In this work, we investigated the combined usages of ethyl cellulose (EC) and polyethylene glycol 1000 (PEG) for adjusting the release rates of tamoxifen citrate (TAM), whose sustained-release profile is highly desired by the patients [20] . A traditional blending electrospinning and a modified coaxial electrospinning were utilized to prepare the binary and ternary 4th SDs, respectively. Their morphology, physical state, properties, and functional performances were compared in detail. EC and PEG are polymeric excipients frequently utilized in pharmaceutical industries. The former is an insoluble natural polymer with fine filament-forming property and often exploited for drug sustained-release. The latter is an soluble oligomer and also a surfactant, which has no electrospinnability [21] . TAM is a typical poorly watersoluble anticancer active ingredient that is commercially available in several orally administered forms and dosages.

In this work, we investigated the combined usages of ethyl cellulose (EC) and polyethylene glycol 1000 (PEG) for adjusting the release rates of tamoxifen citrate (TAM), whose sustained-release profile is highly desired by the patients.

The latter is an soluble oligomer and also a surfactant, which has no electrospinnability.


Traditionally, solid dispersion (SD) is a popular approach for enhancing the dissolution rates of insoluble drugs [1] . Numerous publications have reported the applications of soluble polymer excipients (such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinyl alcohol), gelatin, and some other natural products, e.g., water-soluble polysaccharide) as matrices for developing SDs using a wide variety of advanced methods [2, 3] . However, the concept of SD for enhancing the dissolution rates of insoluble drugs is moving forward fast to adjust drug controlled release profiles, and thus the 4th SD has drawn increasing attention today [4, 5] . Regardless of the generations of SD (1st to 4th), the double directions for the further developments are obvious. One is to reduce the final products to the nanoscale to make full use of the huge surface area, and the other is the combined usage of different types of drug carriers as matrices to highly disperse the drug molecules. As for the 4th SD, a drug distribution in the insoluble drug carrier on a molecular scale often means a designable drug sustained-release profile [6] .

Traditionally, solid dispersion (SD) is a popular approach for enhancing the dissolution rates of insoluble drugs.

Numerous publications have reported the applications of soluble polymer excipients (such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinyl alcohol), gelatin, and some other natural products, e.g., water-soluble polysaccharide) as matrices for developing SDs using a wide variety of advanced methods.

However, the concept of SD for enhancing the dissolution rates of insoluble drugs is moving forward fast to adjust drug controlled release profiles, and thus the 4th SD has drawn increasing attention today.

As for the 4th SD, a drug distribution in the insoluble drug carrier on a molecular scale often means a designable drug sustained-release profile.


From a standpoint of materials science and engineering, SDs (particularly those polymer-based SDs) are essentially medicated nanocomposites [6] . The combined usage of multiple excipients with different properties can often generate new promises for drug delivery. One example is the combination of water-soluble polymeric carrier with surfactant in the 3rd SDs, which forms a solid cock-tail of poorly water-soluble drug for fast disperse and therapeutic action [19] . This strategy can also be applied in developing new types of 4th SDs, which are SDs providing both solubility enhancement and extended release in a controlled manner of the loaded poorly water-soluble drugs [4] .

From a standpoint of materials science and engineering, SDs (particularly those polymer-based SDs) are essentially medicated nanocomposites.

One example is the combination of water-soluble polymeric carrier with surfactant in the 3rd SDs, which forms a solid cock-tail of poorly water-soluble drug for fast disperse and therapeutic action.

This strategy can also be applied in developing new types of 4th SDs, which are SDs providing both solubility enhancement and extended release in a controlled manner of the loaded poorly water-soluble drugs.


Despite decades of research effort, visual programming languages have not obtained a widespread industrial adoption. The majority of programmers write their programs using traditional, textual programming languages [1] . They use a standalone text editor or an integrated development environment (IDE) whose most important component is a textual source code editor. However, upon a closer look at these "plain text" editors, we can discover many visual features: from simple syntax highlighting, through underlining of the code violating code conventions, to information about last version control commits in the left margin. We call such visualizations source code augmentation.

The majority of programmers write their programs using traditional, textual programming languages.


Interaction strength was influenced strongly by the biomass abundance (NM) of both predators and prey. The strongest interactions in the food web occurred between prey and predators of high population biomass. Prey of high biomass-abundance were likely to contribute significantly to the diet of a given predator. On the other hand, predators with a high population biomass had the potential to deplete the biomass of their prey significantly. The distribution of biomass fluxes within Lough Hyne was positively skewed, with a prevalence of weak interactions and very few strong interactions. These results are in agreement with other studies that have empirically documented interaction strengths in natural and experimental food webs [12, [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] . Further, theoretical studies have demonstrated that a few strong interactions embedded within a network of many weak interactions can confer stability upon otherwise unstable, complex food webs [7, 8, [11] [12] [13] [14] 49] . This is because weak interactions help to dampen the potentially destabilising population oscillations caused by strong consumer-resource interactions [11] .

These results are in agreement with other studies that have empirically documented interaction strengths in natural and experimental food webs.

Further, theoretical studies have demonstrated that a few strong interactions embedded within a network of many weak interactions can confer stability upon otherwise unstable, complex food webs.

This is because weak interactions help to dampen the potentially destabilising population oscillations caused by strong consumer-resource interactions.


The integration of detailed information on trophic relations among species with measures of abundance and body mass of individuals provides a potentially powerful platform for understanding ecosystem organization [2, 25, 26] . Metabolism, which is ultimately determined by body mass and temperature, is a promising candidate for simplifying ecosystem complexity [21, 37] . Mechanistic-based theories, that build upon the first principles of metabolism and thermodynamics, and which use detailed empirical data, may provide us with a deeper understanding of the factors constraining food web architecture. To test such theories we should use the appropriate level of biological organization, and because metabolic theory is based at the individual level, predicted scalings of abundance or biomass with body size should use individual, not species-averaged data. Here we have shown how individual body mass constrains the flux of energy and the distribution of biomass within an ecosystem. Additionally, we have shown that body mass sets the boundaries of resource use at the species level, by partitioning and organising species' niches within a food web. Finally, through the integration of empirical data with metabolic theory we can estimate the distribution and patterning of biomass fluxes within the food web, which have important implications for its stability.

The integration of detailed information on trophic relations among species with measures of abundance and body mass of individuals provides a potentially powerful platform for understanding ecosystem organization.

Metabolism, which is ultimately determined by body mass and temperature, is a promising candidate for simplifying ecosystem complexity.


Unsurprisingly, failure detection and handling for distributed scientific applications has been the subject of significant effort, both from practitioners and from researchers [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] . However, most of these approaches do not aim to prevent faults, but to mitigate their impact. They also make strong assumptions about resource and application characteristics, so that resource management problems are rendered tractable. But the resulting solutions may perform poorly in practice when un-expected events (e.g., network glitches, external load, etc.) occur. Therefore, there is a lack of realistic solutions, which is the major cause for the discrepancy between proposed theoretical techniques and methods, and their practical application [13] .

Unsurprisingly, failure detection and handling for distributed scientific applications has been the subject of significant effort, both from practitioners and from researchers.

Therefore, there is a lack of realistic solutions, which is the major cause for the discrepancy between proposed theoretical techniques and methods, and their practical application.


Considering the results obtained in the pyrolysis of PVA composite with unmodified FA, we have recently proposed a plausible overall growth mechanism for CNT structure [12] . A building block mechanism was considered with a broken TEM image of CNT to define a hypothetical model [14] . We observed the deposition of different sizes building blocks nearby on the broken edge of the tube in TEM image by exposure of sonication and high intense of electron beam. The different sizes of the broken building blocks were inferred from the results of different degrees of polymerization of PVA, since each of the PVA chains forms a building block in CNT structure [14] . We believe CNTs from the pyrolysis of PVA composite film with modified FA also formed followed by similar mechanism.

Considering the results obtained in the pyrolysis of PVA composite with unmodified FA, we have recently proposed a plausible overall growth mechanism for CNT structure.

A building block mechanism was considered with a broken TEM image of CNT to define a hypothetical model.

The different sizes of the broken building blocks were inferred from the results of different degrees of polymerization of PVA, since each of the PVA chains forms a building block in CNT structure.


X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was conducted using an ESCALAB220i-XL to calculate the atomic carbon composition in the solid residue [10] . XPS spectrum of the material is shown in Figure 1 . The peaks at 285.1 eV and 532.2 eV were generated by photoelectrons emitted from the carbon 1 s and oxygen 1 s core levels, respectively [10] .

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was conducted using an ESCALAB220i-XL to calculate the atomic carbon composition in the solid residue.

The peaks at 285.1 eV and 532.2 eV were generated by photoelectrons emitted from the carbon 1 s and oxygen 1 s core levels, respectively.


The intensity ratio (IG/ID) of the G band and D band was treated to determine the degree of carbon graphitization in CNT configurations. The higher IG/ID ratio indicated a greater degree of wall graphitization, suggesting superior CNT quality. The IG/ID ratio of the CNT materials grown on FA surfaces was 3.43, higher than the 1.17 for MWCNTs yielded for iron-catalyst-coated FA by the CVD method [6] . The line width and intensity ratio of (IG/ID) varied depending on the structure of the carbons and the conditions used for analysis, e.g., laser power and energy [11] . The well-known phenomenon, Raman band intensities and widths, increased with the decrease of wavelength of exciting laser, whereas these lines were shifted to lower wave number regions with an increase of the exciting laser power [12, 13] .

The IG/ID ratio of the CNT materials grown on FA surfaces was 3.43, higher than the 1.17 for MWCNTs yielded for iron-catalyst-coated FA by the CVD method.

The line width and intensity ratio of (IG/ID) varied depending on the structure of the carbons and the conditions used for analysis, e.g., laser power and energy.

The well-known phenomenon, Raman band intensities and widths, increased with the decrease of wavelength of exciting laser, whereas these lines were shifted to lower wave number regions with an increase of the exciting laser power.


The strongest Raman G band line, the characteristic peak for well-graphitised CNT, appeared at 1598 cm -1 with relatively narrower FWHM, 71 cm -1 . Another peak at 1380 cm -1 with 112 cm -1 FWHM is the D-line band, indicating a typical sign for defective graphitic structures on CNT. The intensity of the D-line is lower than that of the G-line, evidence of the more ordered carbon structure in CNT. CNT materials consist mainly of crystalline graphitic carbons along with amorphous carbons. The intensity of isolated peaks was calculated and used to determine the characteristic features of the graphitic wall of CNT materials [6] .

The intensity of isolated peaks was calculated and used to determine the characteristic features of the graphitic wall of CNT materials.


Research on the recycling of FA as a filler and catalyst support has been moving towards a green technology for value-added products and composite materials. We have recently reported the dual functions of fly ash as filler and catalyst for the synthesis of CNT materials [9] . We report here a significantly more cost-effective pyrolysis method than the expensive arc-discharge and CVD methods, using waste composite film of PVA and modified FA for growth and self-assembled CNT ropes, where FA has dual roles as filler in composite film and catalyst in pyrolysis condition.

We have recently reported the dual functions of fly ash as filler and catalyst for the synthesis of CNT materials.


As one classical complex network model, small-world model has the shorter average path length and the larger clustering coefficient and also a few of short cuts, so this kind of network can be easily destroyed under the targeted attacks [6] . As another classical complex network model, scale-free model has the power-law node degree distribution characteristic and the better robustness against random attacks, because its physical topology is tightly associated with the evolution process, which depends on the mechanism of its growth and preferential attachment, and lots of researchers have contributed their works for improving the performance of the network topology [6, 7] . In this paper, our purpose is to propose a new topology control method which is based on the scale-free model, and its evolution process includes two aspects as follows.

As one classical complex network model, small-world model has the shorter average path length and the larger clustering coefficient and also a few of short cuts, so this kind of network can be easily destroyed under the targeted attacks.

As another classical complex network model, scale-free model has the power-law node degree distribution characteristic and the better robustness against random attacks, because its physical topology is tightly associated with the evolution process, which depends on the mechanism of its growth and preferential attachment, and lots of researchers have contributed their works for improving the performance of the network topology.


In some challenging applications, there are lots of nodes with same degree, which is not sufficient to make a rational decision. So some of the background information, such as location and flow, was taken into account to design the PageRank-based algorithms. Dorogovtsev showed that main properties of scale-free evolving networks may be described in frames of a simple continuous approach and also obtained the scaling relations for networks with nonlinear, accelerating growth and described the temporal evolution of arising distributions [11] . Unlike the well-studied models of growing networks, where the dominant dynamics consists of insertions like nodes and connections, and rewiring of existing links, Sarshar studied the scale-free evolving networks application in ad hoc network, where one also has to contend with rapid and random deletions of existing nodes (and the associated links); the dynamics discovered in the paper can be used to craft protocols for designing highly dynamic peer-to-peer networks and also to account for the power-law exponents observed in existing popular services [12] . However, the above algorithms missed some inner relationships, and the transform possibility matrix holds the same value for every link, which will be revised in our model.

Dorogovtsev showed that main properties of scale-free evolving networks may be described in frames of a simple continuous approach and also obtained the scaling relations for networks with nonlinear, accelerating growth and described the temporal evolution of arising distributions.

Unlike the well-studied models of growing networks, where the dominant dynamics consists of insertions like nodes and connections, and rewiring of existing links, Sarshar studied the scale-free evolving networks application in ad hoc network, where one also has to contend with rapid and random deletions of existing nodes (and the associated links); the dynamics discovered in the paper can be used to craft protocols for designing highly dynamic peer-to-peer networks and also to account for the power-law exponents observed in existing popular services.


Contribution: To achieve the goal stated above, we propose a new deep learning model for unsupervised domain adaptation. Deep learning algorithms are highly scalable since they run in linear time, can handle streaming data, and can be parallelized on GPUs. Indeed, deep learning has come to dominate object recognition in recent years [14, 15] .

Indeed, deep learning has come to dominate object recognition in recent years.


Most medium to large-scale projects involve multiple software developers that can be located in different places and might work on different time schedules. Traditionally, software projects are developed and maintained by means of a version control system such as CVS or Subversion. These tools allow developers to work in isolation on different or same parts of software and publish their changes at a later time. Studies showed that in large projects the partition of software modules among developers is limited and developers can contribute to any part of the code [1] . Therefore, while users work in isolation on their own copies of the source code and compile and test their changes before publishing them to the group, blind modifications might occur. These blind modifications could lead to conflicts or to redundant work. Conflicts arise due to concurrent changes made to the same artifact or to dependent artifacts. For instance, a conflict is generated if a developer modifies a method while another developer concurrently deletes that method. Two developers perform redundant work if they concurrently perform an identical task. In the period of time between the conflict occurs and it is discovered, the conflict might grow and become difficult to resolve. Redundant work results into waste of time, energy and money.

Studies showed that in large projects the partition of software modules among developers is limited and developers can contribute to any part of the code.


Psychological flexibility in acceptance and commitment therapy is created through 6 main processes: acceptance, cognitive diffusion, self as context, being present, defining valued directions and committed action. Each one of these process is associated with each other [10] . In the committed action therapist encourages the patient to have commitment to changes in her behavior and is focused on the changeable areas of the behavior (lucid behavior) [11] . This therapeutic approach focuses on connection to present time with desire which serves the psychological flexibility [12] .

Each one of these process is associated with each other.

In the committed action therapist encourages the patient to have commitment to changes in her behavior and is focused on the changeable areas of the behavior (lucid behavior).

This therapeutic approach focuses on connection to present time with desire which serves the psychological flexibility.


Mankind is always looking for reaching the highest level of health. One of the greatest obstacles on his way is obesity. Obesity intrigues other diseases. By far many process are detected that are related to obesity such as over eating, lack of exercise, inheritance, metabolism, environmental factors, use of drugs and mental and social process [1] . Investigations at globe level show that around two billion people around the world are overweight or obese [2] . A report stated that according to conducted studies, 17 million people above 20 in Iran are overweight and 7 million people have obesity. Around 43% of them are men and 57% are women [3] .

Obesity intrigues other diseases.

By far many process are detected that are related to obesity such as over eating, lack of exercise, inheritance, metabolism, environmental factors, use of drugs and mental and social process.

Investigations at globe level show that around two billion people around the world are overweight or obese.

Around 43% of them are men and 57% are women.


Since our focus is on the effects of a preferential FTA we estimate elasticities of substitution across multiple foreign supply sources. We do not use cross-exporter variation in prices or tariffs alone. Exporter price series exhibit a high degree of multicolinearity, and in any case, would be subject to unmeasured quality variation as described previously. Similarly, tariff variation by itself is typically unhelpful because by their very nature, Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariffs are nondiscriminatory, affecting all suppliers in the same way. Tariff preferences, where they exist, are often difficult to measure -sometimes being confounded by quantitative barriers, rules of origin, and other restrictions. Instead we employ a unique data set drawing on not only tariffs, but also bilateral transportation costs for goods traded internationally (Hummels, 1999) . Transportation costs vary much more widely than do tariffs, allowing more precise estimation of the trade elasticities that are central to CGE analysis of FTAs. We have highly disaggregated commodity trade flow data, and are therefore able to provide estimates that precisely match the commodity aggregation scheme employed in the subsequent CGE model. We follow the GTAP Version 5.0 aggregation scheme which includes 42 merchandise trade commodities covering food products, natural resources and manufactured goods.

Instead we employ a unique data set drawing on not only tariffs, but also bilateral transportation costs for goods traded internationally.


Obesity is a multi-faceted problem and schoolbased interventions that target individual affective, cognitive and behavioral change is just one piece of the puzzle needed in facing the challenge of reducing obesity and obesity risk among youth [46, 56] . Translating the successes of already established evidence-based prevention programs may be a viable way to combat the rapid increase in obesity prevalence among our youth. Translation and application from existing evidence-based programs is an arduous process but the benefit of this process is the ability to capitalize on the fieldwork already completed by evidence-based programs while testing new hypotheses without starting from scratch. This paper describes the initial processes needed to translate a primary prevention program from the area of violence and drug use to obesity prevention in youth. We presented the steps we used to organize the translational process and described some of the practical applications, challenges and decisions we have faced in developing Pathways. These steps are intended to guide other researchers who may choose an interdisciplinary route in developing their school-based curriculum and take advantage of fieldwork in other areas. The Pathways prevention trial is underway and future analyses will be able to shed light on the applicability of translation to a new health outcome but also on multiple outcomes. The current Pathways program, although primarily an obesity prevention program, introduces drug use prevention concepts during the fifth grade booster sessions and expands during the sixth grade booster sessions. Empirical evidence is needed to confirm whether the translation between these health behaviors was appropriate. Future directions should include whether a true universal program that targets multiple behaviors (e.g. violence, drug use and obesity prevention) would be just as effective as a program aimed at only one health outcome [63, 64] . The implications of such a program may facilitate greater adoption by school systems resulting in greater public health impact [65] . Currently, voluntary prevention programing in school settings are threatened with the economic challenges that face states and school districts as well as the stresses of academic testing. A well-designed, universal health promotion program targeting multiple health outcomes may be necessary for school-based programs in our future.

Obesity is a multi-faceted problem and schoolbased interventions that target individual affective, cognitive and behavioral change is just one piece of the puzzle needed in facing the challenge of reducing obesity and obesity risk among youth.

Future directions should include whether a true universal program that targets multiple behaviors (e.g. violence, drug use and obesity prevention) would be just as effective as a program aimed at only one health outcome.

The implications of such a program may facilitate greater adoption by school systems resulting in greater public health impact.


Most fretting research utilizes Hertzian type contacts, whose contact sizes are relatively small [10, 11, 16] . In industrial contacts, such as bolted joints and pressure fits, the nominal contact area is typically much larger than it is in laboratory tests, and the nominal contact pressure is lower. However, there has been no coherent study of fretting-induced material behavior in nominally flat-on-flat contact surfaces over a wide range of running conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study is to characterize fretting-induced material degradation in large flat-on-flat contacts without discontinuities in a contact surface in a sliding direction using quenched and tempered steel. The study focuses on the material behavior, and on the surface layers within the vicinity of adhesive contact spots formed under a wide variety of operating conditions. This data will contribute to our fundamental understanding of fretting damage and crack nucleation mechanisms.

Most fretting research utilizes Hertzian type contacts, whose contact sizes are relatively small.


In fretting, contact surfaces under normal loading will experience reciprocating relative movement. The size of this slipping movement can be anywhere between a few micrometers and several hundred micrometers. This leads to surface degradation, which also accelerates nucleation of fatigue cracks [1] . Fretting is characterized by surface damage and wear debris that tends to get trapped in the contact [2] . As fretting takes place inside the contact, there may be no discernible sign of damage before the contact is opened or the total failure of component, which is why fretting is so particularly dangerous.

This leads to surface degradation, which also accelerates nucleation of fatigue cracks.

Fretting is characterized by surface damage and wear debris that tends to get trapped in the contact.


Among the wide variety of heterocyclic compounds, pyrazoles fused with different heterocycles are known to contribute to various pharmacological effects. Due to wide range of pharmacological activities, significant amount of research activity has been directed towards this class. In particular, they are used as antitumor, antibacterial and antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, anti-tubercular and insecticidal agents. Some of these compounds have also shown anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anesthetic and analgesic properties [1] . Another hetrocyclic compound, thiazolidine, is a 5 membered saturated ring with a thio ether group at 1 position and an amine group in the 3 position. It has fungicidal, local anesthetic, antiseizure, antitubercular, anti-bacterial, antiamoebic, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities [2, 3] .

Some of these compounds have also shown anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anesthetic and analgesic properties.

It has fungicidal, local anesthetic, antiseizure, antitubercular, anti-bacterial, antiamoebic, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities.


Unlike oral sulfonylureas, rosiglitazone enhances tissue sensitivity to insulin rather than stimulates insulin secretion [22] . From the structural activity relationship study it was found that compounds 7a, 7b, 7c, 7h and 7j are biologically active. The presences of thiazolidine-4-one nucleus as well as para substitution of phenyl ring are significant for potentiation of activity.

Unlike oral sulfonylureas, rosiglitazone enhances tissue sensitivity to insulin rather than stimulates insulin secretion.


In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH method. The DPPH assay method is based on the reduction of DPPH, a stable free radical. The free radical DPPH with an odd electron gives a maximum absorption at 517 nm. When a solution of DPPH is mixed with that of a substance that can donate a hydrogen atom, then this gives rise to the reduced form with the loss of this violet colour [13] . The compounds with strong electron donating groups like 7a, 7b, 7c, 7h, 7j showed more IC 50 values compared to standard Ascorbic acid The antidiabetic activity was performed by using streptozotocin (STZ) induced model in Wister rats. STZ enters the pancreatic cell via a glucose transporter-GLUT2 and causes alkylation of deoxyribonucleic acid. STZ induces activation of poly adenosine ribosylation and nitric oxide release. Due to destruction of pancreatic cells by STZ a huge release of insulin which makes animals more susceptible to severe hypoglycemia that may be lethal. Thus, following treatment with STZ animals are fed with glucose solution (5 %) for 12 -24 h, afterwards, an increase of glucose levels is observed in comparison to control animals due to insulin deficiency [21] .

When a solution of DPPH is mixed with that of a substance that can donate a hydrogen atom, then this gives rise to the reduced form with the loss of this violet colour.

Thus, following treatment with STZ animals are fed with glucose solution (5 %) for 12 -24 h, afterwards, an increase of glucose levels is observed in comparison to control animals due to insulin deficiency.


Thiazolidinones are derivatives of thiazolidine, which is a main pharmacophoric group responsible for antidiabetic activity. It acts by enhancing insulin sensitivity in both muscle and adipose tissue and to a lesser extent by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. These agents have a notable effect on improving insulin resistance, particularly when used in combination with other antidiabetic drugs, but have no effect on insulin secretion. As a class, the thiazolidinediones have also been shown to alter lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes. They also have effected a decrease in triglyceride levels, increase in total and Low density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol levels [4, 5] . In patients receiving insulin therapy, the addition of a thiazolidinedione has resulted in significant reductions in daily insulin requirements [6, 7] . The thiazolidinediones are dependent on the presence of insulin for activity; however, they do not affect insulin secretion. Patients with chronic pancreatitis are at high risk of antioxidant deficiencies. Furthermore, this disease can lead to diabetes mellitus that could exacerbate the severity of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and the resulting LDL oxidation are a major cause of atherosclerosis [8] .

They also have effected a decrease in triglyceride levels, increase in total and Low density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol levels.

In patients receiving insulin therapy, the addition of a thiazolidinedione has resulted in significant reductions in daily insulin requirements.

Oxidative stress and the resulting LDL oxidation are a major cause of atherosclerosis.


The above mentioned advantages of arch bars for the treatment of maxillomandibular injuries have been established since years but now a days the high risk of penetrating injuries is making the operators unwilling to continue the treatment with this technique. A number of IMF methods have been suggested as an alternative to the conventional Erich arch bars, in order to decrease the operation time and lower the risk of wire-stick injury. These include: orthodontic brackets, bracket bars bonded to the teeth, adhesive cast and thermoforming splints, buttons or beads and wires, single wires through the contact points of the premolars, intermaxillary screws, Dimac wires and rapid IMF. Intermaxillary screws are quick to insert and carry fewer risks of injury to the operator, but there is potential for tooth and nerve injuries, infections and screw fracture within bone [8] . All screws can cause glove perforations and percutaneous injuries. Dimac wires are quick to apply and are safer than arch bars but there is still a possibility of skin-penetrating injury [17] . Orthodontic elastic chain may be used for IMF [20] . Rapid IMF is no doubt a safe method of IMF and does not use any wires and may provide better cross infection control than other wiring methods but its availability, cost factor and early loosening of the device are various disadvantages associated with it and is still under development with a pending FDA approval. No barriers can eliminate the risk of percutaneous injuries and the need for changes in high-risk surgical techniques is obvious. Most surgeons who treat mandibular fractures with small plate osteosynthesis still use IMF as a method of fracture reduction, for historical reasons, in the belief that this is essential to achieve a normal occlusion. This has particular importance for maxillofacial surgeons because glove perforations and percutaneous injuries occur commonly with wire sticks during reduction and fixation of facial fractures. Devices, such as IMF, thus must be avoided or modified. In evaluating the safety of a surgical technique the most important aspect is the number of percutaneous injuries. We came across a pencil type wire twister for wire application to reduce the risk of penetrating injuries. Though this twister is commercially available since years, but its use and efficacy have yet not been described in any dental literature. We conducted a comparative study for various parameters to evaluate the efficacy of pencil type wire twister.

Intermaxillary screws are quick to insert and carry fewer risks of injury to the operator, but there is potential for tooth and nerve injuries, infections and screw fracture within bone.

Dimac wires are quick to apply and are safer than arch bars but there is still a possibility of skin-penetrating injury.

Orthodontic elastic chain may be used for IMF.


The importance of the needs analysis step has been emphasized in the previous curriculum development studies (Budak, 2009; Çalışkan and Çangal, 2013; Doğanay et al., 2014; Koçer, 2013) . Determining whether responsibility, which is regarded as an important value in the related literature, should be taught will shed light on the prospective responsibility curricula. In education and teaching process, during studies on teaching children to become responsible and act responsively, initially, it is important to determine the educational needs about this issue. For that reason, the purpose of this study is to determine the needs and expectations from teaching 3rd and 4th grade primary school students how to become responsible individuals.

The importance of the needs analysis step has been emphasized in the previous curriculum development studies.


Needs analysis can be simply defined as specifying the real needs, and it is one of the important steps of curriculum development. Detecting what is really needed and specifying the real needs have great importance in testing whether the curriculum goals meet the real needs. Furthermore, determining whether the target curriculum is really necessary help avoid unnecessary expenses and effort and obtain the required data to plan and prepare the educational activities for the curriculum (Demirel, 2011) . Before developing a curriculum, the conducted need analysis study puts forward how important the curriculum will be and lighten the whole curriculum development process by leading the curriculum objectives.

Furthermore, determining whether the target curriculum is really necessary help avoid unnecessary expenses and effort and obtain the required data to plan and prepare the educational activities for the curriculum.


Milk is one of the most frequently sold foods worldwide. The nutritional composition, high water content and neutral pH turn milk into an adequate media for microbial development of vegetative and sporulating microorganisms (Chopde et al., 2014) . Nowadays, milk and dairy products are treated with a specific time temperature combination, to provide acceptable safety and shelf-life. The three basic approaches to heat treatment of raw milk, pasteurisation (72°C for 15-20 s), ultrapasteurisation (80-90°C for 15 s) and ultra-high temperature (UHT) (135-150°C for 1 to 4 s), differ primarily in their underlying purpose (Chawla et al., 2011; Fitria et al., 2015) . Processing at high temperature lowers the nutritional quality of foods because many nutrients are heat labile. To overcome this problem, several non-thermal processing or "cold pasteurisation" techniques including high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) technology have been developed.

The nutritional composition, high water content and neutral pH turn milk into an adequate media for microbial development of vegetative and sporulating microorganisms.

The three basic approaches to heat treatment of raw milk, pasteurisation (72°C for 15-20 s), ultrapasteurisation (80-90°C for 15 s) and ultra-high temperature (UHT) (135-150°C for 1 to 4 s), differ primarily in their underlying purpose.


The high pressure process is characterised by three parameters: temperature (T), pressure (p), and exposure time (t). In comparison, the heat preservation process is based on only two parameters (T, t). The three processing parameters allow great flexibility in the design of the process (Heinz and Buckow, 2009; Naik et al., 2013) . High pressure processing (HPP) combining high pressure (up to 1000 MPa) and sometimes heating (above 60°C) has been considered equal to sterilisation, which extends shelf life of foodstuff due to its ability to inactivate bacterial spores at reduced heat and thereby preserving desirable functional properties of foods better than conventional thermal processing (Heinz and Buckow, 2009; Fitria et al., 2015) .

The three processing parameters allow great flexibility in the design of the process.

High pressure processing (HPP) combining high pressure (up to 1000 MPa) and sometimes heating (above 60°C) has been considered equal to sterilisation, which extends shelf life of foodstuff due to its ability to inactivate bacterial spores at reduced heat and thereby preserving desirable functional properties of foods better than conventional thermal processing.


Tailing is associated with (i) hiding of contaminants in the intricate shapes of the soil particles; (ii) reduced airflow in the lower permeable finer textured soil; (iii) high soil water content; (iv) sorption of contaminant to organic matter; (v) preferential paths of airflow in heterogeneous soils; and (vi) contaminants that restrict the growth of the microorganisms (Barakat and Zytner 2005) . Once tailing sets in, further cleanup attempts with SVE result in increasing costs with a very slim chance of additional remediation. Use of a suitable bioremediation technology can help overcome these hindrances.

Tailing is associated with (i) hiding of contaminants in the intricate shapes of the soil particles; (ii) reduced airflow in the lower permeable finer textured soil; (iii) high soil water content; (iv) sorption of contaminant to organic matter; (v) preferential paths of airflow in heterogeneous soils; and (vi) contaminants that restrict the growth of the microorganisms.


Bioventing is an in situ bioremediation technology that uses indigenous microorganisms to biodegrade the petroleum hydrocarbons present in the unsaturated zone, and can be used to further reduce the contamination left behind by other technologies. In bioventing, the activity of indigenous microorganisms is stimulated by inducing air (or oxygen) flow into the unsaturated zone and if necessary, by adding nutrients (Magalhães et al. 2009; Margesin and Schinner 2001) . Moreover, removal of produced gaseous components such as carbon dioxide and volatilized gasoline are also imperative, as this allows better diffusion of oxygen to the microorganisms (Rathfelder, Lang, and Abriola 2000; Coffey et al. 2012) .

In bioventing, the activity of indigenous microorganisms is stimulated by inducing air (or oxygen) flow into the unsaturated zone and if necessary, by adding nutrients.

Moreover, removal of produced gaseous components such as carbon dioxide and volatilized gasoline are also imperative, as this allows better diffusion of oxygen to the microorganisms.


In addition, one can conclude from the literature that the major drawback of using such type of fluids is the rise in pressure losses in piping systems caused from the increase in viscosity of nanofluids. This increase in viscosity leads to a higher shear stress between the fluid and the surrounding surface. Moreover, the nanoparticles hosted by the fluid are most likely to deposit on the inner surface of the pipe when used in elevated temperature applications, causing what is known as the fouling effect. The deposited layer or foul would act similarly as inner pipe coating with nanoparticles (i.e., nanocoating) since the foul is formed from nanoparticles that were hosted by the carrier fluid itself. It was reported, by a number of authors, that nanocoating has the advantage of reducing the surface roughness which strongly influences the shear stress between the surface and the fluid [278] . Therefore, examining the wettability effect of nanoparticles of similar material type to the inner pipes can be very promising in encountering the pressure losses problem, while maintaining the thermal performance of the system.

It was reported, by a number of authors, that nanocoating has the advantage of reducing the surface roughness which strongly influences the shear stress between the surface and the fluid.


Factors to be considered when selecting nanomaterials on preparing nanofluids for heat transfer applications are (i) chemical stability, (ii) thermophysical properties, (iii) toxicity, (iv) availability, (v) compatibility with the basefluid, and (vi) cost. The most commonly used nanoparticles for nanofluids formulation are aluminium (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), silicon (Si), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, graphene oxide, and diamond. Commonly used basefluids for nanofluid formulation are water, ethylene glycol (EG), EG -H 2 O mixtures, and oils [63] .

Commonly used basefluids for nanofluid formulation are water, ethylene glycol (EG), EG -H 2 O mixtures, and oils.


Accumulation of antigen-specific T cells and local TCR activation boosts IFNγ concentrations in tumors ( Fig. S2 G) , which activates PD-L1 expression through the JAK/STAT pathway (Garcia-Diaz et al., 2017) . Neutralization of IFNγ either during the first 7 d of viral infection ( Fig. 3 G) or 2 wk of tumor growth ( Fig. 3 H) resulted in reduced levels of LEC PD-L1. To investigate whether effector T cells directly activate LECs and induce PD-L1 expression via secretion of IFNγ, naive or in vitro-activated CD8 + T cells were cultured overnight with murine immortalized LECs (iLECs) in the presence or absence of a semipermeable transwell membrane and IFNγ-blocking antibody. In vitro-activated but not naive CD8 + T cells induced PD-L1 expression on LECs dependent on IFNγ and independent of direct cell-cell contact (Fig. 3 I) .

Accumulation of antigen-specific T cells and local TCR activation boosts IFNγ concentrations in tumors ( Fig. S2 G) , which activates PD-L1 expression through the JAK/STAT pathway.


Before presenting the results of tensile tests, let us briefly explain what we mean by the term ''microstructure''. Generally, the starting microstructure of NiTi wire refers to its grain size, density of lattice defects, texture, precipitates, inclusions, internal stress etc. As we use a single cold worked NiTi wire in all heat treatments, we prepare wire samples having a range of microstructures that are highly predetermined by the cold worked material state (same hot/cold work, texture, precipitates, inclusions etc.) and differ due to the different degree of recovery and recrystallization that occurred during the fast electropulse heating [12] . The maximum temperature reached during the short pulse heating (Fig. 2a) depends on the length and diameter of the wire, parameters of the electric pulse (mainly electric power and pulse time) as well as on the environmental conditions (heat transfer to the environment) controlled by the environmental furnace. While keeping the supplied electric power density constant, the varying pulse time can thus be linked to the various maximum temperatures which results in specific microstructure and properties of the heat treated wire (Fig. 2b) . Hence, since we used the power density 160 W/mm 3 in all heat treatments, we use the pulse time to denote the NiTi wire with specific microstructure to be studied in tensile experiments. For example, the ''16 ms wire'' means the cold worked NiTi FWM #1 wire heat treated by controlled pulse of electric power density 160 W/mm 3 for 16 ms (Fig. 2) . In fact, the pulse time ''quantifies'' the microstructure it produced-i.e., the microstructure denoted as ''16 ms'' can be associated with specific electric resistance, grains size, texture, transformation temperatures, internal stress, density of lattice defects, etc., which allows for evaluating microstructure dependence of parameters determined from tensile tests. Since the previous hot processing and cold work applied to the wire have a very significant impact on the wire microstructure, it shall be pointed out that the above established link between pulse time and microstructure applies only to the cold worked wire taken from the same spool (same hot processing and cold work). Transformation temperatures of the wire (R s , M s , M f , A f ) were evaluated by cooling/heating dilatometry experiments (Fig. 4) . Transformation temperatures of the alloy in the fully annealed state (20 ms wire) were determined as M s = -25°C, M f = -38°C and A f = -10°C. Cold work and short pulse annealing (below 11 ms) shifts the Ms temperature below the dilatometer's temperature range limit -150°C. The Ms temperature gradually increases with increasing pulse time up to -25°C for 20 ms wire (Fig. 4b) . R-phase appears in 8-16 ms wires and the R s temperature decreases linearly with increasing pulse time until it reaches the Ms temperature and does not appear anymore. It is interesting to note that the 12-16 ms wires develop significant tensile strain upon cooling under 13 MPa stress. This strain appears when the B2 austenite transforms to the R-phase as well as while it is being cooled within the R-phase state. It sums up with the tensile strain due to the R-B19 0 transformation. We assume that this deformation appearing spontaneously under very low stress is due to an internal stress persisting in the microstructure of 0-17 ms wires in combination with the R-phase appearing in 12-16 ms wires (Fig. 4b) . The dilatometry experiments thus, in addition to the determination of the phase transformation temperatures, bring additional information on the microstructure (internal stress) of heat treated wires. However, these phenomena were not further investigated in this work.

As we use a single cold worked NiTi wire in all heat treatments, we prepare wire samples having a range of microstructures that are highly predetermined by the cold worked material state (same hot/cold work, texture, precipitates, inclusions etc.) and differ due to the different degree of recovery and recrystallization that occurred during the fast electropulse heating.


Many studies have been performed to investigate preoperative urodynamic and clinical parameters for predicting VD after sling surgery. In one study, concomitant vaginal surgeries did not affect the rates of VD in terms of retention or requiring a releasing operation [26] . Preoperative urodynamic findings indicating impaired detrusor contractility may predict postoperative VD. High preoperative PVR, low preoperative Qmax, and low detrusor pressure during a pressure-flow study have been indicated as significant risk factors for postoperative VD after antiincontinence surgeries [3, 27, 28] . In another study, however, there were no definite risk factors for post-MUS VD among the urodynamic parameters [25, 29] . In our study, preoperative Qmax and underactive detrusor appeared to predict postoperative VD by use of some criteria. Preoperative urodynamic parameters did not demonstrate consistently reproducible prediction for VD in this study. On the whole, our data showed subjective preexisting obstructive voiding symptoms (e.g., urinary hesitancy, slow stream, intermittent flow, and incomplete emptying) to be risk factors.

In one study, concomitant vaginal surgeries did not affect the rates of VD in terms of retention or requiring a releasing operation.

High preoperative PVR, low preoperative Qmax, and low detrusor pressure during a pressure-flow study have been indicated as significant risk factors for postoperative VD after antiincontinence surgeries.

In another study, however, there were no definite risk factors for post-MUS VD among the urodynamic parameters.


The success of crack closure is strongly dependent on how efficiently the crack tip is shielded from the applied cyclic loads. The progression of the load-displacement curves in Fig. 6 is representative of crack closure and correlates well with the temporary crack arrest events observed in Fig. 5 following injection at K max . The stages of the crack closure mechanism are summarized schematically in Fig. 9 . In the early cycles prior to injection of DCPD (Fig. 9a,b) , the corresponding load-displacement curve in Fig. 6 (curve I) is linear with increasing compliance as the crack propagates. Following healing agent injection and cure (Fig. 9c,d) , the load-displacement curve in Fig. 6 (curve II) remains linear with a reduced compliance due to the shorter, healed crack length. After numerous cycles without crack advance, the load-displacement curve becomes bimodal (Fig. 6, curve III) , representative of the crack closure mechanism proposed by Elber [18] . The portion of the load-displacement curve above the knee, which represents the open crack condition and the portion of the cyclic load experienced by the crack tip, become increasingly compliant indicating progressive debonding of the healed DCPD interface as shown Fig. 9e . The portion of the load-displacement curve below the knee, which represents the closed crack condition (Fig. 9f) , retains a compliance corresponding to the healed crack geometry. Simultaneously, the knee occurs at decreasing loads, indicating an increase in the effective cyclic stress intensity at the crack tip. As the crack grows past the DCPD wedge (Fig. 9g,h ), the crack growth rate increases with increasing ΔK eff approaching the prehealed rate and proceeds in this fashion until sample failure.

After numerous cycles without crack advance, the load-displacement curve becomes bimodal (Fig. 6, curve III) , representative of the crack closure mechanism proposed by Elber.


Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa are stepping up efforts to encourage pregnant women to utilize FANC services. Community based health promotion programmes that aim at mobilizing women to utilize services are being undertaken using different approaches depending on local circumstances. One such intervention is to encourage pregnant women to attend FANC clinics with their male partners, to address the context of health care decisions mostly being made by men and mothers in-law [10] . The dominance of men in society puts pregnant women at risk because they usually do not have adequate knowledge of reproductive health issues and their decisions may not adequately embrace the elements of optimal sexual and reproductive health services [11] .

One such intervention is to encourage pregnant women to attend FANC clinics with their male partners, to address the context of health care decisions mostly being made by men and mothers in-law.

The dominance of men in society puts pregnant women at risk because they usually do not have adequate knowledge of reproductive health issues and their decisions may not adequately embrace the elements of optimal sexual and reproductive health services.


Therefore, the dendrogram clustered all the revealed diversity around three major variables: species richness of algal communities, salinity class, and the dominant salinity indicators. The most similar are the species-rich communities of slightly mineralized lakes, as well as the species-poor communities of highly mineralized lakes (ÁCS et al. 2003) . These regularities indicate that, other conditions remaining the same, salinity is the main depressing factor of algal diversity irrespective of the type and distribution of the water body. In other words, the compositions of algal communities reflect in the first place the salinity level related to climatic aridity.

The most similar are the species-rich communities of slightly mineralized lakes, as well as the species-poor communities of highly mineralized lakes.


It is often unclear whether the personality elements result from or cause symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. In some studies it has been noted that the trait tests and inventories used to assess personality may not be pain state independent [78] . Many trait scores improve with treatment and hence cross-sectional studies done in a population that already has the pain and other significant health issues of fibromyalgia may not reflect pre-illness personality accurately. We did not find it possible to assess this issue further in our review due to limited clinical description of the patients deemed to have fibromyalgia. We have assumed that all patients in the reviewed studies had symptomatic fibromyalgia. Thus it is difficult to describe an "at-risk" personality in this context.

In some studies it has been noted that the trait tests and inventories used to assess personality may not be pain state independent.


Corresponding to the law and order movement was a rise in crime that began during the 1980s and ran through the early 90s before it fell again. The growing concern with crime as a social problem helped generate concerns about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. The amount of discretion at all levels of the justice system, concerns that some offenders were not receiving stiff enough sentences or were being released too soon, and general issues of fairness for victims and offenders in the criminal justice system were all important issues that took on a new salience during this period (Smith, 2004) .

The amount of discretion at all levels of the justice system, concerns that some offenders were not receiving stiff enough sentences or were being released too soon, and general issues of fairness for victims and offenders in the criminal justice system were all important issues that took on a new salience during this period.


That being said, the analysis does not allow complete state-by-state analysis (e.g. we can not definitely calculate the change over time for Oregon vs. Washington) or conclude that all states or even one particular state observed the effects. The analysis does, on the other hand, allow the conclusion that, on the aggregate or on average, a reform is (or is not) significantly associated with changes in imprisonment within states. The coefficients represent the average treatment effect across states which does have important substantive interpretation, outlining the average change over time within states (Finkel, 1995) .

The coefficients represent the average treatment effect across states which does have important substantive interpretation, outlining the average change over time within states.


This analysis has advantages over some previous research. First, the analysis included a long time period of historically relevant data that is current to 2007. The "imprisonment binge" began roughly in the early 1970s with 1972 often cited as the "start date" (Blumstein & Beck, 1999; DeFina & Arvanites, 2002) . With data beginning in 1967 it allowed for analysis prior to and after the start of the binge, improving the overall model. Additionally, data for every year was included, which covered the effects more accurately than previous studies using more limited 3, 5, or 10-year gaps (Wooldridge, 2002) . Second, this analysis included six major sentencing reforms and first level interactions, a marked advantage over some previous research that has included fewer reforms and, at times, failed to interact them. As seen in this analysis, considerable change in the effects are observed when different combinations of the reforms are considered and failure to account for this in previous research may have miss-specified the true impact. Third, the analysis included both cross-sectional and time-series data giving it a marked advantage over analysis that lacked one of these dimensions. Finally, the modeling technique employed takes a step away from previous research and supplies a unique, yet arguably better, analysis that incorporates, among other things, conditional change-scores, fixed-effects for states, and the logged growth curve variables for reforms.

The "imprisonment binge" began roughly in the early 1970s with 1972 often cited as the "start date".

Additionally, data for every year was included, which covered the effects more accurately than previous studies using more limited 3, 5, or 10-year gaps.


Additionally, while it might seem logical to advocate for more delineation among the six reforms, such a move is not without its statistical costs. Disaggregating the variables into smaller and smaller groups reduces the statistical power of "pooling" data over time, which is one of the main advantages of TSCS modeling. The ability to get significant results would succumb to an increased "slicing" of the data. This highlights the delicate balance of variable specification and statistical power that is often weighed in these types of models (Wooldridge, 2000) . The specifications of the reform variables in this analysis were made in an attempt to maximize statistical power while maintaining meaningful outcomes.

This highlights the delicate balance of variable specification and statistical power that is often weighed in these types of models.


Because most states adopted more than one reform, interaction effects are likely. Model 2 added first-level interaction terms to the reform variables found in Model 1. Keeping with convention, nonsignificant interaction coefficients were left in the models because significant interactions were expected (Jaccard & Turrisi, 2003) . In this model, on their own as main effects, statutory presumptive sentencing (8.8%) and truth in sentencing (7.3%) continued to significantly increase changes in imprisonment rates.

Keeping with convention, nonsignificant interaction coefficients were left in the models because significant interactions were expected.


Thin film solar cells based on CdS/CdTe structures have achieved 21.5 % efficiency to date, for small area, labscale solar cells [1] . The performance, reproducibility, yield, stability and lifetime of these solar cells depend on defect levels present in the materials and device structures. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of these defect levels is of paramount importance in the research, development and manufacturing of CdS/CdTe solar panels to achieve higher efficiencies.

Thin film solar cells based on CdS/CdTe structures have achieved 21.5 % efficiency to date, for small area, labscale solar cells.


In contrast to our understanding of methods for analyzing ES, considerably less is known about contexts for ES research including the types of decisions for which studies have been implemented. A broader understanding of ES science that encompasses these types of social considerations as well as technical aspects is needed to better integrate science into decision-making (Rosenthal et al. 2015) . This would involve defining characteristic contexts for research and evaluating case studies within that framework.

A broader understanding of ES science that encompasses these types of social considerations as well as technical aspects is needed to better integrate science into decision-making.


Urban poverty is a fundamental challenge in low and middle-income countries associated with rapid urban sprawl (Moore et al., 2003) . The urban poor suffer most from inadequate sanitary services and deficient municipal solid waste management leading to increased health risks and impaired household resilience. While informal collection and recycling systems of inorganic material with a market value are currently available, the organic waste fraction often remains uncollected and untreated. Indiscriminately dumped organic waste accumulates along streets, clogs stormwater drains, pollutes water bodies, rots, and attracts disease-transmitting vectors (e.g. flies, rodents), thus posing serious direct or indirect health risks to local residents. Local authorities, community-based organisations, nongovernmental organisations and research institutions have recognised this deficiency and identified the need for simple, environmentally and economically sustainable organic waste treatment solutions in urban areas (Fluitman, 2000; Zurbrügg et al., 2007) .

Urban poverty is a fundamental challenge in low and middle-income countries associated with rapid urban sprawl.

Local authorities, community-based organisations, nongovernmental organisations and research institutions have recognised this deficiency and identified the need for simple, environmentally and economically sustainable organic waste treatment solutions in urban areas.


Prolonged services at elevated temperature require combination of properties that would be difficult to achieve without addition of special alloying elements. The addition of suitable alloying elements to cast irons is the most important way to protect them against high temperature oxidation and scaling (Li, Perrin, Burger, McFarlan, Black, Logan and Williams, 2004) . When the protective scale are adherent and non porous, the oxidation process will be inhibited and progressive process of oxidation will be prevented. Many elements, such as Si, Cr, and Al provide this protective layer for alloyed cast irons (Pint, Tortorelli, and Wright, 1999; Xu, Ferry, and Wang, 2005) .

The addition of suitable alloying elements to cast irons is the most important way to protect them against high temperature oxidation and scaling.

Many elements, such as Si, Cr, and Al provide this protective layer for alloyed cast irons.


Various socket preservation techniques have been introduced to maintain the hard and soft tissue dimensions of extracted sites. There are many kinds of graft materials for this purpose, such as demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft, autogenous bone, bioactive glass, hydroxyapatite, and deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . For barrier membranes, collagen membranes and e-PEFE have commonly been used. Several studies comparing grafted sockets with ungrafted sockets demonstrated that grafted sockets maintained significantly more ridge height and width dimension [14] .

There are many kinds of graft materials for this purpose, such as demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft, autogenous bone, bioactive glass, hydroxyapatite, and deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM).

Several studies comparing grafted sockets with ungrafted sockets demonstrated that grafted sockets maintained significantly more ridge height and width dimension.


In the last few decades, researchers have identified the importance of studying the behaviour of fibre reinforced polymeric composites (FRPC) at high strain rates in order to observe the damage and mechanisms of failure in impact conditions. In the laboratory, impact has been commonly simulated using three types of tests. These are: tests with pendulum type machines, where tests rates are below 5 m/s; drop-weight tests, with rates up to 10 m/s and the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) for rates up to 100 m/s [3] .

These are: tests with pendulum type machines, where tests rates are below 5 m/s; drop-weight tests, with rates up to 10 m/s and the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) for rates up to 100 m/s.


In particular, social spammers are increasingly targeting those systems as part of phishing attacks. To disseminate malware, and commercial spam messages, and to promote affiliate websites [1] . In only the past year, more than 80% of social networking users have "received unwanted friend requests, messages, or postings on their social or professional network account". Unlike traditional email based spam, social spam often contains contextual information that can increase the impact of the spam (e.g., by eliciting a user to click on a phishing link sent from a "friend") [1] .

To disseminate malware, and commercial spam messages, and to promote affiliate websites.

Unlike traditional email based spam, social spam often contains contextual information that can increase the impact of the spam (e.g., by eliciting a user to click on a phishing link sent from a "friend").


There is therefore a need to devisean effective control system capable of responding to changes in wastewater characteristics and operating condition of the treatment plant. Implementation of an effective control system, within the plant, would also see improvement and stabilization in the composition of biogas. This improvement will increase efficiency of the internal combustion engines and minimizes corrosion to the pipeline and other equipment due to higher concentration of hydrogen sulfide [6] .

This improvement will increase efficiency of the internal combustion engines and minimizes corrosion to the pipeline and other equipment due to higher concentration of hydrogen sulfide.


In addition to inflammation, differences in gene expression patterns and genome instability are associated with cancer progression [18, 19] . In PCa, one of the most studied gene mutations is the loss of phosphatatse and tensin homolog (PTEN). PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene, encodes a tyrosine phosphatase that modulates cell cycle progression [20] . With mutation rates of up to 60% in localized cancer, PTEN deletion is one of the most common mutations in PCa and it is often associated with poor prognosis [21] [22] [23] . In addition to PTEN loss, other gene expression patterns have been associated with high Gleason Score and PCa relapse [24] . Thus, gene expression patterns can be used to stratify patients and to understand the mechanisms that promote PCa progression. Therefore, in this project we aim to identify, gene expression patterns affected by IL-15 in PCa.

In addition to inflammation, differences in gene expression patterns and genome instability are associated with cancer progression.

PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene, encodes a tyrosine phosphatase that modulates cell cycle progression.

With mutation rates of up to 60% in localized cancer, PTEN deletion is one of the most common mutations in PCa and it is often associated with poor prognosis.

In addition to PTEN loss, other gene expression patterns have been associated with high Gleason Score and PCa relapse.


In the United States of America, prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed noncutaneous cancer, and the second leading cause of death in male patients [1] . PCa is often treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). Even though it can provide positive results, 15-30% of the patients will suffer from biochemical recurrence (BCR) or elevated blood levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) [2, 3] . BCR often develops asymptomatically within 10 years of treatment and can occur due to cells that have metastasized to other areas [4, 5] . Although BCR can be identified with elevated PSA levels, there are currently no reliable predictive biomarkers in the clinic that can be used to asses biochemical recurrence risk [5, 6] . The available biomarkers and (or) clinical information are insufficient to predict recurrence and metastasis [7] . The early detection of potential metastatic or recurrent PCa through the use of novel biomarkers can lead to proactive use of adjuvant therapeutic options and better patient outcomes.

In the United States of America, prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed noncutaneous cancer, and the second leading cause of death in male patients.

Even though it can provide positive results, 15-30% of the patients will suffer from biochemical recurrence (BCR) or elevated blood levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA).

BCR often develops asymptomatically within 10 years of treatment and can occur due to cells that have metastasized to other areas.

Although BCR can be identified with elevated PSA levels, there are currently no reliable predictive biomarkers in the clinic that can be used to asses biochemical recurrence risk.

The available biomarkers and (or) clinical information are insufficient to predict recurrence and metastasis.


Given this backdrop, the present paper applies a programming approach to the analysis of efficiency and productivity in agricultural sector in all the 16 regions of Bangladesh for the period 1964-1992 and explicitly test for existence of convergence in agricultural productivity among regions. The programming approach is appropriate because it requires only data on outputs and inputs, both of which are well recorded . This non-parametric approach is additionally not subject to the restrictive assumptions inherent in the traditional approaches to measure TFP (Arcelus and Arocena, 2000) .

This non-parametric approach is additionally not subject to the restrictive assumptions inherent in the traditional approaches to measure TFP.


It is also worth highlighting that face recognition systems may also be subjected to attacks from identical twins claiming to be the same person. From a rigorous point of view, these are not spoofing attacks (as there is no physical artefact involved) but rather zero-effort impostor attempts, in which Bob presents his own biometric trait while trying to access the system as John. Therefore such a case is not strictly related to the current study and will not be considered in this paper. We refer the interested reader to some specific works on this topic to understand the implications and performance of face recognition systems in the presence of twins [38] [39] [40] [41] .

We refer the interested reader to some specific works on this topic to understand the implications and performance of face recognition systems in the presence of twins.


From among the sensors thought to be near the visual area and frontal language area, we selected some from each area (Figure 1 ): v1 and v2 from the visual area and b1, b2, and b3 from the frontal language area. The primary visual area and early visual area were indicated by v1 and v2, respectively. Frontal language areas in the middle frontal gyri were indicated by b1, while those in the left inferior frontal gyri were indicated by b2 and b3. In particular, b3 in the left inferior frontal gyri corresponded to Broca's area. Figure 3 shows the Group I spectrogram (ratio against Group L) for sensors v1, b1, and b3 for visual and verbal conditions. The y-axis of the spectrogram shows the frequency (9 frequency bands, central frequency of 10-50 Hz), while the x-axis shows the measurement time (0-20/3 sec). The y-axis is divided into 5 Hz intervals, and the x-axis into 1/15 sec intervals, presenting a color-coded version of spectrum density (ratio). Information on sensors v2 and b2 can be found in Figure 3a of our recent study [1] . Sensors in the visual area show an overall reddish tint, and are consistent with the results of Figure 2 , as they indicate more activity in Group I. Particularly for v1, β bands with central frequencies of 20 and 25 Hz (y axis) show a more highly activated band (reddish) in the direction of the x-axis (time). This corresponds to our previous observation of the presence of low-γ band activity (around 30 Hz) during image processing [20] . On the other hand, compared to sensors in the visual area, those in the frontal language areas show an overall bluish tint, with Group L showing markedly higher activation, particularly under verbal conditions. Sensors b1 and b3 in particular show band-like areas of higher activation (more blue) in the direction of the x-axis (time), specifically for high-β/low-γ bands (y-axis) with central frequencies of 25 and 30 Hz.

Information on sensors v2 and b2 can be found in Figure 3a of our recent study.

This corresponds to our previous observation of the presence of low-γ band activity (around 30 Hz) during image processing.


In this section, we will report some of our findings, with new results on additional frequency bands and sensors [1] . Fig. 2 plots the sensor-specific spectral densities (the ratios) under the visual condition (upper row) and the verbal condition (lower row).They are relative to the resting condition. All figures represent the results of nonparametric regression smoothing on the layout map as shown in Fig. 1 . In order to improve the MEG measurement sensitivity for detecting global changes in neural activity, the spectral densities are normalized by the mean of densities of all sensors measured under the corresponding conditions. In each figure, the left-most images present the data for Group I, the middle images present the data for Group L, and the right-most images present the ratios of the Group I data relative to Group L data. Figure 1 shows the distribution of the 122 sensors made into 61 pairs. Figure 2 is a color-coded display of the low-γ band (27.5 Hz-32.5 Hz, central frequency of 30 Hz) spectral density for each sensor under visual conditions (upper panel) and verbal conditions (lower panel) in each group, presented as ratios to that for rest conditions. Group I is in the first row, Group L is in the second row, and the ratio of Group I to Group L is in the third row. For each of these figures, smoothing by nonparametric regression was performed according to the sensor layout map shown in Figure 1 .

In this section, we will report some of our findings, with new results on additional frequency bands and sensors.


In the field of economics, neuroeconomics has received a great deal of interest. This field examines economic behavior and its association with accompanying brain activity by integrating research in experimental economics and behavioral economics, fusing them with that of neuroscience. For example, one study of neuroeconomics found that the prefrontal cortex is active when choices are made about the distant future, while the limbic system of the cerebrum is active when choices are made about the near future [2] . In other words, different regions of the brain are used when making choices pertaining to the near versus distant future. These studies seem to take the approach of obtaining the overall perspective concerning the average human being.

For example, one study of neuroeconomics found that the prefrontal cortex is active when choices are made about the distant future, while the limbic system of the cerebrum is active when choices are made about the near future.


The current findings should be interpreted in light of some limitations. First, only adolescents provided information on study constructs and although there was a 1-year lag between the predictor and outcome variables, the selfreport nature of the study increases the possibility that the associations are inflated due to shared method variance. Inclusion of multiinformant data would decrease the possibility of inflated associations. However, it should also be noted that because individual behaviors tend to vary across contexts or situations, self-reports likely reflect the full repertoire of behaviors whereas reports by others may be limited to behaviors specific to particular contexts (Phares, Compas, & Howell, 1989) . Self-reports also reflect the personal experiences of youth, which are particularly relevant to their own adjustment problems (Juvonen, Nishina, & Graham, 2001) . Second, although our study improves upon cross-sectional work on relational victimization effects, it is limited to two waves of data. Collection of three or more waves would allow for examination of the direct and interactive associations of changes in peer victimization and school connectedness with changes in early adolescents' adjustment problems. Third, the Conduct Problems subscale had low internal consistency reliability (coefficient alpha = .61 and .66 for Wave 1 and Wave 2, respectively), which may have decreased the possibility of detecting the three-way interaction among gender, relational victimization, and school connectedness on early adolescents' conduct problems, which was only marginally significant. Future research should replicate findings with a measure of conduct problems that has high internal consistency. Finally, participant attrition may limit the generalizability of the findings. Students who participated in both waves of the study, and who were included in the present study, reported fewer conduct problems and depressive symptoms and more connectedness to the school than those who participated only at Wave 1.

However, it should also be noted that because individual behaviors tend to vary across contexts or situations, self-reports likely reflect the full repertoire of behaviors whereas reports by others may be limited to behaviors specific to particular contexts.

Self-reports also reflect the personal experiences of youth, which are particularly relevant to their own adjustment problems.


Fundamental importance of food to life cannot be over emphasized. It is essential for the development and some functions such as maintenance and reproduction. Dietary study is the investigation of the sum of food consumed by individual or group of persons or organism. Dietary intake has a lot to do with culture, religion, geographical and socioeconomic class [1] . Food is a basic necessity of life. An adequate or proportionate food intake, in terms of quantity and quality, is a pre-requisite for productive and healthy life. Food is also a massive unit of financial budget of households. There is therefore a strong need for a reasonable selection of dietary rich foods from health and economic point of view.

Dietary intake has a lot to do with culture, religion, geographical and socioeconomic class.

Food is a basic necessity of life.


Factors behind the demand for private tutoring can be broadly classified into cultural, economic and educational (Bray and Silova 2006) . Cultural factors relate to the perceived role of effort in educational success. In particular, private tutoring is widespread in cultures which stress effort as a factor explaining and determining success (Bray, 2007) . Empirical evidence indicates that economic characteristics, such as household income, parental education and urban location are important determinants of demand for private tutoring in most countries (Dang and Rogers, 2008) . On the contrary, education systems (e.g. education quality, salaries of teachers) vary across countries. In postcommunistic regimes, the disparities between requirements for the university entrance (or final school examination) and the content of mainstream schooling creates demand for private lessons (Putkiewicz, 2005) . In many Asian countries, high returns to education contribute to the intense competition for university placement. Here, private tutoring is seen as a means of getting ahead of others during the university admission process. In addition, changes brought by transformation to a market economy, e.g. in the examination system or mainstream schooling, may increase the popularity of private tutoring (Bray and Silova, 2006; Dang and Rogers, 2008) .

Factors behind the demand for private tutoring can be broadly classified into cultural, economic and educational.

In particular, private tutoring is widespread in cultures which stress effort as a factor explaining and determining success.

Empirical evidence indicates that economic characteristics, such as household income, parental education and urban location are important determinants of demand for private tutoring in most countries.

In postcommunistic regimes, the disparities between requirements for the university entrance (or final school examination) and the content of mainstream schooling creates demand for private lessons.

In addition, changes brought by transformation to a market economy, e.g. in the examination system or mainstream schooling, may increase the popularity of private tutoring.


Some types of variable valve control systems optimize power and torque by varying valve opening times and/or duration. Some of these valve control systems optimize performance at low and mid-range engine speeds. Others focus on enhancing only high-rpm power. Other systems provide both of these benefits by controlling valve timing and lift. There are many ways in which this can be achieved, ranging from mechanical devices to hydraulic, pneumatic and camless systems [11] [12] [13] [14] . Hydraulic system suffer from many problems including viscosity change of the hydraulic medium due to the temperature change, the liquid tends to act like a solid at high speed, and hydraulic systems must be carefully controlled, which require the use of powerful computers and very precise sensors. Pneumatic system utilizing pneumatics to drive the engine valves would in all probability not be feasible because of their complexity and the very large amount of energy required for compressing the air. Camless system (or, free valve engine) uses electromagnetic, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuators to open the poppet valves instead. Common problems include high power consumption, accuracy at high speed, temperature sensitivity, weight and packaging issues, high noise, high cost, and unsafe operation in case of electrical problems. Multiair system (or Uniair) is an electro-hydraulic variable valve actuation technology controlling air intake (without a throttle valve) in petrol or diesel engines. The system allows optimum intake valve opening schedules, which gives full control over valve lift and timing.

There are many ways in which this can be achieved, ranging from mechanical devices to hydraulic, pneumatic and camless systems.


In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing (VVT), also known as variable valve actuation (VVA), is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . The (VVT) system allows the lift, duration or timing (in various combinations) of the intake and/or exhaust valves to be changed while the engine is in operation, which have a significant impact on engine performance and emissions. In a standard engine, the valve events are fixed, so performance at different loads and speeds is always a compromise between drivability (power and torque), fuel economy and emissions. An engine equipped with a variable valve actuation system is freed from this constraint, allowing performance to be improved over the engine operating range [7] [8] [9] [10] .

In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing (VVT), also known as variable valve actuation (VVA), is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine.

An engine equipped with a variable valve actuation system is freed from this constraint, allowing performance to be improved over the engine operating range.


Here, a concept for multiline mooring systems is introduced and preliminary analysis of the potential economies of such a system and the impact of such a system on anchor loads is presented. The key concept of the system is that floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platforms could share anchors, resulting in each anchor in a FOWT wind farm serving multiple platforms and generating economies in the number of site investigations required and the number of anchors required. The work presented here is informed by earlier work by one of the authors (Landon) on double line loading of suction caissons [1, 2, 4] . Four candidate geometries based on standard lattice topologies are presented, and from this geometric information alone a first order estimate of efficiency in terms of the number of anchors and site investigations is obtained. For the simplest of these geometries, and the one most similar to current mooring systems, dynamic analysis is performed to illustrate, in a preliminary fashion, key ways in which loading on a multiline anchor may differ from that on a single-line anchor.

The work presented here is informed by earlier work by one of the authors (Landon) on double line loading of suction caissons.


In the last years, the MDE paradigm has been used in different areas of software development. One of these areas is Web Engineering, which is commonly named Model-Driven Web Engineering (MDWE) [2] . Nevertheless, research groups obtained very relevant results when applying this paradigm to Web development and currently, there is a wide range of Web methodologies that belong to the MDE paradigm and define its procedure and transformations from one model to another one.

One of these areas is Web Engineering, which is commonly named Model-Driven Web Engineering (MDWE).


The application of MDE becomes complex, monotonous and very expensive, if no software tool automates the process. In consequence, NDT has defined a set of supporting tools called NDT-Suite in order to meet this need. In the last ten years, NDT and NDT-Suite have been used in a large number of real projects. The main advantage of NDT-Suite is that it reduces the cost of ensuring quality and traceability of the deliverables carried out during the project development phases. This objective is achieved by means of NDT-Quality. In addition, we continue improving NDT-Quality. For example, we are studying how this tool may allow defining Key Process Indicators (KPI) in order to improve the quality assurance process when NDT methodology is used in real projects. Besides, we are also working in the use and implementation of QuEF (Quality Evaluation Framework) [38] .

Besides, we are also working in the use and implementation of QuEF (Quality Evaluation Framework).


Materials and procedure. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two priming conditions, patriotic or multicultural. Participants were primed utilizing a sentence unscrambling procedure (Srull & Wyer, 1979; Bargh, Chen, & Burrows, 1996) . All participants were asked to unscramble 11 sentences and remove one word that did not belong in each of the sentences. One group of participants received 6 neutral sentences, and 5 sentences that contained words pertaining to patriotism (i.e., patriots, American, U.S.A., flag, and loyal) . The other group of participants received the same 6 neutral sentences, and 5 additional sentences that contained words pertaining to multiculturalism (i.e., multicultural, include, diversity, equal, and minority) . Immediately following the sentence-unscrambling task, participants were asked to read the scenarios about military action in the Middle East utilized in Study 3. The study was thus a 2 (Primes: Patriotic vs. Multicultural) x 2 (Military scenario: American victims vs. Iraqi victims) between-subjects design. Following the scenarios, participants were asked to judge the actions of the military leaders by responding to the same items used to assess consequentialism in Study 3.

Materials and procedure.

Participants were primed utilizing a sentence unscrambling procedure.


In this paper, firstly, we present simulations of the pulse evolution and compression. We investigate how the pulse chirp affects the pulse compression. Secondly, we present measurements of the pulse spectra and NRR spectra for variable pulse chirps. We give a detailed discussion of the observations and implications from our simulations. As a result, we observe that the pulse compression has a weak dependence on chirp, however, the chirp is able to delay or advance the pulse compression in the fiber in accordance with the expectation from dispersion cancellation. NRR is generated at the point in the fiber where the pulse starts to compress and generation ceases after compression is over and the pulse expands again. The amount of NRR detected at the end of the fiber is also affected by waveguide loss. Our observations are in qualitative agreement with the analytical description of NRR evolution in fibers [2, 25] .

Our observations are in qualitative agreement with the analytical description of NRR evolution in fibers.


According to the distinctions of the energy bands of the pulsars, the pulsars can be divided into X-ray pulsars, radio pulsars, gamma-ray pulsars, and so forth. In order to reduce the mass and power dissipation of sensors, X-ray pulsars are mostly selected as navigation pulsars. Objectively, the signal of the X-ray pulsars is extremely weak so that only discrete photons can be recorded [10, 11] . The background noise of the pulsar signals includes space background noise, high-energy particle noise, nebula noise, and detector noise. These noises can influence the precision of the pulsar profiles and increase navigation errors. Particularly, for the millisecond pulsar (e.g., PSR B1937+21), its signal is almost flooded in the noise. Figure 1 showed the influences caused by noise. Literature indicates that these noises can be modeled as Gauss white noise, and the variance is proportional to the number of the bins of the folding signal [12] . However, to get higherprecision profile needs to select more bins. One alternative method is to execute long-time pulsar observation. Nonetheless, owing to the limitation of the space environments and the task scheme of the aircraft, long-time observation is hard to implement. Therefore, it is quite necessary to research the profile recovery method in a shorter observation time.

Objectively, the signal of the X-ray pulsars is extremely weak so that only discrete photons can be recorded.

Literature indicates that these noises can be modeled as Gauss white noise, and the variance is proportional to the number of the bins of the folding signal.


We choose an order where all the preparation commands appear first (i.e. right-most), then all the entanglement commands, followed by the measurements and then corrections. The standardisation procedure is the basis for the new physical architecture proposed by measurement-based quantum computing where on performs all the entanglement in the beginning followed by local operation and classical communications. Furthermore, the rewriting of a pattern to standard form allows one to check that a given pattern is runnable and it reveals parallelism in the pattern computation [11] .

Furthermore, the rewriting of a pattern to standard form allows one to check that a given pattern is runnable and it reveals parallelism in the pattern computation.


Previously, a geometric condition on a graph state known as "flow", was developed which guaranteed that graph states satisfying a set of "flow conditions" would admit a deterministic computation, provided measurements were restricted to the (X, Y ) plane of the Bloch sphere [1] . Nevertheless, this condition was not necessary and did not take into account possibilities of measurements in other planes of the Bloch sphere, and the special way graph states transform under measurement of Pauli-operator observables [5] . In this article we provide a "generalized flow" condition. This is a set of geometric conditions on a graph, which are necessary and sufficient for that state to admit a deterministic one-way quantum computation under measurements in the (X, Y ), (X, Z) and (Y, Z) planes.

Previously, a geometric condition on a graph state known as "flow", was developed which guaranteed that graph states satisfying a set of "flow conditions" would admit a deterministic computation, provided measurements were restricted to the (X, Y ) plane of the Bloch sphere.

Nevertheless, this condition was not necessary and did not take into account possibilities of measurements in other planes of the Bloch sphere, and the special way graph states transform under measurement of Pauli-operator observables.


The special type of the two-point nonbalanced PadÃ e approximants studied in this paper was earlier considered by Telega and Tokarzewski in a series of papers [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] . They constructed this type of approximants to approximate the Stieltjes functions appearing in the problems of the mechanics of composite materials. Although they considered only the real domain, most of their results remain valid in the complex domain. Certain mathematical properties of the method were veriÿed only numerically. So there was a need for a more ÿrm mathematical background of the method and for answers to some open problems that remained.

The special type of the two-point nonbalanced PadÃ e approximants studied in this paper was earlier considered by Telega and Tokarzewski in a series of papers.


This three-phase approach reduces the computational load, but the approximated spectral decomposition output suffers from several major problems. Subsampling affects the quality of the spectral approximation. In addition, the Nyström extension method exhibits ill-conditioned behavior that also affects the spectral approximation [6] . Uniform subsampling of a sufficient number of data points captures most of the data probability distribution. However, rare events, compared to the subsampled size, might get lost. The results from this loss of information degrades the quality of the estimated embedded distances. The Nyström extension method is based on inverting a kernel matrix that was derived from a uniform sampling. This kernel does not necessarily has a full rank. Therefore, a direct kernel matrix inversion is ill-conditioned. The Moor-Penrose pseudo-inverse operator can overcome the ill-conditioned effect in Nyström extension. However, this solution may generate an inaccurate extension. Therefore, combining Nyström extension with random sampling can result in inaccurate approximations of spectral decomposition.

In addition, the Nyström extension method exhibits ill-conditioned behavior that also affects the spectral approximation.


The flue-curing of tobacco leaves is an energy-intensive process, for which coal has conventionally been used as the primary fuel in China [1] . About 4 million tons of coal are used to cure tobacco every year [2] . In recent years, with the frequent occurrence of smog in northern China, air pollution caused by tobacco curing using coal-fired heating has attracted significant attention [3] . The government is therefore encouraging the use of clean energy to develop a lowcarbon economy and green industries, to which the tobacco industry has actively responded [4] .

The flue-curing of tobacco leaves is an energy-intensive process, for which coal has conventionally been used as the primary fuel in China.

About 4 million tons of coal are used to cure tobacco every year.

In recent years, with the frequent occurrence of smog in northern China, air pollution caused by tobacco curing using coal-fired heating has attracted significant attention.

The government is therefore encouraging the use of clean energy to develop a lowcarbon economy and green industries, to which the tobacco industry has actively responded.


Induction of somatic embryogenesis requires a change in the fate of a vegetative (somatic) cell. In most cases, an inductive treatment is required to initiate cell division and establish a new polarity in the somatic cell. In alfalfa, the inductive treatment is most commonly 2,4-D but other auxins such as 2,4,5-T are effective. The auxin response is quite complex (McKersie and Brown, 1996) . Some auxins such as IAA and IBA are ineffective, and still others will stimulate the formation of embryos and callus but not somatic embryos (Shetty and McKersie, 1993) . Synthetic or artificial seeds have been defined as somatic embryos engineered for use in the commercial propagation of plants (Gray and Purohit, 1991; Redenbaugh et al., 1991; Redenbaugh 1993) . Various forms of synthetic seeds have been envisioned over time. The first were simply hy-drated somatic embryos produced from vegetative cells in plant tissue culture (Figure 1 ).

The auxin response is quite complex.

Some auxins such as IAA and IBA are ineffective, and still others will stimulate the formation of embryos and callus but not somatic embryos.

Synthetic or artificial seeds have been defined as somatic embryos engineered for use in the commercial propagation of plants.


Multi-foraging is a variation of the foraging task in which different types of objects to collect are considered [2] . These different types of objects can be concurrently and independently collected by the individuals and can have different properties. Multi-foraging adds a level of complexity with respect to the traditional foraging task as it may be necessary for the individuals to choose which prey to take, and when.

Multi-foraging is a variation of the foraging task in which different types of objects to collect are considered.