Whenever applicable, boundary integral solvers for solution of Helmholtz impedance boundary value problems are computationally advantageous [9, 3, 23] . Although both interior and exterior Helmholtz impedance boundary value problems remain well-posed for all real values of the frequency, robust boundary integral formulations of these problems still have to rely on the Combined Field approach [10] . The classical Combined Field formulations feature the Helmholtz hypersingular boundary integral operator, and as such are not integral equations of the second kind. We present in this paper regularized combined field integral equations of the second kind for Helmholtz impedance boundary value problems in two dimensional Lipschitz domains. Our regularization strategy was previously applied successfully to Neumann boundary conditions [2, 7, 8] . Our approach covers both the cases of piecewise constant impedance, as well as the transmission impedance operators of importance to DDM. The unknowns in our regularized formulations are Dirichlet traces of solutions on the boundary, which enjoy optimal regularity properties amongst solutions of possible boundary integral formulations of Helmholtz impedance problems in Lipschitz domains.

Whenever applicable, boundary integral solvers for solution of Helmholtz impedance boundary value problems are computationally advantageous.

Although both interior and exterior Helmholtz impedance boundary value problems remain well-posed for all real values of the frequency, robust boundary integral formulations of these problems still have to rely on the Combined Field approach.

Our regularization strategy was previously applied successfully to Neumann boundary conditions.


Some other motives such as attaining a research publication in a student's life were seen to be in the range of 80% to the first year medical student to almost 78.9% during the internship. All the groups were almost equally interested as is evident by its p value of 0.73. Two recent international studies revealed a similar trend in their students [13, 24] .

Two recent international studies revealed a similar trend in their students.


WT condition monitoring and fault diagnosis techniques are still under development. Conventional fault diagnosis techniques require additional mechanical sensors and data acquisition devices to implement [4] , [5] . These sensors and devices are inevitably subject to failure, which could cause additional problems to system reliability and additional operating and maintenance costs. Current-based (mechanical-sensorless) fault diagnosis techniques are promising alternatives [4] , [6] - [8] . These techniques only use generator current measurements that are already used for monitoring, control, and protection of WTs; no additional sensors or data acquisition devices are needed. Moreover, current signals are reliable and easily accessible from the ground without intruding the WTs. Therefore, current-based fault diagnosis techniques have great operational and financial benefits and promising potential to be adopted by the wind energy industry.

Conventional fault diagnosis techniques require additional mechanical sensors and data acquisition devices to implement.

Current-based (mechanical-sensorless) fault diagnosis techniques are promising alternatives.


The spanwise distributions of τ w in term of C f for several streamwise positions are presented in Fig. 13 , where the broken-line is the spanwise-averaged value f C at the corresponding streamwise position. Initially, the C f spanwise distribution seems to correlate with the spanwise distribution of U/U ∞ . However, farther downstream, the spanwise distributions of C f do not become flat at downwash and narrow at upwash, as shown in the spanwise distributions of U/U ∞ in Figs. 9 and 10 . Instead, the C f distributions at downwash regions become narrower, and there is no inflection point found in the distributions. This may be because the sinuous mode of secondary instability, which is initiated near the boundary layer edge, is not strong enough to alter the distribution of the wall shear stress. This also explains why the increasing rate of C f (in Figs. 11 and 12 ) reduces significantly prior to flow transition to turbulence. The main contribution to the τ w enhancement in a concave surface boundary layer flow may be attributed to the varicose mode of the secondary instability. This is concluded from the fact that the waviness in C f distribution becomes more pronounced and the spanwise-averaged value f C increases significantly at the early stage of the nonlinear region where the flow instability, in the present work, is dominated by the varicose mode. The high shear layer near the boundary-layer edge causes the formation of the second peak in the turbulence intensity (Tu) profile at the upwash region which was first observed at x = 350 mm and 500 mm for R = 1 m and 2 m respectively, as shown in Fig. 14(a) and 15(a) . The formation of high shear layer initiates the development of horseshoe vortices as the initiation of the secondary instability [18] . As these horseshoe vortices propagate downstream and breakdown, the turbulence spreads out in the boundary-layer resulting in the decay of the second peak near the boundary-layer edge until the turbulence near the wall becomes dominant in the flow. The decay process of the second peak is related to the breakdown of vortex structure in the boundary-layer.

The formation of high shear layer initiates the development of horseshoe vortices as the initiation of the secondary instability.


As shown in Fig. 12 , the minimum wall shear stress f C of larger vortices occurs at lower Re θ . After reaching their minima, larger vortices consistently produce higher wall shear stress at any value of Re θ . These may be due to the fact that larger vortices are more "vigorous" [38] . In addition, Görtler vortex wavelength also has a direct influence to the type of the secondary instability mode, which of course will affect the development of the wall shear stress [33] .

These may be due to the fact that larger vortices are more "vigorous".

In addition, Görtler vortex wavelength also has a direct influence to the type of the secondary instability mode, which of course will affect the development of the wall shear stress.


The U/U ∞ contours in the cross-sectional (y-z) plane at some streamwise (x) locations were obtained from the measurement data by using "Tecplot" software, as shown in Fig. 3 . For reference, the corresponding Blasius boundary-layer thickness δ is indicated on the ordinate for each streamwise location. At x = 200 mm (G θ = 2.393), the contours are wavy in the spanwise direction, indicating the occurrence of Görtler vortices ( Fig. 3(a) ). The waviness becomes "stronger" as the flow develops downstream indicating amplification of the vortices, for example, at x = 500 mm (Figs. 3(c)) and when transformed into horseshoe vortices at x = 600 mm (Figs. 3(d)). The horseshoe vortices then became mushroom-like structures downstream before breaking down, as the consequence of the non-linear growth of Görtler vortices [24] . It shows the occurrence of the varicose mode of secondary instability. The mushroom-like vortices are clearly shown at x = 700 mm ( Fig. 3(e) ) until x = 852 mm ( Fig. 3(i) ). The vortices start to decay at x ≈ 800 mm, however at x = 904 mm ( Fig. 3(i) ) the mushroom shapes are still maintained The breakdown of the spanwise structures could be attributed to the increase of mixing due to the onset of turbulence. The mushroomlike structures shown in Figs. 3(e)-(i) reveal the structures of finite amplitude Görtler vortices and the streamwise region in which the mushroom-like structures are coherent and dominating the flow. The development of the mushroom-like structures is caused by the strong non-linearity on the y-z plane [24] . Close to the "stem" of the mushroom, low momentum fluid is ejected from the wall and returned back to the wall in the region of maximum shear to form the shape of mushroom hat.

The horseshoe vortices then became mushroom-like structures downstream before breaking down, as the consequence of the non-linear growth of Görtler vortices.

The development of the mushroom-like structures is caused by the strong non-linearity on the y-z plane.


From the hot-wire data, the flow fields of pre-set wavelength Görtler vortices are visualized. The vortices were amplified dowstream until the start of boundary layer transition where G θ = G θtr [23] . This study provides more information on the instability in concave surface boundary layers. The pre-set vortex wavelength is found to equal the spanwise spacing of the vertical wires in the streamwise direction until the vortices breakdown prior to turbulence when the wavelength parameter Λ was set in the range of 200 to 270.

The vortices were amplified dowstream until the start of boundary layer transition where G θ = G θtr.


The turbulence intensities at upwash are much higher than at downwash, implying that upwash region is the most unstable region in the boundary layer. Note that the turbulence intensities for R = 1 m (Fig. 14) are lower than those for R = 2 m (Fig. 15) . This might be due to lower free-stream velocity for the case of R = 1 m. [40] ).

This might be due to lower free-stream velocity for the case of R = 1 m.).


At the northern shore site (Los Molinos), wind stresses that drive direct advection toward the mouth of the estuary (zonal component) showed greatest association with the settlement rate. However, unambiguous environmental factors controlling the larval settlement at Los Molinos were not found (lower R 2 in partial regressions). This suggests that a more complex interaction between factors (i.e. river runoff, tide, winds, and larval behavior) is probably involved in the transport of larvae to this site. This complexity also was evidenced by the long lag between wind action (-5 days) and settlement. Given that Los Molinos is a wind-protected embayment on the northern shore of the estuary, larvae could be delivered to this section of the estuary by more local processes independent of upwelling conditions (Shanks and Shearman 2009; Shanks and Brink 2005) . Other factors such as larval behavior and the upwelling shadow that forms behind coastal features could play an important role (Morgan and Fisher 2010) .

Given that Los Molinos is a wind-protected embayment on the northern shore of the estuary, larvae could be delivered to this section of the estuary by more local processes independent of upwelling conditions.

Other factors such as larval behavior and the upwelling shadow that forms behind coastal features could play an important role.


PMC-12 is a multiherb mixture of Polygonum multiflorum, Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygala tenuifolia, and Acorus gramineus. Each of these herbs has been used extensively in prescriptions for age-related neurological diseases including AD [9] [10] [11] . These herbal medicines have been shown to express various pharmacological activities against age-related brain disease, such as neuroprotective, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory effects. Among PMC-12, Polygonum multiflorum is known to have antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects, and it is also known to reduce blood cholesterol and improve hair growth and learning and memory [12] [13] [14] [15] . Additionally, a primary bioactive constituent, stilbene glucoside (2,3,5,4 -tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O--D-glucoside), has been reported to possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, and it has also been reported to improve memory and learning ability [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] . In addition, Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygala tenuifolia, Acorus gramineus, and their major effective compounds, catalpol, 3 6-disinapoyl sucrose, and asarone, have been reported to improve learning and memory, and they have also been reported to exert neuroprotective and antiinflammatory effects [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] . Taken together, the neuroprotective and antiaging effects of these four herbal medicines indicate that PMC-12 may have potential for treatment of AD.

Each of these herbs has been used extensively in prescriptions for age-related neurological diseases including AD.

Among PMC-12, Polygonum multiflorum is known to have antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects, and it is also known to reduce blood cholesterol and improve hair growth and learning and memory.

Additionally, a primary bioactive constituent, stilbene glucoside (2,3,5,4 -tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O--D-glucoside), has been reported to possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, and it has also been reported to improve memory and learning ability.

In addition, Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygala tenuifolia, Acorus gramineus, and their major effective compounds, catalpol, 3 6-disinapoyl sucrose, and asarone, have been reported to improve learning and memory, and they have also been reported to exert neuroprotective and antiinflammatory effects.


The CBF algorithm is the earliest DOA estimation method based on an array and can be traced back to World War II [2, 4] . The algorithm is a natural extension of classical Fourier-based spectral analysis on sensor array data. The angular resolution of the CBF algorithm is limited by the array physical aperture and cannot distinguish between two spatial targets within a beam width, which is called the Rayleigh resolution limit. Therefore, overcoming the limitation imposed by the array physical aperture is an important research direction and promotes the development of spatial spectrum estimation.

The CBF algorithm is the earliest DOA estimation method based on an array and can be traced back to World War II.


ML estimation is simple and achieves a good estimation performance, especially in asymptotic estimation [7, 8] . This method is often able to achieve the Cramér-Rao bound (CRB), and this peculiarity is fairly ideal in many DOA estimation tasks, where a high estimation accuracy is required but the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are usually low. The ML estimation algorithm performs well, and it can estimate not only incoherent sources but also coherent sources. However, the likelihood function of the ML estimation algorithm is a multidimensional nonlinear function, which results in a high 2 Mathematical Problems in Engineering computational cost. Thus, reducing the number of calculations has become an urgent problem in the development of ML estimation algorithms.

ML estimation is simple and achieves a good estimation performance, especially in asymptotic estimation.


Gold has been utilized in cultural, decorative, and financial applications since ancient times. Most of the gold used in today's jewelry industry is refined from Au deposits. According to statistics of the World Gold Council, the demand for gold jewelry in 2012 accounted for nearly half of global demand for gold. In 2013, it constituted 58.07 % of global demand for gold [1] . However, pure gold is too soft, limiting its application in the manufacture of jewelry because it is easily deformed, scratches easily, and loses its luster. This is in addition to its high cost.

In 2013, it constituted 58.07 % of global demand for gold.

This is in addition to its high cost.


Moreover, CO 2 insufflation used by many endoscopic vein extraction systems facilitates dissection by creating a subcutaneous tunnel. Normally, the insufflated CO 2 is absorbed by the blood and must be eliminated by the lungs through increased ventilation [14] . In the literature, some cases of CO 2 embolisms or hypercarbia during this procedure are described [15, 16] . The mechanism of CO 2 embolism during endoscopic procedures is supposed to be CO 2 absorption or its direct entry, through an injured vessel, into the blood stream.

Normally, the insufflated CO 2 is absorbed by the blood and must be eliminated by the lungs through increased ventilation.

In the literature, some cases of CO 2 embolisms or hypercarbia during this procedure are described.


Traditional methods of preparing alloy coatings include procedures such as magnetron sputtering and ion implantation [10, 11] . Magnetron sputtering provides high-density and smooth coatings. However, film hardness and the adhesion strength between the film and the substrate are both poor [12] [13] [14] . Ion implantation provides better purity of the doped ions, and the doping concentration is not limited by the solid state solubility. Additionally, the concentration and depth distribution of the implanted ions are accurate and controllable. However, ion implantation layers are typically too thin and, thus, have short life span. In addition, an ion-beam deposited coating might not be homogeneously distributed on parts with complex shapes [15, 16] .

Traditional methods of preparing alloy coatings include procedures such as magnetron sputtering and ion implantation.

However, film hardness and the adhesion strength between the film and the substrate are both poor.

In addition, an ion-beam deposited coating might not be homogeneously distributed on parts with complex shapes.


As seen in Figure 2A , the heat transfer rate from Eq. (15) conforms to the value predicted from Eq. (19) for time intervals tΓ  5 (see Appendix for analytical proof), and for smaller time intervals tΓ ≈ 0.1, the heat flux is observed to reach as high as ≈1.7 times the steady-state value. The heat transfer contribution as a function of inplane wavevector component |k| at different time intervals tΓ = 0.5, 2, and 6 are also shown in Figure 2B -D, respectively, and compared to the steady-state distribution obtained from using Eq. (17) in Eq. (15) . In Figure 2B and C, a transient oscillatory behavior in the heat flux ) for d = 100 nm contribution is observed, which is indicative of the presence of a strong coupling between the surface polaritons and can be confirmed from the plot in Figure 3 , where values of the ratio g(k, d)/γ > 1 indicate strong coupling regime. However, the total heat flux P in Figure 2A is positive for all time scales due to the positive bias along the temperature gradient.

The heat transfer contribution as a function of inplane wavevector component |k| at different time intervals tΓ = 0.5, 2, and 6 are also shown in Figure 2B -D, respectively, and compared to the steady-state distribution obtained from using Eq. (17) in Eq..


The continued development of sustainable practices for improving short-rotation coppice (SRC) plantations must be grounded, among other factors, on a proper deployment of genetic material as related to planting site characteristics. This goal is often challenged by the presence of genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) (Yan et al., 2000) . GEI is defined as the difference in the response of genotypes to different environments (Bradshaw, 1965) . It complicates the identification of superior genotypes, highlighting the need to grow different material in different areas within a broader target region. In tree breeding, however, the implications of GEI for selection purposes are difficult to be considered due to the effort associated with the multi-site evaluation of new breeds. Indeed, GEI evaluation in forest tree species requires time, manpower and economic investment, thus hampering its proper characterization.

This goal is often challenged by the presence of genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI).

GEI is defined as the difference in the response of genotypes to different environments.


In this work, we address the numerical analysis of the effect of the tool tilt angle on FSW from the computational approach developed previously by the authors [5] . It allows obtaining the steady state rapidly at the speed-up phase of the simulation. This is followed by a periodic stage simulation, assuming the first stage as the initial condition. An apropos kinematic system is used by mixing Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE), Eulerian and Lagrangian schemes for different areas of the computational model. The framework can accommodate any pin shapes.

In this work, we address the numerical analysis of the effect of the tool tilt angle on FSW from the computational approach developed previously by the authors.


Variable implementation of EBPPs is likely inevitable given the dynamic and complex nature of healthcare systems and the vast number of factors that can foster or impede implementation success [16] [17] [18] . There is an extensive body of theory and evidence regarding contextual factors that affect organizations' ability to change and implement new practices. For example, engaged and supportive leaders can sanction changes, reinforce priorities and authorize necessary resources for implementation efforts [19, 20] . An organizational climate that fosters stakeholder participation, innovation and collaboration can support EBPP adoption [8, 21] . Organizations need resources for staffing, education and training, and space; and they need the knowledge and capacity for planning change and monitoring and improving implementation processes; and stakeholders need protected time for implementation efforts [8, 22] . Stakeholder perceptions of the need for an innovation, the relative advantage of implementing it and the innovation's fit with existing values and goals can also impact implementation efforts [16] . The presence of these contextual factors and many others are widely variable across healthcare organizations. Additionally, interactions between different contextual elements can vary as well [16, 23] . Although all healthcare settings experience implementation challenges, some may experience far more than others, lacking sufficient resources, infrastructure support and process knowledge needed to implement innovations [24] .

Variable implementation of EBPPs is likely inevitable given the dynamic and complex nature of healthcare systems and the vast number of factors that can foster or impede implementation success.

For example, engaged and supportive leaders can sanction changes, reinforce priorities and authorize necessary resources for implementation efforts.

An organizational climate that fosters stakeholder participation, innovation and collaboration can support EBPP adoption.

Organizations need resources for staffing, education and training, and space; and they need the knowledge and capacity for planning change and monitoring and improving implementation processes; and stakeholders need protected time for implementation efforts.

Stakeholder perceptions of the need for an innovation, the relative advantage of implementing it and the innovation's fit with existing values and goals can also impact implementation efforts.

Additionally, interactions between different contextual elements can vary as well.

Although all healthcare settings experience implementation challenges, some may experience far more than others, lacking sufficient resources, infrastructure support and process knowledge needed to implement innovations.


Low-SES individuals have also been found to have a lower sense of control over their environments, exhibiting attitudes of helplessness about their socio-economic position (Gallo et al. 2005; Johnson and Krueger 2006; Kraus et al. 2012) . They may believe that there is no benefit to behaving altruistically as it will not change their environment; no matter how they act, people will treat them the same. Therefore, there is no sense in wasting energy being altruistic. Conversely, high-SES individuals with a greater sense of control over their environment may have confidence that there are long-term reciprocal benefits of engaging altruistically. There is much that we do not know about the relationship between SES and altruism. The dimensions of SES need to be teased apart to establish which specific elements contribute towards these relationships. This will then enable us to focus on the mechanisms by which these elements can affect altruistic tendencies.

Low-SES individuals have also been found to have a lower sense of control over their environments, exhibiting attitudes of helplessness about their socio-economic position.


One possible dimension of SES that may affect altruism is economic resources. Economically deprived individuals may not have stable access to basic needs such as food and housing and may thus be primarily focused on meeting these immediate needs, leaving them with less time and energy to spend helping others. Conversely, individuals with greater economic resources may have abundant access to their basic needs, leaving them with reserve time and energy to spare for altruistic behaviour (Holland et al. 2012) .

Conversely, individuals with greater economic resources may have abundant access to their basic needs, leaving them with reserve time and energy to spare for altruistic behaviour.


One method that has been used to investigate altruistic behaviour is the lost letter experiment (Milgram et al. 1965) . The lost letter experiment involves scattering addressed, stamped and sealed envelopes throughout an area, so that each letter looks as though someone accidentally dropped it while on the way to post it. These letters are then naturalistically encountered by random individuals in the area. If choosing to act altruistically, individuals can pick up the letter and post it through a post box, or if choosing to not act altruistically, individuals can ignore it. The rate of letters that are returned is used as a proxy for altruism in a geographical area; a high return rate indicates a high willingness of individuals to be altruistic, while a low return rate indicates a low willingness. The lost letter experiment primarily addresses unconditional altruism, because it is a largely anonymous altruistic act that cannot be reciprocated. The naturalistic nature and resulting high ecological validity make the lost letter experiment a useful tool to investigate heterogeneity in prosocial behaviour on a geographic and socioeconomic scale. Despite the relatively widespread use of the lost letter method to examine human behaviour, it has some limitations such as non-residents encountering letters and the effects of differing pedestrian foot traffic.

One method that has been used to investigate altruistic behaviour is the lost letter experiment.


It has been widely shown that the letter return rate is positively correlated with increasing socioeconomic status (SES); letters distributed in high-SES neighbourhoods are returned at a higher rate than letters distributed in low-SES neighbourhoods (Brown and Reed 1982; Chang et al. 2016; Grueter et al. 2016; Holland et al. 2012; Nettle et al. 2011; Silva and Mace 2014) . However, the exact mechanisms behind this effect are unknown. Socio-economic status is a multi-dimensional measure that is composed of many different variables such as economic resources, educational attainment, occupation status, employment status, crime and family structure variables such as the marital status of parents. It is unclear which of the many components of SES affect the tendencies of individuals to act altruistically.

It has been widely shown that the letter return rate is positively correlated with increasing socioeconomic status (SES); letters distributed in high-SES neighbourhoods are returned at a higher rate than letters distributed in low-SES neighbourhoods.


The aardwolf (Proteles cristata) is a small hyaenid species (8-12 kg) that lives in semi-arid regions of southern and eastern Africa. Aardwolves are solitary foragers but have been described as socially monogamous and show little sexual dimorphism. Data from wild populations suggest that they are strictly seasonal breeders (Richardson 1987) . Aardwolves give birth to litters of one to four offspring during the rainy season, which coincides with time of peak food abundance in the wild. However, physiological data related to reproductive activity are lacking. Therefore, we used non-invasive monitoring of faecal hormone metabolites in zoo-housed aardwolves to provide basic information on longitudinal variation of reproductive hormones in males and females. We also quantified the effects of the social environment on reproductive endocrine activity as well as the relationships between reproductive and adrenocortical hormones.

Data from wild populations suggest that they are strictly seasonal breeders.


Inelastic dark matter may be probed by dark matter capture in compact stars, i.e. white dwarfs and neutron stars, which have large escape velocities due to their very high densities. As a result, infalling dark matter acquires significant kinetic energy and can possibly upscatter to a heavier mass eigenstate. Observed neutron stars have radii of around 10 kilometers and masses of 1.17 to 2.0M [11, 12] . Their equation of state is not yet known, because the composition of matter at high densities needs to be understood [12, 13] . Given substantial uncertainties in the composition of neutron stars, we will largely focus on the case of white dwarfs, which are better understood and could also probe the regime of MeV mass splittings. From the mass distribution of observed white dwarfs, the most likely mass occurs around 0.5-0.7 M [14] . The typical radius of a white dwarf is about 1% of the Sun's radius, or about 7000 km [15] . They are formed when a star expands to a red giant and fuses helium to carbon and oxygen in its core. If the mass of the star isn't large enough to generate the core temperatures required to fuse carbon, an inert mass of carbon and oxygen builds up at the center. The outer layers shed to form a planetary nebula, and the core becomes the white dwarf [16] . From a Monte Carlo simulation of stellar models the mean values of the central carbon-12 and oxygen-16 mass fractions are 33% and 63%, respectively. The scattering of dark matter on carbon and oxygen nuclei, including the appropriate nuclear form factors, is wellunderstood [17] . We will compute the capture rate of higgsino dark matter in white dwarf stars and explore whether observations could provide useful new constraints. The outlook is somewhat unclear, as achieving a sufficiently strong constraint will require either powerful new observations of distant regions of high dark matter density (like dwarf galaxies) or perhaps an argument that more nearby targets contain larger amounts of dark matter than may have been anticipated.

Observed neutron stars have radii of around 10 kilometers and masses of 1.17 to 2.0M.

Their equation of state is not yet known, because the composition of matter at high densities needs to be understood.

From the mass distribution of observed white dwarfs, the most likely mass occurs around 0.5-0.7 M.

The typical radius of a white dwarf is about 1% of the Sun's radius, or about 7000 km.

The outer layers shed to form a planetary nebula, and the core becomes the white dwarf.

The scattering of dark matter on carbon and oxygen nuclei, including the appropriate nuclear form factors, is wellunderstood.


There has been considerable improvement in yield of mungbean during the past mostly due to the empirical selection for yield per se. However, currently both potential and actual yields are leveling off in mungbean because genetic gains in yield are becoming harder to achieve, partly due to the lack of appropriate genetic variability (Khan et al., 2001; Sharma-Natu and Ghildiyal, 2005) . Recently, the very high genetic similarity (> 0.9) found among 12 Thai recommended mungbean varieties further substantiated that genetic base of mungbean was quite narrow which might limit continued breeding success .

However, currently both potential and actual yields are leveling off in mungbean because genetic gains in yield are becoming harder to achieve, partly due to the lack of appropriate genetic variability.


In practice however, the use of semi-crystalline materials is desired due to their low-cost and processability. Their physical and mechanical properties strongly depend on the crystal structure and super-molecular morphology induced during processing of the material. This includes both the chemical and thermo-mechanical history; polymerization where chemical composition, chain architecture and molecular weight can be altered and product design where material formulation, pressure, flow and cooling rates determine the final mechanical properties [35, 36] . Since commonly an extrusion or injection moulding step is involved in the production process, large spatial variations of cooling rate, pressure and flow lead to anisotropy and local chain orientation [35] [36] [37] .

This includes both the chemical and thermo-mechanical history; polymerization where chemical composition, chain architecture and molecular weight can be altered and product design where material formulation, pressure, flow and cooling rates determine the final mechanical properties.

Since commonly an extrusion or injection moulding step is involved in the production process, large spatial variations of cooling rate, pressure and flow lead to anisotropy and local chain orientation.


While analyzing the classification errors, we observed two main challenging situations, which also arise in existing gesture classification algorithms. First, we observed abnormal misclassifications due to the higher variability of the user independent scenario for the VShape. The confusion matrix shows that most of the misclassified VShape gestures are classified as Swipe gestures. This contrasts with the higher classification accuracy for the user dependent scenario (almost 100%). The gesture data set showed that for several users, the VShape was closer to a U-shaped gesture. In several cases such U-shaped gestures where erroneously classified as Swipes. This shows that different users might have different behaviors to perform Swipe and VShape gestures which for the user independent scenario can introduce a higher degree of variability. The second limitation was the orientation discrimination of the eight orientations for the Swipe gesture, specially for the user independent scenario. Again, situations prone to increased variability result in more challenging scenarios. Nevertheless, mean classification error is lower than 5% for almost all conditions which is comparable to the average error rate in point and click interfaces [25] .

Nevertheless, mean classification error is lower than 5% for almost all conditions which is comparable to the average error rate in point and click interfaces.


Our approach, which is quite elementary, follows closely the ideas of Valentini-Madan, Calderón,Villa-Salvador and Madden [16] . Madden, used the same analysis and constructed a K-basis of Ω F (1), in order to compute the rank of the Hasse-Witt matrix. We should mention here that all the above authors had used Boseck invariants in their papers [23] , [17] , [16] .

Our approach, which is quite elementary, follows closely the ideas of Valentini-Madan, Calderón,Villa-Salvador and Madden.

We should mention here that all the above authors had used Boseck invariants in their papers.


In essence, this model divides SA occurrences into shortcomings of the cognitive psychology paradigm of perception, cognition, and projection of future events. Such a type of model has previously been used to study SA related problems in the aviation domain (Jones & Endsley, 1996) . The purpose of this research was twofold: first to analyse and quantify the problem of lack of SA in maritime accidents, second, to measure the efficacy and accuracy of the Leximancer tool for accident report analysis, with a view to using such tools for analysis of a wide range of accident and incident reports.

Such a type of model has previously been used to study SA related problems in the aviation domain.


The results from the manual coding stage revealed that 71% of human errors were SA related problems. Of the SA errors identified during the manual coding process, 58.5% were level 1 SA errors, 32.7% were level 2, and 8.8% were level 3 (Grech & Horberry, 2002) . A comparison between the results of manual coding and the Leximancer on these 26 reports revealed a very close proximity between hit rates as shown in figure 1.

Of the SA errors identified during the manual coding process, 58.5% were level 1 SA errors, 32.7% were level 2, and 8.8% were level 3.


The researcher then explored the nature of comments being made by the instructors to see if there was a qualitative difference, particularly in relation to social and teaching presence as research suggests a strong relationship between social presence and student satisfaction with their learning in the course (Hostetter & Busch, 2006) . What follows is an example of a typical instructor 1 post. It offers feedback on the student's post and would align with teaching and cognitive presence.

The researcher then explored the nature of comments being made by the instructors to see if there was a qualitative difference, particularly in relation to social and teaching presence as research suggests a strong relationship between social presence and student satisfaction with their learning in the course.


Studies which explore formal and informal instructor behaviours in online business education are needed. Few studies actually explore this area and little is known about the specifics of instructor interaction (Arbaugh, 2010; Bair & Bair, 2011) . This case study, therefore, begins with the question, followed by a review of related literature on online learning, particularly centred on student satisfaction, feedback and the role of the instructor. This is followed by a description of the methodology used to explore the question, and a discussion of the results with further literature considered to close the reflective loop.

Few studies actually explore this area and little is known about the specifics of instructor interaction.


Research by Shea and colleagues, using social network analysis found that instructors with fewer postings, but more directive quality information that supported students, demonstrated strong teaching presence (Shea et al., 2010) . It also generated considerable activity between the instructor and the students in comparison to instructors that posted more general but frequent information. They explained this phenomenon as 'prestige' rather than 'centrality in the discussion forums. Instructor 1 postings generally acknowledged a student's contribution and indicated that it was a good post. It occasionally offered the instructor's opinion and some additional content. For the most part, instructor 1 offered comments that would be considered teaching presence. Further, they exhibited more centrality rather than prestige. This was quite different for instructor 2 who offered more social presence, in addition to teaching and cognitive presence. The balance appeared to be right, as measured by increased student satisfaction on items 5 an 7 and overall satisfaction on item 11 in table 1.

Research by Shea and colleagues, using social network analysis found that instructors with fewer postings, but more directive quality information that supported students, demonstrated strong teaching presence.


Reinforcement Learning Reinforcement learning models are able to map scenarios to appropriate actions, with the goal of maximizing a cumulative reward. Unlike supervised learning, the learner (the aдent) is not explicitly shown which action is best. Instead the agent must discover the best action through trial and error by either exploiting current knowledge or exploring unknown states [16] . At each timestep, t, the agent will observe a state of the environment, s t and will select an action, a t . The action the agent selects depends on the policy, π . This policy can reenact several types of behaviors. As an example, it can either act greedily or balance between exploration and exploitation through an ϵ-greedy (or better) approach. The policy is driven by the expected rewards of each state, which the model must learn. Given the action selected, the model will arrive at a new state, s t +1 . At each step, the environment sends the agent a reward, r t +1 , which signals the "goodness" of the action selected. The agent's goal is to maximize this total reward [16] . One approach is to use a value-based iteration technique, where the model records state-action values, QL(s, a). These values specify the long-term desirability of the state by taking into account the rewards for the states that are likely to follow [16] .

Instead the agent must discover the best action through trial and error by either exploiting current knowledge or exploring unknown states.

The agent's goal is to maximize this total reward.

These values specify the long-term desirability of the state by taking into account the rewards for the states that are likely to follow.


Trials in the lab scale plant proved that the impregnated wood samples do not leach a significant amount of copper during the oil treatment after different fixation times. The amount of copper which was analysed in ground samples of test A (Fig. 1) is comparable to the results gained for boards with comparable sapwood content (Scheffler 2002) . The copper content of oil samples is maximum four times higher (test A, 100% sapwood samples) than that measured in fresh oil. For those oil samples gathered after the treatment of Scots pine wood samples containing 40-70% sapwood (test A), the copper content slightly increases after one hour fixation of the wood preservative compared to the amount of copper in recent oil. A prolonged fixation time of wood preservative in wood samples with low amount of sapwood showed a negligible amount of copper.

The amount of copper which was analysed in ground samples of test A (Fig. 1) is comparable to the results gained for boards with comparable sapwood content.


An increased process time does not lead to more copper leaching of the wood samples during the hot oil process (Scheffler 2002) . This corresponds to the gained results in the pilot plant (test B). Longer processes lead to a higher drying effect and a greater amount of water is boiling out of the wood samples, which is cooled and collected in the condensate reservoir. It is assumed that a greater amount of process related copper could be detected in the condensate after five and eight hours than after two hours. Increasing the oil process time increases the drying of wood and more water is either collected in the condensator or still mixed with the oil. The water in the oil-water mixture can be released by heating up the oil under vacuum without wood over the vapour pressure of water.

An increased process time does not lead to more copper leaching of the wood samples during the hot oil process.


We recently identified the novel protein P252 in the BBM of B. mori, a hybrid of Shunreiϫ Shogetsu. P252 bound to Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac, and these interactions occurred under physiological conditions due to low K d values, and the binding was shown to be specific by heterologous competition assay (Hossain et al., 2004) . The fact that P252 from B. mori BBMV was solubilized with Triton X-100 suggested that it localized in non-raft regions of BBMV. In the present work, we focused on P252 localization and binding to Cry1A toxins.

P252 bound to Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac, and these interactions occurred under physiological conditions due to low K d values, and the binding was shown to be specific by heterologous competition assay.


Emotion is a complex psycho-physiological behavioral of mind as interacting with biochemical and environmental influences. Emotion fundamentally involves "physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience" [1] . Emotion is associated with mood, temperament, personality, disposition, and motivation. Motivations direct and energize behavior, while emotions provide the affective component to motivation, positive or negative [2] .

Emotion fundamentally involves "physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience".

Motivations direct and energize behavior, while emotions provide the affective component to motivation, positive or negative.


The function of such a resistance is to reduce the time required for the FDTD algorithm to reach the steady state by rapidly damping the oscillations resulting from the cavity resonance. The radius of the monopole is 0.000635 mm and is represented using thin wire model [9] . Field components are updated every 2.88675 ps; this time step satisfies the condition for numerical stability stated by Courant [8, 13] .

The radius of the monopole is 0.000635 mm and is represented using thin wire model.

Field components are updated every 2.88675 ps; this time step satisfies the condition for numerical stability stated by Courant.


So far the published results have shown that a CBS antenna excited in the T E 101 mode is linearly polarized. Different configurations of CBS antenna have been examined for producing circularly polarized radiation, such as single square loop slot, two element square loop slot and two-arm spiral slot antenna [7] . In this work, cross-shaped and square-shaped arrays, are proposed to produce circular polarization for X-band satellite communications with high gain, and high front-to-back ratio (FBR).

Different configurations of CBS antenna have been examined for producing circularly polarized radiation, such as single square loop slot, two element square loop slot and two-arm spiral slot antenna.


In this paper we describe an approach to checking desired properties of formal systems implemented in αProlog, a logic programming language which supports programming with "concrete" names and binding modulo α-equivalence [11] . Our work is the first to show how to find bugs in high-level specifications of programming languages and other calculi automatically and effectively. We explore techniques based on both negation-as-failure and negation elimination, along with encouraging, though preliminary, experimental results. Our experience has been that while brute-force testing cannot yet find "deep" problems (such as the well-known unsoundness in old versions of ML involving polymorphism and references) by itself, it is extremely useful for eliminating "shallow" bugs or typos.

In this paper we describe an approach to checking desired properties of formal systems implemented in αProlog, a logic programming language which supports programming with "concrete" names and binding modulo α-equivalence.


A considerable effort has been made to remove stripe noise. The process of removing stripe noise in the striped image is called image destriping. Many methods have been proposed for destriping problems. The first kind of approaches employs digital filtering in the transform domain and suppresses the specific frequency caused by stripes [6] [7] [8] . However, some structural information with the same frequency are also removed along with stripes, in which case this will lead to image blurring and artifacts and can not remove stripes totally. The second kind of methods focuses on the statistical property of digital numbers (DNs) for each detector such as histogram matching and moment matching [4, 9] . To remove stripes totally, we need to adjust the distribution of DNs to a reference one which is based on the similarity assumption of the data. The third kind of methods treats the destriping issue as an inverse problem [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] . An energy functional is formed by a regularization term and a fidelity term with a regularization parameter to balance the two terms. The minimization of the energy functional is the desired destriping result.

The first kind of approaches employs digital filtering in the transform domain and suppresses the specific frequency caused by stripes.

The second kind of methods focuses on the statistical property of digital numbers (DNs) for each detector such as histogram matching and moment matching.

The third kind of methods treats the destriping issue as an inverse problem.


A widely investigated scheme is called distributed MPC algorithm, which decomposes the global system into subsystems and designs distributed MPC controllers independently (Giselsson, Doan, Keviczky, Schutter, & Rantzer, 2013; Maestre, Muñoz de la Peña, Camacho, & Alamo, 2011; Scheu & Marquardt, 2011; Zhang, Wang, & Li, 2013; Zheng, Li, & Li, 2011) . The iterative distributed MPC requires interactions among subsystems. The performance of closed-loop system is improved with the increase in number of iterations. Nevertheless, the computational time will increase with the increasing number of iterations.

A widely investigated scheme is called distributed MPC algorithm, which decomposes the global system into subsystems and designs distributed MPC controllers independently.


Model predictive control technology has been widely used in complex constrained multivariable control problems including chemical processes, power systems, urban traffic systems and irrigation canals (Qin & Badgwell, 2003) . The key idea of MPC technique is to use a linear process model of the system to predict the future states and control inputs. This is achieved by solving an online optimisation problem to obtain the optimal control sequence over a future time horizon. The first control input in the control sequence is then applied to the process. At the next sample, measurements are used to update the optimization problem, and the optimization is repeated (Mayne, Rawlings, Rao, & Scokaert, 2000) . This results in demanding online optimization. Computational complexity can become a limiting factor when applying MPC to large-scale systems with fast sampling times. Many works (i.e., distributed MPC, decentralized MPC, and multiplexed MPC) have been proposed to reduce the computational complexity.

Model predictive control technology has been widely used in complex constrained multivariable control problems including chemical processes, power systems, urban traffic systems and irrigation canals.

At the next sample, measurements are used to update the optimization problem, and the optimization is repeated.


The polytopic uncertain systems are widely investigated in recent years for MPC controller design (Canale, Fagiano, & Signorile, 2012; Huang, Li, Lin, & Xi, 2011; Huang, Li, & Xi, 2013; Yun, Choi, & Park, 2010) . The robust MPC controllers are obtained by solving LMIs optimization problem. The computation time is an important issue in on-line solving the LMI constraints. This motivates us to propose a new scheme to reduce the computational complexity in designing the robust MPC for large-scale systems.

The polytopic uncertain systems are widely investigated in recent years for MPC controller design.


Another approach to reduce the computational complexity is the decentralized MPC, in which each subsystem makes control decision independently (Alessio, Barcelli, & Bemporad, 2011; Rivero, Farina, & Ferrari-Trecate, 2013; Sandell Jr, Varaiya, Athans, & Safonov, 1978) . Information exchange including measurements and previous control inputs is allowed only before and after the decision making. There is no coordination between subsystems during the decision process. Nevertheless, it is known that such a decentralized control strategy may result in unacceptable control performance, especially when the couplings between subsystems are strong (Li, Zhang, & Zhu, 2005) .

Another approach to reduce the computational complexity is the decentralized MPC, in which each subsystem makes control decision independently.

Nevertheless, it is known that such a decentralized control strategy may result in unacceptable control performance, especially when the couplings between subsystems are strong.


N ONNEGATIVE Matrix Factorization (NMF) is a renowned tool for factor analysis and unsupervised learning which has been used in many research areas [1] - [4] . In text mining area, for example, factorization on the document-keyword matrix can discover the hidden topics from documents, and these topics can assist document clustering or browsing; In the recommender system area, factorization on the user-movie matrix can help find the genres of users and movies. Based on these genres, the more accurate recommendation can be generated.

N ONNEGATIVE Matrix Factorization (NMF) is a renowned tool for factor analysis and unsupervised learning which has been used in many research areas.


The case study was completed over 14 months during the construction phase of the project, the qualitative survey instrument being administered at the outset, with the results being compared to the values obtained in the CRC project (Gajendran, Brewer & Chen, 2005) . Five representatives from primary stakeholders in the TPO (head contractor, client's inhouse project manager, architect, steel fabricator, client's façade consultant) and three representatives from the façade supply chain (specialist subcontractor, steel fabricator, glass supplier) were interviewed during that period. The proprietor and engineering design manager of the facade specialist subcontractor were individually interviewed at the beginning of the case study, and once again at its conclusion.

The case study was completed over 14 months during the construction phase of the project, the qualitative survey instrument being administered at the outset, with the results being compared to the values obtained in the CRC project.


The collaborative use of ICT across the TPO assembled to complete the design and construction of a construction project, is frequently held up as the future of project delivery. Its purported benefits include improved design coordination, lessened conflict, reduced communications costs and importantly, an accurate stream of information that can be used throughout the life of the constructed asset (Eastman, Teicholz, Sacks & Liston, 2008) . However all of this is dependent upon the presence of participant firms that share compatible technologies, business processes, and cultures, led by people who hold attitudes and display behaviours conducive to collaboration (Gajendran & Brewer, 2007) . In this case it was clearly apparent that the TPO did not possess these characteristics, whilst the specialist facade subcontractor's own supply chain did.

Its purported benefits include improved design coordination, lessened conflict, reduced communications costs and importantly, an accurate stream of information that can be used throughout the life of the constructed asset.

However all of this is dependent upon the presence of participant firms that share compatible technologies, business processes, and cultures, led by people who hold attitudes and display behaviours conducive to collaboration.


It is unusual to have the opportunity to compare conditions in a harvested population with conditions in the original virgin state. For many exploited species, harvesting preceded monitoring and only qualitative historical information is available on pre-harvest conditions (Jackson et al., 2001) . Quantitative historical information is often limited to catch data (Sissenwine, 1984) . As a result, fisheries scientists routinely resort to modelling approaches that approximate the nature of the stock in an unexploited state based on potentially uncertain assumptions about growth, recruitment, and natural mortality (Hilborn and Walters, 1992; Silbert et al., 2006) .

For many exploited species, harvesting preceded monitoring and only qualitative historical information is available on pre-harvest conditions.

Quantitative historical information is often limited to catch data.

As a result, fisheries scientists routinely resort to modelling approaches that approximate the nature of the stock in an unexploited state based on potentially uncertain assumptions about growth, recruitment, and natural mortality.


The fraction of the genotype effect explained by differences between allelic combinations was c. 66%. As all genotypes studied had a spring growth habit and no significant interaction with vernalization requirement was expected, this result provided a quantitative estimate of the relative effect of allelic variation at the Ppd-1 loci in explaining genotypic variance for time to flowering. However, it also suggested that other genetic factors determined c. 34% of the genotypic variance and also interacted significantly with the site. This non-Ppd-1 related variation is supported by the fact that there were statistically significant differences in all traits within all allelic combinations, suggesting the involvement of Eps, in accordance with previous studies reporting the influence of minor genes on bread wheat flowering time (Griffiths et al. 2009; García et al. 2011) .

This non-Ppd-1 related variation is supported by the fact that there were statistically significant differences in all traits within all allelic combinations, suggesting the involvement of Eps, in accordance with previous studies reporting the influence of minor genes on bread wheat flowering time.


Maximizing plant yield potential in any given environment requires optimizing the use of water, nutrients and radiation, and avoiding negative effects from any type of stress during the vegetative and grain-filling periods. This can only be achieved by growing varieties with a flowering time and life-cycle duration suited to the environmental conditions. In wheat, flowering time is a critical stage as it defines the duration of spike formation and therefore the allocation of resources to seed production, and marks the beginning of the grain-filling period. The trade-off between resource allocation and stress avoidance is also of primary importance: for example, brief episodes of high temperature (>32-36°C) coinciding with a critical period of only 1-3 days around wheat anthesis can greatly reduce seed set and yield (Wheeler et al. 2000) . Therefore, setting the optimum flowering time for a target environment is essential, not only to enhance grain yield but also to permit full expression of end-use quality genetic potential. Manipulation of flowering time has always been a major objective in wheat breeding programmes. Understanding its underlying genetic control and the environmental effect on its expression is crucial to finetune phenology for a particular set of environmental conditions for optimum and stable performance.

The trade-off between resource allocation and stress avoidance is also of primary importance: for example, brief episodes of high temperature (>32-36°C) coinciding with a critical period of only 1-3 days around wheat anthesis can greatly reduce seed set and yield.


For other parts of the Mediterranean, there are some indications that temperatures may be closer to pivotal levels. For instance, at Kyparissia Bay in 1987, a mean incubation duration of 55.5 days was obtained with a sample of 50 (Margaritoulis 1989) . These values are for field incubation durations that include the interval between hatching and the emergence at the sand surface a few days later. This interval has not been adequately researched but is probably about 4 days for loggerheads . If 4 days is added to the 52.6 days obtained here for pivotal duration to hatching, then it gives an estimated field pivotal of 56.6 days. This is similar to the 55.5 days for Kyparissia Bay in 1987, suggesting that in some years, appreciable numbers of males might be produced there. More generally, female biases at other beaches in the Mediterranean may not be as extreme as those in Cyprus, which has the shortest recorded incubation durations in the region (Godley et al. 2001a (Godley et al. , 2001b Ilgaz and Baran 2001) . At Zakynthos (Fig. 1) , the largest documented loggerhead nesting aggregation in the Mediterranean, mean seasonal (n = 4) incubation durations ranging between 57.4 and 61.9 days have been found (D. Margaritoulis and K. Katselidis, unpublished data). Nevertheless, there are other Mediterranean beaches on which incubation durations appear to be several days less than the estimated field pivotal of 56.6 (Türkozan 2000; Godley et al. 2001b) . Taken together, the available reports giving data on incubation duration lead one to believe that hatchling sex ratio in the Mediterranean may vary considerably among beaches.

For instance, at Kyparissia Bay in 1987, a mean incubation duration of 55.5 days was obtained with a sample of 50.

More generally, female biases at other beaches in the Mediterranean may not be as extreme as those in Cyprus, which has the shortest recorded incubation durations in the region.

Nevertheless, there are other Mediterranean beaches on which incubation durations appear to be several days less than the estimated field pivotal of 56.6.


The inheritance of this syndrome seems uncertain so far. Most cases are sporadic and familial recurrence is quite unusual and extremely rare. However familial cases were described by some investigators [18, [27] [28] [29] [30] . Also no transmission from a parent to a child has been observed. The rate of consanguinity is not increased among the parents, and there has been no maternal or paternal age effect.

However familial cases were described by some investigators.


The total number of licks per drinking session did not differ with injury, suggesting that similar total volumes of liquid were consumed during each session. However, the way in which liquid was consumed after injury was very different. A licking cluster is a sustained period of licking terminated by breaks in licking, i.e., when the head backs away from the spout; its summation reflects the time spent drinking. Licking clusters in normal rats consisted of long periods of continuous licking (~19.27 seconds) for about ¾ of the drinking session. After injury, we observed short-bursts of uninterrupted licking for ~8-11 seconds in duration that occurred repetitively throughout the session. As a result, the number of clusters initiated increased by ~50% post-injury. These observations suggest that injured rats took repeated breaks during the drinking session and required longer meal times to consume the same volume of liquid compared to pre-injury. Clinically, lengthy feeding times can lead to fatigue and put patients at risk for developing malnutrition [56] . Rats are known to fluctuate the duration of time spent licking when the temporal pattern of licking is altered in order to maintain stable liquid consumption [40] . Previous studies in normal rats have indicated that with palatable solutions the cluster duration is dependent on licking rate and interlick interval duration. For example, the lick rate and cluster duration is enhanced in rodents with consumption of a familiar flavor of a pleasant solution (e.g., sucrose) [57] . With non-palatable solutions (e.g., ethanol), decreases in licking rate have been shown to result in longer sustained bursts [39] . In our experiments, rats were given chocolate milk, which is a palatable solution and may have unintentionally positively reinforced them to drink for longer periods. However, contrary to the above findings, after injury we detected an increase in interlick interval duration during shorter periods of sustained licking.

Clinically, lengthy feeding times can lead to fatigue and put patients at risk for developing malnutrition.

Rats are known to fluctuate the duration of time spent licking when the temporal pattern of licking is altered in order to maintain stable liquid consumption.

For example, the lick rate and cluster duration is enhanced in rodents with consumption of a familiar flavor of a pleasant solution (e.g., sucrose).

With non-palatable solutions (e.g., ethanol), decreases in licking rate have been shown to result in longer sustained bursts.


In principle, the situation looked favourable for network meta-analysis, with RCTs on six out of seven interventions either against placebo or head-to-head ( Figure 2 ). Lack of direct comparisons, for example GINA 3C versus 4A, could have been compensated by indirect comparisons, for example through GINA 3B and placebo. Only theophylline was disconnected to the network of trials as we found no trials in this age group. Due to extremely different choices trialists made on outcome reporting methods, we had to abandon attempts at meta-analysis. Apart from embarking on a set of concerted new trials in this area, which may take years to complete, a potentially quicker way to salvage the situation with existing data may be joint action among sponsors and trialists of existing trials to aggregate their raw data to inform an IPD meta-analysis [42, 43] . The authors of this review would be more than happy to support such an endeavour, thereby achieving this review's original aim. Such an exercise would depend also on the results of additional trialist-provided information on trial quality, since pooling of very low quality data is unattractive. This brings us to the next point. We assessed the risk of bias in the included trials on a 9-item methodological quality checklist. We scored "?" if the risk of bias seemed hard to determine. We scored 138/207 "?", and this is largely due to partial, unclear or non-reporting (see Table 2 ). Adoption and enforcement of the CONSORT statement should become a priority for trialists and journals alike [44] .

Apart from embarking on a set of concerted new trials in this area, which may take years to complete, a potentially quicker way to salvage the situation with existing data may be joint action among sponsors and trialists of existing trials to aggregate their raw data to inform an IPD meta-analysis.

This brings us to the next point.

Adoption and enforcement of the CONSORT statement should become a priority for trialists and journals alike.


Pultrusion is a manufacturing technique that produces continuous profiles of composite materials. The process is used for the fabrication of profiles with constant cross-sections. Historically, thermoset resins have dominated the pultrusion industry because of their adhesion to reinforcements and efficient impregnation thanks to their low viscosity. But thermosets start to be replaced by thermoplastics. The latter are more difficult to process but offer improved impact strength and enhanced fracture toughness, allow post-thermoforming to create non-straight shapes and recycling [1] . Moreover pultrusion speeds up to 10 m/min can be reached with thermoplastics [2] . This is why, for instance, automotive industry might be interested in this technology. During injection-pultrusion, continuous fibers impregnated with a liquid polymer are pulled through a die to form composites with a constant crosssection. Even though the impregnation step was not challenging with thermosets because of their low viscosity, it becomes a critical issue with melted thermoplastics due to their higher viscosity. The impregnation has a strong impact on the quality of pultruded products. A good understanding of this step is needed to limit the void formation. Once the impregnation step is achieved, the temperature control will also have an important impact on the final profile quality and can induced for instance residual stresses or shape distortions [3] .

The latter are more difficult to process but offer improved impact strength and enhanced fracture toughness, allow post-thermoforming to create non-straight shapes and recycling.

Moreover pultrusion speeds up to 10 m/min can be reached with thermoplastics.

Once the impregnation step is achieved, the temperature control will also have an important impact on the final profile quality and can induced for instance residual stresses or shape distortions.


The density and the poor connectivity of the road transport network are responsible for its vulnerability to structural, natural and traffic factors. The Danube Bridges represent critical infrastructure elements. The disruption of their functionality generates increasing of travel times and induces network vulnerability. The Romanian road network has a length of 82,386 km of which 15,396 km of national roads (6,188 Km of European roads), and 529 km highways. The modelled network used in the case study has a total length of 17,530 Km including national roads, highways and major county roads (figure 2). The network is separated by the Danube River in two sub-networks connected by two bridges (Cernavodă Bridges-in reality are two bridges connected by a land link on Balta Ialomitei Island, Giurgeni Bridge). The initial traffic flow on road transport network is presented in figure 3 and is obtained using Equilibrium Assignment Procedure [10] . Using equation (4) is calculate the exposure regarding the unsatisfied demand for the Romanian seaports (Constanta and Mangalia) for road border points induced by Danube Bridges. The result are presented in figure 6 .

The initial traffic flow on road transport network is presented in figure 3 and is obtained using Equilibrium Assignment Procedure.

The result are presented in figure 6 .


Several previous studies have revealed a possible role for the ERK component of the MAPK pathway in mediating ␣GSU transcription in response to PKC activation [9, 10, 14, 36] . A recent study has shown that GnRH activates ERK and JNK in L␤T2 cells, although ERK was not implicated in the GnRH regulation of LH␤ transcription [31] . Our studies revealed that the PMA effect on ␣GSU transcription was inhibited between 40-50% in L␤T2 cells (Ϫ244␣ and Ϫ517␣ constructs) following U0126 treatment with the specific MEK inhibitor, implying that ERK activation is a partial requirement for the PMA transcriptional effect. Similar results were seen when using the heterologous Ϫ517TKLUC construct (data not shown), and U0126 pretreatment also significantly attenuated PMA activation of a Gal4-Elk-1 expression vector, confirming that the MEK inhibitor was blocking ERK-stimulated transcription. Thus, ERK activation plays a role in mediating the transcriptional effects of PKC activation on the human ␣GSU promoter in L␤T2 cells, as has been previously suggested in ␣T3-1 cells [7, 9, 10] .

Several previous studies have revealed a possible role for the ERK component of the MAPK pathway in mediating ␣GSU transcription in response to PKC activation.

A recent study has shown that GnRH activates ERK and JNK in L␤T2 cells, although ERK was not implicated in the GnRH regulation of LH␤ transcription.

Thus, ERK activation plays a role in mediating the transcriptional effects of PKC activation on the human ␣GSU promoter in L␤T2 cells, as has been previously suggested in ␣T3-1 cells.


The combined findings of deletion studies using overlapping homologous and heterologous highlighted the region between Ϫ244 and Ϫ195 as being required for PMAstimulated ␣GSU transcription in L␤T2 cells. An SF-1 binding site, the GSE, resides within this part of the proximal promoter and has previously been implicated in regulating basal ␣GSU transcription in ␣T3-1 cells [11, 12] . We therefore examined the role of the GSE and of SF-1 in the regulation of basal and PMA/GnRH-stimulated ␣GSU transcription in L␤T2 cells. Using site-directed mutagenesis to introduce a CC to TT mutation within the GSE region of a Ϫ517␣LUC construct, we were able to confirm the importance of the GSE in regulating basal and PKC-stimulated ␣GSU transcription in L␤T2 cells. This mutation obliterated SF-1 binding in nuclear extracts from L␤T2 cells. Basal ␣GSU-promoter activity was significantly reduced in the presence of the mutated GSE, and the fold PMA effect was also significantly reduced by at least 50%. These data demonstrate for the first time a role for SF-1 and the GSE, not only in basal ␣GSU transcription but also in mediating the effects of PMA on the activity of the human ␣GSU promoter in L␤T2 cells.

An SF-1 binding site, the GSE, resides within this part of the proximal promoter and has previously been implicated in regulating basal ␣GSU transcription in ␣T3-1 cells.


Surgical treatments include decompression, with or without more or less extensive fusion with treatments decisions based on symptoms and pathology [6] . The risks that different surgical strategies carry are not evident. The possible risk of deformity progression after minor surgery might influence decision making towards major surgery, while comorbidities might influence the decision towards minor surgery.

Surgical treatments include decompression, with or without more or less extensive fusion with treatments decisions based on symptoms and pathology.


As a more involved example, consider the addition of attack arguments [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] . In that case, the attack from argument a to argument b is represented by adding an attack meta-argument 'a attacks b' in between. This attack metaargument itself attacks meta-argument b ∈ , which represents that if the attack meta-argument is accepted, we cannot have that argument b is accepted. Moreover, if the attack metaargument is not accepted, because it is itself attacked, then meta-argument b ∈ can be accepted, and thus argument b can be accepted. Now, how do we represent that if argument a (i.e. meta-argument a ∈ ) is not accepted, then we cannot have an attack from a to b either? We cannot represent this by an attack from meta-argument a ∈ to the attack meta-argument, but we represent it by an attack from the meta-argument a / ∈ to the attack meta-argument. This illustrates the essential role of out meta-arguments in the representation of second or higher order attacks.

As a more involved example, consider the addition of attack arguments.


When handle vertices are rotated, mean curvature normals need to be rotated automatically [1] . We introduce a new rotation-propagation method that interpolates the logarithms of unit quaternions. Our method realizes the spherical linear interpolation of rotations from fixed vertices.

When handle vertices are rotated, mean curvature normals need to be rotated automatically.


New technologies provide new opportunities. A common problem in life cycle assessment (LCA) is the low availability of life cycle inventory (LCI) data [1] [2] [3] . Aproximately 70-80% of the time and cost of an LCA can be attributed to data gathering for the inventory phase [4] . New technologies such as distributed ledger technology (e.g., blockchain), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data (BD), and artificial intelligence (AI) provide opportunities to revolutionize the collection of LCI data. These technologies can also prove to be useful for impact assessment modeling and the dissemination of LCA results at a large scale. It is important to have these environmental impact results, showing the effect of activities on climate change, in order to identify improvement opportunities, track any progress, and further reduce the footprint of activities.

A common problem in life cycle assessment (LCA) is the low availability of life cycle inventory (LCI) data.

Aproximately 70-80% of the time and cost of an LCA can be attributed to data gathering for the inventory phase.


Determination of LCP and Not-LCP patients As recommended by the developers of the LCP, introduction of the LCP was left to the discretion of the most senior clinician managing each patient [11] . As a result, some patients who died in the demonstration wards were not offered the LCP. While we were unable to collect observational data on team interaction regarding commencing the LCP, anecdotal information from the clinicians involved suggested that reasons for this included the following: (1) disagreement within the clinical team as to whether the patient was dying, (2) a last attempt at rescue before offering the LCP, or (3) clinical overestimation of survival time left to the patient. This cohort of patients thus formed a 'natural' contemporaneous comparison group which served as our control (Not-LCP).

Determination of LCP and Not-LCP patients As recommended by the developers of the LCP, introduction of the LCP was left to the discretion of the most senior clinician managing each patient.


Think of an employer A looking for suggestions from other employers about suitable candidates to recruit (Gërxhani et al. 2013) . Even if she is not involved in any formal organization connecting her to other employers, A might receive suggestions from employer B who happens to be her golf partner. In fact, if B knows employer C, A might even receive information from C without knowing C. In this way, some individuals might connect others who are otherwise separated. Separation can occur, for instance, by location or lack of direct social connections. Individuals who connect others in this way are in a sense more 'central' in the network than those who do not connect strangers.

Think of an employer A looking for suggestions from other employers about suitable candidates to recruit.


The build-up of ice on aircraft wings can result in severe degradation in lift and loss of aircraft control [1] . Indeed, experimental and computational studies on the effects of ice accretion on aerodynamic surfaces continue to be active areas of research [2] [3] [4] [5] . There are two established approaches for mitigating this problem; using an anti-icing system to prevent the formation of ice on the wing or other aerodynamic surface during flight, and de-icing, which is the removal of ice buildup, usually whilst the aircraft is stationary.

The build-up of ice on aircraft wings can result in severe degradation in lift and loss of aircraft control.

Indeed, experimental and computational studies on the effects of ice accretion on aerodynamic surfaces continue to be active areas of research.


Another established approach, used on smaller commuter aircraft, is to use pneumatic bladders in regions which are most prone to ice build-up, primarily the leading edges. These are inflated to detach ice from critical locations and as such act more as de-icing devices. The dislodged ice debris may impact other parts of the aircraft structure or be ingested by the powerplants, damaging fan blades [7] . Since pneumatic technologies are activated once ice has started to form, some aerodynamic performance is sacrificed prior to de-icing. Due to weight and maintenance implications, anti-icing and de-icing systems are restricted to specific, albeit critical, regions and so ice can still accumulate at other sections of the lifting surface.

The dislodged ice debris may impact other parts of the aircraft structure or be ingested by the powerplants, damaging fan blades.


During gas turbine operation, each component has its own failure modes. For instance, vanes failure modes are thermal fatigue, low cycle fatigue and corrosion. In the case of blades, failure mechanisms are low cycle fatigue, high cycle fatigue, thermal fatigue, environmental attack and creep [17, 18] . Consequently, life estimation of gas turbine hot section blades consists of two main parts; creep and fatigue calculation and environmental attack consideration. In most life estimation investigations, creep and fatigue lives are major parts of procedure and other failure mechanisms like corrosion are in second order of importance [19, 20] . The critical part of a gas turbine that determines the hot section life is the turbine 1st stage blade [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] . Severe states of stress and temperature and corrosive condition in gas turbine 1st stage are the reasons for this claim.

In the case of blades, failure mechanisms are low cycle fatigue, high cycle fatigue, thermal fatigue, environmental attack and creep.

In most life estimation investigations, creep and fatigue lives are major parts of procedure and other failure mechanisms like corrosion are in second order of importance.

The critical part of a gas turbine that determines the hot section life is the turbine 1st stage blade.


Different views about why gender differences influence learning have been canvassed. Some point to biological characteristics (Ning, 2010) . On the other hand, many reject this relationship, suggesting instead that social and cultural reasons cause the huge gap between men and women in many fields including language learning (Ning, 2010; Kaiser, 2006) . The present study came as a result of the researchers hearing from many students and professors that males and females are not equivalent in terms of their language learning abilities. It seems that studying the relationship between gender and language learning and gender differences in learning English might help teachers to plan learning experiences accordingly and develop strategies to improve students' language acquisition (Aslan, 2009) . Because no previous studies focus on the influence of gender among college students in Oman, and as Oman has adopted a co-education system, particularly in institutions of higher education, exploring the differences between males and females in learning English among Sultan Qaboos University students became the main goal of this research.

Some point to biological characteristics.

On the other hand, many reject this relationship, suggesting instead that social and cultural reasons cause the huge gap between men and women in many fields including language learning.

It seems that studying the relationship between gender and language learning and gender differences in learning English might help teachers to plan learning experiences accordingly and develop strategies to improve students' language acquisition.


A theoretical study of the boundary layer behavior in a liquid film over an unsteady stretching sheet is carried out including the effects of variable transverse magnetic field. The results on viscous dissipation coincide with that of Chen [40] . Present investigation reveals that the magnetic field effect has a considerable impact in controlling the flow and heat transfer. The effect of transverse magnetic field on a viscous incompressible conducting fluid is to suppress the velocity field which in turn causes the enhancement of the temperature field.

The results on viscous dissipation coincide with that of Chen.


For food processors, lipid oxidation is of great economic concern. It is seen that product shelf life is seriously reduced by lipid oxidation. Many food products can be spoiled by oxidation processes, which results in the decrease of their shelf life [1] . In order to protect the food from lipid oxidation, many food industries uses a variety of synthetic oxidants (e.g., BHT and BHA). But, recently these additives have been banned due to health concerns [2] . However, the demand of consumers for natural, healthy products has been increased in recent years. So, researchers are now trying to explore the new sources of natural antioxidants, mainly from medicinal herbs as an alternate to synthetic antioxidants [3, 4] .

Many food products can be spoiled by oxidation processes, which results in the decrease of their shelf life.

But, recently these additives have been banned due to health concerns.

So, researchers are now trying to explore the new sources of natural antioxidants, mainly from medicinal herbs as an alternate to synthetic antioxidants.


The selection of extraction method depends upon many factors such as nature of plant material and type of compounds present in the plant [6] . Therefore, researchers have tried various methods such as ambient, soxhlet, microwave and ultrasound-assisted extractions for the highest recovery of compounds of interest [7] . Besides extraction technique, yield of phenolics is also significantly influenced by extraction medium [8] . But choice of extraction technique and medium is dependent on the chemical nature of antioxidative compounds, which varies from plant to plant. Therefore, proper extraction technique and medium is required to be chosen for individual plant material.

The selection of extraction method depends upon many factors such as nature of plant material and type of compounds present in the plant.

Therefore, researchers have tried various methods such as ambient, soxhlet, microwave and ultrasound-assisted extractions for the highest recovery of compounds of interest.

Besides extraction technique, yield of phenolics is also significantly influenced by extraction medium.


Flavonoids are "high level" antioxidants, including flavones, flavanols, isoflavonoles, anthocyanins and condensed tannins. There are many reports presented on the quantification and identification of flavonoids from liguminacae family. Results of this research are also supporting the presence of flavonoids from the root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra plant. This extraction tendency is seen more in soxhlet extraction followed by orbital shaker and ambient extraction. Figure 2 revealed that TFC amount increased with increasing the polarity of solvents. This study also confirmed that Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract possessed higher TFC as compared to other plants [22] .

This study also confirmed that Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract possessed higher TFC as compared to other plants.


Copyright 9 1994, The Clay Minerals Society kaolins (Karickhoff and Bailey, 1973; Kosmas et al., 1984; Barron and Torrent, 1986) . It has been used to monitor the influence of the modification of kaolin optical properties, e.g., scattering and brightness, as a function of the Fe-impurity content (Jepson, 1988) . We present a determination of the Fe-oxides intimately associated with kaolinite, using second derivative diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. These Fe-oxides have optical spectral properties similar to those of goethite, hematite, akaganeite, or aged hydrous ferric oxides, depending on the formation conditions of kaolin.

Copyright 9 1994, The Clay Minerals Society kaolins.

It has been used to monitor the influence of the modification of kaolin optical properties, e.g., scattering and brightness, as a function of the Fe-impurity content.


Life cycle assessment has widely been used to assess GHG emissions and other associated environmental impacts for water supply and wastewater treatment options in Australia and elsewhere in the world (Barber 2008; Coday et al. 2015; de Haas et al. 2009; Foley et al. 2007; Foley et al. 2010; Hall et al. 2011; Raluy et al. 2005; Stokes and Horvath 2006; Lane et al. 2010; Lundie et al. 2004; Racoviceanu et al. 2007; Shahabi et al. 2015a; Yoshida et al. 2013) . None of them have calculated the net GHG emissions from all existing and alternative water supply options in Western Australia. However, it is important for the policy makers such as Water Corporation of WA to devise strategies to meet the increased demand of water with minimum environmental degradation.

Life cycle assessment has widely been used to assess GHG emissions and other associated environmental impacts for water supply and wastewater treatment options in Australia and elsewhere in the world.


It is noteworthy that perceptions of the benefits of smoking, but not perceptions of the risks, mediated the relationship between invulnerability and smoking behavior. Adolescents who felt less vulnerable to physical (but not psychological) harm perceived the benefits of smoking to be greater, and these greater perceived benefits were associated with greater odds of smoking. It is conceivable that the benefits of smoking are more salient than the risks to adolescents who feel less vulnerable to harm. The lack of a relationship with short-and long-term risk perceptions was not likely due to low statistical power, as our sample size was large and we used a type of statistical mediation analysis that does not rely on exceptionally large samples. Thus, these results add to a growing body of literature suggesting that perceptions of benefits are as important as perceptions of risk in determining adolescent smoking behavior (Halpern-Felsher et al., 2001; Song et al., 2009) . These findings emphasize the importance of identifying, acknowledging, and challenging adolescents' perceptions of the benefits of smoking as part of smoking prevention programs for youth, which currently focus almost exclusively on increasing perceptions of tobacco-related harm.

Thus, these results add to a growing body of literature suggesting that perceptions of benefits are as important as perceptions of risk in determining adolescent smoking behavior.


The current study represents a secondary analysis of data from a 2-year longitudinal study in which the survey was designed to measure potential predictors of adolescent smoking behavior, including invulnerability and the perceived risks and benefits of smoking. Researchers visited classrooms and explained the study, invited students to participate, and provided students with study information and a parental consent form. Students who signed an adolescent assent form and whose parents signed the parental consent form were eligible to participate in the study. Consent forms were distributed to 302 students, of whom 237 (78.5%) returned completed consent forms and 228 (75.5% total response rate; 96.2% of those who completed consent forms) completed the baseline survey. Eligible participants completed surveys twice per school year from the beginning of 9th grade to the end of 10th grade. Of the 228 students who completed the baseline survey, 211 (92.5%) completed the survey again at Time 2, 205 (89.9%) completed the survey at Time 3, and 200 (87.7%) completed the survey at Time 4. The survey comprised questions about beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors associated with tobacco use. Researchers provided instructions and were available to answer questions during survey administration. Participants were given a movie gift certificate in compensation for their participation. All procedures were reviewed and approved by the university's Institutional Review Board. Additional study details have been published elsewhere (Halpern-Felsher et al., 2004) .

Additional study details have been published elsewhere.


This is the first study to our knowledge that has evaluated prospective associations among adolescents' subjective sense of invulnerability (danger and psychological), their perceptions of the risks and benefits of cigarette smoking, and their subsequent smoking behavior. Our first aim was to determine whether subjective invulnerability influenced smoking behavior, or vice versa. Findings showed that, as hypothesized, a greater sense of danger invulnerability was associated with greater odds of smoking 6 months later, a result that was replicated across two pairs of survey time points. Also, consistent with our hypotheses, smoking behavior was not associated with a significant change in invulnerability after controlling for sex and previously reported levels of invulnerability. These findings support the idea that invulnerability as measured in the current study may be more of a developmental construct that influences, but is not influenced by, behavior. Our second aim was to ascertain whether danger and psychological invulnerability were differentially related to smoking behavior. Consistent with our hypothesis, only danger invulnerability predicted smoking behavior 6 months later and was a significant predictor variable in our mediation analyses. One plausible explanation for this finding is that cigarette smoking is generally considered in terms of its physiological rather than psychological risks, and danger invulnerability is specifically associated with a "propensity to take physical risks" (Lapsley & Hill, 2010) . Smoking is primarily presented by the media and in educational settings as a hazard to physical health, and smoking cessation is often regarded as the responsibility of health care professionals such as physicians.

One plausible explanation for this finding is that cigarette smoking is generally considered in terms of its physiological rather than psychological risks, and danger invulnerability is specifically associated with a "propensity to take physical risks".


In our measurements, wear reduction varies over a narrow range with changing linear speed (45.8%-48.6%). Surprisingly, a higher velocity results in a slightly higher wear reduction. One explanation is that as speed increases the actual contact between the pin and the disc decreases. Studies showed that when the amplitude of ultrasonic vibrations is large enough, the contact time between two sliding surfaces is reduced as one surface moves away from the other [17, 18] . Assuming that the pin makes one contact with the disc and then moves away from it in one cycle of ultrasonic vibration, the number of contacts between the disc and the pin over the duration of a test can therefore be estimated. These values are presented in table 4 . The relationship between stick-slip reduction and linear speed does not follow the same trend. As shown in figure 14 , the percentage reduction of stick-slip first increases with linear speed and then decreases. It has been shown that the amplitude of vibration caused by stick-slip is related to the stiffness and damping of the system and that increasing the stiffness can greatly reduce the amplitude of vibration [20] . The reason is that stick-slip can be considered as an excitation to the system, and linear speeds in addition to the waviness of the surface can change the frequency of the excitation. At certain speeds, the system is excited at its resonance frequency, which results in a magnification of the stick-slip vibration. The system resonance frequency can be increased if the system is stiffer. Therefore, the possibility of magnifying the vibration is reduced when the surfaces slide at the same range of speeds [26] .

Studies showed that when the amplitude of ultrasonic vibrations is large enough, the contact time between two sliding surfaces is reduced as one surface moves away from the other.

These values are presented in table 4 .

It has been shown that the amplitude of vibration caused by stick-slip is related to the stiffness and damping of the system and that increasing the stiffness can greatly reduce the amplitude of vibration.

Therefore, the possibility of magnifying the vibration is reduced when the surfaces slide at the same range of speeds.


Friction exists when two contacting surfaces slide relative to each other. Material near the surfaces undergo plastic deformation and break away from the body of the material, resulting in surface wear [1] . It has been shown that application of ultrasonic vibrations at the interface of two surfaces in sliding contact reduces the effective friction force between the surfaces [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] . This phenomenon, often referred to as ultrasonic lubrication, is promising in applications in which traditional lubrication methods are unfeasible (e.g., vehicle seats, space mechanisms) or where friction modulation is desirable (e.g., automotive steering or suspension components).

Material near the surfaces undergo plastic deformation and break away from the body of the material, resulting in surface wear.

It has been shown that application of ultrasonic vibrations at the interface of two surfaces in sliding contact reduces the effective friction force between the surfaces.


The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a major non-lysosomal proteolytic process that regulates the levels of cellular proteins including those involved in neuronal growth and function [12] . Moreover, UPS has been shown to regulate a number of GABA receptors suggesting a possible relationship between UPS and GABAergic system [13] [14] [15] . The UPS consists of concerted actions of three classes of enzymes that link the polypeptide co-factor, ubiquitin (Ub) onto proteins to mark them for degradation [16, 17] . In the first step, the C-terminus of Ub forms a thioester bond with the catalytic cysteine of an E1 Ub-activating enzyme. In the second step, Ub is transferred from the E1 to the catalytic cysteine of the E2, Ub-conjugating enzyme. Finally, the E2 -Ub conjugate cooperates with an E3 (ligase) to transfer Ub to the substrate. Moreover, the interaction between an E3 ligase and its target molecule is a key step in determining the selectivity of UPS for a target molecule and its proteasomal degradation.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a major non-lysosomal proteolytic process that regulates the levels of cellular proteins including those involved in neuronal growth and function.

Moreover, UPS has been shown to regulate a number of GABA receptors suggesting a possible relationship between UPS and GABAergic system.

The UPS consists of concerted actions of three classes of enzymes that link the polypeptide co-factor, ubiquitin (Ub) onto proteins to mark them for degradation.


Ionic-liquids enable to construct hybrid materials with functions such as catalytic or conductive properties owing to their specific characteristics [1] [2] [3] [4] . Inorganic-organic hybrid compounds using OPEN ACCESS ionic-liquid surfactants will exhibit higher structural variation than purely inorganic compounds and higher stability than purely organic compounds. In such ionic-liquid hybrids, the structures and arrangements of molecular components should be precisely controlled for the emergence of characteristic functions as realized in functional hybrid molecular conductors [5, 6] .

Ionic-liquids enable to construct hybrid materials with functions such as catalytic or conductive properties owing to their specific characteristics.

In such ionic-liquid hybrids, the structures and arrangements of molecular components should be precisely controlled for the emergence of characteristic functions as realized in functional hybrid molecular conductors.


Initial Earth-based radar observations discovered that the rotation of Venus is retrograde, with a period of about 243d (Goldstein and Carpenter, 1963) . Comparison of surface feature locations in Earthbased (Arecibo Observatory and Goldstone Solar System Radar) image data from 1972 to 1988 yielded values from 243.022d to 243.026d in the period leading up to the Magellan mission (Shapiro et al., 1979 (Shapiro et al., , 1990 Slade et al., 1990; Davies et al., 1986) . Over 487 days during the Magellan orbital mapping phase, the apparent shift in surface features suggested a lower value of 243.0185 ± 0.0001d (Davies et al., 1992) . This LOD has been the adopted International Astronomical Union standard since 1991 as a rotation rate of −1.413688 deg/day (Archinal et al., 2018) .

Initial Earth-based radar observations discovered that the rotation of Venus is retrograde, with a period of about 243d.

Comparison of surface feature locations in Earthbased (Arecibo Observatory and Goldstone Solar System Radar) image data from 1972 to 1988 yielded values from 243.022d to 243.026d in the period leading up to the Magellan mission.

Over 487 days during the Magellan orbital mapping phase, the apparent shift in surface features suggested a lower value of 243.0185 ± 0.0001d.

This LOD has been the adopted International Astronomical Union standard since 1991 as a rotation rate of −1.413688 deg/day.