The growing demand from consumers for healthy, convenient, and fresh-like products has motivated to study the effects of minimum processing on the quality of fruits and vegetables. Mechanical operations such as slicing, shredding, or dicing bring about a rapid deterioration of vegetables involving physical and chemical changes (Francis and O'Beirne 2005) . Moreover, fresh-cut fruits and vegetables are even more susceptible to spoilage due to the release of nutrient and cellular fluids by disruption of protective epidermal layers (Siddiqui et al. 2011) . Indeed, fresh food consumption remains as a major cause of outbreaks of foodborne diseases (Newell et al. 2010) .

Mechanical operations such as slicing, shredding, or dicing bring about a rapid deterioration of vegetables involving physical and chemical changes.

Moreover, fresh-cut fruits and vegetables are even more susceptible to spoilage due to the release of nutrient and cellular fluids by disruption of protective epidermal layers.

Indeed, fresh food consumption remains as a major cause of outbreaks of foodborne diseases.


Polysaccharides are well known as gelling agents, viscosifiers and stabilizers. These properties make them very interesting for many industrial fields. But the cheapest and most abundant polysaccharides are those from plant sources, as for examples: cellulose, Arabic gum, pectin and starch. The microbial EPS are generally expensive, with the exception of xanthan, because yields are low even when produced under optimal conditions. Another barrier to their commercialization in the food or pharmaceutical industry is the cost of obtaining regulatory approval [1] .

Another barrier to their commercialization in the food or pharmaceutical industry is the cost of obtaining regulatory approval.


From a frequentist statistics point of view, λ is a marginal maximum likelihood estimate. We will show later that if the ridge parameter λ is assigned a uniform prior, then λ is also an estimate of the posterior mode under the "Bayes empirical Bayes" framework, a fully Bayesian approach to empirical Bayes (Deely & Lindley, 1981) . Moreover, the λ is preferred according to the Bayes factor, over pair-wise comparisons of all possible ridge parameter estimates.

We will show later that if the ridge parameter λ is assigned a uniform prior, then λ is also an estimate of the posterior mode under the "Bayes empirical Bayes" framework, a fully Bayesian approach to empirical Bayes.


Conditioning posterior inferences of β on an estimate λ does not account for the extra variability that is inherent in the estimation of the ridge parameter λ. For practice involving real data, this extra variability is negligible when n is sufficiently large, and may not matter much when it is simply of interest to identify significant predictors (covariates) as having SN criteria below the threshold of 1/2. Again, this paper focuses on estimation methods that provide fast, deterministic, and approximate posterior estimation of model parameters. For large data sets that frequently appear in statistical practice, and/or for data sets having important policy implications, such a deterministic estimation method may be preferred over slower and random-output MCMC posterior estimation methods that aim to fully account for the uncertainty in all ridge model parameters (β, σ 2 , λ). In the following sections we describe and illustrate the marginal maximum likelihood estimation methodology, for ridge regression. In Section 2 we review the Bayesian linear model, emphasizing ridge regression, as in classical texts on Bayesian regression (Denison, et al. 2002) . In Section 3, we show how the marginal density π(D n | λ) can be simplified into an equation involving no matrix determinants, after taking a singular value decomposition (s.v.d.) of X, thereby adopting a view of the linear model in an orthogonalized space. Using that simplified equation, we describe a simple and fast algorithm that finds the marginal likelihood estimate λ of the ridge parameter. The estimate provides a basis to directly calculate the posterior mean and covariance estimate of (β, σ 2 ), as well as auxiliary statistics such as the SN criterion.

In Section 2 we review the Bayesian linear model, emphasizing ridge regression, as in classical texts on Bayesian regression.


The applications of AdS/CFT to condensed matter physics have passed the stage of the "proof of concept" and as the problems under the focus become more involved, the more sophisticated numerical machinery is needed to track them. This sets a considerable obstacle to the community of holographers who, being trained as theoretical physicists, often lack the necessary numerical skills. The goal of these notes is to provide a detailed tutorial, to those willing to learn how to use numerical techniques in solving partial differential equations, which may arise in holographic problems, including, for instance holographic lattices [1] [2] [3] .

The goal of these notes is to provide a detailed tutorial, to those willing to learn how to use numerical techniques in solving partial differential equations, which may arise in holographic problems, including, for instance holographic lattices.


Current stereoscopic technologies still require the user to wear bulky glasses. This factor has a significant impact on quality of experience (QoE), especially for users who already wear glasses. Multiview autostereoscopic displays can be the solution to this problem. They provide glasses-free 3D to several viewers simultaneously. Even though this technology is not yet mature enough for a wide acceptance in the consumer market, it is promising. However, multiview autostereoscopic displays suffer from a high crosstalk level between the different views, which is one of the main perceptual factors contributing to image quality and visual comfort [1] .

However, multiview autostereoscopic displays suffer from a high crosstalk level between the different views, which is one of the main perceptual factors contributing to image quality and visual comfort.


Active soft orthotic devices offer the potential to provide a lower profile form factor than active orthotics that use more traditional robotic components, yielding a device that may be worn under the user's normal clothing. The soft nature of these devices increases user mobility and limits muscle atrophy in non-actuated degrees of freedom relative to rigid orthotics, allowing greater comfort for extended use and inclusion in a wearer's daily life. These issues of comfort, ease of use, wearer acceptance, and community acceptance become especially important for devices to be used by children. A concept sketch and photo illustrating the key components of a soft assistive orthotic are shown in Fig. 1 . In order to develop the next generation of soft orthotic devices, a thorough understanding of the constituent components must be developed. The actuators most often used in soft orthotic devices are pneumatic air-bladder actuators, commonly called McKibben actuators or Pneumatic Artificial Muscle (PAM) actuators [8] . Commercially available McKibben actuators are typically large and contain rigid components not compatible with the envisioned soft orthotic. Thus, we focus on the design and manufacture of miniature McKibben actuators that can be integrated into soft materials. With sufficient understanding of these miniaturized soft actuators, the design space for soft orthotic devices can be expanded greatly, enabling devices with improved performance, higher efficiency, and increased ergonomics leading to more natural motion for the wearer.

The actuators most often used in soft orthotic devices are pneumatic air-bladder actuators, commonly called McKibben actuators or Pneumatic Artificial Muscle (PAM) actuators.


It is now well established that the use of traditional fossil fuels is largely responsible for current environmental issues such as climate change. An efficient way to reduce CO2 emissions while still making use of internal combustion engine technology and of the infrastructures build around liquid fuel usage is to shift from hydrocarbon fossil fuels to biofuels. Unlike first-generation biofuels whose synthesis is in competition with agricultural food production, second generation biofuels are produced from other types of biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass, which is not part of the food chain [1] . Acquiring a thorough understanding of the combustion chemistry and emission levels is a crucial prerequisite before any type of bio derived molecule can be considered as fuel for wide use in engines.

Unlike first-generation biofuels whose synthesis is in competition with agricultural food production, second generation biofuels are produced from other types of biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass, which is not part of the food chain.


Biomass contains a variety of substituted five-and six-membered cyclic components, and strategies are being developed to transform biomass into suitable transportation fuels that retain these structures. Saturated cyclic ethers of the family of tetrahydrofuran (THF) can be obtained from carbohydrates or cellulosic biomass by catalytic processes [2] . Thanks to their heating values being close to that of gasoline, these ethers have the potential to become promising bio-fuels for internal combustion engines [3] . Initial engine tests for this family of compounds showed satisfactory performances, with power outputs and emissions close to that of unleaded fuels [4] .

Saturated cyclic ethers of the family of tetrahydrofuran (THF) can be obtained from carbohydrates or cellulosic biomass by catalytic processes.

Thanks to their heating values being close to that of gasoline, these ethers have the potential to become promising bio-fuels for internal combustion engines.

Initial engine tests for this family of compounds showed satisfactory performances, with power outputs and emissions close to that of unleaded fuels.


Research studies based on nonlinear models to describe the growth of Morada Nova sheep are still scarce. After choosing the model that best fits the growth pattern, the descriptive parameters need to be evaluated to identify the factors that may influence growth, like breed, sex, birth type, season, year of birth and age of the mother at calving (Sarmento et al., 2006) . Therefore, this paper describes the best adjusted nonlinear models to weight and age in Morada Nova sheep based on different quality evaluators and cluster analysis. The influence of non-genetic factors on model parameters was also investigated. A total of nine nonlinear models were evaluated to describe the growth of sheep, two of which are routinely used in studies of animal growth (Gompertz and Logistic) and seven represent alternative models (Table 1) .

After choosing the model that best fits the growth pattern, the descriptive parameters need to be evaluated to identify the factors that may influence growth, like breed, sex, birth type, season, year of birth and age of the mother at calving.


Pioneers of Connectivism, George Siemens, Stephen Downes, and other connectivist learning researchers developed and ran a series of Massive Open Online Courses to put their idea of Connectivism into practice from 2008, such as CC08, CCK10, CCK11, Change 11 MOOC, Openness in Education, etmooc, REL2014, Rhizo15, etc. Among these courses, the Change 11 MOOC had the longest duration and lasted for one and a half years. At that time, MOOCs were known throughout the whole world for the very successful MIT xMOOC course Artificial Intelligence. Thus, Change 11 MOOCs occurred not only at the initial peak of cMOOC development, it was also casually referred to as "the mother of MOOCs" (Siemens, 2011a) . MOOCs have since been developing for 10 years. Though many other kinds of MOOCs were proposed and developed, such as sMOOC, MOOR, SPOC, etc., the two main types of MOOCs are cMOOCs and xMOOCs, and the design pedagogies have remained with significant differences (Daniel, 2012; Wang, Chen, & Zhen, 2014) .

Thus, Change 11 MOOCs occurred not only at the initial peak of cMOOC development, it was also casually referred to as "the mother of MOOCs".

Though many other kinds of MOOCs were proposed and developed, such as sMOOC, MOOR, SPOC, etc., the two main types of MOOCs are cMOOCs and xMOOCs, and the design pedagogies have remained with significant differences.


Siemens states that learning is a process of connection and network formulation (Siemens, 2005b) . These networks include neural networks, concept networks, and external/social networks. Obviously the study of neural networks is far beyond the expectations of this research. However, here we examine how learners' participation in a cMOOC is distributed across learning environments from the social network and concept network perspectives. Because connectivist learning is often supported by various distributed technologies, the research questions are therefore: 1) What kind of technologies do learners use to support their learning?

Siemens states that learning is a process of connection and network formulation.


Desktop grid systems can be divided into two categories [48] . When the computers of an enterprise are used to decrease the turnaround time of a compute intensive application, it is called enterprise wide desktop grids or simply desktop grids. The other category is volunteer computing in which home and enterprise computers take part by volunteering idle processing cycles to achieve high throughput.

Desktop grid systems can be divided into two categories.


All questionnaires were completed according to the respective instructions [9, 11, 16] . The sample consisted of 126 firstyear medical students, 36 (29%) women and 90 (71%) men. The mean age was 21 years. For further sample description, see Table 1 .

All questionnaires were completed according to the respective instructions.

The mean age was 21 years.


Furthermore, we were interested in ascertaining gender differences, as previous studies have demonstrated that adolescents' sexual development, including the initiation of sexual intercourse, differs between boys and girls [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] . In the Netherlands, for instance, a study showed that boys initiate sexual intercourse significantly earlier than girls [41] . These gender differences in adolescents' sexual intercourse initiation might be due to various reasons, including cultural aspects regarding sexuality (e.g., the sexual double standard) [36] [37] [38] [39] . In many Western cultures, boys generally have more sexual freedom and are under more pressure from a young age onwards to form and prove their masculinity through sexual activity, whereas girls experience more sexual restrictions [36] [37] [38] [39] . This sexual double standard could help explain why in many Western societies boys initiate sexual intercourse earlier than girls [36] [37] [38] [39] . To take account of these gender differences in adolescent sexual development, in the current study we assessed the prospective associations of physical activity behaviors and screen time with early sexual intercourse for boys and girls separately, and also tested whether these associations differed between boys and girls.

Furthermore, we were interested in ascertaining gender differences, as previous studies have demonstrated that adolescents' sexual development, including the initiation of sexual intercourse, differs between boys and girls.

In the Netherlands, for instance, a study showed that boys initiate sexual intercourse significantly earlier than girls.

These gender differences in adolescents' sexual intercourse initiation might be due to various reasons, including cultural aspects regarding sexuality (e.g., the sexual double standard).

In many Western cultures, boys generally have more sexual freedom and are under more pressure from a young age onwards to form and prove their masculinity through sexual activity, whereas girls experience more sexual restrictions.

This sexual double standard could help explain why in many Western societies boys initiate sexual intercourse earlier than girls.


In addition, the mechanisms of action of this compound have remained elusive and should be further investigated. CBD is a compound with a wide plethora of pharmacological actions, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, which may act through diverse mechanisms, facilitating the endocannabinoid system by blocker FAAH enzyme, binding to TRPV1 channels, serotonin type-1A receptors, A2A adenosine receptors, and peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptors (i.e., PPAR-) among others [15, 17, 58] . In most in vivo models of inflammation, CBD attenuates inflammatory cell migration/infiltration (e.g., neutrophils) [59] . CBD suppresses T cell responses, decreases the release of bioactive tumour necrosis factor (TNF ), and reduces prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels, cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, and production of nitric oxide (NO). The suppressive effects of CBD on cellular immune responses and on the production of proinflammatory mediators may indicate its usefulness in several inflammatory diseases [17] . Additionally, CBD administration was able to decrease leukocyte migration into the lungs, myeloperoxidase activity in the lung tissue, protein concentration and production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL-6), and chemokines (MCP-1 and MIP-2) in the bronchoalveolar lavage supernatant showing a potent anti-inflammatory effect in mice submitted to LPS-induced acute lung injury [60] . In other context, CBD modified the deleterious effects of inflammation in a viral model of multiple sclerosis through decreasing the transmigration of blood leukocytes by downregulating the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), chemokines (CCL2 and CCL5), and the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1 [61] . In respect to effects of CBD on liver, recent data showed that CBD protected against liver toxicity induced by a single dose of cadmium chloride [62] . Similarly, CBD attenuated the deterioration in the measured biochemical parameters and damages mediated by ischemia/reperfusion liver injury besides reducing the inflammatory response in tissue liver [24] . Previous studies already revealed that CBD pretreatment significantly protected against liver ischemia for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 24 hs [25] .

CBD is a compound with a wide plethora of pharmacological actions, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, which may act through diverse mechanisms, facilitating the endocannabinoid system by blocker FAAH enzyme, binding to TRPV1 channels, serotonin type-1A receptors, A2A adenosine receptors, and peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptors (i.e., PPAR-) among others.

In most in vivo models of inflammation, CBD attenuates inflammatory cell migration/infiltration (e.g., neutrophils).

The suppressive effects of CBD on cellular immune responses and on the production of proinflammatory mediators may indicate its usefulness in several inflammatory diseases.

Additionally, CBD administration was able to decrease leukocyte migration into the lungs, myeloperoxidase activity in the lung tissue, protein concentration and production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL-6), and chemokines (MCP-1 and MIP-2) in the bronchoalveolar lavage supernatant showing a potent anti-inflammatory effect in mice submitted to LPS-induced acute lung injury.

In other context, CBD modified the deleterious effects of inflammation in a viral model of multiple sclerosis through decreasing the transmigration of blood leukocytes by downregulating the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), chemokines (CCL2 and CCL5), and the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1.

In respect to effects of CBD on liver, recent data showed that CBD protected against liver toxicity induced by a single dose of cadmium chloride.

Similarly, CBD attenuated the deterioration in the measured biochemical parameters and damages mediated by ischemia/reperfusion liver injury besides reducing the inflammatory response in tissue liver.

Previous studies already revealed that CBD pretreatment significantly protected against liver ischemia for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 24 hs.


There is no doubt that teaching practicum has a stressful, anxiety-provoking atmosphere. Assessment instruments such as being observed, paperwork, peer-teachers, cooperating teachers, and university supervisors are among those stress-creating phenomena (Coşkun, 2013; Merç, 2011) . Therefore, the degree of stress and anxiety may result in a poor student teaching performance. Necessary measures should be taken by all parties in the practicum process including the university supervisors, cooperating teachers, even school administrations, and student teachers themselves for a better practicum placement and a more reliable assessment of student teaching performance.

Assessment instruments such as being observed, paperwork, peer-teachers, cooperating teachers, and university supervisors are among those stress-creating phenomena.


Teaching practicum is a multidimensional activity involving student teachers, cooperating teachers, university supervisors, administrators, and students. Besides organizational difficulties, measuring the performance of teacher candidates in teaching practicum courses is a big concern as teaching practicum entails many different considerations such as lesson plans, observation reports, visits of mentors, etc. During the teaching practicum, student teachers basically benefit from lesson observation, the cooperating teacher and practicum school, university supervisors' supervision, communication with other school members, and the peer teachers (Gan, 2014) .

During the teaching practicum, student teachers basically benefit from lesson observation, the cooperating teacher and practicum school, university supervisors' supervision, communication with other school members, and the peer teachers.


We have developed a novel approach to fabricating gelatin B electrospun scaffolds with tunable fiber orientation to direct endothelial cell migration and consequently dictate the pattern of the newly formed vasculature, via electrostatic field manipulation. In a recent publication, we demonstrated that HUVEC morphology and capillary sprouting are influenced by the architectural features of the electrospun scaffolds (i.e. fiber dimension and orientation) in an in-vitro setting [17] . Herein we proceed to assess the angiogenic potential of these constructs on an ischemic mouse hind-limb model (in-vivo) and their ability to promote and direct vascular growth.

In a recent publication, we demonstrated that HUVEC morphology and capillary sprouting are influenced by the architectural features of the electrospun scaffolds (i.e. fiber dimension and orientation) in an in-vitro setting.


Diseases that result in ischemia due to vascular occlusions are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in western societies despite improvements in minimally invasive surgical interventions to reestablish proper blood flow in underperfused regions of the heart and legs. Current therapeutic angiogenesis strategies to revascularize the area of ischemia involve the administration (e.g. intravenous or intramuscular) of angiogenic growth factors (e.g. VEGF, bFGF, Angiopoetin 1), the transplantation of cells (e.g. bone marrow mononuclear cells, mesenchymal stem cell or endothelial progenitor cells) or a combination of cell and cytokine therapy [1] - [4] . Tissue engineering approaches also include the use of biomaterials and scaffolds for the localized delivery and/or protection of the administered molecules and cells. A critical aspect of these investigative strategies involves the spatiotemporal control of vasculogenesis since undirected vessel growth and disorganized vascular patterning can lead to immature vessel formation and poor network functionality. Even though a number of tissue engineering approaches to promoting revascularization have been reported, minimal success has been achieved in controlling the direction and organization of the newly formed vasculature [5] - [7] .

Current therapeutic angiogenesis strategies to revascularize the area of ischemia involve the administration (e.g. intravenous or intramuscular) of angiogenic growth factors (e.g. VEGF, bFGF, Angiopoetin 1), the transplantation of cells (e.g. bone marrow mononuclear cells, mesenchymal stem cell or endothelial progenitor cells) or a combination of cell and cytokine therapy.

Even though a number of tissue engineering approaches to promoting revascularization have been reported, minimal success has been achieved in controlling the direction and organization of the newly formed vasculature.


In this study, we examined the effects of bFGF loading and scaffold nano-architectural queues on vessel formation and direction in a murine hind limb ischemic model. Scaffold fabrication was achieved by utilizing a novel electrospinning approach capable of producing nanofibrous constructs with patterned fiber architecture which had previously been reported to affect cellular morphology [17] . Scaffold fiber orientation had a pronounced effect of vessel formation and direction. Aligned scaffolds loaded with bFGF promoted new vessel formation from the ligation point down to the foot. The newly formed vessels had a parallel orientation along the axis of the nanofibers, unequivocally demonstrating the effect of construct architecture on vessel patterning. No vessel alignment was observed for constructs with random fiber orientation or in the case of bolus bFGF treatment. We are currently investigating the significance of vessel orientation on tissue preservation and limb function.

Scaffold fabrication was achieved by utilizing a novel electrospinning approach capable of producing nanofibrous constructs with patterned fiber architecture which had previously been reported to affect cellular morphology.


Recently, it has been shown that state-of-the-art Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) trained with stochastic gradient descent (SGD) have enough capacity to "memorize" the training data, even when training images or labels are randomized [1] . Memorization is often associated with overfitting training data and, hence, large generalization error, defined as the difference between training error and test error. Yet, CNNs are known to be able to generalize well to images that are similarly distributed as training data.

Recently, it has been shown that state-of-the-art Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) trained with stochastic gradient descent (SGD) have enough capacity to "memorize" the training data, even when training images or labels are randomized.


Modulation of the elastic wave amplitude results in periodical heat generation so that the defect is turned into a local thermal wave transmitter (see Figure 1 , right). Its emission is detected via the temperature modulation at the surface which is analysed by lockin thermography tuned to the frequency of amplitude modulation [16] . The amplitude image displays the efficiency of local mechanical losses, so it shows the imaginary part of elastic properties. Though the technique is related to ultrasonic inspection, the ultrasonic transducer is attached at a fixed spot from where the acoustic waves are launched into the whole volume where they are reflected several times until they disappear preferably in a defect and generate heat. These high frequencies are very efficient in heating since many hysteresis cycles are performed per second.

Its emission is detected via the temperature modulation at the surface which is analysed by lockin thermography tuned to the frequency of amplitude modulation.


Numerous methods have been employed to synthesize CNTs, including plasma based arc discharge and laser ablation in addition to the thermal methods, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), alcohol catalytic CVD (ACCVD), hydrothermal or sonochemical process, and high-pressure CO conversion (HiPCo) [5] . Nevertheless, the CVD method has significant advantages over the other methods. The CVD method is widely used for carbon nanotube synthesis because of its high production yield and scale-up capability [6] .

Numerous methods have been employed to synthesize CNTs, including plasma based arc discharge and laser ablation in addition to the thermal methods, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), alcohol catalytic CVD (ACCVD), hydrothermal or sonochemical process, and high-pressure CO conversion (HiPCo).

The CVD method is widely used for carbon nanotube synthesis because of its high production yield and scale-up capability.


This topic has been investigated at IRSN within the framework of a research project initiated to study the problem of smoke spreading in a multi-compartment fire scenario. The first step in this program is to characterize the burning rate of the pool fire in compartment by comparing it to its behaviour in a free atmosphere. The effects of the environmental conditions on the burning rate have been investigated from full scale fire test based on the specific compartment fire scenario. Pool fire is chosen because of the large amount of data available on its behaviour in free atmosphere (Babrauskas [1] ).

Pool fire is chosen because of the large amount of data available on its behaviour in free atmosphere (Babrauskas).


In the past, several other devices that exceed the maximum allowed dimensions of the vehicle were designed to modify the flow-field in the rear part of the trailer. It is not possible to use a truck having larger dimensions than those prescribed, therefore a tradeoff must be performed between the loading capacity of the trailer and its aerodynamic efficiency. It should be said that the loading capacity modification is generally not considered, therefore a different way to exceed the allowed dimensions must be found. From among other devices, boat-tails are located at the rear of the vehicle, exceeding the maximum vehicle length. They reduce the overall aerodynamic loss and achieve a drag reduction of around 7.5% (McCallen et al., 2004; Cooper, 2003) .

They reduce the overall aerodynamic loss and achieve a drag reduction of around 7.5%.


We show here that hearing can operate over scales of 25 to 130 m. Other scales remain to be examined. True nocturnal reef sounds can be expected to produce signal-to-noise ratios comparable to those of our broadcast at much greater distances from the source, and thus should be audible at much greater distances. The light-trap study could not provide an estimate of the scale over which the tripterygiid larvae could hear and respond (Tolimieri et al. 2000) . Further studies on larvae of other taxa are needed, but it is interesting that both the (unrelated) species studied thus far can hear biologically meaningful sound. The ability may be widespread. Both studies utilized late (settlement) stage larvae. The hearing abilities of younger, less developed larvae remain unassessed.

The light-trap study could not provide an estimate of the scale over which the tripterygiid larvae could hear and respond.

The ability may be widespread.


How relevant is this asset-pricing model of housing to the post-war empirical record? Certainly, the long-term prediction of the model--that an increase in the effective tax on non-housing capital should stimulate land prices at the expense of non-housing capital (with little effect on overall capital accumulation)---appears consistent with the empirical record in the United States during the 1970s. However, not all empirical evidence fits the pattern implied by the model. In Japan, land is a large fraction of national wealth, and land prices appreciated rapidly during the mid-1980s. According to the housing model, saving in Japan should have been very low during this period. Furthermore, the asset model has not been particularly successful in predicting stock market shifts in response to tax changes (Cutler, 1988; Downs and Tehranian, 1988) .

Furthermore, the asset model has not been particularly successful in predicting stock market shifts in response to tax changes.


The next section surveys the empirical evidence on housing prices, housing wealth, and overall household wealth holdings in the United States. The sharp appreciation in housing prices during the 1970s--a period of time during which real after-tax rates of return on non-housing capital were often negative--is certainly consistent with this asset-pricing view of housing (Poterba, 1984; Summers, 1981; Hendershott and Hu, 1983) . The calculations below suggest that the appreciation in housing wealth during the 1970s was more than $800 billion (in 1982 dollars). Furthermore, this wealth appreciation was concentrated almost entirely in owner-occupied land rather than in owner-occupied housing structures.

The sharp appreciation in housing prices during the 1970s--a period of time during which real after-tax rates of return on non-housing capital were often negative--is certainly consistent with this asset-pricing view of housing.


Research on suckling systems in dairy calf rearing has been carried out in the past but has mainly focused on partial aspects of suckling systems under experimental conditions (Weary & Chua, 2000; Vaarst et al., 2001; Jaspar & Weary, 2002) . This paper presents the introduction of suckling systems in practical organic dairy calf rearing with the aim to enhance 'natural living'. The first objective is to describe the process of development and implementation of suckling systems and the way farmers deal with the consequences of 'natural living'. The second objective is to identify the practical implications and the extent to which suckling systems affect technical results in a practical organic dairy context.

Research on suckling systems in dairy calf rearing has been carried out in the past but has mainly focused on partial aspects of suckling systems under experimental conditions.


In 2006, Thomas Davenport argued in an article in Harvard Business Review that the latest strategic weapon for companies is analytical decision making, providing examples of companies that have used analytics to better understand their customers and optimize extended supply chains to maximize their return on investment while providing the best customer service [1] . A large component of this understanding comes from analyzing the vast amount of data that a company collects. The cost storing and processing data has decreased dramatically in the past, and, as a result, the amount of data stored in electronic form has grown at an explosive rate [2] .

In 2006, Thomas Davenport argued in an article in Harvard Business Review that the latest strategic weapon for companies is analytical decision making, providing examples of companies that have used analytics to better understand their customers and optimize extended supply chains to maximize their return on investment while providing the best customer service.

The cost storing and processing data has decreased dramatically in the past, and, as a result, the amount of data stored in electronic form has grown at an explosive rate.


The adS × S superspace has been obtained in the context of brane solutions to supergravity. In supergravity the Killing equations are the transformations that leave the supergravity solution invariant. In particular the Killing-spinor equation is the vanishing transformation of the fermionic fields at vanishing fermionic fields. In supergravity the group structure of the superspace is not manifest. We show how to derive the superisometries in supergravity superspace by interpreting the curvature and torsion constraints as Maurer Cartan equations. Particularly when the metric is not a product space, one may require this alternative description. An example is when the adS × S metric is rewritten in cartesian coordinates, in which the metric is invariant with respect to the directions along the brane and to those transverse to the brane. The R-symmetry of the conformal group is manifest in these coordinates. The worldvolume actions of various branes are known to be much simpler in these coordinates [13, 9, 10] . However, one can not directly use the supercoset approach here since the form fields of supergravity instead of being constant (F 01...pr = 1 in adS × S case) become covariantly constant and depend on transverse coordinates as F 01...pI ∼ y I |y| in cartesian case. Fortunately, our approach to the G/H supercoset space based on the concept of the gauged superalgebra G does not require the structure functions of the algebra to be true constants. We are able to solve for the geometry and the isometries of the supergravity superspace for all cases of the maximally supersymmetric vacua, characterized by covariantly constant superfields.

The worldvolume actions of various branes are known to be much simpler in these coordinates.


LBMS supports the effective use of resources and the elimination of waste which parallels to some of the principals of Lean construction (Andersson & Christensen, 2007) . The key connection between LBS and lean construction is the focus on efficient resource usage and thus eliminating non-value adding activities like waiting and idle time (Kankainen & Seppänen, 2003) . The lean construction focus of waste elimination can be used in LBMS to emphasize on key activities performed over various locations and identify the corresponding waste and to allocate resources accordingly. Application of lean principles to location based projects necessitates constant monitoring of productivity rates and resource allocation since these two factors incorporate the maximum waste in a project.

LBMS supports the effective use of resources and the elimination of waste which parallels to some of the principals of Lean construction.

The key connection between LBS and lean construction is the focus on efficient resource usage and thus eliminating non-value adding activities like waiting and idle time.


The parameters used to calculate the crush front speed and the shock front speed are shown in the schematic diagram in Fig. 6(a) [40] . The evolution of the striker velocity (V m ), the crush front velocity (V c ) and the shock velocity (V s ) during the shock compression is shown in Fig. 5(d) . The time t = 166 ls corresponds to the instance the shock reaches the striker-VACNT foam interface. During this time, the striker decelerates from 5.02 ms À1 to 4.13 ms À1 , beyond which it rapidly decelerates to zero as the material is compressed beyond its densification strain. The shock velocity reduces from $9 ms À1 to $5 ms À1 and remains nearly steady until time t = 166 ls. The crush front propagates initially at the impact velocity of the striker, and then rapidly reduces to $0.5 ms À1 and remains steady as more material piles up behind the shock. All velocities were calculated by processing the highspeed image sequence using commercial image correlation software (Image systems, TEMA). We attribute the presence of oscillations on the shock and the crush front velocities to the discrete time steps of the high-speed image sequence.

The parameters used to calculate the crush front speed and the shock front speed are shown in the schematic diagram in Fig. 6(a).


We use the dynamic cushion factor, given by the peak stress divided by the energy absorbed up to the peak stress (r p /W p ), to characterize the damping efficiency of the VACNT foams. In general, a low cushion factor is beneficial for impact mitigation and energy dissipative applications. Both the increase in the energy absorption and the decrease in the peak stress contribute to reducing the cushion factor. To characterize the quasistatic response of conventional foam materials, the static cushion factor is plotted against the plateau stress [32] . This was also reported for the quasistatic response of disordered carbon nanotubes [33] . In dynamics, we plot ( Fig. 3(d) ) the cushion factor against the maximum strain reached to combine all the critical parameters of the impact response: the peak stress, maximum strain and the energy absorption. A conventional plot of the dynamic cushion factor with peak stress is given on Fig. S6 .

To characterize the quasistatic response of conventional foam materials, the static cushion factor is plotted against the plateau stress.

This was also reported for the quasistatic response of disordered carbon nanotubes.


The effects of increasing loading rates on a VACNT foam are reported in Fig. 1 . We show a hysteretic response and the presence of preconditioning effects, similar to what was reported in the quasistatic regime [10, 19] . The presence of hysteresis accounts for the energy dissipated during impact loading and unloading. The preconditioning effects are evident when the same specimen is impacted with increasing loading rates. During the first impact, the sample follows a large hysteretic path, characteristic of a pristine (as-grown) sample. As the sample is impacted again with a higher impact velocity, the loading path follows initially a preconditioned response, and then changes to that of the pristine specimen, when the strain exceeds the maximum strain reached in the prior impact ( Fig. 1(a) ). This behavior confirms the strain localization found in quasistatic tests as well [19] . In addition, it demonstrates that the samples' loading responses are rateindependent, over a broad range of impact velocities from 1 to 6 ms À1 (nominal strain rates: 1000-6000 s À1 ). This rate-independent loading response is further verified by comparing the quasistatic compression cycles performed at 0.01 s À1 strain rate to the dynamic stress-strain cycles ( Fig. 1(a) ). To verify that the rate-independent loading response is not a function of a sample's loading history, we tested several pristine specimens at different impact velocities. A corresponding set of characteristic stress-strain curves is shown on Fig. 1(b) . The unloading response shows the presence of rate effects. This is verified by plotting the dynamic unloading modulus (E dyn ), normalized by the quasistatic unloading modulus (E s ), at maximum strain, against the nominal strain rate measured at the moment of impact (inset of Fig. 1(b) ). The normalized unloading modulus increases with the strain rate, suggesting the presence of rate effects during the recovery phase of the dynamic deformation. During the formation of collective buckles of CNT-bundles in loading phase, new van der Waals interactions would occur between the buckle folds. The snap-back recovery of the collective buckles primarily depends on overcoming the energy required to break those van der Waals interactions. The required energy is derived from the energy that is stored elastically during the loading phase. Our observations imply that these recovery mechanisms of collective buckles are rate-sensitive.

We show a hysteretic response and the presence of preconditioning effects, similar to what was reported in the quasistatic regime.

This behavior confirms the strain localization found in quasistatic tests as well.


VACNT foams with lower densities perform well in mitigating impact force and absorbing energy for a given maximum strain, at low velocity impacts (<3 ms À1 ; striker mass = 7.1 g) ( Fig. 3(d) ). When subjected to high velocity impacts, however, they rapidly reach the densification strain, posing a performance limit. VACNT foams with higher densities exhibit higher moduli and deform less and are capable of absorbing high velocity impacts. In the quasistatic regime, the energy dissipated by these VACNT foams was found to be more than 200 times higher than the energy dissipated by commercial foams of similar densities [12] . We qualitatively demonstrate the protective properties of CNT foams compared to those of a commercial polymeric foam with similar density ($0.2 g cm À3 ) and thickness ($1 mm), by dropping two eggs from the same height ($0.5 m) with each foam installed on their surfaces to absorb the impact (Supplementary Video 1). In this educational video, we show that the egg protected by VACNT foams remains intact after the impact that reaches velocities of up to $3 ms À1 , whereas the commercial polymeric foam installed egg cracks during impact.

In the quasistatic regime, the energy dissipated by these VACNT foams was found to be more than 200 times higher than the energy dissipated by commercial foams of similar densities.


Local search methods have proved to be successful in solving large vehicle routing and scheduling problems (Funke et al. 2005) . However, it is hard to efficiently incorporate complex timing restrictions in local search methods, since customer insertions and removals have complex up-and downstream effects on the routes under consideration. This makes the evaluation of neighborhood solutions computationally expensive.

Local search methods have proved to be successful in solving large vehicle routing and scheduling problems.


To obtain compact driver duty times, the departure times within vehicle routes must be optimized within the applicable regulations. Two real-life restrictions make departure time optimization within vehicle routes particularly difficult: timedependent travel times and driving hours regulations (Kok et al. 2010a) . As traffic congestion typically occurs during peak hours, time-dependent travel times need to be accounted for to obtain robust vehicle routes. Driving hours regulations require the scheduling of mandatory breaks and rest periods after a certain amount of driving time. Therefore, solution approaches for vehicle routing problems and dedicated decision support systems should account for these real-life restrictions.

Two real-life restrictions make departure time optimization within vehicle routes particularly difficult: timedependent travel times and driving hours regulations.


In the VRPTW literature, heuristic solution methods generally use a lexicographic objective function in which the primary objective is to minimize the number of vehicles used and the secondary objective is to minimize the total distance traveled. However, within the VRPTW this secondary objective may lead to large waiting times, which are costly in practice. Moreover, traffic congestion makes the duration of travels (and thus also the costs of these travels) depend on the time of the day, while the distance remains the same. Therefore, a more relevant secondary objective is to minimize the total duty time (Savelsbergh 1992) . We numerically analyze both travel distance and duty time as the secondary objective. Moreover, we quantify the impact of extending the depot opening hours, such that traveling before the morning peak and after the evening peak becomes possible.

Therefore, a more relevant secondary objective is to minimize the total duty time.


Despite the extensive research efforts, an inherent limitation of anomaly-based detection has been its high false alarm rate. It is mainly due to the difficulty in distinguishing between actual malware and mere "unusual behavior" of the system. The detection algorithm is expected to be sensitive enough to detect tiny deviations yet precise enough to separate abnormal behavior, which may indicate existence of malware, from previously observed daily usage patterns. The base-rate fallacy captures the essence of this problem. Even if the detection scheme achieves low false-negative and false-positive rates, the legitimate network traffic is much higher in volume than the malware traffic that the number of false alarms is substantial [3] . In other words, most of the time detection process is similar to searching for a needle in a haystack, and current methods are often not good enough to find "the needle" without processing a lot of "hay".

Even if the detection scheme achieves low false-negative and false-positive rates, the legitimate network traffic is much higher in volume than the malware traffic that the number of false alarms is substantial.


The effect of reducing T min on life is shown in Fig. 3 . For the same mechanical strain amplitude, fatigue life was reduced by a factor of 3.4 when compared with the baseline temperature range and reduced by a factor of 10 when compared to isothermal tests conducted at T max . This is comparable to the magnitude of the life reduction observed in the single crystal CMSX-4 when T min was reduced to 100°C [2] . The hysteresis response and evolution of maximum and minimum stress for tests conducted with the same mechanical strain amplitude but different T min are shown in Fig. 4 . The increase in elastic modulus at temperatures less than the baseline minimum of 500°C resulted in the onset of yielding occurring earlier upon cooling. As a result, the increase in the inelastic strain range was nearly three times that of the baseline cycle. The width of the hysteresis loop continued to increase over the duration of the test, as shown Fig. 5 . Also evident is the significant cyclic softening, which resulted in a 14% reduction in peak tensile stress between the first cycle and stabilized half-life, as shown in Fig. 4(b) . There was not a notable change in the high temperature response. As a result, the stabilized tensile mean stress was 1.4 times lower than the comparable baseline test.

This is comparable to the magnitude of the life reduction observed in the single crystal CMSX-4 when T min was reduced to 100°C.


Precipitate coarsening due to long-term aging at high temperatures prior to fatigue or tensile testing has also been shown to have an undesirable effect on the material's low temperature fatigue resistance. This effect was demonstrated through OP TMF tests conducted on polycrystalline IN 738LC with temperature cycling between 100°C -950°C after the test specimen had been exposed to 25 TMF cycles to set up realistic microstructure conditions and then 4000 hrs of aging at T max in a furnace [4] . This procedure was devised to simulate the microstructural characteristics similar to those of turbine components at mid-life, in which the smaller, secondary precipitates will have dissolved into the matrix and contributed to the growth of the larger, primary precipitates. The subsequent OP TMF testing showed that, when compared to the baseline stress-strain response without the extended aging, yielding occurred at much lower stress values for the same temperature upon resumption of TMF cycling. As a result, the stabilized inelastic strain range was consistently higher in tests with extended aging. Consequently, fatigue life was substantially reduced.

This effect was demonstrated through OP TMF tests conducted on polycrystalline IN 738LC with temperature cycling between 100°C -950°C after the test specimen had been exposed to 25 TMF cycles to set up realistic microstructure conditions and then 4000 hrs of aging at T max in a furnace.


Traumatic amputation of the penis is a rare surgical emergency. A systematic review of 80 cases from 1996 to 2007 reported only 37.5% of cases undergoing a successful replantation [1] . The main etiologies for penile amputation are self-mutilation, accidents, circumcision, assault and animal attacks. Back in the 1970's, an epidemic of penile amputations was reported from Thailand, where women amputated their husbands' genitalia for infidelity. That case series of 18 patients remains the largest till date [2] .

A systematic review of 80 cases from 1996 to 2007 reported only 37.5% of cases undergoing a successful replantation.

That case series of 18 patients remains the largest till date.


Weather is therefore an important factor when monitoring cycling demand over time and investigating developments in actual use of infrastructure. This paper aims to further explore the relationship between weather and bicycle flows, by deploying regression and residual analyses on data over a relatively long time-period (4-11 years). This study is also meant as a contribution to the development of a generic demand model that can account for a large part of the day-to-day bicycle flow variation. Such a model can ultimately be very useful to provide corrections for studies focusing on demand developments over a longer period of time, for example for evaluating policy measures to increase cycling demand. It may also be used as part of a benchmarking tool, when comparing cycling demand in different regions with different weather conditions. Corrected bicycle flows are also worthwhile when constructing a transport model calibration set. Another application is to clarify developments in traffic victims among cyclists, by relating (daily) weather conditions to differences in exposure (Bijleveld and Churchill 2009) . This paper is structured as follows. In Data we describe the data that are used. Method describes the methodology. In Development of the regression function, the functional form of the non-linear regression is determined, and in The influence of weather on bicycle flow, the results of the regression analysis are analyzed. Analysis of the remaining variation describes the remaining variation with respect to the regression. In Evaluation of trends over the years as an application, we applied the regression model to evaluate long term time-series of bicycle flows. Conclusions and further research is the discussion section, ending with conclusions.

Another application is to clarify developments in traffic victims among cyclists, by relating (daily) weather conditions to differences in exposure.

This paper is structured as follows.

Method describes the methodology.


Having the frequency of trades chosen optimally, as in the model, implies a better fit with the data on money and interest rates. The demand for money, for example, has an interest elasticity of −0.5 and semi-elasticity of −12.5. The interest elasticity is approximately zero, in contrast, with fixed holding periods (Romer 1986 and Grossman 1987) . The choice of the interval between trades makes easier for agents to change their demand for money.

The interest elasticity is approximately zero, in contrast, with fixed holding periods.


The purpose of image fusion is to extract and synthesise information from multiple images in order to produce a more accurate, complete and reliable composite image of the same scene or target, so that the fused image is more suitable for human or machine interpretation. It is useful for analysis, detection, recognition and tracing of targets of interest. Medical imagery can be obtained by many approaches such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT, SPECT and so on. In MRI, there are different parameters (i.e. T1-weighted, T2-weighted and proton density (PD)). Different medical imagery techniques reflect different features of the human body. MRI-PD conveys structural information. T1-and T2-weighted MRI measure the relaxation to parallel and perpendicular axes, respectively. T1-and T2-weighted modalities are capable of measuring such characteristics as fat, melanin content, blood flow, calcification and so on [1] . CT is sensitive to bone. Because of these different characteristics, combining different information into one image can help the medical analysis and diagnosis and can make the 3D modelling of an organ easy. This capability has significant scientific and medical applications.

MRI-PD conveys structural information.

T1-and T2-weighted modalities are capable of measuring such characteristics as fat, melanin content, blood flow, calcification and so on.

CT is sensitive to bone.


More work needs to be done to compare the above two independently developed procedures for selecting the best model among alternatives with different numbers of breaks (Maddala and Kim, 1996b) . This paper is part of the empirical work for that purpose. It reports the results of applying the quasi-Bayesian approach to detecting the structural breaks in China's GDP and labour productivity data, which may be used later for comparisons with the results of applying the Bayesian approach. Section 2 briefly describes the approach employed, Section 3 presents empirical results, and Section 4 concludes.

More work needs to be done to compare the above two independently developed procedures for selecting the best model among alternatives with different numbers of breaks.


Mechanisms of liquid-water transport vary depending on flow-field design. In interdigitated and serpentine flow-field designs, pressure gradients between adjacent channels induce convective transport through the GDL, which is termed cross-flow [14, 15] . Benefits of cross-flow include increased reactant concentrations near the catalyst layer due to convective transport and reduced water content under lands.

In interdigitated and serpentine flow-field designs, pressure gradients between adjacent channels induce convective transport through the GDL, which is termed cross-flow.


Polymer-electrolyte fuel-cell (PEFC) systems have the potential to improve energy efficiency and storage capabilities for mobile and grid-level applications in the near future. In PEFCs, the electrode structure is composed of a catalytic layer supported by porous gas-diffusion layers (GDLs) where multiphase reactant/product transport and electrical conduction occur. Flow-fields, consisting of lands and channels, deliver and remove gases and water to and from the GDL. This produced liquid water can contribute to performance issues if not properly handled. Numerous studies have shown the importance of watermanagement strategies during start-up/shutdown and operation where lower cell temperatures or high current densities may lead to liquid build-up [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] .

Numerous studies have shown the importance of watermanagement strategies during start-up/shutdown and operation where lower cell temperatures or high current densities may lead to liquid build-up.


The authors argued that bifilms would work as initiators for the gas porosity in Al castings while the hydrogen acted only as a contributor to the porosity formation process [3] . They suggested that, during solidification, the hydrogen, in excess of the solubility limit, comes out of solution and diffuses into the bifilm gap, expanding it into a pore. Therefore, as more bifilms are incorporated into the melt during pouring and handling, more pores would be expected in the solidified casting. The application of vacuum during solidification helped the pores to expand further becoming more visible in the x-ray image. However, in this study, the authors did not present an evidence to support their suggestion that all the pores observed came from oxide films.

The authors argued that bifilms would work as initiators for the gas porosity in Al castings while the hydrogen acted only as a contributor to the porosity formation process.


The paper is organized in the following way. Section 2 introduces the necessary fundamental definitions of Hypercomplex Function Theory needed for use in the subsequent sections. Section 3 is dedicated to properties and relations of generalized Appell polynomials of two hypercomplex variables. In particular, two different types of this class of polynomials with binomial expansion are presented, which have been recently proved to play an important role in Hypercomplex Function Theory [22] . Section 4 starts with two auxiliary results of own interest. The first fills in a gap in the explicit expression of the coefficients of the standard Appell polynomials in terms of two hypercomplex variables, while the second one presents auxiliary relations deduced from properties of primitive roots of unity.

In particular, two different types of this class of polynomials with binomial expansion are presented, which have been recently proved to play an important role in Hypercomplex Function Theory.


Second, the framework makes optimal use of an organisation's limited adaptation resources by taking a tiered approach, so allowing an organisation to start from a low knowledge base using minimal resources and, only if required, then move to more complex and resourceintensive risk assessment processes. Lack of financial resources for adaptation is one of the major barriers to adaptation, e.g. lack of funding from central government, lack of institutions that facilitate financing adaptation, limited access to financial resources, lack of political willingness to mobilise financial resources (Adger et al. 2007; Biesbroek et al. 2013) . Where resources are lacking, an organisation can carry out a low-cost first-pass assessment which may demonstrate that the risks are low and adaptation effort can be postponed. Conversely, if the first-pass assessment does suggest that high risks requiring early attention may exist, it will at the same time provide the evidence that can be taken to stakeholders to make the case for additional resources to conduct further in-depth risk assessment.

Lack of financial resources for adaptation is one of the major barriers to adaptation, e.g. lack of funding from central government, lack of institutions that facilitate financing adaptation, limited access to financial resources, lack of political willingness to mobilise financial resources.


Possible limitations of this study are likely related to the sensitivity of AFP surveillance to detect VAPP cases, potential misclassification of cases, and inaccurate denominators. Although underreporting of cases is a possibility, the region's AFP rates surpass international standards and have remained similar to those before elimination [38, 39] . Regarding data quality, 3589 of 40 916 AFP cases (9%) were not tested for polio. Sensitivity analyses were performed to correct for data limitations, but missed cases remain a possibility. Misclassification of cases is likely due to missing data (ie, misclassification of recipient cases as nonrecipient cases, owing to missing data on OPV receipt). However, missing data and underreporting of cases, even in the extreme, do not explain the low VAPP risk that we observed. If we doubled the number of VAPP cases, the VAPP risk in LAC would be 1 case per 0.59 million newborns or 1 case per 3.84 million doses-risks still lower than those previously estimated in LAC and other settings. Moreover, our analysis provided a conservative estimate of VAPP. Guillain-Barré syndrome is part of the differential diagnosis of polio that is most distinguishable from paralysis caused by poliovirus (eg, age of onset and progression of paralysis). However, to capture the greatest potential number of VAPP cases, we included cases diagnosed as GBS in the field as recipient VAPP, even if a disproportionate number of these (13/16) did not occur following the first OPV dose, as is most commonly reported for VAPP [27] . Likewise, unlike some studies, we included many cases with an unknown status of residual paralysis, knowing that most cases left without data on residual paralysis occur in children who recover following acute paralysis. We also used a broad definition of nonrecipient VAPP that likely resulted in the inclusion of many non-VAPP cases. This is illustrated by the significant differences between recipient and nonrecipient cases and by differences in characteristics between the cases we identified as VAPP and those reported in the literature. For example, VAPP in children aged ≥5 years is relatively rare. In a recent re-analysis of VAPP cases from Hungary, no cases (0/46) occurred in children aged ≥5 years; nevertheless, 20% of cases (38/191) classified as VAPP in our study occurred in this age group [22] . Finally, our denominator estimates are a likely underestimation of the real number of OPV doses administered in LAC during 1992-2011.

Although underreporting of cases is a possibility, the region's AFP rates surpass international standards and have remained similar to those before elimination.

However, to capture the greatest potential number of VAPP cases, we included cases diagnosed as GBS in the field as recipient VAPP, even if a disproportionate number of these (13/16) did not occur following the first OPV dose, as is most commonly reported for VAPP.

In a recent re-analysis of VAPP cases from Hungary, no cases (0/46) occurred in children aged ≥5 years; nevertheless, 20% of cases (38/191) classified as VAPP in our study occurred in this age group.


The starting point of this work is the community agreement summarized by Miles [9] . We assume that provenance of objects (whether digital or not) is represented by an annotated causality graph, which is a directed acyclic graph, enriched with annotations capturing further information pertaining to execution. For the purpose of this paper, a provenance graph is defined to be a record of a past execution (or current execution), and not a description of something that could happen in the future.

The starting point of this work is the community agreement summarized by Miles.


Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are highly efficient devices which directly convert chemical energy from fuel gas to electrical energy by electrochemically oxidizing the fuel [1] . A key element that determines the functionality of a SOFC is its interconnect, which in an Interconnect-Supported Fuel Cell (ISFC) becomes the support element of the fuel cell [2] . The role of the interconnect is to ensure gas-tight separation between the cathode and anode compartments, and to provide electric contact between the units in a fuel cell stack and direct electrical energy to external devices. Furthermore, the above-mentioned fuel cell element must exhibit mechanical compatibility with adjacent electrodes as well as chemical stability [3] .

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are highly efficient devices which directly convert chemical energy from fuel gas to electrical energy by electrochemically oxidizing the fuel.

A key element that determines the functionality of a SOFC is its interconnect, which in an Interconnect-Supported Fuel Cell (ISFC) becomes the support element of the fuel cell.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned fuel cell element must exhibit mechanical compatibility with adjacent electrodes as well as chemical stability.


A promising coating material for such applications is LSCF48, which has a perovskite structure and exhibits ionic and electronic conductivities that are both high at the same time [19, 20] . This material has been successfully used in IT-SOFC technology as a new generation cathode material [3, 9, 19] . Perovskite LSCF48 exhibits high chemical stability in the presence of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), which constitutes SOFC electrolyte material, desirable catalytic activity with regard to oxygen reduction in fuel cells operating in the temperature range of 873-1,073 K, and, furthermore, a thermal expansion coefficient that matches the coefficient of Crofer 22 APU [21] . Another advantage of this electrode is that it exhibits resistance to carbon deposition during oxidation in atmospheres containing methane [22, 23] .

A promising coating material for such applications is LSCF48, which has a perovskite structure and exhibits ionic and electronic conductivities that are both high at the same time.

This material has been successfully used in IT-SOFC technology as a new generation cathode material.

Perovskite LSCF48 exhibits high chemical stability in the presence of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), which constitutes SOFC electrolyte material, desirable catalytic activity with regard to oxygen reduction in fuel cells operating in the temperature range of 873-1,073 K, and, furthermore, a thermal expansion coefficient that matches the coefficient of Crofer 22 APU.

Another advantage of this electrode is that it exhibits resistance to carbon deposition during oxidation in atmospheres containing methane.


Recently, there is growing interest to fabricate state-of-theart electrolyte sub-microthin films for SOFCs capable of operating at intermediate temperatures [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . The major challenges to successfully employ submicrothin electrolytes are to ensure the films fully dense and pinhole-free. Various morphological substrates and deposition approaches have been investigated to fabricate YSZ thin films. The minimum thickness YSZ films directly deposited on porous Ni-YSZ anode was around 2-5 micrometer, restricted by the microsize pores in the anode substrate [10, 11] . Dense YSZ thin films were constantly achieved by using pulse laser deposition (PLD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) on dense smooth substrates, like Si or Al 2 O 3 wafer [8, 12, 13] . However, PLD can hardly produce homogeneous thin films in large area, and ALD is relatively expensive from the practical point of view.

Recently, there is growing interest to fabricate state-of-theart electrolyte sub-microthin films for SOFCs capable of operating at intermediate temperatures.

The minimum thickness YSZ films directly deposited on porous Ni-YSZ anode was around 2-5 micrometer, restricted by the microsize pores in the anode substrate.

Dense YSZ thin films were constantly achieved by using pulse laser deposition (PLD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) on dense smooth substrates, like Si or Al 2 O 3 wafer.


The physical process at work at the magnetopause is related to the nature of the magnetic discontinuity: in a tangential discontinuity there is no connection between upstream and downstream plasmas. In contrast, in a rotational discontinuity, a normal component of the magnetic field exists that connects both sides. Although the theoretical distinction is clear, experimental evidences are far more complicated because the measurement of a small component of the field is technically difficult. This difficulty is not due to the instruments, but to the uncertainty in determining the normal, the planarity of the discontinuity, ... Tests have been developed to check the Rankine-Hugoniot relations and demonstrated that the magnetopause sometimes is a rotational discontinuity (Paschmann et al., 1979) . In other instances, the magnetopause is assumed to be a tangential discontinuity (Papamastorakis et al., 1984) . Recent observations with Cluster lead to the first statistical studies on the nature of the discontinuity with precise multipoint observations, showing that on the same day both situations can be observed.

This difficulty is not due to the instruments, but to the uncertainty in determining the normal, the planarity of the discontinuity, ... Tests have been developed to check the Rankine-Hugoniot relations and demonstrated that the magnetopause sometimes is a rotational discontinuity.

In other instances, the magnetopause is assumed to be a tangential discontinuity.


Tea is a health beneficial nutraceutical. This is confirmed by millions of people who have been consuming tea for five thousand years in China and for over 400 years for the rest of the world. Today, more than 4 billion people in the world drink tea. Many research articles, reviews and books describe the effects of tea on human health . In the past 20 years, clinical laboratory research and epidemiological review of data for both animals and humans have convincingly shown that green tea catechins reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers. The positive effect of catechins is associated with their high antioxidant activity. Catechins can inhibit cell proliferation, regulate carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes, and induce apoptosis [30] .

Catechins can inhibit cell proliferation, regulate carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes, and induce apoptosis.


Males are less likely to use drugs and more likely to consume out-of-pocket than females (Model (1)). However, when we turn into the selectivity corrected in Model (2) we find that males are less likely to visit the GP and accounting for this feature, are more likely to use drugs than females. Again, this result confirms that the potential heterogeneity resulting from GP visits might exert significant influence on the results. Other relevant control variables are household size and health status, both of which are statistically significant and positively associated with drug use and expenditure, and in accordance with the Grossman tradition (Grossman, 1972) . Furthermore, smoking is found to be positively associated with higher out-of-pocket pharmaceutical expenditure and a higher drug use. However, when drug used is corrected by potential visits to the GP we find that smoking was not significant anymore and it turns to be determining a reduced access to the GP.

Other relevant control variables are household size and health status, both of which are statistically significant and positively associated with drug use and expenditure, and in accordance with the Grossman tradition.


The number of dispersed seeds depends on the number of visits to the plant by an animal disperser and the number of seeds swallowed per visit. The quality of seed dispersal depends on the quality of the treatment given to the seed in the animal's mouth and gut, and the quality of seed deposition that can be directly associated to animal behavior and physiology, e.g., their diet, ranging, gut size, food passage rates, and defecation patterns, i.e. whether they deposit seeds singularly or in clumps (Schupp 1993) . Both cacao seeds swallowed (and passed in feces) and spat out by the chimpanzees germinated. This research did not investigate the effect of seed predators and secondary dispersers on the postdispersal fate of cacao seeds, but they To understand why the density of the understory vegetation did not impact cacao survival, more fine-tuned data on specific characteristics of the surrounding vegetation down to the species level and the requirements of cacao in forested habitats are required. Distance from the plantation area was the only measured factor that significantly influenced whether cacao survived or not, which is consistent with ecological seed dispersal theory, whereby mortality should be higher in proximity to the parent plant due to higher densities/ numbers of predators or pathogens (Connell 1971; Janzen 1970) . Some cacao did survive in proximity to the cacao plantations, likely owing to large numbers of cacao seeds being deposited in the area: Chimpanzees transported cacao short distances before feeding and spitting the seeds, or sometimes rested in nearby trees after feeding on cacao and subsequently defecated the seeds (which were shown to have low gut passage times) in large quantities. This is consistent with other studies that demonstrate clumped patterns of seed deposition in areas where primates repeatedly defecate, irrespective of low per capita seed survival under nesting sites or parent trees (Russo and Augspurger 2004) . Chimpanzees at Kibale dispersed seeds a greater distance from either the parent tree or any other tree of that species compared to sympatric primates due to long digestive passage times (mean passage time = 31.5 h) and daily travel distances of up to several kilometers (Lambert 1997) . Bonobos (Pan paniscus) at Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo ingested fruits of Dialium with seeds that are disseminated in their feces at considerable distances (average: 1.25 km after 24 h of average passage time) and after gut passage, seeds are better able to germinate (Beaune et al. 2013) . Our estimates for gut passage times were shorter than these previous estimates in wild chimpanzees. This might be due to the large seed sizes of cacao and the large number of seeds ingested, which encourage them to pass rapidly through the gut. However, cacao was generally dispersed over relatively large distances of up to 1100 m from the cacao plantation area. As seeds were often swallowed whole by chimpanzees at Bossou, dispersal characteristics were inherently related to chimpanzee ranging behavior. Our data are consistent with what we know about chimpanzee ranging behavior in this community whereby individuals can travel between the four main hills over the course of one day. Future research should link spatial data on chimpanzee daily movements with seed dispersal patterns over time (Zárate et al. 2014) . Seed shadows of dispersal patterns of cacao were similar when calculated using numbers and densities per total area of forest in each distance category, with cacao decreasing at increasing distance from plantation area, albeit with a slight increase between 1100 and 1200 m. However, cacao densities calculated from total path area surveyed within each distance category showed a different distribution pattern, with high densities up to 100 m from the plantation, then consistently low densities at all other distance categories. An increased likelihood of encountering cacao while following chimpanzees in the forested areas in proximity to the cacao plantations during cacao season might account for this discrepancy.

The quality of seed dispersal depends on the quality of the treatment given to the seed in the animal's mouth and gut, and the quality of seed deposition that can be directly associated to animal behavior and physiology, e.g., their diet, ranging, gut size, food passage rates, and defecation patterns, i.e. whether they deposit seeds singularly or in clumps.

Distance from the plantation area was the only measured factor that significantly influenced whether cacao survived or not, which is consistent with ecological seed dispersal theory, whereby mortality should be higher in proximity to the parent plant due to higher densities/ numbers of predators or pathogens.

This is consistent with other studies that demonstrate clumped patterns of seed deposition in areas where primates repeatedly defecate, irrespective of low per capita seed survival under nesting sites or parent trees.

Chimpanzees at Kibale dispersed seeds a greater distance from either the parent tree or any other tree of that species compared to sympatric primates due to long digestive passage times (mean passage time = 31.5 h) and daily travel distances of up to several kilometers.

Bonobos (Pan paniscus) at Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo ingested fruits of Dialium with seeds that are disseminated in their feces at considerable distances (average: 1.25 km after 24 h of average passage time) and after gut passage, seeds are better able to germinate.

Future research should link spatial data on chimpanzee daily movements with seed dispersal patterns over time.


Cacao located in the forest was never observed to produce fruit; if monitored plants had produced fruit outside the research periods (which coincided with the main cacao season within the plantation area at Bossou), distinctive traces would have been found on the cacao plant itself. The dense upper canopy within the forest restricts cacao maturation, especially fruit production, as it restricts light to the understory and young cacao plants are forced to compete with other vegetation (Asare 2006) . In contrast, cacao that had been deposited by chimpanzees into plantations did survive until maturity and were able to produce fruit. We have observed chimpanzees feeding on cacao from mature cacao plants in plantation E that they had originally dispersed to that location. The owner described how he identified the cacao seedlings deposited by chimpanzees within his plantation and in the neighbouring forest that he subsequently cleared to expand his plantation. Owing to the high economic value of cacao, he frequently cleared any understory vegetation and removed most large canopy trees, leaving a few remaining shade trees, which provided optimal growing requirements for the cacao. As a result of these maintenance activities, he emphasized his ownership of the cacao, despite acknowledging the cacao had been Bplanted^by the chimpanzees. Although the farmer tolerated some cacao feeding by chimpanzees, he said he was forced to harvest cacao quickly; otherwise chimpanzees would take it all, and expressed annoyance that chimpanzees frequently consumed other crops including bananas in his plantation.

The dense upper canopy within the forest restricts cacao maturation, especially fruit production, as it restricts light to the understory and young cacao plants are forced to compete with other vegetation.


Wild chimpanzees consume ≥36 different crops from 27 sites across tropical Africa with fleshy fruit crops targeted preferentially (Hockings and McLennan 2012) . The fruit pulp of cacao, a cultivated fruit species also known as cocoa, is among the most commonly eaten crops across the chimpanzees' range and is predictably eaten wherever chimpanzees have access to it. Crop consumption by chimpanzees, including cacao, which is typically grown as a commercial crop, is often not tolerated by local people. Understanding any potential benefits to crop feeding by primates (such as the dispersal of crops that might be used by humans) can promote the sustainability of humanprimate interactions through increasing human tolerance toward problematic behaviors.

Wild chimpanzees consume ≥36 different crops from 27 sites across tropical Africa with fleshy fruit crops targeted preferentially.


Many primate species and populations live in environments that have been affected by human activities including agriculture (Estrada et al. 2012; Fuentes and Hockings 2010; Hockings and McLennan 2012; Hockings et al. 2015; Paterson and Wallis 2005) . For the maintenance of habitat fragments and to understand the effects of seed dispersal on plant populations and communities, it is important to identify frugivores that can persist in degraded human-impacted habitats and those that are capable of dispersing larger seeds within these habitats (Albert et al. 2014; Russo and Chapman 2011) . There has been recent interest in the importance of seed dispersal roles of more disturbancetolerant and ecologically flexible species, and their capacities to disperse numerous large seeds across large distances (Albert et al. 2014; Arroyo-Rodríguez et al. 2015) . If primates are not persecuted directly through hunting and can respond flexibly to human-induced environmental changes, there is the possibility to examine longerterm human-animal-plant interactions.

Many primate species and populations live in environments that have been affected by human activities including agriculture.

For the maintenance of habitat fragments and to understand the effects of seed dispersal on plant populations and communities, it is important to identify frugivores that can persist in degraded human-impacted habitats and those that are capable of dispersing larger seeds within these habitats.

There has been recent interest in the importance of seed dispersal roles of more disturbancetolerant and ecologically flexible species, and their capacities to disperse numerous large seeds across large distances.


The most used material in exhaust gas sensing is yttriastabilized zirconia (YSZ). It provides several advantages like relevant functional properties combined with mechanical strength and high temperature stability to address the requirements arising from application in the harsh exhaust environment (Riegel, 2002; Ramamoorthy et al., 2003; Badwal, 1992) . Here, sensors have to withstand temperatures up to 1000 • C; poisoning impacts from oils, ashes, or gases; and mechanical vibrations. As an example, the switching-type lambda probe (or binary lambda probe) shall be briefly introduced in the following to illustrate the major challenges in exhaust gas sensing. Both working principle and manufacturing technology are of relevance for this study and are discussed in the following section.

It provides several advantages like relevant functional properties combined with mechanical strength and high temperature stability to address the requirements arising from application in the harsh exhaust environment.


Gas sensors are indispensable parts in modern automotive exhaust gas aftertreatment systems. Driven by stringent emission limits and the need for fuel efficiency and environmental protection, such systems are getting more and more complex. Sensors are required for continuous exhaust gas monitoring to control the combustion process as well as to monitor the conversion of the catalysts (Twigg, 2007) .

Sensors are required for continuous exhaust gas monitoring to control the combustion process as well as to monitor the conversion of the catalysts.


F v /F m values for L. gibba were somewhat more sensitive to anthracene than was chlorophyll content (Fig. 3) . In visible light, F v /F m values dropped significantly, by 0.12 and 0.08 units at 1 and 4 h, respectively, relative to time 0, and again to nearly 50% of time 0 values at 24 and 48 h ( Fig.  3B ; r 2 ϭ 0.72, P Ͻ 0.001). However, in the presence of AHA, significant decreases in F v /F m were prevented up through 4 h after exposure (r 2 ϭ 0.64, P Ͻ 0.001). When AHA treatments were compared to AHA-free treatments (Fig. 3B) , AHA significantly increased F v /F m values by about 0.1 units at all time intervals, although this occurred only 1 and 4 h after exposure (r 2 ϭ 0.65, P Ͻ 0.001). Without anthracene, F v /F m values in plants exposed to visible light varied little over time, except for significant decreases at 1 h as compared to all other time intervals ( Fig. 3A; r 2 ϭ 0.285, P ϭ 0.001). AHA had a significant overall positive influence on F v /F m under visible light when no anthracene was present ( Fig. 3A; r 2 ϭ 0.22, P ϭ 0.012). As expected, decreases in PS2 quantum efficiency were more severe when plants were exposed to SSR lighting (Fig.  3D) . F v /F m values dropped nearly 50% only 1 h after anthracene exposure (r 2 ϭ 0.73, P Ͻ 0.001), followed by steady, nearly linear, decreases over time leading to near zero values by 48 h. AHA had a significant protective effect overall (r 2 ϭ 0.57, P Ͻ 0.001), except at 24 h when values were actually lower than corresponding treatments without AHA. This unexpected result at 24 h was not observed either with chlorophyll (Fig. 1D) or t ½ (Fig. 4D ) data nor have similar trends ever been observed in L. gibba in our lab (Gensemer et al. 1998) . Further experimentation will be required to con- firm whether this is a unique response of F v /F m to humic acid.

This unexpected result at 24 h was not observed either with chlorophyll (Fig. 1D) or t ½ (Fig. 4D ) data nor have similar trends ever been observed in L. gibba in our lab.


The treatment of renal tuberculosis consists of antituberculous drugs. The first line drugs include rifampin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide, ethambutol and streptomycin [5] . Antituberculous agents are successful in eradicating active infection in almost all patients. Ureteral strictures may progress during treatment due to scarring and subsequent narrowing of the lumen. It is recommended to perform intravenous pyelogram or renal ultrasound every six months for the first two years in patients with ureteral strictures to detect possible urinary tract obstruction [7] . The treatment of renal TB should be continued for at least six months [5] . In the present case the patient was treated for six months, with partial recovery, but presented a relapse. We could attribute this relapse to a possible patient's non-adherence to treatment, resistance of M. tuberculisis to the drugs or the degree of infection, which showed to be severe, as evidenced in CT. In conclusion, the patient had ESRD due to secondary uropathy to prolonged tuberculosis of urinary tract that was caused by delayed clinical and laboratorial diagnosis, and probably also due to inadequate antituberculous drugs administration.

The first line drugs include rifampin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide, ethambutol and streptomycin.

It is recommended to perform intravenous pyelogram or renal ultrasound every six months for the first two years in patients with ureteral strictures to detect possible urinary tract obstruction.

The treatment of renal TB should be continued for at least six months.


Aluminum alloys are not only light weight materials, but also have excellent thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and workability. For these previous reasons, aluminum is widely used in structural components, electrical conductors, and consumer products. Among the newly developed aluminum alloys, rapidly solidified Al-Si alloys have superior mechanical properties, such as high strength, modulus, wear resistance and elevated temperature strength relative to conventional alloys [1] . Also Al-Si alloys are well known as typical high strength and lightweight materials, which are widely used in automotive and aerospace industries due to their higher strength; good wear resistance and low thermal expansion co-efficient [2] .

Among the newly developed aluminum alloys, rapidly solidified Al-Si alloys have superior mechanical properties, such as high strength, modulus, wear resistance and elevated temperature strength relative to conventional alloys.

Also Al-Si alloys are well known as typical high strength and lightweight materials, which are widely used in automotive and aerospace industries due to their higher strength; good wear resistance and low thermal expansion co-efficient.


The 304 stainless steel is extensively used in LRUs in SG-III project. Through the methods of the high-pressure spray cleaning experiments, the surface cleanliness level is shown in Figures 4 and 5 . We performed the high-pressure spray cleaning experiments. By optimizing the main parameters of cleaning process, the important technological parameters such as distance of washing, cleaning speed, and cleaning temperature are obtained and the cleaning effect meets the precision cleaning requirements. Figure 4 shows the relationship between the surface contact angle of the 304 stainless steel work pieces and the number of cleaning steps. The contact angle measurement is usually used to achieve an approximate result of surface NVR as a fast testing method [22] . There were three groups of identical stainless steel samples used in this experiment. And they were, respectively, labeled Sample 1 to Sample 3. By comparison with the cleaning effects of the three samples, the contact angle of the surface changes at different cleaning stages. All the surface contact angles are close to the intrinsic contact angle of material after the precision cleaning. There is a direct relation between the surface contact angle of work piece and surface cleanliness. By testing the contact angle, the surface cleanliness can be obtained indirectly. Figure 5 illustrates the trend curve of nonvolatile residual (NVR) in 304 stainless-steel work piece surfaces at different cleaning stages by using the gravimetric method. Before cleaning, the NVR on the sample surface is about 260 mg/m 2 . After rough cleaning, the NVR decreases to 10 mg/m 2 , meeting class A cleanliness level. After precise cleaning, the NVR dropped below 1 mg/m 2 , reaching A/10 cleanliness level. The residual particulate contamination on the surface of the 304 stainless steel was measured by the microscopic count method after precision cleaning, and the results show that the cleanliness level is better than grade 100-A/10.

The contact angle measurement is usually used to achieve an approximate result of surface NVR as a fast testing method.


The measure of the surface cleanliness includes two parts: particulate pollutants and nonvolatile residues. The method for the quantitative measurement often used for the residual particulate contamination on the surface is microscopic counting method [20] . The measurement procedure includes sample collection, microscopic analysis, and data processing. According to the surface density of the particulate contamination with different diameters, the level of cleanliness can be calculated. The usual method for the quantitative measurement of nonvolatile residues on the surface is the gravimetric method [21] . By using the following steps, such as sampling, drying, weighing, and other steps, the cleanliness level can be obtained based on the surface density of the mass of the nonvolatile residues.

The method for the quantitative measurement often used for the residual particulate contamination on the surface is microscopic counting method.

The usual method for the quantitative measurement of nonvolatile residues on the surface is the gravimetric method.


Epicormic branches are a serious problem in the management of hardwoods for high quality sawtimber production, They cause significant reductions in both log and lumber grade and a subsequent loss of value in the stand and the lumber produced from it. Additional research is needed to more accurately determine the magnitude of that economic loss. However, the production of epicormic branches along the boles of hardwood trees can be minimized through sound management practices. Improvement cuttings and thinnings can be used to maintain healthy stands composed of vigorous, high quality trees of desirable species. Hardwood stands, especially those with a high component of oak, should not be allowed to become overstocked. Trees severely stressed from competition are highly susceptible to epicormic branching. Land managers should use carefully planned partial cuttings to not only improve species composition, regulate stand density, and increase growth, but also to reduce the risk of epicormic branching (Meadows 1996) .

Land managers should use carefully planned partial cuttings to not only improve species composition, regulate stand density, and increase growth, but also to reduce the risk of epicormic branching.


One inefficiency experienced by such power plants is a loss of electricity generation during hot seasons, as illustrated in Figure 1 . This is particularly problematic when the electrical demand peak occurs during these seasons and, sometimes, when demand exceeds power production for that area. This phenomenon occurs because gas turbines directly use the ambient air, so variations in ambient conditions such as temperature and pressure affect the turbine performance. Gas turbines operate in a continual cycle and intake a constant air volumetric flow rate, so air volumes entering the compressors experience a drop in density as the air is heated. Since turbine output power is directly related to the mass flow rate through it, a decrease in air mass flow rate leads to lower turbine output power. Simultaneously, the power required by the compressor to compress the input air (low density) increases in hot seasons [1, 3] . These issues combine to decrease power generation. Relative variation of several gas turbine parameters with ambient temperature [3, 4] .

Simultaneously, the power required by the compressor to compress the input air (low density) increases in hot seasons.

Relative variation of several gas turbine parameters with ambient temperature.


It has been shown that, for every Centigrade degree of decrease in the air input to a gas turbine system, the output power increases by 0.5% to 1% [5] [6] [7] . More than 700 gas turbine units around the world are equipped with input air cooling systems. These generally permit the density and mass of the input air to be elevated and the net output power and efficiency correspondingly increased. By corollary, lowering the temperature of input air decreases the system heat rate (fuel consumption per unit of electrical energy generated) [5] .

It has been shown that, for every Centigrade degree of decrease in the air input to a gas turbine system, the output power increases by 0.5% to 1%.

By corollary, lowering the temperature of input air decreases the system heat rate (fuel consumption per unit of electrical energy generated).


For a country like Iran, located in a relatively warm region, the use of input air cooling systems in gas turbines is often necessary [7] [8] [9] . Depending on the specific task, it is often necessary to select several input air cooling methods appropriate for the climatic conditions of the area and to technically and economically determine a suitable method for input air cooling. Often, this can be accomplished appropriately and inexpensively by simulating the turbine behavior in the actual situation. Simulation of a gas turbine is dependent on having a suitable procedure to investigate the impact of ambient conditions on the output parameters (power and efficiency) of gas turbines. Simulation is normally carried out based on characteristic curves representing performance and modeling of each component using thermodynamic relations. Vapor compression cooling systems can use to achieve desired coolant temperatures and temperature decrease of the input air to the turbine compressor. At temperatures lower than 5 °C, however, ice may form at the input air and damage the compressor. Therefore, a minimum permissible temperature of 5 °C is considered for the current research [5] .

For a country like Iran, located in a relatively warm region, the use of input air cooling systems in gas turbines is often necessary.

Therefore, a minimum permissible temperature of 5 °C is considered for the current research.


The effect of on voltammogram is illustrated in Fig.3 . The reversed hysteresis becomes more and more obvious as increases. The same trend was observed previously by Gsymbol 148 \f "MS LineDraw" \s 10__pel and coworkers [8] . They also found that no hysteresis was obtained under pure N 2 atmosphere.

The same trend was observed previously by Gsymbol 148 \f "MS LineDraw" \s 10__pel and coworkers.


We did detect a large variability in the functional parameters. This could be related partly to urine collection in the metabolic cages. Differences in the degree of stress exposition, temperature, incomplete collection of all excreted urine, habituation and food and water intake (which we did observe) could account for some of the variability observed. Importantly, some of these factors could aggravate the IRI, but could also add imprecision to the CrCl measurements. Although temperature was kept constant during surgery, even slight variation could result in differences in the severity of renal IRI [70] .

Although temperature was kept constant during surgery, even slight variation could result in differences in the severity of renal IRI.