LSPR mode for the 150 nm pillars, shown in Figure 1B , splits into two branches. The branch outside the 510 nm RA has two symmetrical lobes occurring between 500 nm and 560 nm centered at the original LSPR mode (indicated by the gray dotted lines in Figure 1C ). These two lobes correspond to the SLR produced by the coupling of the Ag pillar LPSR to the higher energy (0, ±1) air RAs (red dotted lines). The lower energy (0, ±1) glass RA modes (white dotted lines) couple to the LSPR such that the resulting SLR (black dotted line) is continuous across normal incidence and follows the dispersion of the RA angles with gradually decreasing linewidths at larger angles. This is the typical behavior of SLRs [50] . Moreover, the quality of the mode increases at larger angles as these modes are longer lived when they become less localized at the individual Ag pillars.

The relevant modes here are the so-called "out-of-plane SLRs" that correspond to the LSPRs predominantly localized near the upper and lower ends of the pillars.

This is the typical behavior of SLRs.


Processing information with quantum emitters requires scalable methods for deterministically placing these emitters in integrated photonic circuits and subsequently coupling to structures that can direct, amplify, and potentially modulate the emitted photons. On the one hand, small ensembles of independent emitters coupled to a cavity have recently gained attention with an eye on applications in quantum memory storage and its ability to act as entangled systems [37, 38] . On the other hand, photonic structures, such as plasmonic surface lattice resonances (SLRs) supporting delocalized or propagating modes, provide one attractive route to establishing long-range interactions between electronically independent emitters so as to control emission directionality and intensity. The coupling of emitters to this class of photonic systems has recently attracted research attention due to its potential as tunable light sources and for compact lasing applications [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] .

On the one hand, small ensembles of independent emitters coupled to a cavity have recently gained attention with an eye on applications in quantum memory storage and its ability to act as entangled systems.

The coupling of emitters to this class of photonic systems has recently attracted research attention due to its potential as tunable light sources and for compact lasing applications.


Chronic malnutrition associated with maintenance haemodialysis is primarily characterized by protein and energy wasting. Several investigators have shown that MHD patients consume less energy and protein than recommended [23, 24] . Dietary restrictions can also make the diet relatively unpalatable and attainment of adequate protein intake quite challenging. In response to the evidence Use of a renal-specific oral supplement by haemodialysis patients 2903 indicating the importance of maintaining nutritional status, guidelines provide recommendations for the intakes of energy, protein and phosphate during maintenance dialysis [25] [26] [27] . However, the impact of disease and the haemodialytic therapy make attainment of recommended intakes difficult [2] .

Several investigators have shown that MHD patients consume less energy and protein than recommended.

In response to the evidence Use of a renal-specific oral supplement by haemodialysis patients 2903 indicating the importance of maintaining nutritional status, guidelines provide recommendations for the intakes of energy, protein and phosphate during maintenance dialysis.

However, the impact of disease and the haemodialytic therapy make attainment of recommended intakes difficult.


Tolerance over model size. Next, we evaluate the impact of several tolerances only over model size. We have fixed T f = 0 and considered tolerances T s = 2, 4, 6, 8. Results are shown in Fig. 4 . Datasets ξ 0 to ξ 3 have shown exactly the same behavior for each tolerance value. Further, for all datasets the number of Boolean logic models grows exponentially as we increase the tolerance over model size. Notably, minimization over model size is based on Occam's razor principle (parsimony). Hence, there is no experimental evidence in order to select among this large number of models. On one hand, one can consider that larger logic models overfit the available dataset by introducing excessive complexity [52, 46] . On the other hand, one can argue that it is actually necessary to consider such "spurious" links in order to capture cellular robustness and complexity [58] .

Tolerance over model size.

Results are shown in Fig. 4 .

On one hand, one can consider that larger logic models overfit the available dataset by introducing excessive complexity.

On the other hand, one can argue that it is actually necessary to consider such "spurious" links in order to capture cellular robustness and complexity.


Interestingly, we found no significant changes in the expression of class IIA HDACs that included isoforms 4, 5, 7, and 9 [32] . Class IIA HDACs have some features that distinguish them from other HDACs [32] . For example, their participation in transcription regulation depends on their phosphorylation-dependent shuttling from the cytoplasm to nucleus in order to suppress the transcription of their target genes [33, 34] . A similar mechanism has been reported for cocaine-induced regulation of HDAC5 [35] . Thus, our findings are consistent with the possibility that METH may regulate these HDACs in a similar fashion.

Interestingly, we found no significant changes in the expression of class IIA HDACs that included isoforms 4, 5, 7, and 9.

Class IIA HDACs have some features that distinguish them from other HDACs.

For example, their participation in transcription regulation depends on their phosphorylation-dependent shuttling from the cytoplasm to nucleus in order to suppress the transcription of their target genes.

A similar mechanism has been reported for cocaine-induced regulation of HDAC5.


The H 2 S-releasing derivatives of NSAIDs, such as ATB-346, exert an anti-inflammatory effect similar to that of the parent drugs (naproxen in the case of ATB-346) but cause pronouncedly fewer side effects as compared with the native form of the drug. This indicates the usefulness of this new class of H 2 S derivatives of NSAIDs and the potential safety and possible translation to clinical settings [14] . Moreover, these recently introduced NSAID prodrugs-namely, H 2 S-releasing anti-inflammatory drugs-were suggested as promising agents in chemoprevention of cancers [15, 16] . Recently, it has been reported that inhibition of H 2 S generation contributes to the formation of aspirin-induced gastric injury [5] . The CO and H 2 S biosynthesis pathways were both shown to synergistically interact in the mechanism of gastroprotection against NSAID-induced gastric damage via restoration of gastric microcirculation impaired by these drugs [17] .

This indicates the usefulness of this new class of H 2 S derivatives of NSAIDs and the potential safety and possible translation to clinical settings.

Moreover, these recently introduced NSAID prodrugs-namely, H 2 S-releasing anti-inflammatory drugs-were suggested as promising agents in chemoprevention of cancers.

Recently, it has been reported that inhibition of H 2 S generation contributes to the formation of aspirin-induced gastric injury.

The CO and H 2 S biosynthesis pathways were both shown to synergistically interact in the mechanism of gastroprotection against NSAID-induced gastric damage via restoration of gastric microcirculation impaired by these drugs.


An example of this kind is the warm inflation scenario [3] . The inflaton is a scalar field coupled to a fluid (radiation) thus defining two preferred frames, the one comoving with the fluid and the one where the inflaton field is homogeneous. In this model the radiation is in a thermal state and the decay of the inflaton into fluid particles results in a strong dissipative regime for the inflaton. Interactions between the fluid and the field can generate non-Gaussian correlations [4, 5] .

An example of this kind is the warm inflation scenario.

Interactions between the fluid and the field can generate non-Gaussian correlations.


Potentially because of this enhanced stimulation of informal care provision, the number of caregivers has risen throughout the past years. In 2016, 23% of the Dutch adult population was estimated to provide informal care, equaling more than 3 million persons. Two-thirds of this group is female. Caregiving duties are furthermore concentrated among the older inhabitants, 60% of the caregivers is aged 45-65 another 20% is aged over 65 (Gezondheidsmonitor, 2016) .

Two-thirds of this group is female.

Caregiving duties are furthermore concentrated among the older inhabitants, 60% of the caregivers is aged 45-65 another 20% is aged over 65.


However, it is difficult to attribute glucose counter-regulation to the release of a single hormone and, during insulin hypoglycaemia, the hepatic glucose output has been shown to increase before any hormone elevation occurs [8] . Thus the hormonal changes reported here are part of the counter-regulatory response, not the whole response. It is probable that there is an impairment in catecholamine release in some diabetics similar to that of glucagon, cortisol and growth hormone [9] . Although the diabetic group was older than the normals, there is no evidence that counter-regulatory ability declines with age. There was no direct relationship between the subjects' glucagon responsiveness and their basal Cpeptide levels.

However, it is difficult to attribute glucose counter-regulation to the release of a single hormone and, during insulin hypoglycaemia, the hepatic glucose output has been shown to increase before any hormone elevation occurs.

It is probable that there is an impairment in catecholamine release in some diabetics similar to that of glucagon, cortisol and growth hormone.


In order to demonstrate the relative stability of Islamic banking, a researcher would need either: (a) to compare the stability of an alternative banking system in different countries, or (b) the stability of alternative banking systems in the same country. The latter requirement has been chosen and Iran was selected as the object of analysis (Yousefi, 1997) . The results of the Iranian case proved positive and hence confirmed Darrat's conclusion or notion that the Islamic model is relative stable in contrast to the conventional interest-bearing system.

The latter requirement has been chosen and Iran was selected as the object of analysis.


No failure is acceptable. Financial stability comes down to no failures. In the words of Flannery it is alleged that financial stability is equivalent to bank stability (Flannery, 1985) .

No failure is acceptable.

In the words of Flannery it is alleged that financial stability is equivalent to bank stability.


Cooling procedure is one of the most important processing factors affecting the mechanical properties of microalloyed steels after heat treatment or hot working. A fast cooling rate depresses the transformation temperature and refines precipitate size, and hence increases the hardness of microalloyed steels [14] . The microstructure is changed from ferrite/peatlite to bainitic ferrite with an increase of cooling rate, and such microstructural change is responsible for the high strength-toughness combination of microalloyed steels at high cooling rate [15] . The work of Rasouli indicated that the best combination of strength and ductility of microalloyed forging steel can be obtained by adjusting the microstructural component through control of the cooling rate [16] .

A fast cooling rate depresses the transformation temperature and refines precipitate size, and hence increases the hardness of microalloyed steels.

The microstructure is changed from ferrite/peatlite to bainitic ferrite with an increase of cooling rate, and such microstructural change is responsible for the high strength-toughness combination of microalloyed steels at high cooling rate.

The work of Rasouli indicated that the best combination of strength and ductility of microalloyed forging steel can be obtained by adjusting the microstructural component through control of the cooling rate.


A review of the effects of some allying elements (including W, Cr, V and Mo etc.) on the transformation diagrams was presented in an earlier paper [19] . All these studies were conducted under isothermal conditions. For application to most practical processes, however, continuous cooling transformation (CCT) data are needed. The aim of this study is to systematically investigate the CCT characteristics of 4 microalloyed steels with different W contents. The effects of W addition on the prior austenite grain size will be investigated first, and CCT diagrams of microalloyed steels with different W contents will be presented.

A review of the effects of some allying elements (including W, Cr, V and Mo etc.) on the transformation diagrams was presented in an earlier paper.


To investigate and evaluate the noise level in Klaipėda, three initial measurement locations in the northern part of the city were selected. In these areas noise level is determined by the process of loading and unloading of cargoes administered by the freight forwarding company Klasco (later 'Klasco') situated in the neighbourhood. Noise level produced by the forwarding company gets especially intensive during train junction and van unloading (Baltrėnas et al. 2006; Grubliauskas et al. 2006) .

Noise level produced by the forwarding company gets especially intensive during train junction and van unloading.


Motor transport is one of the basic sources of noise, having negative effect on the environment and its components. However, too little notice has been taken to this problem so far. The facts collected by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that 26 per cent of the population of Europe bear the impact of noise level higher than 65 dB(A) (Oškinis et al. 2004) . It has been proved that on average general noise level increases from 1 to 3 decibels per year. What is more, it is forecasted that noise level can double in the nearest fifteen years (Oškinis et al. 2004) .

The facts collected by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that 26 per cent of the population of Europe bear the impact of noise level higher than 65 dB(A).

What is more, it is forecasted that noise level can double in the nearest fifteen years.


Contrary to recently receding industrial noise, traffic noise in streets has been intensified by the increase of the amount of transport. Permanent sound intensity depends on the extent of emission, state and speed of a motor vehicle, pavement and parking. Noise increases by 3 dB(A) with the double amount of transport and double speed makes the noise increase by 12 dB(A). The engine makes the biggest noise in first gear, the sound of wheel is heard from the speed of 50 km/h, whereas lorry engine constantly makes rumbling noise (Vasarevičius, Graudinytė 2004) .

The engine makes the biggest noise in first gear, the sound of wheel is heard from the speed of 50 km/h, whereas lorry engine constantly makes rumbling noise.


It is appropriate to begin with a brief statement concerning the overall rainfall patterns over West Africa in 2002. On the continental scale and based on a combined satellite-and rain gauge-derived precipitation analysis, West Africa experienced a drier-than-normal year to the west, including the northwestern parts, of Benin (Waple and Lawrimore 2003) . In contrast, the entire Gulf of Guinea and central Nigeria, including the Jos Plateau, was wetter than normal. A more regional perspective based on surface data from Benin, Nigeria, and Togo yields the following salient features of the 2002 rainy season: 1) rains in the UOV started early on 7 March 2002 and ended unusually late on 4 November 2002; 2) the UOV network-mean annual total of 1132 mm is very close to the 1960-91 mean value of 1110 mm based on six stations in the UOV region with long-term records; 3) the first part of the rainy season in the UOV between January and July was somewhat drier (about 10%) than normal, whereas the August-October period experienced above-average totals on the order of 20%; and 4) monthly gauge data from 12 Nigerian synoptic stations indicate aboveaverage rainfall over the central Nigerian highlands.

On the continental scale and based on a combined satellite-and rain gauge-derived precipitation analysis, West Africa experienced a drier-than-normal year to the west, including the northwestern parts, of Benin.


Previous authors have reported that a longer duration of RA disease did not correlate with the occurrence of fractures [34] . However, it is well established that individuals with the highest concentrations of circulating inflammatory markers are at greatest risk for periarticular as well as systemic bone resorption [37] . Elevated CRP and ACPA levels are significant independent risk factors for osteoporotic fracture in RA populations [30, 38] . In our study we found longer disease duration, elevated markers of inflammation and the presence of ACPA were all independently associated with the presence of VFs after adjustment for traditional risk factors. Therefore the disease-related measurements in RA patients should be taken into account when making the decision whether a DXA should be performed in the assessment of an individual's fracture risk in the setting of RA. However, the extent to which BMD reduction can be directly translated into a risk of fracture in RA patients remains unanswered.

Previous authors have reported that a longer duration of RA disease did not correlate with the occurrence of fractures.

However, it is well established that individuals with the highest concentrations of circulating inflammatory markers are at greatest risk for periarticular as well as systemic bone resorption.

Elevated CRP and ACPA levels are significant independent risk factors for osteoporotic fracture in RA populations.


We consider three different types of variables. First, we control for the experience of firms of obtaining subsidies in previous periods or from other levels of government. The experience gained in past and current applications seems to be valuable for subsequent applications, which underlines both the importance of the learning process and the persistence of R&D activities (Antonelli and Crespi, 2013; González and Pazó, 2008) .

The experience gained in past and current applications seems to be valuable for subsequent applications, which underlines both the importance of the learning process and the persistence of R&D activities.


Taking advantage of the panel data structure, we include a lagged variable to control for persistence in obtaining subsidies, as has been done in other papers that use the same methodology (Czarnitzki and Lopes-Bento, 2013; Duguet, 2004; González and Pazó, 2008) . In addition, receiving subsidies from other agencies -regional, national or European -may also have influence on obtaining subsidies from a specific government level. We therefore control for subsidies granted by other levels of government when estimating the effects of one specific source of public financing.

Taking advantage of the panel data structure, we include a lagged variable to control for persistence in obtaining subsidies, as has been done in other papers that use the same methodology.


The evaluation of technology policy has evolved rapidly in recent years and traditional problems in the evaluation of R&D subsidies such as sample selection and endogeneity have been broadly analysed in the empirical literature (Cerulli, 2010) . The first of these problems, sample selection, arises because it is only possible to observe the performance of those firms participating and obtaining public subsidies. The second problem is that the variables used to measure the effect of public intervention (e.g. private effort in R&D) could be endogenously determined if we assume that firms making a greater effort in R&D are more likely to be subsidized.

The evaluation of technology policy has evolved rapidly in recent years and traditional problems in the evaluation of R&D subsidies such as sample selection and endogeneity have been broadly analysed in the empirical literature.


In order to guarantee the similarity between treated and control groups, the first method used is the CEM, which allows covariates to be matched exactly. The main advantage of CEM over other matching methods is that the maximum imbalance of the empirical distribution is bounded through an ex-ante user choice. By choosing this imbalance exante, users can control the amount of imbalance in the matching solution. By so doing this method improves the estimation of causal effects and reduces differences between treated and control groups (Collins et al., 2011; Finseraas et al., 2011; Mason et al., 2011) .

By so doing this method improves the estimation of causal effects and reduces differences between treated and control groups.


Public policy may be more oriented towards supporting R&D projects in start-ups or young firms. Nevertheless, the expected result is inconclusive because older firms are more likely to have better knowledge about public support and about different funding alternatives (Huergo and Trenado, 2010) . Third, we include exports to control for the possible relationship between innovative and exporting activities, and also because this can influence the decision of the agency, which may want to reinforce the competitive position of those firms that participate in international markets.

Nevertheless, the expected result is inconclusive because older firms are more likely to have better knowledge about public support and about different funding alternatives.


We argue that the monument designation has resulted in some institutional transformations among partner agencies, but not all of these transformations have been adaptive. Transformability has been defined as the capacity to cross thresholds or transcend rigid pathways to provide an opportunity to develop along new trajectories [64] . By adaptive we mean changes in institutions that convey the capacity to adjust responses dynamically to changing external drivers and internal processes (Table 7) . Adaptive responses convey advantages in allowing institutions to develop along new trajectories or pathways, whereas transformations are described more simply as abandoning more rigid, pathdependent approaches in favor of increased institutional flexibility. Adaptive responses by partner agencies seem to be limited to few collaborative initiatives and interagency processes, where institutional learning, accrued experience in the co-trusteeship arrangement, and new knowledge have resulted in the adjustment of agency approaches and decision-making systems as a response to both external drivers and internal dynamics. Adaptive responses include specific initiatives such as the joint permitting program, the multi-agency environmental impact review process, and the formalization of protocols governing the MMB, all of which required agencies to break new ground in rule formulation and adopt new decision-making pathways. Institutional learning processes, which we discuss below, appear to have provided the impetus for these adaptive responses. In contrast, institutional transformations have resulted in shifts in institutions toward more flexible approaches and sensitivity to partner agencies and appear to have occurred throughout the transition to co-trusteeship for the NWHI. Institutional transformations were most commonly manifested in institutions' shifts in their approach to partner agencies, including increased sensitivity and awareness of partner agencies' mandates, mission, and organizational cultures. Table 7 : Concepts and definitions in ecosystem-based management and institutional resilience.

Transformability has been defined as the capacity to cross thresholds or transcend rigid pathways to provide an opportunity to develop along new trajectories.


In the NWHI, polycentric governance systems were first established through the creation of novel, multi-agency management structures and an agreement among agencies to work toward consensus in decision-making processes [53] . The Monument Management Board (MMB) served as the primary nexus for multiple-agency decision-making and was overseen by a higher-level Senior Executive Board, which was occasionally activated in the case of disagreements at the MMB level (Figure 2 ). Below the level of the MMB, working groups were formed to address specific management needs and networks of individuals at different agencies with related work descriptions worked collaboratively to facilitate collaborative management (e.g., agency permit coordinators). These polycentric, multi-agency management structures were formulated based on the need to move from a hierarchical, fragmented decision-making process towards more integrated processes, and the establishment of these governance structures required the agencies to break new ground in rule formulation, operating procedures, and protocols for decision-making.

In the NWHI, polycentric governance systems were first established through the creation of novel, multi-agency management structures and an agreement among agencies to work toward consensus in decision-making processes.


A recent exit poll survey found that, of patients who reported being asked or advised about alcohol use (11.6%) by their general practitioner, 81% found the discussion useful (Aalto and Seppa, 2004) . Heavy drinkers did not differ in attitude from non-heavy drinkers. Finally, in a survey of inpatient trauma patients subsequent to alcohol screening, the majority reported they were not offended by alcohol questions (Schermer et al., 2003) . AUDIT scores did not predict whether patients would be offended in this study.

A recent exit poll survey found that, of patients who reported being asked or advised about alcohol use (11.6%) by their general practitioner, 81% found the discussion useful.

Finally, in a survey of inpatient trauma patients subsequent to alcohol screening, the majority reported they were not offended by alcohol questions.


RNA viruses are the causative agents of important diseases affecting humans, cattle, and crops. Efforts to develop treatments and epidemiological control strategies are often frustrated by the ability of these pathogens to evolve resistance, clearly showing the need to study RNA viruses from an evolutionary standpoint. Additionally, owing to their fast evolution and small genomes, RNA viruses are excellent models for experimental evolution. During the last two decades, experimental evolution studies have contributed significantly to our understanding of RNA viruses. Conversely, RNA viruses have been used as model systems to test general theoretical population models, as for example Muller's ratchet, the competitive exclusion principle, the Red Queen hypothesis, clonal interference, or the Prisoner's dilemma, which ought to be valid for RNA viruses as well as other systems. However, in order to understand the remarkable evolutionary success of RNA viruses, it becomes necessary to pay special attention to the features that differentiate them from the rest of evolving entities. We will do so focusing on the most recent advances. Classical work in the field has been reviewed previously [1] [2] [3] [4] .

Classical work in the field has been reviewed previously.


While hypervisor-based virtualization provides abstraction for full guest OS's (one per virtual machine), operating system-level virtualization works at the operation system level, providing abstractions directly for the guest processes. In practice, hypervisors work at the hardware abstraction level and operating system-level virtualization at the system call layer [9] . This paper evaluates the performance of a Hadoop MapReduce cluster on an OpenNebula cloud under two different types of virtualization: full virtualization and operating system-level virtualization.

In practice, hypervisors work at the hardware abstraction level and operating system-level virtualization at the system call layer.


Since the OS-level virtualization works at the operating system level, all virtual instances share a single operating system kernel. For this reason, OSlevel virtualization is supposed to have a weaker isolation when compared to hypervisor-based virtualization [8] . The physical server and single instance of the operating system is virtualized into multiple isolated partitions, where each partition replicates a real server. The OS kernel will run a single operating system and provide that operating system functionality to each of the partitions.

For this reason, OSlevel virtualization is supposed to have a weaker isolation when compared to hypervisor-based virtualization.


Virtualization is a logical representation of the computer using software. In a physical computer, there is a single operating system running one or more applications. Using virtualization, a software that runs on a single physical computer consist by physical resources running into different virtual machines. Hence several operating systems can be run inside a single machine. A result from a virtual computing does not affect other virtual computing. The main advantage of virtualization is the effective use of hardware. That is, sharing resources to each virtual machine, there has been complete utilization of the hardware. Billions of dollars have been invested on the research on controlling heat dissipation in data center. The only way is to use the less number of servers, hence virtualization on server allows less physical hardware and less dissipation of heat. Nowadays, there has been a significant increase in the cost of the hardware, hence virtualization allows fewer physical hardware and hence reduced cost. Some of the parameters which adds up to the cost saving are easier maintenance and less electricity. Redeployment and backups are made easier in virtualization by using a snapshot mechanism [4] .

Redeployment and backups are made easier in virtualization by using a snapshot mechanism.


Naturally one would like to find examples of non-linear instanton configurations in string theory. A D3-brane with non-linear instanton configuration will in general not preserve the same supersymmetries that are unbroken in standard warped Calabi-Yau orientifold compactifications of type IIB. Instead these D3-brane configurations are found in more general flux backgrounds, compatible with the projection (2.6). Examples of such backgrounds can for instance be found along the baryonic branch connecting Klebanov-Strassler and MaldacenaNunez backgrounds [35] .

Examples of such backgrounds can for instance be found along the baryonic branch connecting Klebanov-Strassler and MaldacenaNunez backgrounds.


Whereas most medical imaging techniques involve domains equipped with the Euclidean metric, most geophysical reconstructions involve ray transforms in non-Euclidean geometry. This is because the speed of elastic waves generally increases with depth, thus curving the rays back to the Earth surface. Inversions of geodesic ray transforms are rendered more difficult by non vanishing curvatures. In practice, it is often possible to assume as a first approximation that curvature is negative throughout the domain. Such assumptions allow us to show, for instance, that functions are uniquely determined by a sufficient number of ray transforms and that reconstructions are not too unstable [19, 20, 29, 34] .

Such assumptions allow us to show, for instance, that functions are uniquely determined by a sufficient number of ray transforms and that reconstructions are not too unstable.


Ray transforms and their inversions are ubiquitous in medical and geophysical imaging. Many successful medical imaging techniques such as CT-scan, PET, and SPECT, are based on inversions of the Radon transform in two space dimensions and more general ray transforms in three space dimensions [23] . To a large extent, most of our understanding of the inner structure of the Earth is also based on the inversion of integral transforms [29] . There, the ray transform may arise in the linearization of a non-linear problem consisting of reconstructing the metric of a Riemannian manifold from travel time measurements [9, 15, 18, 28, 31] .

Many successful medical imaging techniques such as CT-scan, PET, and SPECT, are based on inversions of the Radon transform in two space dimensions and more general ray transforms in three space dimensions.

To a large extent, most of our understanding of the inner structure of the Earth is also based on the inversion of integral transforms.

There, the ray transform may arise in the linearization of a non-linear problem consisting of reconstructing the metric of a Riemannian manifold from travel time measurements.


The inversion of the ray transform in higher dimension is straightforward. Namely, hyperbolic manifolds of dimension higher than two can be foliated into totally geodesic two-dimensional manifolds that are isometric to (D, g). The inversion may then be performed on each leaf of the foliation independently as in Euclidean geometry [24] .

The inversion may then be performed on each leaf of the foliation independently as in Euclidean geometry.


Fishery modeling efforts are sensitive to both growth model selection and growth parameters. Optimal fishing mortality rates (F) are heavily influenced by growth parameters. Calculating growth rates directly based on tag recapture or indirectly using size frequency methods can also lead to disparate results [22] . Selecting models or methods which overestimate growth can lead to fishing policies that are too liberal while underestimating growth can lead to conservative fishing policies. Excessive fishing compared to growth capacity can lead to overfishing and population collapse. Overly conservative fishing policies can hurt the economic viability of fisheries. Egg per recruit models, for example, have been shown to be sensitive to growth parameter estimates significantly changing EPR model projections [23] . Therefore, given the critical importance of growth parameter estimation a method that allows for flexibility in mapping a wide range of growth possibilities is needed.

Calculating growth rates directly based on tag recapture or indirectly using size frequency methods can also lead to disparate results.

Egg per recruit models, for example, have been shown to be sensitive to growth parameter estimates significantly changing EPR model projections.


Selecting a curve to model individual growth for marine invertebrates can be difficult because invertebrates exhibit a suite of complicated growth features [1] . Many invertebrates exhibit staged growth, for example crabs and lobsters molt their hard exoskeleton to permit growth [2] . Some invertebrates are thought to have continuous or indeterminate growth throughout their lives [3] . Growth during the juvenile stage may include a lag until some intermediate size is reached after which growth is maximized [4] . Somatic growth may slow when invertebrates mature and shift energy allocation to reproduction [5] [6] . Invertebrates can also shrink in size, restructuring calcium hard-parts such as sea urchin tests, and rough wave action can wear down mollusk shells out pacing slow growth in large adults. Invertebrates and some fishes do not appear to follow first order growth as suggested by traditional von Bertalanffy growth curves, so that new models have been proposed [7] - [9] . Furthermore, decisions regarding which growth models to use can have major impacts on predicted growth rates. For example, if 75% of adult size is a minimum legal size, the time to fishery estimated by the sigmoidal curve may be double that of the first order curve.

Selecting a curve to model individual growth for marine invertebrates can be difficult because invertebrates exhibit a suite of complicated growth features.

Many invertebrates exhibit staged growth, for example crabs and lobsters molt their hard exoskeleton to permit growth.

Some invertebrates are thought to have continuous or indeterminate growth throughout their lives.

Growth during the juvenile stage may include a lag until some intermediate size is reached after which growth is maximized.

Somatic growth may slow when invertebrates mature and shift energy allocation to reproduction.

Invertebrates and some fishes do not appear to follow first order growth as suggested by traditional von Bertalanffy growth curves, so that new models have been proposed.


Various studies have observed substantial differences in incidence and/or severity of gastroduodenal pathologies related to H. pylori which may vary according to geographical regions [26] . Although many factors may contribute to these differences, an obvious contributing factor is the different distribution of pathogenic markers in circulating strains [27] . The clinical relevance of the putative virulence-associated genes of H. pylori and geographical region remains controversial. Other factors that influence the risks for atrophy and cancer in the presence of infection may be related to the time when infection occurred, to other environmental factors, and to the host genetic variation [28] . In particular single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes that influence bacterial handling via pattern recognition receptors appear to be involved, further strengthening the link between host risk factors, H. pylori incidence, and cancer [29] . In the present study we exploited this situation to study the relationship between selected virulence genes of H. pylori and the clinical status. Our results clearly support the notion that further studies aimed at establishing the negative predictive value of the presence of babA2 and babB alleles for GC development are warranted.

Various studies have observed substantial differences in incidence and/or severity of gastroduodenal pathologies related to H. pylori which may vary according to geographical regions.

Although many factors may contribute to these differences, an obvious contributing factor is the different distribution of pathogenic markers in circulating strains.

Other factors that influence the risks for atrophy and cancer in the presence of infection may be related to the time when infection occurred, to other environmental factors, and to the host genetic variation.

In particular single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes that influence bacterial handling via pattern recognition receptors appear to be involved, further strengthening the link between host risk factors, H. pylori incidence, and cancer.


This section draws on the data, past research results and information commons theorizing to generate new transferable categories and concepts (Lincoln and Guba, 1985) . It is organized into three parts. The first describes five dimensions for analyzing controlled data collections (CDC). The second compares our data on motivations for control with prior findings about barriers to data sharing, highlighting new categories and distinctions. The paper concludes by outlining areas of future research.

This section draws on the data, past research results and information commons theorizing to generate new transferable categories and concepts.

It is organized into three parts.