Numerous analytical and experimental studies have revealed the dramatic capacity increase enabled by exploiting the multipath spatial structure with multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) wireless communications and have demonstrated the impact of the antenna radiation characteristics on the resulting performance [1] . However, specific work on the synthesis of antennas for MIMO systems has been largely limited to the common rule-of-thumb that radiation pattern orthogonality generally leads to good performance [2] , [3] . While this is a useful notion, what is lacking is a generalization of this concept which can specify optimal antenna radiation characteristics given basic information about the propagation environment.

Numerous analytical and experimental studies have revealed the dramatic capacity increase enabled by exploiting the multipath spatial structure with multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) wireless communications and have demonstrated the impact of the antenna radiation characteristics on the resulting performance.

However, specific work on the synthesis of antennas for MIMO systems has been largely limited to the common rule-of-thumb that radiation pattern orthogonality generally leads to good performance.


Lastly, genetic drift is often cited as a possible cause for the loss of male traits. Some support for this hypothesis comes from the observation that losses of conspicuous plumage coloration in birds occur frequently in small populations on islands [73] . Drift in small populations may be responsible for loss of the male trait directly, or indirectly, through genetic drift effects on the direction of female choice as well, possibly causing a loss or change in the female preference that favors the loss of the male trait [10, 74] . Such a role for genetic drift in the loss of the sailfin and/or the weakening of preference for sailfin males by females of P. latipunctata is plausible. The position of P. latipunctata within the sailfin molly lineage as sister to the freshwater species P. petenensis from the Yucatán peninsula region of Mexico is strongly supported in both MP and ML trees (Figure 2 ; [15] ). One potential biogeographic scenario for this strong sister relationship between two such geographically distant taxa is one of a historically continuous distribution of "freshwater" sailfin mollies when ocean levels of the Gulf of Mexico were higher [75] . Populations of P. latipunctata may have become isolated inland (and restricted to the Río Tamesí drainage) when ocean levels retreated. Such a bottleneck effect would explain why male body size at maturity is so narrow and dorsal fin ray number is nearly fixed at 11 dorsal fin rays for males from the spring population used in this study. An examination of neutral genetic variation in this population is needed to test the hypothesis of a bottleneck effect promoting the loss of the sailfin and/or female preference for the sailfin male phenotype.

Some support for this hypothesis comes from the observation that losses of conspicuous plumage coloration in birds occur frequently in small populations on islands.

Drift in small populations may be responsible for loss of the male trait directly, or indirectly, through genetic drift effects on the direction of female choice as well, possibly causing a loss or change in the female preference that favors the loss of the male trait.

The position of P. latipunctata within the sailfin molly lineage as sister to the freshwater species P. petenensis from the Yucatán peninsula region of Mexico is strongly supported in both MP and ML trees (Figure 2 ;).

One potential biogeographic scenario for this strong sister relationship between two such geographically distant taxa is one of a historically continuous distribution of "freshwater" sailfin mollies when ocean levels of the Gulf of Mexico were higher.


To be able to give an insight about the choice of crossover operators, we analyze fitness landscape properties. The most common motivation for fitness landscape analysis is to get a better understanding of algorithm performance on a certain problem [19] . However, we approach the problem from the opposite point fo view, where we investigate fitness landscape in order to reach conclusion about the choice of the appropriate operator and, in consequence, the performance of the algorithm as a whole.

The most common motivation for fitness landscape analysis is to get a better understanding of algorithm performance on a certain problem.


Financial market microstructure has been a subject of many theoretical and empirical analyses. It is supported by the development of information systems that utilizes big-data bases and designs tools for its analysis. Such technological advances are accompanied by development of models and analytical methods for ultra-high frequency data. It is considered as the most important achievements of financial econometrics and contemporary finance (Engle, 2000) .

It is considered as the most important achievements of financial econometrics and contemporary finance.


The most important issues that create market microstructure are access to information possessed by market participants. That is why three types of investors are typically defined: the informed investors, the market makers and the noise traders (Doman, 2011) . While observing thick-by-thick time series data, one can detect the changes in the structure of the market during a certain time period and evaluate the quality of the market. The market quality is defined in terms of liquidity. Liquidity refers to the ability to quickly trade high volumes at low cost. Other possible attributes of liquidity can be considered, such as the frequency with which an asset is traded, the resiliency of a market which makes trades less able to execute at inappropriate prices, transaction costs, sensitivity of prices to information and price volatility. The last issue has a significant impact on market values.

That is why three types of investors are typically defined: the informed investors, the market makers and the noise traders.


Australian food rescue charities redistributed a total of 18 thousand tonnes of food in 2008-2009 that would have otherwise gone to landfill to disadvantaged recipients (Table 1) . Though each charity operates in its own unique manner some operation, generalisations are possible. The main industry sectors to donate food waste are the service (hospitality and events) and the manufacturing sectors. Charities receive the donated foodstuffs, transform the food into meals or food parcels and then supply these directly or through a secondary charity/Non-Government /religious organisation. The recipients of this rescued food are people who are food insecure, and usually live in poverty [37] . Many of these charities also accept monetary donations, however, in this paper we only consider the physical food given to these charities. We understand that there is a large gap between the foodstuffs rescued and the demand for them, with the random/chaotic nature of food donations (as well as the perishability of donated food) leading to potential over and under supply scenarios on a daily basis [37] . Additionally, if consumed exclusively, the types of food rescued are not consistent with an overall healthy diet [45] . Thus, we recognise that donated money can be crucial in purchasing staple foodstuffs so that the charities can provide a secure and nutritious food supply. However, when considering charity as a waste disposal methodology this is-at present-additional information.

The recipients of this rescued food are people who are food insecure, and usually live in poverty.

We understand that there is a large gap between the foodstuffs rescued and the demand for them, with the random/chaotic nature of food donations (as well as the perishability of donated food) leading to potential over and under supply scenarios on a daily basis.

Additionally, if consumed exclusively, the types of food rescued are not consistent with an overall healthy diet.


In the United States, insufficient participation in leisure time physical activity constitutes a major threat to public health. Recent estimates suggest that 25% of Americans do not engage in any physical activity at all [1] . Even those engaging in physical activity are usually not doing so at recommended levels. In order to promote and maintain health, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity five days a week or a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity three days a week [2] . Despite these widely disseminated guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that Americans have made "no substantial progress towards achieving recommended levels of physical activity" with the proportion of 18-29 year olds meeting guidelines hovering around 35% and the proportion of adults 65 and older meeting guidelines at about 20% [1] .

Recent estimates suggest that 25% of Americans do not engage in any physical activity at all.

In order to promote and maintain health, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity five days a week or a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity three days a week.

Despite these widely disseminated guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that Americans have made "no substantial progress towards achieving recommended levels of physical activity" with the proportion of 18-29 year olds meeting guidelines hovering around 35% and the proportion of adults 65 and older meeting guidelines at about 20%.


The strategy is inspired by the recent results on rough conservation laws [5] . Indeed, there is an analogy between (1.2) and the kinetic formulation of conservation laws where the so-called kinetic measure appears. As for (1.2), this measure is unknown and becomes part of the solution which brings significant difficulties, especially in the proof of uniqueness. The latter is then based on a tensorization-type argument, also known as doubling of variables, and subsequent estimation of the difference of two solutions.

The strategy is inspired by the recent results on rough conservation laws.


Great Onyx Cave has been commercialized since the 1920s, although tours did not usually go beyond 450 m into Edwards Avenue, and seldom into Cox Avenue. There is widespread human impact evident in the development of a trail along both passages extended by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s after the depression [22] . Since becoming part of Mammoth Cave National Park in 1961, lantern tours were restricted to the Onyx Colonnade formation area in the first 70 m of the main cave, and even those rare tours have now ceased. The cave is currently visited occasionally by NPS personnel, explorers, and researchers.

There is widespread human impact evident in the development of a trail along both passages extended by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s after the depression.


Futurebuilders was a particular model of social investment, tied closely to wider government objectives around public service delivery. There are other models which include regulation (for example the Community Reinvestment Act in the US), a simpler institutional approach to establish a new bank (such as Big Society Capital in the UK), specialisation at a particular spatial scale, specialisation by sector, or through smaller scale initiatives (such as community development finance institutions). In this respect Futurebuilders was emblematic of New Labour in its interest in social investment and the third sector, but more importantly in its attempts to join up complex policy agendas (Clark 2002) .

In this respect Futurebuilders was emblematic of New Labour in its interest in social investment and the third sector, but more importantly in its attempts to join up complex policy agendas.


The SAT community has been able to come up with successful SAT solvers for industrial applications. However, nowadays we can hardly explain why these solvers are so efficient working on industrial SAT instances with hundreds of thousands of variables and not on random instances with hundreds of variables. The common wisdom is that the success of modern SAT/CSP solvers is correlated to their ability to exploit the hidden structure of real-world instances [27] . Unfortunately, there is no precise definition of the notion of structure.

The common wisdom is that the success of modern SAT/CSP solvers is correlated to their ability to exploit the hidden structure of real-world instances.


Within this study, the amelioration effects of adding rice husk biochar to two problematic soils from Kelantan, namely sandy spodosols and acid sulfate soils over two cropping season was investigated in greenhouse pot trials. The rice husk biochar was applied just once and residual effects resulting from the application were evaluated in a second cropping cycle. Rice husk biochars were produced locally in two manners: (i) in a rice mill using a cyclone gasifier and a gasification process (the above mentioned waste product) and (ii) in a controlled manner using an upscaled Belonio device [21] . Corn (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa) were selected as test crops as they are currently grown under sandy spodosols and acid sulfate soils but often have a low average yield. The working hypothesis was that these biochars could increase crop yields in these soils by favorable changes in soil physico-chemical properties, specifically water stress relief in the sandy soil and acid stress relief in the acid sulfate soil. This study extends knowledge related to the use of biochar as a soil amendment to Malaysian soils by considering two biochars applied at two rates to two problematic soils planted with two types of crop over two cropping seasons. The study is among the first to probe the possible use of gasifier rice husk biochar in Malaysia, a readily and cheaply available biomass waste material from rice mills that promotes positive waste management strategies.

Rice husk biochars were produced locally in two manners: (i) in a rice mill using a cyclone gasifier and a gasification process (the above mentioned waste product) and (ii) in a controlled manner using an upscaled Belonio device.


Biochar is produced by pyrolyzing biomass, ideally from organic waste products which have no further commercial purpose, into stable biochars. This process removes carbon from the short term carbon cycle [1] . In Asia, rice husks are a waste material of abundant quantity that could provide a biomass source for the production of biochar. Indeed, in 2011, an estimated 592,477 tons of rice husk and 32,000 tons of rice husk biochar were generated from rice milling operations in Malaysia [2] . In large rice processing mills in Malaysia, fresh rice husks generated as a byproduct of the process are utilized as fuel. They are gasified using cyclone furnaces to generate heat for the rice drying process and the rice husk biochar produced (at a recovery rate of approximately 30%) is predominantly considered as a waste byproduct. Rice drying is a batch process and is carried out over a period of three months per year during each paddy harvest period. Rice husk biochar has been used in agricultural practices since the beginning of rice cultivation in Asia several thousands of years ago. In the state of Kedah (in the northern area of Peninsular Malaysia), rice husk biochars produced by rice mills are utilized as a seedling bed for the rice transplanting technique practiced in that state. In Kedah farmers are able to acquire the rice husk biochar free of charge. However, in other areas of Malaysia such as Kelantan (on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia), rice husk biochar is considered a problematic waste material and mill owners pay approximately 1 USD to dispose of 3.38 tons of the material due to ineffective utilization. A small proportion of farmers in Kelantan have recently started utilizing rice husk biochar as a potting media for vegetables under fertigation systems, replacing commonly used cocoa peats.

This process removes carbon from the short term carbon cycle.

Indeed, in 2011, an estimated 592,477 tons of rice husk and 32,000 tons of rice husk biochar were generated from rice milling operations in Malaysia.


SoundTorch has been developed in a university project on applied research. We currently are in talks with several companies about commercial uses. The system as presented in the demo has evolved further from its state reported before [6] . In particular, the icons on the 2D plane formerly only acted as level indicators by flashing. In the version presented here, we generate complex animated shapes that can convey more information and are aesthetically much more pleasing.

The system as presented in the demo has evolved further from its state reported before.


Current anti-spam measures in place in mobile operator networks include anti-spoofing and faking measures which can successfully identify SMS messages that have been manipulated to forge the originating details in order to avoid charges. With the rise in non spoofed or faked SMS spam messages the need for more sophisticated filtering techniques is increasing. Simple filtering methods use traffic analysis to identify high volumes of messages from individual subscribers 3 . A worrying dynamic is that spammers are using low volumes and advanced methods to avoid detection (GSMA, 2011b) . They typically send small quantities of spam messages to observe how the operator's SMS infrastructure responds and then determine the volume limits policies. These directions indicate that content-based filtering is necessary to counteract the increasing threat of SMS spam.

A worrying dynamic is that spammers are using low volumes and advanced methods to avoid detection.


Past research has shown that combinational logic is much less susceptible to soft errors than memory elements [8, 19] . Three phenomena provide combinational logic a form of natural resistance to soft errors: 1) logical masking, 2) electrical masking, and 3) latching-window masking. We develop models for electrical masking and latching-window masking to determine how these are affected by device scaling and superpipelining. Then based on a composite model we estimate the effects of these technology trends on the soft error rate (SER) of combinational logic. Finally using an overall chip area model we compare the SER/chip of combinational logic with the expected trends in SER of memory elements.

Past research has shown that combinational logic is much less susceptible to soft errors than memory elements.


For this, the hosts are mapped to some range using a hash function. Also the data elements are mapped to the very same range using an appropriate hash function. Now in every view (relevant sub-set of hosts) a data element is stored on a host, if this host's image in the hash range minimizes the distance to the image of the data element. If a sufficient number of copies of the hosts are mapped to the range, one can show that this leads to a fair balance of data elements [14, 6] . Now, if a new host is added to this system, then only data elements need to be reassigned which will be stored on the new host. This feature is called consistency.

If a sufficient number of copies of the hosts are mapped to the range, one can show that this leads to a fair balance of data elements.

This feature is called consistency.


A dialect is a variation of the standard language, used in limited regions and different in mainly pronunciation, and sometimes vocabulary and grammar. Dialects can be acquired without training and play a role in informal communication, while the standard language is the instruction medium at schools. Speaking with a local dialect accent may signal lower language ability, limited education and lack of experience communicating with people from other regions. Moreover, a similar speech pattern can signal cultural affinity. People are more likely to trust those who speak the same dialect and conduct trade (Falck et al. 2012) . All this implies that speaking the major languages results in an advantage in economic activities. Although in dialect-speaking areas dialect can be viewed as a separate skill, the return to dialects is somewhat limited in other areas in the country. Therefore, it is of interest to explore how dialect speech patterns affect labor market performance and whether it is premium or penalty in the labor market.

People are more likely to trust those who speak the same dialect and conduct trade.


For this purpose, the approach we follow here is a one which sees the privatisation of a state-owned enterprise within the broader framework of the "policy reform" theory (Drèze and Stern, 1990) . Mainly known in its "tax reform" version, this approach allows for a normative analysis of policy regimes changes in a second best framework in the presence of small deviations from the status quo (Dixit, 1975) . Whether or not the cases under examination can be considered a "small reform" with reference to the ex ante and ex post market values can be assessed from the price and expenditure values reported on the top of table 1. In any case, a policy reform approach maintains its validity also in the case of large reforms because it only entails the knowledge of the characteristics of the economic system in the neighbourhood of the starting point (which should be known by definition).

For this purpose, the approach we follow here is a one which sees the privatisation of a state-owned enterprise within the broader framework of the "policy reform" theory.

Mainly known in its "tax reform" version, this approach allows for a normative analysis of policy regimes changes in a second best framework in the presence of small deviations from the status quo.


While self-assessment (SA) and other alternative forms of assessment are not much practiced in real academic and learning environments, they have been widely researched and consensually emphasized by many language teachers and scholars (Ross, 1998) . The huge bulk of research in the field has indicated that SA is crucially effective and significant in developing the various language skills and learning strategies and raising the awareness and motivation necessary for language learning (Birjandi & Hadidi, 2010) . Therefore, SA specifically seems apt to be included in any language learning syllabus as a part of formative/dynamic assessment.

While self-assessment (SA) and other alternative forms of assessment are not much practiced in real academic and learning environments, they have been widely researched and consensually emphasized by many language teachers and scholars.

The huge bulk of research in the field has indicated that SA is crucially effective and significant in developing the various language skills and learning strategies and raising the awareness and motivation necessary for language learning.


Despite the fact that the main goal of Diagnostic language testing is "to help test-takers better understand their own linguistic strengths and weaknesses so as to aid language learning" (Harding, Alderson, & Brufaut, 2015, p. 324) , few truly diagnostic language tests have been developed so far, perhaps the best example being the DIALANG Project (Alderson, 2005) . Moreover, most of these Diagnostic tests deal with reading, writing, and listening, especially through the use of computers and internet. Such summative approach these diagnostic language tests have applied does not provide teachers and learners with adequate constant assessment of the learners' weaknesses and strengths and may not be of much help for pedagogical purposes. Rather, a dynamic means of assessment seems more advantageous in language learning and teaching environments for diagnostic purposes.

Despite the fact that the main goal of Diagnostic language testing is "to help test-takers better understand their own linguistic strengths and weaknesses so as to aid language learning" (Harding, Alderson, & Brufaut, 2015, p. 324) , few truly diagnostic language tests have been developed so far, perhaps the best example being the DIALANG Project.


Much classroom writing assessment is restricted to the teachers' feedback given to the topical essays the learners are assigned to write by themselves. Little guidance and goal-orienting mediation (based on diagnosis) have been provided to the learners who are in dire need of writing skills especially in an academic setting. On the other hand, the modern humanistic and collaborative approach to education in general is concerned with the question of how students can develop a more active and responsible role in their own learning and assessment (Dewey, 2012; Dyke, 2006) . In spite of the trend to find alternative forms of assessment to increase the validity and reliability of assessments, as well as to increase formative and dynamic aspects of learning, self-and peer-assessment have not been much practiced by students and teachers at any level (Taras, 2002) . In Iran, for instance, both students and teachers seem to have little previous experience of such forms of alternatives in assessment in the language classrooms, as assessment has traditionally been the teachers' sole prerogative and obligation.

On the other hand, the modern humanistic and collaborative approach to education in general is concerned with the question of how students can develop a more active and responsible role in their own learning and assessment.

In spite of the trend to find alternative forms of assessment to increase the validity and reliability of assessments, as well as to increase formative and dynamic aspects of learning, self-and peer-assessment have not been much practiced by students and teachers at any level.


In this paper, we reinterpret weak solutions as Borel probability measures on an appropriate path space. This approach was inspired by the probabilistic interpretation of solutions of the continuity equation described in Chapter 8 of the monograph by Ambrosio, Gigli and Savaré [1] . The main insight we have for these solutions is that the average variation of trajectories is uniformly bounded. This bound implies that weak solutions are compact in a certain sense. We then employ this compactness and an extra entropy estimate available in one spatial dimension to verify the existence of a weak solution that satisfies a particular total variation estimate.

This approach was inspired by the probabilistic interpretation of solutions of the continuity equation described in Chapter 8 of the monograph by Ambrosio, Gigli and Savaré.


Both of these equations hold in R d × (0, ∞). The SPS was first considered in 1970 by Zel'dovich in a model for the expansion of matter without pressure [17] . While this theory stimulated a lot of interest in the astronomy community, there is still much to be understood about solutions of the SPS.

The SPS was first considered in 1970 by Zel'dovich in a model for the expansion of matter without pressure.


As can be seen from Fig. 2a , there is good agreement between the idler pulse energy measurements by a pyroelectric detector (Newport 818 J-09B) and the values derived from average power measurements with a power meter. The maximum idler output energy at *2.8 lm reached 110 lJ which corresponds to idler conversion efficiency of 12.4 % and quantum conversion efficiency of 32.5 % (Fig. 2b) . The latter closely follows the conversion efficiency measured by power meter through pump depletion, though at higher pump levels, additional nonlinear losses could be present [2] .

The latter closely follows the conversion efficiency measured by power meter through pump depletion, though at higher pump levels, additional nonlinear losses could be present.


Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) consist of a resonant cavity which is in general, necessary for low peak pump powers, normally associated with pulses of duration from few nanoseconds to continuous-wave in which case many round trips of the resonated wave (signal or idler, or both) ensure sufficiently high parametric gain to reach the threshold [1] . With the development of periodically poled materials which provide substantially higher effective nonlinearities and thus require lower pump powers, shorter pulse durations and cavity lengths can be used. In general, the signal and idler pulse durations obtained are shorter than that of the pump, due to the temporal gain narrowing effect. Thus, using a 9-mm long periodically poled KTiOPO 4 (PPKTP) crystal in an OPO cavity with only few round trips pumped by 2.3-ns pulses at 1,064 nm resulted in *1-ns-long signal pulses [2] .

Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) consist of a resonant cavity which is in general, necessary for low peak pump powers, normally associated with pulses of duration from few nanoseconds to continuous-wave in which case many round trips of the resonated wave (signal or idler, or both) ensure sufficiently high parametric gain to reach the threshold.

Thus, using a 9-mm long periodically poled KTiOPO 4 (PPKTP) crystal in an OPO cavity with only few round trips pumped by 2.3-ns pulses at 1,064 nm resulted in *1-ns-long signal pulses.


Frequency, as we all know, is an important parameter in power system monitoring, control, and protection [1] [2] [3] . In power systems, typical applications of frequency estimation are for protection against loss of synchronism, underfrequency relaying, power-quality monitoring, and power system stabilization [4] [5] [6] . However, fluctuation of fundamental frequency has become a curse to the safe operation of power system which deteriorates the accuracy of frequency estimation. Thus, accurate frequency estimation of distorted and noisy signals in industrial power systems is a challenge that has attracted much attention.

Frequency, as we all know, is an important parameter in power system monitoring, control, and protection.

In power systems, typical applications of frequency estimation are for protection against loss of synchronism, underfrequency relaying, power-quality monitoring, and power system stabilization.


Recently, various frequency estimation algorithms have been proposed in the literature, which can be classified as time-domain (parametric) and frequency-domain (nonparametric) methods [7] [8] [9] [10] . Time-domain methods, including iterative method, Kalman filtering, and neural network, are model-based and have very good selectivity and statistical efficiency [11, 12] . However, time-domain methods employ computationally intensive algorithms and require very good model agreement with a real multicomponent signal.

Recently, various frequency estimation algorithms have been proposed in the literature, which can be classified as time-domain (parametric) and frequency-domain (nonparametric) methods.

Time-domain methods, including iterative method, Kalman filtering, and neural network, are model-based and have very good selectivity and statistical efficiency.


The mechanisms of pressure response were found in gaseous and dense CO 2 releases from a pipeline, as shown in Fig. 11 . This process involved detailed consideration of several competing and often interacting factors including heat and mass transfer, unsteady fluid flow and thermodynamics [27] . respectively. The process of pressure drop and rebound was accompanied by the occurrence of gas-liquid two-phase flow. The gas-liquid two-phase transformed into the gas phase for gaseous CO 2 depressurization process and the gas-liquid homogeneous phase for dense CO 2 releases respectively when the pressure rebound disappeared inside the pipe. The short duration time of pressure undershoot and rebound required the pressure sensors and the thermocouples with a higher frequency response and a higher accuracy for more reliable experimental results. The pressure sensors with a high-response frequency of 100 kHz could measure the pressure responses, but the thermocouples with a low-response time of 100 ms didn't captured the instantaneous temperature change. Therefore, the instantaneous phase transitions at the beginning of the releases couldn't reflect on the pressure-temperature development plotted on the CO 2 phase diagram. However, the high-response thermocouples with a very thin probe were expensive and easily damaged as result of the strict experimental conditions. In spite of this, the low-response thermocouples didn't affect the analysis of the temperature development and the phase change in the whole process of CO 2 release.

This process involved detailed consideration of several competing and often interacting factors including heat and mass transfer, unsteady fluid flow and thermodynamics. respectively.


The leakage in a CO 2 pipeline could escalate to a propagating fracture if the force acting on the defect overcomes the fracture toughness of the wall material. The fracture may be either in the ductile or brittle regime depending on the nature of the rupture. The rupture or puncture of a CO 2 pipeline results in a series of expansion waves which propagate into the disturbed fluid [16] . The accurate prediction of pressure response and phase transition following pipeline rupture are extremely important since this information dictates all the major consequences associated with such failure including fracture propagation and CO 2 dispersion.

The rupture or puncture of a CO 2 pipeline results in a series of expansion waves which propagate into the disturbed fluid.


In recent decades, DC distribution has received increased attention for many applications because it is considered advantageous and superior to AC distribution in some cases, such as interfacing between renewable energy sources and DC loads, lower line losses, and so on [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . There are two types of DC distribution systems: unipolar distribution and bipolar distribution. This paper focuses on the bipolar system due to its prominent advantages. The bipolar DC system can provide different voltage levels to loads, which allows connecting high-and low-power devices at a suited voltage level. In addition, this concept reduces the voltage level with respect to ground, which makes the distribution system safer for users [6] . To construct a bipolar DC distribution system with these many advantages, there is a need for additional power conversion devices that can be connected to an already existing AC grid.

In recent decades, DC distribution has received increased attention for many applications because it is considered advantageous and superior to AC distribution in some cases, such as interfacing between renewable energy sources and DC loads, lower line losses, and so on.

In addition, this concept reduces the voltage level with respect to ground, which makes the distribution system safer for users.


The basis of change is dynamism. Making changes in an educational organization requires a dynamic educational system which depends on the dynamic behavior of its participants. When reforming an educational system, differences with educational systems of different countries should be considered (Shirazi, 1994) . Acquaintance with ethnic characteristics and cultural as well as ethical differences in educational environments can lead to the adoption of appropriate models of change management, resulting in organizational improvement. Such acquaintance leads to the normalization of models in the educational environment, such as nursing and midwifery schools, and creates favorable conditions for education and learning. Finally, in order to choose the appropriate model of change management in an organization, it is necessary to explain the current situation of change, as planning for change requires attention to the current situation, and its beliefs and ethics.

The basis of change is dynamism.

When reforming an educational system, differences with educational systems of different countries should be considered.


Twenty five years ago, the new concept of organizational change was introduced to the literature of the management discipline. This new concept denoted the gradual improvement of the activities of an organization by rapid or slow change. Developing the function of an organization depends on improving the function of its staff. In any organization, change is always accompanied by rapid and extensive transformation of three aspects, namely human resources, organizational workspace, and equipment as the facilities of the organisation (Kordrostami & Aghakhani, 2006) .

In any organization, change is always accompanied by rapid and extensive transformation of three aspects, namely human resources, organizational workspace, and equipment as the facilities of the organisation.


Everybody understands the importance of positive change and everyone understands it because it's true. Successful organizations are those which incorporate change and reform in their organizational framework. Organizations are based on need satisfaction and as the needs of humans are continuously changing or moving to a new need, the requisite for change management is seen more than ever. Today, the concepts of organizational development, reform and improvement are the most important subjects for human societies, especially in developing countries, and they are inherently managerial rather than economic and political (Kordrostami & Aghakhani, 2006) . However, in order to adopt the appropriate strategy and model of change for an organization, it is necessary to understand its structure and components. For this purpose, the concept of change management was developed to apply the necessary organizational changes to different phases of the process, following the identification of effective factors in change. This reveals the necessity of having sufficient knowledge and information for managers to utilize it at work. Based on the findings of this study, we recommend conducting special studies in educational organizations for establishing change management and presenting managers with administrative solutions in order to assess and acquaint their organizations and, according to their authority, implement the appropriate change model while taking into account the effective factors mentioned in this study.

Today, the concepts of organizational development, reform and improvement are the most important subjects for human societies, especially in developing countries, and they are inherently managerial rather than economic and political.


Finally, the results of the self-report measure confirm our predictions: There is a negative relationship between anticipatory anhedonia and the reported motivation to obtain a reward. These results are in line with previous self-report studies (Chentsova-Dutton & Hanley, 2010) . Taken together, the results of the present study contribute to the depression literature: firstly, they provide additional evidence of a deficit in wanting through cardiovascular, behavioral, and self-report measures; secondly, they show that this deficit is specifically related to anhedonic symptoms of depression.

These results are in line with previous self-report studies.


With regard to the symptom of anhedonia, it is important to acknowledge a potential limitation concerning the generalizability of the present results to the spectrum of depressive disorders. The TEPS we have used in the present study mainly assesses trait aspects of anhedonia. Therefore, it is conceivable that this measures does not perfectly map on the episodic nature of depression (Thomsen et al., 2015) .

Therefore, it is conceivable that this measures does not perfectly map on the episodic nature of depression.


The physiological profiles of elite hockey teams reveal the importance of aerobic endurance, anaerobic power and endurance, muscular strength and skating speed. Although field hockey is played on a similar sized course with the same number of players and for a similar Table 2 . correlations between the indexes of anaerobic capacity and the special physical fitness tests on ice HUMAN MOVEMENT duration, it is physiologically closer to soccer and does not allow for cross-sectional comparison. While game play is similarly intermittent in field hockey, players must perform continuously for 70 minutes with just one 5-10 minute interval. This places a high demand on the aerobic system and good aerobic endurance is required to support repetitive bouts of high intensity exercise [11] .

This places a high demand on the aerobic system and good aerobic endurance is required to support repetitive bouts of high intensity exercise.


For small Reynolds numbers corresponding to small void diameters, the collapse is in a viscous regime. For high Reynolds numbers and larger voids, the collapse is in the hydrodynamic regime (Khasainov et al. 1981; Tran & Udaykumar 2006) . In this study, we focus on the hydrodynamic processes that occur as an array of voids interact during the collapse. We note that the experiments are designed to examine a model problem in a gelatinous material and do not reproduce the material properties of explosives.

For high Reynolds numbers and larger voids, the collapse is in the hydrodynamic regime.


There is an extensive literature examining the collapse of voids or bubbles under shock loading which, for energetic materials, is applicable in performance (highimpact velocity) applications. In this work, we instead examine a slower loading wave with a ramped profile, typical of an accidental (low-impact velocity) scenario in which a stress wave is induced in the device casing. The length scales of the loading wave profile are comparable with the void and inter-void length scales, potentially resulting in a strongly coupled interaction. Note that the relative importance of void collapse in hotspot formation depends on the type of explosive. In crystalline primary explosives, lower impact loading can increase the relative importance of mechanisms such as crystalline fracture and shear-banding. In secondary explosives such as PETN, void collapse plays a more substantial role. The inclusion of bubbles in liquid, gelatinous or plastic explosives render it sensitive to the 'gentlest' impact (Bowden & Yoffe 1952) . Stress wave loading of voids also occurs in numerous other applications from hydraulic to biomedical. In shock-wave lithotripsy, for example, the interaction between shearing and cavitation can cause substantial damage to surrounding tissue material (Bailey et al. 2003) .

The inclusion of bubbles in liquid, gelatinous or plastic explosives render it sensitive to the 'gentlest' impact.

In shock-wave lithotripsy, for example, the interaction between shearing and cavitation can cause substantial damage to surrounding tissue material.


The formation of regions of localized energy release, or hotspots, is critical to detonation initiation in energetic materials. Hotspots can result in local ignition kernels at conditions in which bulk chemical energy release is insufficient for initiation. Hotspots may be formed due to the interaction of the loading wave with micro-scale and molecular-scale material heterogeneities through processes such as debonding, micro-cracking and shear-banding (Bowden & Yoffe 1952) . One mechanism by which hotspots can be created is the collapse of voids. If the chemical and mechanical energy release can couple and overcome dissipation, a detonation is initiated (Tarver, Chidester & Nichols 1996) . Understanding the dominant mechanisms of hotspot formation is critical for determining ignition performance, as well as establishing safe handling procedures.

Hotspots may be formed due to the interaction of the loading wave with micro-scale and molecular-scale material heterogeneities through processes such as debonding, micro-cracking and shear-banding.

If the chemical and mechanical energy release can couple and overcome dissipation, a detonation is initiated.


Thermoelectric (TE) coolers have encountered widespread use in the temperature stabilization of optoelectronic components (lasers, switches, detectors, etc.) in high speed and wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) fiber optic communication systems. This is even more so in dense WDM systems where the spacing between adjacent wavelengths can be from 0.8nm (100GHz) to as small as 0.2nm (25GHz) [1] . Since typical InGaAsP-based DFB lasers operating around 1.55 µm have a wavelength drift of approximately 0.1 nm/°C, the temperature must be controlled to less than a degree of variance to prevent excessive loss in multiplexers / demultiplexers or crosstalk interference. While TE coolers have successfully met this requirement, they have added greatly to the total cost of components since they are not easily integrated with devices [2] .

This is even more so in dense WDM systems where the spacing between adjacent wavelengths can be from 0.8nm (100GHz) to as small as 0.2nm (25GHz).

While TE coolers have successfully met this requirement, they have added greatly to the total cost of components since they are not easily integrated with devices.


In discussing the discriminant and convergent validities, as already mentioned, the GFI, NFI and AGFI values are satisfactorily over the recommended values of 0.90 and 0.80, respectively. As the existing literature recommends, the chi-square value is normally expected to be statistically insignificant (Gefen, Straub, and Boudreau 2000; Hair et al. 2006; Straub, Gefen, and Boudreau 2004) . However, there exists an exception for larger sample sizes. The sample size of 350 for this study is considerably large, and with the other fit statistics showing good values, the significant chisquare is considered perfectly acceptable for this study (Hooper, Coughlan, and Mullen 2008) . In addition, the item loadings are above 0.5, with the majority being over 0.7. Also, all t-values have been reported to be acceptably significant (two-tailed at 0.001). The Average Variance Estimates (AVE) and Composite Reliability (CR) values for all latent variables have also been calculated (Table 6) , which are well above 0.7, as required (Fornell and Larcker 1981; Hair et al. 2010) .

As the existing literature recommends, the chi-square value is normally expected to be statistically insignificant.

The sample size of 350 for this study is considerably large, and with the other fit statistics showing good values, the significant chisquare is considered perfectly acceptable for this study.

The Average Variance Estimates (AVE) and Composite Reliability (CR) values for all latent variables have also been calculated (Table 6) , which are well above 0.7, as required.


The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a self-configuring network in which everyday objects are interconnected to the Internet [1] [2] . IoT deploys sensors in infrastructures (e.g., rooms and buildings) to get a heightened awareness of real-time events. It also employs sensors capturing contextual information about objects (e.g., user preferences) to achieve an enhanced situational awareness [3] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] . Readings from a large number of sensors for various objects are enormous, but only a few of them are useful for a specific user. Thus, IoT customizes services to users according to their preferences or behaviors that are acquired by sensors.

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a self-configuring network in which everyday objects are interconnected to the Internet.

It also employs sensors capturing contextual information about objects (e.g., user preferences) to achieve an enhanced situational awareness.


Given the lack of previous literature on this topic, qualitative research methods were used to produce an in-depth understanding of topics. Three semi-structured focus groups were conducted in Oregon to investigate how young adults with mental health conditions use the internet for information and support regarding their mental health. Focus groups were chosen as the method of data collection because they allow participants to share their experiences with others, which in turn has the potential to trigger thoughts and ideas from others. The use of focus groups has been found to be an effective way in studying under-researched phenomena (Kruger & Casey, 2008) , .

The use of focus groups has been found to be an effective way in studying under-researched phenomena.


This study showed that in this sample of women attending a public maternity hospital, more women were likely to seek GWG information than be offered GWG guidelines by health professionals. The small numbers (9.5 %) provided with GWG guidelines and with evidence based guidelines (5.2 %) was lower than figures reported in similar studies [16] . For example, a recent study of practitioner provision of healthy GWG advice to 310 Canadian women reported that 28.5 % of women were counselled correctly by their health care providers about GWG [16] . While it must be acknowledged that reported provision of GWG guidelines from health professionals was unavailable, the small numbers of women recalling guidelines in the present study is concerning given evidence suggesting that provision of guidelines increases the likelihood of women setting a concordant GWG goal and gaining weight consistent with the guidelines [14] . The low rate of guideline provision reported in this study may be at least partly attributable to the cross sectional study design. Surveying women at various time points across pregnancy may have produced different results given that information requirements may potentially change over the course of pregnancy. Moreover, health professionals often raise issues when a problem is noted [26] . Conversely, the average gestation of women completing the study was 20.8 weeks and women would likely have attended a minimum of two health professional visits, one with their general practitioner in the community and one at the antenatal clinic, and most likely more. That the majority of women, more than half way through their gestation, have not recalled receiving GWG guidelines raises concern and signals opportunities for earlier discussion of GWG.

The small numbers (9.5 %) provided with GWG guidelines and with evidence based guidelines (5.2 %) was lower than figures reported in similar studies.

For example, a recent study of practitioner provision of healthy GWG advice to 310 Canadian women reported that 28.5 % of women were counselled correctly by their health care providers about GWG.

While it must be acknowledged that reported provision of GWG guidelines from health professionals was unavailable, the small numbers of women recalling guidelines in the present study is concerning given evidence suggesting that provision of guidelines increases the likelihood of women setting a concordant GWG goal and gaining weight consistent with the guidelines.

Moreover, health professionals often raise issues when a problem is noted.


Finally, we would like to mention some of the limitations of this research. First, we base our research on survey data, which means that we are working with perceptions of respondents but not on measurable outputs or their real decisions. Accordingly, what people say is not necessarily something they do; their answers might be subjective and contain perception bias. Still, personal opinions are welcomed and interesting simply because people are the best judges of their own interests and their views are often more relevant than opinions of some high experts, planning authorities and even some statistical indicators (Efendic and Pugh 2015) . Bearing in mind this is a cross-section survey, the time dimension and potential timing effects in the model remains to be explored. The model specification was built on a theory including some country-specific determinants, but always some new determinants might be relevant to explore, including other methodologies. In particular, it might be interesting to explore potential endogeneity caused by the simultaneity of some networking effects, which we cannot address at this time.

Still, personal opinions are welcomed and interesting simply because people are the best judges of their own interests and their views are often more relevant than opinions of some high experts, planning authorities and even some statistical indicators.


At present, our system is only capable of generating single sentence explanations. However, many of the provenance graphs we might wish to communicate with a user are considerably larger than can be reasonably transformed into a single sentence. Consequently, we are now investigating the possibility of generating longer, multi-sentential explanations from larger PROV graphs, as well as from PROV graph summaries [15] . We are exploring the potential role of various narrative theories to the application of structuring these longer texts, with a goal of generating more engaging texts than can be achieved with more conventional, graph-metric-based approaches.

Consequently, we are now investigating the possibility of generating longer, multi-sentential explanations from larger PROV graphs, as well as from PROV graph summaries.


Furthermore, our findings show that automated linguistic feedback can be powerful in more than raising awareness of one's own language use -it can also cause people to alter their communication patterns. Our work follows a line of research that shows how automated dynamic feedback in teamwork situations can affect social interactions [3, 12, 21, 22, 26] . GroupMeter adds to this work by influencing teamwork behavior through detailed feedback about word choice and production in computer-mediated settings.

Our work follows a line of research that shows how automated dynamic feedback in teamwork situations can affect social interactions.


Meanwhile, several PPP projects involving natural-hazard insurance have also been implemented in low-income regions. Micro-insurance, for instance, has become an increasingly popular hazard-insurance mechanism in the poorest parts of India. Micro-insurance aims to provide low-income people with protection against specific hazards, such as earthquakes or drought, in exchange for a premium payment that is acceptable to the policy holders, i.e., is low enough that the schemes must rely on the support of government or NGOs. For this reason, micro-insurance has reached more than 10% penetration in lowincome parts of India, as compared to the average of just 1 percent for low-income regions worldwide (Clarke, Grenham 2013) .

For this reason, micro-insurance has reached more than 10% penetration in lowincome parts of India, as compared to the average of just 1 percent for low-income regions worldwide.


Distance relay malfunction has raised concerns about blackouts in power systems. Distance relays make decisions based on entering of impedance trajectory in protected zones. When a fault occurs in a protected line, the impedance trajectory enters in distance relay zones and the relay operates. However, this impedance penetration may also occur during power swing condition. During a power swing the voltage and current fluctuate simultaneously, causing fluctuation in the measured apparent impedance at the distance relay, which may enter the relay tripping zones. This condition causes relay malfunction and may lead to consecutive events (cascading outages) and even a blackout eventually [1] [2] [3] .

This condition causes relay malfunction and may lead to consecutive events (cascading outages) and even a blackout eventually.


Nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, has shown superior results to docetaxel as second-line chemotherapy in advanced squamous and nonsquamous NSCLC. Moreover, the expression of PD-L1 is thought to be a predictive biomarker for its efficacy [10] [11] [12] . Previous studies showed that PD-L1 is strongly expressed in PPC with a TPS of 69.2-90.2% [13, 14] . Moreover, in PPC, PD-L1 expression is significantly higher in localized sarcomatous areas than in the corresponding carcinomatous ones [14] . The PPC in the present case likewise showed high PD-L1 expression, with a TPS of 50%.

Moreover, the expression of PD-L1 is thought to be a predictive biomarker for its efficacy.

Previous studies showed that PD-L1 is strongly expressed in PPC with a TPS of 69.2-90.2%.

Moreover, in PPC, PD-L1 expression is significantly higher in localized sarcomatous areas than in the corresponding carcinomatous ones.


Low back pain (LBP) is one of harmful consequences of exposing to whole body vibration in long term [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . Seat suspension plays an important role in removing undesirable vibration especially in low speed off-road vehicles without chassis suspension such as tractors and construction machines. Well-designed seat suspension can reduce transmitted vibration, and this issue leads to decreasing risk of LBP.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of harmful consequences of exposing to whole body vibration in long term.


Product development has become a source of competitive advantage for many industries in recent years [1] . In order to bring the new product to the market as early as possible, it is essential to schedule product development project efficiently with the constraints of time, resources, and cost. Because of the uniqueness of new product development project and the influence of uncertainty, the precise prediction of activity duration is difficult. Thus the activity duration is always estimated by experts' experiences and is usually imprecise. In resource constrained project scheduling problems (RCPSP), time parameters are considered to be deterministic. Thus traditional approaches for RCPSP cannot accommodate product development project in uncertain environment.

Product development has become a source of competitive advantage for many industries in recent years.


It is currently recognized that the measurement and control of physical, chemical and biological parameters in natural environments is of major importance for ecosystems protection. In this context, salinity and temperature measurements in coastal and estuarine environments are required as part of a process directed to the health assessment of their bio-diversity. In particular, the level of salinity is relevant, not only because of its intrinsic influence in the development of some grass-wrack, but also as an indicator of water conductivity. This last parameter allows the prosecution of studies in tidal dynamics by the measurements of induced currents generated by a huge mass of water in motion (Dias et al. 2000) .

This last parameter allows the prosecution of studies in tidal dynamics by the measurements of induced currents generated by a huge mass of water in motion.


A limited number of studies have been performed on predicting RTS correction time series because IGS RTS was only recently launched. Hadas and Bosy applied a polynomial model to predict RTS corrections for short time periods [9] . M. Kim and J. Kim applied an ARMA neural network model to predict the IGS02 orbit and clock corrections for 1800 s [2] .

Hadas and Bosy applied a polynomial model to predict RTS corrections for short time periods.

M. Kim and J. Kim applied an ARMA neural network model to predict the IGS02 orbit and clock corrections for 1800 s.


The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is now widely used for user positioning. GNSS error components such as satellite orbit/clock errors and ionospheric delay directly affect positioning accuracy. In order to correct the GNSS orbit and clock errors in real-time, the international GNSS service (IGS) provides real-time service (RTS) corrections via the Internet. IGS RTS has been provided since April 2013, and it contains orbit and clock corrections that can be applied to the broadcast ephemeris [1] . These corrections are transmitted to users via a networked transport of RTCM via Internet protocol (NTRIP), and users can download them via the NTRIP client. Since the IGS RTS provides realtime corrections via the Internet, intermittent data loss can occur from unintentional interruptions in the RTS correction transfer caused by software or hardware failures. In this case, predicted corrections can serve as an alternative solution for continuous positioning.

IGS RTS has been provided since April 2013, and it contains orbit and clock corrections that can be applied to the broadcast ephemeris.


In this work, a sensor that uses SWNTs to detect the degradation of edible oils was fabricated. As stated above, the oxidation of edible oils generates organic compounds such as aldehydes, alcohols, hydrocarbons, and carboxylic acids. These oxidation materials are absorbed by the SWNT and change the conductivity of the SWNT channels via charge-transfer mechanism [3] . The SWNT oilcondition sensor was fabricated using the spray deposition method. Among the edible oils, soybean oil was chosen for the experiment because it is the most widely used edible oil. The changes in the conductivity of the sensor were measured at room temperature and compared with the acid value of the oxidized oil samples. The acid value is the amount of carboxylic acids found in edible oil, which indicates the degree of oxidation in the edible oil.

These oxidation materials are absorbed by the SWNT and change the conductivity of the SWNT channels via charge-transfer mechanism.


Carbon Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely studied since they were first discovered by Iijima in 1991 [1] . Because of their outstanding electrical properties such as high current densities, high electrical conductivity, and high sensitivity, they are certain to be spotlighted in future nanotechnology. Among their other attributes, single wall NTs (SWNTs) possess good sensitivity at room temperature, which offers great prospects in many future sensing applications [2] [3] [4] [5] .

Carbon Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely studied since they were first discovered by Iijima in 1991.

Among their other attributes, single wall NTs (SWNTs) possess good sensitivity at room temperature, which offers great prospects in many future sensing applications.


However, this condition is not true in the case of the TAGs. We can therefore conclude that the secondary oxidation products contain materials that withdraw electrons from the SWNT channel, and this process causes a decrease in the response of the sensor. The secondary oxidation products of the oils are mainly polar compounds that have functional groups, such as acids (-COOH), ketones (-C=O), alcohols (-OH), and aldehydes (-CHO). The SWNTs used in this study were acid treated (85% pure); therefore, they also have functional groups [14] . The interaction of these functional groups causes charge transfer between the SWNTs and the organic chemicals. Among these chemicals, oleic acid (a carboxylic acid) was tested to confirm the decrease in the response of the sensor. The SWNT sensor was immersed in 25 mL of virgin oil, and oleic acid was added. To disperse oleic acid in virgin oil, the solution was stirred. Figure 6 shows the effect of oleic acid on the resistance of the sensor in virgin oil. When 100 L of oleic acid was added, the response of the sensor decreased slightly (point a in Figure 6 ). The result shows the electron-withdrawing effect of oleic acid. However, the response of the sensor increased again (point b in Figure 6 ) because the TAGs may have interrupted the reaction of the functional group of oleic acid and the channel. Another 100 L of oleic acid was added; the response of the sensor decreased as predicted. However, the response time was slightly longer, which may be because the TAGs and oleic acid already occupied the contact sites of the channel, resulting in the extension of the reaction time of the second response. This result shows the TAGs' strong electron-donating characteristics and the acid group's electron-withdrawing effect.

The SWNTs used in this study were acid treated (85% pure); therefore, they also have functional groups.


The rationale for this treatment is that methylene blue (MB) is neurolytic. Intradermal MB injection has shown by electron microscopy to be able to destroy dermal nerve endings [19] . By injecting methylene blue into the nucleus pulposus, it spreads into radial fissures where it can destroy the nerve endings or nociceptors that have grown into the painful disc. The authors and commentating author concluded that this treatment was promising but that it is imperative that more high-quality studies are performed to determine whether the results of this study can be reproduced.

Intradermal MB injection has shown by electron microscopy to be able to destroy dermal nerve endings.


The southern regions of the Baltic Sea catchment area carry the highest population density of the Baltic states ( Fig. 1) , and 50% of this population lives in Poland (Niemirycz et al. 1996) . Sixty to seventy percent of the farmland in the catchment area is located in Germany, Denmark and Poland. Sweden, Finland and Russia have much smaller amounts of farmland in the catchment area -about 10% (Fig. 2) . Because of this a large amount of the contaminated water, predominantly contaminated by biogenic substances, which flows into the Baltic Sea comes from its southern shores (Helcom 2004 (Helcom , 2010  Fig. 1,  2 ).

The southern regions of the Baltic Sea catchment area carry the highest population density of the Baltic states ( Fig. 1) , and 50% of this population lives in Poland.


Circular nets in S 2 may be considered as a discretization of the Gauss map for a discrete surface [14] [19] . Identifying S 2 with CP 1 , the cross-ratio of four circular points [q 1 , q 2 , q 3 , q 4 ] ∈ R. Thus, circular nets in S 2 are solutions of the "cross ratio system," a set of partial difference equations given by determining the cross-ratio for each face of the map on Z 2 . Given three points {q 1 , q 2 , q 3 } ∈ CP 1 , a complex number λ determines a unique fourth point q 4 so that the four points have cross-ratio given by λ. This cross-ratio system extends naturally to complex values and general discrete nets in S 2 . Thus in S 2 , the complex cross-ratio defines a master system of which circular nets are special solutions.

Circular nets in S 2 may be considered as a discretization of the Gauss map for a discrete surface.


Just as Euclidean geometry is a subgeometry of Möbius geometry, Riemannian geometry is generalized by conformal (Möbius) differential geometry [15] . Möbius geometry is a subgeometry of projective geometry so that, in conformal differential geometry, parameterizations are coordinate maps from a surface into projective space. Isothermal coordinates, parameterizations compatible with the conformal structure of a surface, are employed as a natural construction. Curvature-line coordinates, described typically in terms of the Riemannian principal curvatures end up being conformally invariant. Thus, in conformal differential geometry it is natural to study isothermic surfaces: surfaces parameterized by curvature line coordinates compatible with the conformal structure of the surface.

Just as Euclidean geometry is a subgeometry of Möbius geometry, Riemannian geometry is generalized by conformal (Möbius) differential geometry.


This study has negative findings regarding IPV and life stability. While the odds of experiencing IPV decreased significantly for the HIV/IPV intervention group, the same pattern was observed for the control group. There are several possible explanations for the lack of an intervention effect. First, the ME intervention was designed to address concerns within the control of its participants, and much of the conversation between participant and interventionist involves bringing the participant's attention to her own actions and decisions. With regard to IPV, there are aspects of prevention an individual exposed to this particular risk can control-such as safety planning-but she ultimately may not be able to control the aggression itself. Proximal indicators of self-protection against partner violence such as the developing of safety plans, strengthening of ties with supportive others, or cultivation of financial resources outside the partner relationship were beyond the scope of this report. Although such intermediate outcomes are not partner violence, they are related to partner violence and may be responsive to an MI-based intervention approach (Wahab 2005) .

Although such intermediate outcomes are not partner violence, they are related to partner violence and may be responsive to an MI-based intervention approach.


In macaque retina, S-OFF midget cells in the central retina form a private-line pathway but in the periphery the midget cell dendritic tree enlarges and thus draws converging input from L, M, and S cone connecting midget bipolar cells (Jusuf et al., 2006; Tsukamoto and Omi, 2015) (Fig. 11B) . Consistent with this picture, we found the midget S-cone signal was variable in strength but invariant in phase: the OFF sign of S-cone sensitivity across OFF-center midget cells is consistent with an S cone contribution to OFF midget ganglion cells via midget bipolar inputs to the excitatory receptive-field center. The spatial extent of S-cone input also supports this interpretation, as the cutoff frequency of spatial tuning curves for S-cone gratings closely matches that of tuning curves to L+M gratings in peripheral OFF midgets. This suggests that in the near periphery where midget dendritic fields receive convergent input from multiple midget bipolar cells, L, M, and S cones all contribute to S-OFF midget ganglion cell receptive field center (Field et al., 2010) .

In macaque retina, S-OFF midget cells in the central retina form a private-line pathway but in the periphery the midget cell dendritic tree enlarges and thus draws converging input from L, M, and S cone connecting midget bipolar cells(Fig. 11B).

This suggests that in the near periphery where midget dendritic fields receive convergent input from multiple midget bipolar cells, L, M, and S cones all contribute to S-OFF midget ganglion cell receptive field center.


The current data communication infrastructure for electric power grid was developed several decades ago when the industry was heavily regulated. It has been well recognized in recent years that the data communication infrastructure is in urgent need of transformation to modern computer networking and distributed computing technologies. First, with the recent deregulation, many independent parties could enter the utility industry by offering alternative channels for electric power generation, distribution and trade. This demands timely, reliable and secure information exchange among these parties [3] . Second, the current data communication infrastructure lacks the support for largescale real-time coordination among different electric power grid health monitoring and control systems, which could have prevented the 2003 massive blackout incident in North America [2] . Third, the use of modern networking technology could also revolutionize the everyday electric power grid operations, as shown by the huge benefits of substation automation and the use of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) for electric power grid health monitoring [11] .

This demands timely, reliable and secure information exchange among these parties.

Second, the current data communication infrastructure lacks the support for largescale real-time coordination among different electric power grid health monitoring and control systems, which could have prevented the 2003 massive blackout incident in North America.

Third, the use of modern networking technology could also revolutionize the everyday electric power grid operations, as shown by the huge benefits of substation automation and the use of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) for electric power grid health monitoring.


Pre-eclampsia (PE) is the most common life-threatening hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, define as a systemic syndrome characterized by hypertension, proteinuria and edema after 20 weeks of gestation [1] [2] [3] . Pathophysiology of PE is still unclear and it becomes apparent at the late stages of pregnancy, usually in the third trimester [1, 4] . It is the leading global cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and approximately 50,000 to 60,000 women die each year out of which 9% of maternal deaths in Asia [1, 5] . Pre-eclampsia is characterized by malignant hypertension and epileptiform convulsions requiring emergency caesarian section [4] . Mild preeclampsia occurs in approximately 15% of pregnancies, moderate to severe preeclampsia in around 8% and severe preeclampsia in about 1% to 2% [2] . High incidence of pre-eclampsia was shown in Pakistani studies [4, 6] .

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is the most common life-threatening hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, define as a systemic syndrome characterized by hypertension, proteinuria and edema after 20 weeks of gestation.

Pathophysiology of PE is still unclear and it becomes apparent at the late stages of pregnancy, usually in the third trimester.

It is the leading global cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and approximately 50,000 to 60,000 women die each year out of which 9% of maternal deaths in Asia.

Pre-eclampsia is characterized by malignant hypertension and epileptiform convulsions requiring emergency caesarian section.

Mild preeclampsia occurs in approximately 15% of pregnancies, moderate to severe preeclampsia in around 8% and severe preeclampsia in about 1% to 2%.

High incidence of pre-eclampsia was shown in Pakistani studies.


To be considerate RM for food microbiology exams, the number of organisms present must be distributed homogeneously over the units of the batch and must remain stable over a determinate period of time [2] . A great variety of techniques and matrix supports have been used to produce homogenous and stable microbiological RM. Spray-dried is a common technique used to prepare large batch of contaminated milk powder capsules [6, 7] . The freeze-drying by lyophilization has also been used in the production of RM in the field of food microbiology [8] [9] [10] [11] . The main challenge in RM production destined to microbiological assays is the natural instability of micro-organisms, which difficult the development and maintenance of these RM [2] . The principal advantage of the lyophilized material is to allow storage for long periods with low risk of contamination. However, these methods cause damage to the microbial cells and the survival rate of many micro-organisms is low after the rehydration [12] . To circumvent these problems, some authors emphasize the importance of the use of cryo-protector, such as carbohydrates, during the processes of freezing and desiccation, with the goal of increasing the viability of bacterial cells [13] . Sucrose has been one of the most commonly carbohydrate used and presented satisfactory results in the production of food RM containing micro-organisms [11] .

To be considerate RM for food microbiology exams, the number of organisms present must be distributed homogeneously over the units of the batch and must remain stable over a determinate period of time.

Spray-dried is a common technique used to prepare large batch of contaminated milk powder capsules.

The freeze-drying by lyophilization has also been used in the production of RM in the field of food microbiology.

The main challenge in RM production destined to microbiological assays is the natural instability of micro-organisms, which difficult the development and maintenance of these RM.

However, these methods cause damage to the microbial cells and the survival rate of many micro-organisms is low after the rehydration.

To circumvent these problems, some authors emphasize the importance of the use of cryo-protector, such as carbohydrates, during the processes of freezing and desiccation, with the goal of increasing the viability of bacterial cells.

Sucrose has been one of the most commonly carbohydrate used and presented satisfactory results in the production of food RM containing micro-organisms.


Food safety and quality are two of the most important factors determining the consumer acceptance and purchase dynamics of a product. Laboratories of food microbiology are extremely important in the performance of productive sector and for the control of the sanitary-hygienic quality. Official food control laboratories are required to use validated methods wherever possible. For this reason, analytical methods must be subjected to internal and/or external validation studies [1] .

For this reason, analytical methods must be subjected to internal and/or external validation studies.


The RM can be used by food microbiology laboratories, as part of their quality assurance programmes, to achieve their quality control, method validation, staff training control and evaluation of the laboratory's performance [3] . Furthermore, they are employed in laboratory accreditation, as well as in the establishment of traceability in the framework of internationally agreed standards [1] . The formal recognition of the technical competence of assay laboratories, including food microbiology laboratories, is done by accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard [4] . The use and traceability of RM, as well as the laboratory participation in proficiency testing (PT) schemes by interlaboratory comparisons are requirements of the aforementioned standard [4] .

The RM can be used by food microbiology laboratories, as part of their quality assurance programmes, to achieve their quality control, method validation, staff training control and evaluation of the laboratory's performance.

Furthermore, they are employed in laboratory accreditation, as well as in the establishment of traceability in the framework of internationally agreed standards.

The formal recognition of the technical competence of assay laboratories, including food microbiology laboratories, is done by accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.

The use and traceability of RM, as well as the laboratory participation in proficiency testing (PT) schemes by interlaboratory comparisons are requirements of the aforementioned standard.


The scalability of these detectors to large volumes also makes them highly competitive for neutrino-less double-beta (0νβ β ) decay searches in which the final state consists of a pair of electrons with energies in the ∼1-2 MeV range. The observation of this rare decay would prove that the neutrino is a Majorana particle, which would have profound consequences to our understanding of the generation of mass and may provide a possible explanation of the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe [14] . Currently one of the best limits for the 0νβ β half-life comes from the scintillating detector KamLAND-Zen [15] .

The observation of this rare decay would prove that the neutrino is a Majorana particle, which would have profound consequences to our understanding of the generation of mass and may provide a possible explanation of the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe.

Currently one of the best limits for the 0νβ β half-life comes from the scintillating detector KamLAND-Zen.


As part of the global effort to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions from coal fired power plants, oxy fuel combustion has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional technologies. As nitrogen is eliminated from the inlet gas, and coal is burnt in a mixture of oxy gen and recirculated flue gas, the exhaust gas contains mainly CO 2 and H2O, allowing easier separation of CO2 for sequestration. The changed gas composition raises the question of fireside corrosion resistance of structural alloys in CO 2 + H 2O rich atmospheres [1 ] .

The changed gas composition raises the question of fireside corrosion resistance of structural alloys in CO 2 + H 2O rich atmospheres.


Painful menstruation, a common gynecologic problem, significantly affects the routine life of most of the affected girls. Most females experience some degree of pain and discomfort during menstrual period, which can impact on their daily activities, and disturb their productivity at home or at their workplace Discomfort of the menstrual pain affects daily as well as professional life the affected women [1] . Dysmenorrhea is one of the common problems experienced by most of the adolescent girl and it is an important issue to deal with because of the following reasons.

Most females experience some degree of pain and discomfort during menstrual period, which can impact on their daily activities, and disturb their productivity at home or at their workplace Discomfort of the menstrual pain affects daily as well as professional life the affected women.


Faces scale showed that 271(90.34%) of the girls feel unhappy during menstruation. Even after this only 4.89 (1.63%) girls ever visited physician due to any problem related to menstruation this is because of reason that menstruation, though a natural process, has often been dealt with secrecy. Hence, knowledge and information about reproductive functioning and reproductive health problems amongst the adolescent is poor [11] .

Hence, knowledge and information about reproductive functioning and reproductive health problems amongst the adolescent is poor.


Discomfort related to menstruation due to pain has a strong impact on their routine life. Backache, stomach ache, nausea, irritability, skin disorders, diarrhea, anxiety, body ache and tension were the common symptoms experienced by the adolescent girls in the study population. They avoid many routine activities e.g. going to school, playing, restriction on diet which all has a effect on their qualitative life. However activity limitation due to pain is more among the urban and rural girls as compared to slum girls. It is therefore justified to say that dysmenorrhea has an impact on quality life of adolescent girls [13] [14] [15] .

It is therefore justified to say that dysmenorrhea has an impact on quality life of adolescent girls.


In 1980, N.R.M. Rao exploited and developed the concept of conventional PWM converter, using the PWM technology to have a control over power switches and to produce stepup or step-down output voltage. The PWM control principle is to control the width of the pulse of a particular switch, switching ON by fixing the switching frequency of a power switch [1] . In the recent years, the synchronous rectifiers are playing the prominent role in reducing the conduction losses, as MOSFETs are employed for low-voltage applications [2] [3] [4] . In earlier days it was difficult to operate the converter above 1 MHz, but with the advent of resonant switching, the dominant switching frequency loss is reduced. The inclusion of passive auxiliary circuits in synchronous rectifiers for reduction of switching losses implicates tolerable voltage and current stresses on the power switches and also allays the problem of EMI in the converter.

The PWM control principle is to control the width of the pulse of a particular switch, switching ON by fixing the switching frequency of a power switch.

In the recent years, the synchronous rectifiers are playing the prominent role in reducing the conduction losses, as MOSFETs are employed for low-voltage applications.


Every EMS has some merits and demerits, while user satisfaction or user comfort is a relative term that varies from situation to situation. For instance, energy requirements regarding the offices or units that work for national interest are different than that of a personal residence. Moreover, there is a wide gap between energy and cost savings, considering laboratory results and implemented results [14] [15] [16] [17] . The reason behind this is the availability of the force start option as discussed earlier.

Moreover, there is a wide gap between energy and cost savings, considering laboratory results and implemented results.


Today, most manufactured micromechanisms are assembled either manually or with macrosized, expensive and dedicated machines. Improving the flexibility, and decreasing the costs and the operator's fatigue are quite challenging. Indeed, problems such as adhesion, size, precision, actuation and sensing (notably force and vision) are specific to microassembly [1] [2] [3] .

Indeed, problems such as adhesion, size, precision, actuation and sensing (notably force and vision) are specific to microassembly.


Flexibility gives great benefit to micromanipulation cells [16, 17] . To increase the flexibility of a micromanipulation cell and its effectiveness to work in confined spaces, a tool changer has been developed at the Laboratoire d'Automatique de Besançon (LAB). This system enables one to choose a suitable pair of tools (shape, gap between both tools and roughness) according to the properties of the manipulated objects (shape, size, material).

Flexibility gives great benefit to micromanipulation cells.


Mode Localization in weakly coupled resonators (WCRs) has been recently proposed as an ultra-sensitive technology for inertial sensing, charge and mass measurements. Unlike conventional frequency shift sensing in single resonator devices, WCRs measure amplitude ratio or eigenstate shifts that can achieve orders of magnitude higher parametric sensitivity [1] [2] [3] . Additionally, they employ common mode rejection properties that provide immunity to first-order response from ambient temperature and pressure variations [4] [5] .

Unlike conventional frequency shift sensing in single resonator devices, WCRs measure amplitude ratio or eigenstate shifts that can achieve orders of magnitude higher parametric sensitivity.

Additionally, they employ common mode rejection properties that provide immunity to first-order response from ambient temperature and pressure variations.


To date, mode localized sensors have only been characterized in the linear domain at low vibration amplitudes. Nonlinear models of mode localization are complex and their solutions are difficult to obtain analytically. Furthermore, high vibration amplitudes introduce Duffing effects that lead to amplitude-frequency (a-f) dependency where the stability of the oscillator can be affected negatively [6] . However, there are several advantages of operating the resonators at large vibration amplitudes. In a system dominated by electrical noise of the readout electronics, increased vibration amplitudes allow for an increased motional response thus resulting in high signal to noise ratio (SNR). This potentially could lead to higher resolution amplitude measurements for amplitude ratio sensing [3] .

Furthermore, high vibration amplitudes introduce Duffing effects that lead to amplitude-frequency (a-f) dependency where the stability of the oscillator can be affected negatively.

This potentially could lead to higher resolution amplitude measurements for amplitude ratio sensing.


The appearance of the spots affects strut diameter calculations with AT algorithm as explained in Fig. 8 . The figure presents in a simplified way the principle of the strut diameter calculations used in the present work. The circles denote cross-sections of spheres inscribed inside struts [21] . It is evident that the spots appearing in the strut interior reduce their outer dimensions. The former and the latter case reflect respectively in Fig. 7c, b . It is comprehensible now why the strut diameter distributions given in Fig. 6 differ between the Otsu and AT approaches. The pores have also a serious impact on two other quantities characterizing foams, i.e. on the object surface and the specific surface area. This is clearly visible for the Al-X foams ( Table 2 ). Of course, the internal microstructure of struts does not have any influence on the pore dimensions.

The circles denote cross-sections of spheres inscribed inside struts.


The FACTS devices such as Static VAR Compensator (SVC), Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC), Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC), Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM), Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) and Interlink Power Flow Controller (IPFC) are available in the literature for power flow control in transmission systems [9] . The IPFC is a new and advanced FACTS device aimed at simultaneously controlling the power flow in multiline systems in a substation [10] . IPFC employs Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) as basic building block [11] [12] . Generally, it composes of two VSIs and these are able to transfer real power to any other line and thereby facilitate real power transfer among the lines, together with independently controllable reactive series compensation of each individual line [13] .

The FACTS devices such as Static VAR Compensator (SVC), Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC), Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC), Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM), Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) and Interlink Power Flow Controller (IPFC) are available in the literature for power flow control in transmission systems.

The IPFC is a new and advanced FACTS device aimed at simultaneously controlling the power flow in multiline systems in a substation.

IPFC employs Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) as basic building block.

Generally, it composes of two VSIs and these are able to transfer real power to any other line and thereby facilitate real power transfer among the lines, together with independently controllable reactive series compensation of each individual line.


An external representation is something that stands for, symbolizes or represents objects and/or processes. Examples in physics include words, diagrams, equations, graphs, and sketches. The positive role of multiple representations (MR) in learning and problem solving has been suggested by many [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . There is much information on how to construct different representations [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . However, there is less research on thought processes that students use while applying MRs in problem solving.

The positive role of multiple representations (MR) in learning and problem solving has been suggested by many.

There is much information on how to construct different representations.


Taking into account the increasing interest in the problem of audio segmentation, on the one hand, and the existence, on the other hand, of a rich variety of feature extraction approaches and classification methods, we organized an international evaluation of BN audio segmentation in the context of the Albayzín-2010 campaign. The Albayzín evaluation campaign is an internationally open set of evaluations organized by the Spanish Network of Speech Technologies (RTH) every 2 years. Actually, the quantitative comparison and evaluation of competing approaches is very important in nearly every research and engineering problem. The evaluation campaigns that independently compare systems from different research groups help us to determine which directions are promising and which are not [1] .

The evaluation campaigns that independently compare systems from different research groups help us to determine which directions are promising and which are not.


For future research, we will also use the autobiographical memory recall in older adults with (mild) dementia as an emotion elicitation method. The present study was conducted in the context of a larger project that aims to investigate how emotional expressions can be (automatically) recognized using facial, vocal, and gestural expressions in people with dementia. The elicitation method of autobiographical memory recall was therefore partly chosen because the autobiographical memory abilities of older adults with dementia remain relatively intact [40] . Future research will compare the vocal expressions of valence in the autobiographical memories of healthy older adults and older adults with dementia, contributing to the need for emotion recognition technology for vulnerable groups.

The elicitation method of autobiographical memory recall was therefore partly chosen because the autobiographical memory abilities of older adults with dementia remain relatively intact.


The North Western Mediterranean Basin (NWMB) is characterized by a complex topography ( Fig. 1 ). In the northern area two mountainous ranges, parallel to the coastline, affect the influence of the Mediterranean Sea on the climatology of the inland region, which is also conditioned by the presence of the Pyrenees (with peaks above 3,000 m) and the Iberian System mountains. The Ebro Valley acts as an important channel for wind flows. Balearic Islands arise around 200 km far from the continent, in the Mediterranean. As a result, high climatic contrasts occur in neighboring areas (Martín-Vide 1992) . Therefore, it is believed that climate modeling studies covering the NWMB could benefit from resolutions higher than Fig. 1 Domains defined for the WRF-ARW simulations. D01 -left-over Europe and North Africa at 30 km of horizontal resolution (100×100 cells), centered at 41°N 0°E, and D02 -right-over the NWMB at 10 km of horizontal resolution (76×76 cells), centered at 41°N 0°E. Terrain height (m asl) as represented within WRF-ARW 25 km. Increasing horizontal resolution has been proved positive, particularly in complex regions characterized by large interannual and spatial variability in precipitation amounts (Heikkilä et al. 2010; Argüeso et al. 2012a; Cardoso et al. 2012) .

As a result, high climatic contrasts occur in neighboring areas.

Increasing horizontal resolution has been proved positive, particularly in complex regions characterized by large interannual and spatial variability in precipitation amounts.


Out of 13 newly identified miRNAs, ten were from ESTs. There are several reports on miRNA identification from ESTs in various plant species [1, 33] . The source sequences of miRNAs show a link between miRNAs and their tissues, organs, developmental stages or expression to which it belongs. On that basis, it was recognized that csi-miR414f, cas-miRf10185 and cas-miR11590-akr might be expressed in root and the rests were in leaf tissues. Moreover, csi-miR1171 and csi-miR414d were found in leaf tissue under the stress of winter dormancy and pest infestation, respectively. Three miRNAs namely casmiR1122, cja-miR2910 and csi-miR2914 were identified from the full length nucleotides of RNA polymerase second largest subunit (intron 23) and 18S ribosomal subunit, respectively. Plant miRNAs are highly conserved among distantly related plant species, both in terms of primary and mature miRNAs [4] . This finding is also supported by our results, the identified miRNA was found conserved in diverse plant species from monocotyledonous to dicotyledonous plants. These results suggested that different miRNAs might have evolved at different rates not only within the same plant species, but also in different ones.

There are several reports on miRNA identification from ESTs in various plant species.

Plant miRNAs are highly conserved among distantly related plant species, both in terms of primary and mature miRNAs.


However, it is very difficult to appreciate preoperatively the precise extension of the CP, especially for the small bowel. CT scan is the most used imaging method, but in fact, it is inaccurate and its impact on the management of patients is modest [19] . Laparoscopy may supplement imaging modalities, but in our practice, it is sometimes difficult to perform (iterative surgery, adhesions) and it is not always accurate (assessment of the retroperitoneal space and the posterior segments of the liver). However, this tool should not be disregarded, and its use can be discussed as part of a multidisciplinary approach if diffuse or massive small bowel involvement is suspected preoperatively [20] .

CT scan is the most used imaging method, but in fact, it is inaccurate and its impact on the management of patients is modest.

However, this tool should not be disregarded, and its use can be discussed as part of a multidisciplinary approach if diffuse or massive small bowel involvement is suspected preoperatively.


It has been shown for a number of Al-based alloys containing minor Sc and Cu additions that a noticeable microstructural feature is the appearance of a ternary phase having a ThMn 12 -type crystal structure with lattice parameters estimated as a = 8.63 Å, c = 5.10 Å [14] . Its formation and disruption after thermal annealing is responsible for the change in mechanical properties of the alloy. At the Al-rich corner of the Al-Cu-Sc ternary phase diagram, the Al-Cu-Sc W-phase forms by the combination of the Al-Cu phase (ϑ-phase, Al 2 Cu) and the Al-Sc phase (Al 3 Sc) [15, 16] . Various compositions have been proposed for the W-phase-Al 5-8 Cu 7-4 Sc, Al 5.4-8 Cu 6.6-4 Sc, Al 8´x Cu 4+x Sc-but further studies are needed to determine the stability range of the phase, its homogeneity range and its detailed crystal structure.

It has been shown for a number of Al-based alloys containing minor Sc and Cu additions that a noticeable microstructural feature is the appearance of a ternary phase having a ThMn 12 -type crystal structure with lattice parameters estimated as a = 8.63 Å, c = 5.10 Å.

At the Al-rich corner of the Al-Cu-Sc ternary phase diagram, the Al-Cu-Sc W-phase forms by the combination of the Al-Cu phase (ϑ-phase, Al 2 Cu) and the Al-Sc phase (Al 3 Sc).


It has been shown for a number of Al-based alloys containing minor Sc and Cu additions that a noticeable microstructural feature is the appearance of a ternary phase having a ThMn12-type crystal structure with lattice parameters estimated as a = 8.63 Å, c = 5.10 Å [14] . Its formation and disruption after thermal annealing is responsible for the change in mechanical properties of the alloy. At the Al-rich corner of the Al-Cu-Sc ternary phase diagram, the Al-Cu-Sc W-phase forms by the combination of the Al-Cu phase (ϑ-phase, Al2Cu) and the Al-Sc phase (Al3Sc) [15, 16] . Various compositions have been proposed for the W-phase-Al5-8Cu7-4Sc, Al5.4-8Cu6.6-4Sc, Al8−xCu4+xSc-but further studies are needed to determine the stability range of the phase, its homogeneity range and its detailed crystal structure.

It has been shown for a number of Al-based alloys containing minor Sc and Cu additions that a noticeable microstructural feature is the appearance of a ternary phase having a ThMn12-type crystal structure with lattice parameters estimated as a = 8.63 Å, c = 5.10 Å.

At the Al-rich corner of the Al-Cu-Sc ternary phase diagram, the Al-Cu-Sc W-phase forms by the combination of the Al-Cu phase (ϑ-phase, Al2Cu) and the Al-Sc phase (Al3Sc).


Advances in micromachining technology have allowed successful fabrication of many microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The characteristic size of MEMS ranges from submillimeter to submicrometer. This provides a tool with wide applications to observe, measure, and control a new world [1] . In the small-scale world, noncontinuum, rarefied gas flow phenomena become prevalent, which may make MEMS behave quite differently from their counterparts in macroscopic machinery.

This provides a tool with wide applications to observe, measure, and control a new world.