North Americas' current temperate climate allows access to suitable Northern Harrier breeding areas north of the Arctic Circle. These same areas become completely uninhabitable during the winter and the populations that breed there migrate south in autumn to overwinter in more hospitable regions. Terrestrial bird species that normally undertake an annual long-distance migration typically face constraints that inhibit them from dispersing in an east-west direction between the major landmasses (Boehning-Gaese et al. 1998) . Such dispersal constraints, along with the notable tendency to avoid crossing large bodies of water, may account for the lack of dispersal that has been observed between the Nearctic and Palearctic forms of Circus cyaneus, although extremely rare occurrences of C. c. hudsonius in the Western Palearctic have been documented (Martin 2008; Mullarney and Forsman 2011) .

Terrestrial bird species that normally undertake an annual long-distance migration typically face constraints that inhibit them from dispersing in an east-west direction between the major landmasses.

Such dispersal constraints, along with the notable tendency to avoid crossing large bodies of water, may account for the lack of dispersal that has been observed between the Nearctic and Palearctic forms of Circus cyaneus, although extremely rare occurrences of C. c. hudsonius in the Western Palearctic have been documented.


For such a topological group (G, t) we denote by (G, t + ) the underlying group of G equipped with its Bohr topology. Evidently, (G, t + ) is an example of a totally bounded group. The following notion plays an important rôle for the rest of this discussion: A MAP group (G, t) is said to respect a topological property P if a subset A of G has P as a subspace of (G, t) if and only if A has P as a subspace of (G, t + ) (Trigos-Arrieta [20] ).

The following notion plays an important rôle for the rest of this discussion: A MAP group (G, t) is said to respect a topological property P if a subset A of G has P as a subspace of (G, t) if and only if A has P as a subspace of (G, t + ) (Trigos-Arrieta).


It is noteworthy that flavorings are generally considered a less studied class of food additives from a toxicological point of view, highlighting the sweet flavorings, justifying the lack of data on their toxicity in the scientific literature (Honorato et al., 2013) . Although still considered insufficient by many researchers, Table 2 lists the number of cells in interphase and at different division phases and also the MI values of the meristematic tissue obtained from A. cepa roots treated with water or synthetic food flavorings Strawberry, Condensed Milk and Chocolate in combination, at the exposure times of 24 and 48 hours, in which for each of the three doses tested -0.2 or 0.4 or 0.6 ml -of one flavoring, the same dose of one other flavoring was combined. Significant χ 2 values are shown.

It is noteworthy that flavorings are generally considered a less studied class of food additives from a toxicological point of view, highlighting the sweet flavorings, justifying the lack of data on their toxicity in the scientific literature.

Significant χ 2 values are shown.


Flavorings are food additives with aromatic and/or sapid properties used to confer or enhance the aroma and the taste of food without nutritional purpose. They are classified into natural, synthetic nature identical, artificial synthetic reaction or conversion flavorings and smoke flavorings (Constant et al., 2007) . These substances have a complex chemical composition, consisting of diluents, antioxidants, defoamers, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, acidity regulators, flavor enhancers, antiwetting agents, anti-caking agents, dyes and extraction and processing solvents approved for use worldwide by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and in Brazil, by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) (Brasil, 2007; Potera, 2012) .

They are classified into natural, synthetic nature identical, artificial synthetic reaction or conversion flavorings and smoke flavorings.

These substances have a complex chemical composition, consisting of diluents, antioxidants, defoamers, preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, acidity regulators, flavor enhancers, antiwetting agents, anti-caking agents, dyes and extraction and processing solvents approved for use worldwide by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and in Brazil, by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA).


In signal processing, TDLs have been implemented electronically, providing these key functions in a reconfigurable fashion but on the binary electrical signals [9] . Utilization of the extremely large bandwidth of photonic technologies would require implementation of TDLs all-optically. An optical method can potentially advance the performance of signal processing when the signal to be processed is at high speed or is a combination of many lower speed signals [10] , [11] . The optical data signal flows through the TDL module without the need to actively operate/switch on each bit individually. Moreover, optical signal processing can also benefit from the ability to manipulate and process optical field amplitude and phase in order to increase the capacity and speed of processing. For optical TDLs, critical issues include the following abilities: a) continuously tune tap delays from a fraction of a bit time to multiple bit times, b) finely tune the relative tap delays since fractions of a bit time at tens of gigabaud can easily be on the order of a few picoseconds, and c) accommodate different data modulation formats [e.g., on-off keying (OOK) and phase-shift keying (PSK)].

In signal processing, TDLs have been implemented electronically, providing these key functions in a reconfigurable fashion but on the binary electrical signals.

An optical method can potentially advance the performance of signal processing when the signal to be processed is at high speed or is a combination of many lower speed signals.


With the increased use of genomic microarrays both in research studies and clinical practice, more and more clinically relevant copy number variants are being detected. Broadly, they fall into two classes -(i) highly penetrant with clear, recurrent clinical associations and (ii) those with variable expressivity found in individuals with a broad range of phenotypes [32, 34] . The mechanism of action of most of these copy number variants is unknown. Our results suggest that clinical investigations based on the knowledge of genes in the region of a copy number variant may provide insights into the mechanism of disruption caused by that copy number variant. For rare or private (i.e. non-recurrent) copy number changes, clinical testing driven by genetic hints, as in our Case 1 with loss of PROS1, can be informative and might confirm that a given microdeletion is functionally important, and establish a likely genotype-phenotype association. Moreover, such gene-driven investigations may reveal novel, unappreciated phenotype correlations even in already well-described syndromes with well-established clinical consequences, as shown here for the 17q12 microdeletion.

Broadly, they fall into two classes -(i) highly penetrant with clear, recurrent clinical associations and (ii) those with variable expressivity found in individuals with a broad range of phenotypes.


The verbal aggressiveness has extensively been explored in various environments such as family, business organization and education system [1] - [8] . The impacts of the education-related verbal aggressiveness have been insightfully discussed focusing on motivation climate, attraction, satisfaction and learning [9] - [20] . The sport-related aggressiveness has also been extensively explored [20] - [27] . However, the afore-mentioned studies have mainly focused on the aggressiveness as a general educational and athletic concept and not specifically on the activity of hunting, which includes both educational and physical parameters (such ones are the collaboration and socialization with other hunters, the acquisition of technical, zoological and ecological knowledge, development of patience and persistence as well as of physical skills such as sharp vision and hearing, exercising in hits targeting, using gun and natural life). Additionally, the verbal aggressiveness seems to encourage the physical aggressiveness [28] . However, the aggressiveness occurring in the domestic education environment of the correctional system has not yet been extensively discussed, though it could provide insights into the deeper nature of the aggressiveness under conditions of suppression and/or oppression.

The verbal aggressiveness has extensively been explored in various environments such as family, business organization and education system.

The impacts of the education-related verbal aggressiveness have been insightfully discussed focusing on motivation climate, attraction, satisfaction and learning.

The sport-related aggressiveness has also been extensively explored.

Additionally, the verbal aggressiveness seems to encourage the physical aggressiveness.


Network analysis has already been used for measuring behavioral variables (including also aggression) and detecting relations between behavioral patterns as well as determinants of such behaviors [34] - [40] . Network analysis is based on the assumption that a behavior is not just a matter of individual tendencies and options but a structural phenomenon. As such one, it is calculated by network algorithms which detect the concentration of aggression either directly on a person or accumulatively from one person to another (chain of subsequent aggressive actions). It is also calculated to what extent a person is both attacking and attacked or only attacking. Thus, a person is not "aggressive" alone-as an autonomous and independent unit-but may be considered to be more or less aggressive depending on the actions he practiced to and received from the others. The whole of such behavioral relations constitutes a system of deep and possibly long-path interdependencies.

Network analysis has already been used for measuring behavioral variables (including also aggression) and detecting relations between behavioral patterns as well as determinants of such behaviors.


In the present study, it is determined chromosome number as 2n = 34, from two different populations (Table 1, Fig. 17 ). To our knowledge, this is the second count for species, endemic in the north-east Anatolia. It agrees with the only previous report (OZCAN et al. 2008) .

It agrees with the only previous report.


It is well known that neutrophils play an important role in mediating tissue injury in a wide range of inflammatory diseases. In fact, activated neutrophils can release ROS and proteins that act as mediators of inflammation and induce tissue injury (Ward et al., 1988) . In addition, at the inflammatory sites, the expression of neutrophils constitutive cell death program can be delayed or accelerated by a number of agents (Edwards et al., 2004; Scheel-Toellner et al., 2004a) . These data promoted us to investigate the effect of PPD on neutrophils. Since the impact of PPD on the ROS pathway in neutrophils has not been studied yet in vitro, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of PPD on human cultured neutrophils viability and to evaluate the implication of oxidative stress in the cytotoxicity of PPD.

In fact, activated neutrophils can release ROS and proteins that act as mediators of inflammation and induce tissue injury.

In addition, at the inflammatory sites, the expression of neutrophils constitutive cell death program can be delayed or accelerated by a number of agents.


Studies have demonstrated that topical exposure of mice to both PPD and BB leads to immune cell activation, as measured by an increased cellular infiltration of draining lymph nodes (Aeby et al., 2004; Warbrick et al., 1999; White et al., 2006) . In human volunteers, 50 to 100% of individuals treated with a topical solution of PPD at concentrations of 1 to 30% showed evidence of sensitization (Kligman, 1966; Marzulli and Maibach, 1974) . Moreover, direct contact with PPD may cause skin irritation, keratoconjunctivitis, swollen conjunctiva and eczema of eye lids (Sax, 1984) . Although these data suggest that PPD and BB are immunogenic, the nature of the chemical entity that interacts with immune cells has not been fully elucidated and needs further investigations. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that PPD application induces injury to rat skin (Lee et al., 2002; Mathur et al., 2005) . Generally, xenobiotic-induced tissue damage is related to reactive metabolites as well as produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Freeman and Crapo, 1982; Mattia et al., 1993) .

Studies have demonstrated that topical exposure of mice to both PPD and BB leads to immune cell activation, as measured by an increased cellular infiltration of draining lymph nodes.

In human volunteers, 50 to 100% of individuals treated with a topical solution of PPD at concentrations of 1 to 30% showed evidence of sensitization.

Moreover, direct contact with PPD may cause skin irritation, keratoconjunctivitis, swollen conjunctiva and eczema of eye lids.

Furthermore, previous studies have shown that PPD application induces injury to rat skin.

Generally, xenobiotic-induced tissue damage is related to reactive metabolites as well as produced reactive oxygen species (ROS).


The growth of the mango tree, as well as other tropical fruit trees, is not continuous but comes in vegetative flushes of the terminal and axillary shoots of the branches, before the period of dormancy. For the vegetative or floral growth to happen, two different processes occur in the plant: the growth of the buds and the initiation of the sprouting. The bud starts to grow, which includes the end of the dormancy and a quick development of the shoot. Along with the shoot initiation, the induction happens, and it will define the vegetative type, floral or mixed [6] .

Along with the shoot initiation, the induction happens, and it will define the vegetative type, floral or mixed.


Soil application rather than foliar application of paclobutrazol has been found to be more responsive in suppressing the vegetative growth and enhancing the reproductive growth in mango trees [12, 13] . Studies have shown that paclobutrazol needs to be applied annually to increase mango fruit yields [5] . However, the paclobutrazol treatments to the tree basins (soil under the canopy drip area within a radius of 1.5 m of the tree trunk) may result in its uptake into the trees and thereby result in the persistence of its residues in the mango fruit and also in the soil at the tree basin [13] . Such persistence of paclobutrazol residues in mango fruit may lead to adverse effects on human health. The persistence of paclobutrazol residues in soil may influence the soil microbial activity too. Soil microbial count of a mango orchard soil where paclobutrazol was frequently applied has been shown to be reduced by up to 58% [14] .

Soil application rather than foliar application of paclobutrazol has been found to be more responsive in suppressing the vegetative growth and enhancing the reproductive growth in mango trees.

Studies have shown that paclobutrazol needs to be applied annually to increase mango fruit yields.

However, the paclobutrazol treatments to the tree basins (soil under the canopy drip area within a radius of 1.5 m of the tree trunk) may result in its uptake into the trees and thereby result in the persistence of its residues in the mango fruit and also in the soil at the tree basin.

Soil microbial count of a mango orchard soil where paclobutrazol was frequently applied has been shown to be reduced by up to 58%.


Soils are becoming polluted by pesticides because of the wide and, often indiscriminate, use of these xenobiotic molecules in agricultural practice. In the soil, pesticides may be involved in several stages, such as retention, transformation, and transport, the intensity of which will affect the potential activity of agrochemicals [15] . Bioremediation is an effective and cheap process that can degrade or transform contaminants to become less toxic or nontoxic [16] [17] [18] . Two processes have been found to increase the activity of microorganisms during bioremediation: biostimulation and bioaugmentation [19] . Biostimulation involves the addition of nutrients and/or a terminal electron acceptor to increase the weak activity of indigenous microbial populations by accelerating the decontamination rate since the addition of one or more rate-limiting nutrients to the system improves the degradation potential of the inhabiting microbial population [20, 21] . Bioaugmentation involves the addition of external microbial strains (indigenous or exogenous) that have the ability to degrade the target toxic molecules [22] .

In the soil, pesticides may be involved in several stages, such as retention, transformation, and transport, the intensity of which will affect the potential activity of agrochemicals.

Bioremediation is an effective and cheap process that can degrade or transform contaminants to become less toxic or nontoxic.

Two processes have been found to increase the activity of microorganisms during bioremediation: biostimulation and bioaugmentation.

Biostimulation involves the addition of nutrients and/or a terminal electron acceptor to increase the weak activity of indigenous microbial populations by accelerating the decontamination rate since the addition of one or more rate-limiting nutrients to the system improves the degradation potential of the inhabiting microbial population.

Bioaugmentation involves the addition of external microbial strains (indigenous or exogenous) that have the ability to degrade the target toxic molecules.


Flowering in mango is a process that may occur during an extensive period (up to several months) and can have its beginning altered, naturally or artificially, due to climatic conditions, yield of the former harvest, or use of specific crop management techniques, including plant growth regulators [7] . Most of the plant growth regulators inhibit the gibberellin synthesis and can therefore be used for plant growth and flowering management [8] . Among the plant growth regulators used in fruit production, paclobutrazol (PBZ) has shown efficiency in mango flowering management [9] . PBZ (Figure 1 ) must be applied directly to the soil due to its low solubility, long residual activity, and lack of efficient foliar uptake [8] . The recommended doses range between 1.0 and 1.5 g, measured by tree crown diameter, and dependent on the cultivar, climate, soil type, and plant nutrition. Paclobutrazol is absorbed by the roots, conducted by the xylem to the leaves and buds, without mobility by phloem [10] . It is persistent in the plant and soil, highly stable in the soil, and its slow degradation lowers plant metabolism [8] . PBZ applied as a soil drench reduces internode lengths and causes earlier and enhanced flowering in mango trees. These results have been confirmed in different locations in the tropics [11] . Paclobutrazol doses applied, each year, are not always adequate because they do not take into account the residue from previous applications. Paclobutrazol increases the compaction of inflorescence in the 'Tommy Atkins' mango proportionate to the applied dose [12] . High dosage, which tends to reduce the panicle length of the treated plants (33% as compared to control), results in the formation of very compact inflorescences, creating appropriate conditions for the incidence of diseases and pests as well as making phytosanitary control difficult [9] . In addition to the phytosanitary problems, excessive doses of PBZ can inhibit vegetative and floral growth longer than desirable, requiring more nitrate sprays to stimulate flowering. The high cost of crop production, for all the reasons that have been mentioned, is only one of the problems, as there is also the question of the accumulation of a chemical in the soil and plant without knowing the consequences over the years, both for the production system and the environment.

Flowering in mango is a process that may occur during an extensive period (up to several months) and can have its beginning altered, naturally or artificially, due to climatic conditions, yield of the former harvest, or use of specific crop management techniques, including plant growth regulators.

Most of the plant growth regulators inhibit the gibberellin synthesis and can therefore be used for plant growth and flowering management.

Among the plant growth regulators used in fruit production, paclobutrazol (PBZ) has shown efficiency in mango flowering management.

PBZ (Figure 1 ) must be applied directly to the soil due to its low solubility, long residual activity, and lack of efficient foliar uptake.

Paclobutrazol is absorbed by the roots, conducted by the xylem to the leaves and buds, without mobility by phloem.

It is persistent in the plant and soil, highly stable in the soil, and its slow degradation lowers plant metabolism.

These results have been confirmed in different locations in the tropics.

Paclobutrazol increases the compaction of inflorescence in the 'Tommy Atkins' mango proportionate to the applied dose.

High dosage, which tends to reduce the panicle length of the treated plants (33% as compared to control), results in the formation of very compact inflorescences, creating appropriate conditions for the incidence of diseases and pests as well as making phytosanitary control difficult.


Note that Assumption 1 is stronger than the requirement E X 2 < ∞, as it imposes a L ∞ -boundedness condition on the random variable X. For conveniency we assume that the distribution is bounded by 1. However, it is important to note that our results hold for random variables X bounded from above by an arbitrary M . We will also need the following regularity requirement, first introduced by Pollard [16] .

We will also need the following regularity requirement, first introduced by Pollard.


In radiation therapy and imaging, laser optical displacement sensors were used to track the respiratory motion [11, 12] . Such a setup is advantageous since it does not require an additional preparation of the subject or patient. Since there is no contact with the patient, sterilization is not an issue, i.e. it therefore could also be used in an open surgery and for paediatric imaging avoiding the placement of electrodes.

In radiation therapy and imaging, laser optical displacement sensors were used to track the respiratory motion.


Different methods exist which enable a contactless distance measurement. Based on variations in distance, one can draw inferences about the respiratory activity. Ultrawideband radar is one method which is based the reflective measurement of GHz signals [4] [5] [6] . Other methods include camera based systems using optical fiducials placed on the patient's torso [7, 8] . However, this method requires an additional preparation of the patients and a long distance line of sight between the fiducials and the camera placed outside the bore of the MRI. Temperature variations caused by respiration can also be captured using infrared thermography [9, 10] . The disadvantage of infrared thermography is the high cost of the camera and the incompatibility with the MRI environment.

Ultrawideband radar is one method which is based the reflective measurement of GHz signals.

Other methods include camera based systems using optical fiducials placed on the patient's torso.

Temperature variations caused by respiration can also be captured using infrared thermography.


Most of the Existing structures such as bridges and buildings are made of reinforced concrete (RC). RC is an economical and versatile construction material and in most cases, it is strong and durable. However, certain circumstances; for instance, poor design and construction, low-quality construction materials, design and construction according to old earthquake resistant design guidelines, environmental effects (e.g. corrosion, freeze-thaw, etc.), and other deteriorating factors can decrease the service life of the structures [1] - [3] . Therefore, repair and retrofitting of these deteriorated structures is essential to maintain and extend their designed service life [4] , [5] .

However, certain circumstances; for instance, poor design and construction, low-quality construction materials, design and construction according to old earthquake resistant design guidelines, environmental effects (e.g. corrosion, freeze-thaw, etc.), and other deteriorating factors can decrease the service life of the structures.

Therefore, repair and retrofitting of these deteriorated structures is essential to maintain and extend their designed service life.


Reinforced concrete structures are designed such that flexural failure is the governed mode of failure and shear failure is prevented. To prevent the sudden failure (shear) and assure the ductile failure (flexural), the RC beams should acquire adequate shear strength [25] . The later requirement is the key impetus for conducting this research which is investigating the repair and strengthening of shear deficient beams using EB-CFRP.

To prevent the sudden failure (shear) and assure the ductile failure (flexural), the RC beams should acquire adequate shear strength.


The results indicated that students who were positive about mathematics recalled quality teaching practices of mathematics such as engaging the students, student centred learning, supporting the students' learning by giving time, assistance and assurance about mathematics skills. This points to the power the teacher has in supporting children to learn mathematics. Choosing a teacher-centred approach, especially in the early years of learning mathematics has been found to be far more effective than a child-centred approach where children "discover" knowledge by interacting with concrete materials. Children's learning has been found to be optimised by having an effective pedagogue working alongside and supporting children's learning (Polly, Margerison, & Piel, 2014) .

Children's learning has been found to be optimised by having an effective pedagogue working alongside and supporting children's learning.


Participants were recruited during the first tutorial for the session following the lecture that had introduced the topic regarding attitudes and anxiety towards mathematics. This is known in this study as Time 1. The students were informed that research indicated that attitudes and beliefs about one's ability in mathematics, and affects a teacher's own ability to teach in these areas (Sloan, Daane, & Giesen, 2002; Vinson, 2001) . The topic also included a discussion of how feeling anxious in mathematics can be transferred to teachers' students. The students were invited to participate in the study and advised that there were no negative consequences for those not participating. The University's Human Research Ethics Committee approval had been obtained, and participants had the option of completing the survey, or opting out.

This is known in this study as Time 1.

The students were informed that research indicated that attitudes and beliefs about one's ability in mathematics, and affects a teacher's own ability to teach in these areas.


Intersection is the important hinge of highway and transportation system. Hence, safety condition of intersection plays a significant role in traffic system. In order to improve safety level of urban transportation, intersection safety should be evaluated objectively. The traditional evaluation methods of intersection safety are mainly based on statistics of traffic accidents data. It is difficult, however, to evaluate safety in terms of the change in the number of traffic accidents at intersections, because traffic accidents are unpredictable and rare events (Jutaek, et al. 2010) .

It is difficult, however, to evaluate safety in terms of the change in the number of traffic accidents at intersections, because traffic accidents are unpredictable and rare events.


As communication develops, communication media is becoming more diverse and high speed. Therefore, an essential component in establishing information oriented society is communication method. In this regard, system that allows for inexpensive and convenient data collection and dissemination is required [1] - [3] . Such environment can come to realization through USN (ubiquitous sensor network), a network that collects and manages data through sensors.

In this regard, system that allows for inexpensive and convenient data collection and dissemination is required.


The results presented in Fig. 5 are driven by a combination of process efficiency, carbon intensity of the displaced product and the efficiency of biomass production. Therefore the systems with high biomass yields tend to perform better than those with lower yields. At the point of sale a unit of wood produced from a short rotation coppice system may appear identical to a unit of wood produced by a forestry systems; however their land use requirements are quite different. The yield assumed for forestry systems in this work is relatively low, since it was assumed that bioenergy applications would only be able to access a small proportion of the wood produced from a commercial forestry system and so the land area assumed for the calculations is producing more than just the bioenergy material. This is what drives the relatively low results for the ammonia and pellet boiler systems. This could be considered "unreasonable" as it is not taking account of coproducts with appropriate allocation procedures. However, it is a sensible approach to take if what we are concerned about is the total amount of reductions that bioenergy systems are ever going to be able to deliver since the absolute land constraint is the finite area available for forestry, not the proportion of that area that should properly be attributed to biomass. In other words it would be misguided to allocate only a proportion of the land to the bioenergy system when the ultimate constraint is not the bioenergy proportion but the total amount of land on our planet that might be under harvestable forest cover at any point in time. Fig. 6 shows that the heating systems, particularly the pellet boiler, have very high costs per unit of greenhouse gas savings, while the electricity, biochar and ammonia systems all have much lower carbon costs. In fact the ammonia system does not require any value to be placed on the carbon reductions at all e it could be commercially implemented today on a simple investment cost basis, but there are substantial commercial risks associated with deployment which impede that [4] . It is interesting to note that when heating and electricity cross-comparisons have been carried out in other European countries they often result in more favorable outcomes for heating systems. However, the heating load for the UK climate is characterized by a relatively low overall load factor and a high disparity between peak loads in summer and winter. This results in relatively high capital expenditure to install a system that is capable of delivering relatively modest overall annual output. Additionally a key driver for the heating systems requiring a higher cost of carbon appears to be that the market value of heat compared to electricity or the chemical or fertilizer products is very low. Finally the heating counterfactual assumed is a highly efficient natural gas boiler. These are dominant within the UK domestic heating sector and so make a sensible choice, but they also have a relatively low carbon intensity compared to other heating options and so the benefit of replacing them with biomass is more limited than it may be in other contexts.

In fact the ammonia system does not require any value to be placed on the carbon reductions at all e it could be commercially implemented today on a simple investment cost basis, but there are substantial commercial risks associated with deployment which impede that.


The neutral beam injector (NBI) for the Large Helical Device (LHD) is the first negative-ion-based NBI (N-NBI) system that was constructed as a main plasma heating facility in helical systems [1] . Because tangential beam injection is necessary and the required beam energy is so high as 180 keV for hydrogen that it is possible to construct a system only by using negative ions. No conventional positive-ion based NBI has been adopted in LHD.

The neutral beam injector (NBI) for the Large Helical Device (LHD) is the first negative-ion-based NBI (N-NBI) system that was constructed as a main plasma heating facility in helical systems.


Thus, there is a difference between the benefits of afforestation identified in this paper and the benefits for those planting the trees. Although tree planting would enlarge social gains, welfare maximisation conditions would hardly be guaranteed because of market failures. The problem: "who pays for tree planting and who receives the benefits" can scarcely be solved in Ukraine through the market and would therefore need to be regulated by government [37] . It seems that government would have to justify public policy concerning tree planting and balance costs and benefits to provide incentives for those planting the trees. Also, afforestation would have to be elaborated in close dialogue with stakeholders and with public involvement including in-depth consideration of various scenarios for woodlands expansion. Such deliberative processes will increase the capabilities of policy actors, assisting them in the delivery of sustainability objectives to forest management practices on the ground.

The problem: "who pays for tree planting and who receives the benefits" can scarcely be solved in Ukraine through the market and would therefore need to be regulated by government.


Classical backcrossing is a time-consuming process, due to the number of backcrosses needed to achieve desired results. Selection based on phenotypic char-acteristics can be unreliable because of the environmental effects and measurement errors. By using molecular markers, required number of backcrosses can be significantly decreased, which makes their use a cost-efficient method (Knapp, 1998) . Molecular markers provide an insight in the variability of the progeny at the molecular level in each generation (Moose and Mumm, 2008) . The efficiency of the marker-assisted backcrossing depends on experimental design, especially on the marker density and position, population size and selection strategy (Frisch and Melchinger, 2005) .

By using molecular markers, required number of backcrosses can be significantly decreased, which makes their use a cost-efficient method.

Molecular markers provide an insight in the variability of the progeny at the molecular level in each generation.

The efficiency of the marker-assisted backcrossing depends on experimental design, especially on the marker density and position, population size and selection strategy.


In this paper I will use the Proper Forcing Axiom (PFA) to prove that all Aronszajn lines are isomorphic to a suborder of a single canonical Aronszajn line η C . Here PFA is a strong Baire category assumption due to Baumgartner. It extends MA ℵ1 to a broader class of partial orders and is a natural assumption in this context (see [1] , [3] , [17, §8] , [19] , [20] ). The universality of η C and the results of this paper also hold in Woodin's canonical model for the failure of the Continuum Hypothesis [22] .

It extends MA ℵ1 to a broader class of partial orders and is a natural assumption in this context (see,, [17, §8] ,,).

The universality of η C and the results of this paper also hold in Woodin's canonical model for the failure of the Continuum Hypothesis.


Although the results of the present work on the deformation and fracture of the specific steel 17Mn1Si cannot be directly extended to all pipe steels used in oil and gas pipeline industry, the common property for all these steels is high fracture toughness (or the ability to resist ductile crack initiation and growth). The fracture toughness is determined by the amount of the work of plastic deformation in the fracture zone, which depends on the type of the microstructure formed during thermomechanical processing of the initial hot-rolled sheet [24] [25] [26] . Unlike other steels, the pipeline steels have a well-defined ratio of strength, ductility and fracture toughness, which is specified by the thermomechanical processing scheme [27] [28] [29] . The simulation results of this study were verified for 17Mn1Si pipe steel because of its widespread use. Nevertheless, the proposed approach and model assumptions can be extended with certain restrictions to other pipe steels.

The fracture toughness is determined by the amount of the work of plastic deformation in the fracture zone, which depends on the type of the microstructure formed during thermomechanical processing of the initial hot-rolled sheet.

Unlike other steels, the pipeline steels have a well-defined ratio of strength, ductility and fracture toughness, which is specified by the thermomechanical processing scheme.


A large number of studies have been devoted to understanding of phenomenology and microscopic mechanisms of plastic deformation at the grain scale or at the scale of grain conglomerates [32] [33] [34] . The effect of microscopic deformation mechanisms in these works is taken into account through the use of appropriate phenomenological dependences. However, multiscale studies of processes occurring under impact loading conditions are still scarce. In addition, the finding of the relationship between the microstructural parameters and mechanical (macroscopic) properties of pipeline materials is a relevant topic of considerable scientific and practical interest [31, 35, 36] . This paper presents a theoretical and experimental study of the relationship between the microstructural parameters, mechanical properties, and impact deformation and fracture of steels using the example of 17Mn1Si pipe steel.

A large number of studies have been devoted to understanding of phenomenology and microscopic mechanisms of plastic deformation at the grain scale or at the scale of grain conglomerates.

In addition, the finding of the relationship between the microstructural parameters and mechanical (macroscopic) properties of pipeline materials is a relevant topic of considerable scientific and practical interest.


The relaxation capacity of the material with the decreasing test temperature at the macroscopic level can be quantitatively defined using the maximum contraction ratio of the specimen λ (%) in the crack growth region (see Table 1 ). The maximum contraction ratio is the ratio of the reduced cross-sectional area of the fractured specimen to the initial cross-sectional area, expressed as a percentage [20, 21] . According to the literature, the decrease in the work of plastic deformation in specimen fracture directly depends on the change in the mobility of dislocations. The activation of plastic deformation with the test temperature increase from T = −60 to 20 • C at the crack tip and contraction λ (%) (see Table 1 ) must also contribute to the elimination of other microdefects that reduce the mobility of dislocations (dislocation barriers, dispersed second phase particles, etc.), thus leading to an increase in the impact toughness.

The maximum contraction ratio is the ratio of the reduced cross-sectional area of the fractured specimen to the initial cross-sectional area, expressed as a percentage.


As noted above, the boundaries of structural elements, first of all grains, play several functional roles during plastic deformation. From the viewpoint of strain hardening, especially under static loading, the grain boundaries are obstacles to dislocation glide and thereby they contribute to the increase the flow stress as deformation proceeds. This effect is known as the Hall-Petch hardening according to which the flow (yield) stress is inversely proportional to the square root of the grain size [40] . On the other hand, especially under high-rate loading, the boundaries can be the regions whose deformation promotes an efficient dissipation of energy rapidly supplied to the material. For example, the grain boundaries serve as efficient sinks for incoming lattice dislocations. As a result, the fracture energy and impact fracture toughness should increase [41] . It is rather difficult to check the validity of this hypothesis only in experiments, so we used numerical simulations.

This effect is known as the Hall-Petch hardening according to which the flow (yield) stress is inversely proportional to the square root of the grain size.

As a result, the fracture energy and impact fracture toughness should increase.


Roughly 10% of the world's energy is spent to heat and cool the interiors of commercial buildings. This is done to create a range of indoor temperatures that assure comfortable and productive occupants. The temperature range has a significant impact on the amount of energy used. A narrow range requires more heating and cooling, often simultaneous. For each degree Celsius that the thermostat heating setpoint is lowered or the cooling setpoint raised, a building's total (heating+cooling) HVAC energy consumption is reduced 10%, and savings of 40 -50% are possible [1] . If it were possible to have equivalent comfort outside the conventional interior temperature range, substantial amounts of HVAC energy might be saved with no loss in performance.

For each degree Celsius that the thermostat heating setpoint is lowered or the cooling setpoint raised, a building's total (heating+cooling) HVAC energy consumption is reduced 10%, and savings of 40 -50% are possible.


In this work, the LFFs of an LD with optical feedback are experimentally studied when the injection current is modulated at frequencies close to the mean frequency of power dropouts. The synchronization state between the laser and the external modulator is studied by finding the statistics of power dropouts in the laser emission. The study uses Shannon's entropy on evaluating the distribution of time intervals between consecutive reductions in the laser intensity [9] [10] [11] . In addition, the synchronization between the laser and the modulator is investigated by introducing two new variables, the phase of the laser's LFFs and the phase of the driving signal [12] . The ratio of these two phases is estimated during the evolution in time of the chaotic laser [13] .

The study uses Shannon's entropy on evaluating the distribution of time intervals between consecutive reductions in the laser intensity.

In addition, the synchronization between the laser and the modulator is investigated by introducing two new variables, the phase of the laser's LFFs and the phase of the driving signal.

The ratio of these two phases is estimated during the evolution in time of the chaotic laser.


We also detected strong enrichments using annotations based on other molecular QTL, with eQTL, hQTL and meQTL all providing complementary information about disease, conditional on each other and on functional annotations from previous studies. These results motivate applying colocalization and TWAS methods to other molecular QTL; it may also be possible to prioritize other molecular QTL in gene set analyses by connecting regulatory regions to genes [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] . We note that although annotations constructed from sQTL were not conditionally significant in our analysis, previous work has shown that sQTL can contain information that is independent from eQTL 54 , motivating further investigation in larger sQTL data sets. Finally, although we have used the CAVIAR method 41 for fine-mapping molecular QTL, our results motivate a comparison of disease/trait enrichment using other QTL fine-mapping methods [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] .

These results motivate applying colocalization and TWAS methods to other molecular QTL; it may also be possible to prioritize other molecular QTL in gene set analyses by connecting regulatory regions to genes.

Finally, although we have used the CAVIAR method 41 for fine-mapping molecular QTL, our results motivate a comparison of disease/trait enrichment using other QTL fine-mapping methods.


The conjecture holds in dimension d = 2, and we shall discuss this case in more detail in the next section. In higher dimensions only partial results are known [3, 5, 6, 7, 9] . It is easy to see that (4) is a particular case of (3). Although the signed case previously did not seem to have direct applications to other problems, it is an important "toy model" of the problem, which presents significant structural simplifications, while preserving most important obstacles [6, 7] . In §3 we shall establish a formal link between the two-dimensional signed small ball inequality and discrepancy theory: we demonstrate that the extremal sets generated by this estimate yield an important class of low-discrepancy distributions.

In higher dimensions only partial results are known.

Although the signed case previously did not seem to have direct applications to other problems, it is an important "toy model" of the problem, which presents significant structural simplifications, while preserving most important obstacles.


T2D has been considered as a bi-hormonal disease characterized by relative hypoinsulinemia and hyperglucagonemia [38] . Patients with T2D display postprandial hyperglycemia due to decreased insulin secretion and a concomitant increase in glucagon secretion. The uncontrolled glucagon release under postprandial stage under T2D conditions may not be attributable to lack of an insulin action, because experiments with an α-cellspecific insulin receptor knockout mouse (αIRKO) model showed that insulin exerts no direct effect on glucagon secretion from α-cells [39] . Longitudinal monitoring of insulin and glucagon secretion in Caucasian women with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) versus normal glucose tolerance (NGT), over a 12-year period, showed that β-and α-cell dysfunction are evident several years before diagnosis of IGT, and islet dysfunction is manifested by impaired glucose sensitivity of the β-and α-cells and reduced maximal insulin secretion [40] . Besides impaired β-cell functions, a lowered number of β-cell mass may also contribute to insufficient secretion of insulin in these patients. Analysis of autopsy samples of pancreas from 50 T2D subjects showed that β-cell mass in pancreas was 36% lower than that of 52 non-diabetic subjects [41] . While the topography of α and β-cells was similar in both groups, the ratio of α/ β cell areas increased (from 0.42 to 0.72) in T2D subjects whereas the α-cell mass was virtually identical [41] . Thus, the high proportion of α-to β-cells in the islets of some T2D subjects is due to decrease in β-cell number rather than increase in α-cell number. This imbalance may lead to the relative hyperglucagonemia observed in T2D.

T2D has been considered as a bi-hormonal disease characterized by relative hypoinsulinemia and hyperglucagonemia.

The uncontrolled glucagon release under postprandial stage under T2D conditions may not be attributable to lack of an insulin action, because experiments with an α-cellspecific insulin receptor knockout mouse (αIRKO) model showed that insulin exerts no direct effect on glucagon secretion from α-cells.

Longitudinal monitoring of insulin and glucagon secretion in Caucasian women with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) versus normal glucose tolerance (NGT), over a 12-year period, showed that β-and α-cell dysfunction are evident several years before diagnosis of IGT, and islet dysfunction is manifested by impaired glucose sensitivity of the β-and α-cells and reduced maximal insulin secretion.

Analysis of autopsy samples of pancreas from 50 T2D subjects showed that β-cell mass in pancreas was 36% lower than that of 52 non-diabetic subjects.

While the topography of α and β-cells was similar in both groups, the ratio of α/ β cell areas increased (from 0.42 to 0.72) in T2D subjects whereas the α-cell mass was virtually identical.


Postprandial hyperglycemia (see Fig. 1 ) Postprandial excursion of blood glucose level is dependent upon several rate-limiting factors, including (i) time course of gastric emptying, (ii) intestinal absorptive rate of glucose, (iii) decreased insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues, (iv) decreased suppression of hepatic glucose output (glycogenolysis) after meals, (v) rate of gluconeogenesis of the liver, (vi) insulin secretion rate during postprandial period, and (vii) autonomic nerve imbalance of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve. Postprandial excursion of plasma glucose level is a common phenomenon in people with diabetes. For example, in a study in which daily plasma glucose profiles was assessed over a one-week period in 3,284 subjects with non-insulin-treated T2D, postprandial plasma glucose value > 8.9 mmol/L (160 mg/dL) was recorded at least once in 84% of those studied [17] .

For example, in a study in which daily plasma glucose profiles was assessed over a one-week period in 3,284 subjects with non-insulin-treated T2D, postprandial plasma glucose value > 8.9 mmol/L (160 mg/dL) was recorded at least once in 84% of those studied.


A number of significant advantages exist for the Cu-Cl cycle over other thermochemical cycles, such as much lower operating temperatures (maximum 530 o C), lower demands on materials of construction, common chemical agents, reactions going to full completion, and a relatively low electrochemical cell voltage. Approximately 43% net efficiency is envisioned with the Cu-Cl cycle, which is a significant margin of improvement of more than one-third over electrolysis [9] . The unit operations of a large lab-scale Cu-Cl cycle have been successfully demonstrated by the UOIT-led team. The efforts are envisioned to eventually scale up the cycle to a pilot plant and ultimately a commercial plant which can be linked with nuclear, solar or other heat sources (such as industrial waste heat from steel recycling or cement plants). The Cu-Cl cycle promises to achieve higher efficiencies, lower environmental impact and lower costs of hydrogen production than other existing technologies. Although there are major advantages with the Cu-Cl cycle for hydrogen production, there are also significant challenges, including the corrosive working fluids and handling and transport of solid materials between unit operations.

Approximately 43% net efficiency is envisioned with the Cu-Cl cycle, which is a significant margin of improvement of more than one-third over electrolysis.


To estimate the effort in earlier phase, use case point method has been proposed [10] . Use case point (UCP) is measured from a use case model that defines the functional scope of the software system to be developed. It is influenced by the function point methods and is based on analogous use case point. There are several experience reports that show the usefulness of use case point for early estimation of software size (see Section 2.3 in the followings).

To estimate the effort in earlier phase, use case point method has been proposed.


The excellent specific properties of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites make them an ideal material for use in lightweight structures. However, their potential for more widespread use is constrained by several shortcomings, including their lack of ductility and poor out of plane performance. A typical FRP structure comprises of stacked layers, with the fibres arranged within the plane of these layers. The lack of any through thickness reinforcement leads to relatively easy formation of delamination damage, which severely degrades the global performance of the material. Even minor impact damage can result in reductions of up to 35 % in residual strength [1] . For this reason, laminated composite structures that have sustained delamination damage are deemed as failed components and are either repaired or replaced.

Even minor impact damage can result in reductions of up to 35 % in residual strength.


Damage development in composite materials undergoing fatigue loading is a complex process stemming from a combination of damage events. These include constituent damages such as micro-cracking, crazing and plastic deformation of the matrix resin; and boundary separation of the fibre reinforcements in forms of interface cracking and delamination [10] . The reduction of the structural integrity of the composite material can be the result of any combination of these damage events, however under certain conditions it is possible to observe one dominant crack growth.

These include constituent damages such as micro-cracking, crazing and plastic deformation of the matrix resin; and boundary separation of the fibre reinforcements in forms of interface cracking and delamination.


To achieve comparable fatigue life improvements by utilising continuous interleaves would result in a panel with reduced stiffness and increased thickness [8] . Using through thickness reinforcement techniques such as Z-pinning would require expensive materials and manufacturing processes with detrimental losses in in-plane strength of the structure. This clearly highlights the potential benefits of managing damage at discrete locations as compared to a global conservative 'no growth' approach.

To achieve comparable fatigue life improvements by utilising continuous interleaves would result in a panel with reduced stiffness and increased thickness.


Severe hail is a major weather hazard that can cause injury and property damage. When severe hail strikes an urban area, the potential for injury is increased, and damage from a single event can exceed $1 billion. For example, the ''Mayfest'' hailstorm that struck Fort Worth, Texas, on 5 May 1995 resulted in 109 hail-related injuries and caused over $2 billion in damage (Edwards and Thompson 1998) . It is estimated that hail causes over $1 billion in crop damage and $1 billion in property damage annually (Jewell and Brimelow 2009) . Despite these impacts, direct prediction of hail using NWP ensembles has received relatively little attention compared to the prediction of other thunderstorm hazards (e.g., tornadoes, severe winds, and heavy rainfall).

For example, the ''Mayfest'' hailstorm that struck Fort Worth, Texas, on 5 May 1995 resulted in 109 hail-related injuries and caused over $2 billion in damage.

It is estimated that hail causes over $1 billion in crop damage and $1 billion in property damage annually.


The myriad peer-reviewed studies synthesized in this review present an overall story of extreme, multi-level effects of a recent invasive parasite on a naïve island community that span insights gained from ecological, behavioral, genetic and modeling approaches. Stemming from these findings is rich evidence for a dynamic system that is being shaped by strong, parasite-induced mortality selection on hosts. In a location that is famous for being a natural laboratory for studying rapid evolution, this devastating invasive pest can also be viewed as an opportunity for understanding how host-parasite interactions are maintained and co-evolve in natural ecosystems through time. The current point in human history calls for an expansion of knowledge within this area, given the accelerating impacts of climate change on the shifting distributions of host species and pathogenic organisms [130] . It is important to emphasize that the disastrous conservation and welfare impacts caused by P. downsi for Galápagos birds are caused by human activity making this an anthropogenic problem that therefore justifies energetic and immediate intervention.

The current point in human history calls for an expansion of knowledge within this area, given the accelerating impacts of climate change on the shifting distributions of host species and pathogenic organisms.


The rv Z represents the truncated sum until the moment where for the first time the process {Y n ; n ≥ 1} has greater jump than the corresponding jump of the process {X n ; n ≥ 1}. The sequence {Y n } is called the truncating process (Gharib et al., 2014) . In queuing systems with unreliable server, Z can be interpreted as the total time duration of the unreliable server until the successful finish of the service if the corresponding duration without breakdowns is previously known . The random sum (1.3) also arises in some models such as unreliable computing systems, multiclients computer service, data transmissions, constructing data and so on, where in a random environment some undesirable events (breakdowns, interruptions, etc.) arise and lead to process interruption or to incorrect final results (Duda, 1983; Koren et al., 1986) .

The rv Z represents the truncated sum until the moment where for the first time the process {Y n ; n ≥ 1} has greater jump than the corresponding jump of the process {X n ; n ≥ 1}. The sequence {Y n } is called the truncating process.

The random sum (1.3) also arises in some models such as unreliable computing systems, multiclients computer service, data transmissions, constructing data and so on, where in a random environment some undesirable events (breakdowns, interruptions, etc.) arise and lead to process interruption or to incorrect final results.


Increased yield and higher uniformity from shorter rotations are key incentives for developing intensively managed teak plantations. However, no adequate data are available for teak timber production under intensive silvicultural practices in most teak producing countries (Bhat 1998) . In the tropics, most of the tree plantations grown for saw timber require early, heavy and repeated thinnings in order to sustain rapid diameter growth of the selected trees (Galloway et al. 2001) . However, it is not clear if such rapid diameter growth may be detrimental to certain wood properties.

However, no adequate data are available for teak timber production under intensive silvicultural practices in most teak producing countries.

In the tropics, most of the tree plantations grown for saw timber require early, heavy and repeated thinnings in order to sustain rapid diameter growth of the selected trees.


Even if the off-line validation of the proposed EEG-based architecture is very interesting using existing data sets, the on-line validation remains the best validation one providing a real-time interaction which represents the feedback aspect in the BCI-chain (Yu et al., 2015) . To proceed for classification of LH and RH movements using the on-line approach, we proposed to use the headset of OpenBCI with eight channels connected to Matlab environment in which we developed all EEG signal processing including adaptive pre-processing. The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. In Section 2, the fundamentals of BCI theory is described. The data recording and processing explained in section 3. Section 4 presents the results and realization of the system. The conclusion and future research plans are discussed in Section 5.

Even if the off-line validation of the proposed EEG-based architecture is very interesting using existing data sets, the on-line validation remains the best validation one providing a real-time interaction which represents the feedback aspect in the BCI-chain.


It is important to point out that disease detection is dependent on farmers and stakeholders not only detecting disease but reporting on any sick animals. While official reporting of disease in animals is the right thing to do, it takes courage due to the potential for severe economic costs. It is important to continue to educate the farmers and the public that not only has rapid disease detection been proven to slow and even stop an epidemic from taking it off, the overall economics are substantially less than detecting disease later [63, 64] .

It is important to continue to educate the farmers and the public that not only has rapid disease detection been proven to slow and even stop an epidemic from taking it off, the overall economics are substantially less than detecting disease later.


There is a significant simple negative effect of the experimental manipulation. Since SM has been mean centered at 0, this coefficient should be interpreted representing the effect for participants of exactly average score on SM (Hayes, 2013; Hayes et al., 2008) . In other words, removing literary language from the Woolf text caused participants with exactly average SM scores to rate the altered text Ϫ0.591 lower than the original text.

Since SM has been mean centered at 0, this coefficient should be interpreted representing the effect for participants of exactly average score on SM.


The off-line FRA has become a well-established diagnostic technique for fault detection of an electrical equipment [14] . For example, any faults in a transformer's winding change its inductance and capacitance and such deviation will be reflected in the measured frequency response of the transformer's impedance [15, 16] . However, the off-line FRA can only be carried out when the electrical equipment is shut down for periodic maintenance. Any serious defects that surface between the window periods of the scheduled maintenance can cause unexpected damage to the equipment. This paper aims to develop an on-line impedance extraction technique without the need of shutting down the equipment-under-test (EUT). To avoid the direct electrical contact to the EUT that operates at high voltage, an inductive-coupled method can be adopted [17, 18] . With the EUT connected with high-voltage power supply under its normal operating condition, an inductive coupling probe induces a signal into the EUT and another inductive coupling probe receives the same signal across the frequency range of interest. With a pre-measurement characterisation of both probes, the on-line impedance's frequency response can be extracted through a two-port network analysis. As the proposed method has no direct electrical contact with the EUT, its setup requires no modification on the EUT and can be easily implemented on site for CM purpose. This paper will be organised as follows. Firstly, the basic theory behind the proposed inductively coupled method for in-circuit impedance extraction is described and validated in Section 2. Section 3 demonstrates that the proposed method is defect detection using a custom-made transformer as EUT with emulated defects. To enhance the capability of defect detection through impedance variation, a few statistical analysis techniques are evaluated so that a suitable technique is chosen. Finally, Section 4 concludes the paper. Fig. 1b shows the equivalent circuit model of Fig. 1a , in terms of three cascaded two-port networks of injecting inductive probe (N IP ), impedance to be measured (N X ) and receiving inductive probe (N RP ). Z X is the total impedance of Z E , Z W and Z S in series, which is the impedance to be measured.

The off-line FRA has become a well-established diagnostic technique for fault detection of an electrical equipment.

For example, any faults in a transformer's winding change its inductance and capacitance and such deviation will be reflected in the measured frequency response of the transformer's impedance.

To avoid the direct electrical contact to the EUT that operates at high voltage, an inductive-coupled method can be adopted.

Finally, Section 4 concludes the paper.


On the string side, the strong coupling dual to the field theory magnons are the socalled giant magnons [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . These are semi-classical solutions of string theory on AdS 5 ×S 5 and are described by open strings moving in a subspace of the sphere S 5 with finite angular extent. Their dispersion relation is the strong coupling limit of the exact dispersion relation obtained from the gauge theory analysis [9] . Similar classical string configurations with finite angular amplitude that wind infinitely many times around the orthogonal angular direction are called single spiky strings, [10, 11] . Their gauge theory interpretation needs further clarification.

On the string side, the strong coupling dual to the field theory magnons are the socalled giant magnons.

Their dispersion relation is the strong coupling limit of the exact dispersion relation obtained from the gauge theory analysis.

Similar classical string configurations with finite angular amplitude that wind infinitely many times around the orthogonal angular direction are called single spiky strings.


The full potential of rubber in asphalt binders cannot be realized unless adequate mixing under good quality control is performed. The methods employed influence both the end-product and benefits gained [9, 10] . The usual procedure involves adding the rubber to molten asphalt. After sufficient reaction time, the Brookfield viscosity of the rubber modified asphalt should reach a plateau and remain constant during subsequent mixing and/or hot storage. Phase separation during either mixing or on storage is reflected by a catastrophic drop in viscosity. Such incompatible blends should not be used to prepare asphalt concretes.

The methods employed influence both the end-product and benefits gained.


Faced with environmental pressures to utilize in a practical manner the growing mass of scrap tires and residues from rubber manufacturing processes, all potential secondary applications for vulcanized rubber are being considered. Addition of crumb, powder or liquified rubber to asphalt cements represents a large potential market for scrap rubber materials. The impact of rubber additives on asphalt cements has been a subject of several recent studies; improvements in the low temperature ductility, elasticity and cyclic loading properties of the asphalUrubber blends have been reported [1] . Additional improvements in the properties of the blends relative to those of tank asphalts include: better adhesion and tack, greater durability, higher softening points, and reduced cold flow, and higher impact resistance, resilience and toughness [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . Samples containing 15% crumb rubber were studied because this loading level is required to meet proposed ISTEA requirements when the research was initiated [8] . The ISTEA mandate has now been dropped.

The impact of rubber additives on asphalt cements has been a subject of several recent studies; improvements in the low temperature ductility, elasticity and cyclic loading properties of the asphalUrubber blends have been reported.

Additional improvements in the properties of the blends relative to those of tank asphalts include: better adhesion and tack, greater durability, higher softening points, and reduced cold flow, and higher impact resistance, resilience and toughness.

Samples containing 15% crumb rubber were studied because this loading level is required to meet proposed ISTEA requirements when the research was initiated.

The ISTEA mandate has now been dropped.


This study explored and compared the potential impacts of future LULC changes driven by regional policy planning on ES provision involving three scenarios. These scenarios presented a 'conservative' assumption that the existing regional planning was not disrupted. We supposed that this assumption could be valid as long as the local government continued to focus on afforestation. Among the three scenarios we examined, scenario 1 involved the continuation of current policy, which simply assumed "one size fits all" with no consideration of spatial heterogeneity in improving ES. Scenario 1 presented the most realistic LULC patterns for 2050; however, it also yielded the lowest growth in the provision of ES, which indicates lower policy efficiency than could be achieved by adjusting current policy decisions based on the distribution of areas where ES had high potential to be improved to a greater extent. Scenarios 2 and 3 on the other hand that integrated ES into policy planning by considering the spatial heterogeneity of ES potential, could provide better services in terms of significant improvements in soil conservation and carbon sequestration, a conclusion supported by the findings of other researchers [12, 24] . Our results indicate that site selection for the Chongqing Forest Project and the Grain to Green Program should be carefully considered.

Scenarios 2 and 3 on the other hand that integrated ES into policy planning by considering the spatial heterogeneity of ES potential, could provide better services in terms of significant improvements in soil conservation and carbon sequestration, a conclusion supported by the findings of other researchers.


Feasible policy to assure sustainable development and ecological protection in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area is needed. Chongqing municipality is threatened by serious environmental problems (soil erosion, floods and drought) due to rapid population growth, economic development, and global warming [41] . By linking improvement of ES to policy decisions, scenario-based analysis can help governments at all levels effectively address the main ecological challenges through diversification of the types of policy targets.

Chongqing municipality is threatened by serious environmental problems (soil erosion, floods and drought) due to rapid population growth, economic development, and global warming.


It was evident from the results ( Table 1) that there was a more or less steady increase in the level of the total phenols in all the treatments. Accumulation of phenolic compounds at the infection site has been correlated with the restriction of pathogen development, since such compounds are toxic to pathogens. Also, phenolic compounds may impede pathogen infection by increasing the mechanical strength of the host cell wall (Benhamou et al. 2000) . In the present study SA individually or plus TH, significantly increased total phenolic content in F. oxysporum infected tomato plants as compared to the non infected or infected. So induction of total phenol accumulations in the host plant treated with SA and TH might play an important role in resistance and defense against F. oxysporum. These results agree with the general speculation, that when plant cells are recruited into infection, there is a switch from the normal primary metabolism to a multitude of the secondary defense pathway, and activation of novel defense enzymes and genes take place (Tan et al. 2004) .

Also, phenolic compounds may impede pathogen infection by increasing the mechanical strength of the host cell wall.

These results agree with the general speculation, that when plant cells are recruited into infection, there is a switch from the normal primary metabolism to a multitude of the secondary defense pathway, and activation of novel defense enzymes and genes take place.


In recent years, methanol poisoning events occurred frequently because of adulterated wine and occupational exposure. Methanol poisoning severely damages the retina and optic nerve resulting in the impairment of vision and visual field [9] . In addition to methanol, its metabolites, formic acid and formaldehyde, have also been attributed as neurotoxic induced by methanol poisoning and might be more toxic than methanol itself [10] . The severity of methanol toxicity = 20 (eye).

Methanol poisoning severely damages the retina and optic nerve resulting in the impairment of vision and visual field.

In addition to methanol, its metabolites, formic acid and formaldehyde, have also been attributed as neurotoxic induced by methanol poisoning and might be more toxic than methanol itself.


In the present study maternal undernutrition throughout pregnancy was used to induce intrauterine growth retardation. Feeding a 9% protein diet to pregnant rats had no observable adverse effects on weight gain during pregnancy or reproductive success of the female breeders. These findings are consistent with the work of others (Woodall et al., 1996; Desai et al., 1996) . Birth weights of offspring of rats fed a low protein diet during pregnancy were significantly lower than those of control rats, and is in agreement with the findings of others (Desai et al., 1996; Woodall et al., 1996; Tonkiss et al., 1998) .

These findings are consistent with the work of others.

Birth weights of offspring of rats fed a low protein diet during pregnancy were significantly lower than those of control rats, and is in agreement with the findings of others.


Within the present study field and laboratory experiments were applied to characterise the level of diversity in two independent sets of barley cultivars bred during the last half century in two different environments in Northern Italy and Southern Romania. Phenotyping with a number of morphological and physiological traits was used to quantify stress tolerance and yield related traits and their correlation with climate indicators and genotypes. One aim of this approach is the identification of integrated methods that can be used in the future for breeding, especially for quantitative traits and contribute to reduce the "bottleneck effect" in omics studies related to the limited availability of phenotyping data [31, 45] .

One aim of this approach is the identification of integrated methods that can be used in the future for breeding, especially for quantitative traits and contribute to reduce the "bottleneck effect" in omics studies related to the limited availability of phenotyping data.


To clarify the power of our new approach we are choosing in a first step γ as a rigid motion model and compare it to the DDMC approach. Therefor three 2D academic examples were created (Fig. 1) . Every image is of size 64 × 64 pixels and perturbed with noise. For every image we simulate a SPECT imaging with 60 projections and two abrupt rigid movements, one after projection 20, the other after projection 40. Due to the fact that the DDMC approach need to know when motion occur we also use this information in our approach, so we can set K = 3 in equation (2) . Fig. 1 presents the results for all three tests. It shows that the results of our new approach are comparable to the quality of DDMC. To demonstrate that our approach is more powerful than DDMC we are calculating the same tests with K = #projections = 60. This means we use no information after which projection motion occurs. The DDMC approach can not be started without this information but our approach handle this situation (Fig. 2) only with the restriction that the method has no information about the original position of the object, resulting in a rotated or shifted position. Additionally we present a test for gradual motion in Fig. 3 , simulating a SPECT imaging with a translation of the object after every projection. So each projection belongs to a different object position. Due to this the DDMC approach has not enough information for the needed partial reconstruction and can not calculate a motion corrected reconstruction. From the presented results one can see that our approach can not only correct abrupt motion without any information after which projection motion occurs, it can also correct gradual motion. Due to this it overcomes all restrictions of all other motion correction approaches working only with the raw data of a SPECT imaging.

Due to the fact that the DDMC approach need to know when motion occur we also use this information in our approach, so we can set K = 3 in equation.


After electrodeposition at a potential of 0.4 V in Au plating solution, the SWNTs were embedded in gold only on the prepatterned electrodes without the need of a mask to insulate the SWNTs between the electrodes, as shown in Fig. 2(b) . The cleanliness of the CNT surface was further examined by AFM. Since the CNT surfaces have low coordination and interfacial energy, the nucleation of atoms on them tends to form atom clusters rather than a continuous monolayer [17] . As shown in Fig. 2(c) , no particles were observed along the whole SWNTs, and the diameters of the post-deposited SWNTs were measured to be 1.2-1.8 nm which are the typical value of individual SWNTs in our samples [18] . Therefore, we consider the surface of SWNTs between the electrodes, including both sSWNTs and mSWNTs, is clean of gold. Copper contacts can also be realized on the SWNT array by using copper nitrate solution and controlling the deposition potential below 0.2 V.

Since the CNT surfaces have low coordination and interfacial energy, the nucleation of atoms on them tends to form atom clusters rather than a continuous monolayer.

As shown in Fig. 2(c) , no particles were observed along the whole SWNTs, and the diameters of the post-deposited SWNTs were measured to be 1.2-1.8 nm which are the typical value of individual SWNTs in our samples.


The ascidian C. intestinalis has two typical and short splice variants of the NF-nB/Rel family, Ci-rel1 and Ci-rel2, as does the ascidian H. roretzi (Shimada et al., 2001) . We previously showed that the short variant As-rel2, which lacks NLS and a C-terminal putative transactivation domain, regulates the localization and transcriptional activity of the typical member As-rel1 (Kawai et al., 2003) . Since in situ hybridization experiments in C. intestinalis revealed weak expression of Ci-rel2 in the neurula stage, when the initial alignment of notochord cells occurs (Fig. 2B) , it is possible that Ci-rel2 regulates the activation of Ci-rel1 as does Asrel2. In fact, over-expression of Ci-rel2 suppressed the expression of Ci-IjB, a target of Ci-rel1, in the initial tailbud stage (Fig. 5Cb) , possibly through its suppression of Ci-rel1.

The ascidian C. intestinalis has two typical and short splice variants of the NF-nB/Rel family, Ci-rel1 and Ci-rel2, as does the ascidian H. roretzi.

We previously showed that the short variant As-rel2, which lacks NLS and a C-terminal putative transactivation domain, regulates the localization and transcriptional activity of the typical member As-rel1.


Transcription factors belonging to the NF-nB/Rel family contain highly conserved Rel homology domains (RHDs) required for DNA binding and dimerization, and they regulate the expression of downstream target genes involved in various phenomena such as morphogenesis, immune response, cell growth, and programmed cell death (Ghosh and Karin, 2002; Ghosh et al., 1998; Karin and Lin, 2002; May and Ghosh, 1998; Verma et al., 1995) . Regulatory mechanisms underlying the functions of NFnB/Rel family members have been extensively studied, and several modes of their regulation have been proposed (Ghosh and Karin, 2002; Karin and Lin, 2002) . One proposed basic regulatory mechanism in the canonical NFnB/Rel signaling pathway is based on the inhibitor protein InB-mediated mechanism. Without extracellular stimuli, the NF-nB/Rel protein is sequestered in the cytoplasm through binding to InB because InB masks the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of NF-nB/Rel. In response to extracellular stimuli, the InB protein is phosphorylated by the oligomeric InB kinase IKKh and then polyubiquitinated and degraded by the proteasome, resulting in the release of the NF-nB/Rel protein, which moves from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, where it binds to regulatory elements, nB sequences, of target genes to trigger their transcription.

Transcription factors belonging to the NF-nB/Rel family contain highly conserved Rel homology domains (RHDs) required for DNA binding and dimerization, and they regulate the expression of downstream target genes involved in various phenomena such as morphogenesis, immune response, cell growth, and programmed cell death.

Regulatory mechanisms underlying the functions of NFnB/Rel family members have been extensively studied, and several modes of their regulation have been proposed.


Indeed, as shown in section 2 of the present article pure gravity and gauge theories in two dimensions may be seen as special cases of a more general class of models each of which is characterized by an antisymmetric tensorfield on a finite dimensional target space L (more precisely by a Poisson structure on L). A general scheme for the quantization of these models in a Hamiltonian formulation (restricting the topology of the space time manifold to the one of a cylinder) is presented. The heart of this scheme is the reinterpretation of the constraints as horizontality conditions on U (1)-bundles over loop spaces. In the special case of non abelian gauge theories the manifolds underlying the loop spaces are the coadjoint orbits (the orbits generated by the gauge group on the dual of its Lie algebra) equipped with the standard symplectic structure [9] , [10] . In any case the result is a finite dimensional quantum mechanical system generically including discrete degrees of freedom of topological origin.

In the special case of non abelian gauge theories the manifolds underlying the loop spaces are the coadjoint orbits (the orbits generated by the gauge group on the dual of its Lie algebra) equipped with the standard symplectic structure.


Many studies have developed compensation schemes to counteract the thermal deformation of a feed drive system. Some studies have established thermal error models using the multiple linear regression method [4] [5] [6] [7] . However, the multiple linear regression method has poor robustness. If the position and speed of a feed drive system in an actual cutting process is different from those of the modeling tests, the prediction effects will be poor. Other studies have established thermal error models using the artificial neural network and other methods [8] [9] [10] [11] . An artificial neural network can only provide a better effect when complete input and output information are used. Mistakes can occur if inaccurate input and output information are used. In summary, the current studies established thermal error models by mainly using the mathematical methods to predict thermal errors by reading the temperatures of the critical points in real time. The main disadvantage of the existing methods is that when the moving state of the machine tool is changed, the prediction effect will be poor. Moreover, many temperature sensors are needed to obtain high accuracy, resulting in a higher cost and lower system reliability.

Some studies have established thermal error models using the multiple linear regression method.

Other studies have established thermal error models using the artificial neural network and other methods.


The structural model was first checked for multicollinearity issues by calculating the variance inflation factor (VIF). The VIF ranges from 1,2 to 4,5 -below the recommended cutoff of 5 (Hair et al., 2014) . Standard errors of the structural path estimates were obtained by bootstrapping the sample to 5000. Having these results we assessed the significance and relevance of the structural model path coefficients relationships, and the level of the coefficient of determination (R 2 ).

The VIF ranges from 1,2 to 4,5 -below the recommended cutoff of 5.


The results of our study confirmed that the level of satisfaction and level of trust was associated with the level of customer loyalty (hypothesis 3 and hypothesis 4). A higher level of customer satisfaction with the service website and a higher level of customer trust promotes greater customer loyalty. Satisfaction and trust together explained 83 % of the amount of variance in the loyalty to the website. As mentioned previously, satisfaction and trust can play a slightly different role in strengthening loyalty. Some researchers suggest that trust is a mediator between satisfaction and customer loyalty, while some others point out that both satisfaction and trust can mediate between the website quality and the loyalty of users (consumers) (Cristobal, Flavián and Guinaliu, 2007; Benedicktus, 2011; Butt and Aftab, 2013) .

Some researchers suggest that trust is a mediator between satisfaction and customer loyalty, while some others point out that both satisfaction and trust can mediate between the website quality and the loyalty of users (consumers).


In this article, we propose a numerical scheme based on polynomial differential quadrature method to find the numerical solution of Eq. (1.2) with initial conditions and Dirichlet boundary conditions (1.3) and (1.4). The PDQM reduces the problem into a system of first order non-linear ordinary differential equations. Then, the obtained system is solved by SSP-RK43 [25] . The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated by three test examples. The numerical results are discussed in L 1 , RMS and L 2 errors and figures form. The obtained numerical solutions are very similar to the exact solutions.

Then, the obtained system is solved by SSP-RK43.


The accumulation of sugars in response to drought stress and decrease of starch content due to the decline of photosynthesis and its degradation was studied in wheat leaves during drought (Xue et al., 2008) . Increased level of sucrose, glucose and fructose during drought conditions In well-watered plants of 'Pishgam', CK/ABA treatment increased TSS at 21 DAA by 100.25%. Hormonal treatments had no significant effect on TSS of sensitive cultivar during irrigation conditions. None of hormonal treatments had significant effect on TSS content in 'Pishgam' and 'MV-17' under drought conditions. At the 21 DAA, during irrigation conditions, the hormonal treatment of CK/ABA increased the reducing sugars by 79.75% as compared to the non-hormone treatment in 'Pishgam'. While, significant effect of hormonal treatments was not seen on its of 'MV-17' in latter conditions. The results have shown that ABA increased reducing sugar content during drought conditions more effectively than other hormonal treatments by 42.07 and 27.98 % in 'Pishgam' and 'MV-17' at 21 DAA, respectively. Under irrigation conditions, only CK/ABA increased the starch content by 15.99 and 6.05% at 21 DAA in tolerant and sensitive cultivar, respectively. Interestingly, under drought conditions, only ABA decreased starch content by 14.28% in 'Pishgam'. Although, ABA decreased starch level of 'MV-17' but it was not a significant reduction. This shows the significantly effective behaviour of ABA on starch content in the stems of wheat cultivar. In well watered plants, only CK/ABA increased significantly TSS/starch ratio at 21 DAA by 71.0% in 'Pishgam'. In drought conditions, effect of ABA was much pronounced which was able to elevate TSS/starch ratio by 37.62 % at 21 DAA in tolerant cultivar as compared with non-hormone treatment effect of other hormonal treatments was not significant in both cultivars (Fig. 1) (Fig. 2) .

The accumulation of sugars in response to drought stress and decrease of starch content due to the decline of photosynthesis and its degradation was studied in wheat leaves during drought.


During drought conditions, fructose content had tremendous increase (107.75%) at 21 DAA. The same implies that complex carbohydrates, such as starch, hydrolyze to simple sugars such as hexoses during drought conditions. Studies with a variety of plants demonstrate that drought induces these carbohydrates into sugar alcohols and proline (Wang et al., 1996) . Our results are supported by study that reported genes encoding cytoplasmic and vacuolar enzymes in the pathways leading to glucose, fructose and fructan production were up-regulated in the wheat leaves during drought stress although enzymes involved in carbon fixation (Calvin cycle) were Conversely reduced (Xue et al., 2008) .

Studies with a variety of plants demonstrate that drought induces these carbohydrates into sugar alcohols and proline.

Our results are supported by study that reported genes encoding cytoplasmic and vacuolar enzymes in the pathways leading to glucose, fructose and fructan production were up-regulated in the wheat leaves during drought stress although enzymes involved in carbon fixation (Calvin cycle) were Conversely reduced.


Although there is a vast amount of empirical findings dealing with the issue of long-term dependence, its underlying causes remain obscure. Anti-persistence can be more easily interpreted on the grounds, for instance, of a learning process leading to price overreactions that are immediately adjusted. Indeed, to the eye, short-memory processes appear indistinguishable from a white noise (Mandelbrot et al. 1997) . Long memory, on the contrary, indicates the existence of importance pieces of information that are not immediately incorporated in the price.

Indeed, to the eye, short-memory processes appear indistinguishable from a white noise.


Genome instability represents an enabling characteristic underlying the acquisition of the hallmarks of cancer [1] . Mammalian cells have evolved a variety of mechanisms to remove defective and genomically unstable cells. Mitotic catastrophe is a regulated antiproliferative process that occurs during defective or failed mitosis. Although it does not constitute a bona fide cell death mechanism in itself, mitotic catastrophe precedes and uses antiproliferative measures including apoptosis, necrosis, and senescence to prevent the proliferation of defective mitotic cells [2, 3] . Mitotic catastrophe is characterised by unique nuclear alterations that lead to multinucleation and/or micronucleation and are used as morphological markers for detection. Giant multinucleated cells arise from clusters of missegregated uncondensed chromosomes, whereas micronucleated cells arise from lagging chromosomes or chromosome fragments during anaphase that are left outside the daughter nuclei formed during telophase, thereby giving rise to a micronucleus in addition to the main nucleus [4] . Figure 1 illustrates the morphological features following normal cell division (a) and a multinucleated cell formed during mitotic catastrophe (b). Failure of the mitotic catastrophe antiproliferative process leads to persistent genome instability and aneuploidy (c-f). Furthermore, as a result of the various antiproliferative pathways adopted by mitotic catastrophe it is often accompanied by morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis and necrosis [2, 3] .

Genome instability represents an enabling characteristic underlying the acquisition of the hallmarks of cancer.

Although it does not constitute a bona fide cell death mechanism in itself, mitotic catastrophe precedes and uses antiproliferative measures including apoptosis, necrosis, and senescence to prevent the proliferation of defective mitotic cells.

Giant multinucleated cells arise from clusters of missegregated uncondensed chromosomes, whereas micronucleated cells arise from lagging chromosomes or chromosome fragments during anaphase that are left outside the daughter nuclei formed during telophase, thereby giving rise to a micronucleus in addition to the main nucleus.

Furthermore, as a result of the various antiproliferative pathways adopted by mitotic catastrophe it is often accompanied by morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis and necrosis.


It is becoming common industrial practice to utilize Domain Specific Languages (DSLs) for designing systems [10] . Such DSLs offer constructs native to the specific application area. Formal methods often fail to be easily accessible for engineers, but designs formulated in DSLs are open for systematic and, possibly, automated translation into formal models for verification. DSLs also allow abstractions to be formulated at the domain level.

It is becoming common industrial practice to utilize Domain Specific Languages (DSLs) for designing systems.


We can also see with this work that the negative cases were more abundant throughout the year (except in the peaks of influenza), which indicates a high incidence of other aetiological agents causing respiratory infections. Even so, the results highlight the role of influenza viruses because, although the aetiology of respiratory infections is at least 13 other viruses in Mexico, none of them is present in such a high proportion as influenza [19] . However, the strategies for prevention and treatment should not be directed only against influenza because we cannot neglect the great diversity of viruses that cause these types of infection in the country. This approach should be dynamic and based on current prevalence and incidence data and should be applied by health professionals in both the daily treatment of patients and in health decision-making.

Even so, the results highlight the role of influenza viruses because, although the aetiology of respiratory infections is at least 13 other viruses in Mexico, none of them is present in such a high proportion as influenza.


A priori expectations were that older farmers have higher yields than their young counterparts as the former are usually hard workers and experienced farmers [16] . In this study, however, age does not have a significant (P>0.05) impact on the maize outputs mainly because young farmers are usually pioneers and the elderly are laggards when it comes to innovation take-up. As such, young farmers are employing updated methods of production such as latest technologies and appropriate levels of fertilizer, and insecticide use. Micro irrigation systems have efficiencies of up to 90 %. This study reveals that adopters have yields up to 274% higher than the non adopters of micro irrigation. This might further be attributed to the low labour requirements for micro irrigation users due to the mechanism of the micro set up, which has light tubes and require less manpower to operate. Revelations from the study are that access to credit must be enhanced for smallholder irrigation farmers to allow them to access inputs such as fertilizers and make use of the available technologies such as micro irrigation. Also extension services to enlighten the older farmers coupled with field trials to allow evaluation and observability and appreciate the greater relative advantage, might create an enabling set-up for use of micro irrigation to boost maize yields.

A priori expectations were that older farmers have higher yields than their young counterparts as the former are usually hard workers and experienced farmers.


Results in Table 4 show that effect of age has the predicted negative sign. This means that the odds of adoption of the micro irrigation technology decrease as the farmer gets older. This is supported by studies where findings were that as farmers get older, they tend to be more conservative and risk averse and are less likely to take up new ideas and innovations [16] . This, however, may also be greatly influenced by the position of the farmer in the social cycle with those in high caste groups also having great chances of adopting. The coefficient of training shows that farmers who are trained have higher chances of adopting micro irrigation than the untrained farmers. This may be due to the ability of trained farmers to obtain and use information available on the relative advantages of the available technologies over the conservative technologies. Training also generates confidence among the farmers resulting in higher rates of adoption. Gender also has a strong bearing on the adoption decision and women who do much of the farming in the communal setup always tend to opt for low labour intensive farming methods. In the study, results show that young female farmers have higher chances of adopting micro irrigation as compared to older males.

This is supported by studies where findings were that as farmers get older, they tend to be more conservative and risk averse and are less likely to take up new ideas and innovations.


The non-significant difference as indicated by the t-test shows that there is low uptake of the system in smallholder irrigation schemes. The low uptake may be due to under performance of the schemes which leaves the farmer without enough capital reserves to invest in innovations available on the market. The tendency in most smallholder irrigation schemes for most farmers has now turned to be subsistence production [16] . As such, most farmers do not see the need to invest heavily in expensive technologies. Though the repayment period had been spanned over 10 years depending on the yield levels, most farmers at Hama Mavhaire did not take up the micro irrigation kits. This might have been propelled by the conservativeness of farmers especially the elderly who do not want to try out new technologies due to the risks associated with such decisions.

The tendency in most smallholder irrigation schemes for most farmers has now turned to be subsistence production.


Pucella and Weissman use a variant of pure-future linear temporal logic for reasoning about licenses [23] . They are not interested in the specific details of licenses, but merely require that licenses can be given a trace-based semantics; in particular, their logic is illustrated for licenses that are regular languages. As our basic policies can be seen (semantically) as regular languages (Theorem 4.2), and policies can be seen as a type of license, one could imagine using their logic to reason about our policies.

Pucella and Weissman use a variant of pure-future linear temporal logic for reasoning about licenses.


Regardless of their potential to meet human demand for cellulosic ethanol, native plant communities have a wide range of other benefits relative to monocultures, such as superior wildlife habitat and preservation of plant species diversity, including endangered plant species. In some cases, abandoned agricultural lands have reverted to diverse natural systems, while others have been placed in the CRP, such that these lands now provide important ecosystem services (carbon storage, nutrient retention, wildlife habitat, soil stability, etc.) that might be negated by conversion to biomass harvest [28] . As our data demonstrate, there are instances where these areas should be excluded from harvest, particularly when yields are very low, so that these goods and services will be preserved.

In some cases, abandoned agricultural lands have reverted to diverse natural systems, while others have been placed in the CRP, such that these lands now provide important ecosystem services (carbon storage, nutrient retention, wildlife habitat, soil stability, etc.) that might be negated by conversion to biomass harvest.