The values ∆d(t) were obtained from thermodilatometric analysis of the green samples. Dilatometric curves for the sample diameter are depicted in Fig.2 . Very small expansion is registered during liberation of the physically bounded water, where ordinary thermal expansion and a contraction due to the escaping of water from porous sample structure take place simultaneously. Above ∼500 °C, the contraction of the sample starts as a response to dehydroxylation. Here a small peak is also clearly visible, which is attributed to α → β phase transition of quartz [8] . An intensive contraction begins at ∼950 °C, which is the beginning of the narrow temperature interval during which the metakaolinite structure collapses and transforms into spinel (or γ-Al 2 O 3 ). Dehydroxylation brings a rapid decrease of mechanical strength (Fig.3.) as a response to the increase in microporosity inside the kaolinite crystals [9] - [12] . But above 450 °C mechanical strength begins to increase. Such behavior can be explained only by improvement of the crystal interfaces, because the crystal interiors, damaged by dehydroxylation, remain unchanged. Dehydroxylation is a source of the electrically charged defects [9] . Many of them are supposedly located on the crystal faces, and consequently, van der Waals electrostatic forces fortify the sample. The source of the charged defects is exhausted at the termination of dehydroxylation which is, according to Fig.2 ., at ∼800 °C. Above this temperature solid-state sintering prevails, and the values of the mechanical strength continue to increase [13] .

Here a small peak is also clearly visible, which is attributed to α → β phase transition of quartz.

Dehydroxylation brings a rapid decrease of mechanical strength (Fig.3.) as a response to the increase in microporosity inside the kaolinite crystals.

Dehydroxylation is a source of the electrically charged defects.

Above this temperature solid-state sintering prevails, and the values of the mechanical strength continue to increase.


For investigation of the mechanical strength of ceramic materials, compression strength and/or bending strength are measured. Since the value of compression strength is relatively high for ceramics, high force must be applied to crush the sample. Therefore, the bending strength tests are very frequent in ceramic research. The strength is measured by the three-point or four-point bending method [5] . Because of the relatively high scatter of the strength results, the strength tests need more samples, the minimal number is 10, and the recommended number of samples is 20 [1] , [6] .

The strength is measured by the three-point or four-point bending method.

Because of the relatively high scatter of the strength results, the strength tests need more samples, the minimal number is 10, and the recommended number of samples is 20.


Every green ceramic body is subjected to thermal treatment, often to drying at temperatures up to 150 °C, and always to firing. It is commonly known that drying or firing can be conducted to a limited rate to avoid creation of cracks. The ceramic body must withstand mechanical stresses generated by temperature differences between different parts of the body without damage. These stresses, which are dependent on the shape of the body as well as on the heating or cooling rate, must be lesser than the mechanical strength of the ceramic material at the actual temperature. This leads to the necessity of measuring the mechanical strength at elevated temperatures, e.g., during firing [1] - [3] . Finding the values of the mechanical strength is ordinarily feasible through its direct measurement, although a calculation which exploits a linear relationship between the mechanical strength and Young modulus is also possible [4] .

This leads to the necessity of measuring the mechanical strength at elevated temperatures, e.g., during firing.

Finding the values of the mechanical strength is ordinarily feasible through its direct measurement, although a calculation which exploits a linear relationship between the mechanical strength and Young modulus is also possible.


A visco-plastic stress model was used to simulate casting of MgAl alloys. The simulations were performed for specially designed experiments that allow for the measurement of the contraction force during solidification and cooling of the casting. Considerable effort was devoted to determining the mechanical properties as a function of temperature and composition that are needed in the stress model. Unfortunately, not all necessary properties are available in the literature, and the force measurements are used to estimate the variation of the initial yield stress above 300°C for two binary Mg-Al alloys. Using these properties, good agreement between measured and predicted stresses was obtained for the two experiments that did not exhibit hot tears. In particular, the stress variation during solidification was reasonably well predicted. A comparison of measured and predicted stresses for the four experiments that did show hot tears will be presented in a future study. The ability of the present model to predict hot tears was already demonstrated in a separate study involving similar experiments [1] .

The ability of the present model to predict hot tears was already demonstrated in a separate study involving similar experiments.


During storage, wood fuels are subject to biological and chemical reactions and decomposition caused by bacteria and fungi. A potential health hazard can be raised from airborne microspores [1] . Microbial dustiness in solid biofuels has been studied especially in Denmark [2e6] . The concentrations of microorganisms in straw and wood chip dusts were found high in rotating drum tests [2] . Correlations between endotoxins, total bacteria and fungi, and total dustiness were found significant for outdoors stored baled straw and wood chips from piles [4] . During the outdoor storage of forest residues, low volatile hydrocarbons, such as terpenes, are emitted into the air in the gas phase [7] . Also hexanal from fatty acid oxidation has been found to be an important volatile compound emitted during the storage of solid wood fuels [8] .

A potential health hazard can be raised from airborne microspores.

The concentrations of microorganisms in straw and wood chip dusts were found high in rotating drum tests.

Correlations between endotoxins, total bacteria and fungi, and total dustiness were found significant for outdoors stored baled straw and wood chips from piles.

During the outdoor storage of forest residues, low volatile hydrocarbons, such as terpenes, are emitted into the air in the gas phase.

Also hexanal from fatty acid oxidation has been found to be an important volatile compound emitted during the storage of solid wood fuels.


In many applications, such as environmental and earth observations, the polarimetric radars are powerful tools for retrieving quantitative physical information [1] [2] [3] . In these frameworks, the bridge between radar measurements and physical parameters can be organized by target decomposition (TD) methods [4] . Among these approaches, the target decomposition method based on the eigenvector analysis (EV-TDM) is one of the most appropriate techniques to achieve data interpretations [5] .

In many applications, such as environmental and earth observations, the polarimetric radars are powerful tools for retrieving quantitative physical information.

In these frameworks, the bridge between radar measurements and physical parameters can be organized by target decomposition (TD) methods.

Among these approaches, the target decomposition method based on the eigenvector analysis (EV-TDM) is one of the most appropriate techniques to achieve data interpretations.


Recently in inverse scattering problems, the scattering mechanism of randomly rough surfaces (RRS) has attracted significant attention [6] [7] [8] . These surfaces are classified in terms of the permittivity and geometrical shapes. In these contexts, the polarimetry plays an important role, as it allows a direct or indirect separation of roughness effects, and several inversion models are based on the use of full polarimetric images [9] [10] [11] [12] . In the remote sensing of natural surfaces, the roughness criterions, i.e., ks and kl, are significant parameters for the estimation of the polarimetric signatures. Whereas these parameters possess random variables, deterministic techniques, proposed in the literatures, can not be useful alone as tools of analysis. This means that the use of a proper stochastic approach to assess natural targets is unavoidable. For this aim a number of statistical models, such as the Wishart distribution (WD), can be utilized [13, 14] . Consequently the aim of this work is the combination of a deterministic technique and a new stochastic model, i.e., TD and modified Wishart distribution (MWD), to present the physical interpretation of natural targets.

Recently in inverse scattering problems, the scattering mechanism of randomly rough surfaces (RRS) has attracted significant attention.

In these contexts, the polarimetry plays an important role, as it allows a direct or indirect separation of roughness effects, and several inversion models are based on the use of full polarimetric images.

For this aim a number of statistical models, such as the Wishart distribution (WD), can be utilized.


According to human activities, the electrical energy consumption is still increasing. Indeed, during one day the electricity demand is higher compared to the end of the night and this change is not related only to the day but also to the change of seasons, weekends, and so forth. In addition, the production of electricity must be compatible with the consumption considering the impossibility to store electricity. For this reason, the electric company must plan the operations of the production units and organize their moments of connection to the network and the duration of each operation. The unit commitment (UC) is the best solution in the field of modern power systems planning since the main objective is to schedule the production units to respond to the consumers demand with minimum cost. In fact, it allows both the optimization of the daily operational planning of electrical grids and the reduction of the total production cost through improving units while guaranteeing the continuity of service. The generation scheduling involves the determination of the commissioning and the quantity of power that should be generated by each unit during a specified planning period. Moreover, as each unit has its own production limits and its minimum start-up and shutdown times, it is the case of a complex, combinatorial, and nonlinear optimization problem [1] . Generally, the unit commitment problem depends directly on the unit production scheduling and on the economic dispatch, knowing that our system is subject to several constraints: power balance, spinning reserve, generation limits, and minimum start-up and shut-down times. Nevertheless, this problem concedes a multitude of problems such as the big size of the studied grid, the presence of coupling constraints, the presence of the operational constraints, and the time constraint which have to be low with respect to the size of the problem [2] .

Moreover, as each unit has its own production limits and its minimum start-up and shutdown times, it is the case of a complex, combinatorial, and nonlinear optimization problem.

Nevertheless, this problem concedes a multitude of problems such as the big size of the studied grid, the presence of coupling constraints, the presence of the operational constraints, and the time constraint which have to be low with respect to the size of the problem.


Increased arterial stiffness exerts a number of adverse effects on cardiovascular function and is associated with heightened mortality in patients with ESRD [10, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 35] . Thus, the prevention and treatment of elevated arterial stiffness is important in this high-risk population. Evidence indicates that certain strategies whose mechanism targets the dynamic and/or structural components of vascular stiffness appear to be clinically efficacious interventions for preventing the progression of arterial stiffness [9, 10, 22, 28, 33, 35] . These interventions seem to have variable effectiveness in ESRD patients and are often not clearly defined [22, 28] . Whether combined stiffness-based therapies would provide better survival benefit compared with single interventions in ESRD patients, it will require testing in large randomized controlled trials. Thus, a systematic appraisal of existing stiffness-based interventions would facilitate selection of optimal therapies to be evaluated in those clinical trials.

Increased arterial stiffness exerts a number of adverse effects on cardiovascular function and is associated with heightened mortality in patients with ESRD.

Evidence indicates that certain strategies whose mechanism targets the dynamic and/or structural components of vascular stiffness appear to be clinically efficacious interventions for preventing the progression of arterial stiffness.

These interventions seem to have variable effectiveness in ESRD patients and are often not clearly defined.


The human oral mucosa is colonized by a very wide bacterial microbiota. S. mutans and S. sanguinis are important members of the oral flora. Although they live in homeostasis with other oral bacteria, both of them have been also identified as potential pathogens of dental caries and periodontal disease [23] . S. mutans is the most important cause of dental caries and the viridans group of streptococci (e.g. S. sanguinis) can cause bacteremia and endocarditis [24] .

Although they live in homeostasis with other oral bacteria, both of them have been also identified as potential pathogens of dental caries and periodontal disease.

S. mutans is the most important cause of dental caries and the viridans group of streptococci (e.g. S. sanguinis) can cause bacteremia and endocarditis.


B. orellana antibacterial effect has been demonstrated in many investigations [1] . Some of these studies have been done in bacteria that can potentially be pathogenic in humans [20] [21] [22] . However, the information about the antibacterial effect of B. orellana on oral bacteria is limited.

B. orellana antibacterial effect has been demonstrated in many investigations.

Some of these studies have been done in bacteria that can potentially be pathogenic in humans.


Carbohydrates are the fuel of life, being the main energy source for living organisms and the central pathway of energy storage and supply for most cells. The study of the carbohydrates and their derivatives has greatly enriched chemistry, particularly with respect to the role of molecular shape and conformation in chemical reactions [1] . Fructose or fruit sugar plays an important role, in mammalian metabolism. It is generally regarded as being 1.73 times as sweet as sucrose [2, 3] . Lactose or milk sugar makes up around 2% -8% of milk (by weight), although the amount varies among species and individuals. Pure lactose and lactose-containing dairy by-products have markedly increased. Purified lactose can also be purchased as high calorie diet additive [4] . These biological and economic importances of the carbohydrates and especially the monosaccharides and disaccarides have been largely responsible for the interest in the study of their bio-and physiochemical properties and reactivities [5] .

The study of the carbohydrates and their derivatives has greatly enriched chemistry, particularly with respect to the role of molecular shape and conformation in chemical reactions.

It is generally regarded as being 1.73 times as sweet as sucrose.

Purified lactose can also be purchased as high calorie diet additive.

These biological and economic importances of the carbohydrates and especially the monosaccharides and disaccarides have been largely responsible for the interest in the study of their bio-and physiochemical properties and reactivities.


To evaluate the effect of temperature on rate constant, the oxidation of sugars was carried out at variable temperatures from 30˚C -50˚C. It was found that the pseudo-first order rate constants increased with an increase in the temperature ( Table 3) i.e. the reactions obey Arrhenius plot (Figure 6) . Observed values of the rate constants at 30˚C, 35˚C, 40˚C, 45˚C and 50˚C were utilized to calculate E a , ΔH Table 4 ). The extraordinary negative value of entropy of activation indicates highly solvated state of transition complex showing great degree of freedom of molecules in the transition state as compared to that in the reactive species [16] . The high positive values of free energy of activation also support the formation of solvated transition state [17, 18] .

The extraordinary negative value of entropy of activation indicates highly solvated state of transition complex showing great degree of freedom of molecules in the transition state as compared to that in the reactive species.

The high positive values of free energy of activation also support the formation of solvated transition state.


The lack of β -carotene is one of the major nutritional deficiencies in the world population, causing serious health problems, mainly night blindness in children. The World Health Organization estimates the annual number of blind children at over 250 thousand, due to insufficient vitamin A intake. This problem also affects Brazilians, mainly in rural areas and particularly in the semi-arid regions (Souza and Villas Boas 2002) .

This problem also affects Brazilians, mainly in rural areas and particularly in the semi-arid regions.


These studies suggest that wax application reduces grapefruit CI development. Different wax formulations (shellac, polyethylene, or carnauba) result in different effect in controlling CI depending on grapefruit cultivar. When CI incidences are compared between the white 'Marsh' and 'Flame' grapefruit from this study, polyethylene was clearly less effective on 'Marsh' than 'Flame' grapefruit, and shellac more effective on 'Marsh' than 'Flame'. Generally, CI incidence was higher in white 'Marsh' seedless grapefruit than 'Ruby Red', 'Rio Red', and 'Flame' at most harvests throughout the fruit season. In commercial handling, particular attention should be given to 'Marsh' grapefruit because of its high postharvest susceptibility to CI and pitting (Table 1, Fig. 1) (Petracek et al., 1998) . Packers might also consider cultivar when choosing wax coatings.

In commercial handling, particular attention should be given to 'Marsh' grapefruit because of its high postharvest susceptibility to CI and pitting (Table 1, Fig. 1).


As for the pressure-retained coring technology, an attempt to sample sediment with a pressure corer was partially successful during the 164th cruise of the International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) in 1995 [11] . The type and service conditions of major pressure-retained corers in use are shown in Table 1 . However, it is still difficult to gain a single columnar pressure-retained core with a length greater than 3 m. To solve this problem, this paper presents a developed gravity-piston corer that can obtain long pressure-retained in situ sediment core, with the addition of sealed and pressure-retained structures.

As for the pressure-retained coring technology, an attempt to sample sediment with a pressure corer was partially successful during the 164th cruise of the International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) in 1995.


Herb pairs HDSB have been used in China to treat inflammation and many kinds of cancers [13, 14] . In an effort to understand the molecular mechanism associated with therapeutic functionality of HDSB, we screened fractions from HDSB for their suppressive effect on LPS/IFN -induced NO production in macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Our study showed EA11 maybe as the most potent fraction from HDSB (Table 1) . Macrophages activation is generally associated with body defense and initial immune reactions [16] . However, chronic and sustained activation of macrophage is considered to be the pathological hallmark of inflammation and has been implicated in inflammatory related diseases [17] . NO, which is produced from L-arginine by three NOS, is increased in inflammation and has proinflammatory and regulatory effects. In this study, we showed that EA11-led decrease in NO secretion was most likely mediated by reduced abundance of iNOS because EA11 greatly suppressed the expression of both iNOS mRNA and protein (Figure 2) . Moreover, we also detected that EA11 also resulted in a dose-dependent reduction on IL-1 in LPS/IFN--stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (Figure 3(b) ), indicating that EA11 exerted its antiinflammatory effect via different mechanisms.

Herb pairs HDSB have been used in China to treat inflammation and many kinds of cancers.

Macrophages activation is generally associated with body defense and initial immune reactions.

However, chronic and sustained activation of macrophage is considered to be the pathological hallmark of inflammation and has been implicated in inflammatory related diseases.


Triazole compounds have both fungitoxic and plant growth-regulating properties. In addition, they can also protect plants against various environmental stresses. Triazoles affect the isoprenoid pathway and alter the levels of certain plant hormones by inhibiting gibberellin synthesis, reducing ethylene evolution, and increasing cytokinin levels (Jaleel et al. 2008) . Plant growth regulators play vital roles in coordination of many growth and behavioral processes in rice, which regulates the amount, type, and direction of plant growth (Anjum et al. 2011) . Drought stress amelioration by triazole compounds is of major research interest, because, these compounds have innate potentiality for increasing antioxidant enzymes and molecules in oxidative stressed plants (Fletcher et al. 2000) .

Triazoles affect the isoprenoid pathway and alter the levels of certain plant hormones by inhibiting gibberellin synthesis, reducing ethylene evolution, and increasing cytokinin levels.

Plant growth regulators play vital roles in coordination of many growth and behavioral processes in rice, which regulates the amount, type, and direction of plant growth.

Drought stress amelioration by triazole compounds is of major research interest, because, these compounds have innate potentiality for increasing antioxidant enzymes and molecules in oxidative stressed plants.


Recently, photodetector (PD) devices have been extensively investigated owing to their large number of applications including flame detection, tracking missiles, photolithography, automatization, intersatellite communication, biochemicals, and so on [1] [2] [3] . In particular, deep ultraviolet (DUV) PDs with solar-blind sensitivity (cut-off wavelength shorter than 280 nm) have attracted a strong interest since their photoresponse can be further constrained in the DUV region even at sun or room illuminations [1] . Up to now, lots of materials have been developed for the PD applications. Between these materials, several wide band gap semiconductors, such as AlGaN, ZnMgO, BN, and diamond possess high potential for the fabrication of solar-blind DUV detectors [4] [5] [6] [7] . However, as the AlGaN PD is prepared, the device performance easily tends to degrade with increasing Al concentration. For the ZnMgO growth, it is very difficult to maintain its single wurtzite structure due to the phase segregation of rock salt MgO as the band gap is larger than 4.5 eV. The major drawbacks of BN and diamond PDs are their large band gaps of 6.3 and 5.5 eV, which cause the sensitivity ranges to be limited to cut-off wavelengths shorter than 193 and 225 nm, respectively.

Recently, photodetector (PD) devices have been extensively investigated owing to their large number of applications including flame detection, tracking missiles, photolithography, automatization, intersatellite communication, biochemicals, and so on.

In particular, deep ultraviolet (DUV) PDs with solar-blind sensitivity (cut-off wavelength shorter than 280 nm) have attracted a strong interest since their photoresponse can be further constrained in the DUV region even at sun or room illuminations.

Between these materials, several wide band gap semiconductors, such as AlGaN, ZnMgO, BN, and diamond possess high potential for the fabrication of solar-blind DUV detectors.


The basic epidemic models classify individuals on the basis of their infection status (susceptible, infected, recovered, immune, etc.) , and determine the dynamics of the epidemic on the basis of the rates of individual movement among these infection states (Anderson and May 1991) . Individuals also and obviously differ in demographic characteristics (age, maturity, size, reproductive status, etc.). Demographic models describe the rates of individual movement among these stages, and the resulting population dynamics. These two kinds of movement are not independent; rates of survival, reproduction, and growth may be influenced by infection status, and rates of disease transmission, infection, and recovery may differ among demographic stages. Models for stage-classified epidemics provide a way to study the interaction between epidemic and demographic processes.

The basic epidemic models classify individuals on the basis of their infection status (susceptible, infected, recovered, immune, etc.) , and determine the dynamics of the epidemic on the basis of the rates of individual movement among these infection states.


The mean Nusselt number is calculated in the present configuration by computing the average temperature gradient normal to the wall along the cooler half of the heated boundary, as defined in Section 2.2. The calculated Nusselt numbers are plotted against Rayleigh number in Fig. 3(a) . The plot shows that at low Rayleigh number, the Nusselt number is independent of Rayleigh number, but is a function of D/L, with Nu decreasing with decreasing D/L. As Ra is increased, the data for each aspect ratio collapse onto a single trend, which is nearly linear on a log-log plot, with a gradient of 1/5. This gradient is consistent with theoretical scaling [4] . The trend in Fig. 3 (a) exhibits a slight increase in gradient beyond approximately log 10-Ra % 9.5. It is noted that this corresponds to the development of unsteady flow in the enclosure.

This gradient is consistent with theoretical scaling.


UWB is still a developing and promising technology theoretically extending our abilities in fast transmission of imense amounts of data. Many devices oriented on this technology are currently investigated in order to fulfill the specific requirements [1] . Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that the antennas for UWB will be the object of R&D activity as well. There are many types of antennas that are suitable for UWB applications, e.g., horn antennas, Vivaldi antennas, monopoles and dipoles. Vivaldi antennas, thanks to their directivity and good dispersion characteristic can be applied to radar techniques. Monopoles and dipoles with nondirectional radiation pattern are better for communication systems [2] .

Many devices oriented on this technology are currently investigated in order to fulfill the specific requirements.

Monopoles and dipoles with nondirectional radiation pattern are better for communication systems.


Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide public health problem. This metabolic disorder originates from insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. It is reflected by blood glucose concentrations higher or lower than the normal range of 4.4-6.6 mM [1] . Diabetes can lead to higher risks of heart disease, kidney failure, and blindness. Diagnosis and treatment of diabetes require a tight daily monitoring of the blood glucose level. Fast and accurate determination of glucose concentration are therefore of great importance.

It is reflected by blood glucose concentrations higher or lower than the normal range of 4.4-6.6 mM.


Among all glucose biosensors, enzyme-based electrochemical glucose biosensors have been in the main focus of biosensor research because of their simplicity, relatively low cost, and high sensitivity [14] [15] [16] . The intrinsic advantages of electrochemical biosensors are their robustness, easy miniaturization, excellent detection limits, also with small sample volumes, and ability to be used in turbid biofluids. In enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors, enzyme immobilization is regarded to be one of the most important issues. Since proper immobilization of enzymes on a suitable matrix and their stability are important factors in the fabrication of biosensors, the search of support materials that provide large surface area for higher enzyme loading and a compatible microenvironment that helps enzyme bioactivity is thus of great importance.

Among all glucose biosensors, enzyme-based electrochemical glucose biosensors have been in the main focus of biosensor research because of their simplicity, relatively low cost, and high sensitivity.


The structure of the paper is as follows: in section 2 we are reviewing the oscillator representation for the tree level psu(2, 2|4) algebra, as well as the ADGN approach to computing the correlation functions using the Fock space representation and the vertex. In section 3 we construct the spin vertex at tree level and we characterize its properties, in particular how it flips outgoing states into incoming states. The subsection 3.2.2 shows how to reduce the computation of correlation functions in the so(6) sector to overlaps, and how to retrieve the results obtains by EGSV [21] . In section 4 we formulate the monodromy condition and verify that it is satisfied for the auxiliary space in the defining representation. We end with conclusions and some comments about the extension of the results at higher loops.

The subsection 3.2.2 shows how to reduce the computation of correlation functions in the so(6) sector to overlaps, and how to retrieve the results obtains by EGSV.


Although the genotypes observed in this stream are considered of limited human health importance, fecal contamination from both livestock and wildlife can carry other pathogens that have the ability to infect humans, including bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli [6] [28] . As well, there is a possibility that pathogenic strains of Cryptosporidium could be undetected if not the predominant genotype in these streams. While the genotyping method used in this study is suitable for detecting multiple species of Cryptosporidium in a sample, as was observed in this study, it has been shown to favour the detection of the predominant species in a sample [27] .

Although the genotypes observed in this stream are considered of limited human health importance, fecal contamination from both livestock and wildlife can carry other pathogens that have the ability to infect humans, including bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli.

While the genotyping method used in this study is suitable for detecting multiple species of Cryptosporidium in a sample, as was observed in this study, it has been shown to favour the detection of the predominant species in a sample.


These results imply that agricultural-activities may not be the only factor contributing impacts throughout the year. Few studies have included genotyping analysis along with seasonal investigations of Cryptosporidium occurrence in water [19] . Data of this type may be important for understanding which host animals are major seasonal contributors to contamination in watersheds and could lead to targeted strategies for mitigation in the future.

Few studies have included genotyping analysis along with seasonal investigations of Cryptosporidium occurrence in water.


Routine detection and enumeration of Cryptosporidium from water, particularly for regulatory compliance, are conducted microscopically using standard methods such as US EPA Method 1622 and 1623 [15] [16] . These methods allow for the detection and enumeration of total Cryptosporidium oocysts in a water sample; however, they do not differentiate between specific species/genotypes. Over the past decade, some researchers have applied advanced molecular methodologies to examine the genotypes in water samples. Distinguishing between genotypes can provide a refined estimation of the potential human health risk that this contamination poses to the public. In addition, due to the host-adapted nature of many Cryptosporidium species this additional information can provide a better understanding of the predominant sources of this contamination in a watershed, which can assist in source tracking this type of contamination and provide additional insight into future management and protection strategies for specific water sources.

Routine detection and enumeration of Cryptosporidium from water, particularly for regulatory compliance, are conducted microscopically using standard methods such as US EPA Method 1622 and 1623.


This article is not intended to be a comprehensive survey of the area. Emphasis will be placed on collaborative work of the author, and in particular an exposition and reworking of aspects of B-Carbery-Tao [13] . Mainly for reasons of space, we do not attempt to discuss the above-mentioned applications of these results in any detail.

Emphasis will be placed on collaborative work of the author, and in particular an exposition and reworking of aspects of B-Carbery-Tao.


The main purpose of the current paper is to use the linear potential theory to fill the gap of partially filled horizontal circular cylindrical containers with overall hole. Meticulous consideration is paid to calculate the effect of overall circular cavity along the main axis of the container. It is assumed that the liquid is inviscid, incompressible, and restricted to small displacement irrotational sloshing. Also, the container is assumed to be a rigid one. The effect of viscosity is known to play a minor role in the sloshing behavior of liquid with low viscosity and tank with smooth surface [49] . The proposed model is of practical interest essentially due to its inherent value as a canonical problem in liquid sloshing dynamics.

The effect of viscosity is known to play a minor role in the sloshing behavior of liquid with low viscosity and tank with smooth surface.


Reducing the sloshing and consequent undesired results to both environmental damages and economic losses force the researchers to investigate the problem of system stability. These studies aim to consider the natural frequencies, dynamic response, and the fluid motion control for reaching the system stability. Meanwhile, in the practical problems, such as liquid storage tanks, sloshing attenuation may be achieved by covering the free surface of the fluid with a structural member, such as annular plate or disk-type obstacles named baffles. These baffles make the natural sloshing frequencies differ from the excited frequency and cause the energy to dissipate and consequently cause the reduction of sloshing amplitude [24] .

These baffles make the natural sloshing frequencies differ from the excited frequency and cause the energy to dissipate and consequently cause the reduction of sloshing amplitude.


With this study, we now have the tools to develop conservation strategies to protect the most important and vulnerable roosts and baseline information to start long-term monitoring programs of the bat colonies that inhabit these caves. Previous data of cave-dwelling bats in the Brunca region are available from a few expedition reports made in 1993, conducted mainly by non-specialists, that present general information about the presence of just a few bat species without information on their abundance [40] . As such, this report does not provide reliable baseline data to gauge changes in bat colony size and species assemblages that might allow us to determine if caves are suffering from human activities conducted in them, most notably uncontrolled visitation.

Previous data of cave-dwelling bats in the Brunca region are available from a few expedition reports made in 1993, conducted mainly by non-specialists, that present general information about the presence of just a few bat species without information on their abundance.


SCI is a traumatic injury, which typically occurs suddenly and without warning. Treatment and rehabilitation usually require lengthy periods of hospitalisation . The consequences of SCI are enormous and affect every aspect of a person's life. Paralysis results in wheelchair dependence and a person with SCI may be dependent on others for assistance with tasks of daily living such as bathing, toileting, dressing, eating, community access and recreational activities. Bowel, bladder and sexual function are usually impaired (Glass, 1999) . There are a number of indicators that the adjustment process can be problematic particularly in the first few years following injury. Depression, divorce and suicide rates are greater than those reported in the general population for the first 3-5 years following SCI (Craig, Hancock, Dickson, & Chang, 1997; DeVivo, Hawkins, Richards, & Go, 1995; DeVivo & Richards, 1996; Elliott & Frank, 1996; Frankel et al., 1998; Hartkopp, Bronnum-Hansen, Seidenschnur, & Biering-Sorensen, 1997; Kennedy, Rogers, Speer, & Frankel, 1999; P Kennedy & Rogers, 2000; Kewman & Tate, 1998; Rintala, Young, Spencer, & Bates, 1996; Soden et al., 2000) . People with SCI report lower quality of life compared to non-disabled people but quality of life seems to improve over time (Boswell, Dawson, & Heininger, 1998; Dijkers, 1997; Evans et al., 1994; Krause, 1998) . These indicators suggest that the person with SCI has an increased risk of adjustment difficulties and their coping strengths may be challenged particularly in the early stages following injury.

Bowel, bladder and sexual function are usually impaired.

Depression, divorce and suicide rates are greater than those reported in the general population for the first 3-5 years following SCI.

People with SCI report lower quality of life compared to non-disabled people but quality of life seems to improve over time.


Prior to the 1990s, much of the research into adjustment following SCI tended to pathologise the adjustment process rather than identify factors that promote positive adjustment (Dunn, 1995) . The field of positive psychology has the potential to identify gaps in this knowledge and assist us to support clients in ways that are respectful of their strengths, courage, and determination in the face of significant life challenges (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000; Snyder & Lopez, 2002) . The appraisals made by the individual in understanding and reconstructing meaning are critical following an injury such as SCI to understand the adjustment process and factors that are amenable to intervention (Elliott, Kurylo, & Rivera, 2002; Elliott & Richards, 1999; Elliott & Sherwin, 1997) . Hope has emerged as a key component of appraisal and reconstruction of meaning following SCI.

Prior to the 1990s, much of the research into adjustment following SCI tended to pathologise the adjustment process rather than identify factors that promote positive adjustment.

The field of positive psychology has the potential to identify gaps in this knowledge and assist us to support clients in ways that are respectful of their strengths, courage, and determination in the face of significant life challenges.

The appraisals made by the individual in understanding and reconstructing meaning are critical following an injury such as SCI to understand the adjustment process and factors that are amenable to intervention.


Analysis of crude enzyme preparation from gut of treated larva by SDS-PAGE revealed increased intensity and broadness of GST bands at different time intervals after exposure. This observation conforms to the increased specific activity of GST measured over the period of exposure to the insecticide. This also suggested the capacity of GST in the gut of larva to degrade the chemical insecticide. Earlier reports by some authors suggested that increased level of GSTs is one of the major reasons for the development of resistance by metabolic detoxification of insecticides (Zhang et al., 2013) . Development of insecticide resistance is caused by increased levels of GSTs in diamondback moth and H. arnigera (Furlong & Wright, 1994; Mohan & Gujar, 2003) . Enhanced activities of GSTs that confer insecticide resistance from both qualitative and quantitative alterations in gene expression are provided. Evidence for over-expression of one or more GST isoenzymes in resistant insects was observed in M. domestica (Fournier, Bride, Poire, Berge, & Plapp, 1992; Zhang et al., 2013) .

Earlier reports by some authors suggested that increased level of GSTs is one of the major reasons for the development of resistance by metabolic detoxification of insecticides.

Development of insecticide resistance is caused by increased levels of GSTs in diamondback moth and H. arnigera.

Evidence for over-expression of one or more GST isoenzymes in resistant insects was observed in M. domestica.


This work aims at studying the physicochemical surface and catalytic properties of NiO supported on cordierite support material. The effects of extent of NiO-loading, calcination temperature and treating cordierite with Al 2 O 3 using a washcoating technique on its physicochemical surface and catalytic properties have been investigated [16] . Different physicochemical surface and catalytic properties of NiO supported on Al 2 O 3 -modified cordierite support material were investigated using XRD, EDX, nitrogen adsorption at -196 o C and catalytic conversion of isopropanol at 150-350 o C using the flow method and CO oxidation by O 2 at 200 o C.

The effects of extent of NiO-loading, calcination temperature and treating cordierite with Al 2 O 3 using a washcoating technique on its physicochemical surface and catalytic properties have been investigated.


The results of the RAs show that both scales of the WHPCI can be considered as having high internal consistency [40] . As originally theorized, the bivariate analysis found a significant correlation between the scales and their respective constructs. However, this does not necessarily mean that the strength of this correlation should be attributed to congruence.

The results of the RAs show that both scales of the WHPCI can be considered as having high internal consistency.


In view of this, is there need for yet another review in this field? The author of the present review article has carried out numerous experimental studies on the subject in question, systemized such important characteristics as the concentration and the distribution of different types of silanol groups, established the energetic heterogeneity of the surface in a wide temperature range of the pretreatment, and investigated the characteristics of bound water inside SiO 2 particles. Besides, it was made careful study of the structure characteristics of many different silica samples. On the basis of these researches the author was able to construct an original physicocrease in the adsorption, and the surface acquires more and more hydrophobic properties [1, 36] .

On the basis of these researches the author was able to construct an original physicocrease in the adsorption, and the surface acquires more and more hydrophobic properties.


Market differs worldwide in quality requirements for end product. However, it is possible to observe that importing countries are increasingly adopting preventive measures with regards to the quality of the products in the market. These countries justify their increased standards based on environmental issues, health and food safety concerns, and on international standards (Figueira et al., 2003) .

These countries justify their increased standards based on environmental issues, health and food safety concerns, and on international standards.


The size of scientific literature has increased dramatically during recent decades. In biomedical domain for example, PubMed -the largest repository of biomedical literature -contains more than 24 million articles. Thus, there is a need for concise presentation of important findings in the scientific articles being published. Text summarization of scientific articles is a method for such presentation. One obvious form of scientific summaries, is the abstract of the articles. Another type of scientific summaries relates to citance-based summaries which are summaries created using the set of citations to a reference article. This kind of summary covers some aspects of the reference article which might not be present in its abstract (Elkiss et al., 2008) .

This kind of summary covers some aspects of the reference article which might not be present in its abstract.


In both 2012 and 2013, we sampled a forest bird community six times during the breeding season at 183 sites in complex mountainous terrain, resulting in 19,171 bird observations. We collected under-canopy temperature data with sensors located at each of the count sites (Frey et al., 2016) . We used dynamic occupancy modelling to test the relative roles of fine-scale temperatures and vegetation characteristics on within-season distribution dynamics while accounting for imperfect detection. We hypothesized that high vagility of most forest bird species, combined with the heterogeneous thermal regime of mountain landscapes, would enable within-season distribution dynamics such that birds can track their thermal niches.

We collected under-canopy temperature data with sensors located at each of the count sites.


The different financial services include access to savings, loans, insurance, payments and remittance facilities offered by the formal financial system. This aspect of financial inclusion is of vital importance in providing economic security to individuals and families (Kelkar, 2014) . India is one country where the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) have a specific mandate for financial inclusion and financial literacy. There is a separate Technical Group on Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy under the aegis of FSDC with representation from all the financial sector regulators. In order to spearhead efforts towards greater financial inclusion, RBI has constituted a Financial Inclusion Advisory Committee (FIAC) under the Chairmanship of a Deputy Governor from RBI.

This aspect of financial inclusion is of vital importance in providing economic security to individuals and families.


In developing economies like India, the banks work as mobilizers of savings and allocators of credit for production and investment, have a very critical role. As a financial intermediary, the banks contribute to the economic growth of the country by identifying the entrepreneurs with the best chances of successfully initiating new commercial activities and allocating credit to them (Chakrabarty, 2013) . Financial access can really boost the financial condition and standards of life of the poor and the disadvantaged population of the country. Lack of accessible, affordable and appropriate financial services has always been an Indian problem and effective inclusive financial system is needed for economic growth of the country. Reserve bank of India (RBI) and government plays an important role in promoting financial inclusion for economic growth to increase the banking penetration, installation of new ATMs and implementation of various schemes in the country (Raman, 2012) . The Reserve Bank has used FIPs to gauge the performance of banks under their financial inclusion initiatives. During the first phase of FIPs 2010-2013 a large number of bank accounts have been opened. However, it has been observed that the accounts opened and the banking infrastructure created has not seen substantial operations in terms of transactions. RBI has been applied a fresh three-year FIPs during 2013-2016 for ensuring meaningful access to banking services to the excluded population. The new FIP is now more focused on the volume of transactions which plays an important role in growth and development of the India. The most robust relationship is observed among financial inclusion and economic growth of the country (Julie, 2013) . The present study found the positive significant impact of number of bank branches and credit deposit ratio of banks (proxies of financial inclusion) on GDP of the country. Whereas one indicator of financial inclusion, ATMs growth rate has been shown a statistically insignificant impact on Indian GDP. Hence, the study observed that financial inclusion is strongly associated with the progress and development of the economy. In spite of this there should be a need for proper financial inclusion regulation in the country to access financial services and customer awareness E-banking training and financial literacy programmes should be organized. Thus, financial inclusion is a big road which India needs to travel to make it completely successful.

As a financial intermediary, the banks contribute to the economic growth of the country by identifying the entrepreneurs with the best chances of successfully initiating new commercial activities and allocating credit to them.

Reserve bank of India (RBI) and government plays an important role in promoting financial inclusion for economic growth to increase the banking penetration, installation of new ATMs and implementation of various schemes in the country.

The most robust relationship is observed among financial inclusion and economic growth of the country.


As a major chronic illness and one of the leading causes of mortality, cancer poses adverse and debilitating impacts on the patients' functional capacity and quality of life. Cancer patients often experience painful symptoms and side effects following treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. An increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by cancer patients as a supplement to the mainstream Western medical interventions has been evident in the literature [1] [2] [3] . Patients with cancer usually employ CAM for promoting health and managing symptoms experienced during active treatment and the period of survivorship [4] .

An increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by cancer patients as a supplement to the mainstream Western medical interventions has been evident in the literature.

Patients with cancer usually employ CAM for promoting health and managing symptoms experienced during active treatment and the period of survivorship.


Missing data are inevitable in almost all randomized trials across medical research. If the data are missing completely at random, we do not have to adjust for the missing data mechanism. If the data are missing at random, it is common for investigators to use likelihood-based methods, such as mixed-effects regression, since the specification of the missing data mechanism can be ignored [2] . Unfortunately, the assumption of ignorable missing data cannot be empirically proven, and thus, there is no way to ascertain its validity. Therefore, it is important to carry out a sensitivity analysis to determine possible causes of missing data and the degree to which it may impact the results of a randomized trial.

If the data are missing at random, it is common for investigators to use likelihood-based methods, such as mixed-effects regression, since the specification of the missing data mechanism can be ignored.


Apart from the documented clinical and biochemical indicators, urinary samples from patients with chronic hepatitis B with thick yellow coating and thick white coating, and healthy humans with thin white coating were analyzed by GC/MS. The distinct clustering between the patients and healthy humans was observed, and the samples between thick yellow coating and thick white coating in patients with chronic hepatitis B were also separated into two individual groups. Furthermore, the correlation analysis was carried out between metabolite levels and clinical indicators in each group, respectively. As was shown in Tables 4, 5 , and 6, there is no significant correlation between most metabolites and clinical indicators except for minority indexes, which may Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 9 illustrate little relationship between the objective material basis related to tongue coating and the clinical indicators. Our earlier study showed that the clinical indicators had limited value in determining TCM syndromes in patients with chronic hepatitis B [38] . In addition, among these clinical indicators there were no significant differences between Group A and Group B. This result reflects that the clinical indicators have limited help in terms of the tongue coating's distinguishing in TCM. As shown in Table 2 , compared with Group C, levels of some clinical indicators in serum were significantly changed in Group A and Group B, respectively, and obvious alteration of these indicators may be caused by the disease; these indicators contributed to the diagnosis of the disease. The above data further implied that reductionism was difficult to reflect the essence of Chinese medicine; the holistic application of metabonomics may be more suitable for studying the differentiation of the tongue coating in TCM.

Our earlier study showed that the clinical indicators had limited value in determining TCM syndromes in patients with chronic hepatitis B.


An interesting issue relates to the extent that experts were certain that their responses were accurate. Experts were more certain that the public will perceive nanoencapsulated food as a risky application of nanotechnology compared to the other applications. Although no reasons are given, a speculative interpretation is that that the unavoidable consumption of nanoparticles may contribute to this effect. Future research should, however, aim to address this issue. Against this, experts are less certain as to how risky or beneficial smart pesticides will be perceived to be by the public. The uncertainty regarding smart pesticides may be rooted in the historical debate associated with pesticides (Carson 1962; Gunter and Harris 1998; Kinkela 2005) . On one hand, pesticide use is seen to lead to increased productivity benefitting farmers, processors, and consumers, while on the other their use may lead to environmental and health problems (Zilberman et al. 1991) . Experts may be uncertain as to which way society will react given these past controversies.

The uncertainty regarding smart pesticides may be rooted in the historical debate associated with pesticides.

On one hand, pesticide use is seen to lead to increased productivity benefitting farmers, processors, and consumers, while on the other their use may lead to environmental and health problems.


Globalization has been recognized as the principal force currently dominating the economic universe. It upholds to illuminate the world with economic prosperity and seeks a victory of markets over governments and self-interest over altruism. Even more imperative is the global commitment to continuing and accelerating the pace of human development which signifies the culmination of the historical processes of cultural progress. The dilemma however is that, while globalization is a lusty ineluctable historical process whose march can be halted only by endangering the prosperity of peoples and nations, it also threatens to disfigure human development in the manner it is evolving. Accordingly, as a dynamic force for change throughout the world, it is expected to cause unprecedented surges in the wealth of nation by extending the world's production possibility frontier outward and redefining the world as a "Global Village" (Asongu, 2013a) . Conversely, it is also reviled as a process destined to cause social and economic disintegration as well as ecological decay. It is also feared to be accelerating the race to the bottom by grabbing from the poor and giving to the rich, marginalizing nations already integrated in the world economy and decoupling them from scientific advancements performed in the developed world. The phenomenon is deepening pre-existing hollows in the levels of economic wellbeing within and between nations to a threshold where they have become socially, morally and economically unacceptable. These have mushroomed increase fears that developed countries may increasingly use globalization to enact disguised colonialism. Hence, not surprisingly the public support for globalization has waned in both developed and developing countries with a frantic search for a third dimension out of the morally enervating regime of unvarnished capitalism.

Accordingly, as a dynamic force for change throughout the world, it is expected to cause unprecedented surges in the wealth of nation by extending the world's production possibility frontier outward and redefining the world as a "Global Village".


Biological organisms have evolved to perform and survive in a world characterized by rapid changes, abundant uncertainties, and limited information [24] . For this reason, researchers have recently turned to biological systems for distributed control principles. For example, swarm intelligence, now an efficient, distributed computational methodology for solving complex problems, was inspired from behaviors of social insects. Among other applications, swarm intelligence has shown to be a successful approach to solving MRS problems [6] , [12] , [21] , [22] , [25] , [31] .

Biological organisms have evolved to perform and survive in a world characterized by rapid changes, abundant uncertainties, and limited information.

Among other applications, swarm intelligence has shown to be a successful approach to solving MRS problems.


In a multi-robot system (MRS), robots are supposed to work together efficiently and reliably to accomplish tasks that are intrinsically distributed in space, time, or functionality. However, these properties are often achieved at the cost of increasing system complexity, especially in control and communication [17] . It is usually not hard to implement a centralized controller for multi-robot systems that can perform complex tasks in a well-defined environment [16] . Unfortunately, multi-robot systems with a centralized controller will often perform rather poorly under unknown dynamic environments. Therefore, distributed methods are more attractive for multi-robot systems due to their robustness, flexibility, and adaptivity.

However, these properties are often achieved at the cost of increasing system complexity, especially in control and communication.

It is usually not hard to implement a centralized controller for multi-robot systems that can perform complex tasks in a well-defined environment.


In this study, we used doping of BCG to PEDOT:PSS for increasing the sensitivity of sensor to ammonia gas because BCG is basically dye for a pH indicator. The BCG can be yellow in acidic condition and blue in basic condition [16] . For this purpose, BCG-doped PEDOT:PSS was deposited on glass substrate by using spin-coating technique. The sensing system is very cheap because it was illuminated with a red laser diode and the light transmitted through the sensing layer was detected by p-i-n silicon photodiode.

The BCG can be yellow in acidic condition and blue in basic condition.


Ammonia gas has pungent odour and is colourless and lighter than air. It is known as a toxic compound that can be harmful to the human health if presents at high concentration [1] . In this regards, the device to detect ammonia gas is extremely necessary. Recently, there are many reports related to the development of gas sensors based on polymers because of advantages such as easy fabrication, low power consumption, room temperature operation, and being independent from environmental interference [2] . A hybrid material for ammonia gas sensor has been developed by electrochemical incorporation of phthalocyanine in conducting polypyrrole [3] [4] [5] . The polypyrrole films have been electrochemically deposited on microelectrodes arrays by using silicon microtechnologies. Its sensing properties to ammonia gas were investigated by considering electrodeposition parameters [6, 7] . Beside polypyrrole, another polymer for ammonia gas sensor is polyaniline [8, 9] . The electrical impedance spectroscopy and amperometry of polyaniline have also been modified for ammonia gas sensor [10] . As gas sensor material, the conducting polymer interacts with gas molecules resulting in a change bipolaron density inside the band gap [2] . It is well known that the bipolaron excitations generally fall in the visible range, so that both electrical and optical properties of the conducting polymer change by varying the concentration of gas.

It is known as a toxic compound that can be harmful to the human health if presents at high concentration.

Recently, there are many reports related to the development of gas sensors based on polymers because of advantages such as easy fabrication, low power consumption, room temperature operation, and being independent from environmental interference.

A hybrid material for ammonia gas sensor has been developed by electrochemical incorporation of phthalocyanine in conducting polypyrrole.

Its sensing properties to ammonia gas were investigated by considering electrodeposition parameters.

Beside polypyrrole, another polymer for ammonia gas sensor is polyaniline.

The electrical impedance spectroscopy and amperometry of polyaniline have also been modified for ammonia gas sensor.

As gas sensor material, the conducting polymer interacts with gas molecules resulting in a change bipolaron density inside the band gap.


One of the main obstacles preventing more direct phenomenological applications of string theory is the problem of vacuum degeneracy. One aspect of this problem is the presence of massless scalar fields or moduli in compactifications of string theory. These moduli govern the shape and size of the compactification space as well as the value of the coupling constant in string theory and correspond to massless fields in spacetime. There are stringent constraints on the presence of such massless scalars in the real world, so it is usually assumed that masses are generated for moduli fields by whatever mechanism breaks supersymmetry in string theory. A related problem is that the moduli fields, particularly the dilaton which governs the value of the coupling constant, tend to run off to infinity in known mechanisms for supersymmetry breaking, leaving one with no vacuum at all except at zero coupling [1] . Even in a cosmological situation the presence of moduli is problematic [2] . Thus it is interesting to consider string theories with few or no moduli.

A related problem is that the moduli fields, particularly the dilaton which governs the value of the coupling constant, tend to run off to infinity in known mechanisms for supersymmetry breaking, leaving one with no vacuum at all except at zero coupling.

Even in a cosmological situation the presence of moduli is problematic.


A combination of both problems, tracking and synchronization, is the master-slave synchronization considered in this article. Then, a collective of agents, the slaves, try to synchronize to or track the trajectory of a single master, all described by identical dynamics. This approach is often elaborated to study and achieve synchronization in nonlinear chaotic systems (Pecora and Carroll, 1990) . Generally this problem is not fully distributed in nature. Although some computations may only be done by the master, all the slaves compute their local controller as well, contradicting a fully centralized approach. In this setup, the only knowledge available to all agents, the master and the slaves, is the distance of each slave's trajectory to the trajectory of the master. This is again an invariant information referred to as translational invariance and is illustrated in Fig. 1 . From a tracking perspective, masterslave synchronization achieves tracking (for the slave) for an unknown reference trajectory (of the master). A typical application would be to clone the behavior of an industrial plant to other ones.

This approach is often elaborated to study and achieve synchronization in nonlinear chaotic systems.


The baseline positron source of the International Linear Collider (ILC) uses a helical undulator. The electron beam passes a long super-conducting (SC) helical undulator that is placed at the end of main Linear Accelerator. A high number of circularly-polarized photons is produced. These multi-MeV photons hit a thin Ti6Al4V target in order to produce longitudinally polarized positrons through the pair production mechanism [1] .

These multi-MeV photons hit a thin Ti6Al4V target in order to produce longitudinally polarized positrons through the pair production mechanism.


Recently, we showed that even a well-learned, plateaued motor skill can be rapidly upgraded with shortperiod somatic stimulation just prior to initiating the motor task [3] . In this previous study, we provided about one-minute transcutaneous electrical stimulation to the thenar muscles (thenar stimulation) before participants performed an acquired skillful hand motor task, and demonstrated that the thenar stimulation induced rapid improvement of the motor skill by promoting efficient control. Thus, improvement of a plateaued motor skill is possible with sensory intervention. However, the neuronal substrates underlying this behavioral change remain unclear.

Recently, we showed that even a well-learned, plateaued motor skill can be rapidly upgraded with shortperiod somatic stimulation just prior to initiating the motor task.


Procedural motor skill learning includes a period when no substantial gain in performance improvement is obtained even with repeated, daily practice [1] [2] [3] . In this later learning stage, the spontaneous occurrence of substantial skill improvement is rarely seen within a single training session on an experimental day [3, 4] . This is probably because the neuronal substrate that controls the motor skill is stabilized in the central nervous system (CNS), and upgrading the execution mode pertaining to well-learned skills is difficult through normal physical training.

Procedural motor skill learning includes a period when no substantial gain in performance improvement is obtained even with repeated, daily practice.

In this later learning stage, the spontaneous occurrence of substantial skill improvement is rarely seen within a single training session on an experimental day.


In the literature, greater modulation of the connectivity in the cortical motor network is reported during the early learning stage of a novel motor skill, but little change is observed once people have acquired a motor skill even when they repeat the learned task [7] . In addition, the progress of the automaticity of a motor skill is accompanied by increased connectivity, especially in brain networks that include subcortical structures, i.e., the BG and the cerebellum [8] . Thus, once a motor skill is acquired, it seems that the connectivity in the motor network that includes M1 does not substantially change in the natural learning process. The relatively stable connectivity in this network also appears to be confirmed in our control experiment. Hence, M1 seems to mainly act in the execution mode at the later stage of motor skill learning. This merely executive role of M1 at the later stage appears to be in contrast to the involvement of M1 in early motor learning and consolidation [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] . If one considers that a substantial gain in performance improvement is normally observed at an early stage of motor skill learning, M1's merely executive role at the later stage might be related with the behavioral plateau in motor skill learning. In contrast to previous reports, we found in the present study that the connectivity in the M1 network (both cortico-striatal and cortico-cerebellar circuits) changed in association with the improvement of the well-learned motor skill. Our results suggest that, when the acquired motor skill improves, a plastic change in the M1 network may occur even at the later learning stage. Since no performance improvement was accompanied by stable connectivity in this network (see control experiment), the plastic change in the cortico-subcortical motor networks seems to be necessary for further upgrading of the welllearned motor skill.

In the literature, greater modulation of the connectivity in the cortical motor network is reported during the early learning stage of a novel motor skill, but little change is observed once people have acquired a motor skill even when they repeat the learned task.

In addition, the progress of the automaticity of a motor skill is accompanied by increased connectivity, especially in brain networks that include subcortical structures, i.e., the BG and the cerebellum.

This merely executive role of M1 at the later stage appears to be in contrast to the involvement of M1 in early motor learning and consolidation.


Another important finding in the current study was that the improved performance remained even after the application of the stimulation ended (behavioral residual effect). This seemed to be associated with the preservation of enhanced activity couplings in the cortico-subcortical motor circuits (neuronal residual effect). Thus, once the neuronal substrate was upgraded in association with the performance improvement, it might be preserved in the brain in a way that allows the improved performance to be sustained. In our previous study, we found that when people repeated daily training of this task combined with stimulation applications, the improved effect obtained in one experimental day partially carried over to the next day, thereby promoting daily improvement of the plateaued performance [3] . Thus, the routine use of the upgraded neuronal substrate when performing this task might reinforce its consolidation in the CNS through repetition of motor practice at higher performance levels. The present findings might also indicate that the preservation of enhanced activity couplings in the cortico-subcortical motor circuits might be part of the neuronal entity for the central consolidation that permits daily improvement of the plateaued performance.

In our previous study, we found that when people repeated daily training of this task combined with stimulation applications, the improved effect obtained in one experimental day partially carried over to the next day, thereby promoting daily improvement of the plateaued performance.


Rural water-supply schemes in Nepal are partially or fully funded from governmental and nongovernmental resources. Many governmental organizations (GOs), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) are working in Nepal to increase coverage and to provide safe water supplies and sanitation to underserved populations in poor and remote areas. The consumption of water in rural communities of Nepal is quite different from other countries. The customary strategy does not normally entail charging for water from public taps that are located among 5-15 houses within a 500 meter distance. However, other countries and agencies such as the World Bank recommend that users should pay for water services (Asthana, 1997) . To escape problems created by this approach, donor and government officials in developing countries have focused on financial issues, especially the generation of revenue through domestic connection (Singh et al. 1993) .

However, other countries and agencies such as the World Bank recommend that users should pay for water services.

To escape problems created by this approach, donor and government officials in developing countries have focused on financial issues, especially the generation of revenue through domestic connection.


At the core of our method is the design of a generative model that learns to map images to a 3D surface, a texture and a background image. Then, we use a renderer to generate views given the 3D surface, texture, background image and a randomly sampled viewpoint. We postulate that if the three components are realistic, then also the rendered images from arbitrary (within a suitable distribution) viewpoints will be realistic. To assess realism, we use a discriminator trained in an adversarial fashion [8] . Therefore, by assuming that the samples cover a sufficient distribution of viewpoints, the generative model should automatically learn 3D models from the data.

To assess realism, we use a discriminator trained in an adversarial fashion.


From insects to flowers to birds, nature offers several examples of organisms able to manipulate light just in virtue of micro-and nanoscaled architectures, without contribution of any pigment [1] [2] [3] [4] . Among these, diatoms play a fundamental role due to their massive contribution (estimated around 20-25%) to global photosynthetic oxygen production [5] . Diatoms are ubiquitous and monocellular microalgae which dominate phytoplankton through tens of thousands of species, differing in dimension and shape [6] . Nevertheless, all the species share a common feature: the protoplasm is enclosed in a micro-and nanopatterned silica box, the frustule, constituted by two valves interconnected by a lateral girdle. Dimensions of frustules (from some millimeters to some microns) and of pores (from several microns to some tens of nanometers) and their more or less periodic arrangement are species-specific. Single valves can be made by a superposition of several layers, each characterized by pores of different dimensions and different geometrical distribution [7] .

From insects to flowers to birds, nature offers several examples of organisms able to manipulate light just in virtue of micro-and nanoscaled architectures, without contribution of any pigment.

Among these, diatoms play a fundamental role due to their massive contribution (estimated around 20-25%) to global photosynthetic oxygen production.

Diatoms are ubiquitous and monocellular microalgae which dominate phytoplankton through tens of thousands of species, differing in dimension and shape.

Single valves can be made by a superposition of several layers, each characterized by pores of different dimensions and different geometrical distribution.


The role of the mobile phone in people's everyday lives is ubiquitous. Not only have mobile phones changed the way people communicate (short message service [SMS] , video calls, etc.), they also are a platform through which individuals can exchange ideas and information, and participate in virtual environments (Isaid & Faisal, 2015) . Since the mobile phone industry is very intense, and consumers are exposed to plenty of products in the market, consumers are inclined to switch from one product to another. This switching behaviour is a major concern for marketers and consumer analysts, who are trying to identify ways to engender less switching behaviour.

Not only have mobile phones changed the way people communicate (short message service [SMS] , video calls, etc.), they also are a platform through which individuals can exchange ideas and information, and participate in virtual environments.


To achieve better understanding of the 3D arrangement of NPs, optical spectra of an isolated heptamer consisting of seven Au NPs with identical size were studied. The six outer NPs form hexagon (oNPs) and the last one is located at the center of the hexagon (cNP). The diameter of all the NPs is 100 nm and the gap between the oNPs is 10 nm. The calculation results show double peaks in the extinction crosssection, as shown in Figure 4 (a). At the local maxima of the extinction spectra, the electric field components along the light polarization direction of all the NPs have the same sign. In contrast, the field components of some NPs have the opposite sign at the local minima of the spectra. It has been known that the bonding (super radiant) mode and the antibonding (subradiant) modes are formed at the former cases and the latter cases, respectively [1] [2] [3] [4] . Figure 4 (a) also shows the extinction spectra of the heptamers whose cNP is moved upward or downward from the plane containing other six heptamers, as illustrated in Figures 4(b) and 4(c) . The double peaks, the signature of the Fano resonance, become less noticeable when the vertical displacement of the central NP is increased. This means that increase of the cNP's vertical displacement weakens the coupling between oNPs and cNP. Thus, the result in Figure 4 (a) clearly shows that cNP plays a key role in the Fano resonance [2] . It should be noted that the two peaks exhibit distinct dependence on the vertical movement of cNP. The position of the shortwavelength peak does not change much, and the intensity is slightly increased, since the interaction between oNPs Journal of Nanomaterials is much stronger than that between cNP and oNPs. In contrast, the long-wavelength peak moves toward shortwavelength region and its intensity is reduced, because the interaction between cNP and oNPs is stronger than that between oNPs in the specific mode. This suggests that the dipole interaction between the constituent NPs should depend not only on the interparticle spacing but also on the direction between the dipoles in the 3D configuration. The results in Figure 4(a) show that the 3D arrangement of NPs can provide an alternative way to modulate the optical spectral response of the plasmonic NP assembly. The considered NPs have somewhat simple structures, but this study gives us an insight into understanding more complicated 3D NP assemblies.

It has been known that the bonding (super radiant) mode and the antibonding (subradiant) modes are formed at the former cases and the latter cases, respectively.

Thus, the result in Figure 4 (a) clearly shows that cNP plays a key role in the Fano resonance.


Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show top-view ( -plane) electric field distribution of the NP assemblies with and without poreNPs, respectively (wavelength of incident light: 633 nm). The field map is obtained at the plane containing the center of NPs in the trimers. The strong field confinement is clearly seen at the gap between NPs of the trimers. In particular, the dipole-dipole interaction is much stronger between NPs located along the light polarization (i.e., -axis) [1] . At the gap between NPs placed perpendicular to the light polarization (i.e., -axis), the dipoles of the neighboring NPs are oppositely directed, and hence the superposed field intensity is very small. Field enhancement is also seen between the neighboring trimers, which are placed along the -axis.

In particular, the dipole-dipole interaction is much stronger between NPs located along the light polarization (i.e., -axis).


Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show experimental and simulative optical reflectance spectra, respectively. In the calculation, the following three types of NP assemblies are compared as shown in Figure 3 (b): trimers only, pore-NPs only, and trimers with pore-NPs. The results in Figure 3 (b) are obtained for linearly polarized light along the -axis and the simulation data for the -polarization are almost invariant. The trimers belong to the 3ℎ point group, and the plasmon hybridization does not have polarization dependence [6] . The calculation reveals that all the NP assemblies have similar optical spectra with broad dips in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 600 nm. Although there is overall shift of the spectra, the experimental result looks similar to the calculation results. Thus, the shape of the spectra alone cannot clarify the physical origin of the optical characteristics.

The trimers belong to the 3ℎ point group, and the plasmon hybridization does not have polarization dependence.


Software visualization (SV) is a branch of software engineering that aims to use graphics and animation to illustrate the different aspects of software [10] . It is typically divided into two subdivisions: program visualization and algorithm visualization [8] . In both subdivisions it is important to be able to differentiate between the various levels of abstraction in the visualization. For example, a linked list implemented using two arrays can be visualized by showing the arrays and their contents. Such a visualization shows the implementation-level details of the list, but makes it hard to grasp its logical structure, which can easily be seen when the list is visualized as nodes connected by references. In this paper we will concentrate on the algorithm visualization (AV) side of SV.

Software visualization (SV) is a branch of software engineering that aims to use graphics and animation to illustrate the different aspects of software.

It is typically divided into two subdivisions: program visualization and algorithm visualization.


Given a detailed mechanism, the construction of a reduced mechanism requires 1) the identification of the steady state species and the linearly independent elementary reactions that consume the fastest of these species and 2) simple linear algebra calculations. In the past, constructing a validated reduced mechanism was a tedious and time consuming process, made a little easier with the appearance of computer codes being able to handle the linear algebra calculations. These difficulties were surpassed with the development of the algorithmic procedure implemented in the S-STEP algorithm, which is based on CSP and produces reduced mechanisms of arbitrary size [12, 13] . The algorithm is fully automatic, identifies the steady state species and fast elementary reactions, requiring as input simply the detailed kinetic mechanism, a reference numerical solution of the flame and the desired number of global steps in the reduced mechanism.

These difficulties were surpassed with the development of the algorithmic procedure implemented in the S-STEP algorithm, which is based on CSP and produces reduced mechanisms of arbitrary size.


The simulation of combustion in internal combustion engines is important in order to make computer-aided design possible, and also to be able to predict pollutant formation and gain a better understanding of the coupling between the various physical and chemical processes. Accurate simulations of Diesel engines require models for the various processes, such as spray dynamics, ignition, chemistry, heat transfer, etc. as well as the interactions between them, such as chemistry-turbulence interactions, etc. This simulation by using detailed mechanism required very long CPU times and reaching the limits of available memory [1] . Thus, the usefulness of reduced mechanisms ranges from decreasing the computational time all the way to making the simulations feasible. These reduced mechanisms consist of a few steps, which involves only a small number of chemical species and the corresponding rates are linear relations among the elementary rates.

This simulation by using detailed mechanism required very long CPU times and reaching the limits of available memory.


Hippo signaling pathway is evolutionarily conserved in metazoan animals that control organ size and tumorigenesis through the regulation of cellular proliferation and survival [8, 9] . This developmental signaling consists of several negative growth regulators acting in a kinase cascade that ultimately phosphorylate and inactivate key transcriptional co-activators, Yes-associated protein (YAP) and PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) [10] . In mammals, the core components of the Hippo signaling kinases include Mst1/2, SAV1, Lats1/2, Mob1a and Mob1b [11] . In normal cells, Hippo signaling restrains cells from proliferation by inhibiting YAP/TAZ activities [12] . When Hippo signaling is disrupted, decreases in YAP phosphorylation increase nuclear levels of YAP, and subsequently nuclear YAP and TAZ act in concert with downstream transcriptional enhancer factor TEF-1 (TEAD) transcriptional factors to increase the expression of downstream growth factors [13] . Indeed, the dysregulation of Hippo pathway has been associated with diverse pathological conditions, including developmental defects, tissue overgrowth and cancers [14] . In ovarian cancer studies, the Hippo effector YAP has been found as an oncogene that is overexpressed in epithelial ovarian cancers [15] . Also, the co-expression of YAP and TEAD4 has been determined as a prognostic marker for poor ovarian cancer survival [16] .

Hippo signaling pathway is evolutionarily conserved in metazoan animals that control organ size and tumorigenesis through the regulation of cellular proliferation and survival.

This developmental signaling consists of several negative growth regulators acting in a kinase cascade that ultimately phosphorylate and inactivate key transcriptional co-activators, Yes-associated protein (YAP) and PDZ-binding motif (TAZ).

In mammals, the core components of the Hippo signaling kinases include Mst1/2, SAV1, Lats1/2, Mob1a and Mob1b.

In normal cells, Hippo signaling restrains cells from proliferation by inhibiting YAP/TAZ activities.

When Hippo signaling is disrupted, decreases in YAP phosphorylation increase nuclear levels of YAP, and subsequently nuclear YAP and TAZ act in concert with downstream transcriptional enhancer factor TEF-1 (TEAD) transcriptional factors to increase the expression of downstream growth factors.

Indeed, the dysregulation of Hippo pathway has been associated with diverse pathological conditions, including developmental defects, tissue overgrowth and cancers.

In ovarian cancer studies, the Hippo effector YAP has been found as an oncogene that is overexpressed in epithelial ovarian cancers.

Also, the co-expression of YAP and TEAD4 has been determined as a prognostic marker for poor ovarian cancer survival.


The farms surveyed adopted a wide variety of different breeding strategies with variable levels of success. The cheapest and probably easiest option was just to turn heifers out with a bull. This only cost £32.31 per heifer but the farmers who adopted this strategy also started breeding their heifers quite late, so their age at conception was higher at 18 months. This would have resulted in a later AFC and so increased overall rearing costs. The use of conventional semen was much less than that of sexed semen with median costs per straw of £15 and £30 respectively. The first service conception rate was also somewhat higher (66% v 60%) although the range was narrower with minimum figures of 50% and 21% respectively. This confirms much larger studies which have found that pregnancy rates in cattle with 2 million sexed sperm per insemination dose are about 80% of those with conventional semen at normal sperm doses [21] . Using sexed semen therefore increases the breeding costs significantly by around £30 to £70 per animal dependent on the strategy used. This extra outlay should, however, be recapped later due to the greater value of dairy heifers in comparison with bull calves. The use of sexed semen in the UK has increased rapidly in the UK over the past few years. This is to a large degree driven by welfare concerns over the fate of unwanted male calves on the part of a number of the supermarkets who are major buyers of milk. It has the additional benefit of increasing the rate of genetic progress from the herd when more dairy heifers are produced and decreasing the incidence of dystocia at first calving [45] [46] .

This confirms much larger studies which have found that pregnancy rates in cattle with 2 million sexed sperm per insemination dose are about 80% of those with conventional semen at normal sperm doses.

It has the additional benefit of increasing the rate of genetic progress from the herd when more dairy heifers are produced and decreasing the incidence of dystocia at first calving.


Neurological adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) less commonly include drug toxicities [8] . The influence of ICIs on neurological adverse events by radiation therapy is unknown. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is produced in the central nervous system by microglia. TNF is involved in nerve degeneration and inflammation, and radiation therapy enhances TNF production by microglia [9, 10] . Since PD-L1 is also expressed in the central nerve, it would be considered that PD-L1 was highly expressed under the inflammation of CRT or TNF production, and immune tolerance was induced. In this case, we assumed that the immune tolerance might be inhibited by durvarumab and the inflammation was enhanced. Therefore, myelitis developed. In addition, a report has shown the association between immunotherapy after radiotherapy and radiation necrosis [11] . Thus, ICIs might have some influence on the irradiated central nervous system. Therefore, it would be reasonable to consider that in this case, radiation myelitis was caused by the influence of durvalumab on CRT.

Neurological adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) less commonly include drug toxicities.

TNF is involved in nerve degeneration and inflammation, and radiation therapy enhances TNF production by microglia.

Therefore, myelitis developed.

In addition, a report has shown the association between immunotherapy after radiotherapy and radiation necrosis.


The electrical energy is converted into thermal energy in the plasma arc, which is the primary heating and stirring element inside the DC furnace. The arc consists of ionized freeboard gas containing a mixture of ions and free electrons, and is able to conduct electricity well. The electromagnetic forces interact with the plasma gas to accelerate and heat it, resulting in the formation of the arc -a hightemperature, high-velocity jet directed at the surface of the molten bath (Bowman, 1994) . The arc may be thought of as the 'engine room' of the furnace, and improving the understanding of the physical behaviour of this region is invaluable for the improvement of current and future furnace designs.

The electromagnetic forces interact with the plasma gas to accelerate and heat it, resulting in the formation of the arc -a hightemperature, high-velocity jet directed at the surface of the molten bath.


Situated cognition views learning as a phenomenon which occurs in socially and culturally-situated contexts, rather than in abstract, idealized, and decontextualized learning environments (Lave and Wenger 1991) . In the >eld of education, this movement has o=ered an alternative view of evaluation, known as situated evaluation (Bruce and Rubin 1992) . Situated evaluation theorists recognize two forms of curriculum; one is a documented version, which prescribes idealized teaching practices across various teaching situations, and the other is a realized version, which emerges from curriculum implementation in actual classrooms.

Situated cognition views learning as a phenomenon which occurs in socially and culturally-situated contexts, rather than in abstract, idealized, and decontextualized learning environments.

In the >eld of education, this movement has o=ered an alternative view of evaluation, known as situated evaluation.


The study This is a partial report of a two-year longitudinal study investigating a Participants group of Japanese junior and senior high school English teachers. These teachers belong to a self-initiated study group of 30 teachers which was formed to help develop their own pronunciation skills and teaching expertise. This type of self-initiated study group for teachers by teachers is a common practice in Japan (Shimahara 1998) . Among the total of 30 such members, 14 teachers, 12 females, and 2 males volunteered to participate in the study. Their teaching experiences ranged from 6 to 29 years. Thirteen of them taught in public schools, and one in a private school.

This type of self-initiated study group for teachers by teachers is a common practice in Japan.


However, because of the high surface to volume ratio of micro/nano features, especially for higher aspect ratios, earlier solidification of polymer melts will prevent the filling of micro/nano cavities. Therefore, high injection pressure and material temperature are required to avoid premature solidification. As a result, the polymer materials in micro injection molding are subject to higher shear rates and thermal gradients than in conventional injection molding. Unique morphological features and lower mechanical properties than those reported for conventional parts have been reported for micro injection molding [11] . It is also reported that the quality of micro components is very sensitive to process variations [12] . Thus, it is very important to understand the thermomechanical history that materials experience during the micro injection molding process. However, because of limited space available to install sensors into the cavity of a micro part, it is difficult to investigate the actual process conditions of micro injection process [13] . In the present study, the micro injection molding process was characterized using embedded pressure and temperature sensors. A reliable and repeatable micro injection molding process to replicate micro/nano scale features, such as micro channels and ridges, is proposed on the basis of our investigation of the relationship between machine parameters, process conditions, and replication quality.

Unique morphological features and lower mechanical properties than those reported for conventional parts have been reported for micro injection molding.

It is also reported that the quality of micro components is very sensitive to process variations.

However, because of limited space available to install sensors into the cavity of a micro part, it is difficult to investigate the actual process conditions of micro injection process.


Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are miniature systems capable of controlling mechanical structures. These systems are fabricated using I.C. processing technology. A lot of research initiatives are supported by the governments, automobile and space organizations to develop micro-sensors, micro-machined gyroscopes, accelerometers, switches, micro-engines, micro-pumps and so on. The numbers of MEM devices continue to grow exponentially and national attention is focused on MEMS technology and education [1] .

The numbers of MEM devices continue to grow exponentially and national attention is focused on MEMS technology and education.


The movement of dislocations in the materials can determine the strength of materials and how they will deform under a load, and how they accommodate strain [1] . Bimaterials are extensively used in many engineeredmaterial systems, such as composite structures, electronic packaging and thin-film constructions. The interaction of dislocations with a bimaterial interface is a very important topic, which has attracted considerable attention in the past decades.

The movement of dislocations in the materials can determine the strength of materials and how they will deform under a load, and how they accommodate strain.


First, the most important conclusion is that doctoral recipients have an above-average employment rate at the time of graduation: 86 per cent of all doctoral recipients surveyed were em-van de Schoot, Yerkes, & Sonneveld ployed. Moreover, 63 per cent of the respondents were employed within academia, either in the Netherlands or abroad. Nearly half of all graduates were employed under a temporary contract; this reflects an increase in temporary contracts during the past 16 years in the Netherlands (Hulshof et al., 1996) . Taking a closer look at employment status, we found three significant correlates of non-academic employment and one significant correlate of academic employment. Gender was significant: male doctoral candidates were one and a half times more likely to be employed outside academia. External PhD candidates were also more likely to be employed outside academia. Lastly, PhD candidates who were positive about the role of their supervisor and the way their supervisor prepared them for the labour market were more likely to be employed outside academia.

Nearly half of all graduates were employed under a temporary contract; this reflects an increase in temporary contracts during the past 16 years in the Netherlands.


Cultivation and export of shrimp is very successful in the coastal region and it contributes 4% of National GDP every year [1] . For shrimp cultivation, ponds are dug side by side. These ponds are separated by common dikes around each pond. Slopes of these ponds are also to be maintained for hassle free cultivation [2] . Cropping time is all round the year except November to January. During these three months farmers refurnish their ponds as it becomes a dry season. In Satkhira region, flood occurs during rainy season (July to August) in a regular basis. The whole area becomes flooded and pond boundaries go under water. Flood causes damages to the dikes boundary of the shrimp ponds. Very often farmers engage themselves in boundary deciding argument [3] . During monsoon season, basin type low lands of north eastern part of Bangladesh (called "Haor") become flooded every year under water of 2 to 6m. Erosion in these areas is the main cause of loss of home for a good number of people every year.

Cultivation and export of shrimp is very successful in the coastal region and it contributes 4% of National GDP every year.

Slopes of these ponds are also to be maintained for hassle free cultivation.

Very often farmers engage themselves in boundary deciding argument.


Recently, few efforts have been made to investigate the effectiveness of vetiver in slope protection in Bangladesh [9, 10] . In this paper, efficacy of vetiver grass to protect road embankment, shrimp pond sides in saline zone and pond slope in barind tract zone has been presented. Finally, possibility of vetiver application in haor low-land protection is discussed.

Recently, few efforts have been made to investigate the effectiveness of vetiver in slope protection in Bangladesh.


Island growth was evident and remarkable sparse sphere particle nucleation was present. Then, islands grew and then met one another and drove to form a continuous film. Adhesion of the Ni-P film with Si substrate is naturally poor because of the sparsely distributed Ni nuclei particles in initial nucleation stage (see Fig. 3b, Fig. 4b and Fig. 9 ). Nuclei are firstly bonded to the substrate surface. In initial nucleation stage, nucleation rate of Ni were insufficient, which could cause a weak adhesion between the Ni-P layer and Si substrate (Wei et al. 2015) . Lack of attachment areas and sites on the Si wafer caused the Ni-P layer to peel off easily.

In initial nucleation stage, nucleation rate of Ni were insufficient, which could cause a weak adhesion between the Ni-P layer and Si substrate.