Axial flux permanent magnet synchronous machines (AFPMSMs) are quite modern devices with extensive flexibility not only at high-speed-low-torque but also at low-speed-high-torque applications [1] [2] [3] . The former is typical for wind turbine applications as the major source of clean and sustainable energy supply. In this regard, any improvement in the performance of the AFPMSMs can make a great impact on the wind turbine industry. For further development of such a machine, the fundamental understanding of contributors to losses is absolutely essential. In AFPMSMs, the main sources of losses include the copper losses, the iron losses and the mechanical losses [4] . The latter is composed of the bearing losses and windage losses. The proportion of windage losses is usually moderate, albeit not completely insignificant [5] . The electromagnetic analysis of an AFPMSM has been widely addressed [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] . For instance, several analytical models were developed to compute the iron losses accurately and in a fast way by Hemeida and Sergeant [11] . In contrast to the electromagnetic analysis, the issue of windage losses in this type of electrical machine is still debatable.

Axial flux permanent magnet synchronous machines (AFPMSMs) are quite modern devices with extensive flexibility not only at high-speed-low-torque but also at low-speed-high-torque applications.

In AFPMSMs, the main sources of losses include the copper losses, the iron losses and the mechanical losses.

The proportion of windage losses is usually moderate, albeit not completely insignificant.

The electromagnetic analysis of an AFPMSM has been widely addressed.

For instance, several analytical models were developed to compute the iron losses accurately and in a fast way by Hemeida and Sergeant.


Nevertheless, existing modelling approaches lack the ability to provide an insight into the flux distribution and redistribution, under transient conditions, within the transformer's complex structure. The latter is of significant importance especially in the case of high-magnitude ferroresonant currents that give rise to a high magnetomotive force (MMF), which not only corresponds to core saturation but also causes flux to leak from the core and penetrate other structural parts of the transformer. The finite-element method is applicable to this type of calculation and can be utilised to quantitatively and topologically assess the saturation of the core (and other structural parts), arising from such a flux redistribution. The finite-element technique can model the true geometry of the transformer in two and three dimensions (2D and 3D) and can account for the induced currents in complex-shaped components. Non-linear characteristics of materials are allowed for through iterative methods, and non-sinusoidal time variation may be handled by time-stepping techniques [12] .

Non-linear characteristics of materials are allowed for through iterative methods, and non-sinusoidal time variation may be handled by time-stepping techniques.


However, the physical size of the associated power equipment enforces logistic and other security/safety/ cost-related restrictions on large-scale experiments and testing, particularly if the core is to be instrumented. Therefore it is prudent for engineers to adopt a second approach that utilises detailed mathematical models for computer transient simulations of the system. This approach has the advantage of enabling the assessment of the likelihood of ferroresonance occurrence, and the stresses that it imposes, for a number of network configurations [3, 4] .

This approach has the advantage of enabling the assessment of the likelihood of ferroresonance occurrence, and the stresses that it imposes, for a number of network configurations.


Our strongest model for S. holbrookii indicated a strong, positive association between breeding effort and recruitment, and a negative association between total precipitation and recruitment within two weeks after explosive breeding events. Explosive breeding events are triggered by heavy rainfalls, usually associated with tropical storms or hurricanes that rapidly refill dry wetlands (Greenberg and Tanner 2004) . Thus, whereas heavy rainfall is critical in eliciting breeding events, our results suggest that substantial rainfall within the two to three weeks after breeding could negatively affect tadpole survival to metamorphosis. Our results indicate that two weeks post-breeding is the most critical time span affecting JR, as tadpole development is very rapid.

Explosive breeding events are triggered by heavy rainfalls, usually associated with tropical storms or hurricanes that rapidly refill dry wetlands.


We first develop the sensitivity and noise models for a piezoresistive cantilever, then analyze the piezoelectric cantilever case. Next, we use the models to generate optimized designs using an iterative, computational approach. We have previously demonstrated this approach for the piezoresistive cantilever design [16] . Finally, we use the optimization results and reported material properties to compare sensor performance and discuss the merits of each transduction mechanism.

We have previously demonstrated this approach for the piezoresistive cantilever design.


Previous research on studentsÕ attitudes towards ICT in education shows that medical students tend to emphasize the importance of being able to use information technology in their work (Dewhurst, Macleod, & Norris, 2000; Slotte, Wangel, & Lonka, 2001) . Generally speaking, medical students are prepared to use ICT and maintain positive attitudes towards it and the flexibility it has to offer. However, the same research reminds us of the need to assist those students who are still resistant to using technology and have difficulties in adapting to a more active and independent method of learning (Dewhurst et al., 2000; Slotte et al., 2001) . To understand how ICT could be implemented to foster learning in medical education, we need to acquire knowledge first of what is involved in the processes of studying, learning, and teaching in higher education (Richardson, 2000) . However, distance education and computer-aided instructions provide the means of reorganizing the learning environment and for changing the relationship between the learner, the learning content and the social organization of learning, respectively (Richardson, 2000) .

Previous research on studentsÕ attitudes towards ICT in education shows that medical students tend to emphasize the importance of being able to use information technology in their work.

However, the same research reminds us of the need to assist those students who are still resistant to using technology and have difficulties in adapting to a more active and independent method of learning.

To understand how ICT could be implemented to foster learning in medical education, we need to acquire knowledge first of what is involved in the processes of studying, learning, and teaching in higher education.

However, distance education and computer-aided instructions provide the means of reorganizing the learning environment and for changing the relationship between the learner, the learning content and the social organization of learning, respectively.


What also remained unclear to our students was the fact that e-learning is not ''traditional campus-based learning in electronic form'' (Dringus, 2000) . Unfortunately, this was true for some of the Ping Pong participants, who complained that PP should just provide course information and nothing else. Yet, LMSÕs have much greater capabilities in helping to reorganize the learning environments. Moreover, we should also notice that students still complained about lack of computers at home, and even though they would have liked to learn from such systems and use them, many were bound to campus use. Therefore, before a department allots resources for implementing such systems, they should take note whether this is possible to do in practice, and if not, find alternative ways.

What also remained unclear to our students was the fact that e-learning is not ''traditional campus-based learning in electronic form''.


Electronic books (e-books) were introduced in the late 1970s with Project Gutenberg, the original source for ebooks on the internet (Hart, 1992) . At the time, e-books were meant to be read from computers, as this was the only device with the capability to do so (Kossey & Brown, 2011) . Upon the arrival of personal computers in the 1980s, the differences between reading from paper and from computer screens became a popular area of research, and in particular, whether people were able to comprehend information effectively and read text with adequate speed from digital media (Ball & Hourcade, 2011) .

Electronic books (e-books) were introduced in the late 1970s with Project Gutenberg, the original source for ebooks on the internet.

At the time, e-books were meant to be read from computers, as this was the only device with the capability to do so.

Upon the arrival of personal computers in the 1980s, the differences between reading from paper and from computer screens became a popular area of research, and in particular, whether people were able to comprehend information effectively and read text with adequate speed from digital media.


The intention of this study was to determine whether students are able to read as effectively from the screen of an iPad as they are able to from paper, in terms of reading speed and comprehension. Results from this study indicate that actual reading speed and comprehension are not hindered by the use of digital media. These results are particularly significant for those involved within educational environments in emerging economies where the cost of academic material and constant textbooks changes are major issues (Eicker-Nel & Matthee, 2014) .

These results are particularly significant for those involved within educational environments in emerging economies where the cost of academic material and constant textbooks changes are major issues.


As a consequence of the human mediating immune responses, the patient presents with acute high-grade fever for 2-4 days, which is explained by the high viral load, headache, conjunctival injection, lymphadenopathy, and morbilliform eruptions on the trunk and extremities [1] [2] [3] [4] . Moreover, cutaneous manifestations are reported with vesiculobullous, peculiar pigmentation over the nose (chik sign), the Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis-like lesions [2, 3, 5] . In this case, we report panniculitis that is characterized by deeply erythematous inflammatory nodules or plaques, which can be explained by the inflammation of subcutaneous fat.

As a consequence of the human mediating immune responses, the patient presents with acute high-grade fever for 2-4 days, which is explained by the high viral load, headache, conjunctival injection, lymphadenopathy, and morbilliform eruptions on the trunk and extremities.

Moreover, cutaneous manifestations are reported with vesiculobullous, peculiar pigmentation over the nose (chik sign), the Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis-like lesions.


A popular criterion to compare decisions under risk is the expected utility (EU ) model axiomatized by von Neumann and Morgenstern [12] . This model relies on a probabilistic representation of uncertainty: an elementary decision (i.e. a one-step decision problem) is modeled by a probabilistic lottery over its possible outcomes. The preferences of the decision maker are supposed to be captured by a utility function assigning a numerical value to each outcome. The evaluation of a lottery is then performed through the computation of its expected utility (the greater is the better). In sequential decision making, each possible strategy is viewed as compound lottery. It can be reduced to an equivalent simple lottery, and thus compared to the others according to its expected utility. Although the high combinatorial nature of the set of possible strategies, the selection of an optimal strategy can be performed in polynomial time (polytime) with the size of the decision tree: the EU model indeed satisfies a property of monotonicity that guarantees completeness of a polytime algorithm of dynamic programming.

A popular criterion to compare decisions under risk is the expected utility (EU ) model axiomatized by von Neumann and Morgenstern.


In our study we also noted a difference in the size of the tumor, and we revealed that the diameter of the tumor on the right side is significantly larger than on the left side. These results are in accordance with other studies [11] . The wider lumen of the right colon and more frequent flat tumor growth in this location allow it to achieve a larger size when it is still clinically asymptomatic [3] . This fact is related to another result reported in our paper. Patients with RCC required urgent surgery significantly less frequently than patients with LCC. This is probably due to the fact that patients with LCC develop symptoms of bowel obstruction more often, and it can be an indication for urgent intervention. We noted differences in the distribution of pathological grading of the tumor. The differences were related to each of the three tumor stages. It may testify to existing but not yet known differences in the biology of the tumor which are depended on its location in the colon.

These results are in accordance with other studies.

The wider lumen of the right colon and more frequent flat tumor growth in this location allow it to achieve a larger size when it is still clinically asymptomatic.


One third of the world population was connected to the Internet in 2011 [1] . The fact that the number of people using and relying on the Internet is increasing rapidly makes breaking into and compromising systems an ever more lucrative activity for hackers. One popular class of attack targets is that of Secure SHell (SSH) daemons. By means of SSH, a hacker can gain access to and potentially full control over remote hosts. Once compromised, a hacker can sabotage not only the host itself, but also use it for attacking other systems. The detection of intrusions, especially in the case of SSH, is therefore crucial for preventing damage to hosts and networks.

One third of the world population was connected to the Internet in 2011.


In this article, the term early cleaning means an operation, after which another young stand management operation is expected. Re-establishment of the removed vegetation is often intense after mechanical release treatment (Comeau et al. 2000) . Hardwoods grow vigorously from the stumps or roots of cut trees (Björkdahl 1983) . Development of sprouts is an argument for delaying young stand management. However, on plantations where growth-reducing competition develops quickly, early cleaning is considered as a necessary operation, even if precommercial thinning would be expected after early cleaning.

Re-establishment of the removed vegetation is often intense after mechanical release treatment.

Hardwoods grow vigorously from the stumps or roots of cut trees.


Heat causes rapid thermal motion of the atoms leading to rupture of the hydrogen bonds that link them together. Under suitable conditions, thermal denaturation leads to coagulation. During the process, peptide chains are propagated and form agglomerates. The denatured protein is insoluble [8] . As a low temperature process, freeze-drying is a known method to ensure the long-term stability of high-value or therapeutic proteins that are not stable enough in aqueous solutions and that are very sensitive to heat. However, some proteins are also sensitive to the stresses imposed by freeze drying and can be degraded or decomposed during the process [9] . The low temperature of freeze drying does not guarantee protein stability because some proteins also experience cold denaturation. Moreover, freeze drying is costly in terms of both time and energy, and can therefore only be used to dry high value proteins.

The denatured protein is insoluble.

However, some proteins are also sensitive to the stresses imposed by freeze drying and can be degraded or decomposed during the process.


In diabetes, oxidative stress has been found mainly due to an increased production of oxygen free radicals and a sharp reduction of antioxidant defenses [5] . The endogenous antioxidant enzymes (e.g., SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx) are responsible for the detoxification of deleterious oxygen radicals [6] . Antioxidants thus play an important role to protect the human body against damage caused by reactive oxygen species [4] . Hence, compounds with both hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties would be useful antidiabetic agents [7] .

In diabetes, oxidative stress has been found mainly due to an increased production of oxygen free radicals and a sharp reduction of antioxidant defenses.

The endogenous antioxidant enzymes (e.g., SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx) are responsible for the detoxification of deleterious oxygen radicals.

Antioxidants thus play an important role to protect the human body against damage caused by reactive oxygen species.

Hence, compounds with both hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties would be useful antidiabetic agents.


Though diabetes is a non-communicable disease, it is considered to be one of the five leading causes of death in the world [2] . The disease is a complex metabolic disorder of the endocrine system with dynamic expression of pathological disequilibria, resulting in various micro and macro vascular complications. It is characterized by high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) due to the inability of the body's cells to utilize glucose properly [3] .

Though diabetes is a non-communicable disease, it is considered to be one of the five leading causes of death in the world.

It is characterized by high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) due to the inability of the body's cells to utilize glucose properly.


Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, insufficient insulin secretion, is a major public health problem in developing and developed countries. The increase in diabetic cases has been partly attributed to consumption of calorie-rich diet, obesity and sedentary life style [1] . Developed countries such as India, China and the United States of America are presently the countries with the leading number of diabetics. Furthermore, seven percent of residents of the United States are diabetic.

The increase in diabetic cases has been partly attributed to consumption of calorie-rich diet, obesity and sedentary life style.


In section 1 we briefly recall some key definitions given in Part I [6] . The combinatorial algorithm 2.4 is constructed in section 2. The last section 3 is devoted to prove the most important result of this paper, the theorem of embedded desingularization 3.4.

In section 1 we briefly recall some key definitions given in Part I.


The second study explored connections among the variables that predicted continued participation and actual singing performance. Though participants' scores were higher than nonparticipants' on every task, there were no significant differences in singing scores between the two groups. This would seem to support previous findings that perceived ability does not accurately reflect actual ability (Mizener, 1993) . However, when the three variables that uniquely predicted music participation (selfconcept, peer influence, and family musical engagement) were tested for their ability to predict singing performance, only musical self-concept was found to be a significant predictor. This suggests that there is a relationship between actual singing ability and musical self-concept, a relationship alluded to in investigations of poor pitch singing with adults (Abril, 2007; Sloboda et al., 2005; Whidden, 2010) .

This would seem to support previous findings that perceived ability does not accurately reflect actual ability.

This suggests that there is a relationship between actual singing ability and musical self-concept, a relationship alluded to in investigations of poor pitch singing with adults.


To last longer the effects of intervention, some studies show that the effects of mindfulness are more durable and effective than other methods [8, 33] . It seems that this therapy can enhance quality of life [40] . The effectiveness of mindfulness practices can be explained by an increase in psychological flexibility of its practicers, because participants have gained additional adaptive emotion regulation skills in response to negative affect-producing stressors. Thus, considering the effectiveness of this techniques in the treatment of depression and quality of life, this method is recommended. The present study may contribute to evidence-based knowledge concerning the efficacy of mindfulness training to support mothers in benefitting from high quality of life and mental health in raising their deaf children.

To last longer the effects of intervention, some studies show that the effects of mindfulness are more durable and effective than other methods.

It seems that this therapy can enhance quality of life.


MBCT aims at interrupting these processes and teaches the participants not to react to incoming stimuli, but instead to accept and observe them unbiased [8] . The mindfulness practice may have helped mothers become more aware of their distress, and handle them better. Baer demonstrated that by practicing mindfulness, mental health can be promoted through an improved ability to observe with acceptance and without judgment or reaction [33, 34] .

MBCT aims at interrupting these processes and teaches the participants not to react to incoming stimuli, but instead to accept and observe them unbiased.

Baer demonstrated that by practicing mindfulness, mental health can be promoted through an improved ability to observe with acceptance and without judgment or reaction.


The results of Sohrabi study were consistent with the results of this study [28] . Schulman and Vala reported similar findings in research on mindfulness effectiveness on depression, anxiety and panic [29, 30] . In the last few years, MBCT has not only been proven to be a feasible and acceptable intervention; but also effective in reducing psychological syndromes such as anxiety and depression [31] [32] [33] [34] . These consistent findings are based on the fact that individuals susceptible to depression or other psychological problems become distressed and return to automatic cognitive processes that can harm mental health [16] .

The results of Sohrabi study were consistent with the results of this study.

Schulman and Vala reported similar findings in research on mindfulness effectiveness on depression, anxiety and panic.

In the last few years, MBCT has not only been proven to be a feasible and acceptable intervention; but also effective in reducing psychological syndromes such as anxiety and depression.

These consistent findings are based on the fact that individuals susceptible to depression or other psychological problems become distressed and return to automatic cognitive processes that can harm mental health.


In many developing countries, private providers play a major role in healthcare provision, leading international agencies to support interventions to strengthen the care they provide, including training, social marketing, social franchising, targeted vouchers and accreditation . The private sector encompasses both for-profit and not-for-profit providers which are highly heterogeneous, ranging from sophisticated hospitals to small shops where staff have no qualifications, though a growing component of this sector is small and medium-sized private facilities. One concern often raised with initiatives that work with such private providers is that they may be inequitable, with their benefits obtained disproportionally by higher socio-economic status (SES) groups, who are able to afford private sector fees (Patouillard et al., 2007) .

One concern often raised with initiatives that work with such private providers is that they may be inequitable, with their benefits obtained disproportionally by higher socio-economic status (SES) groups, who are able to afford private sector fees.


Systems of supersymmetric black holes have been extensively studied, in particular, supersymmetric bound states thereof. For example it is well-known that if the charge vectors of two extremal holes are aligned, the electric repulsion exactly cancels the gravitational (and scalar) attraction, leading to static solutions which experience vanishing force. Static configurations which carry angular momentum but are overall BPS, involving magnetic and electric charges, also exist at special positions where the forces cancel [22] [23] [24] [25] . Partition functions in less supersymmetric cases, and the related wall-crossing phenomenon, have also been ex-tensively studied. We will be interested in pairs which are not overall BPS and dynamically rotate around each other; for generic charge vectors that are not aligned, the force then does not cancel and one generically finds Kepler-like elliptical orbits.

Static configurations which carry angular momentum but are overall BPS, involving magnetic and electric charges, also exist at special positions where the forces cancel.


In general, the existence of such solutions would be highly degenerate. Many important examples, however, lead to a reversible travelling wave ODE, i.e., an ODE that is invariant under time-reversal up to some linear involution R. In this case, (symmetric) homoclinic orbits to saddle-centre equilibria (or ESs) are of codimension one. Indeed, for simplicity considering the four-dimensional case, a homoclinic orbit exists if the one-dimensional stable manifold of the equilibrium intersects the two-dimensional fixed space of the involution R. Such an intersection can be generated under variation of one parameter. Choosing this parameter to be the wave speed, one can even argue that ESs in the original PDE exist robustly and only vary their wave speed when perturbed. Observe that the corresponding homoclinic solution itself is invariant under time-reversal, and therefore it is called symmetric [21] .

Observe that the corresponding homoclinic solution itself is invariant under time-reversal, and therefore it is called symmetric.


Our technique is of importance in applications since homoclinic orbits to saddle-centre equilibria often appear as embedded solitons (ESs) in systems of PDEs, as stated in the Introduction. One of the fascinating features of ESs is their semi-stability, which has been established explicitly in a number of examples [28, 29] . These solutions are linearly stable, but are subject to a weak nonlinear one-sided instability [4, 29] . This means that if one makes an energy increasing perturbation then via the shedding of radiation, the initial condition relaxes algebraically back to the solitary wave. In contrast, an energy decreasing perturbation would cause the solitary wave to decay algebraically away. It is a challenging problem to decide whether the homoclinic orbits detected by our method give rise to semi-stable ESs in corresponding PDEs. In particular, when the primary ESs with ε = 0 are stable or semi-stable it is very interesting to determine the semi-stability of ESs bifurcating from them. These problems, however, cannot be solved within the finite-dimensional framework of dynamical systems theory employed here.

One of the fascinating features of ESs is their semi-stability, which has been established explicitly in a number of examples.

These solutions are linearly stable, but are subject to a weak nonlinear one-sided instability.


Tools that assist in the generation of formal specifications in LTL are important to the model checking community as they relieve the user from the burden of writing specifications in a language that is hard to read and write. Without the help of tools such as Prospec, the user might create faulty specifications. These tools must generate specifications that correspond to the intent of the user. Prospec was demonstrated to provide such support [19] . It is also important that these tools generate efficient formulas, since one of the main challenges of model checking is the state explosion problem. The smaller the size of the automata an LTL formula generates, the less likely that this problem will occur. Although this might not appear significant in the basic pattern-scope formulas as generated originally by Prospec, an example and a sample comparison given in the previous section show the effect on the number of states generated Advances in Software Engineering 13 when using less efficient formulas as the base formulas when incorporating CP classes. The sample comparison also shows that in some cases, some translation tools could not generate BAs for the old Prospec formulas in which one of the propositions was replaced with CP classes containing three propositions. The new formulas provided by this work generate BAs with fewer states in almost all pattern/scope combinations regardless of LTL to BA translator used. In addition, the BAs of the new formulas generated by SPIN seem to always be comparable to those generated by the other more efficient translators. This is significant to SPIN users, since those users do not need to use different LTL to BA translators and manually insert the resulting never-claim into the Promela code.

Prospec was demonstrated to provide such support.


X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) Figure 1a shows the XRD patterns of the MCM-41 (calcined) sample. MCM-41 shows a sharp XRD peak around 2h = 2°, less intense peaks around 2h = 3.8 and 4.4°. This indicates the well-ordered hexagonal structure of the material is formed [20] . Similarly, Fig. 1b displays the XRD pattern of the SBA-15 (calcined) sample. Like MCM-41, SBA-15 also shows a strong peak around 2h = 1.5°w hich corresponds to the (100) plane and showing a highly regular order. In the XRD pattern of MCF (Fig. 1c ) no peak can be observed which confirms that MCF is an amorphous material as reported in the literature [20] .

This indicates the well-ordered hexagonal structure of the material is formed.

In the XRD pattern of MCF (Fig. 1c ) no peak can be observed which confirms that MCF is an amorphous material as reported in the literature.


Elastomeric nanocomposites based on nano-sized inorganic particles and clusters have been paid more attention due to the interesting nano-sized effects of the particles [1] . Polymer nanocomposite shows unique properties, combining the advantages of the inorganic nanofillers (e.g., rigidity, thermal stability) and the organic polymers (e.g., flexibility, dielectric, ductility and processability) [2] . The nanoparticles will strengthen the matrix more than the conventional fillers due to high surface area-to-volume ratio and other fascinating properties. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composite will be significantly enhanced if there is a homogenous dispersion of the additives in the polymer matrix. This in turn, increases the interfacial adhesion between the polymer matrix and the nanofillers. Therefore, it is crucial and important to incorporate well dispersed nanofillers to the elastomer network to achieve superior physico-mechanical properties. At higher filler loading, the polymer-filler interaction decreases due to the agglomeration of fillers which ultimately reduces the strength of the composite. To increase the interaction between the matrix and the filler, a variety of methods can be applied such as functionalization or modification of the surface using some coupling agents [3] .

Elastomeric nanocomposites based on nano-sized inorganic particles and clusters have been paid more attention due to the interesting nano-sized effects of the particles.

Polymer nanocomposite shows unique properties, combining the advantages of the inorganic nanofillers (e.g., rigidity, thermal stability) and the organic polymers (e.g., flexibility, dielectric, ductility and processability).

To increase the interaction between the matrix and the filler, a variety of methods can be applied such as functionalization or modification of the surface using some coupling agents.


The BET surface area and pore volume of the various synthesized mesoporous silicates are given in Table 2 . All MPS shows very high surface area. The pore size provides enough space for the polymer chains to enter into the pores [14] .

All MPS shows very high surface area.

The pore size provides enough space for the polymer chains to enter into the pores.


Another approach that tries to strike a middle ground between system-based and in-application adaptation is application-aware adaptation [10] , [26] . Here, the system provides some common adaptation facilities and serves as a centralized locus of control for the adaptation of all applications. The applications are modified to implement control adaptations and to perform calls to an adaptation API provided by the system. Iterative adaptation has similarities to application-aware adaptation. Both approaches delegate common adaptation tasks to the system, which provides a centralized locus of control for adaptation of multiple applications. The approaches differ, however, in how control adaptation policies are implemented. In iterative adaptation, the applications export the interfaces and the system invokes those interfaces to perform adaptation. The precise opposite occurs in application-aware adaptation, where the applications are modified to call on the system's adaptation API. Iterative adaptation is a more flexible approach to adaptation than application-aware adaptation. Whereas applicationaware adaptation requires the application designer to foresee all necessary adaptations at the time the application is written, iterative adaptation enables third parties to add new adaptation policies after the application has been released.

Another approach that tries to strike a middle ground between system-based and in-application adaptation is application-aware adaptation.


User studies in digital libraries have shown that most users are not aware of the special controlled vocabularies used in digital libraries [17] . Hence they are not using them in their query formulation. This can be seen in our relatively low acceptance rates of 9% of the thesaurus-based implementation. To overcome the acceptance problems we derived the plan to combine the rather simple term but most accepted completion method (TS) with a more sophisticated term-mapping (STR) approach. We can observe a significantly increase of the acceptance rate because these approaches complete each other.

User studies in digital libraries have shown that most users are not aware of the special controlled vocabularies used in digital libraries.


Under speci¢c conditions (stable and stationary water) the accumulated DOC can coagulate and form aggregates of increasing size and stability. The role of carbohydrates in coagulating processes was already stressed by several authors [45] . At high concentration and on large scales these aggregates can form mucilaginous structures as observed in the northern Adriatic. From this study, and some previous observations, we can conclude that the production of mucilage can occur due to sudden nutrient inputs into a stable water body. In such a situation a strong bloom develops, producing high carbon concentrations. As nutrients subsequently become depleted, high concentrations of carbohydrates are produced. The lack of phosphorus makes bacteria almost unable to degrade this substrate, thus it can accumulate to further produce large aggregates.

The role of carbohydrates in coagulating processes was already stressed by several authors.


Various methods and tools have been developed for the identification and selection of appropriate solvents for synthesis. Consequently, there are a number of solvent selection guides available in the literature [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . We have categorized the common solvents in three different classes of preferred, usable, and undesirable ( Table 1 ) [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . The first three items in the preferred column are the most desired solvents and ILs on their own are a large class of solvents. However not all ILs are green solvents.

Consequently, there are a number of solvent selection guides available in the literature.

We have categorized the common solvents in three different classes of preferred, usable, and undesirable ( Table 1 ).

However not all ILs are green solvents.


In 1986, several of the co-authors of the present article were involved in a multicenter randomized trial comparing induction chemotherapy (IC) with cisplatinum and 5-fluorouracil (FU) followed by locoregional treatment with locoregional treatment alone in patients with LA-HNSCC [2, 3] . The results of that trial showed a significant improvement in locoregional control and OS by the addition of IC only among patients who were considered ineligible for resection. Moreover, a statistically significant reduction in distant failure was observed in both operable and inoperable cases.

In 1986, several of the co-authors of the present article were involved in a multicenter randomized trial comparing induction chemotherapy (IC) with cisplatinum and 5-fluorouracil (FU) followed by locoregional treatment with locoregional treatment alone in patients with LA-HNSCC.


An educational or school counsellor spends time in developing strategies which helps students develop their skills and also leads to their growth and development. This enables the students acquire and develop whatever positive qualities they require to function well in society. The counsellor ensures maximum utilization of the relationship with the students to provide a more comprehensive adult model for the development of self-concepts and meaningful activities like orientation, in which the matured students can also contribute to the development of confidence and self-reliance in others. Also, specific counselling programmes for the development of social skills are provided to equip students with what they need to cope with developmental tasks required of them during this adolescent period. Furthermore, the counsellor ensures efficient utilization of the school society or culture in other to promote attitudes consistent with good mental health practices (Bair, 2003) . If the counsellor exhibits or portrays a poor personality traits towards the students, students are less likely to visit the counsellor and to seek for assistance in future times or to accept the counsellor's services. Counsellors play an important role in the student's life and it is therefore important that they exhibit positive qualities of a professional counsellor instead of being rude and biased to students with a corresponding consequence of poor decision making among the students.

Furthermore, the counsellor ensures efficient utilization of the school society or culture in other to promote attitudes consistent with good mental health practices.


In conclusion, mechanical site preparation has significant beneficial effects on height and GLD of oak seedlings in retired agricultural fields. Treatment areas that received bedding or combination plowing treatment exhibited greater levels of height and GLD compared to areas that received no mechanical treatment or subsoiling as a form of site preparation. While no growth differences were detected between bedding and combination plowing treatments, seedling roots in bedded areas were nearing the restrictive layer present in soils at the Malmaison WMA site. All sites had restrictive layers at varying depths and seedling roots will probably benefit from the deeper soil fracturing of combination plowing at some point in the future. Pricing of mechanical treatments varies locally due to contractor and equipment availability [24] . Typically combination plowing is more expensive than bedding. However, if restrictive soil layers were present, managers would be inclined to use combination plowing as it might have greater long-term benefits. If restrictive layers were not a concern, and costs were lower, bedding might be a more appropriate treatment under conditions similar to those of this research study.

Pricing of mechanical treatments varies locally due to contractor and equipment availability.


Often, growth and survival of planted seedlings on former agriculture fields has not been satisfactory; resulting in a low percentage of oaks in established stands [3] . The preponderance of these failed afforestation attempts on former agriculture fields indicates a need for greater understanding of proper plantation establishment techniques. Several factors can decrease seedling growth and survival including: soil conditions, planting techniques, seedling quality, and competing vegetation. These problems can be alleviated through proper planting of high quality seedlings, as well as applying proper silvicultural practices to enhance survival and growth.

Often, growth and survival of planted seedlings on former agriculture fields has not been satisfactory; resulting in a low percentage of oaks in established stands.


Interestingly, a posttranslational modification of VDBP was detected in responders by two-dimensional WB as compared with nonresponders. The pattern of this modification suggests changes in glycosylation status for responders. Previous studies have demonstrated that glycosylation of VDBP leads to the production of macrophage activating factor via T-cell and B-cell associated enzymes [47] . Macrophage activating factor production was shown to induce proinflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-tumorous and anti-proliferative effects [48] . It is thus hypothesized that, in nonresponders characterized by glycosylated isoforms of VDBP, treatment failure of etanercept may be due to the overproduction of macrophage activating factor. However, this hypothesis still has to be analyzed and validated in future experimental studies.

Previous studies have demonstrated that glycosylation of VDBP leads to the production of macrophage activating factor via T-cell and B-cell associated enzymes.

Macrophage activating factor production was shown to induce proinflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-tumorous and anti-proliferative effects.


Fimbriae are structural components of the surface of P. aeruginosa and also ease adhesion [40] . These structures mediate the connection between the pathogen and the surfaces of the host's cells, starting colonization and formation of a film of microcolonies which will mature, forming biofilm, critical for the infection establishment [40] . In this study, we identified mannose-sensitive and mannose-resistant fimbriae.

Fimbriae are structural components of the surface of P. aeruginosa and also ease adhesion.

These structures mediate the connection between the pathogen and the surfaces of the host's cells, starting colonization and formation of a film of microcolonies which will mature, forming biofilm, critical for the infection establishment.


In the present approach, we only find out the phenomenon of shear locking and alleviate it by ℎ-refinement and -refinement. However, the computational cost will be increased due to an excessive increment of control points and the high order of NURBS basis functions. Further studies will focus on the locking free IGA numerical methods for beams, plates, and shells [29] [30] [31] .

Further studies will focus on the locking free IGA numerical methods for beams, plates, and shells.


To investigate the SMB's floating behavior, the SMB was put on the water surface and weights were carefully loaded onto it, as shown in figure 2(b) . The SMB could easily carry the loaded weights, which were much heavier than itself on the water surface, exhibiting an excellent loading capacity. Interestingly, the SMB made the water surface curve, and kept floating even if its upper surface was below the water surface, as shown in figures 2(c), (d). The formation of the side convex water surface (the yellow dotted line in the inset of figure 2(d) ) was caused by the surface tension of water and the superhydrophobicity of the sample surface. This floating phenomenon is very similar to that seen in the lotus leaf ( figure 1(a) ). The total displacement is greatly increased, as is the loading capacity. The SMB capsized when the loads were over 5.58 g in this case, which exceeds the maximum buoyancy force estimated from the weight of water with the same volume of the SMB (i.e., 0.92 g). However, the as-prepared SMB will submerge into water if it is released under the water surface, as shown in figure 3 . This indicated that the buoyancy force is not enough to float it. If the air-film hypothesis is correct, the SMB should be able to get out of water [15] [16] [17] . Based on this fact, we believe that the precise internal mechanism of the large loading capacity of the planar SMBs may not be as previously thought.

If the air-film hypothesis is correct, the SMB should be able to get out of water.


Functionally graded material (FGM) has been an important smart one to be widely used in various modern engineering practices as an alternative to the conventional homogeneous material, which can be synthesised by at least two kinds of material particles with volume fractions varying in a spatial direction. Used as a coating layer or an interfacial material, it tends to reduce mismatching stresses, increase the bonding strength, improve surface properties and provide protection against adverse thermal or chemical environments (Suresh and Mortensen, 1998) . Many of the present and potential applications of FGM involve surface or interface contact, in which loads transfer between or among different solids, generally in the presence of friction. One of the typical applications of FGM is used as cylinder linings, brake discs and other automotive components for the purpose of improving the wear resistance. Another area of the potential applications of FGM involving contact mechanics is in the field of abradable seal design in stationary gas turbines (Guler and Erdogan, 2007) .

Used as a coating layer or an interfacial material, it tends to reduce mismatching stresses, increase the bonding strength, improve surface properties and provide protection against adverse thermal or chemical environments.

Another area of the potential applications of FGM involving contact mechanics is in the field of abradable seal design in stationary gas turbines.


It is widely recognized that there are three independent properties of particle shape-form, roundness and surface texture -which have quite different scales as shown in 2D in Figure 1 [17] . These properties are independent because each can vary widely without influencing the others. Accepting these broad definitions, it is then necessary to come up with means of measuring or characterizing each of the three properties. For form and roundness this has usually meant combining measurements into a dimensionless index, but taking measurements is not trivial and it is usually necessary to take measurements from 2D images or 3D data cloud representations of particles rather than the physical objects themselves.

It is widely recognized that there are three independent properties of particle shape-form, roundness and surface texture -which have quite different scales as shown in 2D in Figure 1.


In this study, animal wastes are evaluated for suitability for biogas production at sub-optimum condition (such as room temperature with no form of physical treatment). Cattle manure was established to have lower available volatile solids because ruminants extract much of the nutrients from the fodder and the leftover is rich in lignin complexes which were extensively exposed to enzyme action of the four chamber stomach of ruminants (Werner et al. 1989; Wilkie 2005) . The volatile solids content for cow dung and horse dung used in this research were determined to be 58.7% and 87.5% respectively while the ambient room temperature ranged between 27-32°C.

Cattle manure was established to have lower available volatile solids because ruminants extract much of the nutrients from the fodder and the leftover is rich in lignin complexes which were extensively exposed to enzyme action of the four chamber stomach of ruminants.


First, OWC spectral domain offers a high and not regulated bandwidth. In addition, optical components are cheap so it is possible to deploy a low cost network. Furthermore, this technology does not generate electromagnetic interferences, so optical network will not interfere with RF existing ones, making its application particularly promising in sensitive environment like hospitals or airplanes [4, 5] .

Furthermore, this technology does not generate electromagnetic interferences, so optical network will not interfere with RF existing ones, making its application particularly promising in sensitive environment like hospitals or airplanes.


Recent development in stem cell research therapy and cell transplantation delivers great promise for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders [2, 3] . Stem cells show immense promise for their application in medical field due to their unique ability to self-renew along with the potential to differentiate into different cell types. Such remarkable properties of stem cells show great promise in the field of regenerative medicine [4] .

Recent development in stem cell research therapy and cell transplantation delivers great promise for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.

Such remarkable properties of stem cells show great promise in the field of regenerative medicine.


Exploratory Data Mining is the process of using data mining methods to gain novel insights into data without having a specific goal in mind. To convey large amounts of complex information, it is a logical choice to present this information visually, as the information bandwidth of the eye is much larger than the other senses, and humans excel at spotting visual patterns [11] . Surprisingly, visual interactive data mining tools are still rare.

To convey large amounts of complex information, it is a logical choice to present this information visually, as the information bandwidth of the eye is much larger than the other senses, and humans excel at spotting visual patterns.


Solvents are added into the system to prevent liquid-liquid phase separation during the initial stages of the hydrolysis and to control the concentration of silicate and water that influence the gelation. In this study, we are focusing on the common alcohols used as solvents in sol-gel processing. The availability of labile protons in protic solvents such as water and alcohols influences the extent of the reverse reactions, reesterification, or siloxane bond alcoholysis or hydrolysis [19] .

The availability of labile protons in protic solvents such as water and alcohols influences the extent of the reverse reactions, reesterification, or siloxane bond alcoholysis or hydrolysis.


Solvent is a very important component in the sol-gel process. It is used in sol-gel synthesis as media for the hydrolysis and condensation of precursors as well as to control the concentrations of reactants, which influence the solidifications kinetics. By carefully choosing the solvent and its unique properties (i.e., dielectric constant, surface tension, and dipole moment), parameters such as the rate of gel formation, gel structure, and drying behavior can be changed [18] . Therefore, in order to investigate the effect of solvent on the optical and physical properties of methyltrimethoxy silane transparent film, a series of different types of alcohols were tested and used as the solvents. Methyltrimethoxy silane was chosen as the monomer due to its low viscosity. The objective is to obtain thin layer of clear coating on the glass substrate that is cured and hardened at room temperature without heat treatment. The possible application for this type of coating system is to have a value-added function when functioning agents were mixed with the coating system without interfering with the original appearance of the substrate. Therefore, the coating should appear to be very transparent with an acceptable tackfree time for the application process and hardness for the durability.

By carefully choosing the solvent and its unique properties (i.e., dielectric constant, surface tension, and dipole moment), parameters such as the rate of gel formation, gel structure, and drying behavior can be changed.


Concrete is the world's most widely used construction material but its production has negative impacts on the environment and on our future capacity to meet an ever-increasing demand. The global construction industry uses approximately 1.5 billion tonnes of cement and 9 billion tonnes of sand, grave!, and crushed rock every year and the demand for concrete is expected to grow to approximately 16 billion tonnes a year by 2050 (Mehta and Monteiro, 2005) . However, mining large quantities of raw materials often results in extensive deforestation or denudation and top-soilloss (Mehta, 2001 ) . A growing demand for aggregates, especially in large metropolitan areas, leads to increased transportation distances, costs and by extension environmental impacts. This leads to a rising demand for alternative aggregate resources such as recycled aggregates from Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW).

The global construction industry uses approximately 1.5 billion tonnes of cement and 9 billion tonnes of sand, grave!, and crushed rock every year and the demand for concrete is expected to grow to approximately 16 billion tonnes a year by 2050.

However, mining large quantities of raw materials often results in extensive deforestation or denudation and top-soilloss.


The traditional recycling circuit for CDW includes crushing steps that do not permit recovery ofliberated, i.e. cement free, aggregates. Indeed, these techniques apply high compressive stresses that are rather inefficient for the intended objective. Because of the high compressive strength of concrete, they yield extensive comminution not only of the con crete matrix but also of the aggregates themselves. Moreover, the amount ofliberated aggregates is very low. As a result, recycled concrete aggregates contain various amounts of adhered cement mortar which negatively affect the workability and mechanical properties of concrete (Kim et al., 2012; Ulsen et al., 2013 ) . Therefore, recycled concrete aggregates are not beneficiated as aggregates for new concrete manufacturing but they are mainly downcycled as road pavement materials. A breakthrough method for liberating aggregates from concrete waste is then required to produce high quality recycled aggregates.

As a result, recycled concrete aggregates contain various amounts of adhered cement mortar which negatively affect the workability and mechanical properties of concrete.


In previous work by the authors, an algorithm for settling servo mechanisms to nanometer level tolerances is proposed [26, 27, 28] . This method is called the Nonlinear Integral Action Settling Algorithm (NIASA). Some strengths of this method are its robustness to modeling errors in the friction process and how closely the proposed method relates to conventional PID tuning. In this work, the NIASA compensator will be briefly described. This will be followed by a discussion of how friction affects point-to-point motion. Next, parameterization of the NIASA compensator and friction model identification with be discussed. Then, the results of an example identification study and an actual point-to-point motion study will be presented. Finally, familiar frequency domain analysis will be used to describe the nonlinear controlled and uncontrolled systems at specific points of operation.

In previous work by the authors, an algorithm for settling servo mechanisms to nanometer level tolerances is proposed.


I N recent years, there has been a growing interest in modeling and mining various kinds of dynamic networks whose structures evolve over time, such as biological networks, social networks, co-authorship networks and costarring networks. Specifically, people have investigated community analysis in dynamic networks [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] . The focus is on detecting communities successively from consecutive snapshots by considering the historical information [5] , [6] , [7] . Although these methods can give us quite reasonable and robust communities by considering the temporal smoothness, few historical and successive information related to these communities are provided. Thus we do not know when these communities were assembled or when they are going to disband. Aiming to answer these questions, we propose a novel measure called community strength, which can reflect a community's temporal community robustness and coherence throughout the entire observation period.

Specifically, people have investigated community analysis in dynamic networks.

The focus is on detecting communities successively from consecutive snapshots by considering the historical information.


In case new technical components are applied that are still of prototype character, a friendly-user test phase should be a precursor to the large scale rollout in order to avoid the aforementioned problems. This message was well-understood by the Energy@Home project (which is set in Italy and uses the TOU tariff applied to all households there) where they opted for technology which was not only easy to install and to be used by end users, but also compatible with devices that were already used in the households. This way, the automation allowed a deep integration of the system with end users' daily routines without much effort, which in turn determined the positive outcome of the project [38] .

This way, the automation allowed a deep integration of the system with end users' daily routines without much effort, which in turn determined the positive outcome of the project.


Similar results were found in other projects within the S3C FoP. For instance, the TOU tariff applied to all households in Italy is a very simple tariff structure consisting of two time blocks per day and with quarterly price updates. This was a positive factor from the end users' point of view, and about 60% of the households involved indicated that they had shifted at least some of their consumption from the more expensive peak hours to cheaper off-peak hours. This resulted in a shift of 1% of total energy consumption from peak to off-peak hours with respect to the period prior to the introduction of the TOU tariff [29] . The CLNR project (Customer Led Network Revolution) in England also opted for a simple tariff scheme: a three-rate TOU tariff which is updated once a year. Preliminary field trial results showed that the average half-hourly energy use reduced by 14% during the peak period (between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.), suggesting considerable behavioral change in energy end use [30] .

This resulted in a shift of 1% of total energy consumption from peak to off-peak hours with respect to the period prior to the introduction of the TOU tariff.

Preliminary field trial results showed that the average half-hourly energy use reduced by 14% during the peak period (between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.), suggesting considerable behavioral change in energy end use.


Recent research has stressed the importance of looking at residential demand response from a social practice theory point of view [13, 18] . Looking at energy-related behavior through the lens of social practices enables an analysis of behaviors at different levels of consciousness, ranging from habitual to conscious and one-shot behavior. Energy-related practices (like washing, cooking, heating, etc.) can typically be considered habitual. However, behaviors aiming for a change of practices-like deciding whether to engage in a DR program and/or to buy smart appliances-are rather conscious or even one-shot. The process of end-user engagement in DR programs and their consequent interaction with new technologies, feedback and pricing schemes can be interpreted as a continuous change process. At the start of the process, it is assumed that end users carry out their energy-related practices in a rather habitual manner. As end users become engaged in a DR program, they are stimulated towards more conscious decision-making. This phase can be considered rather disruptive, as existing practices need to be reconsidered and redefined. In this activation phase, end-user interaction is targeted typically at achieving active end-user participation and an explicit consideration of old and new practices. As new practices are adopted, behavior becomes again more habitual. In the continuation phase, end-user interaction is then more aimed at supporting and reinforcing the new energy practices. The next sections summarize our findings on activating and continuing new behaviors in interaction with DR programs (Sections 5.1 and 5.2), while Section 5.3 discusses the limitations of our research.

Recent research has stressed the importance of looking at residential demand response from a social practice theory point of view.


One of the goals of the project "Model City Mannheim" (MoMa) was to determine the price elasticity of energy consumption. The RTP tariff implemented in their final phase was fully flexible and allowed for a calculation of the price elasticity of the consumption of the field test customers. The overall price spread between the 31 price levels was set at 7.75 ct/kWh and the distribution of the hourly time blocks and prices was changed on a daily basis and announced a day ahead. The project calculated a significant price elasticity of −0.106 on average-i.e., if the price of electricity was raised by 100%, the end users reacted with a decrease of consumption by 10.6% on average. However, it needs to be stressed that the price incentives did not reflect the currently available price spreads within given energy markets and regulatory frameworks [35] .

However, it needs to be stressed that the price incentives did not reflect the currently available price spreads within given energy markets and regulatory frameworks.


With respect to social distance, senders in this e-mail corpus adopted direct request strategies most frequently when writing recipients with whom they had a professional and formal relationship and least frequently with close recipients (in comparison to all social distance categories). In terms of status, senders adopted direct request strategies most frequently with superiors and least frequently with subordinates and peers at the same institution. These findings initially seemed to be counter to previous research that suggests that the greater the degree of social distance and the greater the status difference between interlocutors, the less direct the communication should be (Brown & Levinson, 1987) .

These findings initially seemed to be counter to previous research that suggests that the greater the degree of social distance and the greater the status difference between interlocutors, the less direct the communication should be.


In terms of j, m, andm the angular momentum and the kinetic energy of strings in AdS 3 are given by m −m and m +m, respectively. However, these are not all the relevant physical quantities that is necessary to consider to describe the string spectrum. A crucial step to define the theory was the observation of the necessity of including infinite new representations, which are constructed from the ones described above by acting with spectral flow automorphism of sl(2) k affine algebra [1] . These new representations are labeled by an additional integer parameter ω, whose physical interpretation is that of the winding number of the strings 2 .

A crucial step to define the theory was the observation of the necessity of including infinite new representations, which are constructed from the ones described above by acting with spectral flow automorphism of sl(2) k affine algebra.


The factor (k − 2) −1/2 in the dilaton term comes from quantum corrections. In the path integral approach, this can be seen to arise when integrating over β,β. This produces a kinetic piece − 2 π d 2 z∂φ∂φ and a background charge term 1 4π d 2 zRφ in the effective action [11, 12] . This results in (2.4) by simply rescaling φ. The integration over β,β also produces a factor | det ∂∂| −1 . On the Riemann sphere, this factor can be absorbed in the normalization of the partition function. On the torus, because of the existence of twisting sectors and the dependence on the modular parameter, this factor deserves special attention [13] .

This produces a kinetic piece − 2 π d 2 z∂φ∂φ and a background charge term 1 4π d 2 zRφ in the effective action.

On the torus, because of the existence of twisting sectors and the dependence on the modular parameter, this factor deserves special attention.


The average ton of premium wood pellets produced in Wisconsin was produced mostly from source-dried hard- wood coproducts (59.17%), followed by hardwood whole logs (23.21%), wet hardwood coproducts (7.06%), wet softwood coproducts (5.50%), and softwood whole logs (5.16%). Therefore, it can be stated that the vast majority (89.44%) of wood pellets produced in Wisconsin are made of hardwood materials. Wood pellets produced from sourcedried raw materials required the most fuel wood for drying as a result of the more energy intensive drying procedures used by the primary hardwood product manufacturers, who are drying lumber as opposed to wood chips or shavings. Pellets produced from wet coproduct consumed the least amount of fuel wood per ton of pellets produced, likely because of the increased opportunity for air drying that occurs during storage and transportation. On-site energy consumption for the production of premium wood pellets was lowest using source-dried coproduct (2,310 MJ), followed by wet coproduct (5,588 MJ), and whole logs (5,775 MJ). However, the cost of predried feedstocks is significantly more than wet coproducts or whole logs, so a reduction in overall costs may not be achieved. Renewable wood fuel accounted for a significant amount on-site energy use (32.86%) and was primarily used in the drying process, which would be eliminated by receiving predried feedstocks. Electricity accounted for over a third of on-site fuel consumption and was primarily used for fans, conveyors, air emission reduction equipment, and the pelletization equipment. The weighted average on-site energy consumption for Wisconsin pellet producers was 3,668 MJ per short ton of wood pellets produced. As shown in Table 3 , cradle-to-gate energy consumption for the production of premium wood pellets was lowest using whole logs (6,286 MJ), followed by wet coproduct (6,827 MJ), and source-dried coproduct (9,793 MJ). The weighted average energy consumption for producing one ton of premium wood pellets in Wisconsin was 8,389 MJ. The largest contributing factor to overall energy consumption was the amount of processing a feedstock received during primary production. Lumber mills typically dry rough sawn lumber using heat from combusting wood fuel and natural gas. When considering cradle-to-gate energy consumption, wood accounts for 37 percent of total energy, while coal accounts for nearly 29 percent. This trend is due to electricity being produced primarily from coal-fired power plants in the Northeast/North Central United States. Differences in the harvest and processing of softwoods and hardwoods also accounted for some variation between feedstock scenarios. Additional factors such as higher initial wood moisture contents, denser wood, and longer, slower kiln-drying schedules all contributed to higher primary manufacturing energy consumption for hardwood coproducts (Puettmann et al. 2010) .

Additional factors such as higher initial wood moisture contents, denser wood, and longer, slower kiln-drying schedules all contributed to higher primary manufacturing energy consumption for hardwood coproducts.


Electrospinning is a commonly used technology to obtain polymer nanofibers with diameters in the range of several nanometers to micrometers [1] [2] [3] [4] . During the electrospinning process electrostatic repulsion is used to overcome the surface tension of a solution droplet at the needle tip, thus stretching the droplet to form a jet, which dries while flying toward a collector, to produce nanofibers [5] . The accumulation of electrospun nanofibers forms a membrane with high porosity and specific surface area. This membrane is suitable for use in tissue engineering, drug release and separation process [6] . Coaxial electrospinning is a modified electrospinning method which uses a blunt-tip coaxial needle to extrude core and shell solutions without mixing during electrospinning, thus producing nanofibers with a core/shell structure [7] [8] [9] [10] . There are several advantages associated with the core/shell structure. For example, by using a material easy to be electrospun as core layer, another material, which cannot be electrospun alone, may have a chance to be spun successfully as shell layer. On the other hand, if the core layer contains drugs, the outer shell layer can act as a barrier to give a slow and sustained drug release. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the coaxial nanofibers can be improved by choosing a material with good strength as the core layer. Therefore, in the application of tissue engineering, natural materials with good biocompatibility can be used as shell layer material to wrap the core material with low biocompatibility but good mechanical strength, thus generating biocompatible coaxial nanofibers that also possess suitable strength.

Electrospinning is a commonly used technology to obtain polymer nanofibers with diameters in the range of several nanometers to micrometers.

During the electrospinning process electrostatic repulsion is used to overcome the surface tension of a solution droplet at the needle tip, thus stretching the droplet to form a jet, which dries while flying toward a collector, to produce nanofibers.

This membrane is suitable for use in tissue engineering, drug release and separation process.

Coaxial electrospinning is a modified electrospinning method which uses a blunt-tip coaxial needle to extrude core and shell solutions without mixing during electrospinning, thus producing nanofibers with a core/shell structure.


In the present study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan were selected as major core and shell materials, respectively. PVA is a water-soluble polymer that can be used as an excipient for drug delivery. PVA is also a material easy to be electrospun and thus can be used as core material for coaxial electrospinning [11, 12] . Chitosan is a natural basic polysaccharide composed of glucosamine and N-acetyl glucosamine [13] . It has been used in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and other biomedical applications because it is biocompatible, biodegradable and an-timicrobial. Chitosan is soluble in acidic solution but the chitosan solution becomes highly viscous when its concentration goes high, making the preparation of chitosan nanofibers by electrospinning quite problematic. To overcome this difficulty, chitosan has to dissolve in high concentration of acetic acid or organic solvents such as trifluotoacetic acid (TFA) and hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) [14] [15] [16] . However, TFA and HFIP are highly corrosive and expensive. To prevent the use of TFA and HFIP, we employed our newly developed method (i.e., the addition of gum arabic) to prepare a solution with a high chitosan content but a much lower viscosity, thus making the electrospinning process feasible [17, 18] . Gum arabic is a branched biopolymer. In our previous research, we found that gum arabic can interact with chitosan to form globe-like microstructures and thus remarkably decrease the viscosity of the resulting chitosan solution [19] .

PVA is also a material easy to be electrospun and thus can be used as core material for coaxial electrospinning.

Chitosan is a natural basic polysaccharide composed of glucosamine and N-acetyl glucosamine.

To overcome this difficulty, chitosan has to dissolve in high concentration of acetic acid or organic solvents such as trifluotoacetic acid (TFA) and hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP).

To prevent the use of TFA and HFIP, we employed our newly developed method (i.e., the addition of gum arabic) to prepare a solution with a high chitosan content but a much lower viscosity, thus making the electrospinning process feasible.

Gum arabic is a branched biopolymer.

In our previous research, we found that gum arabic can interact with chitosan to form globe-like microstructures and thus remarkably decrease the viscosity of the resulting chitosan solution.


For the occurrence of aquatic invertebrates, physicochemical variables of the water or structural variables of the water body are generally considered to be important. In recent years, however, the role of landscape features has gained in importance (Bis et al., 2000; Palmer et al., 2000; Mykrä et al., 2004; Bonada et al., 2005; Heino et al., 2008; Cortes et al., 2011; Aschonitis et al., 2016) . This is aided by the development of GIS, which make it possible to fairly easily obtain an increasing amount of comparable information on landscape features at large scales (Galbraith et al., 2008; Heino et al., 2008; Johnson and Host, 2010; Ligeiro et al., 2013; Kusch, 2015) .

In recent years, however, the role of landscape features has gained in importance.

This is aided by the development of GIS, which make it possible to fairly easily obtain an increasing amount of comparable information on landscape features at large scales.


The boiling crisis, called also the "Departure from Nucleate Boiling" (DNB), is a transition from nucleate to film boiling. It is highly important for industrial applications of high heat flux boiling because of the rapid heat transfer decline at the moment of transition. A severe damage of the heater can result because of its overheating. DNB occurs at a threshold value of the heat flux, the Critical Heat Flux (CHF). Because of its importance, a large number of the CHF studies is being published each year since the first model suggested by Zuber [1] . While Zuber's CHF expression describes relatively well a number of experimental CHF data, the underlying physical model (vapor stems) does not correspond to most modern observations of DNB. Multiple semi-empirical correlations were proposed since that. However, the validity range for each corresponds basically to the range where the empirical constants were fitted. The predictive power of such correlations remains thus very limited.

Because of its importance, a large number of the CHF studies is being published each year since the first model suggested by Zuber.


Recently, a "green" method without an organic solvent, that is, a mechanochemical process, was used to prepare nanosized explosive particles, such as nano-HMX, RDX, and CL-20 [11] [12] [13] . Herein, a planetary ball mill was used to grind HNS into nanosized explosive particles. The morphology, particle size, crystal type, impact sensitivity, thermal decomposition properties, and short duration shock initiation energy of nano-HNS particles are investigated and analyzed.

Recently, a "green" method without an organic solvent, that is, a mechanochemical process, was used to prepare nanosized explosive particles, such as nano-HMX, RDX, and CL-20.


The rheology behavior of the slurry is essentially to be controlled in many industrial processes such as transportation of slurries, dewatering and wet grinding [2] . A number of theoretical and empirical equations have been developed to predict the viscosity of concentrated suspensions [3, 4] . Each equation has achieved some agreement between prediction and measurement, but with limits to factors such as solids concentration and powder characteristics, in a variety of suspension systems.

The rheology behavior of the slurry is essentially to be controlled in many industrial processes such as transportation of slurries, dewatering and wet grinding.

A number of theoretical and empirical equations have been developed to predict the viscosity of concentrated suspensions.


The steel industries require limestone as a fluxing agent in huge quantity, both in the blast furnace and steel melting shop. Commercial hydraulic transportation of limestone from the mine site to the steel industries can be an economically viable technology. Therefore, it is essential to formulate highly dispersed homogeneous slurry of ground limestone powder in water medium for hydraulic transportation through pipelines. The slurry rheology is required to be studied for evaluating the various hydraulic parameters such as optimum transport concentration, design velocity, pumping power, specific power consumption etc [1] .

The slurry rheology is required to be studied for evaluating the various hydraulic parameters such as optimum transport concentration, design velocity, pumping power, specific power consumption etc.


Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new disease caused by a novel strain of coronavirus. It causes flulike symptoms in the victim, which may subsequently develop into clinical pneumonia. Its acute effects and features have been characterized and reported [1] [2] [3] [4] . Little is known about its longer-term physical and psychological sequelae. From our experience, fatigue, breathlessness despite lack of lung signs, and poor concentration have been common complaints among recovered victims. The cause, nature, and duration of these complaints remain unclear.

Its acute effects and features have been characterized and reported.


The general concept that aggressive tumours with elevated baseline proliferative activity have a poor outcome in spite of the treatment administered is not supported by our findings. We also failed to demonstrate that long-term surviving patients after immunotherapy treatment only had tumours with low baseline proliferative activity, as has been reported in metastatic melanoma (Vlaykova et al, 1999) . In other words, the fate of a patient with mRCC prior to IL-2-and IFN-a-based immunotherapy cannot be determined by measuring baseline Ki-67 (MIB-1) LI.

We also failed to demonstrate that long-term surviving patients after immunotherapy treatment only had tumours with low baseline proliferative activity, as has been reported in metastatic melanoma.


Different processing techniques are being applied to tailor the shape of the scaffolds for temporary or permanent cell supports in tissue engineering (TE) applications [1] [2] . The versatility of these scaffolds is associated with variables such as composition, size and shape, degree of porosity and pore size, that can be modeled to obtain an optimized system for specific cells and/or tissues [3] . These natural or synthetic functional scaffolds are used for culturing cells in order to generate tissues that can be later implanted in the human body [2] .

Different processing techniques are being applied to tailor the shape of the scaffolds for temporary or permanent cell supports in tissue engineering (TE) applications.

The versatility of these scaffolds is associated with variables such as composition, size and shape, degree of porosity and pore size, that can be modeled to obtain an optimized system for specific cells and/or tissues.

These natural or synthetic functional scaffolds are used for culturing cells in order to generate tissues that can be later implanted in the human body.


The nature of sound source localization lies in the ability to decode the directionally-specific acoustic features imparted on a sound wave as it travels to the listener's two ears and interacts with their head, shoulders, and pinna (Blauert, 1997) . The measurement of an individual's head-related transfer function (HRTF) provides a way to capture and harness these natural acoustic features so that directionality may be provided virtually to any sound source as part of a spatial auditory display (Wightman and Kistler, 1989a,b) . While the technology behind HRTFs has been around for several decades, most work has focused on understanding HRTF spectral features; less is known or understood about the importance of spatial variation in the HRTFs.

The nature of sound source localization lies in the ability to decode the directionally-specific acoustic features imparted on a sound wave as it travels to the listener's two ears and interacts with their head, shoulders, and pinna.


In this work we present several technological modifications of the active LED region and subsequent comprehensive analysis of it by means of various optical techniques. To reduce dislocation density, strain relaxation management was realized by inserting thick InGaN layers with gradually increasing In content as well growing the smooth quantum well/barrier interfaces (instead of abrupt change of In content). Therefore, a SEI structure with gradual increase of In density was grown on the n-GaN template layer before the growth of a QW structure. Secondly, shaping of the spatial profile of the wells is supposed to improve shape-dependent overlap of electron-hole wave functions and enhance the radiative emission efficiency [12, 13] . For evaluation of the LED active region quality, the structural and optical properties of the grown heterostructures were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) data, PL spectra at low continuous wave (CW) injections as well as at higher photoexcitations by using picosecond and femtosecond pulses, also investigating carrier dynamics. For the latter goal, carrier recombination pathways in the structures were investigated by applying various timeresolved techniques: photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), differential transmission (DT), and light-induced transient gratings (LITG). These techniques allowed us to investigate PL spectra and spectral distribution of the carrier recombination rate, discriminate growthdependent contribution of SEI or QW to the entire PL spectrum, verify the higher quantum efficiency in nonrectangular quantum wells, and evaluate the electronic quality of the entire heterostructure at conditions similar to device performance.

Secondly, shaping of the spatial profile of the wells is supposed to improve shape-dependent overlap of electron-hole wave functions and enhance the radiative emission efficiency.


A decrease in bonding effectiveness is usually supposed to be determined by hydrolysis of interface components (resin and/or collagen). Water can infiltrate in the resin matrix and reduce the mechanical properties of the polymer chains, in a process known as plasticization [23, 24] . Furthermore, some interface components such as uncured monomers or break-down products can be eluted and can weaken the bond [25] .

Water can infiltrate in the resin matrix and reduce the mechanical properties of the polymer chains, in a process known as plasticization.

Furthermore, some interface components such as uncured monomers or break-down products can be eluted and can weaken the bond.


The push-out force increases with increased thickness of dentin disk [15] . The optimal thickness of dentin disk is still controversial, with values ranging from 4 to 1 mm [13, [15] [16] [17] . In the present study 1 mm disks were used, since the use of thicker disks seems to increase the area of friction and may lead to an overestimation of the bond strength.

The push-out force increases with increased thickness of dentin disk.

The optimal thickness of dentin disk is still controversial, with values ranging from 4 to 1 mm.


The increase in pH observed during cooling may be related to the percentage of viable spermatozoa during storage. Lower storage temperature decreases metabolic rate, slows chemical reactions and reduces bacterial growth, extending the life of fertile spermatozoa [26] . In one research with stallion sperm, pH was not a significant source of variation in motility and live sperm percentage over different cooling periods [6] . In our study, samples with higher motility had lower pH. This was attributed to metabolism reduction induced by cooling. The low pH may be related to the production of hydrogen ions and lactic acid from sperm metabolism. Of our knowledge we support that there are similarities with queries related to Equus ferus caballus.

Lower storage temperature decreases metabolic rate, slows chemical reactions and reduces bacterial growth, extending the life of fertile spermatozoa.

In one research with stallion sperm, pH was not a significant source of variation in motility and live sperm percentage over different cooling periods.


Solvothermal route has emerged as a powerful method for the preparation of high quality nanomaterials with special optical and structural properties. The elevated temperature during the reactions enhances the ligand solubility and the reactivity of the reactants. This method offers ideal means for modulating the physical properties of nanoparticles through the control of the formation and growth of the synthesized nanoparticles [9] [10] [11] [12] . The controlled growth of nanocrystals in solution is carried out in the presence of a capping molecule, which passivates the "bare" surface atoms with protecting groups. The capping or passivating of particles protects the particle from its surrounding environment and provides electronic stabilization to the surface [13] . However, the choice of the capping molecules is important in the synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles. It is important that the bonding between the capping molecules and the precursors is neither too weak nor too strong. Particle growth is fast and bigger crystallites are formed when the bonding between capping molecule and nanocrystal is too weak. On the other hand, if the binding is too strong, the growth of the nanoparticles is hindered. During the nanoparticle formation, the rate at which the capping molecules attach and deattach to the surface influences the growth rate and, therefore, the final size of the particles. Thus, the properties of the capping group could be used to influence size of the nanoparticles through the dynamics of attaching and deattaching. Synthesis conditions such as temperature, the concentration of the reactants, and the capping molecule are also significant [14] . In order to control the growth, it is necessary to change the surface energies indirectly by adjusting the types and ratios of organic surfactants.

This method offers ideal means for modulating the physical properties of nanoparticles through the control of the formation and growth of the synthesized nanoparticles.

The capping or passivating of particles protects the particle from its surrounding environment and provides electronic stabilization to the surface.

Synthesis conditions such as temperature, the concentration of the reactants, and the capping molecule are also significant.


One of the recent trends in nanomaterials research is the control of particle shape, by manipulating the precursor concentration, temperature of reaction, and capping environment, which are factors that affect the morphology and size of the nanoparticles. The shapes of semiconductor nanocrystals have significant effect on their electronic, magnetic, catalytic, and electrical properties [5, 6] . For example, rod-or wire-shaped semiconductor nanocrystals possess clearly different optical properties in comparison to their dot-shaped analogues [7] . Cadmium sulphide is one of the materials of considerable interest in shape control due to its wide variation in 1D morphology with changes in reaction conditions during synthesis [8] .

The shapes of semiconductor nanocrystals have significant effect on their electronic, magnetic, catalytic, and electrical properties.

For example, rod-or wire-shaped semiconductor nanocrystals possess clearly different optical properties in comparison to their dot-shaped analogues.

Cadmium sulphide is one of the materials of considerable interest in shape control due to its wide variation in 1D morphology with changes in reaction conditions during synthesis.


The same problem is present in other non-European languages. Absorption of other scientific terminologies into another language is not alien to science. For example, the Arabic word alkuhl was changed to alcohol, alqali to alkali (Katamba, 2005) . Students who are educated in English language face little problem in understanding the scientific and technological terms, while those who have no English language background, using the scientific and technology terms which have been changed to Malay language will surely face some problems in understanding the terms. Therefore, it is easier to use the original English terms in science which supports the reason for using English language in Science and Mathematics.

For example, the Arabic word alkuhl was changed to alcohol, alqali to alkali.


One of the reasons which was raised was regarding the sources of scientific knowledge which are mainly available in English. This is worsened by the fact that researchers from local universities and research institution are often encouraged to publish in English to gain international recognition. A lot of references such as books, journals, newsletters and millions of web pages are available in English. This has made the government realize that English is indispensable for transferring scientific knowledge especially in engineering and medical fields (Tong, 2014) .

This has made the government realize that English is indispensable for transferring scientific knowledge especially in engineering and medical fields.


English was introduced for the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in Malaysian government school in 2003 (Cheng et al., 2007) . The decision to switch from Malay to English as the medium of instruction in the teaching and learning of science and mathematics was made by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir Muhammad, who announced a RM 5 billion allocation to implement the teaching of Science and Mathematics from year 2003 to year 2008 (Lumumba, 2004) . The implementation of English for the teaching of Science was supported by the urban elites, but majority of the people were against it (Benson & Kosonen, 2013) .

English was introduced for the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in Malaysian government school in 2003.

The decision to switch from Malay to English as the medium of instruction in the teaching and learning of science and mathematics was made by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir Muhammad, who announced a RM 5 billion allocation to implement the teaching of Science and Mathematics from year 2003 to year 2008.

The implementation of English for the teaching of Science was supported by the urban elites, but majority of the people were against it.


The implementation of English for the teaching of Science and Mathematics in Malaysian schools was supported by some and opposed by others. Substantial majority of teachers from all language groups did not agree with English as the language of instruction and 95% of the total samples of teachers in a study were "very unhappy" and "unhappy" when they were asked what they felt about the language of instruction for Science and Mathematics in English (Marcinkowski, 2012) . However the environment for learning and the teaching English in the Malaysian schools and the higher education institutions was not conducive for communication English, and hence the students were unable to communicate in English well (Baldauf et al., 2013) .

Substantial majority of teachers from all language groups did not agree with English as the language of instruction and 95% of the total samples of teachers in a study were "very unhappy" and "unhappy" when they were asked what they felt about the language of instruction for Science and Mathematics in English.

However the environment for learning and the teaching English in the Malaysian schools and the higher education institutions was not conducive for communication English, and hence the students were unable to communicate in English well.


The majority of the people who opposed the teaching of Science and Mathematics have their own arguments against it. For example, one of the arguments of those who opposed the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics using English reiterated that it was a blow to the sanctity of the Malay language (Wee, 2010) . Supporters of the new policy of teaching and learning Science and Mathematics using English raised the importance of English as an international language, and there was growing pressure everywhere to use international languages for scientific subjects (Spolsky, 2009) . Although the issue of teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics had died down when the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics was switched back to the Malay language, the study was informed about the people's perception of the policy. Although there are already many studies on the issue, this study specifically touches on the perception of the people in general and is not focused only on the teachers or students.

For example, one of the arguments of those who opposed the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics using English reiterated that it was a blow to the sanctity of the Malay language.

Supporters of the new policy of teaching and learning Science and Mathematics using English raised the importance of English as an international language, and there was growing pressure everywhere to use international languages for scientific subjects.


In this papar, we present a fast SimMC assessment method which borrows the mean error idea from MESH (Aspert et al., 2002) . However, different from MESH aiming to measure global similarity, in order to measure partial similarity, our method employs distance-weighted strategy to express different importance of different parts in assessed objects. Our method is as fast as MESH which is one of the fastest global similarity assessment methods. Our method therefore is faster than exsiting partial similarity assessment methods to some extent.

In this papar, we present a fast SimMC assessment method which borrows the mean error idea from MESH.


Measuring SimMC is becoming more and more important, as a result of easier and easier acquisition of point clouds due to the blooming of laser scanning techniques. A point cloud usually contains a large number of points. Point cloud is intrinsically incomplete and unstructured. SimMC is a special kind of partial similarity. The problem of partial similarity assessment is challenging and not being well solved (Sipiran et al., 2014) .

The problem of partial similarity assessment is challenging and not being well solved.


Mitigation of climate change requires a comprehensive understanding of anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG) including carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. A systematic framework to evaluate both direct and indirect environmental impacts of goods and services through the supply chain is very helpful for business partners and policy makers. Environmental input-output analysis (EIOA) is one of useful instruments for this purpose [1] . Embodied CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts from the total requirements of any production can be estimated by a single-region IO model or multi-region IO models [2] [3] [4] . Proper allocation of embodied CO2 emissions in industrial sectors to reveal hidden impacts through the supply chain can be compared to process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) or utilized in hybrid IO analysis [5, 6] .

Environmental input-output analysis (EIOA) is one of useful instruments for this purpose.

Embodied CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts from the total requirements of any production can be estimated by a single-region IO model or multi-region IO models.

Proper allocation of embodied CO2 emissions in industrial sectors to reveal hidden impacts through the supply chain can be compared to process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) or utilized in hybrid IO analysis.


A significant practical advantage of the LBR equations over other sound-proof approximations is that they can be solved without ever having to explicitly calculate the pressure perturbation p 1 , provided that perturbations to the heat flux are calculated from the gradient of s 1 rather than T 1 (Lantz 1992; Braginsky & Roberts 1995) . In previous derivations of the LBR equations, this approximation has been justified by appealing to "turbulent diffusion" of entropy. However, setting α = 0 implies a direct relation between T 1 and s 1 in equation (3.12). So in our version of the anelastic system there is no need to approximate the heat flux; instead we have an approximate equation of state (3.12) whose form is dictated by the energy principle (3.1).

A significant practical advantage of the LBR equations over other sound-proof approximations is that they can be solved without ever having to explicitly calculate the pressure perturbation p 1 , provided that perturbations to the heat flux are calculated from the gradient of s 1 rather than T 1.


HortResearch and ENZA International have commenced development and implementation of an Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) programme for pipfruit to meet the requirements of the European export market (Batchelor et al. 1997) . This programme requires that priority is given to biological control of pests and that pesticide use is based on pest monitoring procedures and treatment thresholds. The insecticide upon which the IFP programme has so far been based is tebufenozide, a selective insect growth regulator. Tebufenozide provides excellent control of leafroller and codling moth (Cydia pomonella) but does not control homopteran pests at the level provided by traditional organophosphate insecticide programmes (Walker et al. 1991) .

HortResearch and ENZA International have commenced development and implementation of an Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) programme for pipfruit to meet the requirements of the European export market.

Tebufenozide provides excellent control of leafroller and codling moth (Cydia pomonella) but does not control homopteran pests at the level provided by traditional organophosphate insecticide programmes.