To further study the polar code in high-speed CO-OFDM system, for the first time, this paper comprehensively investigates the behavior of polar code under nonlinear and linear impairments. It is well known that for the high-speed transmission operating at 40 Gb/s and above, the major nonlinear penalties are from intra-channel nonlinearities rather than inter-channel nonlinearities [19] . Thus the performance of single-channel 40-Gb/s polar-coded CO-OFDM system is evaluated with higher order modulation format and inadequate DSP under three different dispersion maps, since the dispersion compensation plays an important role in the nonlinear mitigation [10] . Results show that the performance of polar code is slightly affected by nonlinear impairments but still performs strong robustness. Aided by polar code, in nonlinear domain of single-channel 40-Gb/s CO-OFDM at 320-km of transmission, the optimal fiber launch power is increased by 4 dB and a maximum code gain (in Q-factor) of 5.9 dB is achieved under symmetric dispersion compensation. The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Section 2 describes the system setup and parameter setting, also, theoretically analyzes the effect of nonlinearities on polar code. Section 3 first presents the simulation results of the performance of polar coding under nonlinear and linear impairments in three dispersion map schemes, and then verifies them by experiment. Conclusions are given in Section 4.

It is well known that for the high-speed transmission operating at 40 Gb/s and above, the major nonlinear penalties are from intra-channel nonlinearities rather than inter-channel nonlinearities.

Thus the performance of single-channel 40-Gb/s polar-coded CO-OFDM system is evaluated with higher order modulation format and inadequate DSP under three different dispersion maps, since the dispersion compensation plays an important role in the nonlinear mitigation.

Conclusions are given in Section 4.


Since there is no general solution to segment grey level images, a suitable answer to this problem is to combine statistical and spatial image segmentation techniques to take advantage of both methods (Schulter et al., 2010) . The proposed methodology in this paper is based on a combination of statistical and spatial methods using mainly watershed algorithm, bi-level segmentation, morphological operations and region growing techniques (Pratt, 2007; Dougherty, 1992; Henk, 1998; Soille, 1999) . The main output is a binary image (black and white) where pixels are classified as pore spaces or grains. It is then possible to compute some statistics related to the distribution of pore spaces surfaces and their aspect ratio. In addition, pore spaces of carbonates rock in general have complex shapes. Thus, heterogeneity quantification can be an interesting characteristic to compute over the several magnifications SEM acquisitions.

Since there is no general solution to segment grey level images, a suitable answer to this problem is to combine statistical and spatial image segmentation techniques to take advantage of both methods.

The proposed methodology in this paper is based on a combination of statistical and spatial methods using mainly watershed algorithm, bi-level segmentation, morphological operations and region growing techniques.


In 2011, borrowing the biologic lifecycle theory, the Lifecycle-based swarm optimization (LSO) algorithm was proposed for the first time [24] . Then, 7 unimodal unconstrained optimization test functions and constrained optimization test functions as well as engineering problems that include vehicle routing problem (VRP) and vehicle routing problem with Time Windows (VRPTW) were adopted to test LSO algorithm performance [24] [25] [26] . The above experiments demonstrate that LSO is a competitive and effective approach. In order to evaluate the LSO performance accurately, this paper uses 23 unconstrained benchmark functions to study the effectiveness and stability of LSO.

In 2011, borrowing the biologic lifecycle theory, the Lifecycle-based swarm optimization (LSO) algorithm was proposed for the first time.

Then, 7 unimodal unconstrained optimization test functions and constrained optimization test functions as well as engineering problems that include vehicle routing problem (VRP) and vehicle routing problem with Time Windows (VRPTW) were adopted to test LSO algorithm performance.


The developed decision support framework is built on life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. LCA quantifies the environmental impact and production cost of providing one product or service by explaining the impact spanning across its life cycle stages [12] . This is often termed cradle-to-grave, a scope covering raw material acquisition, production, transportation, consumer use, and end-of-life disposal [13] . This system-wide view provides a holistic analysis to avoid any hasty decisions due to the ignorance of burden shift from one life cycle stage to the other. For instance, farmer-based innovation is often limited to the on-farm production stage because other stages are intangible to farmers. Constraints might alter the decision when determining the environmental friendliness of the activity. In the case of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, if the emissions of feed manufacturing remain unexplained, then farmers may be encouraged to apply excess amounts of feed to increase shrimp farming productivity. Technically, harvesting more shrimp means lower emissions for each unit of shrimp production, but increasing emissions in the feed manufacturing stage will cancel that effect. In fact, farming activity, as a whole, contributes significantly to global warming potential (GWP), as estimated by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) [14] .

LCA quantifies the environmental impact and production cost of providing one product or service by explaining the impact spanning across its life cycle stages.

This is often termed cradle-to-grave, a scope covering raw material acquisition, production, transportation, consumer use, and end-of-life disposal.

In fact, farming activity, as a whole, contributes significantly to global warming potential (GWP), as estimated by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).


Conventional experimental approaches that require rigorous examination are ineffective for the following reasons: (1) actual ground conditions are difficult to simulate in the laboratory; (2) real-time monitoring of the shrimp growth effect in turbid water is difficult; (3) general conclusions cannot be drawn from a one-pond experiment as each pond is environmentally and ecologically unique; (4) small-scale household farmers cannot afford to risk the entire farming cycle for an experiment due to the limited number of ponds and options for alternative income. This research proposes a decision support framework that systematically utilizes farmer experiential knowledge when scientifically sound knowledge is insufficient. Experiential knowledge includes explicit, implicit, and tacit knowledge [11] . Implicit knowledge is hard to articulate compared to explicit knowledge, and tacit knowledge cannot be articulated. Tacit knowledge is context-specific, experience-based, often used intuitively and unconsciously, and constitutes a keen sense of skills that is challenging to replicate [3] . Unlike formal knowledge, the value of experiential knowledge is often neglected and is rarely extracted to scientific research due to its subjectivity [3] . In shrimp farming, farmers acquire an implicit ability to predict shrimp growth through observing the shapes of small sample shrimps, the number of seagulls surrounding a shrimp pond, the color and turbidity of the water, and by relying on farming experiences. Engaging farmers in research can provide invaluable insights for evaluating uncertainties in modeling the prospective change in practices. In this research, experiential knowledge is utilized in estimating shrimp yield in response to bacteria input frequency, in co-designing scenarios for feed input revision (i.e., reducing total amount, replacing animal-based protein with plant-based), and in estimating likely shrimp yield.

Experiential knowledge includes explicit, implicit, and tacit knowledge.

Tacit knowledge is context-specific, experience-based, often used intuitively and unconsciously, and constitutes a keen sense of skills that is challenging to replicate.

Unlike formal knowledge, the value of experiential knowledge is often neglected and is rarely extracted to scientific research due to its subjectivity.


This research aims at exploring farmer-based innovation using a case of shrimp farming. Generally, innovative methods for improving shrimp farming productivity are uncertain due to the complex mechanisms in biological growth and ecology [6, 7] . Rong-Hong Yan, a Taiwanese shrimp farmer, has innovated a unique ecological method (or innovation) that improves pond ecology by regularly applying specific types of heterotrophic bacteria, i.e., Bacillus spp., with a revised feeding strategy ( Figure 1 ). In the shrimp pond, the bacteria are able to grow to a significant number by feeding on existing nutrients and shrimp metabolic waste. The bacteria reduce shrimp disease outbreaks by interfering with the virus activity, the main cause of unstable shrimp production [8] [9] [10] . Furthermore, the bacteria can reduce feed demand by serving as an alternative organic food source. The innovation has proved effective according to the farmer's trial and error. In other words, no direct scientific knowledge to quantify the effects of the method has been applied. Moreover, the earthen pond exhibits specific micro-ecology, soil carbon, pH, and other environmental characteristics. These variations imply that the optimum practice of feeding and the bacteria application cannot be standardized as an across-the-board measure. Despite the uncertainty, the farmer must decide the amount of feed and bacteria application each time based on experiential knowledge in the hope of achieving a better investment return and a lower GWP. Therefore, we are seeking a reusable decision support framework to strategize how often the bacteria should be applied and how much feed input can be revised.

Generally, innovative methods for improving shrimp farming productivity are uncertain due to the complex mechanisms in biological growth and ecology.

The bacteria reduce shrimp disease outbreaks by interfering with the virus activity, the main cause of unstable shrimp production.


The analysis has clarified that, under the three standards, a social dwelling prototype located in the region of the Bio-Bio will reach it best operation under three complex cases (cases [14] [15] [16] . Regarding construction, this would mean having low U values for the roof, walls and floors, but not necessarily for openings. The most important feature, present in the three of them, is having an adapted ventilation scheme on a yearly and a 24 h basis, and reduced airtightness; additionally, thermal mass could be an asset, but its effect would not be so notable, except for when the ASHRAE standard is used. These conclusions pose an interesting debate about the real effectiveness of a constant increase in U standards in mild climates. In this case, it has been proven that, despite high U values being beneficial, an improved ventilation scheme is much more effective when trying to reduce dependence on HVAC systems.

The analysis has clarified that, under the three standards, a social dwelling prototype located in the region of the Bio-Bio will reach it best operation under three complex cases (cases.


Energy consumption of buildings is associated with multiple factors, with the user's thermal indoor comfort demands standing out. An unsuitable internal temperature can mean either users are uncomfortable or that energy consumption increases. Thus, the building's sustainability level (i.e., minimal energy consumption) can be greatly impacted by this parameter if it is not suitable [11] . The adaptive comfort models are based on the natural tendency of individuals to adapt their thermoregulation, clothing, metabolic rate and psychological conditions to the changing conditions transfer between their countries and Chile. Selecting the best strategies will allow the provision of affordable comfort using a limited amount of energy, thus positioning Chile on the path of sustainable development.

Thus, the building's sustainability level (i.e., minimal energy consumption) can be greatly impacted by this parameter if it is not suitable.


Mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) has decreased dramatically in Sweden and other Western countries during recent decades [1] . Researchers in regions including Europe, the United States, and New Zealand have used the previously validated IMPACT mortality model to investigate these trends in many countries in Europe and elsewhere [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . Briefly, the model provides an estimate of the effect of changes in risk factors (e.g., smoking, total blood cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (SBP), physical inactivity, diabetes, body mass index [BMI] ) and medical treatments and interventions on past trends in CHD mortality under given scenarios. We can also use the IMPACT model to predict future trends in CHD mortality [8, 9] .

Mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) has decreased dramatically in Sweden and other Western countries during recent decades.

Researchers in regions including Europe, the United States, and New Zealand have used the previously validated IMPACT mortality model to investigate these trends in many countries in Europe and elsewhere.

We can also use the IMPACT model to predict future trends in CHD mortality.


Some clarification of our terminology is perhaps helpful before describing the results of our algorithm. Three distinct levels of structure will be explored here, topology, entanglement and geometry. The topology of a pattern is captured by its associated graph, without reference to possible tangles or specific forms of edges. Entanglement refers to the mutual threading and twisting of edges, and in practice the same topological structure, or graph, can be realized by distinct entanglements. We call distinct entanglements of the same topological structure isotopes [26] . The most detailed level of structural description is the specific geometric conformation, or embedding of the entangled graph in space, described for example by the spatial coordinates of edges and vertices of the structure in space.

We call distinct entanglements of the same topological structure isotopes.


The palatability of a plant can change, including in function of silvicultural practices, such as fertilization and pruning. Variations in conditions of light, nutrients and atmospheric conditions can alter the chemical composition of plants and their susceptibility to consumption by herbivores. The genus Eucalyptus includes over 700 species. The foliage of these trees is consumed by many insects and herbivorous mammals. The genetic basis for the variation in resistance to herbivore feeding of some eucalyptus varieties has been correlated with differences in the concentration of chemical defense compounds (such as compounds of 2,4,6 trihydroxybenzoic acid = CFP), condensed tannins and essential oils (O'Reilly-Wapstra et al. 2005) . Herbivores are selective in choosing the arboreal species they eat. In this study, we assessed the susceptibility of 10 eucalyptus species or clones to damage from cattle in a silvopastoral system.

The genetic basis for the variation in resistance to herbivore feeding of some eucalyptus varieties has been correlated with differences in the concentration of chemical defense compounds (such as compounds of 2,4,6 trihydroxybenzoic acid = CFP), condensed tannins and essential oils.


Individual household electricity load profiles exhibits high volatility. Especially compared to larger scale loads such as commercial buildings, substations or regional electricity loads, load variance and uncertainty is much greater at the household level. This is mainly caused by the unpredictability of occupancy behavior and relatively smaller base loads [5] . Therefore, it is a greater challenge to forecast electricity loads at individual household scale.

This is mainly caused by the unpredictability of occupancy behavior and relatively smaller base loads.


This study incorporates data from 14 households sourced from Solar Analytics Solar Smart Monitor data base. Households are located in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia and have at least one year worth of 5 min resolution data. ANN, support vector regression (SVR), and LS-SVR models, are used as they have previously shown promising results [6, 11] .

ANN, support vector regression (SVR), and LS-SVR models, are used as they have previously shown promising results.


Light UA UDS impact kinetic energy (Figure 8 ) is comparable to the light UA CFIT kinetic energy at impact with the cruising airspeed v C (Figure 3) . Considering that both scenarios are based upon the UA minimum airspeed i.e. the UA stall speed the discrepancy is due to the safety factor of 1.3 introduced in v impUDS (7) . If safety factor of v impUDS (7) is reduced (or even neglected), the lower limit of UDS equivalency region ( Figure 10) would rise due to the reduced UA impact kinetic energy of UDS (Figure 8) , resulting in increased set (11) of UA considered of being not equivalent to the manned aircraft. Accordingly, the MTOM of the light existing fixed wing UA considered equivalent to both microlight and very light aircraft (9) would increase (Figures 8 and 10) .

Considering that both scenarios are based upon the UA minimum airspeed i.e. the UA stall speed the discrepancy is due to the safety factor of 1.3 introduced in v impUDS.


The effects of religion on behavior such as tolerance are generally viewed as positive in various studies (Ting, 2011) . However, the picture is not always rosy, as in the case of Malaysia. Students in Malaysia are generally seen as ethnically segregated where their social relationships and communication are compartmentalized according to ethnic lines (Ahmad & Saibeh, 2011) . A 2000 survey by the Straits Times shows not much has changed. The survey found that not all respondents had friends from other ethnic background, as 21%, 10% and 7% of respondents of Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic background admitted that they do not have friends from other ethnics (Rahim, 2003) .

The effects of religion on behavior such as tolerance are generally viewed as positive in various studies.

Students in Malaysia are generally seen as ethnically segregated where their social relationships and communication are compartmentalized according to ethnic lines.

The survey found that not all respondents had friends from other ethnic background, as 21%, 10% and 7% of respondents of Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic background admitted that they do not have friends from other ethnics.


The aim of this paper is to develop an obstacle avoidance algorithm that compliant with COLREGs for the riverine ASV system. The ASV is expected to track along the centerline of the river with the ability of obstacles avoidance, as illustrated in Figure 1 . The riverbank lines are extracted with image processing approach and used to navigate the ASV by a balance control scheme to make it track along the centerline of the river, which were discussed in previous papers [9] [10] [11] . Dynamic obstacles avoidance is achieved by applying the method proposed by Ge and Cui [2] . Moreover, we modified Ge and Cui's method to integrate COLREGs into the path planner.

The riverbank lines are extracted with image processing approach and used to navigate the ASV by a balance control scheme to make it track along the centerline of the river, which were discussed in previous papers.

Dynamic obstacles avoidance is achieved by applying the method proposed by Ge and Cui.


Voltage sourced converter based high voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC), with the advantages of flexible control, power supply to the passive network, and high-quality output energy is widely applied in the fields of new energy grid connection, interconnection of asynchronous power grids, and long-distance electricity transmission with high capacity [1] [2] [3] . VSC includes two-level converter, three-level converter, and modular multilevel converter (MMC). MMC is a topology frequently used in the high-voltage large-capacity HVDC system, with the advantages of modular, extensible, and low losses and high-quality output waveform [4] [5] [6] .

Voltage sourced converter based high voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC), with the advantages of flexible control, power supply to the passive network, and high-quality output energy is widely applied in the fields of new energy grid connection, interconnection of asynchronous power grids, and long-distance electricity transmission with high capacity.

MMC is a topology frequently used in the high-voltage large-capacity HVDC system, with the advantages of modular, extensible, and low losses and high-quality output waveform.


Due to the quick rise of DC fault current and difficulty in arc extinguishing, the application of DC circuit breakers is still not mature [7] [8] [9] . As a mechanical switch, a DC circuit breaker moves slowly, which undergoes 2-3 cycles [10, 11] . And it is a too long time for switching devices of the converter to withstand high fault current impulse. Therefore, VSC-HVDC is mainly used on back-to-back occasions or occasions with underground cable, which limits the application and development of MMC-HVDC in long-distance power transmission and multi terminal direct current (MTDC).

Due to the quick rise of DC fault current and difficulty in arc extinguishing, the application of DC circuit breakers is still not mature.

As a mechanical switch, a DC circuit breaker moves slowly, which undergoes 2-3 cycles.


As part of the outcome from the 2013 NSF Workshop on Frontiers of Additive Manufacturing Research and Education, which was held July 11-12, 2013 in Arlington, VA, this paper summarizes AM's current state, future potential, gaps and needs, as well as recommendations for technology and research, university-industry collaboration and technology transfer, and education and training. The objective of the workshop was to provide a forum for sharing ideas and disseminating information about the frontiers of AM research, education, and technology transfer. The workshop participants discussed the current state-of-the-art and future potential of AM, analyzed the gaps between the future potential and the present reality, and identified what needs to be done in the areas of research, education, and technology transfer in order to close the gaps. The workshop was attended primarily by researchers and educators interested in engaging in AM research and education, industrialists interested in the transfer of AM technology through university-industry collaboration, and administrators and decision makers who support and facilitate these activities. Since the workshop was partially supported by the NSF, most statements are more relevant to the current situation in the US. Generally, AM includes a wide range of technologies that are capable of translating virtual solid model data into physical parts. The model data, usually in stereolithography (STL) format, is first decomposed into a series of 2D, finitely thick cross sections, which are then fed into an AM machine that adds up material layer by layer to fabricate the physical part. From a historical perspective, AM has roots in topography and photosculpture, which date back almost 150 years; both can be viewed as manual "cut and stack" approaches to building a freeform object in a layerwise fashion. One of the early approaches with similarities to AM processes, proposed by Ciraud in 1972, was essentially a powder deposition method using an energy beam [3] .

One of the early approaches with similarities to AM processes, proposed by Ciraud in 1972, was essentially a powder deposition method using an energy beam.


The 1990s have seen a new period of seismic activity in mainland China. From January 1997 to the end of 1998 a strong swarm of events was conspicuous in the region of Jiashi in Xinjiang province: in this two-year period, there were 8 events of magnitude M s ≥ 6.0, and 17 events with M s ≥ 5.0. This swarm around Jiashi is the strongest sequence of the six strongest events in mainland China in the twentieth century (Zhang et al., 1999) .

This swarm around Jiashi is the strongest sequence of the six strongest events in mainland China in the twentieth century.


The general idea of the ETAS model is that there are two main kinds of seismic activity, one being of background events, and the other part the aftershocks. Both kinds of activity may induce aftershocks. This is a point process model which makes full use of the theory and technology of point processes for its analysis, including maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters, the Akaike information criterion (AIC) for model selection, and a technique for identifying a quiescent period using residual analysis for point processes (Ogata, 1992) .

This is a point process model which makes full use of the theory and technology of point processes for its analysis, including maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters, the Akaike information criterion (AIC) for model selection, and a technique for identifying a quiescent period using residual analysis for point processes.


Thus, this study attempts to investigate the effect of eccentricity on settlement of shallow foundation rested on sandy soil. A series of small scale physical modeling was carried out to study settlement behavior. The applied loading on the settlement test was obtained from the ultimate bearing capacity of the sandy soil. The deformation was observed using a close range photogrammetry and Particle Image Velocimetry techniques [14] .

The deformation was observed using a close range photogrammetry and Particle Image Velocimetry techniques.


The function of a shallow foundation is to transmit load from the superstructure to the supporting soils. In some cases, the footing carry eccentric or moment load subjected from the eccentricity of vertical load from the column or by horizontal load acting at some distance above the foundation base. These loads may be permanent (retaining wall) or temporary (wind or seismic load). Many studies have been conducted to investigate the performance of a shallow foundation on sandy soils [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] .

Many studies have been conducted to investigate the performance of a shallow foundation on sandy soils.


Recently, there has been a tendency for the two aforementioned approaches to converge in the format of modularization, in which modules are individually designed, produced, and assembled with the efficiency of industrialization (Bertelsen 2005) . Modular construction has been used by the construction industry for years, but the potential benefits of modularization have not been realized because most modular producers have failed to take advantage of modern manufacturing technologies to improve their production process [Manufactured Housing Research Alliance (MHRA) 2005] . The manufactured housing industry seized the value of lean manufacturing on process improvement. Two major streams of research in this area were plant layouts optimization based on lean principles and lean implementation plan development using simulation (Senghore et al. 2004; Mehrotra et al. 2005; Jeong et al. 2006) . This paper describes a lean implementation initiative in a U.S.-based modular building company, Kullman Building Corporate (KBC). In collaboration with the University of Alberta, a modular production line that was relatively easy to control was selected as a lean pilot project, and a number of lean production techniques were tailored and implemented. The lean journey started with 5S and standardized work. This was followed by using the value stream mapping technique to analyze current practice, formulate a lean production model, and develop a kaizen plan. The implementation results were documented in detail to verify the effectiveness of the lean production model. Through the lean transformation of the production line, middle management was convinced that lean production was workable and could remarkably improve productivity and reduce waste. The success also led to the lean implementation in other parts of the factory and management's long-term commitment to a lean culture.

Recently, there has been a tendency for the two aforementioned approaches to converge in the format of modularization, in which modules are individually designed, produced, and assembled with the efficiency of industrialization.

Two major streams of research in this area were plant layouts optimization based on lean principles and lean implementation plan development using simulation.


This semi-crystalline polymer can be classified according its density and divided into four groups: high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and very low density polyethylene (VLDPE). In general, semi-crystalline polymers such as HDPE are regarded as a three-phase continuum composed of an amorphous phase, a crystalline phase, and an inter-phase. The crystalline skeleton is formed by mutually connected spherulites, each of them consist of a number of crystalline lamellae with an amorphous phase located in between the crystallites and lamellae [5, [20] [21] [22] .

The crystalline skeleton is formed by mutually connected spherulites, each of them consist of a number of crystalline lamellae with an amorphous phase located in between the crystallites and lamellae.


A schematic representation of the general mechanical behavior observed under uniaxial tensile deformation testing is shown in Fig. 3 . Here, there were found typical stress-strain patterns characteristic for the elastic region (I), elastic plastic transition region (II) and the stress plateau draw ratio region (III) in a similar fashion as in the case of calcium carbonate hollow spheres/HDPE composites [5] . However, in the case of HDPE/mica composites these exhibit typical stiff and brittle tensile deformation behavior, in contrary to the HDPE/wollastonite and neat HDPE samples which exhibited elasto-plastic mechanical behavior. It was found, that both fillers (wollastonite as well as mica) contribute to the increase of the Young´s modulus of elasticity E as shown in Fig. 4 . The modulus E was increased by about 129 % for HDPE/mica composites and increased by 67 % for the HDPE/wollastonite composites. In absolute values the original HDPE E was (703 ± 73) MPa.

Here, there were found typical stress-strain patterns characteristic for the elastic region (I), elastic plastic transition region (II) and the stress plateau draw ratio region (III) in a similar fashion as in the case of calcium carbonate hollow spheres/HDPE composites.


As mentioned above, due to the melt flow induced fillers spatial orientation in the injection molded testing articles, the fillers were oriented in the direction of their lowest hydrodynamic resistance. That is why, the steep increase of the first resonance frequency position for the 15 w. % HDPE/mica composites was ascribed to the effect of the proper pouring of the polymer macromolecular chains on the surface of the planar mica particles initiating stronger inter particle as well as particle polymer interactions, enhancing the so-called confinement effects [11] . This phenomenon was not found for the HDPE/wollastonite composites. We assume that the prism shape high aspect ratio filler particles act as the stiffness increasing component, however, due to its elongated shape large volumes of the HDPE polymer matrix remained intact. As clearly demonstrated in results presented in Fig. 8 this mechanical behavior was evident only at the zero inertial mass transfer damping function measurements, with increasing inertial mass these results were not so pronounced, due to the restricted macromolecular chains motion resulting in higher matrix stiffness. This fact was confirmed also by the uniaxial tensile testing E modulus dependencies shown in Fig. 4 . Here for the HDPE/mica composite the observed Young´s modulus filler concentration dependence increase was more intensive in comparison to HDPE/wollastonite composites. Results of the thermal analysis of the studied composites are shown in Table 1 and Fig. 9 . It was found that with increasing filler concentration the crystallinity of the HDPE in HDPE/mica composites increased from 59 % for virgin HDPE to 77 % for 15 w. % HDPE/mica composite, indicating a positive effect of the mica nano-sheets planar crystalline facets on HDPE crystallization in a similar fashion as in the case of other planar filler materials such as clay [6, 21] . The observed maximum thermal degradation rate of the HDPE/mica composites found was about 467 °C, which was in agreement with the earlier published data [46] . On the other hand, the crystallinity decreased from 62 % obtained for virgin HDPE to 56 % for the 15 w. % HDPE/wollastonite composites.

That is why, the steep increase of the first resonance frequency position for the 15 w. % HDPE/mica composites was ascribed to the effect of the proper pouring of the polymer macromolecular chains on the surface of the planar mica particles initiating stronger inter particle as well as particle polymer interactions, enhancing the so-called confinement effects.

It was found that with increasing filler concentration the crystallinity of the HDPE in HDPE/mica composites increased from 59 % for virgin HDPE to 77 % for 15 w. % HDPE/mica composite, indicating a positive effect of the mica nano-sheets planar crystalline facets on HDPE crystallization in a similar fashion as in the case of other planar filler materials such as clay.

The observed maximum thermal degradation rate of the HDPE/mica composites found was about 467 °C, which was in agreement with the earlier published data.


In Fig. 1 (Fig.   2F ), known as the deformation to shear yielding, were observed also for both the HDPE/mica (Fig. 2B) , as well as in part for HDPE/wollastonite composites (Fig. 2D ). There was a relatively weak adhesion between the filler and the matrix after stress load in both studied composites, characteristic with the occurrence of the small cavities around individual particles as observed after uniaxial tensile testing (Figs. 2B and 2D ). Furthermore, in contrary to HDPE/mica composites, there were found small crazes oriented perpendicularly to the applied mechanical deformation in the case of HDPE/wollastonite composites, indicating better polymer/filler adhesion in comparison to mica as highlighted in Figs. 2C and 2D by circles. It is known from the literature, that the orientation of the craze propagation is most clearly demonstrated in tensile tests on injection-molded bars, where crazes form readily in the interior of the bar. There, the polymer macromolecule orientation is low, and the crazes propagate outwards towards the surface, where the high orientation along the length of the bar brings them to a halt [41] . The alternative mechanism of deformation to shear yielding is craze formation, which is both a localized yielding process and the first stage of fracture.

There, the polymer macromolecule orientation is low, and the crazes propagate outwards towards the surface, where the high orientation along the length of the bar brings them to a halt.


While implicit acquisition techniques, in which new words are learned through reading and conversation, might be more palatable for the student, for beginners with little foundation from which to infer the meaning of new words from context, the process can be quite slow. Acquiring new words through reading is complicated with languages such as Chinese that have ideographic scripts, because learning to read can take years. Implicit vocabulary acquisition through conversation is fraught with a different set of problems. As one well-respected Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theorist notes, beginners are often quite hesitant to expose their inexperience to a native speaker [25] . Even in the absence of timidity, for many in the United States, opportunities to practice speaking a foreign language outside of the classroom are rare.

As one well-respected Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theorist notes, beginners are often quite hesitant to expose their inexperience to a native speaker.


There exists an interesting gap between traditional robotics and cognitive robotics, or robot motion and human perception [1] . More specifically, that is the intelligent connection of numeric data used in conventional robotics and symbols in high-level cognitive functions. The reason is twofold. On the one hand, research in robotics has traditionally emphasized low-level sensing and control tasks including sensor processing, path planning and control; on the other hand, research in cognitive robotics is concerned with endowing robots and software agents with higher level cognitive functions that enable them to reason, act and perceive in changing, incompletely known, and unpredictable environments. This gap is one of crucial issues for interdisciplinary research in intelligent robotics among engineering community, robotics community and AI community. It emphasises the goal of robotics research that ''robotics is the intelligent connection of perception to action'' [2, 3] .

There exists an interesting gap between traditional robotics and cognitive robotics, or robot motion and human perception.

The reason is twofold.

It emphasises the goal of robotics research that ''robotics is the intelligent connection of perception to action''.


Carrying capacity of high speed railway is an important index to evaluate the utilization efficiency of high speed railway infrastructure. In practice, carrying capacity of high speed railway is affected by various factors, including internal factors, like infrastructure and timetables, and external factors, like uncertainty of running time, stop time and interference between different levels of trains, and so forth [1] . Therefore, it is a complex and challenging work to calculate the carrying capacity of high speed railway and optimize the utilization efficiency of high speed railway infrastructure. Based on a large amount of literature, the method that calculates the carrying capacity of high speed railway can be divided into three types: analytical method, optimization method, and simulation method [2] .

In practice, carrying capacity of high speed railway is affected by various factors, including internal factors, like infrastructure and timetables, and external factors, like uncertainty of running time, stop time and interference between different levels of trains, and so forth.

Based on a large amount of literature, the method that calculates the carrying capacity of high speed railway can be divided into three types: analytical method, optimization method, and simulation method.


It is a multiobjective mixed integer programming problem that calculates the carrying capacity of high speed railway based on mathematical model method [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] . The model is complex and difficult to solve, and it is difficult to comprehensively consider the influence of various factors on the train operation. Computer simulation is a process that simulates the structure, function and behavior of the goal system, and thinking process and behavior of humans that participate in system control, and it is an important approach to study the operation behavior and to reveal the regular pattern of the system [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] . Compared with the traditional mathematical methods, computer simulation technology has the advantages of good repeatability, high adaptability, strong controllability, good economy, and so on, and it has become an effective method to calculate the carrying capacity of high speed railway.

It is a multiobjective mixed integer programming problem that calculates the carrying capacity of high speed railway based on mathematical model method.

Computer simulation is a process that simulates the structure, function and behavior of the goal system, and thinking process and behavior of humans that participate in system control, and it is an important approach to study the operation behavior and to reveal the regular pattern of the system.


On the other hand, the experimental data, which have been collected during the last sixty years, covers a wide Q 2 domain and are accurate enough to provide reasonable information about the nucleon electromagnetic structure [6] . Therefore one can try to represent the nucleon form-factors by the data itself without assuming any model constraints. In this article we follow this philosophy.

On the other hand, the experimental data, which have been collected during the last sixty years, covers a wide Q 2 domain and are accurate enough to provide reasonable information about the nucleon electromagnetic structure.


Searching for the proper parametrization, which describes the data well enough without losing the generality of the fit is just solving the problem, known in statistics as biasvariance trade-off [31, 32] . Usually the most reasonable solution is chosen with a use of common sense, i.e. the fit which leads to the low enough χ 2 min value is accepted, and more complex models are not considered. The task of this paper is to evaluate a model independent FF parametrizations, which will not be affected by the problems described above i.e. the common sense will be replaced by the objective Bayesian procedure.

Searching for the proper parametrization, which describes the data well enough without losing the generality of the fit is just solving the problem, known in statistics as biasvariance trade-off.


Recent developments in soccer ball manufacturing technology have led to the possibility of radical changes in surface geometry and seam configurations. The two key physical interactions in soccer that can be significantly affected by ball design are the impact with the foot and flight through the air. The impact performance of a soccer ball is a stringent criterion for the testing and approval to "International Matchball Standard" by the governing body, FIFA [2] . All balls have to fall within certain limits for size, mass and sphericity as well as passing a standard bounce test.

The impact performance of a soccer ball is a stringent criterion for the testing and approval to "International Matchball Standard" by the governing body, FIFA.


The fundamental aerodynamic phenomena relating specifically to spinning soccer balls have not been studied previously in great detail. This is mainly because they are difficult to mount and fit in wind tunnels and because the combination of topspin and sidespin, which is frequently applied to them, produces swerving and dipping trajectories that are difficult to measure accurately. Recent wind tunnel experiments and CFD studies have revealed some interesting phenomena relating to the unsteady flight of soccer balls launched with low or zero spin [3, 4] . It was found that such trajectories could swerve significantly several times in the air due to the asymmetry of the seam patterns. Although these studies provide useful information, wind tunnel testing is always limited by the fact that the ball has to be held firmly in place to avoid vibrations being set up, usually by a rear-mounted sting, which will affect the aerodynamics. Spinning a ball in a wind tunnel raises further challenges in terms of reducing effects on the air flow. CFD studies, by their very nature, require simplifications and assumptions to be made which limit the usefulness of the findings for real-world applications.

Recent wind tunnel experiments and CFD studies have revealed some interesting phenomena relating to the unsteady flight of soccer balls launched with low or zero spin.


The aims of an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programme in the early postoperative (inpatient) period after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) are to restore the physical functional capacity of the patient and establish appropriate levels of physical activity after hospital discharge [1] . The American College of Sports Medicine has published guidelines for exercise prescription in the early postoperative period after CABG [1] . These guidelines make recommendations on the intensity, duration, frequency and pertinently, mode of exercise.

The aims of an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programme in the early postoperative (inpatient) period after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) are to restore the physical functional capacity of the patient and establish appropriate levels of physical activity after hospital discharge.

The American College of Sports Medicine has published guidelines for exercise prescription in the early postoperative period after CABG.


The required regime shift in urban stormwater can be facilitated through an experimental process. Successful experimentation is imperative in transforming the existing regime structure towards sustainability [17] . However, in describing the experimental framework, it is important to propound the metric of success [22] . Success metrics for green infrastructure experiments must be rooted in the motivation for the project. The experimental motivations inform the evaluation and operation stage and determine best management practices within the PFC. Sustainability by itself is not a valid motivation for urban experimentation; sustainability is so commonly utilized that it is no longer an authentic character [96] . Therefore, our results suggest future green infrastructure experiments embed themselves within the sociotechnical system and define their stakeholders and motivations to develop a manageable transition framework for urban stormwater sustainability.

Successful experimentation is imperative in transforming the existing regime structure towards sustainability.

However, in describing the experimental framework, it is important to propound the metric of success.

Sustainability by itself is not a valid motivation for urban experimentation; sustainability is so commonly utilized that it is no longer an authentic character.


In turn, the decisions of one Member State in how it treats electricity security will affect the extent to which its neighbours may be reliant on it for imports at key times of system stress. This leads to a situation where the Single Market may not yet be trusted by all Member States to provide mutual electricity security, leading to the implementation of national Capacity Mechanisms, which in turn reduces the effectiveness of the Single Market in ensuring security. This maps back to the central idea of the security dilemma whereby a State's means of self-help -trying to escape from the dilemma by accumulating more and more local powergenerates a cycle of power competition (Tang, 2009) .

This maps back to the central idea of the security dilemma whereby a State's means of self-help -trying to escape from the dilemma by accumulating more and more local powergenerates a cycle of power competition.


It is believed that, for the solid core microsphere microresonators, the melting shrinkage effect will occur when the electronic arc is discharged, which will contribute to form the solid core microsphere microresonator with good smoothness and uniformity [19] . While for hollow core microbubble microresonator, when the filling pressure is relatively too high, the radius of microbubble will expand (that is, the expansion state), but when the filling pressure is relatively too low, the shrinkage effect could occur (that is, the contraction state). Supposing the discharge and filling pressure is controlled at a reasonable state, a transitional critical state between expansion state and contraction state exists. Under the condition of critical-state pressure-assisted arc discharge by repeatedly regulating and controlling the parameters of discharge intensity, filled air pressure value, microbubble position and others, the microbubble film layer can be gradually thinned, and at the same time, the advantages of the traditional solid microsphere cavity are smooth, uniform and symmetry could be retained.

It is believed that, for the solid core microsphere microresonators, the melting shrinkage effect will occur when the electronic arc is discharged, which will contribute to form the solid core microsphere microresonator with good smoothness and uniformity.


On the contrary, the fabrication method of single-ended microbubble was far from ideal [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] . In 2011, Amy Watkins presented a single-input whispering gallery optical microbubble resonator by heating the tapered tip of a pressurized glass capillary using a CO 2 laser. However, due to its imperfect symmetry, the optical whispering gallery modes with Q factors were only of 10 5 [14] . Rico Henze demonstrated another single-ended microbubble for whispering gallery mode (WGM). By changing the inner aerostatic pressure, an absolute resonance shifts of hundreds of GHz corresponding to tuning pressure ranges has been observed. But the extra-thick end face makes it unsuitable for tip FP sensing [15] . It should be noted that the upper two papers were published in 2011. Their shortcoming is that the bubble surface, especially the end surface, is thicker, uneven, not smooth, and asymmetric. To the best of our knowledge, no other reports that are similar to upper single-ended microbubble have been published from 2012 to 2017. We think the reason is that there is no mature method for fabricating such single-ended hollow core microbubble.

On the contrary, the fabrication method of single-ended microbubble was far from ideal.

However, due to its imperfect symmetry, the optical whispering gallery modes with Q factors were only of 10 5.

But the extra-thick end face makes it unsuitable for tip FP sensing.


Microbubble could be very useful in many optical fiber sensing applications [1] . For example, a high sensitivity pressure sensor based on the Fabry-Perot (FP) interference could be realized by using hollow microbubble structure [2] . Such structure could be used for the blood oxygen degree measurement. Meanwhile, the thin ring structure that makes the bubble could be applied for highly sensitive pressure measurement [3] .

Microbubble could be very useful in many optical fiber sensing applications.

For example, a high sensitivity pressure sensor based on the Fabry-Perot (FP) interference could be realized by using hollow microbubble structure.

Meanwhile, the thin ring structure that makes the bubble could be applied for highly sensitive pressure measurement.


Our decision for using Self-estimated number of repetitions as an approach to estimating the TZ was made because strength-training professionals have habitually used this strategy in their practice. Primarily on the first day of training, it is usual for professionals to ask their clients or beginner athletes to perform some repetitions; afterwards they are asked about how many repetitions they believe they would be capable of until VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 3 | 2017 | 603 failure. Such empirical comprehension makes sense because maximum number of repetitions are associated with perceived effort. Indeed, as mentioned before, there is a linear or quadratic relationship between intensity and perception of effort (Suminski et al., 1997; Tiggemann et al., 2010) . Furthermore, it has been shown that is possible to feel the effort during the first repetitions (Pincivero et al., 2003) .

Indeed, as mentioned before, there is a linear or quadratic relationship between intensity and perception of effort.

Furthermore, it has been shown that is possible to feel the effort during the first repetitions.


A simple and low cost scheme to cancel the MAI is to adopt spectral amplitude coding (SAC) to OCDMA [2, 3] . Additional to its MAI cancelation feature, SAC OCDMA deploys low cost broadband incoherent sources such as light emitting diodes (LED) and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). The broadband nature of these sources makes them a natural choice for SAC OCDMA operation [4] - [14] . However, the major impairment of such sources is intensity noise (IN) or phase induced intensity noise (PIIN) [15] . Intensity noise is the result of the square law photodetection of incoherent sources. A major characteristic of this noise is its signal dependency, which increases with the signal strength creating an upper limit in the performance.

A simple and low cost scheme to cancel the MAI is to adopt spectral amplitude coding (SAC) to OCDMA.

The broadband nature of these sources makes them a natural choice for SAC OCDMA operation.

However, the major impairment of such sources is intensity noise (IN) or phase induced intensity noise (PIIN).


To overcome the performance limitations endured by incoherent sources and increase the capacity of SAC OCDMA systems, researchers investigated the use of coherent sources as an alternative to the incoherent counterparts [16] - [20] . Ayotte and Rusch performed an intensive study of the use of coherent sources to increase the capacity of SAC OCDMA [17] . They showed that coherent sources suffer from beat noise, which is the result of laser signals beating together. They investigated three different laser source configurations and found that the use a well controlled multi laser source will outperform any other source configuration, for a highly populated network.

To overcome the performance limitations endured by incoherent sources and increase the capacity of SAC OCDMA systems, researchers investigated the use of coherent sources as an alternative to the incoherent counterparts.

Ayotte and Rusch performed an intensive study of the use of coherent sources to increase the capacity of SAC OCDMA.


OCDMA is a multi access scheme that is based on assigning a unique code signature to each user. By sending/receiving these unique signatures, simultaneous access between users can be achieved. The major impairment of OCDMA systems is that they suffer from multi access interference (MAI) which increases with the increase in the number of active users [1] . Different OCDMA techniques mitigate the MAI using different approaches.

The major impairment of OCDMA systems is that they suffer from multi access interference (MAI) which increases with the increase in the number of active users.


Dynamic compensation problems may also be studied within the DAP framework, but their linear sub-problem depends on dynamic polynomial combinants which have much richer properties and they have been studied recently [Karcanias and Galanis (2010)] . Amongst the open issues in the area of dynamic frequency assignment problems, is defining the least complexity compensator (this is frequently defined by the McMillan degree), for which we may have solvability of the arbitrary spectrum assignment of the corresponding DAP. This is referred to as the minimal design problem of DAP. The linear part of DAP is expressed as spectrum assignability of dynamic polynomial combinants, and thus the study of the minimal design for this problem may enable the derivation of lower bounds for the solution of the original minimal design problem defined on DAP.

Dynamic compensation problems may also be studied within the DAP framework, but their linear sub-problem depends on dynamic polynomial combinants which have much richer properties and they have been studied recently.


So for making effective and sustained decisions in strategic planning in an uncertain environment, knowing the current condition of environment and forecasting the future trends of environmental factors is necessary and critical. The environment can be regarded as a number of different compartments and processes that interact in a complex system. The assessment of the environmental consequences of an event is therefore complicated by the variety of influencing factors (Andersson, Stjernstrom & Fangmark, 2005) . But because of rapid environmental changes, intensified competitiveness and uncertainty of environmental factors, making or formulating strategies based on traditional methods is become very difficult and in some cases impossible.

The assessment of the environmental consequences of an event is therefore complicated by the variety of influencing factors.


Antennas arrays have been commercially deployed in recent years in a range of applications such as mobile telephony, in order to provide directivity of coverage and increase system capacity. To achieve this, the gain and phase relationship between the elements of the antenna array must be known. Imbalances in these relationships can arise from thermal effects, antenna mutual coupling, component aging, and finite manufacturing tolerance [1] . To overcome these issues, calibration is required [2, 3] . Traditionally, calibration would have been undertaken at the manufacturer, address static effects arising from the manufacturing tolerances. However, imbalances due to dynamic effects require continual or dynamic calibration.

Imbalances in these relationships can arise from thermal effects, antenna mutual coupling, component aging, and finite manufacturing tolerance.

To overcome these issues, calibration is required.


The association of anti-EPCR autoantibodies with AMI has been demonstrated for the first time in this study. We provide evidence that IgA anti-EPCR autoantibodies are independently associated with a first AMI in young women. This population of patients was chosen because autoimmune disorders are more frequently found in women than in men and because the prevalence of the classical risk factors is lower in this group [15] .

This population of patients was chosen because autoimmune disorders are more frequently found in women than in men and because the prevalence of the classical risk factors is lower in this group.


In summary, it is clear that a broad variety of approaches can be brought to bear on the problem of STPV. Overall, an end-to-end perspective is critical to addressing the substantial remaining gap between theoretical predictions and experimental performance in STPV systems. It is clearly crucial to simultaneously design the selective thermal absorber based on the solar concentration and operating temperature available; the selective emitter based on the operating temperature and emitter band gap; and the PV absorber based on the filter and PV band gaps and operating temperature. Some of the highest-performing selective absorbers include cermets, which should be capable of up to 86% under 100 suns and 1000 K in a multilayer W/alumina cermet structure [45] . The best TPV system observed to date can give up to 23% efficiency around 1050 ∘ C, with potential for up to 50% conversion at reasonable temperatures [28] . In short, the potential space of operation is fairly large, which opens up the field to a range of approaches. Nonetheless, it is critical for those designing particular components to understand the interaction with the entirety of the system and the operating conditions to make significant progress toward higher efficiencies. Given the performance already achieved for the individual components to date, it seems clear that STPV efficiencies well over 10% should be achievable in the near term.

Some of the highest-performing selective absorbers include cermets, which should be capable of up to 86% under 100 suns and 1000 K in a multilayer W/alumina cermet structure.

The best TPV system observed to date can give up to 23% efficiency around 1050 ∘ C, with potential for up to 50% conversion at reasonable temperatures.


Developing integrated STPV systems to achieve even a fraction of the projected performance required significant advances in fabrication and characterization. A particularly key development was the adoption of a high-performance, low-band gap PV cell, made from Zndiffused gallium antimonide (GaSb) in the late 1980s and early 1990s [19, 20] . Another key development in 1994 allowed STPV systems to reach sustained temperatures up to 1350 ∘ C [21] . Reliable operation for hundreds of hours over 1200 ∘ C, with up to 29% conversion of selected thermal emission to electricity was achieved shortly thereafter [22] . Within a decade, it was shown that the key underlying process of heat-to-electricity conversion could exceed 23% efficiency in experiment [23] .

A particularly key development was the adoption of a high-performance, low-band gap PV cell, made from Zndiffused gallium antimonide (GaSb) in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Another key development in 1994 allowed STPV systems to reach sustained temperatures up to 1350 ∘ C.

Reliable operation for hundreds of hours over 1200 ∘ C, with up to 29% conversion of selected thermal emission to electricity was achieved shortly thereafter.

Within a decade, it was shown that the key underlying process of heat-to-electricity conversion could exceed 23% efficiency in experiment.


Cepstral normalization might be combined also with other temporal domain speech processing that are different from cochlear implant-like speech processing. It might also be useful to compare the WER reduction gain, achieved by combining cepstral normalization and cochlear implant-like speech processing, with that achieved with the combination of cepstral normalization and other temporal domain processing, for instance the speech enhancement using linear prediction residual [22] , etc. Moreover, combining cepstral normalization and cochlear implant-like speech processing might be beneficial in real situations where there is overlapping speech, e.g. in meeting speech recognition with a microphone array [23] .

It might also be useful to compare the WER reduction gain, achieved by combining cepstral normalization and cochlear implant-like speech processing, with that achieved with the combination of cepstral normalization and other temporal domain processing, for instance the speech enhancement using linear prediction residual, etc.

Moreover, combining cepstral normalization and cochlear implant-like speech processing might be beneficial in real situations where there is overlapping speech, e.g. in meeting speech recognition with a microphone array.


In order to reduce the PCDD/F emissions from incinerators, some additives, such as powder activated carbon, (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , urea, sulfur and calcium oxide (CaO) can be used. Adding (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 to fuel (3%) can reduce PCDD/F emissions by 90% (Pandelova et al., 2005) . The addition of urea resulted in the reduction of PCDD/F concentration by as much as 74% (Ruokojärvi et al., 2001) . Sulfur is a very strong inhibitor of PCDD formation; it converts into SO 2 and reduces Cl 2 to HCl (Gullett et al., 1992) .

Adding (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 to fuel (3%) can reduce PCDD/F emissions by 90%.

The addition of urea resulted in the reduction of PCDD/F concentration by as much as 74%.

Sulfur is a very strong inhibitor of PCDD formation; it converts into SO 2 and reduces Cl 2 to HCl.


Land use/cover change has widespread impacts on many fields, including city planning, economics, agriculture, land surface temperature, and climate change [1] [2] [3] . With the acceleration of the urbanization process and industrialization, urban structures have significantly transformed and this phenomenon has attracted the attention of the government and the public, especially in developing countries [4, 5] . By using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) methods, many land use/cover models have been established and developed on complicated and developed urban environments, fully presenting the dynamics and problems of land use/cover changes [6] . To discover the system and development of urban spatial structures, scenario-based simulations have been widely applied [7] [8] [9] . Predicting future land use/cover changes under extensive scenarios is significant for urban planners to better grasp the trend of urbanization.

Land use/cover change has widespread impacts on many fields, including city planning, economics, agriculture, land surface temperature, and climate change.

With the acceleration of the urbanization process and industrialization, urban structures have significantly transformed and this phenomenon has attracted the attention of the government and the public, especially in developing countries.

By using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) methods, many land use/cover models have been established and developed on complicated and developed urban environments, fully presenting the dynamics and problems of land use/cover changes.

To discover the system and development of urban spatial structures, scenario-based simulations have been widely applied.


Tourism is often perceived and staged as a pleasure undertaking. This characterization applies especially to leisure travel, which is voluntary recreation based on discretionary income and time. Therefore, tourism literature has generally assumed a rational tourist behavior where risk, often viewed as the antithesis of pleasure, is to be avoided (Williams and Baláž 2015) . Nevertheless, corporeal travel requires people to move from a familiar physical and social space to an unfamiliar milieu, which implies inevitable uncertainty and risk to tourists' well-being.

Therefore, tourism literature has generally assumed a rational tourist behavior where risk, often viewed as the antithesis of pleasure, is to be avoided.


Castor seed plant (Ricinus communis L.) is the source of castor oil, a nonedible oil that has a wide variety of uses in the chemical industry [1] . This plant belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and grows in different regions of the world. But the origin of the plant is believed to be in eastern Africa, the Abyssinia region [2, 3] . Now the plant is well distributed in tropical and warm temperate regions throughout the world. It grows wildly over a wide range of geographical regions and different climatic conditions [4] .

Castor seed plant (Ricinus communis L.) is the source of castor oil, a nonedible oil that has a wide variety of uses in the chemical industry.

But the origin of the plant is believed to be in eastern Africa, the Abyssinia region.

It grows wildly over a wide range of geographical regions and different climatic conditions.


The world castor seed production is increasing throughout the years, the major producers being India, China, and Brazil. India is the leading producer accounting for 75% of the total production, followed by China (12.5%) and Brazil (5.5%) [8] . The major importers of castor oil are the USA, European countries, Russia, Japan and China [9] .

India is the leading producer accounting for 75% of the total production, followed by China (12.5%) and Brazil (5.5%).

The major importers of castor oil are the USA, European countries, Russia, Japan and China.


Given the range of resolvable scales at convectionallowing resolution, the growth and interaction of perturbations on different scales is of particular interest. Multiscale evolution of convection-allowing forecast perturbations have been studied on even fewer cases than predictability in general (Zhang et al. 2003 (Zhang et al. , 2006 Walser et al. 2004; Luo and Zhang 2011) . The present study focuses on evaluating the characteristics and evolution of forecast perturbations by decomposing them into multiple scales using a Harr wavelets analysis method.

Multiscale evolution of convection-allowing forecast perturbations have been studied on even fewer cases than predictability in general.


Alternatively, the matK gene in the chloroplast genome is highly feasible for use in plant identification and classification. Even though the mutation rate of the plastid genome is slow relative to that of nuclear genomes, the matK gene is one of the most rapidly evolving coding regions in the plastid genome (Hilu and Liang, 1997) . Thus, the intra-and interspecific variation of the matK gene sequence is now being increasingly investigated for species identification and phylogeny. Moreover, analyses of sequences of both nuclear DNA and cpDNA could strongly support each other in plant identification, classification, and evolutionary studies (Chaw et al., 2005; Ren et al., 2010; van den Berg et al., 2005; Xiang et al., 2011) .

Even though the mutation rate of the plastid genome is slow relative to that of nuclear genomes, the matK gene is one of the most rapidly evolving coding regions in the plastid genome.

Moreover, analyses of sequences of both nuclear DNA and cpDNA could strongly support each other in plant identification, classification, and evolutionary studies.


Foam concretes have been used for many years for lightweight, thermally resistant façades due to their low weight and good thermal properties. The most common method of producing foam concrete is the addition of aluminum powder, which reacts with calcium hydroxide in the cement paste to produce hydrogen bubbles resulting in a random pore structure throughout the cement matrix [2] [3] [4] . This random pore structure leads to an exponential decrease in strength and stiffness with increasing porosity, which is the main drawback of the use of foam concretes [5, 6] .

The most common method of producing foam concrete is the addition of aluminum powder, which reacts with calcium hydroxide in the cement paste to produce hydrogen bubbles resulting in a random pore structure throughout the cement matrix.

This random pore structure leads to an exponential decrease in strength and stiffness with increasing porosity, which is the main drawback of the use of foam concretes.


It is well known that cellular solids can deform in two ways: 1) bending or 2) stretching of the cell walls [7] . Poor mechanical performance of foam concretes is attributed to the stress flow in randomly distributed spherical pores. This type of microstructure is classified as bendingdominated. As shown in Figure 1 , stresses applied to the material cause flexure in the pore walls that leads to the development of tensile stresses, causing a drop in the overall strength of the foam since cement paste has poor tensile capacity compared to its compressive strength.

It is well known that cellular solids can deform in two ways: 1) bending or 2) stretching of the cell walls.


Angiosarcomas are ubiquitous and seldom arise from the large vessels or the heart. Contrary to soft tissue sarcomas, the most common primary sites include the skin and organs [1] . Because of their rarity, the outcome of angiosarcoma patients has not been clearly described, given the rarity of the disease. Their prognosis is generally considered poor, and their clinical behavior unpredictable [1] .

Contrary to soft tissue sarcomas, the most common primary sites include the skin and organs.

Their prognosis is generally considered poor, and their clinical behavior unpredictable.


Emotion oriented computing is intrinsically complex as it consists of multiple components that represent different aspects of emotions. These components are cognitive appraisal, action tendencies, motor expression, physiological symptoms and subjective feelings [1] [2] . All of these components need to be interdependent and concurrent in order to evoke the emotions [3] .

These components are cognitive appraisal, action tendencies, motor expression, physiological symptoms and subjective feelings.

All of these components need to be interdependent and concurrent in order to evoke the emotions.


Emotion recognition through facial expressions, speech recognition and gesture movements have been proposed over the last decade where satisfactory results have been reported for specific applications [4] . However, the performances for the approaches such as facial expression recognition system are relying on the performance capture [5] . Besides that, such behavioral modalities might be easily triggered by intentional control or human social masking. For example, anger can masked by the happy face of a person possessing high emotional quotient (EQ). Thus, to obtain a promise result in emotion recognition, an insight into human feelings has to be considered [6] . In affective computing, physiological signals have become a robust emotional channel to combat the artifacts created by human social masking [4] . This paper aims to study the methods used in recognizing emotion using physiological signals. The rest of the paper is structured as follows. Section II discusses the widely used emotional models, followed by an evaluation of the commonly utilized emotion recognition physiological measures in Section III. Section IV outlines the general framework for physiological signals-based emotion recognition systems. Finally, Section V concludes the paper.

Emotion recognition through facial expressions, speech recognition and gesture movements have been proposed over the last decade where satisfactory results have been reported for specific applications.

However, the performances for the approaches such as facial expression recognition system are relying on the performance capture.

Thus, to obtain a promise result in emotion recognition, an insight into human feelings has to be considered.

In affective computing, physiological signals have become a robust emotional channel to combat the artifacts created by human social masking.

Finally, Section V concludes the paper.


Emotion recognition from physiological signals still posses a number of challenges. Since physiological reactions are sensitive to motion artefacts, mapping the physiological patterns onto specific emotional states, especially in real-time, becomes increasingly difficult. Besides that, most of the current emotion recognition systems work with core emotions and smaller subsets of emotions such as depression, boredom and frustration. Fine-grained emotions such as hopelessness and hopefulness are rarely being studied as these emotions are hard to detect. Integrating other emotion recognition modalities such as face recognition, speech recognition or gesture recognition with physiological signals has shown promising results in recognizing emotional states [14] . However, there is a tradeoff between accuracy and computational time, which remains a worthy issues to be explored.

Integrating other emotion recognition modalities such as face recognition, speech recognition or gesture recognition with physiological signals has shown promising results in recognizing emotional states.


Several observational and clinical studies suggest that physical activity substantially reduces the risk of dying of coronary heart disease, stroke, and colon cancer [1] [2] [3] [4] . It also helps to control weight, contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints, reduces falls among older adults, helps to relieve the pain of arthritis, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression and is associated with fewer hospitalizations, physician visits, and medications [3] . Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion reports that more than one half of American adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits, while 25% of adults are not active at all in their leisure time [3] . Worldwide, the World Health Organization estimates that over 60% of adults are not active enough to benefit their health [4] . Moreover, physical activity declines significantly with age, it is generally higher among females, and the overall inactivity trend is worse in poor urban areas. In addition, there are racial and ethnic differences in physical activity rates, particularly among women.

Several observational and clinical studies suggest that physical activity substantially reduces the risk of dying of coronary heart disease, stroke, and colon cancer.

It also helps to control weight, contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints, reduces falls among older adults, helps to relieve the pain of arthritis, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression and is associated with fewer hospitalizations, physician visits, and medications.

Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion reports that more than one half of American adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits, while 25% of adults are not active at all in their leisure time.

Worldwide, the World Health Organization estimates that over 60% of adults are not active enough to benefit their health.


As technology advances, energy consumption and shortfalls of energy supply are inevitable. Moreover, the rise of environmental awareness has motivated the development of minimally polluting renewable energy sources, such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Thus, MFCs have been extensively studied in the last decade. MFCs utilize microorganisms as catalysts to decompose organic or inorganic matter and harvest electrical energy [1] .

MFCs utilize microorganisms as catalysts to decompose organic or inorganic matter and harvest electrical energy.


Traffic signal control is an effective method to regulate traffic flow and improve traffic safety, which can also effectively reduce the traffic congestion [1] . However, traffic signal control sometimes results in some delay of emergency vehicles. For example, considering a situation that a long queue of normal vehicles blocking the way during red light, emergency vehicles might not move easily though they are permitted to cross the intersection against a traffic signal. Moreover, due to some distractions such as road noise, audio systems, and hearing impairment, although the emergency vehicle can alert other drivers that it intends to cross the intersection by warning siren and flashing lights, other drivers will often not be aware of the warning information being emitted by the approaching emergency vehicles, thus resulting in a dangerous situation. In general, emergency vehicle delay and safety are main concerns at intersections; it is necessary to provide the emergency vehicles with preemption signal in traffic control.

Traffic signal control is an effective method to regulate traffic flow and improve traffic safety, which can also effectively reduce the traffic congestion.


The model is in the branched polymer phase for sufficiently large values of κ 2 and β. Within this phase the geometry of triangulations undergoes numerous instances of "pinching" in which the geometry collapses to a minimal neck and branches off into polymer-like baby universes [39] . This phase has a highly irregular geometry, exhibiting a fractal tree-like structure even on large scales. The Hausdorff dimension of a branched polymer is expected to be D H = 2, a result that is confirmed by our calculations, as illustrated in Fig. 7 . Figure 7 is a plot of the rescaled volume-volume correlator c N 4 (x) as a function of x in the branched polymer phase, for four different lattice volumes 8K, 4K, 2K, and 1K. Here c N 4 (x) is rescaled assuming D H = 2, and good agreement is found over the entire range of x values.

Within this phase the geometry of triangulations undergoes numerous instances of "pinching" in which the geometry collapses to a minimal neck and branches off into polymer-like baby universes.


Recently, a new AHLS activated by gunpowder was introduced, and it was verified that it could be operated at a vehicle speed of 60 km/h. In contrast, the conventional AHLS normally operates at less than 40 km/h. When the driving speed is 40 km/h, the time from the first collision to contact with the hood is about 60 ms [14] . It is generally known that the sensing time and processing time of an electronic control unit (ECU) are 30 ms, and the response time of the hood system is 30 ms [15] . But, when the driving speed is 60 km/h, the time to contact with the hood is 40 ms, and thus the necessary response time of the AHLS should be sharply decreased to 10 ms. However, in this system, the extremely careful treatment should be given to the increase of workable driving velocity of the system when the increase of critical damage is considered. In the worst case, the collision could occur before the operation because of the potential variation in the explosive of the gunpowder actuator, and hence the pedestrian may take damage that surpasses the impact of vehicle in 60 km/h. This is caused by the kinematic energy of the hood system. Therefore, the relationship between several workable driving velocities and the deploying time of the active hood system needs to be investigated. In particular, careful treatment should be given to the design of the latch part of the AHLS which is crucial for the safety of a child pedestrian. This is because the latch part located in the front part of the hood directly affects the response time of the AHLS which is a significant factor in mitigating serious injury to a child from the collision. Also, as mentioned earlier, it is very important to study the design parameters of the latch part to reduce the response time in relation to fatal pedestrian accidents because the AHLS can protect pedestrians at a broader range of vehicle speeds by reducing the response time. Today, there is a sharp increase in the number of fatal accidents when the driving speed increases [16, 17] . In addition, it should be noted that lifting the hood higher through a shorter time can provide some benefits by absorbing the impact energy of the pedestrian. In other words, a pedestrian is protected more safely from the hard structure beneath the hood when the hood is lifted higher through the response time reduction. Despite the significance of reducing the response time of the AHLS, the research reported on this issue is considerably rare.

When the driving speed is 40 km/h, the time from the first collision to contact with the hood is about 60 ms.

It is generally known that the sensing time and processing time of an electronic control unit (ECU) are 30 ms, and the response time of the hood system is 30 ms.

Today, there is a sharp increase in the number of fatal accidents when the driving speed increases.


Because of the increasing awareness of pedestrian safety and strengthening the related regulations, certain systems to reduce pedestrian injuries and prevent accidents have been greatly developing in vehicle systems [1] [2] [3] [4] . One of advanced systems to achieve this goal is to use an active hood lift system (AHLS) which lifts the hood of an automobile when the vehicle collides with the pedestrian [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . The main role of the AHLS is to absorb the shock that would normally be transmitted to the pedestrian, like an airbag for the driver. In other words, this system makes the available deformation space of the hood at internal room by raising the hood for protecting pedestrian from colliding with hard structures like the engine. In particular, this system greatly reduces an injury of the pedestrian's head, which causes the majority of fatalities [10, 11] . It has been reported that when the AHLS is applied in a head impact test, the head impact performance criterion (HPC), which represents the injury value of the head, can be reduced by a maximum of 90% [5, 12] . Furthermore, it has been mathematically assessed that the pedestrian lives of maximal 80% could be saved by the AHLS [13] . In the past, the conventional AHLS only raised the hinge part located at the rear of the hood. However, recently, the latch part located at the front of the hood has also been considered to be important to achieve better performance, especially for the child pedestrian that collides with front area of hood. In the operation of the AHLS, the most important factor to save the pedestrian is the developing time (response time) after the first collision. Because a sufficient operational speed has not yet been achieved, the operation cannot be completed before colliding with the pedestrian's head. Thus, a slow response time may cause a terrible impulse to the pedestrian due to the kinetic energy of the hood.

Because of the increasing awareness of pedestrian safety and strengthening the related regulations, certain systems to reduce pedestrian injuries and prevent accidents have been greatly developing in vehicle systems.

One of advanced systems to achieve this goal is to use an active hood lift system (AHLS) which lifts the hood of an automobile when the vehicle collides with the pedestrian.

In particular, this system greatly reduces an injury of the pedestrian's head, which causes the majority of fatalities.

It has been reported that when the AHLS is applied in a head impact test, the head impact performance criterion (HPC), which represents the injury value of the head, can be reduced by a maximum of 90%.

Furthermore, it has been mathematically assessed that the pedestrian lives of maximal 80% could be saved by the AHLS.


The use of phase change materials (PCM) is the object of increasing interest that has led to many applications in different contexts. Unlike traditional materials, PCM, owing to their solid-liquid phase change, allow the storage of a great quantity of latent energy at a constant temperature. For example, PCM are used in industrial plants for the storage of heating and cooling energy, in the airconditioning of buildings to reduce energy in transit through the walls both in the summer season and in the winter season. PCM are also used in electronic equipment to ensure correct functioning, and in containers used for the transportation of food, drinks and medicines to prevent their deterioration [1] . In many of these applications, the thermal regime can be considered, with a good approximation, as steady periodic.

PCM are also used in electronic equipment to ensure correct functioning, and in containers used for the transportation of food, drinks and medicines to prevent their deterioration.


Characteristics of quality have received increasing importance in popcorn breeding programs instead of agronomic characteristic. However, the plants are smaller, with fewer leaves, narrow leaf blade, less vigour and slower initial growth when compared to those of corn hybrids . Thus, the new popcorn cultivars show lower competitive ability when growing under interference of the weed, if compared to corn hybrids (Jakelaitis, Silva, Silva, Ferreira, & Vivian, 2005) .

Thus, the new popcorn cultivars show lower competitive ability when growing under interference of the weed, if compared to corn hybrids.


GY is one of the main characteristics to be sought in popcorn breeding programs. Comparing with control, IAC-125 and UENF-14 presented GY greater than BRS Angela, where the difference is related more directly by the adaptation to the region conditions and to genetic potential (Table 2) (Rangel, Amaral Júnior, Gonçalves, Freitas Júnior, & Candido, 2011) . The mesotrione caused a reduction of GY in BRS Angela, in IAC-125 and in UENF-14 of 110.5%, 133.24% and 54.50% respectively, on which UENF-14 reported lower reduction associated, probably, to genetic factors expressed in an attempt to minimize cellular damages (Table 2 ). The data highlight the damages caused to PSII, due to the inhibition of carotenoid synthesis, but the first 18 days of the plant growth (Fig. 1 ) are enough to reduce the GY.

Comparing with control, IAC-125 and UENF-14 presented GY greater than BRS Angela, where the difference is related more directly by the adaptation to the region conditions and to genetic potential (Table 2).


Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory and relapsing skin disease, which is always associated with food allergies and asthma [1] . Previous studies showed that industrialization and urbanization influence the rates of atopic disease [2, 3] . Recent studies revealed that the prevalence of AD decreases from in central and rural areas of Shanghai, China [4] . The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) showed that the incidence and prevalence of AD are on the increase all over the world, especially in the developing countries [5] . AD places a heavy economic burden on the society and is a source of huge financial costs to health systems [6] .

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory and relapsing skin disease, which is always associated with food allergies and asthma.

Previous studies showed that industrialization and urbanization influence the rates of atopic disease.

Recent studies revealed that the prevalence of AD decreases from in central and rural areas of Shanghai, China.

The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) showed that the incidence and prevalence of AD are on the increase all over the world, especially in the developing countries.

AD places a heavy economic burden on the society and is a source of huge financial costs to health systems.


Insulin is a peptide hormone with multiple physiological roles. Basically, it regulates blood glucose level and has an additional benefi cial role in wound healing. Many pathological changes would occur if insulin level deviated from its normal range [1] . Diabetes is a metabolic disease categorised into two types; Type I, an autoimmune pathologic process occurs in the pancreatic islets which aff ects negatively on insulin secretion. Type II, the cause is a combination of resistance to insulin action and a suboptimum compensatory insulin secretory response [2] .

Many pathological changes would occur if insulin level deviated from its normal range.

Type II, the cause is a combination of resistance to insulin action and a suboptimum compensatory insulin secretory response.


Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) has been widely used in nanotechnology applications because it is biocompatible, biodegradable, commercially available and commonly used in pharmaceutical formulations approved by the FDA. Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) might be added as a co-block polymer with PLGA or physically mixed during NP preparation. PEG could enhance drug encapsulation and modulate drug release profi le to get an initial burst with better sustained eff ect. Several encapsulation techniques have been used to encapsulate the bioactive drugs that can be divided into; chemically polymerisation process (emulsion, mini-emulsion and interfacial) and physically incorporation method (spray drying, multiple emulsion and solvent di ff usion). The optimum selection of the method would result in a proper particulate size and adequate drug encapsulation [3] . Double emulsion solvent evaporation technique (w/o/w) plays an important role in encapsulating hydrophilic drugs [5] . The watersoluble molecules were solubilised in the inner w 1 phase then the oily organic phase was added using a shear force resulting from homogenisation, and in some circumstances sonication might be used to protect highly sensitive peptide from the damage of its dimensional structure. The external aqueous medium containing a stabiliser was added using the same shear force to form the second emulsion (w/o/w). This method exhibits sustained drug release, minimum toxic eff ects and high encapsulation efficiency of the active agent. For this reason, proteins have been extensively encapsulated by w/o/w emulsion system. The physicochemical properties including the stability, globular size, surface charge and release properties of double emulsions can be highly controlled by several processing parameters (polymer concentration, surfactant concentration, ratio between internal and external aqueous medium and PEG concentration) that will be discussed in this study.

The optimum selection of the method would result in a proper particulate size and adequate drug encapsulation.

Double emulsion solvent evaporation technique (w/o/w) plays an important role in encapsulating hydrophilic drugs.


Previous studies evaluating surgical and obstetric services in Sierra Leone have demonstrated substantial deficiencies in capacity across a range of areas [8, 9] . It is highly unlikely that these deficiencies are limited solely to the fields of surgery and obstetrics but rather are transferable across the healthcare system. As such an evaluation of emergency care capacity in Sierra Leone is timely.

Previous studies evaluating surgical and obstetric services in Sierra Leone have demonstrated substantial deficiencies in capacity across a range of areas.


Every packet in an IP network must be delivered to some interface in the local network. Those whose destination IP addresses are external to the local network (as determined by the subnet mask) are delivered to the subnet gateway. Those packets destined for internal network are delivered directly. Whether the destination address is local or gateway, the IP address must be mapped onto a MAC address. ARP resolution performs a distributed lookup via a simple broadcast request followed by a unicast response. The querying host sends the request to the local broadcast address. According to the protocol, only a host assigned to the requested address should reply with its local hardware address. This reply, containing both the requested IP address and associated MAC address, is sent via unicast to the querying host. The host caches the association, which expires and is evicted at a later time per some local policy. Once evicted, the host repeats the request, cache, and eventual ejection. While the cache hold time for a response is undefined in the protocol specification, many implementations set the expiration to approximately 20 minutes, with the option of resetting the expiry timer after each use [10] .

While the cache hold time for a response is undefined in the protocol specification, many implementations set the expiration to approximately 20 minutes, with the option of resetting the expiry timer after each use.


We have implemented TARP on Linux, version 2.6. The source code is available for download at URL: [22] . Our implementation has two primary goals: to demonstrate that TARP indeed works and is compatible with ARP; and more importantly, to measure the overhead of TARP and compare it to the overhead of both ARP and S-ARP.

The source code is available for download at URL.


Cellulitis in liver cirrhosis is caused by numerous factors. Increased bacterial translocation from the gut due to altered intestinal immunity and bacterial overgrowth in cirrhotics produces Gram-negative bacteraemia, giving an opportunity for distant invasion by these microorganisms [3] . This is substantiated by the culture reports in these patients [6] [7] [8] . Moreover, low albumin levels are also a risk factor for skin infection [6, 11] . With advanced liver disease, poor liver function results in increased susceptibility to infection due to defective bactericidal function of immunoglobulin, decreased polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity, complement deficiency, and a reduced number of Kupffer cells [12] . Chronic oedema, congestion and barefoot walking are other risk factors for cellulitis in cirrhotics [6, 10] .

Increased bacterial translocation from the gut due to altered intestinal immunity and bacterial overgrowth in cirrhotics produces Gram-negative bacteraemia, giving an opportunity for distant invasion by these microorganisms.

This is substantiated by the culture reports in these patients.

Moreover, low albumin levels are also a risk factor for skin infection.

With advanced liver disease, poor liver function results in increased susceptibility to infection due to defective bactericidal function of immunoglobulin, decreased polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity, complement deficiency, and a reduced number of Kupffer cells.

Chronic oedema, congestion and barefoot walking are other risk factors for cellulitis in cirrhotics.


We have developed a framework for optimization of antenna arrays that can be used to address a number of interesting issues in array design. There are many considerations in the design of antenna arrays that we have not yet addressed. The issue of site constraints is one interesting concept that most ground based arrays will face. As array designs come to fruition, they must ultimately deal with the terrain upon which they will be built. Using site masks to eliminate areas where stations can be placed will put a new constraint upon the design. Conversely, removing size constraints, such as the maximum diameter discussed in Section 2.1, and optimizing may yield interesting results, e.g. increasing the Reuleaux triangle's size will increase its radius of curvature, increasing its longest baselines to compete with those of a circular configuration, while still performing trade offs between performance and cost. In another area, it is of course the case that different scientific goals require different uv distributions. Our ability to modify the nominal distribution of points in the uv plane will allow us to address a variety of scientific goals. There is also the issue of phased deployment of arrays (Takeuchi 2000) . Many arrays are not built all at once and then just turned on, rather they are phased into existence. A phased deployment may allow particular scientific questions to be addressed early and may lead to an array that is more extensible over time. However, this requirement would significantly affect array design. Array robustness is also an issue of larger arrays. Some stations may be more critical than others, and repair schedules may become difficult if many stations are disabled at once. Analysis of critical components and failure modes of the array can be useful in improving the efficiency of array configurations. Array optimization will continue to be an important tool in the planning and construction of future radio telescopes. The framework we have developed will allow issues, such as the ones described above, to be addressed in an objective way.

There is also the issue of phased deployment of arrays.


In 1982 Watatani noted that one can view O A as the C * -algebra of a finite directed graph G with no sinks and whose vertex adjacency matrix is A [18] . However, it was not until the late 1990's that analogues of these C * -algebras were considered for possibly infinite graphs which are allowed to contain sinks [9, 10] . Since that time there has been a flurry of activity in studying these graph algebras.

In 1982 Watatani noted that one can view O A as the C * -algebra of a finite directed graph G with no sinks and whose vertex adjacency matrix is A.

However, it was not until the late 1990's that analogues of these C * -algebras were considered for possibly infinite graphs which are allowed to contain sinks.