It is easy to see that the variables in (5) cannot be separated because the functions T m are different. However, each term in (5) being considered independently admits separations of variables. This circumstance and the fact that the SIBC in (5) can be represented as power series in the small parameter are keys to the development of the desired formulation. Indeed, it is natural to suppose that use of the perturbation technique, as described in Part I of this work, will lead to a set of integral equations so that every equation includes only one term of (5) and, consequently, admits separation of variables. Such a formulation has clear physical meaning: the zero-order integral equation gives the solution in the well-known perfect electrical conductor limit and other equations yield corrections of the order of Leontovich's, Mitzner's and Rytov's approximations. Thus the total number of integral equations in the formulation will not exceed four. In fact, it may be even less depending on the problem [10] . Derivation of such a formulation is the first aim of this work.

In fact, it may be even less depending on the problem.


Active constituent of medicinal plants are metabolic products of plant cells and a number of trace elements play an important role in the metabolism (Rajurkar and Damame, 1997) . The screening of the actual bioactive elements of plant origin and assessment of elemental composition of the widely used medicinal plants is highly essential. In present study an attempt was made to determine what essential elements are present and their levels in medicinal plants by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).

Active constituent of medicinal plants are metabolic products of plant cells and a number of trace elements play an important role in the metabolism.


Traditional lossy compression techniques for still images exploit the fact that most of the image energy is concentrated in low spatial frequencies, with sparse content found in high frequencies. Thus, strategies that combine transform coding with optimized bit allocation are used to give good compression performance at acceptable computational and memory complexity as compared to high-dimensional vector quantization. JPEG employs an 8 × 8 block discrete cosine transform (DCT), followed by run-length coding that exploits the sparsity pattern of the resultant frequency coefficients [2] . JPEG 2000 (JP2), which breaks the image into tiles of any size (such as 64 × 64 sized tiles as we do in this paper), leverages a multi-scale discrete wavelet transformation (DWT) and applies a uniform quantizer followed by an adaptive binary arithmetic coder and bit-stream organization [3] .

JPEG employs an 8 × 8 block discrete cosine transform (DCT), followed by run-length coding that exploits the sparsity pattern of the resultant frequency coefficients.

JPEG 2000 (JP2), which breaks the image into tiles of any size (such as 64 × 64 sized tiles as we do in this paper), leverages a multi-scale discrete wavelet transformation (DWT) and applies a uniform quantizer followed by an adaptive binary arithmetic coder and bit-stream organization.


This paper reports on employing DC-dynamic biasing waveforms to significantly improve the switching time of very underdamped and robust electrostatic MEMS actuators [20] - [25] . The waveform concept is derived by exploiting the physical phenomena of the step response of underdamped second order systems. As a result, a > 50× improvement in switching time is experimentally demonstrated. This paper is outlined as follows. In Section 2 a phenomenological model is developed to quantify the gap height versus voltage characteristics of the electrostatic fringing-field actuator. Section 3 discusses geometrical design considerations for the EFFA MEMS actuators based on the newly developed design expression. Section 4 describes the dynamic behavior of the underdamped actuator and the design of the DC-dynamic input bias. Lastly, section 5 presents the experimental validation.

This paper reports on employing DC-dynamic biasing waveforms to significantly improve the switching time of very underdamped and robust electrostatic MEMS actuators.

This paper is outlined as follows.


The strongest correlations between dietary intake and plasma levels were found for cryptoxanthin and a-carotene. This is likely due to the fact that these carotenoids are rarely included in dietary supplements, which eliminates the potential confounding effect of supplemental doses. The moderate correlations found may be attributed to these carotenoids being highly prevalent in fruits and not vegetables. It is well documented that individuals are more likely to meet fruit targets than vegetable targets [59] .

It is well documented that individuals are more likely to meet fruit targets than vegetable targets.


Risk of bias was assessed using a standardized tool from the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics [28] . Ten quality criteria were rated as being absent, present or unclear in each study. This included the assessment of population bias, study blinding, a description of the intervention and assessment tool, statistical methods, and study funding. An overall quality rating was assigned to each study as being plus/positive, neutral or minus/negative.

Risk of bias was assessed using a standardized tool from the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.


The main carotenoids of interest are lycopene and b-carotene and this is because of the documented associations with decreased risk of disease. These carotenoids are highly prevalent in fruits and vegetables. Specifically lycopene is found in tomatoes and tomato based products while b-carotene is found in high concentrations in carrots and cantaloupe. Other carotenoids including cryptoxanthin are found in fruits such as oranges, while lutein is found in lettuce, kale and spinach [19] . Lutein is often combined with zeaxanthtin in reports due to chromatographic overlap.

Other carotenoids including cryptoxanthin are found in fruits such as oranges, while lutein is found in lettuce, kale and spinach.


A variety of plant components such as fiber, carotenoids and other phytochemicals are thought to contribute to these protective effects [16] . Carotenoids are obtained from the diet as brightly coloured pigments which originate in plant foods. Variations in digestion and absorption exist between individuals, with plasma concentrations of carotenoids having a half-life between 26 and 76 days [17] . However some carotenoid supplement studies report peak concentrations in plasma up to two weeks following consumption [18] .

A variety of plant components such as fiber, carotenoids and other phytochemicals are thought to contribute to these protective effects.

Variations in digestion and absorption exist between individuals, with plasma concentrations of carotenoids having a half-life between 26 and 76 days.

However some carotenoid supplement studies report peak concentrations in plasma up to two weeks following consumption.


Led by the rapid growth of the smartphone market, mobile Internet usage in the US is expected to approach 100% penetration and to reach 50% total usage by 2013 [1] . The usability of the mobile applications, however, remains a thorny issue. A recent study shows that the task completion rate using mobile Web ranges from 38% to 75% on different phones [2] . The average success rate was only 59%, substantially lower than the roughly 80% success rate when testing websites on a regular PC today. Another study shows that 73% of users experienced the slow-to-load problem when using the mobile Web, and 48% of users found mobile Web applications difficult to read and use [3] .

Led by the rapid growth of the smartphone market, mobile Internet usage in the US is expected to approach 100% penetration and to reach 50% total usage by 2013.

A recent study shows that the task completion rate using mobile Web ranges from 38% to 75% on different phones.

Another study shows that 73% of users experienced the slow-to-load problem when using the mobile Web, and 48% of users found mobile Web applications difficult to read and use.


The tendency for different light wavelengths to travel at different speeds is a crucial factor in the telecommunication system design. A sequence of short light pulses carries the digitized information. Each of these is formed from a spread of wavelengths and, as a result of chromatic dispersion, it broadens as it travels, thus obscuring the signal. The magnitude of the dispersion changes with the wavelength, passing through zero at 1.3 µm in conventional optical fibers. For example, as the air-holes get larger, the PCF core becomes more and more isolated, until it resembles an isolated strand of silica glass suspended by six thin webs of glass. If the whole structure is made very small, the zero-dispersion wavelength can be shifted to the visible light, since the group velocity dispersion is radically affected by pure waveguide dispersion. On the contrary, very flat dispersion curves can be obtained in certain wavelength ranges in PCFs with small air-holes, that is with low air-filling fraction. First of all, the study of the dispersion properties of triangular PCFs with a high air-filling fraction, that is with small hole-to-hole spacing and large air-holes, is designed to compensate the anomalous dispersion and the dispersion slope of single-mode fibers [27] [28] [29] . In particular, the geometric parameters which characterize these triangular PCFs have been chosen to optimize the fiber length and the dispersion compensation over a wide wavelength range.

First of all, the study of the dispersion properties of triangular PCFs with a high air-filling fraction, that is with small hole-to-hole spacing and large air-holes, is designed to compensate the anomalous dispersion and the dispersion slope of single-mode fibers.


The management of intracranial aneurysms has changed dramatically through the time. Since the introduction of microneurosurgery in the 1960s, the outcome in patients suffering SAH after rupture of aneurysms improved dramatically. The technological developments that allow the endovascular treatment of aneurysms are gaining popularity due to the associated low morbidity and feasibility of the methods. This fact is supported by approximately 1100 new cases treated each month worldwide with intracranial endovascular devices [1] . Since the introduction of coiling techniques in Switzerland, more than 1000 patients underwent endovascular treatment [2] .

This fact is supported by approximately 1100 new cases treated each month worldwide with intracranial endovascular devices.

Since the introduction of coiling techniques in Switzerland, more than 1000 patients underwent endovascular treatment.


A large relative standard deviation (%RSD) was observed for the C max and AUCs, ranging from ~16 to 37% for all formulations. The study design may have contributed to the high variability since no crossover scheme was employed and no attempt was made to match patients for confounding factors, including age, sex, weight, and degree of parasitaemia. Other studies have also reported large inter-individual variability (% relative standard deviation = 28-83%) for MQ pharmacokinetic parameters [5, 6, 27] . Many drugs may inherently exhibit highly variable pharmacokinetic parameters, but are generally safe and efficacious if the therapeutic index is not too narrow.

Other studies have also reported large inter-individual variability (% relative standard deviation = 28-83%) for MQ pharmacokinetic parameters.


In this study, the inter-observer reproducibility was 5.64%, assessed by mean percentage change. This is comparable to levels of agreement quoted by other studies assessing more cumbersome methods for 3D dataset acquisition and analysis, with interobserver variability ranging from 4.2 to 7.6% for plaque volumes [9, 15, 29, 33, 39] . The good inter-observer agreement demonstrated in the current study suggests the single sweep 3D method is suitable for the study of carotid atherosclerosis in clinical practice, and may allow its implementation for follow-up of plaque volume changes. The clinical utility of plaque volume measurement, and its relative prognostic utility compared to currently used 2D measures of carotid stenosis remains to be established in clinical studies.

This is comparable to levels of agreement quoted by other studies assessing more cumbersome methods for 3D dataset acquisition and analysis, with interobserver variability ranging from 4.2 to 7.6% for plaque volumes.


For a more complete view of shape from refraction and reflection that includes non-height-field surfaces, we again refer the reader to Ihrke's survey [4] . In this section, we develop analytical expressions that describe the refraction of the cameras rays from an orthographic camera looking down upon a refractive surface. These expressions will be used in the surface reconstruction approaches described in the sections that follow. Fig. 1 illustrates the geometric configuration.

For a more complete view of shape from refraction and reflection that includes non-height-field surfaces, we again refer the reader to Ihrke's survey.


Radiological imaging plays a critical role in confirming the diagnosis. Initially, plain radiographs are often normal, but widening of the joint space of the affected side followed by blurring of subchondral bone and demineralization appears later in the course of the infection [5] . MRI is the imaging technique with the highest sensitivity and specificity (95% and 100%, resp.) for confirming pyogenic sacroiliitis and for monitoring treatment [3] . MRI combines good visualisation of the complicated anatomy of the sacroiliac joint with the ability to localise different degrees of inflammation and oedema, in the sacroiliac joint, bone marrow, and soft tissues [6, 7] . In sacroiliitis with local abscess formation, MRI can detect spinal involvement which may subsequently require surgical intervention. Although bone scans are both sensitive and specific for sacroiliitis, there is little evidence that they are superior to MRI and should be reserved for suspected cases where MRI scans appear normal [4] .

Initially, plain radiographs are often normal, but widening of the joint space of the affected side followed by blurring of subchondral bone and demineralization appears later in the course of the infection.

MRI is the imaging technique with the highest sensitivity and specificity (95% and 100%, resp.) for confirming pyogenic sacroiliitis and for monitoring treatment.

MRI combines good visualisation of the complicated anatomy of the sacroiliac joint with the ability to localise different degrees of inflammation and oedema, in the sacroiliac joint, bone marrow, and soft tissues.

Although bone scans are both sensitive and specific for sacroiliitis, there is little evidence that they are superior to MRI and should be reserved for suspected cases where MRI scans appear normal.


According to recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, the world is getting warmer (IPCC 2007 (IPCC , 2012 . Consequently, the concentration of atmospheric water vapor, which determines the water for precipitation, is substantially increasing in accordance with the Clausius-Clapeyron (CC) relationship, which establishes that the water vapor content in the atmosphere increases at a rate of 7% per 1ºC rise in temperature. Thus, under warmer air temperature, the amount of water vapor available for precipitation is expected to significantly increase, which may lead to the increase in the occurrence of precipitation events. Previous studies also revealed an increasing rate of global precipitation in recent decades and suggest wet regions to become further wetter (Durack et al., 2012) .

Previous studies also revealed an increasing rate of global precipitation in recent decades and suggest wet regions to become further wetter.


This paper has used a PMP modelling approach that includes exogenous information on gross margin variability. This permits to recover farm specific risk aversion coefficients and to develop a model that has been found to respond to simulation scenarios in a different way than other PMP models (Cortignani and Severini, 2010) . Furthermore, this kind of model can be used to evaluate the likely impact of changes in the variability of gross margins and of introducing an insurance scheme (Severini and Cortignani, 2011) .

This permits to recover farm specific risk aversion coefficients and to develop a model that has been found to respond to simulation scenarios in a different way than other PMP models.

Furthermore, this kind of model can be used to evaluate the likely impact of changes in the variability of gross margins and of introducing an insurance scheme.


Positive Mathematical Programming (PMP) models have been extensively used to evaluate farmers' adjustment to changes in market and policy conditions. However, these models generally consider risk aversion behaviour only implicitly by means of the estimated cost function included in their objective functions. Few Authors have gone forward proposing ways to explicitly consider risk aversion behaviour (Heckelei, 2002; Paris and Arfini, 2000) .

Few Authors have gone forward proposing ways to explicitly consider risk aversion behaviour.


During the secondary science methods course discussion of EDP, providing a definition of engineering, and planning and implementing EDP in SEP, the science educator mentioned that engineering was a solution to a problem, provided a benefit to society, or was a process leading to a product realized by creating or building something. Many secondary science preservice teachers condensed these discussion points down to soundbite-size definitions that varied by cohort year. They tended to repeat the short phrase definition for almost all of the scenarios offered in the post-test. Almost all of the phrases dealt with a product, solution, or model. For example, a few phrases were: "Solving a problem", "Not creating anything", "No. No problem, no product", and "Starts with a problem, ends with a product". This style of reasoning most likely accounts for the slight drops in other components of engineering, namely background research, brainstorming, and communication, and the increase of defining engineering as creating a product/design/model. As participants internalized a new definition, in this case classification of the engineering domain, they tended to oversimplify and overgeneralize [23] . Hence, science educators should take caution and speak explicitly about what belongs in science and engineering practices.

As participants internalized a new definition, in this case classification of the engineering domain, they tended to oversimplify and overgeneralize.


A limitation to this study is that although the results are compared to the themes generated in an earlier study, the methods of collecting data differed. Researchers in the earlier study collected data by verbal interview, which provided an opportunity to clarify questions, ask for clarification in responses, or ask follow-up questions [27] . A limitation of the written questionnaire is the inability to follow-up to the participants' responses. On the other hand, participants were free to expand on their reasoning and in fact, prompted to do so, limited only by how much they chose to write. One advantage of a written questionnaire is the reduction of interviewer bias and greater participant confidentiality. In this study, participants completed the questionnaires individually, and did not discuss their answers with their peers during questionnaire administration, which might have led to more honest answers. Participants were assured confidentiality to perhaps a greater extent than they would in-person interviews due to reaction of the interviewer, nonverbal language, prior acquaintance, etc. Participants were also assured of confidentiality because they generated a four-digit code for the pre-and post-questionnaires. They did not use their names anywhere other than the separate consent form.

Researchers in the earlier study collected data by verbal interview, which provided an opportunity to clarify questions, ask for clarification in responses, or ask follow-up questions.


The important themes of reasoning that emerged, namely teacher role and discipline-specific, pertain to the novice stage at which participants conceptualized engineering and teaching engineering and how those conceptions changed after instruction. This was most evident in the pre-to post-test change in discipline-specific reasoning. If science educators ask preservice teachers to integrate SEP into science lessons, then, the preservice teachers need to recognize that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines are not mutually exclusive, and science educators must explicitly deliver this instruction. A model of integrated STEM courses has been proposed, which aligns with the NGSS [13] . Making explicit connections between disciplines and the integration of EDP into various science and mathematics domains may help move teachers from novice to expert levels [23, 30] . A focus on the integration of STEM including activities such as lesson plans that encourage secondary science preservice teachers to integrate EDP into SEP may also be helpful.

A model of integrated STEM courses has been proposed, which aligns with the NGSS.

Making explicit connections between disciplines and the integration of EDP into various science and mathematics domains may help move teachers from novice to expert levels.


Thus, professional development for in-service teachers is important and needed to teach the NGSS integration skills. Throughout the US, professional development (PD) opportunities at all teaching career levels have been offered to facilitate implementation of the NGSS (i.e., encourage adoption of the innovation) and prepare teachers to teach EDP. Although the purpose of many professional developments is the adoption of an innovation, actual behavior change-changing practices in the classroom-must occur, and this is not always the case [14] . Professional development (PD) in teaching engineering for in-service teachers often includes instruction on fundamental content knowledge, essential pedagogical principles, and challenges for implementation [15] . The focus on content may come at the expense of emphasizing process and at the expense of developing strategies for adopting an innovation. Interpersonal skills, pedagogical applications of engineering, and reflective discussion have historically been rare activities in engineering professional development [15] . In recent years, however, progress has been made towards incorporating these activities [16] [17] [18] . These activities may be incorporated into secondary science methods courses to help secondary science preservice teachers socially construct their beliefs with peer support before entering their first classroom to teach. A preemptive approach of addressing the innovation earlier, such as in secondary science methods courses, may help adoption by refining perceptions before teachers begin teaching.

Although the purpose of many professional developments is the adoption of an innovation, actual behavior change-changing practices in the classroom-must occur, and this is not always the case.

Professional development (PD) in teaching engineering for in-service teachers often includes instruction on fundamental content knowledge, essential pedagogical principles, and challenges for implementation.

Interpersonal skills, pedagogical applications of engineering, and reflective discussion have historically been rare activities in engineering professional development.

In recent years, however, progress has been made towards incorporating these activities.


Like engineering, instructional design ideally begins with a problem that may be solved. In this case, the problem is how to effectively prepare secondary science preservice teachers to teach EDP. Instructional designers try to solve the problem by developing instruction to fill a gap in knowledge. The purpose of this study was to describe how US secondary science preservice teachers, or those about to be certified to teach middle and high school science, at one university, perceive engineering and teaching engineering within an epistemological framework of required domain components pre-and post-instruction (intervention) as well as over three cohort years. An instructional design framework was used to place this study in terms of learner analysis and need for instruction [5] . This study describes perceptions, based on prior knowledge and beliefs that are refined after instruction, that are useful for designing instruction including methods courses and early in-service professional development for teachers.

An instructional design framework was used to place this study in terms of learner analysis and need for instruction.


Although the results represent progress in the sense that secondary science preservice teachers refined their epistemological knowledge of the EDP domain, opportunities exist for developing misconceptions. In recognizing that EDP involves creating of a model, product, or solving a problem, participants may have progressed from novice to "competent beginners" [23] (p. 37). Yet there is a danger for misconceptions to form. As mentioned previously, researchers in a prior study identified four misconceptions about engineering: (a) that research methods are defined by long-term implications or outcomes, (b) that science and engineering is hierarchal, (c) that creativity is appropriate only in the design/planning phase, and (d) that an engineering process cannot be a research outcome [24] . Any of those misconceptions could arise from early-career teachers simply applying the basic short phrase definition when planning future classroom curriculum.

In recognizing that EDP involves creating of a model, product, or solving a problem, participants may have progressed from novice to "competent beginners"(p. 37).

As mentioned previously, researchers in a prior study identified four misconceptions about engineering: (a) that research methods are defined by long-term implications or outcomes, (b) that science and engineering is hierarchal, (c) that creativity is appropriate only in the design/planning phase, and (d) that an engineering process cannot be a research outcome.


This study contributed to an instructional design needs and learner analysis by describing perceptions of engineering and teaching engineering among secondary science preservice teachers. Specifically, the authors described participant perceptions of which engineering components were required to classify an activity as engineering. As stated earlier, participants can be analyzed by a description of changing learner characteristics [5] . Although yes, no, or maybe responses did not appreciably change from pre-to post-test in any year, participants' reasoning did appreciably change after methods courses instruction in all three cohort years. This indicates that instruction is an effective way to shape perceptions and epistemological beliefs about engineering and teaching engineering [5] . Thus, this study supports a need for instruction on an innovation, illustrated in Figure 2 -knowledge can be taught, and perceptions can change, about an innovation.

As stated earlier, participants can be analyzed by a description of changing learner characteristics.

This indicates that instruction is an effective way to shape perceptions and epistemological beliefs about engineering and teaching engineering.


This study used a subjectivist lens to describe individuals' beliefs and perspectives about a knowledge domain. In light of the modest cohort size (n = 43), no practical significance from year to year, and qualitative methodology the study is not generalizable to a larger population. The overall qualitative research framework using an interpretivist, constructivism theoretical perspective does not lend itself to quantitative analysis of the yes, no, and maybe questionnaire responses [35] . General trends were described to find practical significance [35] . Readers might find pragmatic validity to this study by determining if the results apply to other learners in other contexts.

The overall qualitative research framework using an interpretivist, constructivism theoretical perspective does not lend itself to quantitative analysis of the yes, no, and maybe questionnaire responses.

General trends were described to find practical significance.


This study builds on earlier work by replicating among preservice teachers many of the themes identified by in-service teachers in another study. The in-service teachers gave similar reasoning for required components of engineering or teaching engineering [27] . In-service teachers described Application/Real-world context, creating a product/design/model, and challenge/multistep-problem most often as necessary components of engineering [27] . In this study, secondary science preservice teachers described the same three themes most often, although the exact ranking differed, most likely due to the difference in participants between that study (n = 16) and this one (n = 43). In light of the consistent results, the authors of this work believe that this study establishes replicability and pragmatic validity of the instrument.

The in-service teachers gave similar reasoning for required components of engineering or teaching engineering.

In-service teachers described Application/Real-world context, creating a product/design/model, and challenge/multistep-problem most often as necessary components of engineering.


A novice level of understanding also became apparent by the number of responses that cited an over-simplified short phrase representing the creating a product/design/model theme as a component of engineering. This 'product for a problem' theme represented the most-often cited reason for categorizing the activity as engineering and was also the only theme that increased from pre-test to post-test in every cohort year. Novice knowledge does not entail the rich, multiple connections with other knowledge domains that is characteristic of expert knowledge [30] . Moreover, novices are less able to recognize subtle but important patterns and the significance of those patterns [23, 30] . By applying an oversimplified, easy-to-remember phrase to many scenarios, participants revealed their inexperience with nuances and considerations that each scenario brings to bear. It is noteworthy to add that the science educator might have proliferated this participant response by repeating the phrase during the science methods coursework.

Novice knowledge does not entail the rich, multiple connections with other knowledge domains that is characteristic of expert knowledge.

Moreover, novices are less able to recognize subtle but important patterns and the significance of those patterns.


For periodic, and doubly periodic, media the interest is often in identifying the Bloch spectra and stop band structure of the solution (Zolla et al. 2005) . The Bloch spectra at the edges of the irreducible Brillouin zone correspond to standing waves (Brillouin 1953) . Our aim is to develop a high-frequency asymptotic procedure based upon perturbing about these standing wave solutions occurring at particular frequencies across a periodic structure. Taking advantage of the scale separation between micro-and macroscales, the standing waves can be considered upon the microscale and then 'averaged' to get a problem just upon the macroscale. The existence of a differential operator of this type has been recently proved rigorously (Birman 2004; Birman & Suslina 2006) . The upshot of our analysis is that an effective partial differential equation is constructed on the macroscale that is valid for frequencies in the vicinity of the standing wave. The coefficients of this equation involve integrals of the standing wave solutions and an auxiliary solution along an elementary cell on the microscale. The problem is therefore homogenized in the sense that the microscale plays no explicit role in the effective model. However, in contrast to classical homogenization, the asymptotic macroscale equation is strongly dispersive and can be used to model a range of dynamic phenomena characteristic for composite media. The final form of the effective model bears remarkable similarity to high-frequency long-wave equations in asymptotic theories, for elastic and acoustic waveguides, valid in the vicinity of thickness resonances (Berdichevski 1983; Kaplunov et al. 1998; Le 1999; Gridin et al. 2005) .

For periodic, and doubly periodic, media the interest is often in identifying the Bloch spectra and stop band structure of the solution.

The Bloch spectra at the edges of the irreducible Brillouin zone correspond to standing waves.

The existence of a differential operator of this type has been recently proved rigorously.

The final form of the effective model bears remarkable similarity to high-frequency long-wave equations in asymptotic theories, for elastic and acoustic waveguides, valid in the vicinity of thickness resonances.


Travel time is one of the core elements that heavily affect the passengers' opinions on the quality of public transport service (Krygsman et al., 2004) . Nowadays, passengers often use more than one traffic mode or service to complete the trip. Accordingly, the total travel time includes all supplementary travel times between the origin and destination such as wait time, walking time etc. An example is shown in Figure 1 , where passenger first walks from his/her home to the bus station, then takes one bus to a Massive Rapid Transit (MRT) station, after that walks to the office at last. This trip contains three traffic modes, walk, bus and MRT, with five trip stages, first mile, first main haul (bus), transfer stage, second main haul (MRT), and last mile. Correspondingly, the travel time in this trip includes out-of-vehicle time and in-vehicle time, where out-of-vehicle time contains walking time and waiting time.

Travel time is one of the core elements that heavily affect the passengers' opinions on the quality of public transport service.


Compared with the burdensome out-of-vehicle time, passengers tend to consider in-vehicle time more acceptable (Chapman et al., 2006) . As in-vehicle time is mostly determined by scheduled journey time and vehicle speeds, researchers generally quantity and quality of the value of in-vehicle time in generalised cost equations and the evaluation of stop delay. Little studies have been conduct to check whether there is difference between perceived and actual in-vehicle time.

Compared with the burdensome out-of-vehicle time, passengers tend to consider in-vehicle time more acceptable.


Serviceability limit states such as concrete cover crushing or residual crack widths exceeding 1mm may occur during smaller, more frequent earthquakes, (Priestley, Seible, and Calvi (1996) ). While the serviceability limit states do not pose a safety concern, the hinge regions must be repaired to prevent corrosion of internal reinforcing steel. At higher ductility demands produced by larger less frequent earthquakes, reinforcing bar buckling may lead to permanent elongation in the transverse steel, which diminishes its effectiveness in confining the concrete core. Bar buckling and significant damage to the core concrete represent the damage control limit states, which when exceeded lead to significant repair or replacement costs. Rupture of previously buckled bars during subsequent cycles of loading may lead to significant strength loss. The life safety or collapse prevention limit state is characterized by fracture of previously buckled bars under displacements exceeding those required to initiate bar buckling.

Serviceability limit states such as concrete cover crushing or residual crack widths exceeding 1mm may occur during smaller, more frequent earthquakes,).


The price of oil and the discussions on pollution generated by its use have boosted interest in alternative but renewable energy sources. This is the case of biodiesel, a biofuel produced from vegetable oils or animal fats. Brazil is among the greatest producers and consumers of biodiesel in the world. Glycerin, the main byproduct of biodiesel production, may be marketed in crude (with high contents of fatty acids) or in semipurified (with low contents of fatty acids) form (CARVALHO et al., 2012) .

Glycerin, the main byproduct of biodiesel production, may be marketed in crude (with high contents of fatty acids) or in semipurified (with low contents of fatty acids) form.


To achieve this goal, emission reduction responsibilities must be assigned to various regions according to the local conditions [6] . However, the assignment of reduction responsibilities is not easy due to the continuous progress of marketization and regional integration, which have led to an increasing spatial separation between production and consumption [7] . Moreover, most of the final goods or services consumed in areas with high levels of urbanization and industrialization are not produced locally [6] . In other words, carbon emissions are transferred from one region to another through the inter-regional trade of goods and services. Carbon emissions are often transferred from the more developed regions with higher environmental standards to the less developed areas [8] . Therefore, in addition to the direct carbon emissions, the inter-regional transfer of carbon emissions calls for more attention to the proper allocation of emission reduction responsibility.

To achieve this goal, emission reduction responsibilities must be assigned to various regions according to the local conditions.

However, the assignment of reduction responsibilities is not easy due to the continuous progress of marketization and regional integration, which have led to an increasing spatial separation between production and consumption.

Moreover, most of the final goods or services consumed in areas with high levels of urbanization and industrialization are not produced locally.

Carbon emissions are often transferred from the more developed regions with higher environmental standards to the less developed areas.


In Figure 7 , results obtained using a ring with a roughness of 10.9 µm are shown. Like explained in section 2.1.3, for large roughness R a many small and sharp micro protrusions are present but larger and blunter micro protrusions as well [14] . With an increase in the applied voltage, the slowly increasing ionic current observed in measurements can be attributed to the slowly increasing amount of micro protrusions causing discharges. This can also be seen in the current-voltage characteristics of Figure 8 .

Like explained in section 2.1.3, for large roughness R a many small and sharp micro protrusions are present but larger and blunter micro protrusions as well.


Two standard methods, namely encryption and watermarking, are currently used to achieve this aim (Latifpour et al. 2015) . In encryption methods, an encryption algorithm is used to encode information, and a receiver at the opposite site recovers the information with a known decoding key. Although the information is encoded on transmission, there will be no guarantee for security of the information after it is decoded at the receiver. For solving such a problem, watermarking technique is introduced to provide the information security after decoding. As an alternative or complement to cryptography, watermarking is mainly used for the copyright protection. In other words, the watermarking is a technique that is able to embed a series of hidden information into an original signal, and to realize the security of information against unauthorized copying, and false claim of owning and exclusiveness. The role of watermarking becomes increasingly important because of the ease of data sharing, particularly through data clouds. Watermarking has many applications such as ownership identification, proof of ownership, tamper detection and leak identification.

Two standard methods, namely encryption and watermarking, are currently used to achieve this aim.


In this work we have investigated low-energy effects associated to the presence of extra dimensions. The brane world considered here is a Randall-Sundrum like containing a (3 + n)-brane embedded in a (3 + n + 1) space with n compact and one warped infinite extra dimensions or RSIIn. Apart from its hybrid character having both compact and non-compact extra dimensions this model is interesting because it localizes the zero mode gauge field due to the presence of the compact dimensions [16] . The effects we have considered are i) the effective electromagnetic potentials of a point charge moving uniformly along the non compact directions of the (3 + n)-brane and ii) the Lamb shift for a Hydrogen atom localized in the same subspace.

Apart from its hybrid character having both compact and non-compact extra dimensions this model is interesting because it localizes the zero mode gauge field due to the presence of the compact dimensions.


One area of electronics manufacture which has already seen extensive use of thermoplastics as the circuit substrate are moulded interconnect devices (MIDs) [11] . These are 3-dimensional circuit carriers formed by injection moulding and subsequent selective plating, and have a number of limitations including the inability to produce multilayered circuitry or use embedded components. In addition, high temperature resins must generally be used to form the substrates, as components are attached using solder or conductive adhesives that require elevated temperatures for reflow or cure.

One area of electronics manufacture which has already seen extensive use of thermoplastics as the circuit substrate are moulded interconnect devices (MIDs).


The decomposition of H20 2 in the presence of enzymes which bear active centres (Fe)protopophyrin IX, (similar to those of catalase) takes place by following of two competitive mechanisms (Metelitsa, 1984; Eremin et al., 1995) . The first one (ionic or "productive") leads to the formation of H 20 and 0 2 and the second (radical or "unpro ductive") which comprises the formation of H 0 2* and HO* radicals, responsible for the destruction of biocatalyst. The calculated AS* values show that the ionic mechanism is predominant when catalase is immobilized on "N O R IT " since the se cond one (radical) is more probable in the case when catalase is immobilized on "PM-100". The steric factor P was calculated from P = eAS*/R. For catalase adsorbed on "N O R IT", P = 1.6xl0~5, and for catalase on "PM-100" -P = 0.55xl0~9. For both types of soot P « \ but for "PM-100" its value is much lower than for "N O R IT ". Obvi ously, the steric interferences for "PM-100" are much stronger. That confirms the above sugges tion for the predom inant radical mechanism of de composition of H 20 2 by catalase adsorbed on the "PM-100" soot. Fig. 4 shows the data of the catalytic stability of catalase in immobilized state. The catalytic sta bility of the enzyme is the degree of retaining of its catalytic activity in its repeated use in immobilized state. From the figure is seen that for 6 cycles the specific catalytic activity of catalase immobilized on "N O R IT " decreases 4 times and of catalase im mobilized on "PM-100" -6 times, i.e. the catalytic stability of catalase immobilized on "N O R IT" is bigger than when immobilized on "PM-100". These data confirm the above assumption for the dom inant radical mechanism of decomposition of H 20 2 by catalase adsorbed on the "PM-100" soot. By using the active complex theory the rest of the activation param eters, the enthalpy of activation AH* and isobaric-isothermic potential of activa tion AG*, were also calculated ( Table I ). The val ues for AG* are the same for both adsorbents. This is explained by the compensation relationship be tween AH* and -TAS*.

The decomposition of H20 2 in the presence of enzymes which bear active centres (Fe)protopophyrin IX, (similar to those of catalase) takes place by following of two competitive mechanisms.


In general, fault diagnostic methods can be classified into 2 categories, model-based and data-driven, as shown in Figure 1 . In the model-based approach, fault detection and diagnostic systems can be classified as qualitative or quantitative. Quantitative models are expressed in terms of mathematical functional relationships between the input and output of the system. In contrast, in the qualitative model equations, these relationships are expressed in terms of qualitative functions centered on different units in a process [17] [18] [19] . In the data-driven approach, methods that do not assume any form of model information are used, and they rely only on previously processed data. The data-driven approach assumes only the availability of large amounts of previously processed data. The data can be transformed and entered as earlier information in a diagnostic system in different ways.

In contrast, in the qualitative model equations, these relationships are expressed in terms of qualitative functions centered on different units in a process.


Conidia of Penicillium expansum treated with DAM (Fig. 6) showed decreased negative mobility due to removal of the charge on the carboxyl groups; after hydrolysis of the methyl ester the mobility was still lower than that of untreated conidia, suggesting that DAM treatment had some blocking action on the amino groups. Interpretation of the pH/mobility curve obtained from FDNB-treated conidia was complicated by the simultaneous removal of some of the labile phosphate component. However, when conidia, washed free of phosphate, were treated with FDNB (Fig. 7 ) the negative mobility was increased, confirming the presence of amino groups. The inflexion at pH 7 to 8 was not due to secondary amino groups, as it was still present when washed conidia were treated with PTSC (Fig. 7) , a reagent which reacts with both primary and secondary amines (Gittens & James, 1963) .

The inflexion at pH 7 to 8 was not due to secondary amino groups, as it was still present when washed conidia were treated with PTSC (Fig. 7) , a reagent which reacts with both primary and secondary amines.


The effects of variable gravity parameter, Lewis number and rotation on stationary convection have been presented graphically. Stability curves for variable gravity parameter, Lewis number and rotation are shown in figures 1-3. Fig.1 indicate the effect of variable gravity parameter on the stationary convection and it is found that fluid layer has stabilizing effect when the gravity parameter varies as h(z) = z 2 -2z, h(z) = -z, h(z) = -z 2 and has destabilizing effect when gravity parameter is h(z) = z. These results are good agreements of the results obtained by Straughan [35] . Fig.2 indicates the effect of Lewis number on stationary convection and it is found that the critical Rayleigh number increases with an increase in the value of Lewis number, indicating that the effect of Lewis number is to inhibit the onset of convection. Also it is found that the value of stationary Rayleigh number increases when we taken decreasing gravity profile i.e. when variable gravity parameter is h(z) = -z, while the value of stationary Rayleigh number decreases when we take increasing gravity profile i.e. when variable gravity parameter is h(z) = z. Thus decreasing gravity parameter has stabilizing effect while increasing gravity parameter has destabilizing effect on the stationary convection. Fig.3 indicates the effect of Taylor number on stationary convection and it is found that the critical Rayleigh number increases with an increase in the value of Taylor number, indicating that the effect of Taylor number is to inhibit the onset of convection. Also it is found that the value of stationary Rayleigh number increases when we taken decreasing gravity profile i.e. when variable gravity parameter is h(z) = -z, while the value of stationary Rayleigh number decreases when we take increasing gravity profile i.e. when variable gravity parameter is h(z) = z. Thus decreasing gravity parameter has stabilizing effect while increasing gravity parameter has destabilizing effect on the stationary convection.

These results are good agreements of the results obtained by Straughan.


Limited measurement technology and its high costs make numerical analysis necessary. Early 1D and 3D simulations were sufficient to reproduce results obtained from measurements [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . Since the beginning of this decade, 3D CFD resolution is high enough for detailed flow analysis. The first work that introduced phenomena not yet reported from experiments was published by , whose work helped understand the influence of the volute on impeller performance [12, 13] . At off-design conditions, they identified an effect of mass flow-dependent direction of boundary layer mergence and an asymmetric distortion of the passage flow caused by variations in static pressure slope at the impeller exit. The latter effect causes each single passage to operate at a different operating condition at each point of time. They concluded that circumferentially increasing static pressure in direction of rotation at the impeller exit is disadvantageous for the performance of subsonic centrifugal compressors.

Early 1D and 3D simulations were sufficient to reproduce results obtained from measurements.

The first work that introduced phenomena not yet reported from experiments was published by , whose work helped understand the influence of the volute on impeller performance.


If the pressure ratio of a centrifugal compressor exceeds approximately 3.5, the Mach number relative to the inducer of the impeller will be larger than 1.0. If the pressure ratio exceeds 4.5, even the flow downstream of the impeller can be expected to be supersonic [1] . High relative inlet velocities facilitate high specific work input; however, the range is narrowed as the incidence angle at stall inception decreases with relative Mach number at the inlet. This effect of constricting the operation range at a large torque is of utmost significance for automotive applications, as they demand for high torque over a wide mass flow range and frequently operate at off-design conditions. The widening of the stable flow range (SFR) is hence a major issue for high pressure ratio compressor design for automotive turbocharging.

If the pressure ratio exceeds 4.5, even the flow downstream of the impeller can be expected to be supersonic.


Gaze detection systems can be separated into non intrusive and head mounted devices. Non intrusive systems usually use an external camera filming the user and detecting the direction of the eyes with respect to a known position. However the task is rendered more difficult by the variability in the user's head direction. Head mounted devices allow to detect the direction of the gaze without having to cope with the pose of the subject's head. Most modern systems use infra red (IR) lighting to illuminate the pupil and then extract the eye orientation by triangulation of the IR spotlights reflections or other geometrical properties (Zhu et al., 2002; Ohno and Mukawa, 2004) . When IR lighting is impracticable, image based methods have been used to estimate the direction of the eyes (Baluja and Pomerleau, 1994; Tan et al., 2002) . Regardless of the method used, a calibration involving the user looking at known locations is performed beforehand. The most accurate systems can achieve precisions below 0.5 • of the visual field (Tan et al., 2002; Hennessey et al., 2006) .

Most modern systems use infra red (IR) lighting to illuminate the pupil and then extract the eye orientation by triangulation of the IR spotlights reflections or other geometrical properties.

When IR lighting is impracticable, image based methods have been used to estimate the direction of the eyes.

The most accurate systems can achieve precisions below 0.5 • of the visual field.


An alternative approach to avoid processing irrelevant documents would be to very efficiently classify whether or not each document is relevant based on its content [17] . That is, whether a document is likely to have any entity in the target set. However, most of these techniques still need to process the content of a document for classification thus defeating the purpose of avoiding the documents to be processed for entity string matching in the first place. Second, these classification techniques can still make several errors. They may misclassify documents as not relevant and hence may miss several documents. In any case, they may still be used in conjunction with the techniques we developed in this paper, say, by further applying these classification filters on the filtered documents we return.

An alternative approach to avoid processing irrelevant documents would be to very efficiently classify whether or not each document is relevant based on its content.


Media actors are introduced to perform computational tasks such as media capturing, coding, networking, and presenting functions. They communicate via asynchronous message passing and are not aware of timing aspects. Timing QoS constraints are handled by reflective actors or QoSsynchronizers [11] . They enforce QoS requirements (e.g., skew and jitter) by filtering message exchanges inside groups of actors directly affecting the scheduling. Actors can be prototyped and operated either under simulation or in real-time by specializing the time notion in the scheduler and the runtime control machine.

Timing QoS constraints are handled by reflective actors or QoSsynchronizers.


Within the field of controlled drug delivery and time-released applications, knowledge of polymer dissolution behavior can be vital. An ideal drug delivery system is one which provides the drug only when and where it is needed, and in the minimum dose level required to elicit the desired therapeutic effects [9] . Within these systems a solute/drug is dispersed within a polymer matrix. When the system is introduced to a good solvent for the polymer, swelling occurs allowing increased mobility of the solute, and it diffuses out of the polymer into the surrounding fluid. Such a system should provide a programmable concentration -time profile that produces optimum therapeutic responses. Recent developments in polymeric delivery systems for the controlled release of therapeutic agents has demonstrated that these systems not only can improve drug stability both in vitro and in vivo by protecting unstable drugs from harmful conditions in the body, but also can increase residence time at the application site and enhance the activity duration of short half-life drugs. Therefore, compounds which otherwise would have to be discarded due to stability and bioavailability problems may be rendered useful through a proper choice of polymeric delivery system [9] .

An ideal drug delivery system is one which provides the drug only when and where it is needed, and in the minimum dose level required to elicit the desired therapeutic effects.

Therefore, compounds which otherwise would have to be discarded due to stability and bioavailability problems may be rendered useful through a proper choice of polymeric delivery system.


Polymer dissolution is also being currently investigated for tissue regeneration [10, 11] . Many strategies in this field depend on the manipulation of polymers which are suitable substrates for cell culture and implantation. Using computer-aided design and manufacturing methods, researchers will shape polymers into intricate scaffolding beds that mimic the structure of specific tissues and even organs. The scaffolds will be treated with compounds that help cells adhere and multiply, then 'seeded' with cells. As the cells divide and assemble, the polymer dissolves away. The new tissue or organ is then implanted into the patient. During the past several years, human skin grown on polymer substrates has been grafted onto burn patients and foot ulcers of diabetic patients, with some success. Structural tissues, ranging from urethral tubes to breast tissue, can be fabricated according to the same principle. After mastectomy, cells that are grown on biodegradable polymers would be able to provide a completely natural replacement for the breast. Degradable polymers may be useful in orthopedic applications because they circumvent the problems of a persistent foreign body and the need for implant retrieval [11] . However, most of these polymers are not mechanically strong enough to be used for load bearing applications.

Polymer dissolution is also being currently investigated for tissue regeneration.

Degradable polymers may be useful in orthopedic applications because they circumvent the problems of a persistent foreign body and the need for implant retrieval.


Determining the number of chemical components in a mixture is the first step for further qualitative and quantitative analysis in all forms of spectral data treatment. Procedures for determining the chemical rank of a matrix using a variety of empirical and statistical methods based on principal component analysis (PCA) have been reported [1] . Much work has been put into developing methods for resolution of multi-component spectra but less work has been carried out to reveal the limitations of the methods and in the estimation of the minor component of resolved spectra.

Procedures for determining the chemical rank of a matrix using a variety of empirical and statistical methods based on principal component analysis (PCA) have been reported.


A strategy of clopidogrel pretreatment followed by long-term therapy is beneficial in reducing major cardiovascular events in patients undergoing PCI [4] . Major bleeding complications in these patients differ depending on antiaggregant used and do not exceed the rate of ischemic complications [5, 6] . This is not the case for TAVI where ischemic events are much less frequent than bleeding complications. Even though cerebral imaging studies have shown a very high incidence (66%-86%) of new ischemic defects after TAVI, most defects are clinically silent [7] . The incidence of clinically apparent stroke after TAVI has an average of about 3% [7] . A German multicenter registry including 697 patients treated with TAVI indicated rates of stroke and myocardial infarction of 2.8% and 0.3%, respectively [8] . These values were comparable with FRANCE-2 registry and those reported by Piazza and by Rodés-Cabau [9] [10] [11] . On the other hand, major access site bleeding complication is the most frequent procedural complication and is present in 5%-10% of patients undergoing TAVI [7, [9] [10] [11] . Thus, special attention should be paid to reducing these procedural bleeding events. One possible issue seems to be the strategy of clopidogrel administration.

A strategy of clopidogrel pretreatment followed by long-term therapy is beneficial in reducing major cardiovascular events in patients undergoing PCI.

Major bleeding complications in these patients differ depending on antiaggregant used and do not exceed the rate of ischemic complications.

Even though cerebral imaging studies have shown a very high incidence (66%-86%) of new ischemic defects after TAVI, most defects are clinically silent.

The incidence of clinically apparent stroke after TAVI has an average of about 3%.

A German multicenter registry including 697 patients treated with TAVI indicated rates of stroke and myocardial infarction of 2.8% and 0.3%, respectively.

These values were comparable with FRANCE-2 registry and those reported by Piazza and by Rodés-Cabau.

On the other hand, major access site bleeding complication is the most frequent procedural complication and is present in 5%-10% of patients undergoing TAVI.


The MRR target operation wavelengths are those mostly utilized in the applications mentioned at the beginning of the Section 1, that is, in the standard transmission windows of fiber communication systems [57] . Operation at these wavelengths is enabled both by the RSOA broad gain bandwidth and adjustable active medium material composition as well as by the MRR periodic comb-like transmission profile. The latter feature can be exploited provided that the center wavelengths of the encoded data are spaced apart by integer multiples of the free spectral range. In this case, the wavelength allocation should be coarse, in terms of the standardized wavelength division multiplexing grid spacing, or, if a more dense arrangement is desired so as to accommodate more channels, multiple MRRs can be cascaded along the same waveguide bus [64] .

The MRR target operation wavelengths are those mostly utilized in the applications mentioned at the beginning of the Section 1, that is, in the standard transmission windows of fiber communication systems.

In this case, the wavelength allocation should be coarse, in terms of the standardized wavelength division multiplexing grid spacing, or, if a more dense arrangement is desired so as to accommodate more channels, multiple MRRs can be cascaded along the same waveguide bus.


It is well-known that acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults is usually self-limiting, of which only 5%-10% develop to chronic HBV infection, and about 1% progress to acute liver failure [1] . However, in certain special populations, such as pregnant women, the clinical course of acute hepatitis B (AHB) is still largely unclear. Although a few studies have investigated the impact of pregnancy on AHB, few of them included matched controls [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . Age, sex, and host immunity status are important factors influencing the clinical manifestation and outcome of acute HBV infection [9] . Clinical features and HBV serological outcome in pregnant AHB patients, such as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and seroconversion, have not fully been elucidated.

It is well-known that acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults is usually self-limiting, of which only 5%-10% develop to chronic HBV infection, and about 1% progress to acute liver failure.

Although a few studies have investigated the impact of pregnancy on AHB, few of them included matched controls.

Age, sex, and host immunity status are important factors influencing the clinical manifestation and outcome of acute HBV infection.


The international agricultural research agenda on climatesmart agriculture (CSA) explores the intersection of climate change, the reorientation of food production systems, and food security as a core mission of its programming [1] . Such priorities are a result of tension between natural resources and food production systems due to perceptions of increasing scarcity of resources and the growing demand for food that has fueled interest in analyses that inform stakeholders on food market dynamics. Clearly, the demand for all foodstuffs grows with increases in both world population and the wealth of developing countries, whereas the supplies of natural resources are limited or, if renewable, may be maintained or increase only gradually. The tension between these markets and resource systems is heightened by concerns about how climate resiliency may impact natural resources stocks and flows. In an era of increasing climate concerns and growing focus on sustainable production, this paper summarizes how wheat is produced, consumed, and traded among partners with differential exposure to climactic shocks. The purpose of this analysis is to provide a comprehensive review of the drivers that are important to consider for food security and, more specifically for this paper, the global wheat market. Food security is a complex phenomenon and is determined by distinct dimensions driven by a complex mixture of individual forces, of which volatility plays a minor role [2] . Identifying the economic and environmental factors which exert the greatest influence on the major wheat exporters (including the factors that influence the markets and price of wheat) has important implications for any policies or interventions that are intended to address global food security. This also represents a contribution to the literature by providing a synthesis of data and trends for key wheatexporting countries with a specific focus on the importance of climate-based factors.

The international agricultural research agenda on climatesmart agriculture (CSA) explores the intersection of climate change, the reorientation of food production systems, and food security as a core mission of its programming.

Food security is a complex phenomenon and is determined by distinct dimensions driven by a complex mixture of individual forces, of which volatility plays a minor role.


Performance and competitiveness of a large-scale logistic network depend on the capability of the network to meet the expectations of the customers [1] . This capability is strongly connected to an effective management of the material flow within the network. The material flow is subject to the complex and often global structure of the network as well as to the dynamics of production and transportation processes [2] . In order to support the management, a better understanding of the dynamics related to the material flow and their consequences for the performance of the logistic network is required. In the literature several methods exist to analyse the material flow.

Performance and competitiveness of a large-scale logistic network depend on the capability of the network to meet the expectations of the customers.

The material flow is subject to the complex and often global structure of the network as well as to the dynamics of production and transportation processes.


A number of various type of four body models have been studied by many authors (Huang 1968; Hadjidemetriou 1980; Michalodimitrakis 1981; Rosaev 2011; Ceccaroni and Biggs 2012) etc. In these models, they have assumed either one or more bodies as radiating and minor body as very small in comparison to massive bodies. To preserve conservative character these models have been studied by ignoring dissipative forces like Poynting-Robertson(P-R) drag and solar wind drag. However, some of the research work in RFBP in addition with radiation pressure, P-R drag etc. have been performed by many authors (Kalvouridis et al 2006; Papadakis 2007; Machuy et al 2007; Medvedev and Perov 2008) etc. But, little attention has been paid on the effect of solar wind drag such models. Therefore, we have considered a restricted four body problem with radiation pressure and solar wind drag.

A number of various type of four body models have been studied by many authors etc.

However, some of the research work in RFBP in addition with radiation pressure, P-R drag etc. have been performed by many authors etc.


We have studied the restricted four body problem by assuming the effect of radiation pressure and solar wind drag. The boundaries of allowed regions for the motions of the infinitesimal mass are determined using zero velocity surfaces at different values of radiation pressure and solar wind drag. It is found that allowed possible regions of the motions decrease with the an increase in the value of Jacobi constant C. We have observed that in presence of drag forces, Jacobi constant depends on the time (Murray 1994; Liou et al 1995) . The range of radiation pressure and solar wind drag are determined and found that motion is possible for the values lie in the interval 0 < β < 1 and −1 < sw < 1 respectively. The curvature of the ZVC is obtained and noticed that when the curves bend to each other then connection is open and the body moves from one allowed side to other side however when the curve is not bended then curve goes outside and the body does not move one allowed side to other side.

It is found that allowed possible regions of the motions decrease with the an increase in the value of Jacobi constant C. We have observed that in presence of drag forces, Jacobi constant depends on the time.


Third, the results of this study could offer policy makers guidelines regarding developing effective environmental regulations to enforce the development of effective eco-innovation programs in industry. The lack of resources would hinder the development of environmental management. The literature has suggested proper environmental regulation could force or encourage the industry to make eco-decisions that lead to better resource efficiency and higher environmental productivity (Porter and van der Linde, 1995; Brio and Junquera, 2003; Yang and Sheu, 2011) . Our findings indicate that a successful eco-innovation program requires a systemic approach. In particular, administrative support programs must be in place to enhance the technological aspects of eco-innovation.

The literature has suggested proper environmental regulation could force or encourage the industry to make eco-decisions that lead to better resource efficiency and higher environmental productivity.


Administrative activities generally do not reduce environmental impacts directly, and managers are inclined to place more emphases on technological aspects of innovation (Brio and Junquera, 2003) . Evidently, without necessary procedures and administrative support, resource investment in eco-product and eco-process innovations would not be as effective, considering the indirect effects of eco-organizational innovation. Therefore, policy makers should set regulations or offer incentives to prompt companies to design and implement eco-innovation programs in a more effective sequence.

Administrative activities generally do not reduce environmental impacts directly, and managers are inclined to place more emphases on technological aspects of innovation.


Although limited research on constructing large buildings using 3D printers has been conducted, little research about the mechanical properties of 3D printed structures is available [26] [27] [28] . Since 3D printed layered cementitious materials have different microscopic structures from traditional structural materials such as concrete and steel, their mechanical behaviors may also be different. The mechanical properties of 3D printed structures are the main focus of this paper. This paper presents a study of 3D printed products made from a powder material that has the potential for wide applications in future engineering structures. The microstructure of the material was analyzed and a series of tests was conducted for its mechanical properties. The test data provide the basis for establishing a mechanical model which is essential for advanced analysis of the behaviors of 3D printed structures.

Although limited research on constructing large buildings using 3D printers has been conducted, little research about the mechanical properties of 3D printed structures is available.


It is no longer possible to read all new publications in a particular area, due to the sheer number of research papers appearing daily Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from permissions@acm.org. SAICSIT '17, September 2017 [62] . This makes it increasingly challenging for subject experts to keep up with the knowledge development in any given area [35] .

Abstracting with credit is permitted.

SAICSIT '17, September 2017.

This makes it increasingly challenging for subject experts to keep up with the knowledge development in any given area.


The use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) is one of the most effective forms of vector control. The WHO Global Malaria Programme has recommended full coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs)/ITNs for malaria prevention [5] . Myanmar also promotes the use of bed nets (ITNs) through the free delivery of LLINs and free treatment of mosquito nets already in use before the start of the peak transmission season. The goal is that at least 80% of people in moderate and high-risk areas are protected by ITNs/LLINs [6] . Previous studies among the general population in Myanmar or among selected migrant groups such as the rubber plantation workers have shown the poor utilization of ITN/LLINs [7, 8] .

The WHO Global Malaria Programme has recommended full coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs)/ITNs for malaria prevention.

The goal is that at least 80% of people in moderate and high-risk areas are protected by ITNs/LLINs.

Previous studies among the general population in Myanmar or among selected migrant groups such as the rubber plantation workers have shown the poor utilization of ITN/LLINs.


In conventional agriculture there is a general tendency to control production conditions in order to maximize animals' yield. By contrast, organic agriculture is based on natural processes and closed cycles, which implies equilibrium rather than control and a less intensive land use. Organic production should be tied to the land, with farms preferably being mixed and self-sufficient (Haiger et al., 1988; Baars, 1990a Baars, , 1998 Van Veluw, 1994; Alrøe et al., 1998; Nauta et al., 1999) . It is hypothesized that animals from conventional breeding programmes are not optimal for use in organic farming and that the genetic disposition of animals should be dovetailed with the organic production system .

Organic production should be tied to the land, with farms preferably being mixed and self-sufficient.


During the last decade, several new technologies have been adopted by e-learning specialists for enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and attractiveness of e-learning (Anaraki, 2004) . Nowadays, learners are often used to the web-based delivery of e-learning content and Web 2.0 affordances when communicating, working and learning together with their peers in distributed (a)synchronous settings (Ebner, 2007) . More personalized and ubiquitous learning environments have become common (Cheng, Sun, Kansen, Huang, & He, 2005) . However, recent developments of input devices (such as webcams) for interacting with such environments are still underexploited. Such devices firstly offer opportunities for more natural interactions with the e-learning applications. Second, they offer better ways for gathering affective user data, as they do not interfere with the learning like questionnaires often do. This is because of their unobtrusive and continuous nature of data gathering.

During the last decade, several new technologies have been adopted by e-learning specialists for enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and attractiveness of e-learning.

Nowadays, learners are often used to the web-based delivery of e-learning content and Web 2.0 affordances when communicating, working and learning together with their peers in distributed (a)synchronous settings.

More personalized and ubiquitous learning environments have become common.


Supersymmetry as an extension of the space-time symmetries is an interesting concept which might well be realised in nature in one form or another. Its presence has several intriguing consequences, for example, one expects a vanishing ground state energy, if supersymmetry is exact. Moreover, the particle spectrum contains mass degenerate bosons and fermions which are related by the supersymmetry. However, so far there has not been any experimental sign of such a bosonfermion degeneracy. So, if supersymmetry is indeed realised at some high energy scale, it must be broken at the low energy scales accessible in today's experiments. The scenario of (spontaneously) broken supersymmetry then implies that there is no supersymmetric ground state, the ground state energy is not vanishing, and the particle masses need not be degenerate. In this context, it is interesting to ask how the spontaneous breaking of the supersymmetry is realised. Since spontaneous symmetry breaking is an inherently non-perturbative problem one needs non-perturbative methods in order to approach it meaningfully. One such method is provided by simulating supersymmetric theories on a space-time lattice. However, since the space-time symmetries are explicitly broken by the lattice regularisation and are restored only in the continuum limit, also the supersymmetry is in general not (or not fully) realised on the lattice. As a consequence, there is a subtle and delicate interplay between the various symmetries, and their realisation in the continuum needs to be carefully studied. Here we present preliminary results of such a study for the N = 1 Wess-Zumino model in two dimensions. Using the Wilson fermion discretisation one can formulate the model in terms of fermion loops which can be simulated very efficiently using the open fermion string algorithm [1] . In addition, the fermion loop formulation provides a way to circumvent the sign problem related to the vanishing of the Witten index [2] .

Using the Wilson fermion discretisation one can formulate the model in terms of fermion loops which can be simulated very efficiently using the open fermion string algorithm.

In addition, the fermion loop formulation provides a way to circumvent the sign problem related to the vanishing of the Witten index.


There are many extensions which may be of interest for further research. The first is to examine sequential search: consumers search and observe a price quotation and then they decide whether to search more (Stahl 1989) . While when the network is empty there exists a unique equilibrium where consumers surely search for one price quotation, it is easy to show that as soon as consumers can exchange some information a low search intensity equilibrium arises for sufficiently high search costs. The study of how market competition varies with network degree is an open question. A second extension would be to endogenize the quality of information sharing. It is natural to think that the quality of each link and therefore how information flow from one consumer to the other depends on the time the two parties are willing to invest on. In this new settings one could investigate the strategic nature between network investment and private search investment and the implications on market functioning. Third, it is interesting to generalize the model to an oligopoly. Clearly, the magnitude of the two effects we have mentioned above will depend on the number of firms present in the market. While in the current paper the focus is on the effect of an increase in network connectivity on market competitiveness, a natural question would be to ask what happens when the market becomes less concentrated. Finally, one could investigate the role consumers networks play in shaping the incentive of firms to generate information, for example advertising. When firms must decide their advertising strategy they face the following trade-off. On the one hand advertising increases the demand of a firm, on the other hand it increases firms' competition and therefore it reduces prices. These two effects will likely depend on the architectural properties of consumers networks.

The first is to examine sequential search: consumers search and observe a price quotation and then they decide whether to search more.


The spatial variability is dependent on distance from a central location assumed in this study as a measurement station. The low variability for GHI at 7 Â 7 matrix indicates that if a measurement of the solar radiation component was to be taken at a location in Kenya, it would most likely represent other locations within an area of 1,225 km 2 and consequently this would reduce the cost of measurement. Most importantly, all locations that indicate COV space below 3% which is considered a nominal uncertainty for high quality measurement should be expected to yield similar results and it can therefore be assumed that measurement at one such location can represent others within the given area where this low variability is recorded [25] .

Most importantly, all locations that indicate COV space below 3% which is considered a nominal uncertainty for high quality measurement should be expected to yield similar results and it can therefore be assumed that measurement at one such location can represent others within the given area where this low variability is recorded.


Kenya, a study area here, is a developing country with a fast growing economy at a current GDP annual growth rate of 5.7%. Additionally, according to the recent census of 2009, the population of Kenya which currently stands at approximately 45 million people is also growing at an estimated rate of 3% per annum. Less than 50% of this population has access to electricity with only 5% of the rural population being electrified [5] . It is therefore apparent that, the electricity sector in Kenya is facing a sharp increase in its demand, a factor which is accelerated by current development strategies in place e.g., the vision 2030 economic blue print of 2012, which comes with huge industrial projects and consequently, heavy energy obligations [6] .

Less than 50% of this population has access to electricity with only 5% of the rural population being electrified.

It is therefore apparent that, the electricity sector in Kenya is facing a sharp increase in its demand, a factor which is accelerated by current development strategies in place e.g., the vision 2030 economic blue print of 2012, which comes with huge industrial projects and consequently, heavy energy obligations.


Firstly, the temperature coefficients of resistance (TCR1 and TCR2) of the tungsten hot-wires were extracted between 30 °C and 300 °C, using a probe station fitted with a hot-chuck (TCR1=2.05e , where RH is the hot-wire resistance at a temperature T, RH0 is the hot-wire resistance at ambient temperature (T0), and ∆T=T-T0. The hot-wire average temperature as a function of the hot-wire power dissipation is plotted in Fig. 3 . The electro-thermal conversion efficiency was found to be 45 µW/°C. In Fig.  4 the diode forward bias voltage as a function of the temperature is presented for three different driving currents (Id=1 µA, 10 µA, 100 µA), resulting in a sensitivity of -1.8 mV/°C, -1.6 mV/°C and -1.3 mV/°C. Such nearly-linear high temperature operation capabilities of our diodes is not surprising given some other reports in literature [9] . Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 also show high reproducibility of the electro-thermal performance from different chips across a wafer.

Such nearly-linear high temperature operation capabilities of our diodes is not surprising given some other reports in literature.


The large-scale structure of the solar wind measured in the ecliptic plane at solar minimum is, to a large extent, set by the recurring compression/rarefaction regions formed by the radial alignment of fast and slow solar wind. The compression regions are called stream interaction regions (SIRs) when measured once in situ or corotating interaction regions (CIRs) when measured over consecutive solar rotations (Jian et al., 2006) . It should be noted that interaction regions can also form ahead of fast CMEs that compress the interplanetary medium, occasionally generating a sheath/shock system.

The compression regions are called stream interaction regions (SIRs) when measured once in situ or corotating interaction regions (CIRs) when measured over consecutive solar rotations.


The aim of the present paper is to provide a complete derivation of the recursive relation for 1-point conformal blocks on a torus conjectured by Poghossian [1] . Our method is based on the algebraic properties of the 3-point conformal blocks and the analytic structure of the inverse of the Gram matrices in Verma modules [15] . It parallels to large extend Zamolodchikov's original derivation for the 4-point blocks [12] [13] [14] . We set our notation in Section 2 and present the derivation in Section 3.

The aim of the present paper is to provide a complete derivation of the recursive relation for 1-point conformal blocks on a torus conjectured by Poghossian.

Our method is based on the algebraic properties of the 3-point conformal blocks and the analytic structure of the inverse of the Gram matrices in Verma modules.

It parallels to large extend Zamolodchikov's original derivation for the 4-point blocks.


Currently, most estimation algorithms use top-of-canopy (TOC) reflectance data to invert the canopy RT model. The pre-processing of the data from at-sensor level to TOC level, which includes atmospheric correction, and, eventually, corrections for topographic, adjacency, and directional effects, is a complex process and is subject to limitations. Indeed the corrections for each individual effect are usually applied independently and sequentially, which creates error propagation issues, and does not reflect the physical interactions between these effects [4] . Moreover, the main pre-processing step, the atmospheric correction, relies on the inversion of an atmospheric RT model, which creates a number of limitations. In practice, it is necessary to make assumptions about topographic, adjacency, and directional effects, and to interpolate between the entries of a precomputed look-up table [5] .

Indeed the corrections for each individual effect are usually applied independently and sequentially, which creates error propagation issues, and does not reflect the physical interactions between these effects.

In practice, it is necessary to make assumptions about topographic, adjacency, and directional effects, and to interpolate between the entries of a precomputed look-up table.


Communication is a dynamic process, and it is an ongoing activity that has no beginning or end (Samovar, Porter, McDaniel, & Roy, 2015) . Nowadays, communication and education are two non-separable concepts. The main reason of that originates from that the unique way of fulfilling the objectives of education is to establish the connection (Deryakulu, 1992) . That the adult learners differ from children has been accompanied by that the learning needs of this segment and the communication to be established with them in learning environment were different, and it also provided the literature with the concept "andragogy" that differs from classic pedagogic approach and contains a perspective differing in terms of philosophic foundations.

Communication is a dynamic process, and it is an ongoing activity that has no beginning or end.

The main reason of that originates from that the unique way of fulfilling the objectives of education is to establish the connection.


Gender is about to live the emotions. In our study, it has been observed that both of empathetic tendency and emotional expression levels of women are more positive than men. Researches have shown that there are differences between the genders in terms of limiting the emotions, and that men limit their emotions more than women (King & Emmons, 1990; Polce-Lynch, Myers, Kilmartin, Forsmann-Falck, & Kliewer 1998) . Women are more successful in self-expression, establishing communication, and recognizing various stimulators, and this fact shows itself from the babyhood. Girls start to speak earlier than boys. Moreover, it has been shown in researches that girls learn how to read and write in school earlier than boys, and girls are more successful in learning foreign language. Moreover, in a study on empathy, the photographs showing different moods such as happiness, sadness, loathing, and being scared have been shown to women and men, and the subjects have been asked to state the emotion that has been represented in photo. While every subject has accurately identify the expressions in photos, it has been observed in functional magnetic resonance imaging that limbic regions of men, which is the emotion center of the brain, were not active while identifying the emotion, and that the women have felt a little sadness and their limbic regions were active while stating that the expression in photo is sadness, therefore they could establish direct empathy with the person in photo (Karaismailoglu, 2015) . Emotional expressions may be a function of the gender roles that are culturally expected.

Gender is about to live the emotions.

Researches have shown that there are differences between the genders in terms of limiting the emotions, and that men limit their emotions more than women.

Girls start to speak earlier than boys.

While every subject has accurately identify the expressions in photos, it has been observed in functional magnetic resonance imaging that limbic regions of men, which is the emotion center of the brain, were not active while identifying the emotion, and that the women have felt a little sadness and their limbic regions were active while stating that the expression in photo is sadness, therefore they could establish direct empathy with the person in photo.


Starch gelatinization and retrogradation are important physicochemical properties of rice materials which affect the quality of milled rice and value-added applications of rice flour (Juliano, 1990) . Retrogradation, in which gelatinized starch tends to reassociate to form ordered molecular structure, results in the "staling" of cooked rice and starch gels (Perez et al., 1993) . Rice cooking times appeared to be directly related to starch gelatinization temperatures (Juliano and Perez, 1981) . The results reported herein demonstrated significant effects of some important postharvest operations, including pre-drying, drying, and storage treatments, on gelatinization and retrogradation properties of rice flours. Therefore, postharvest handling conditions should be carefully considered to achieve desirable functional properties of rice materials.

Starch gelatinization and retrogradation are important physicochemical properties of rice materials which affect the quality of milled rice and value-added applications of rice flour.

Retrogradation, in which gelatinized starch tends to reassociate to form ordered molecular structure, results in the "staling" of cooked rice and starch gels.

Rice cooking times appeared to be directly related to starch gelatinization temperatures.


In appropriate lighting, the patient and clinician can each be clearly discerned as whole persons who, within the limits of their different capacities, are able to co-provide care of mutual benefit [33] . At least in the context of continuing clinician-patient relationships, such as which characterize primary care, the model of person-centred care maximizes the range of illumination in which the clinician and patient can see themselves and each other as socially interacting individuals in the population. By exposing de-emphasized areas of lightened shadow, without over brightening and losing detail in the parts already visible, person-centred care can capture an expanded range of information and thereby optimize health care delivery. Although this conclusion may appear deceptively simple, it has only recently become salient through the inability of other models of the clinicianpatient relationship to satisfy clinician and patient interests in giving and receiving care of mutual benefit.

In appropriate lighting, the patient and clinician can each be clearly discerned as whole persons who, within the limits of their different capacities, are able to co-provide care of mutual benefit.


A number of experiments were conducted to verify the results obtained for the fracture angles using the MTS and GMTS criteria. The experiments were performed on the sandwich Brazilian disk. In the first stage, some experiments were carried out to study the influence of cement mixing method upon the test results. Cement vacuum mixing is utilized as a widely acceptable technique to make the cement homogenous, to decrease porosity, and to increase the cement strength. This method can improve the cement properties by extracting the MMA vapor resulting from polymerization in PMMA combination step, evacuating the cement from air and averting bubble formation inside the sample. However, the effect of vacuum mixing on the adhesion between the bone cement and the prosthesis is not clear. When two materials are brought in contact, the proper adhesion between them is very important and it is necessary to use appropriate ways to attain the highest bond strength. Therefore, the quality of the interface is significantly influenced by the properties of the adhesive and the substrate (Baldan, 2012) . As a result, the fracture tests were first performed on the sandwich Brazilian disk specimens, its adhesive prepared by several mixing methods in order to find the suitable option for the subsequent experiments. The most appropriate method to mix the cement regarding the strength investigation at the cement-prosthesis interface is the one which provides a complete connection between the cement and the prosthesis so that the crack, under loading, kinks and enters the cement. Consequently, such a connection endures a higher fracture load.

Therefore, the quality of the interface is significantly influenced by the properties of the adhesive and the substrate.


To gain a sense of the importance of this position modulation, the spatial modulation of a HOT trap can be compared to the expected particle variance within a fixed optical trap. The equipartition method (½k B T = ½κ<x 2 >) predicts a trapped particle variance of 6.4 nm 2 for a typical trap stiffness of κ = 100pN/µm. The largest modulationinduced variance of trap position observed here is smaller than this value, though only by ~3×. Thus, as found in our earlier studies, trap modulation will be seen to underlie Brownian motion [7] . We should mention that these two forms of modulation are not strictly coupled: particle variance in an optical trap depends on the shape and power of the focused laser, while modulation by the SLM results from beam steering. Thus, the values presented here for position modulation of the traps should be considered as angular modulation by the SLM, with distances dependent on the specific optical train. Further investigation is warranted into how trap locations and number of traps affects the temporal modulation of HOTs, though these preliminary studies indicate that the problem is complex.

Thus, as found in our earlier studies, trap modulation will be seen to underlie Brownian motion.


Figure 2(a) shows nine consecutive images of the single trap at (-14.3µm, 0), the zero-order spot, and a ghost trap at (-28.6µm, 0). The time between frames is 0.4 ms (frame rate 2500 Hz), so the 9 images cover ~1 cycle in the 300 Hz modulation. The integrated intensities from these (shown between the arrows) and other images are plotted in a513_1.pdf OMB3.pdf Fig. 2(b) . Here it can be seen that when the intensity of the trap decreases, the intensities of the zero-order spot and the ghost trap increase; light is transferred from the desired laser spot to the zero-order and ghost trap. In Fig. 2(c) , the integrated intensity of the (-14.3µm, 0) spot is shown for all three trap configurations. The modulation with respect to the average intensity is ~12% for all configurations. As expected, the average intensity of the trap decreases as the number of traps is increased (for a fixed input laser power). It is unclear why the obtained intensity modulations are higher than estimated earlier for our setup by a different method (2%) [4] . We are currently investigating the validity of our assumption that integrated pixel intensity scales with laser spot intensity.

It is unclear why the obtained intensity modulations are higher than estimated earlier for our setup by a different method (2%).


The HoloEye 1080P SLM, as used in our setup, is controlled as an external monitor with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The addressing sequence has different settings: the so-called 22:6 setting, with an addressing frequency of 120 Hz and in which all 256 phase levels are available, and the faster 300 Hz 5:5 setting, in which only 192 phase levels can be used [5] . With faster addressing, the LCs have less time to relax and the modulations are therefore smaller [4] .

The addressing sequence has different settings: the so-called 22:6 setting, with an addressing frequency of 120 Hz and in which all 256 phase levels are available, and the faster 300 Hz 5:5 setting, in which only 192 phase levels can be used.

With faster addressing, the LCs have less time to relax and the modulations are therefore smaller.


The forecasting of meteorological phenomena is a complex task. The mathematical, statistical, and dynamic methods developed in recent decades help address the problem, but there is still a need to investigate new techniques to improve the results. One of these techniques is statistical downscaling, which involves the reduction of the model's spatial scale. Downscaling techniques can be divided into two broad categories: dynamic and statistical. Dynamic techniques focus on numerical models with more detailed resolution, while statistical (or empirical) techniques use transfer functions between scales. Currently, numerical weather prediction (NWP) models can forecast various meteorological variables with acceptable accuracy (Ramírez et al., 2006) .

Currently, numerical weather prediction (NWP) models can forecast various meteorological variables with acceptable accuracy.


The aim of this paper is to develop a novel framework for control-oriented modelling and analysis of DEAs using data-driven system identification methods. The developed framework is based on the nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input (NARX) model [22, 23] . The NARX model provides a number of advantages related to control: it tends to produce simple, compact, and accurate models, naturally incorporating a description of plant nonlinearities [24] . In addition, it is a linear-in-the-parameters model suited to the time-varying estimation of DEA dynamics.

The developed framework is based on the nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input (NARX) model.

The NARX model provides a number of advantages related to control: it tends to produce simple, compact, and accurate models, naturally incorporating a description of plant nonlinearities.


A potential future use of the methodology is in guiding fabrication of film-type DEAs. For instance, fabrication parameters of the film-type DEA such as polymer diameter could be included in the NARX model [47] . These fabrication parameters could then be optimised to achieve a desired frequency response for a control application using the NARX model and GFRF analysis. Model-based guiding of the manufacture of film-type DEAs would be a novel approach to fabrication, closely integrating desired dynamic performance characteristics with the manufacturing process.

For instance, fabrication parameters of the film-type DEA such as polymer diameter could be included in the NARX model.