This reinforces the importance of the mineralfluid interfacial layer in the control of these processes (Putnis and Ruiz-Agudo, 2013) . The solution composition at the mineral surface must then be the rate-controlling factor in many mineral-fluid reactions. In the present experiments, the solutions used were undersaturated (far-from-equilibrium) with respect to any possible precipitating phase but precipitation was seen to occur. Therefore we can conclude that regardless of the bulk fluid composition, reactions at the mineralÀfluid interface and the resultant element release into the interfacial fluid or boundary layer control possible replacement reactions. The composition of the bulk fluid has an influence, therefore, on which phase may supersaturate the interfacial fluid layer. The fluctuations in element release measured during the early stages of dolomite dissolution confirm the coupling of the processes of dissolution and precipitation at the fluidÀmineral interface.

This reinforces the importance of the mineralfluid interfacial layer in the control of these processes.


Natural fibers are largely divided into two categories depending on their origin: plant based like jute and animal based like silk. By reinforcing various natural fibers/fabrics (NF), environmental friendly composites are made [29] . A lot of work has been done by many researchers on the composites based on both natural and synthetic fibers [30] . In the last decades, a growing interest in NF reinforced composites is observed because of their high performance in terms of excellent mechanical properties, processing advantages, good chemical resistance, etc [31] . Silk fibers from silkworms have been used in textiles for nearly 5000 years. Silks are fibrous proteins, which are spun into fibers by a variety of insects and spiders [32] . They have repetitive protein sequences. The mechanical properties of silk fibers consist of a combination of high strength, extensibility, and compressibility [33, 34] . Silk fabrics are mainly produced in China and India. Annually large amounts of waste silk fibers (WSFs) are generated in silk industries in these two countries. Further, as the consumers of silk fabrics are more especially in India, lots of old used fabrics are going as waste. In order to add value to the waste generated and to achieve higher tensile properties for the SPI composites, we have selected waste silk fabrics (SF) as reinforcement [35] .

By reinforcing various natural fibers/fabrics (NF), environmental friendly composites are made.

A lot of work has been done by many researchers on the composites based on both natural and synthetic fibers.

In the last decades, a growing interest in NF reinforced composites is observed because of their high performance in terms of excellent mechanical properties, processing advantages, good chemical resistance, etc.

Silks are fibrous proteins, which are spun into fibers by a variety of insects and spiders.

They have repetitive protein sequences.

The mechanical properties of silk fibers consist of a combination of high strength, extensibility, and compressibility.

In order to add value to the waste generated and to achieve higher tensile properties for the SPI composites, we have selected waste silk fabrics (SF) as reinforcement.


P (x, y) = P (x|y)P (y) where P (y = 1) = π and P (x|y) = N (x; µ y , Σ) where means µ y are class-dependent but the covariance matrix Σ is class-independent. A novel feature x is classified as a positive if P (y = 1|x) > P (y = 0|x), which is equivalent to a linear classifier with weights given by w = Σ −1 (µ 1 − µ 0 ). Figure 1(d) shows the LDA model trained with the bicycle image patch as positive and generic image patches as background. Clearly, like the SVM, the LDA model suppresses the contours of the background, while enhancing the gradients of the bicycle. LDA has been used before in computer vision, one of the earliest and most popular appications being face recognition [8] .

LDA has been used before in computer vision, one of the earliest and most popular appications being face recognition.


Our investigation focuses on identifying generic properties of real world search problems. We are motivated by the desire for a better understanding of search and search problems in the real world, and the limited availability of real world benchmarks. It is evident that, on the whole, real world problems do have exploitable properties which are independent of any particular classification of problem that we want to solve. This is shown by the performance of particular advanced search techniques that are successful on sets of real world benchmarks [2] . This work investigates modelling modular structure to emulate real world problem structure. Section 2 reviews other approaches for generating realistic satisfiability search problems. Section 3 investigates the justification for using modelling modularity in pseudo-real search problems. Our proposed problem model is presented in Section 4, and experimental analysis appears in Section 5 and 6. Section 7 discusses our observations with respect to related work.

This is shown by the performance of particular advanced search techniques that are successful on sets of real world benchmarks.


With this scenario, grammar teaching becomes one of the central activities in any language programme. The idea that formal teaching of grammar benefits language learning is a generally accepted claim among the SLA community of practitioners and researchers (Borg & Burns, 2008) . Having said this, the teaching and learning of grammar is moving away from the traditional approach with the advancement of ICT. This is because with ICT student e learning can become a reality. It creates the flexibility to learn outside the classroom and this would make more sense especially when you have limited face-to-face time and weak students to handle. Students will have the freedom to select current issues whether local or global to be part of their grammar learning task. This is in tandem with what Ruzy Suliza Hashim (2011:89) states "I contend that what we teach in class -be it literature or languages -should coincide with issues that act in response to many burning problems in the world today".

The idea that formal teaching of grammar benefits language learning is a generally accepted claim among the SLA community of practitioners and researchers.


Precipitation hardening (also known as age hardening) is a process by which aluminum and steel alloys are heat and solution treated. The goals of the process are to increase the strength and hardness of the material [1] . Precipitation hardening consists of three main steps: solution treatment, quenching, and aging. Solution treatment involves heating the alloy to above the solvus temperature, which creates a homogeneous solid solution of one phase. At this stage, all of the solute atoms are dissolved into the solution. Quenching refers to the rapid cooling of the solid solution in a medium and it is the second step in natural hardening. During this step, the solute becomes over supersaturated. Finally, aging takes place where the solute atoms diffuse as clusters that distort and strengthen the material.

The goals of the process are to increase the strength and hardness of the material.


The precipitation processes in Al-Cu-Mg alloys which fall within the (α+S) region of the ternary phase diagram have been the subject of numerous research due to their fundamental and commercial interest since the discovery of the alloy duralumin in 1906. Since then, they have been studied mainly by mechanical testing, calorimetric measurements and electron microscopy observations. Two hardness stages are observable during ageing at medium temperatures, which are the rapid initial rise (about 50-70% of the total hardness increase), and the second rise, which is much slower than the first one. In semi-logarithmic representation, they are separated by a sort of plateau whose duration depends strongly on temperature and alloy composition. In normal scale, a plateau does not always appear [15] .

In normal scale, a plateau does not always appear.


Theorem 1.1 (Everest, Mclaren, Ward [5] ). With E : y 2 = x 3 − T 2 x with T > 0 square-free, let P ∈ E(Q) be a point of infinite order. If B n (P ) does not have a primitive divisor, then (a) n ≤ 10 if n is even (b) n ≤ 3 if n is odd and x(P ) is negative.

Theorem 1.1 (Everest, Mclaren, Ward).


Carbon fibre composite is a type of composite material with a high strength. The specific strength and specific stiffness are better than other lightweight materials. Therefore, it is widely employed in aerospace domain and military products. The material can obviously reduce the weight of automobile. The material has been applied on construction elements and cover parts of transmission system of chassis and automobile bodies. Debonding defect is a major problem of the carbon fibre composites. A great number of scholars have done investigations of the nondestructive evaluation and testing (NDE/NDT) for the defect [1] [2] [3] [4] .

A great number of scholars have done investigations of the nondestructive evaluation and testing (NDE/NDT) for the defect.


At present, ultrasonic guided wave (GW) testing has emerged as a very prominent active scheme. It offers an effective method to estimate the location, severity, and type of defects and has been used on NDE/NDT of the carbon fibre composites [2, 5, 6] . Separating different modes of the GW and obtaining the corresponding time-frequency distributions (TFD) are vital for the inspection of the defect.

It offers an effective method to estimate the location, severity, and type of defects and has been used on NDE/NDT of the carbon fibre composites.


Most steel parts such as gears, precision guages, bearings, tools and dies produced today are heat treated before being put into service. Parts are heat treated to enhance particular properties, such as hardness, toughness and corrosion resistance, and to improve uniformity of properties. The exact heat treatment applied depends on both the type of alloy and the intended service conditions [1] . The main types of heat treatments often used to modify the microstructure and mechanical properties of engineering materials particularly steels are annealing, normalizing, hardening and tempering [2] .

The exact heat treatment applied depends on both the type of alloy and the intended service conditions.

The main types of heat treatments often used to modify the microstructure and mechanical properties of engineering materials particularly steels are annealing, normalizing, hardening and tempering.


Quench hardening is one of the most important processes of heat treatment that can improve the performance of steel greatly. It is also one of the major causes of rejected components and production losses due to cracks and distortion in the material. Achieving desired mechanical properties and minimizing the possibility of occurrence of quenching cracks are the key indicators of successful hardening process. Quenching to develop martensitic structures without warping or cracking depends on the hardenability of the steel part, the quenching temperature and the severity of quenching medium [4] .

Quenching to develop martensitic structures without warping or cracking depends on the hardenability of the steel part, the quenching temperature and the severity of quenching medium.


Vegetable oils are natural products of plant origin consisting of ester mixtures derived from glycerol with chains of fatty acid containing about 14 to 20 carbon atoms with different degree of unsaturation [8] . Physicochemical properties of triglyceride and its applications depend upon fatty acid constituents in their molecule. However, the differences are due primarily to chain length, degree and position of unsaturation. No oil has any fixed combination of the different fatty acids present in it, but the proportions of these will vary with locality, soil, season, and other factors. This accounts for differences between the same species of oil from different places, or harvested at different times. It is also the reason why different vegetable oils exhibit different inherent properties or why one vegetable oil may be favoured for an application, such as quenching relative to another [9] .

Vegetable oils are natural products of plant origin consisting of ester mixtures derived from glycerol with chains of fatty acid containing about 14 to 20 carbon atoms with different degree of unsaturation.

It is also the reason why different vegetable oils exhibit different inherent properties or why one vegetable oil may be favoured for an application, such as quenching relative to another.


Over the years, water, brine and mineral based oils are the most commonly used to harden steel because they are readily available. The relative severity of quench of these media rates brine as having the highest severity while oil is considerably less drastic [5] . Although water quenching is faster and less costly than oil quenching, the degree of distortion that accompany water quenching can be very high, therefore oil quenching which is less severe than water quenching is generally preferred [6] . However, because of environmental concerns and growing regulations over contamination and pollution, associated with petroleum based oils, it is of continuing interest to identify a safer, renewable and biodegradable alternative quenchant to petroleum based oil. Vegetable oils are currently one of the most commonly identified environmentally friendly renewable, biodegradable and less toxic alternatives [7] .

The relative severity of quench of these media rates brine as having the highest severity while oil is considerably less drastic.

Although water quenching is faster and less costly than oil quenching, the degree of distortion that accompany water quenching can be very high, therefore oil quenching which is less severe than water quenching is generally preferred.

Vegetable oils are currently one of the most commonly identified environmentally friendly renewable, biodegradable and less toxic alternatives.


The coverage of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) is low at baseline (20%). Currently, ACS are administered primarily in district hospitals but coverage could be even greater if they were promoted at the community health center level. This would allow earlier treatment initiation, prior to transferring the mother to a district hospital. Concern has however been raised over the potentially harmful effects of administering ACS to women not at risk of premature labor and imminent delivery, especially in low income settings [48] . While the skills and resources at the district hospital level enable accurate gestational age estimation and premature labor diagnosis, this may be lacking at the CHC level. Promoting the use of ACS in CHCs should thus be approached with caution in South Africa.

Concern has however been raised over the potentially harmful effects of administering ACS to women not at risk of premature labor and imminent delivery, especially in low income settings.


In other words, the 4 th mode is transferred to the 5 th one at 0.4 crack ratio which means a reduction in the overall stiffness due to the increasing the crack ratio. The transformation between modes means that there is a reduction or lack in the stiffness (local stiffness) that in turn leads to change in the overall stiffness. These transformations between modes, due to the changes in crack ratios, give an excellent imagination that what the crack can do. The changing in several modes and no changing in the others for a specific crack ratio means that there is a critical crack length just at which the mode interactions phenomenon are occurred [3] .

The changing in several modes and no changing in the others for a specific crack ratio means that there is a critical crack length just at which the mode interactions phenomenon are occurred.


The advantage of such a residual signal is that, in the case of gear tooth failure, it only contains information generated by the impulsive nature of contact during the meshing action between two gears [14] . FM4 is generally capable of properly detecting a fault in its early stages, and its value continues to rise as long as the fault remains localized. It has been observed, however, that as the fault starts to broaden, interacting with the adjacent teeth, the value of kurtosis, and therefore FM4, start to drop [8, [15] [16] [17] [18] . Such behaviour has the potential to influence heavily the robustness of automated condition monitoring systems, and to lead to some improper assessments being made as to the severity of the fault. Therefore, this behaviour may not be acceptable in many critical field applications since it could introduce some level of uncertainty about the actual condition of the monitored component.

The advantage of such a residual signal is that, in the case of gear tooth failure, it only contains information generated by the impulsive nature of contact during the meshing action between two gears.

It has been observed, however, that as the fault starts to broaden, interacting with the adjacent teeth, the value of kurtosis, and therefore FM4, start to drop.


Generalizing the send-on-delta/level-crossing concept, the event-based strategy allows one to sample in a domain of various signal measures. The special classes are what is known as conventional uniform sampling in a time domain (periodic sampling) and uniform sampling in a value domain (level-crossing sampling/send-on-delta). However, by the appropriate definition of triggers (i.e. events that trigger sampling), the concept of the event-based sampling might be extended to advanced signal parameters [14] . From the practical point of view, the most important signal measures are such that have a significant physical interpretation (e.g. the integral, energy, etc). Using these measures for the trigger definition, the integral sampling, and the sampling in the energy domain respectively, might be constituted.

However, by the appropriate definition of triggers (i.e. events that trigger sampling), the concept of the event-based sampling might be extended to advanced signal parameters.


Pregnancy requires an increase in insulin secretion-induced glucose metabolism, in order to compensate for the insulin resistance at the end of gestation [1] . In pregnant rats, the threshold of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion begins to diverge from controls by day 10 and islet cell proliferation and insulin secretory profiles are inhibited by day 20 to avoid gestational diabetes [2] . Return to normal values of insulin secretion and inhibition of cell division is particularly important when the adequate nutrient intake is not provided during pregnancy. For example, maternal low-protein diet (6% casein) causes a loss of glucose sensitivity and secretory capacity in pancreatic islets, which is probably the result of alterations to the coupling of stimuli with insulin secretion [3] . In fact, a maternal low-protein diet decreases insulin secretion and impairs glucose homeostasis, leading to gestational diabetes mellitus and increased risk of chronic diseases in later life [1, 4] .

Pregnancy requires an increase in insulin secretion-induced glucose metabolism, in order to compensate for the insulin resistance at the end of gestation.

In pregnant rats, the threshold of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion begins to diverge from controls by day 10 and islet cell proliferation and insulin secretory profiles are inhibited by day 20 to avoid gestational diabetes.

For example, maternal low-protein diet (6% casein) causes a loss of glucose sensitivity and secretory capacity in pancreatic islets, which is probably the result of alterations to the coupling of stimuli with insulin secretion.

In fact, a maternal low-protein diet decreases insulin secretion and impairs glucose homeostasis, leading to gestational diabetes mellitus and increased risk of chronic diseases in later life.


While the Vermont Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act was not the first state-level law enacted in the United States (Connecticut and Maine passed bills contingent upon neighboring states enacting similar laws while Alaska passed a law requiring the labeling of genetically engineered fish should such product enter the market), the May 2014 legislation was the first to motivate widespread alteration of commercial activity [12] . Thousands of food products with genetically modified content were not shipped to Vermont after the law took effect in July of 2016 despite the fact that consumers were barred from suing firms in violation of the act until July 2017 [12] . The law opened firms to potential liability for selling foods containing more than 0.9% of genetically modified content by weight without an appropriately worded package or shelf label, stating that the product is 'partially produced with genetic engineering', 'may be produced with genetic engineering', or 'produced with genetic engineering' [13] .

While the Vermont Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act was not the first state-level law enacted in the United States (Connecticut and Maine passed bills contingent upon neighboring states enacting similar laws while Alaska passed a law requiring the labeling of genetically engineered fish should such product enter the market), the May 2014 legislation was the first to motivate widespread alteration of commercial activity.

Thousands of food products with genetically modified content were not shipped to Vermont after the law took effect in July of 2016 despite the fact that consumers were barred from suing firms in violation of the act until July 2017.

The law opened firms to potential liability for selling foods containing more than 0.9% of genetically modified content by weight without an appropriately worded package or shelf label, stating that the product is 'partially produced with genetic engineering', 'may be produced with genetic engineering', or 'produced with genetic engineering'.


The Federal Standard, passed and signed within a month of the Vermont law's enforcement, superseded the Vermont law and ended Vermont's requirement of mandatory labeling of GMO ingredients via messages printed on labels or on shelves [6] . In contrast to the state of Vermont's requirement that would require disclosure of GMO ingredients on food packages or shelf labels, the Federal Standard also allows for disclosure of bioengineered ingredients to consumers via symbols, electronic or digital links, or phone numbers. The enabling Federal legislation further requires that a study assess the ability of consumers to access such information via these methods prior to the Federal regulations taking effect.

The Federal Standard, passed and signed within a month of the Vermont law's enforcement, superseded the Vermont law and ended Vermont's requirement of mandatory labeling of GMO ingredients via messages printed on labels or on shelves.


In addition to the treponemal origin theory, which explains the origins of nontreponemal antibodies, another possibility is that cardiolipin complexes are liberated from damaged cells at the site of infection and that these complexes provoke an autoimmune reaction [10, 11, 33] . In our study, active T. pallidum had significantly different immune effects when the treponemes were inactivated (by formalin, heat, or ultrasonication). Nontreponemal antibody production occurred earlier and reached higher titers in the active T. pallidum group than those in the inactivated T. pallidum groups, and the antibody titer was consecutive. The treponemal antibody titer in the active treponemal group also increased more rapidly and was higher than that in the inactivated groups. Unlike inactivated T. pallidum, active T. pallidum can proliferate during infection and attack and disrupt host cells. Consequently, the high titer of nontreponemal antibodies is a result of the combined effect of both the T. pallidum cardiolipin antigen and the damaged host-cell cardiolipin antigen during syphilis infection. We can assume that the host-cell cardiolipin antigen plays a major role in this process. T. pallidum can incorporate host fatty acids into lipids. Some articles reported that the fatty acid composition of T. pallidum was similar to that of infected testis, so the host-derived cardiolipin and other lipids are believed to be incorporated into T. pallidum, and the unique epitopes may induce nontreponemal antibody production during syphilis [4, 33] .

In addition to the treponemal origin theory, which explains the origins of nontreponemal antibodies, another possibility is that cardiolipin complexes are liberated from damaged cells at the site of infection and that these complexes provoke an autoimmune reaction.

Some articles reported that the fatty acid composition of T. pallidum was similar to that of infected testis, so the host-derived cardiolipin and other lipids are believed to be incorporated into T. pallidum, and the unique epitopes may induce nontreponemal antibody production during syphilis.


Another way in which the T 2 coefficients in 4d were calculated was by Vilenkin using rotating ensembles [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] . This method as Vilenkin used is plagued with technical subtleties which have to do with trying to define rigid rotation in a relativistic field theory in the Minkowski spacetime. But these subtleties can be avoided by studying rotating ensembles on a sphere which serves as an infrared regulator. We have done some preliminary calculations in Weyl fermions using this method and they seem to agree with the results presented here. The details of this calculation will be presented elsewhere.

Another way in which the T 2 coefficients in 4d were calculated was by Vilenkin using rotating ensembles.


The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of US strain imaging to more accurately visualize thermal ablation in the liver. We propose to capitalize on the changes in tissue elastic properties which occur during tissue heating and protein denaturation. It is known that thermal ablation causes significant changes in tissue mechanical properties, including elasticity [5] . Until recently, internal organs such as the liver were not clinically accessible to compression imaging because of the relative resistance of the body wall, and respiratory and cardiac motion artifacts added further difficulties. However, recent trial has been reported performing elasticity imaging of the liver in vivo based on internal cardiovascular motion as a source of compression [6] . Liver tumor ablation is being performed with increasing frequency using operative and laparoscopic approaches. These methods may allow for direct organ compression during therapy, thereby opening the door for more accurate in vivo strain imaging.

It is known that thermal ablation causes significant changes in tissue mechanical properties, including elasticity.

However, recent trial has been reported performing elasticity imaging of the liver in vivo based on internal cardiovascular motion as a source of compression.


Primary and metastatic liver cancer represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide [1] . An increasing interest has been focused on thermal ablative approaches, particularly radiofrequency ablation (RFA). These approaches utilize image guided placement of a probe within the target area within the liver parenchyma. Heat created around the electrode is conducted into the surrounding tissue, causing coagulative necrosis at a temperature between 50°C and 100°C [2] . Key problems with this approach include localization/targeting of the tumor and monitoring the ablation zone. The first problem has been previously addressed through developing robotic 3DUS system for guidance of liver ablation [3] . The second problem, the subject of this paper, is monitoring the necrosis zone during ablative therapy.

Primary and metastatic liver cancer represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide.

Heat created around the electrode is conducted into the surrounding tissue, causing coagulative necrosis at a temperature between 50°C and 100°C.

The first problem has been previously addressed through developing robotic 3DUS system for guidance of liver ablation.


In Shanghai, the level of first aid knowledge among preschool staffs was investigated. It was found that preschool staff had poor knowledge of first aid in the pre-test, but these results increased after the training [18] . Several studies have tried to teach BLS for young children (with the aim of defining the age when they can easily acquire this knowledge) [6, 19, 20] . Some studies have investigated at what age schoolchildren can provide effective chest compressions. According to the results, it was mainly the 13-14 years old children who were able to perform adequate chest compressions, but the younger children could learn the principles of chest compression too [19, 21] . The Kids Save Lives project is endorsed by the WHO, which recommends cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education from the age of 12 (or younger) [22] .

It was found that preschool staff had poor knowledge of first aid in the pre-test, but these results increased after the training.

Several studies have tried to teach BLS for young children (with the aim of defining the age when they can easily acquire this knowledge).

According to the results, it was mainly the 13-14 years old children who were able to perform adequate chest compressions, but the younger children could learn the principles of chest compression too.

The Kids Save Lives project is endorsed by the WHO, which recommends cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education from the age of 12 (or younger).


Some researches deal with the first aid knowledge of children and their parents. In Egypt, parents with children under the age of 12 were asked about their children's previous accidents and their knowledge related to them [9] . First aid knowledge is influenced by the age of the mothers and on their educational attainment. In a Hungarian study, similar results were found [10] . Unfortunately, plenty of the parents would choose the incorrect treatment for burns (for example putting sour cream on the wound); only a few people knew the correct treatment, which is cooling with cold water [11] . Choking and suffocation are also very common among children (for example during meals, choking on small toys or drowning in water). It is not only first aid that is important, but also accident prevention [12] . In this area, there are international guidelines that provide evidence-based practices [8] .

In Egypt, parents with children under the age of 12 were asked about their children's previous accidents and their knowledge related to them.

In a Hungarian study, similar results were found.

Unfortunately, plenty of the parents would choose the incorrect treatment for burns (for example putting sour cream on the wound); only a few people knew the correct treatment, which is cooling with cold water.

It is not only first aid that is important, but also accident prevention.

In this area, there are international guidelines that provide evidence-based practices.


Play has an important role in the development of young children. They can learn and retain new information with creative play [24, 25] . In relation to first aid, we believe that situational play can be useful for learning new skills. Sometimes the difference between the appropriate age to learn the knowledge and skills can be noticed (e.g. younger children who are unable to provide effective chest compressions or ventilation can learn the cognitive parts of BLS as well as older children) [21, 26, 27] .

They can learn and retain new information with creative play.

Sometimes the difference between the appropriate age to learn the knowledge and skills can be noticed (e.g. younger children who are unable to provide effective chest compressions or ventilation can learn the cognitive parts of BLS as well as older children).


Although more than 60% of the HIV-infected patients had FNf in their plasma at least once, we never found FNf in serial samples collected concurrently from 17 normal controls [3] . As FNf are generated by the unopposed actions of diverse proteases, this comparison suggests that the generation of protease by HIV can outstrip the host's ability to produce proteinase inhibitors. The concentrations of active, functional a-1 antitrypsin in patients with advanced HIV infections are reportedly low to normal [22] . As a-1 antitrypsin is an acute phase reactant, its concentration should rise with inflammation [22, 23] . Low-to-normal a-1 antitrypsin levels in plasma from HIV-infected people, beset by a persistent inflammatory response engendered by this chronic virus infection, may indicate either that this proteinase inhibitor is produced in subnormal amounts or that it is being consumed and/or inactivated at an accelerated rate. Prior experience favors the latter explanation. In 15 plasma samples that contained between 38 and 100 mg/ml FNf, we previously found that a-1 antitrypsin was often taken up in high molecular weight complexes with elastase, proteinase-3 or cathepsin G [3] . In these blood samples, the fraction of monocytes that expressed CD49e was reciprocally related to the quantity of a-1 antitrypsin that was incorporated in these complexes [3] . As a-1 antitrypsin in complexed form is not available to bind and inactivate proteinase 3, as it is expressed on the monocyte cell surface, it follows that CD49e on monocytes in blood containing FNf is at risk of being hydrolyzed.

Although more than 60% of the HIV-infected patients had FNf in their plasma at least once, we never found FNf in serial samples collected concurrently from 17 normal controls.

The concentrations of active, functional a-1 antitrypsin in patients with advanced HIV infections are reportedly low to normal.

As a-1 antitrypsin is an acute phase reactant, its concentration should rise with inflammation.

In 15 plasma samples that contained between 38 and 100 mg/ml FNf, we previously found that a-1 antitrypsin was often taken up in high molecular weight complexes with elastase, proteinase-3 or cathepsin G.

In these blood samples, the fraction of monocytes that expressed CD49e was reciprocally related to the quantity of a-1 antitrypsin that was incorporated in these complexes.


UML WAE defines navigational maps as a part of the User Experience Model (UX) [9] . These maps are defined in terms of screens and their links. In UML WAE UX screens are a mixture of page information, links between these pages, and the frameset structure in which pages are being displayed. As Conallen defines: "A screen is something that is presented to the user. It contains the standard user interface structure, such as menus and controls, as well as business-relevant content" [9] . In our opinion, the definition of UX screen and their links is not so clear as the definition of UML WAE class diagrams. In particular, this mixture of user interface and business-data contents makes the definition of UX navigational maps and their translation to UML WAE class diagrams more difficult, i.e. there are no systematic rules to translate UX diagrams into UML WAE diagrams. In contrast, NMM notation independently defines the page diagram from the region diagram. In our opinion: (i) this leads to clearer models; (ii) page diagrams and region diagrams can be changed without interferences; and (iii) the transition to UML WAE class diagrams can be made more systematically.

UML WAE defines navigational maps as a part of the User Experience Model (UX).

It contains the standard user interface structure, such as menus and controls, as well as business-relevant content".


To highlight the electrochemical behavior of the coatings, electrochemical measurements at 37 ± 0.5 • C in all three media were performed. To the best of our knowledge, such study is not present in the literature and it is our belief that this investigation will provide valuable information to the scientific community. The influence of SiC addition has been previously investigated in terms of physicochemical, mechanical, and in vitro biocompatibility assays (cell viability/cytotoxicity assays) and a positive influence on the HAp structure and cell behavior was noted [33, 34] . The present study intends to expand the research on HAp + SiC coatings and add some valuable results by performing in vitro assays in different acellular media (DMEM, SBF, and PBS).

The influence of SiC addition has been previously investigated in terms of physicochemical, mechanical, and in vitro biocompatibility assays (cell viability/cytotoxicity assays) and a positive influence on the HAp structure and cell behavior was noted.


In order to predict the biomaterials' in vivo behavior, initial tests should be performed in vitro by monitoring the formation of an apatite layer and/or the degradation of the biomaterial [32] . When talking about HAp degradation, the dissolution rate in the human body environment is considered a key indicator, because HAp needs to be biologically resorbed by the body within a certain period after implantation, leading to an enhanced osseointegration. Consequently, from the bioactivity point of view, the substitution of hydroxyapatite with different elements could be the most suitable solution for decreasing the dissolution rate of hydroxyapatite, giving enough time for the strong anchorage of the implant [25] .

In order to predict the biomaterials' in vivo behavior, initial tests should be performed in vitro by monitoring the formation of an apatite layer and/or the degradation of the biomaterial.

Consequently, from the bioactivity point of view, the substitution of hydroxyapatite with different elements could be the most suitable solution for decreasing the dissolution rate of hydroxyapatite, giving enough time for the strong anchorage of the implant.


Given this insight, one can study the explicit solutions to the equations of motion of the effective action, and the symmetries that govern them. We will show how the inclusion of nonzero-modes sometimes leads to the appearance of several separated scales in the low-energy dynamics, a new feature which does not occur for the 1/2-BPS models. Instead of ignoring the nonzero-modes, one can actually integrate them out explicitly, and the resulting dynamics is qualitatively different from the dynamics predicted by just the zero-modes. Throughout the paper we will use the explicit example of two dyonic instantons, which are solitons in 4+1 dimensional Yang-Mills-Higgs theory. They have the advantage over other 1/4-BPS solitons that the metric on moduli space is not too complicated, and can be constructed explicitly from a paper by Osborn [14] .

They have the advantage over other 1/4-BPS solitons that the metric on moduli space is not too complicated, and can be constructed explicitly from a paper by Osborn.


The past two decades have witnessed changes in environmental exposures that could have influenced occurrence of neck and low back pain. Such potential changes among adolescents included unfavourable shifts in leisure-time activity patterns; decrease in physical activity and tremendous increase in the use of information and communication technology [6] . Such behavioural changes have been suggested to be contributing factors to the increased occurrence of neck and low back pain, mainly through an assumed increase in repetitive movements and static postures causing localised muscle fatigue and pain [7] . Furthermore, a secular increase has been noted in psychosomatic and stress symptoms, and sleep disturbances [8] [9] [10] . These changes might suggest a continuing increase in neck and low back pain in adolescents.

Such potential changes among adolescents included unfavourable shifts in leisure-time activity patterns; decrease in physical activity and tremendous increase in the use of information and communication technology.

Such behavioural changes have been suggested to be contributing factors to the increased occurrence of neck and low back pain, mainly through an assumed increase in repetitive movements and static postures causing localised muscle fatigue and pain.

Furthermore, a secular increase has been noted in psychosomatic and stress symptoms, and sleep disturbances.


Organism databases play a crucial role in genomic and proteomic research. It stores the up-to-date profile of each gene of the species interested. For example, the Mouse Genome Database (MGD) provides essential integration of experimental knowledge for the mouse system with information annotated from both literature and online sources (Bult et al., 2004) . To provide biomedical scientists with easy access to complete and accurate information, curators have to constantly update databases with new information.

For example, the Mouse Genome Database (MGD) provides essential integration of experimental knowledge for the mouse system with information annotated from both literature and online sources.


Raptor size and diet appear to be the most important attributes conferring them tolerance to modified environments, this appears to be a widespread pattern for all birds (Sekercioglu, 2012) . It has been previously reported that some species from the Falco genus, especially those of small body size, are the most tolerant to anthropogenic-driven habitat changes. These species take advantage of open habitats that apparently provide hunting opportunities (Filloy & Bellocq, 2007; Jensen, Gregory, Baldassarre, Vilella, & Bildstein, 2005; McCrary, McKernan, Wagner, & Landry, 1985) .

Raptor size and diet appear to be the most important attributes conferring them tolerance to modified environments, this appears to be a widespread pattern for all birds.

These species take advantage of open habitats that apparently provide hunting opportunities.


In our study, the most contrasting changes had to do with species composition. These changes were evident both for landscape type and season. In agricultural landscapes, for instance, five species were absent, three of which were exclusive to scrubland landscapes, and two of which were exclusive to mixed landscapes. Similar results were found in Uganda, where forest raptors were absent from agricultural areas (Seavy & Apodaca, 2002) . In addition, six species were present in all landscape types.

Similar results were found in Uganda, where forest raptors were absent from agricultural areas.


In this paper, we have explored the families of fully tunable, conditional 2 Â 2 FBSs that result from sideband coupling in phase modulators. Full tunability is obtained by tailoring the driving voltage feeding the modulators in a design based on the symmetries of this voltage waveform. The most favorable case in terms of success probability is that of first-sideband coupling, which can be implemented by use of single-tone phase modulation with a minimum success of 0.27 for maximum coupling ¼ 1. The use of a simple technique employing two microwave tones has been shown to optimize this figure up to a minimum success of 0.37. Finally, the use of this device has been exemplified with the analysis of a wavelength-routed source of pairs of single-photon frequencyentangled states, which shows immediate applications as a means of translating to the frequencydomain quantum-processing protocols based on linear optics. The advantages of the use of modulation techniques, with basic functionalities such as reconfigurability, wavelength-routing, high bandwidth, and possibility of integration with different filtering and waveguiding technologies, are not exhausted by the examples presented here, which have been based on probabilistic 2 Â 2 unitary transformations. On the one hand, the possibility of configuring different frequency couplings by the driving voltage permits the creation of different families of qudit states coded in frequency. On the other, modulators represent an attractive alternative when both speed and a high degree of reconfigurability are required, such as in recent proposals of linear-optics realizations of channels for multimode qudits [38] .

On the other, modulators represent an attractive alternative when both speed and a high degree of reconfigurability are required, such as in recent proposals of linear-optics realizations of channels for multimode qudits.


Frequency modes appear as a natural description of quantum radiation when photon wavepackets with different central frequencies can be resolved in the spectral domain or, alternatively, when broadband radiation is filtered in frequency bins [8] , [9] . Their use as an encoding domain brings up two main advantages. On one hand one can profit from the inherent broadband characteristic of optical waveguides. In particular, optical fibers and integrated waveguides provide an immense spectral bandwidth for telecommunications applications, which can also be exploited to accommodate a high number of optical modes for encoding quantum states. This in turn implies that a high-dimensional Hilbert space is at hand, at least in principle, to support richer computational tasks. A second advantage resides in the fact that many mature photonic technologies and components specifically designed to process individual frequency modes in the context of dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) telecommunications systems can be readily exploited for filtering, multiplexing, demultiplexing, and routing operations required in quantum logic operations supported by this particular encoding alternative.

Frequency modes appear as a natural description of quantum radiation when photon wavepackets with different central frequencies can be resolved in the spectral domain or, alternatively, when broadband radiation is filtered in frequency bins.


Green's functions play an important role in the theory of linear ODE and PDE. Their exact form depends on the differential equation and the type of boundary conditions (BC). Green's function helps us investigate the existence and uniqueness of the solutions for many boundary-value problems (BVP) [23] . For multidimensional stationary problems and non-stationary problems the formulae for Green's function are more complicated and Green's functions are represented as functional series even for simple rectangular, spherical and cylindrical domains [15] .

Green's function helps us investigate the existence and uniqueness of the solutions for many boundary-value problems (BVP).

For multidimensional stationary problems and non-stationary problems the formulae for Green's function are more complicated and Green's functions are represented as functional series even for simple rectangular, spherical and cylindrical domains.


Rules in their classic format are appropriate when their conditions are constituted by discrete or categorical variables. However, the presence of continuous variables creates situations that thwart the common sense. Let's consider the rule: "IF age < 25 THEN safe_driver = no". The problem here is the sudden and unnatural transition between categories: an individual can be classified as not being a safe driver today but, in the following day, he might have completed 25 years and thus be classified as being a safe driver. This could lead a data mining system to completely different predictions in the interval of a single day. One promising alternative to work with continuous variables and to overcome this inconvenience is the use of fuzzy logic. Besides expressing knowledge in a more natural way, fuzzy logic is also a flexible and powerful method for uncertainty management [13] , [6] .

Besides expressing knowledge in a more natural way, fuzzy logic is also a flexible and powerful method for uncertainty management.


Surgery was performed under pentobarbital sodium anaesthesia (45 mg/kg body weight-bw, Vetanarcol â , Werfft-chemie, Wien). For intracerebroventricular (icv) drug application, a polyethylene plastic cannula was stereotaxically implanted into the left lateral ventricle (coordinates: 1.3 mm behind the bregma, 1.8 mm left from the midline suture, 3.7 mm ventral from the durra) (Paxinos and Watson, 1982) . A cannula was fixed to the skull with dental cement and two jeweller screws. The postoperative recovery period lasted six days, after which the rats (five groups with 6-7 rats in each) were assigned randomly to different drug treatments. The route and the time of applying chemicals, dissolved in 0.9% saline, were selected according to their pharmacokinetic characteristics.

For intracerebroventricular (icv) drug application, a polyethylene plastic cannula was stereotaxically implanted into the left lateral ventricle (coordinates: 1.3 mm behind the bregma, 1.8 mm left from the midline suture, 3.7 mm ventral from the durra).


It is obvious that the dose and the route of administration of PTZ and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) antagonists, as well as the type of NOS isoenzyme antagonists, strongly affect the outcome of PTZ-evoked behaviour (Alexander et al., 1998) . That is why direct comparison between the convulsive responses of different animal species in different experimental models (in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo) and protocols is not suggested. Namely, great caution is required in order to escape the conclusion trap.

It is obvious that the dose and the route of administration of PTZ and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) antagonists, as well as the type of NOS isoenzyme antagonists, strongly affect the outcome of PTZ-evoked behaviour.


The free energy F provides a variety of useful information. For example, three-dimensional SCFTs with N = 2 supersymmetry have a conserved U(1) R-symmetry that sits in the same supermultiplet as the stress-energy tensor. In a general interacting SCFT this symmetry receives quantum corrections and the quantum numbers associated with it become non-trivial functions of the parameters that define the theory. The proper coupling of the matter fields to the curvature of S 3 makes F a function of the R-charges. It has been proposed that the exact U(1) R-symmetry of the theory is that R-symmetry which locally maximizes F [2] .

It has been proposed that the exact U(1) R-symmetry of the theory is that R-symmetry which locally maximizes F.


The rapid progress and integration of wireless communication technology and embedded processor technology have lead to blooming development of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). In a WSN, there can be a large number of sensor nodes each of which has the ability of sensing data and communication. Thus, a WSN can perform real-time data collection, analysis, monitoring and immediate response to events. In order to comply with the demand for the deployment of a large number of sensor nodes, WSNs also have characteristics of low cost, low power, small size, easy to deploy, etc. Because WSNs contain the functions of both wireless communications and sensors, it can be applied to the intelligent office, security surveillance, logistics tracking, home care, staff positioning, home security and other fields [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] .

Because WSNs contain the functions of both wireless communications and sensors, it can be applied to the intelligent office, security surveillance, logistics tracking, home care, staff positioning, home security and other fields.


A lot of different approaches to the localization problem in WSNs have been proposed in the literature [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . In these approaches, there are trade-offs among different factors such as the accuracy of localization, energy saving, hardware cost, the complexity of implementation, etc. The localization approaches can be broadly classified into two categories: range-based schemes and range-free schemes. Range-based schemes use the information of absolute distance or angle between nodes to calculate locations. This information can be obtained by Time of Arrival (TOA), Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Angle of Arrival (AOA), and Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) [5] [6] [7] [8] . For example, the Global Positioning System (GPS) is the most well-known location service in the world today. It makes use of Time of Arrival (TOA) technology to compute distance from 24 satellites of six orbital planes so as to estimate the location of the target. Range-based localization schemes require additional hardware to obtain relatively accurate distance (or angle) measurements between nodes. In order to reduce the hardware costs, many range-free localization schemes have been proposed [9] [10] [11] . A range-free scheme assumes that no specialized distance or angle determining hardware is necessary for the sensor nodes. That is, in contrast to the range-based schemes, a range-free scheme has the advantages of low computation overhead and less hardware complexity. For example, it is costly for all sensor nodes to be equipped with GPS or other additional localization devices. As low cost is one of the main features of wireless sensor networks, range-free schemes could be more attractive approaches to localization in WSNs.

A lot of different approaches to the localization problem in WSNs have been proposed in the literature.

This information can be obtained by Time of Arrival (TOA), Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Angle of Arrival (AOA), and Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).

In order to reduce the hardware costs, many range-free localization schemes have been proposed.


Engineering Asset Management (AM) as a discipline addresses the value contribution of AM to an organization's success (Amadi-Echendu et al., 2007) . The AM system may be defined as: "The system that plans and controls the asset-related activities and their relationships to ensure the asset performance that meets the intended competitive strategy of the organization". This system has significant potential to influence all aspects of asset's life cycle activities from concept design to disposal. The AM activities focus on controlling the life cycle activities of assets but their nature is both interdisciplinary and collaborative.

Engineering Asset Management (AM) as a discipline addresses the value contribution of AM to an organization's success.


When the silicon substrate with only CuSO 4 solution with no additives (solution #1) was exposed to X-rays, no particles were synthesized; particles and clusters were only generated in the presence of ethanol (solution #3). Figure 2 shows the SEM image after a 10% CuSO 4 containing ethanol (solution #3) was irradiated with X-rays for 5 min. Here, the X-ray was attenuated by 500 m thick Al foil as shown in Figure 1 [36, 56] . As shown in Figure 2 are roughly estimated to be about 9/0.5, 7/2, and 9/0.5, respectively. Here, the EDX peak of Si is derived from the silicon substrate because the synthesized particles are small enough to pick up the Si elementary information as the background signal. As a result, these spectra suggest that the core particle is different from the additional particles which attach on it. Carbon (C) is in the all particles, while sulfur (S) is not included in them. C is considered to be derived from contamination or the additive ethanol. C from ethanol is expected to play an important role in the nucleation process, in which the added ethanol facilitates the redox reaction and nucleates the Cu and cupric oxide particles [38] .

Here, the X-ray was attenuated by 500 m thick Al foil as shown in Figure 1.

C from ethanol is expected to play an important role in the nucleation process, in which the added ethanol facilitates the redox reaction and nucleates the Cu and cupric oxide particles.


One of the goals of the experiment was to determine synergies between the different techniques for finding errors in flight software. To this end we have developed a framework for analyzing the Rover executive inspired by our observations of the experiment. The framework, named X9, combines model checking and runtime analysis techniques in a novel way [3] .

The framework, named X9, combines model checking and runtime analysis techniques in a novel way.


In general, the SNM is supposed to increase as the supply voltage becomes higher. There are, however, some cases under certain circuit conditions in which the SNM does not improve, even if the supply voltage increases [4] , [8] . This indicates the possibility of further optimization of the memory cell voltage to improve stability.

There are, however, some cases under certain circuit conditions in which the SNM does not improve, even if the supply voltage increases.


We used tapered/ledged beam tests to evaluate the influence of treadmill training on the expression of TLR4, TLR2, MyD88 and NF-κB in focal cerebral infarcts in rats. Our results showed that exercise induced an important suppression of the TLR2/4 signaling pathway, as evidenced by reductions in an early step of this pathway, i.e., TLR4/MyD88 interactions. Indeed, we found that MCAo/R caused NF-κB activation, as revealed by the total NF-κB mRNA expression and nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunit p65 at all the time points studied and by a decrease in the expression of cytosolic IκBα. Furthermore, treadmill training in rats significantly reduced NF-κB p65 activation at the time points examined when compared with the non-exercised rats. Ample evidence indicates that NF-κB is activated in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R), particularly in neurons [39, 40] . Our data strongly support the theory that TLR2/4 signaling is implicated in exercise therapy neuroprotection after cerebral ischemia through the inhibition of NF-κB activation. These alterations are associated with a significant improvement in the behavioral outcome. We hypothesize that the signal transduction pathway was activated after endogenous activators were recognized by TLR2/4, leading to the recruitment of MyD88, activation of NF-κB and subsequent release of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in tissue injury. By decreasing the expression of the TLR2/4 gene and protein, exercise therapy can reduce the expression of MyD88 and NF-κB, which can inhibit inflammatory injury, weaken cerebral edema and provide neuroprotection against subsequent cerebral ischemic injury. The mechanism through which TLR2/4 and a series of ensuing inflammatory factors regulate the immune system require further research. In addition, it remains unclear whether the TLR2 and TLR4 we tested were localized in residual neurons or infiltrated cells from the peripheral immune system [9] . Although the potential mechanisms underlying the exercise therapy neuroprotection are unknown, our study showed that exercise therapy may ameliorate the inflammation by reducing the expression of TLR4, TLR2, MyD88 and NF-κB. These findings suggest a potential treatment of cerebral ischemic injury through the reduction of TLR2/4 activation.

Ample evidence indicates that NF-κB is activated in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R), particularly in neurons.

In addition, it remains unclear whether the TLR2 and TLR4 we tested were localized in residual neurons or infiltrated cells from the peripheral immune system.


The influence of meteorological conditions on ozone exceedance events in the northeastern United States has been investigated in several past studies (Pagnotti 1987; Gaza 1998; Zhang et al. 1998; Seaman and Michelson 2000) . These studies have shown that, in addition to large-scale meteorological features, regional mesoscale structures play a vital role in creating conditions favorable for ozone accumulation. Given the sensitivity of ozone levels to the meteorological conditions, numerical modeling experiments are needed to provide insights into the dynamical processes responsible for ozone production and accumulation.

The influence of meteorological conditions on ozone exceedance events in the northeastern United States has been investigated in several past studies.


Our findings suggest that not all Web-based advertising has the same effect when trying to reach AGBM adolescent men. Indeed, our Google AdWords outreach effort did not result in a single participant being enrolled. This is likely because our reach-based on the keyword targeting we utilized-was too diffuse. Beyond keywords, we could only target Google AdWords campaigns by location (eg, United States). Therefore, the people who saw our ads went well beyond our very specific population of interest. On the other hand, FB advertising was much more successful, resulting in the enrollment of 405/450, 90.0% of our study sample across the 4 research activities. The FB ad manager allowed the ad to be targeted on multiple criteria beyond location, such as gender, age, and the relationship interests that FB users indicate in their profile (ie, interested in men, interested in men and women). In sexual health research, this ability to target ads based on relationship interest can narrow the ad audience down to the target audience, in our case AGBM, thereby increasing recruitment cost-effectiveness and efficiency. It is worth noting that our experiences may not generalize to other populations and research topics, however [28, 29] .

It is worth noting that our experiences may not generalize to other populations and research topics, however.


However, the poor thermal storage performance of ALC and finishing mortar necessitates a large supply of hot water and increases energy consumption. Moreover, when the hot water supply is interrupted, the underfloor surface temperature drops drastically. These are the disadvantages of UFHSs [18] [19] [20] .

These are the disadvantages of UFHSs.


System construction is completed by installing materials over a concrete slab in the following order: cushioning material, autoclaved lightweight concrete (ALC), wire mesh, hot water pipes, and finishing mortar. In addition, hot water, which is supplied by individual boilers or from the Korea District Heating Corporation (KDHC), is used as the heat energy source [11] . Among these materials, ALC and finishing mortar are essential in determining heating energy consumption because they store or discharge the heat energy supplied by the hot water [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] .

In addition, hot water, which is supplied by individual boilers or from the Korea District Heating Corporation (KDHC), is used as the heat energy source.

Among these materials, ALC and finishing mortar are essential in determining heating energy consumption because they store or discharge the heat energy supplied by the hot water.


Global warming and the depletion of natural resources have led to increased worldwide automotive research on electric and emission-free propulsion solutions. In this context, battery technology and in particular, lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), are of interest to the electric and hybrid electric vehicle (EV/HEV) industry because of their favorable properties, including high efficiency, high power density, and low self-discharge rate [1] . They are indeed a promising reversible power source for current and future electric-powered vehicles.

In this context, battery technology and in particular, lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), are of interest to the electric and hybrid electric vehicle (EV/HEV) industry because of their favorable properties, including high efficiency, high power density, and low self-discharge rate.


Starvation essentially means starving the body of vital nutrients it needs to function and survive. Starvation can be caused from outside sources beyond someone's control or it can be entirely self-inflicted. In laboratory studies, starvation has been associated with numerous deleterious changes in the physiology of various organs and body systems suggesting potential for subsequent health problems [19] . Laboratory animals have been very useful in studying the effects of varying levels of malnutrition because non-nutritional factors that affect humans may be controlled [20] . The behavior of salivary glands is very sensitive to the general condition of the body and to a variety of systemic diseases. Nevertheless, their functions and salivary flow rate as well as its composition are dependent upon food intake [21, 22] .

In laboratory studies, starvation has been associated with numerous deleterious changes in the physiology of various organs and body systems suggesting potential for subsequent health problems.

Laboratory animals have been very useful in studying the effects of varying levels of malnutrition because non-nutritional factors that affect humans may be controlled.

Nevertheless, their functions and salivary flow rate as well as its composition are dependent upon food intake.


Fasting caused a significant decrease in secretion rate, concentration of phosphate and sialic acid in stimulated whole saliva. The decrease of the ratio of sialic acid to protein indicates a disturbance of glycoproteins biosynthesis. This effect might be caused by a general change in metabolism where the cell gives priority to pathways favoring the energy exchange instead of the complicated pathways necessary for glycosylation of proteins [31] .

This effect might be caused by a general change in metabolism where the cell gives priority to pathways favoring the energy exchange instead of the complicated pathways necessary for glycosylation of proteins.


Recent multimedia applications are featured by various resolutions designed for a variety of devices with different computational and display capabilities. These devices range from cell phones and PDA's with small screens and restricted processing power to high-end work stations with high-definition displays. The related video services or applications are connected to different types of networks with various bandwidth limitation and loss characteristics. A highly attractive approach to address the vast heterogeneity is known as scalable video, which allows for spatial, temporal, and SNR scalabilities [1] . In Scalable Video Coding (SVC), the video signal can be encoded into a Base Layer (BL) and one or more Enhancement Layers (ELs), with each enhancement layer improving the resolution (either temporally or spatially) or the fidelity of the video sequence. As a result, certain parts of the scalable bitstream can be removed for adaptation to various capabilities of end users as well as varying network conditions. At the network proxy or gateway, a bitstream adaptor is usually employed to extract the bitstream to meet particular constraints, e.g., targeted bit-rates and/or spatial or temporal resolutions. For a given set of constraints, the solution can be varieties of resolution combinations, leading to different visual qualities. The challenging problem of bitstream adaptation is therefore how to determine the combination of the spatial resolution (i.e., the frame size (s)), temporal resolution (i.e., the frame rate (t)) and SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) resolution (i.e., the quantization step (q)) to be used for bitstream extraction under a given targeted bit-rate to maximize the resulting quality.

A highly attractive approach to address the vast heterogeneity is known as scalable video, which allows for spatial, temporal, and SNR scalabilities.


The benefit of this technique is longer symbol period which in turns will reduce the Inter-symbol Interference (ISI). The other advantages of OFDM technique are greater spectral and bandwidth efficiency, superior immunity to multipath fading, easy estimation and removal of channel dispersion, ease of channel equalization and able to mitigate frequency selective fading using sufficiently low symbol rate channel coding and power loading [2] . However, OFDM experience high Peak to Power Average Ratio (PAPR). High PAPR will cause a nonlinear distortion in the transmitted OFDM signal when it passes through a nonlinear amplifier. Therefore, the OFDM signal distortion will degrade the OFDM bit error rate (BER) [3] . Besides, the nonlinear signal will contribute to high adjacent channel interference and lead to poor performance [4] .

The other advantages of OFDM technique are greater spectral and bandwidth efficiency, superior immunity to multipath fading, easy estimation and removal of channel dispersion, ease of channel equalization and able to mitigate frequency selective fading using sufficiently low symbol rate channel coding and power loading.

Therefore, the OFDM signal distortion will degrade the OFDM bit error rate (BER).

Besides, the nonlinear signal will contribute to high adjacent channel interference and lead to poor performance.


PAPR reduction technique can be divided into two categories that are signal scrambling and signal distortion techniques. In signal scrambling technique, there are methods such as block coding, partial transmit sequence (PTS) and selected mapping (SLM). This technique gives very low PAPR, however it is difficult to be realized [5] . For signal distortion technique, there are methods such as clipping, peak windowing, peak cancellation, peak power suppression and companding. This technique works by distorting the signal to reduce the high peak signal prior to amplification [6] . Specifically, μ-law companding can reduce PAPR more effectively compared to clipping due to the introduction of clipping noise that will lead to signal distortion [7] .

This technique gives very low PAPR, however it is difficult to be realized.

This technique works by distorting the signal to reduce the high peak signal prior to amplification.

Specifically, μ-law companding can reduce PAPR more effectively compared to clipping due to the introduction of clipping noise that will lead to signal distortion.


Descriptive statistics were generated and the data were verified to be normally distributed. To analyze whether the experiment's four conditions differ a priori in the dependent variable (sum score of the reflective CRK in teaching systems thinking), we tested the assumption of equal variances by computing Levene's test. An univariate analysis was performed with the reflective CRK at time t1 and the independent variable "experimental condition" (Brown & Forsythe, 1974) . The results of the test showed no significant difference between the four groups, F (3,104)=2.24, p=.07. Nevertheless, given that the analysis showed some meaningful difference close to the significance level, we decided to adjust for differences by performing analyses of covariate (ANCOVA) in further tests.

An univariate analysis was performed with the reflective CRK at time t1 and the independent variable "experimental condition".


Our study has several potential limitations. The main limitation is the difference in baseline FACT-G between the groups. We cannot exclude that the greater increase of FACT-G in the CM group reflects the natural history of cancer patients with worse health-related quality of life. Another possible limitation is the self-selection process of the patients. Because 137 of 241 eligible patients declined to participate, we cannot conclude that the CM approach would have positive effects on all patients. It is possible that this effect only occurs in patients with some affinity for CM. Several studies showed a large heterogeneity in the quality of life of cancer survivors, resulting in completely different needs for the re-entry phase [29, 30] . Most mentioned that the reason for declining to participate in our study was a lack of need for additional support. More research is needed to determine how to select patients likely to benefit from such a service. Furthermore, a frequent limitation of CM interventions is that the effect of the case manager's own personality remains unclear. This bias can be excluded in our study, as we had five different case managers and could not detect any cluster effects. This finding reflects the standardized approach of our intervention and suggests its transferability to other settings. A notable strength of our study is that CM, as practiced in our intervention, constitutes a new practice in Switzerland. Therefore, we were able to compare the effect of CM versus UC in early cancer survivors, a setting in which it had never been tested and which is not possible in other countries where similar nurse-led follow-ups have previously been implemented [15, 31] .

Several studies showed a large heterogeneity in the quality of life of cancer survivors, resulting in completely different needs for the re-entry phase.

Therefore, we were able to compare the effect of CM versus UC in early cancer survivors, a setting in which it had never been tested and which is not possible in other countries where similar nurse-led follow-ups have previously been implemented.


Dispersal generally represents unidirectional organismal movement across localities, with no associated direct movement of material. Foraging, on the other hand, involves a processing of organic material from the foraged location to the home location (Gounand et al., 2018) . This two-way coupling has consequences for the role of the different locations as demographic sources or sinks (Gravel et al., 2010) . In general, although here we have focused on movements of organisms across localities, the physical transfer of material often plays a key role in the structure and dynamics of the local communities (Polis et al., 1997) .

Foraging, on the other hand, involves a processing of organic material from the foraged location to the home location.

This two-way coupling has consequences for the role of the different locations as demographic sources or sinks.

In general, although here we have focused on movements of organisms across localities, the physical transfer of material often plays a key role in the structure and dynamics of the local communities.


To our best knowledge, this study is the first to address the intermetastatic heterogeneity not only on a pathological but also genetic level within CLM in a given patient. We showed that genetic heterogeneity (one mutated CLM/one wild-type CLM) was observed in 27.6% (8/29) of the patients with pathological heterogeneity and genetic homogeneity corresponding to either any mutation (16/29, 55%) or mutations (5/29, 17.2%) within both CLM in 72.4%. In both mutated CLM, there was concordance of mutation type in 100% (5/5). Our results should lead to test additional CLM in case of wild-type results in the particular subpopulation of patients with pathological heterogeneity. Indeed, the genotyping of multiple CLM is unusual in routine practice because a such strategy is time and money consuming. This explains the lack of genotyping of all paired CLM in the 157 patients which is a limitation of our study. We also found that the mutated CLM was the less florid one in 6/8 patients (75%). This result should help pathologists in the selection of the block for the genotyping. Nevertheless, the development of liquid biopsy based on genetic testing from circulating cell free tumour DNA containing mutation in plasma has been reported as a non-invasive, specific and highly sensitive approach for monitoring disease load [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] . Liquid biopsies should advantageously replace tumour-section analysis although caution must be taken with respect to the short half life of the cell free DNA and its decrease during cytotoxic chemotherapy. The perspectives include the assessment of radicality of primary and secondary resections, early detection of recurrence after liver metastasectomy and monitoring of response/resistance to chemotherapy. Before surgery, it should also be a tool to solve the potential existence of a genetic heterogeneity between the primary tumour and the metastases, and between metastases since cell free DNA can be released from each CLM or all parts of the tumour.

Nevertheless, the development of liquid biopsy based on genetic testing from circulating cell free tumour DNA containing mutation in plasma has been reported as a non-invasive, specific and highly sensitive approach for monitoring disease load.


In the recent years, membrane technology has gained growing attention in the fields of wastewater treatment and reuse, desalination, and drinking water treatment due to its fascinating stability and efficiency, simple concept and operation, cost effective as well the potential to be scale up in the future [1] . Polymeric membrane is the most used membrane for water treatment due to its easy pore forming mechanism, high flexibility, requires small space and available at low price [2] . Polysulfone (PSf), is among the common polymer that used for membrane fabrication due to its high stability to chemical resistance and good thermal resistance [3] . However, the performance of Psf membrane is hindered by low resistance to fouling attributed by the hydrophobic nature of PSf [4] . In general, this could possibly reduce the surface wettability of membrane that may generate lower water permeation flux and causing membrane fouling that eventually lead to shorter membrane lifespan [5] .

In the recent years, membrane technology has gained growing attention in the fields of wastewater treatment and reuse, desalination, and drinking water treatment due to its fascinating stability and efficiency, simple concept and operation, cost effective as well the potential to be scale up in the future.

Polymeric membrane is the most used membrane for water treatment due to its easy pore forming mechanism, high flexibility, requires small space and available at low price.

Polysulfone (PSf), is among the common polymer that used for membrane fabrication due to its high stability to chemical resistance and good thermal resistance.

However, the performance of Psf membrane is hindered by low resistance to fouling attributed by the hydrophobic nature of PSf.

In general, this could possibly reduce the surface wettability of membrane that may generate lower water permeation flux and causing membrane fouling that eventually lead to shorter membrane lifespan.


In this paper, tilt rotor aircraft is a main research object, then its force and moment in the transition mode are analyzed. A six degree of freedom dynamic model of the aircraft is established by the Newton-Euler method. And a PID controller is used to make its attitude tend to stable quickly. In order to solve nonlinearity of the model, a defined S-function is used to express the state equations when the simulation model is established [7] .

In order to solve nonlinearity of the model, a defined S-function is used to express the state equations when the simulation model is established.


From a normative perspective, agency theory analyzes the optimal mechanisms supporting the separation of ownership form control in organizations ( Jensen and Meckling, 1976) . In this context, the firm owner (principal) delegates the management and control of her/his firm to another individual (agent) in order to maximize the owner's interests. Since a conflict of interest arises in the principal-agent relationship, agency theory deals with the identification of the most suitable performance measure (PM)-based incentive to align the agent's interests with those of the principal.

From a normative perspective, agency theory analyzes the optimal mechanisms supporting the separation of ownership form control in organizations.


With respect to the participants' goal commitment and empathic concern, the results of a confirmatory factor analysis indicated that, for each variable, all of its items loaded in a common factor. Participants' goal commitment and empathic concern scores were calculated by using the standardized factor loading as weights to aggregate the respective standardized items. The two scales had acceptable reliabilities with coefficients greater than 0.70 (Cronbach, 1951; Nunnaly, 1978) . Prior literature indicates that goal commitment and empathic concern are likely to be affected by task characteristics (Eisenberg and Miller, 1987; Klein et al., 2001) . Therefore I eliminated the effect of the manipulated independent variables on the measured independent variables by using, as measures of goal commitment and empathic concern for hypothesis testing, the standardized residuals of the linear regressions of each individual difference variable on the two manipulated independent variables and their interaction term.

The two scales had acceptable reliabilities with coefficients greater than 0.70.

Prior literature indicates that goal commitment and empathic concern are likely to be affected by task characteristics.


During the last few years there has been an increasing interest in the influence of magnetic field on biological cell [1] . Many attempts have been made to measure the magnetic effects. Historically, there are several significant studies in the field of erythrocyte rheology [2] .

During the last few years there has been an increasing interest in the influence of magnetic field on biological cell.

Historically, there are several significant studies in the field of erythrocyte rheology.


A distribution function defined on is a map such that F is nondecreasing and right continuous (see for example [1] , p. 22). It is called a probability distribution function (PDF) if , and U is a standard uniform random variable, then  F U  has distribution function F. This fact is the basis for generating random numbers given a distribution function. Hence if F is a PDF, 1 2 F  is also called the quantile function of F [2] .

A distribution function defined on is a map such that F is nondecreasing and right continuous (see for example, p. 22).

Hence if F is a PDF, 1 2 F  is also called the quantile function of F.


The proof of the concept was firstly presented on two simplified flat structures. The first one contained dyed Ag NPs on compact TiO 2 layer placed over the front transparent conductive oxide (TCO) [38, 41] . In the studies, a less harmful Co 2+/3+ based redox electrolyte was used in order to preserve unprotected Ag NPs. The second structure contained Ag NPs deposited on the front TCO that were protected with a thin compact TiO 2 layer, varying in thickness between 2 and 9 nm, covered with a monolayer of dye molecules [39, 40] . The results confirmed that the electromagnetic field related to the near-field plasmonic effect decreases with a power of two by increasing the thickness of the TiO 2 shell around NPs, that is, by increasing the distance from the dye molecules and NPs [39, 40] . If the shell was thicker than 2 nm the plasmonic effect was hindered. On the other hand, the shell should protect the NPs from aggressive electrolyte; therefore the shell should not be too thin either [43, 55, 57, 58] . The study showed that to fully protect the Ag NPs at least 7.7 nm thick compact crystalline TiO 2 layer is needed [39] . The near-field plasmonic enhancement in DSSC was confirmed but the performance of the cells was very low (>0.05%) due to the very thin active layers used in this study.

The first one contained dyed Ag NPs on compact TiO 2 layer placed over the front transparent conductive oxide (TCO).

The second structure contained Ag NPs deposited on the front TCO that were protected with a thin compact TiO 2 layer, varying in thickness between 2 and 9 nm, covered with a monolayer of dye molecules.

The results confirmed that the electromagnetic field related to the near-field plasmonic effect decreases with a power of two by increasing the thickness of the TiO 2 shell around NPs, that is, by increasing the distance from the dye molecules and NPs.

On the other hand, the shell should protect the NPs from aggressive electrolyte; therefore the shell should not be too thin either.

The study showed that to fully protect the Ag NPs at least 7.7 nm thick compact crystalline TiO 2 layer is needed.


The uncertainty of the measured sodium densities by lidar is about 10%. However, this does not explain the rather large differences in the sodium column density between model and lidar. In wintertime, the Na column density is most often larger in WACCM-Na than in the lidar data by up to 50%. This could be evidence of too much convergence of Na atoms over the winter polar vortex, equal to what is seen at the South Pole (Marsh et al., 2013a) . The high degree of convergence could be due to the meridional circulation in WACCM-Na being too strong, or the lifetime of the Na atoms being too long, such that they are transported over greater distances horizontally. A too strong meridional circulation appears to be consistent with warmer winter temperatures compared with the lidar data, see below.

This could be evidence of too much convergence of Na atoms over the winter polar vortex, equal to what is seen at the South Pole.


The correlation between Na number density and temperature is very different for WACCM-Na and for the Na lidar data. The WACCM-Na runs presented here are very similar to earlier results obtained from WACCM-Fe, i.e. for iron instead of sodium (Feng et al., 2013) . The correlation coefficient determined from Na lidar data at ALOMAR and from Fe lidar data at the South Pole differ in that the Na lidar does not show any pronounced negative correlation.

The WACCM-Na runs presented here are very similar to earlier results obtained from WACCM-Fe, i.e. for iron instead of sodium.


Amongst many receptor dependent drug targeting methods with nanoparticles, magnetic drug delivery is a promising physical method to target pharmaceuticals. In this method, a drug is coupled to a magnetic particle and injected into blood flow. A magnet located close to the target location is used to capture the magnetic particles and therapeutics in the target area. The method is promising in modelling studies and some results in animals and a single clinical test have been published, but no magnetic drug delivery applications are used in clinics today [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] . The majority of magnetic particles used in biomedical applications are the socalled SPIONs (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles), which consist of one or multiple magnetite or maghemite cores with a biocompatible coating and active ligands [10] . The small magnetic moment of these particles makes it challenging to retain particles at the target site while withstanding the drag of blood flow. To overcome the drag force the magnetic field and gradient have to be extremely large, or the particles have to agglomerate into bundles; often causing embolisation of the vessels. Nanowires, with their elongated shape and anisotropic physical and magnetic properties, can be used to overcome some of the limitations of SPIONs in in-vivo targeting applications. Magnetic nanorods and nanowires are therefore receiving growing attention in biomedicine [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] . While the small diameter of nanowires makes it possible for the particle to pass through the narrow capillaries, the remnant magnetisation increases the range and effectiveness of magnetic interactions at a distance from external magnets. This allows magnetic drug targeting at locations deeper inside the body [12] . Whereas spherical particles only respond to magnetic flux gradients, high aspect ratio particles allow the application of torque with a relatively weak external field to perform dynamic targeted cell therapy [13] . Due to their increased surface to volume ratio, more drugs and additional targeting ligands (e.g. ligands aiding the endocytosis of the particles) can be bound.

The method is promising in modelling studies and some results in animals and a single clinical test have been published, but no magnetic drug delivery applications are used in clinics today.

The majority of magnetic particles used in biomedical applications are the socalled SPIONs (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles), which consist of one or multiple magnetite or maghemite cores with a biocompatible coating and active ligands.

Magnetic nanorods and nanowires are therefore receiving growing attention in biomedicine.

This allows magnetic drug targeting at locations deeper inside the body.

Whereas spherical particles only respond to magnetic flux gradients, high aspect ratio particles allow the application of torque with a relatively weak external field to perform dynamic targeted cell therapy.


Highly-oscillating integrals occur in a wide range of practical problems, ranging from electromagnetics and nonlinear optics to fluid dynamics, plasma transport, computerized tomography, celestial mechanics, computation of Schrödinger spectra, Bose-Einstein condensates, . . . . Moreover, they feature extensively in some new methods for the discretization of highlyoscillatory differential equations (Iserles 2003a) . Their quadrature is thus a numerical challenge of abiding importance and relevance.

Moreover, they feature extensively in some new methods for the discretization of highlyoscillatory differential equations.


Attitudes are comprised of three components: affective, cognitive, and behavioral (Olson & Zanna, 1993) . The affective component represents the emotional portion of an attitude, whereas the cognitive component refers to ideas, beliefs, and opinions (Antonak & Livneh, 1988) . The behavioral component describes a person's willingness to interact with the subject at hand and the manner in which they do so (Cook, 1992) . It is important to understand the components of attitudes since understanding attitudes should help predict behavior toward persons with disabilities. Furthermore, the relationship between attitudes and behavior is complex, and attitudes only account for a small part of behavior.

Attitudes are comprised of three components: affective, cognitive, and behavioral.

The affective component represents the emotional portion of an attitude, whereas the cognitive component refers to ideas, beliefs, and opinions.

The behavioral component describes a person's willingness to interact with the subject at hand and the manner in which they do so.


The issue of cultural differences in attitudes toward disability has considerable practical implications. First of all, understanding cultural variations in attitudes toward persons with disabilities is particularly important for countries, such as the U.S., which receive large groups of immigrants from a variety of cultural backgrounds (Westbrook, Legge, & Pennay, 1993) . Secondly, the cross-cultural study of attitudes toward persons with disabilities is crucial in understanding whether an attitude is universal or culturally specific. Because the majority of research on attitudes toward persons with disabilities has focused on Western industrialized populations, a considerable problem occurs when trying to generalize results to developing countries (Wang, Chan, Thomas, Lin, & Larson, 1997) .

First of all, understanding cultural variations in attitudes toward persons with disabilities is particularly important for countries, such as the U.S., which receive large groups of immigrants from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Because the majority of research on attitudes toward persons with disabilities has focused on Western industrialized populations, a considerable problem occurs when trying to generalize results to developing countries.


Before being used as a catalyst support, the MdGO was pretreated under hydrothermal conditions in the presence of NH 3 . NH 3 can tune the system pH to strong alkalinity and sufficiently doped MdGO with N [4] . As demonstrated in Figs 3a and b, the N-doped MdGO (N-rMdGO) remains in layered form but exhibits a certain degree of crumpling. The XPS C1s spectrum in Fig. 3c clearly reveals the effective defunctionalization of MdGO, especially the removal of carboxyl groups (attributed to the binding energy of ~288.

NH 3 can tune the system pH to strong alkalinity and sufficiently doped MdGO with N.


The fluxgates are miniature (their active area can be as small as a few cubic millimeters), robust, inexpensive, and precise. Commercially available fluxgates provide a 100 pT/ √ Hz resolution and 10 nT absolute precision [1] . The state-of-the art fluxgates provide a 10 pT/ √ Hz resolution, 1 nT long-term stability, and 0.1 nT/ • C thermal drift [1, 2] .

Commercially available fluxgates provide a 100 pT/ √ Hz resolution and 10 nT absolute precision.

The state-of-the art fluxgates provide a 10 pT/ √ Hz resolution, 1 nT long-term stability, and 0.1 nT/ • C thermal drift.


The rest of the paper is organized as follows. Section 2 describes some issues in the mobile sensor networks. In Section 3, we describe briefly the overview of the key prioritization technique using the post-deployment knowledge proposed by Liu and Ning [15] . In Section 4, a basic principle has been proposed to address the key pre-distribution problem in mobile sensor networks. Then, in Section 5, we propose a scheme which follows the basic principle and is based on the modified version of the key prioritization technique. In Section 6, we provide the analysis of our proposed scheme. We provide simulation results of our improved scheme in Section 7. Finally, Section 8 concludes the paper.

In Section 3, we describe briefly the overview of the key prioritization technique using the post-deployment knowledge proposed by Liu and Ning.

Finally, Section 8 concludes the paper.


Studies on the effect of fertilizer rate on fruit quality are able to give the information about the role nutrients play on the synthesis of specific components in the fruit maturation. A higher N and K requirements have been reported (Natale, 1993; Gonzaga Neto et al., 1998) . N is part of amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids, and plays a role in important processes as ionic absorption, photosynthesis, respiration, cell division and differentiation (Malavolta et al., 1989) . K acts in the cell turgor mechanism, carbohydrate transportation, and fruit quality (Marschner, 1995) . Consequently, while N is fundamental for plant structure, facilitating growth and yield, K promotes, by transportation of assimilates, an increase of fruit weight, flavor, taste, and storability.

A higher N and K requirements have been reported.

N is part of amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids, and plays a role in important processes as ionic absorption, photosynthesis, respiration, cell division and differentiation.

K acts in the cell turgor mechanism, carbohydrate transportation, and fruit quality.


This study was carried out in two phases: phase one sampling and phase two LCA. The composition of waste generated was determined in the sampling process, and the grave-to-grave life cycle assessment approach was adapted for the LCA. All models created were based on the general principles of the ISO 14000 standards [8, 9] .

All models created were based on the general principles of the ISO 14000 standards.


Type I was found in almost all species studied of the families Colletidae (except for Tricholletes venustus Smith), Andrenidae, Halictidae, and Megachilidae (except for Anthidium manicatum L., Stelis aliena Cokerell) ( Table 1 , Fig. 1A-F) . It is characterized by testes, seminal vesicles, and genital ducts totally or almost encapsulated by the scrotal membrane, and forming a globular unit (Fig. 1A, C,  E) . In all species, two portions compose the accessory gland: a long tubular duct, and a dilated loop. This later portion usually presents anatomic variation among the species. The accessory gland loops can be developed (Fig.  1C) , although they are often small (Fig. 1A) , and the ejaculatory duct is often thin and simple, but occasionally may also be short or long (Fig. 1A , D, E), three short seminiferous tubules per testis (Fig. 1B) , the seminal vesicle diameter is often not very different from the deferent ducts (Fig. 1A, B, D, F) , and the post-vesicular deferent ducts always opens at the initial portion of the accessory glands. Among these families, the Colletidae presents the simplest anatomical pattern of MRA (Fig. 1A) , and as for other characters can be considered basal (Michener 2000) .

Among these families, the Colletidae presents the simplest anatomical pattern of MRA (Fig. 1A) , and as for other characters can be considered basal.


For RFDEs with finite delay on manifolds we cite the papers of Oliva [17, 18] . However, as far as we know, no general theory is available in literature for RFDEs on manifolds with infinite delay. Our contribution in filling this gap represents the principal motivation for this paper.

For RFDEs with finite delay on manifolds we cite the papers of Oliva.


The atmosphere is a source of iron both dissolved in rainwater and in aerosols. Iron is removed from the atmosphere by either dry or wet deposition. It is believed that precipitation constitutes the main source of iron to the oceans, equal to at least 80% of total atmospheric deposition. The mineral iron present in aerosols is not immediately soluble in seawater, and is therefore not bioavailable. However, acid reactions of rainwater and aerosols, as well as photochemical processes taking place in the air during mass transport, can transform mineral iron into soluble chemical forms of Fe(II) and Fe(III) (Duce and Tindale 1991) . Hence, even the unavailable forms of iron present in dusts can, as a result of a number of reactions (photoreduction, oxidation, complexing and precipitation) during transportation in the atmosphere, washing out or mixing in seawater, become transformed into more reactive, soluble and bioavailable forms (Hanson et al. 2001) .

However, acid reactions of rainwater and aerosols, as well as photochemical processes taking place in the air during mass transport, can transform mineral iron into soluble chemical forms of Fe(II) and Fe(III).

Hence, even the unavailable forms of iron present in dusts can, as a result of a number of reactions (photoreduction, oxidation, complexing and precipitation) during transportation in the atmosphere, washing out or mixing in seawater, become transformed into more reactive, soluble and bioavailable forms.


An HROP is an aerobic reactor where organic matter removal is achieved by a mutualistic relationship between bacteria and phytoplankton (Fallowfield and Garret, 1985; Abeliovich, 1986) . The oxygen required for aerobic bacterial decomposition of organic matter is provided by photosynthesis, whereas carbon dioxide, ammonia and orthophosphate needed for phytoplankton growth are supplied from bacterial decomposition and from wastewater. The biomass produced in an HROP is due mainly to phytoplankton and should be subsequently separated to complete the wastewater treatment.

An HROP is an aerobic reactor where organic matter removal is achieved by a mutualistic relationship between bacteria and phytoplankton.