Conversely, efforts at utilizing Nigerian coals for various applications are hampered by a lack of comprehensive scientific data on their characteristic properties [13] . The composition of coals depend on factors such as coalification process, diagenesis, depositional surroundings, and hydrological settings [14] . However, there is limited research on the physico-chemical, thermal, and kinetic fuel properties of Nigerian coals, as most reports are focused on rheological, petrological, mineralogical, and geological properties [15] [16] [17] [18] . In addition, a lack of fuel property data for newly discovered Nigerian coals such as the GMG coal significantly limits their [19] .

Conversely, efforts at utilizing Nigerian coals for various applications are hampered by a lack of comprehensive scientific data on their characteristic properties.

The composition of coals depend on factors such as coalification process, diagenesis, depositional surroundings, and hydrological settings.

However, there is limited research on the physico-chemical, thermal, and kinetic fuel properties of Nigerian coals, as most reports are focused on rheological, petrological, mineralogical, and geological properties.

In addition, a lack of fuel property data for newly discovered Nigerian coals such as the GMG coal significantly limits their.


The spatial pattern of genetic variation within populations is an important aspect of tree genetics since most of the genetic variation of forest tree species has been found to reside within than between populations (Merzeau et al. 1994) . Limited seed and pollen dispersal increases the level of inbreeding, thereby raising the probability that neighbouring individuals possess the same seed parent of the previous generation (Marquardt and Epperson 2004; Wright 1943) . Hence, local genetic structuring or ''kinship structuring'' easily results from the spatial clustering of individuals that are more closely related than would be expected under spatial random processes (Heywood 1991) . Spatial genetic structures as a result of restricted pollen and seed dispersal have been reported in a population of the endangered plant Anthericum liliago (Peterson et al. 2002) . Furthermore, landscape variables can also influence genetic structures as it is shown for different plant and animal populations (Kuss et al. 2008; Murphy et al. 2008) . Different genetic structures were found in reproductive and juvenile plants of the same populations of the perennial herb Trillium camschatcense, depending also on the fragmentation of the populations (Yamagishi et al. 2007) . In this case, the reproductive stage was more structured than the juvenile.

The spatial pattern of genetic variation within populations is an important aspect of tree genetics since most of the genetic variation of forest tree species has been found to reside within than between populations.

Limited seed and pollen dispersal increases the level of inbreeding, thereby raising the probability that neighbouring individuals possess the same seed parent of the previous generation.

Hence, local genetic structuring or ''kinship structuring'' easily results from the spatial clustering of individuals that are more closely related than would be expected under spatial random processes.

Spatial genetic structures as a result of restricted pollen and seed dispersal have been reported in a population of the endangered plant Anthericum liliago.

Furthermore, landscape variables can also influence genetic structures as it is shown for different plant and animal populations.

Different genetic structures were found in reproductive and juvenile plants of the same populations of the perennial herb Trillium camschatcense, depending also on the fragmentation of the populations.


The most surprising result of this stochastic model is that parties never diverge from each other. This contrasts from the aforementioned models of voting behavior with a valence advantage, which show that valence causes parties to take differing positions (Adams et al., 2005; Ansolabehere and Snyder, 2000; Groseclose, 2001; Schofield, 2003) . It also is surprising because some of the literature on competition in repeated elections shows incentives for divergent positions (Alesina, 12 Specifically, they are drawn from a standard Gumbel distribution. This distribution looks like a skewed normal and is chosen because the resulting probability that voter m t will vote for a party in a given election has a standard logistic distribution.

This contrasts from the aforementioned models of voting behavior with a valence advantage, which show that valence causes parties to take differing positions.


L. acidophilus also showed antifungal activity. It inhibited the growth of C. neoformans. But no inhibition was observed against A. niger. This could be because the antifungal compound produced by the L. acidophilus could be specific in inhibiting C. neoformans but not A. niger (Jacobsen et al., 1999; Magnusson and Schnürer, 2002; Kastmoglu and Akgun 2004) .

This could be because the antifungal compound produced by the L. acidophilus could be specific in inhibiting C. neoformans but not A. niger.


Although China and India are similar in that they are both undergoing rapid social and economic transitionsincluding rising incomes, increasing rural to urban migration, changing roles for women in education and employment, and shifts from traditional extended family structures to smaller nuclear family units -there are notable differences. For example, primary education is almost universal in China but India is lagging in this regard. Between 1990 and 2005 the total share of the population attaining post-secondary education in China rose from 2% (2.7% male, 1.3% female) to 6.9% (7.8% male, 6.1% female). In contrast, the population of India is poorer and less well educated [11] . By most social and economic measures, the status of daughters, girls, and women is worse in India than China [7, 11, 12] . In China, labour force participation for women aged 15-64 years is higher than the average for middle-income countries (76% compared with 63%). Although younger women in India are becoming more educated, many older women are steeped in traditional customs and have less opportunities for educational advancement and professional employment than their male counterparts [8, 11] . Urbanisation is proceeding faster in China than in India and the sustainability of Chinese family agriculture is further challenged by the pressures of globalisation and climate change. China's economic development has fuelled large-scale migration from rural to urban areas; younger workers are shifting from agriculture into industry and services in the cities and towns. Between 1990 and 2005, the percentage of people aged 60 and above working in agriculture in China increased from 5 to 10%. Although nationally China has reaped the economic benefits of increased productivity and mechanisation, the rural elderly are relatively poorer and more vulnerable than the urban elderly [6, 7, [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] . In India agriculture remains a major source of informal and low paid formal employment for older workers, particularly women, and poverty is high in rural areas [8, 11, 16, 18] .

In contrast, the population of India is poorer and less well educated.

By most social and economic measures, the status of daughters, girls, and women is worse in India than China.

Although younger women in India are becoming more educated, many older women are steeped in traditional customs and have less opportunities for educational advancement and professional employment than their male counterparts.

Although nationally China has reaped the economic benefits of increased productivity and mechanisation, the rural elderly are relatively poorer and more vulnerable than the urban elderly.

In India agriculture remains a major source of informal and low paid formal employment for older workers, particularly women, and poverty is high in rural areas.


Based on gained knowledge in 3D semimicroscopic simulations we studied in more detail impact of NPs on structural behavior in square wells in which the height ℎ ≪ , where we neglected spatial variations along the z-coordinate [29, 30] . We analyzed structures deep in the nematic phase for ratios = / = 7, = 5, and = 3. We consider square-shaped NPs where their walls enforce strong tangential anchoring to surrounding LC. Note that in absence of external field and NPs the OR-type structure exists below the critical value ∼ 3.28 [30] . Our simulations show that, in particular, close to the critical value of one could get variety of different structures just by placing the nanoparticle at different points within the well.

Based on gained knowledge in 3D semimicroscopic simulations we studied in more detail impact of NPs on structural behavior in square wells in which the height ℎ ≪ , where we neglected spatial variations along the z-coordinate.

Note that in absence of external field and NPs the OR-type structure exists below the critical value ∼ 3.28.


Note that essential features of the problem could be reproduced using 2D modelling within the ( , ) Cartesian plane using 2D tensor order parameter Q 2D = 1 ⃗ ⊗ ⃗ − 1 ⃗ ⊗ ⃗ + 2 ( ⃗ ⊗ ⃗ + ⃗ ⊗ ⃗ ). This parametrization is commonly used to study defect textures in nematic shells [22] . The relationship between commonly used 2D and our 3D parametrization can be expressed as Q = Q 2D +Q , where Q = 3 ⃗ ⊗ ⃗ + 3 ⃗ ⊗ ⃗ − 2 3 ⃗ ⊗ ⃗ is the uniaxial tensor. Therefore, both descriptions are equivalently deep in the nematic phase for a spatially constant value of 3 . In our simulations 3 exhibits apparent spatial variations at sites exhibiting order reconstruction changes. Therefore, the 2D and 3D approaches are expected to be different at least from quantitative point of view. Furthermore, in 2D modelling the cubic invariant is absent (i.e., tr Q 3 2D = 0) [22] . Consequently, using 2D modelling the I-N transition would be of 2nd order character. Therefore, results obtained using the 2D or 3D approach could substantially quantitatively differ close to the I-N phase transition.

This parametrization is commonly used to study defect textures in nematic shells.

Furthermore, in 2D modelling the cubic invariant is absent (i.e., tr Q 3 2D = 0).


The most common technologies that UAVs are equipped with are navigation and positioning systems, signal processing, and computer vision. Navigation and positioning systems are extensively used for defining the UAVs positions [2, 16, 17] . For example, it is possible to force the UAVs to maintain a specific Euclidean distance between each other, thus covering a regular area. Although navigation and positioning systems are a must for any standard UAV application, working only on the basis of the UAVs positions and the Euclidean distance might not be very efficient. The main reason is that disaster scenario features may change rapidly over time (in many cases victims are moving continuously) and the only consideration of positioning techniques does not provide an adaptive response to this situation.

Navigation and positioning systems are extensively used for defining the UAVs positions.


Recently, statistical schemes like Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), QR Decomposition and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were proposed for TWI image enhancement [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] . These schemes decompose the input image into different subspaces (clutter, target and noise) based on statistical properties [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] . Unfortunately extraction of target subspaces requires empirical settings.

Recently, statistical schemes like Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), QR Decomposition and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were proposed for TWI image enhancement.

These schemes decompose the input image into different subspaces (clutter, target and noise) based on statistical properties.


IS is not a new concept. For decades, companies and industries have worked together, joining forces in an effort to operate more effectively and reduce production costs. Chemical clusters provide good examples of such industrial eco-systems, where companies located next to each other and operating different processes are sharing their facilities, utility networks, (co-)products as well as their services such as maintenance and logistics [6] . More generally, one of the typical model for IS is the one where a host company, with by-products and utilities, invites third parties to operate onsite in order to benefit from the economies of scale and scope [4, 7] . IS can also be cross-sectoral or involve municipalities. Because of its long development history, the eco-industrial park located in Kalundborg, Denmark is often cited as the perfect example of such symbiosis, where several industries (refinery, pharmaceutical plant, gypsum board facility, etc.) and the city of Kalundborg are collaborating and are exchanging resources [4] .

IS is not a new concept.

Chemical clusters provide good examples of such industrial eco-systems, where companies located next to each other and operating different processes are sharing their facilities, utility networks, (co-)products as well as their services such as maintenance and logistics.

More generally, one of the typical model for IS is the one where a host company, with by-products and utilities, invites third parties to operate onsite in order to benefit from the economies of scale and scope.

Because of its long development history, the eco-industrial park located in Kalundborg, Denmark is often cited as the perfect example of such symbiosis, where several industries (refinery, pharmaceutical plant, gypsum board facility, etc.) and the city of Kalundborg are collaborating and are exchanging resources.


Image segmentation refers to partitioning of an image into different regions that are homogeneous or "similar" in some image characteristics. It is usually the first task of any image analysis process module and thus, subsequent tasks rely strongly on the quality of segmentation [1] . In recent years, automatic image segmentation has become a prominent objective in image analysis and computer vision. Various techniques have been proposed in the literature where color, edges, and texture were used as properties for segmentation. Using these properties, images can be analyzed for use in several applications including video surveillance, image retrieval, medical imaging analysis, and object classification.

It is usually the first task of any image analysis process module and thus, subsequent tasks rely strongly on the quality of segmentation.


Soybean presents a number of advantages compared with other sources of vegetable protein [24] . It has high-protein content (38%-42%) of low cost and high quality as well as isoflavones that help in reducing blood cholesterol. The daily intake of 25 grams of soy protein dramatically reduced the total cholesterol over a period of approximately three weeks, that is, one month after treatment beginning. It was also shown that this effect was not dependent on time, since there was no increase two months after the treatment end. The daily intake of soy protein may reduce the LDL concentration by 30%, while occurs a stimulus for the HDL production [25, 26] .

Soybean presents a number of advantages compared with other sources of vegetable protein.

The daily intake of soy protein may reduce the LDL concentration by 30%, while occurs a stimulus for the HDL production.


Basically, the aeronautical projects should take into account the difficulties of transporting a load against the gravity force during take-off and flight, and discharge it in an efficient way, with minimum cost and maximum safety, because failures in any of these stages will implicate catastrophic accidents, involving human lives [4] . During flight an airplane is subjected to complex loads from varied frequency and magnitude as a result of abrupt maneuvers, wind bursts, motor vibration, helixes efforts and so forth. Consequently, an aircraft is a result of extensive researches and developments toward assure the continued airworthiness and increasing its in-service life.

Basically, the aeronautical projects should take into account the difficulties of transporting a load against the gravity force during take-off and flight, and discharge it in an efficient way, with minimum cost and maximum safety, because failures in any of these stages will implicate catastrophic accidents, involving human lives.


Fatigue in aircrafts has been subject of extensive investigation since 1950's, after the accidents with the English model "Comet" [1] . Nowadays, many fractures of materials are still caused by fatigue as a consequence of either inadequate project or any notch produced during manufacturing and maintenance operations of aircrafts [2] . Maintenance operation errors specifically are responsible for serious safety problems and fatal accidents [3] . For this reason, the flight-safety has been the main concern of the aeronautical authorities all over the world.

Fatigue in aircrafts has been subject of extensive investigation since 1950's, after the accidents with the English model "Comet".

Nowadays, many fractures of materials are still caused by fatigue as a consequence of either inadequate project or any notch produced during manufacturing and maintenance operations of aircrafts.

Maintenance operation errors specifically are responsible for serious safety problems and fatal accidents.


The montmorillonite clay belongs to the family of Smectite clays. It is a crystalline material consisting of 1 nm thick sheets. These silicate sheets consist of alumina octahedra sandwiched by two silica tetrahedra. The length of the individual sheets can range from 30 to 100 nm. Isomorphic substitution of alumina by magnesium results in net negative charge on the surface of the sheets which is balanced by exchangeable cations like Na + or Ca + . These cations can be readily exchanged with alkyl-ammonium ions on organomodification. These alkyl-ammonium ions lowers the surface energy of the inorganic host and improve the wetting characteristics with the polymer [12] .

These alkyl-ammonium ions lowers the surface energy of the inorganic host and improve the wetting characteristics with the polymer.


P. Jawahar and M. Balasubramanian conventional gel coat system to the value of 5.2 GPa for the nanocomposite gel coat system with a clay content of 3 wt % ( Figure 9 ). The improvement in mechanical properties is due to the presence of well-exfoliated nanoclay and interaction of nanosize clay layers with the polymer matrix, as well as on the rigid nature of the clay layers [27] . Crack pinning and crack bifurcation are some of the strengthening mechanisms responsible for the increase in strength of nanocomposites [20, 28, 29] . Improvement in tensile strength and flexural strength is not significant for nanocomposite gel coat system with 3 wt % organoclay. Even though the nanosize clay acts as load bearing component, the dispersion of exfoliated clay platelets might have hindered the crosslinking of the polymer chains [30] . The decrease in strength at higher clay content (3 wt %) may also be due to the increase in viscosity of the polyester resin. The increase in viscosity may lead to improper mixing of CaCO 3 and aerosil powders. Moreover, the air entrapped during shear mixing may not escape out of the system and remains as micropore in the nanocomposite gel coats, which leads to a decrease in strength.

The improvement in mechanical properties is due to the presence of well-exfoliated nanoclay and interaction of nanosize clay layers with the polymer matrix, as well as on the rigid nature of the clay layers.

Crack pinning and crack bifurcation are some of the strengthening mechanisms responsible for the increase in strength of nanocomposites.

Even though the nanosize clay acts as load bearing component, the dispersion of exfoliated clay platelets might have hindered the crosslinking of the polymer chains.


Impact strength of the conventional gel coat system is 85 J/m (Figure 10 ). It increases to 106 J/m and 113 J/m for the organoclay contents of 1 and 2 wt %, respectively. It decreases to the value of 96 J/m for the organoclay content of 3 wt %. The nanosize clay platelets play a vital role for the improvement in impact strength. The nanoclay acts as crack stoppers with increase in organoclay content and form a tortuous pathway for crack propagation resulting in higher impact energy [31] .

The nanoclay acts as crack stoppers with increase in organoclay content and form a tortuous pathway for crack propagation resulting in higher impact energy.


Many new devices and systems must be installed in the distribution network to thoroughly implement DSA that cause severe challenges for electric utilities in the case of moving from the old system towards the new automated one. In order to maximize the benefit, utilities have already started installing new equipment, e.g. new devices, communication system as well as modern softwares, and hardwares [4] . The system used to control distribution networks all across the world is known as Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA). This controlling structure involves a system operator to employ the available data in decisions of distribution network control [4] .

In order to maximize the benefit, utilities have already started installing new equipment, e.g. new devices, communication system as well as modern softwares, and hardwares.

This controlling structure involves a system operator to employ the available data in decisions of distribution network control.


A terrorist group is fundamentally a social system. The group is formed as a unified whole by fanatics determined to inflict civilian and economic damage on specific targets in pursuit of their extremist goals [1] . Currently, as terrorist groups are becoming more international, allied, and networked, the social systems are transforming into complex sociotechnical systems. For a continuous active terrorist group, the behavior is influenced by both the interactional environment and the organizational mechanism and thus is a continuously evolving phenomenon [2] . The structure and efficiency of the group will fluctuate and finally reach a relatively stable state because of its covert nature and self-defense mechanism [3] . Even though it is as a complex system, the terrorist group is also dynamic. The dynamics result from multiple change processes, such as natural evolutionary processes including learning, birth, and aging, as well as intervention processes, such as altering the set of individuals who lead a group [4] .

The group is formed as a unified whole by fanatics determined to inflict civilian and economic damage on specific targets in pursuit of their extremist goals.

For a continuous active terrorist group, the behavior is influenced by both the interactional environment and the organizational mechanism and thus is a continuously evolving phenomenon.

The structure and efficiency of the group will fluctuate and finally reach a relatively stable state because of its covert nature and self-defense mechanism.

The dynamics result from multiple change processes, such as natural evolutionary processes including learning, birth, and aging, as well as intervention processes, such as altering the set of individuals who lead a group.


The relationships and interactions between terrorists at the microlevel leads to continuous development of the group behavior at the macrolevel [5] . The process in which terrorists look for and cooperate with other terrorists, which has a multitude of purposes, such as propaganda, training, defending, or sanctuary, also drives the system to change dynamically. Thus, studies on terrorist group behavior are becoming complex dynamic system problems, which require new methods for understanding the system behavior and dynamics.

The relationships and interactions between terrorists at the microlevel leads to continuous development of the group behavior at the macrolevel.


Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Moench is a multipurpose crop belongs to the family Poaceae. Sorghum is an important crop in Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT) and is the source of staple food crop for Africa, South Asia and Central America. It is one of the five major cultivated species the world because it has several economically important potential uses such as food (grain feed (grain and biomass), fuel (ethanol production), fibre (paper), fermentation (methane production) and fertilizer (utilization of organic by products). Sorghum is an important alternative for human and animal food, especially in regions of low water availability, in which seed is rich in protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals (Carvalho et al., 2000) .

Sorghum is an important alternative for human and animal food, especially in regions of low water availability, in which seed is rich in protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals.


Mortality 1 y after hip fracture varies from 14 to 37% (Lyons, 1997) . Acute hospital costs after hip fracture are substantial, and costs of rehabilitation and care in the community may be greater; respectively, estimated at d4800 and d7500 at 1995/6 prices in the UK (Dolan & Torgerson, 1998) . Figures from Belgium covering a similar period showed average costs of an acute hospital stay at A8667, with extra costs compared with non-hip fracture controls of A6636 in the year after hospitalisation (Autier et al, 2000) .

Mortality 1 y after hip fracture varies from 14 to 37%.

Acute hospital costs after hip fracture are substantial, and costs of rehabilitation and care in the community may be greater; respectively, estimated at d4800 and d7500 at 1995/6 prices in the UK.

Figures from Belgium covering a similar period showed average costs of an acute hospital stay at A8667, with extra costs compared with non-hip fracture controls of A6636 in the year after hospitalisation.


Regional climate models are still being developed and their (less than perfect) results require both caveats and explanation. These are many issues at play in the interpretation of regional climate model results. The scale of data is important, and must be relevant to end-user needs. Data that are at too low a resolution will miss the full range of values due to sampling issues, and where they are generated from a model, will fail to represent the relevant dynamical processes. Observed data that, by their nature, require interpolation may not be without their own biases, making the validation of models difficult. This is true at both the regional scale (see above) and at the global level (Wan et al. 2013) . Even where primary variables such as temperature and rainfall are well replicated by models, indices derived from those variables may possess their own (potentially independent) biases, particularly when considering indices that represent time-order or occurrence.

This is true at both the regional scale (see above) and at the global level.


Among many security and privacy requirements for protection of electricity demand and response messages in smart grid, forward secrecy is extremely important since cryptographic computations, e.g., encryption, signature, and authentication, are often carried out on the insecure smart meters [8] . In a scheme with forward secrecy, secret keys are evolved at regular time periods. Exposure of a secret key corresponding to a given time period does not enable an adversary to break the scheme for any prior time period [9] . To improve the security level of smart meters, forward secrecy should be considered.

Among many security and privacy requirements for protection of electricity demand and response messages in smart grid, forward secrecy is extremely important since cryptographic computations, e.g., encryption, signature, and authentication, are often carried out on the insecure smart meters.

Exposure of a secret key corresponding to a given time period does not enable an adversary to break the scheme for any prior time period.


The domestication process and the successive events after selection in the maize crop resulted in reduced diversity of the crop, when compared to the parent population (Tenaillon et al., 2004) . Information about agronomic superiority or genetic divergence make it possible the combination of parents, identifying the wider gene set and viability of crossings. Therefore, improved maize populations allow the development of new lines with a good capacity of recombining amongst each other. In addition, there is the possibility of boasting more and more compensatory increments according to the breeding among divergent lines (Carena, 2005) .

The domestication process and the successive events after selection in the maize crop resulted in reduced diversity of the crop, when compared to the parent population.

In addition, there is the possibility of boasting more and more compensatory increments according to the breeding among divergent lines.


Due to the ultrasonic cavitation occurred in extreme conditions and the process is transient, the direct detection of acoustic is quite difficult. The study on ultrasonic cavitation are usually based on some different effect produced by ultrasonic cavitation. There effects are the generation of heat, mechanical effects, optical effects and chemical effects [8] . In our paper, by detecting chemical effects produced by ultrasonic cavitation, we can determine the cavitation yields. The chemical dosimetries are based on oxidation or reduction reactions occurring in an aqueous solution [9] . In order to help us to know more about the relationship between the efficiency of sonochemical reaction and the energy of ultrasonic irradiation used to produce them, the ultrasonic power should be attained. Due to the fact that energy conversion of ultrasound varies with each transducer, the input electric power is not always informative to ultrasonic power for sonochemistry. The acoustic power dissipated into solutions was determined by calorimetric method using liquid. Such a calibration cannot distinguish between the waste heat and the acoustic-phase heat [10] . Calorimetry is based on the assumption that almost all the mechanical energy produces heat and the output power can be obtained.

There effects are the generation of heat, mechanical effects, optical effects and chemical effects.

The chemical dosimetries are based on oxidation or reduction reactions occurring in an aqueous solution.

Such a calibration cannot distinguish between the waste heat and the acoustic-phase heat.


In our study of patients younger than 60 years old undergoing TKA, a large majority of patients working before surgery were able to return to work after surgery, and most were able to return to their usual job after TKA, even very heavy demand jobs.. Patients working in very heavy jobs required the most time off for recovery, an average of 11 weeks, whereas those employed in sedentary positions averaged only 7 weeks for recovery. These recovery periods are consistent with the general recommendations of the participating surgery centers. Our overall average of time of 9 weeks off work for recovery after TKA is the same as that reported in another American study involving 162 patients undergoing TKA, all of whom were working before surgery and followed prospectively for 6 months after surgery [17] . The percentage of patients in our study who required restrictions after surgery (19%) was similar to those requiring restrictions before TKA (18%). The highest percentage of patients by physical job demand category in our study who were still working at 1 year after TKA and when surveyed were those in very heavy demand jobs.

Our overall average of time of 9 weeks off work for recovery after TKA is the same as that reported in another American study involving 162 patients undergoing TKA, all of whom were working before surgery and followed prospectively for 6 months after surgery.


Farmers' ability to engage in innovative practice is substantially shaped and mediated by the stakeholders operating at micro (community groups, clubs, cooperatives, self-help groups, local government, etc.) and meso (NGOs, political institutions, research institutions, extension system, etc.) levels. The capacity of a household to cope with climate risks depends to some degree on the enabling environment of the community (Smit and Wandel 2006) . Although farmers and extension organizations at different levels have been able to identify, experiment and develop innovative actions, there is still a lack of framework to understand and catalyze adaptive responses in such a way that it is informed by long-term trends in climate change, as well as recognize the local socio-cultural contexts. In order to facilitate learning and innovation, science must adapt, too, by continuing to review research needs and providing effective tools for decision making (Howden et al. 2007) . By fostering conditions that are conducive to learning, especially the transformative learning, farmers would likely be more open to new ideas and practices that promote adaptation in the face of environmental change. In the long term, there are some innovations that need capital investments to deploy. In this case, there is need for stronger collaborations to be established between research institutions, extension system, civil society and the private sector actors to bring these technologies to farmers. As demonstrated in the LAPA pilot in Nepal, it is not enough simply to work with local communities; local and district government is an essential component, for financial, technical and policy support. Therefore, building adaptive capacity for the most vulnerable requires a dual approach: first, a 'bottom-up,' locally inclusive approach to adaptation planning that is sensitive to the disaggregated nature of climate change vulnerability, and second, this local-level adaptation must be supported by meso-and higher-level institutions that enable them build adaptive capacity and act as the means of delivery for external resources to facilitate adaptation and up-scaling of innovations.

The capacity of a household to cope with climate risks depends to some degree on the enabling environment of the community.

In order to facilitate learning and innovation, science must adapt, too, by continuing to review research needs and providing effective tools for decision making.


This study demonstrates that farmers and stakeholders have engaged in a great deal of experimentation and exploration of adaptive practices in agriculture in South Asia over the past decade. These have resulted from dynamic learning and innovation processes that have taken place within and around the agricultural sector. Such experimentation and innovation processes, which are largely informal, may be useful for local communities in adapting to the risks of climate. The value of such innovation which community groups have been fostering is particularly high, in view of the fact that communities are often overlooked by government and donor agencies in South Asia. In all the study areas, farmers' and stakeholders' responses to the changing circumstances including climate change and variability tend to be both proactive and reactive. For instance, pastureland management, zero tillage, system of rice intensification, laser land levelling and community rules for fisheries management represent some of the proactive actions, while on-farm diversification and restoration of embankment represent some of the reactive actions. While many of the farm-level innovations are not fully informed by longer-term trends and projected scenarios of climate change, some of these adaptive practices appear highly promising in the context of growing climatic risks. There is also a scope for wider dissemination of promising practices through on-farm experimentation, especially when there is enabling policy and institutional support. Given such rich local-level adaptive innovations in South Asian agriculture, the focus of policy and institutional support should be more on strengthening location-specific innovations and adaptation strategies and disseminating low-cost technologies for smallholder farmers. This study also reinforces the research that creating necessary agricultural technologies and harnessing them to enable farmers to adapt their agricultural systems to changing climate will require innovations in policy and institutions (Howden et al. 2007; Ojha et al. 2013) . The success of local institutions and how well they coordinate with both public and private sector actors to streamline the agriculture production will play a key role in whether or not smallholder farmers are able to take up innovative practices that will allow them to adapt to their changing circumstances including climate change. The evidence has also demonstrated that a community-based approach to develop and manage commons, for instance, common pasture lands in Udaipur and forest resources in Lamjung, is viable and can be sustainable only when there is a concurrent change in policy and institutions to enable adaptive innovations at local level. All these community-based approaches have emerged over long periods of handholding support and promoting these types of adaptation would require public investments.

This study also reinforces the research that creating necessary agricultural technologies and harnessing them to enable farmers to adapt their agricultural systems to changing climate will require innovations in policy and institutions.


Despite widespread consultations that went into the production of the NAPAs and other adaptation strategies, it appears that anticipated role of local-level institutions in adaptation was limited (Agrawal and Perrin 2008) . At the local level additional ways are needed for strengthening institutional mechanisms through which farmers and vulnerable communities can access resources and increase their involvement in decision making (Amaru and Chhetri 2013) . One possible modality is to form local, regional and national committees on adaptation to ensure farmers participation. Other means include strengthening and promoting farmer-to-farmer learning networks by prioritising them in policy and in climate change adaptation mechanism in the NAPAs and supporting ways of sharing communitylevel local knowledge and good practices in agriculture.

Despite widespread consultations that went into the production of the NAPAs and other adaptation strategies, it appears that anticipated role of local-level institutions in adaptation was limited.

At the local level additional ways are needed for strengthening institutional mechanisms through which farmers and vulnerable communities can access resources and increase their involvement in decision making.


Our choice of innovation as a key analytical lens to understand adaptation provides an important basis to understand human responses and social processes to adapt to the changing context (Amaru and Chhetri 2013) . Innovations are analytically differentiated from the everyday practice and are defined by change in knowledge, practice, technology, institutions and policy. An understanding of dynamic linkage between adaptation and innovation processes should therefore draw attention to the broader set of stakeholders, including farm communities and their supporting institutions as well as wider policy actors and research groups. In particular, our results contribute toward understanding how innovations and adaptation policy can better support smallholder agricultural communities facing multiple stressors of climatic and social origin.

Our choice of innovation as a key analytical lens to understand adaptation provides an important basis to understand human responses and social processes to adapt to the changing context.


The hypothesis of induced innovation focuses on qualitative changes in agricultural production, such as through the use of specialized inputs, improved varieties of crops, use of appropriate agronomic practices or change in resource organization. On the one hand, it indicates changes occurring through improvement in existing technologies and the other end shows new and more productive technologies that are developed with demand. Innovation system thinking represents a significant change from the conventional linear approach to research and development. It provides analytical framework that explores complex relationships among heterogeneous agents, social and economic institutions, and endogenously determined technological and institutional opportunities (Akon-Yamga et al. 2011) . A sustained effort to adapt hence demands an active engagement of various stakeholders so that location-specific technology is innovated for effective adaptation.

It provides analytical framework that explores complex relationships among heterogeneous agents, social and economic institutions, and endogenously determined technological and institutional opportunities.


In order to provide further evidence towards this hypothesis, histological studies of the SMTU, OPL, and a welldefined ligament of the knee were needed. There have been previous histological studies completed on the various structures of the knee, the majority of which have primarily focused on the specific type of nerve ending present within these deep structures, particularly the cruciate ligaments and the menisci [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] . None have specifically looked at the histology of the OPL, and immunohistochemistry staining specific to the neuronal axons has not been conducted on any deep structures of the knee. Therefore, the authors conducted immunohistochemistry staining with antibodies specific to neuronal axons on the SMT, OPL, and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) of the knee. The staining conducted allowed the author to compare the histology and neuronal components of the SMTU with the OPL and a welldefined ligament of the knee, such as the LCL. The objective of this study was to conduct a macro-and microanalysis investigation of the OPL and challenge its alleged ligament status.

There have been previous histological studies completed on the various structures of the knee, the majority of which have primarily focused on the specific type of nerve ending present within these deep structures, particularly the cruciate ligaments and the menisci.


This section provides a brief outline of the previously derived methodology, which was applied to obtain the data on which the regression model was built. The governing equations are described in detail in previous work by the authors [8] . Also provided are the relevant statistical aspects for obtaining the regression models and for their evaluation.

The governing equations are described in detail in previous work by the authors.


The classical theory of elasticity associates anomalously high reflection from a layer in a homogeneous medium with the tuning effect, which takes place when the thickness of the layer is equal to one-fourth of the wavelength (White 1983) . However, field observations demonstrate anomalous seismic signal reflection from a thin fluid-saturated permeable layer in the low-frequency end of the spectrum, where the thickness of the reservoir is much smaller than a quarter of the wavelength. Moreover, frequency-dependent data analysis identifies the most productive spots in the reservoir (Goloshubin and Bakulin 1998; Goloshubin and Korneev 2000; Goloshubin et al. 2001 Goloshubin et al. , 2002 Goloshubin et al. , 2006 Goloshubin et al. , 2008 Castagna et al. 2003; Goloshubin and Silin 2005; Wei et al. 2009) . In this study, we explain this seemingly abnormal reflection by the interaction between the elastic wave and fluid flow.

The classical theory of elasticity associates anomalously high reflection from a layer in a homogeneous medium with the tuning effect, which takes place when the thickness of the layer is equal to one-fourth of the wavelength.

Moreover, frequency-dependent data analysis identifies the most productive spots in the reservoir.


Fortunately, the heuristic approach provides the possibility of obtaining an approximately optimal solution within an acceptable computation time (approximately 10 minutes) [20, 28, 29] . On one hand, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is widely used in solving the NP-complete problem due to its advantages such as high search efficiency and fast convergence speed. On the other hand, the PSO may be trapped in local optima when it is used to solve complex problems. Thus, the hybrid PSO has been proposed to solve the train timetable rescheduling problem [30, 31] . Moreover, genetic algorithm (GA) adopts the mutation operation with certain probability to avoid the local optima and is widely employed to solve real-world problems [32, 33] . The GA-PSO algorithm is also applied to solve nonlinear constrained optimization problems [34, 35] . Hence, a GA-PSO algorithm is developed in this paper to address the above-mentioned drawbacks (i.e., trapped in local optima) of the traditional PSO to solve the train timetable rescheduling problem.

Fortunately, the heuristic approach provides the possibility of obtaining an approximately optimal solution within an acceptable computation time (approximately 10 minutes).

Thus, the hybrid PSO has been proposed to solve the train timetable rescheduling problem.

Moreover, genetic algorithm (GA) adopts the mutation operation with certain probability to avoid the local optima and is widely employed to solve real-world problems.

The GA-PSO algorithm is also applied to solve nonlinear constrained optimization problems.


Pharmacological management of BPH include selective and non-selective α-blockers (fast acting-hours to days) and 5α-reductase inhibitors (5ARI; relatively slow acting-days to months) for men with symptomatic BPH [2] . In some cases, combination therapy of α-blockers and 5ARIs are employed due to different and complementary modes of action that potentially maximize treatment response or efficacy [2] . International prostate symptom scores (IPSS) improve with both modes of pharmacological treatment. However, the most common side effects of α-blockers include: reduced ejaculatory volumes, dizziness, diarrhea, orthostatic hypotension, headache, nasopharyngitis and nasal congestion [2, 7] . For 5ARIs the most common adverse events are sexual dysfunction including, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and to a lesser extent ejaculation disorders [2] . Also gynecomastia can occur in 1% -2% of patients with 5ARIs [2] . Finally, the goal of therapy is to reduce or alleviate BPH symptoms, to prevent complications, and to minimize adverse effects of treatments [8] .

Pharmacological management of BPH include selective and non-selective α-blockers (fast acting-hours to days) and 5α-reductase inhibitors (5ARI; relatively slow acting-days to months) for men with symptomatic BPH.

In some cases, combination therapy of α-blockers and 5ARIs are employed due to different and complementary modes of action that potentially maximize treatment response or efficacy.

However, the most common side effects of α-blockers include: reduced ejaculatory volumes, dizziness, diarrhea, orthostatic hypotension, headache, nasopharyngitis and nasal congestion.

For 5ARIs the most common adverse events are sexual dysfunction including, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and to a lesser extent ejaculation disorders.

Also gynecomastia can occur in 1% -2% of patients with 5ARIs.

Finally, the goal of therapy is to reduce or alleviate BPH symptoms, to prevent complications, and to minimize adverse effects of treatments.


In the Third Millennium "waterfront redevelopment" represented the leading idea for a form of economic and cultural reassessment. From Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco to Hafen City, urban design modified the harbor space into a new cultural identity, by changing the social structure of both city and port [4] . With regard to Italy, in most cases port cities still remain locked at the fourth step, without having evolved.

From Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco to Hafen City, urban design modified the harbor space into a new cultural identity, by changing the social structure of both city and port.


In recent years different factors have been proposed to be responsible for the reduced ORR activity in phosphoric acid. The most popular concept is based on a site blocking effect due to anion adsorption. This explains why in electrolytes such as sulfuric acid the ORR is much lower than in perchloric acid and in addition different structure sensitivities on Pt single crystals in the two electrolytes are observed [1] . In our work, we have shown that two supposedly strongly adsorbing electrolytes, sulfuric and phosphoric acid solutions, behave considerably different. The main inhibition of the ORR in phosphoric acid electrolyte becomes apparent only under steady state conditions. This is an important finding as strategies for mitigating the inhibition need to consider such conditions. A possible reason for the difference between sulfuric and phosphoric acid electrolyte could be that the pKa value of sulfuric acid is considerably lower than of phosphoric acid.

This explains why in electrolytes such as sulfuric acid the ORR is much lower than in perchloric acid and in addition different structure sensitivities on Pt single crystals in the two electrolytes are observed.


The lighting conditions an individual's color vision attributes, the texture, the presence of surrounding colors and personal experiences cause colors to appear differently. In today's society choosing colored clothing is challenging. Values, customs and restrictions are associated with certain colors, affecting the way colors are experienced and understood [79] . Colors establish attractiveness, class, occupation, beliefs and so on [16] . Understanding the connotations that a color carries varies from culture to culture, among different social groups, and individuals [84] . Thus research on human preferences is challenging. When researching those color preferences that pertain to sexual attraction, there are many challenges. Perceptions are influenced by age, gender, identity, sexual orientation, geography, culture, religion, economic times, stage of relationship, and personal upbringing. The unpredictability of preferences is influenced by personal experiences [84] . While there are these challenges in research, studies concerning the influences of color on sexual attraction have been conducted [86, 87] . However, there is still much research to be done.

Values, customs and restrictions are associated with certain colors, affecting the way colors are experienced and understood.

Colors establish attractiveness, class, occupation, beliefs and so on.

Understanding the connotations that a color carries varies from culture to culture, among different social groups, and individuals.

The unpredictability of preferences is influenced by personal experiences.

While there are these challenges in research, studies concerning the influences of color on sexual attraction have been conducted.


The presence and use of color is universal. Although humans do not need color vision to experience motion, contour, and depth, color continually enhances and enriches society in many ways [1] . No two people see color or experience its effects in the same way, so color provokes different responses according to various situations/ associations. Predicting color preferences and how colors and color combinations, in a shape context, stimulate certain emotions represents a challenging prospect, both in a commercial context and on a more personal basis.

Although humans do not need color vision to experience motion, contour, and depth, color continually enhances and enriches society in many ways.


Depending on the type and on the strength of any illumination, objects will be perceived to possess different color characteristics. The nature of illumination is characterized by its spectral power distribution, the total amount of power that the source emits in an interval of wavelength [14] . There are many types of illumination, such as the sun, blackbody radiation, a tungsten lamp, a gas-discharge, fluorescent lamps, laser lighting and various other "artificial" light sources 1997 [12, 14, 15] . Different types of illuminant emit different amounts of energy, changing the way an object appears with respect to color and, in some instances, with respect to shape, depending on how the energy interacts with the material (Figure 3 ). Newton's Prism Experiment: White light enters prism and due to dispersion, a ray of colors is formed. Recombined through the prism gives white light [12] .

The nature of illumination is characterized by its spectral power distribution, the total amount of power that the source emits in an interval of wavelength.

There are many types of illumination, such as the sun, blackbody radiation, a tungsten lamp, a gas-discharge, fluorescent lamps, laser lighting and various other "artificial" light sources 1997.

Recombined through the prism gives white light.


It would be advantageous to ensure the desired terminal voltage transient performance as well as the oscillation damping using one control algorithm. For this purpose the synchronous generator control design can be formulated as the control problem where the performance specifications are given in terms of a reference model. The objective is to design a controller such that the controlled system output resembles the output of the reference model. In this paper, the controller structure is expressed in the form of modified Laguerre network (called x expansion) [14] . The model reference control design results in open-loop controller. To ensure the disturbance rejection capabilities the control structure has been augmented by an internal model controller. This model reference control design has been further modified so that predicted values of the error signal are considered which provides a faster control system performance.

In this paper, the controller structure is expressed in the form of modified Laguerre network (called x expansion).


For Students 3 and 5, the off-task behavior returned to earlier rates for the final three words. Researchers have suggested that the completion of an academic task may be reinforcing (Logan & Skinner, 1998; Skinner, Robinson, Johns, Logan, & Belfiore, 1996) . Perhaps these students recognized they were nearing the completion of the instructional session and, therefore, experienced reinforcement by completing the task. This effect was reduced when the data were grouped by ARs, because the rate of off-task behavior did not return to lower levels as seen before reaching the acquisition rate. In order to fully examine these data, some limitations should be noted. First, to improve the internal validity of the study artificial stimuli were listed for instruction and the instructional sessions were conducted outside of a classroom setting. Although controlled conditions Acquisition Rate are desirable in research, this may limit the external validity of the data. Second, an event approach was used to determine off-task behavior, in that the number of off-task behaviors was calculated without reference to duration. Given that in a classroom setting the amount of time a child is engaged in off-task behavior may not correlate exactly with the number of incidents (e.g., Student A could be briefly off task 10 times but Student B could be off task 5 times with much longer durations, and thus spend more time off task), an eventrecording schedule assessed only one aspect of task irrelevant behavior, and therefore limited the generalization of findings. Third, reducing off-task behavior may not necessarily increase other student outcomes such as retention of learned material. Therefore, studies that use interval approaches to measure off-task behavior and that include other student outcomes as dependent variables would greatly add to the AR literature. It may be especially interesting to ascertain if words rehearsed before reaching the AR are more frequently retained than words rehearsed after the AR. Finally, future researchers may wish to examine the content specificity of ARs.

Researchers have suggested that the completion of an academic task may be reinforcing.


Today polymer materials are widely used in a variety of industrial branches. The type of polymer used for manufacturing products is selected according to chemical, thermal and mechanical properties. The surface properties of a selected polymer, however, may not be always adequate so they should be modified. A variety of mechanical and wet chemical methods for modification of surface properties of polymer materials were invented decades ago. They all have advantages and disadvantages. The major disadvantage of wet chemical methods is ecological unsuitability; nowadays they are avoided whenever possible and are being gradually replaced by dry plasma treatments. A variety of plasmas have been applied to functional polymer surfaces with specific functional groups, and numerous discharges have been applied for plasma generation. Increased hydrophobicity of polymers is achieved by functionalization with nonpolar functional groups (usually containing fluorine) and super-hydrophobicity is achieved by combined effects of fluorine-rich surface functional groups and rich surface morphology on the nano-scale [1] [2] [3] .

Increased hydrophobicity of polymers is achieved by functionalization with nonpolar functional groups (usually containing fluorine) and super-hydrophobicity is achieved by combined effects of fluorine-rich surface functional groups and rich surface morphology on the nano-scale.


In wheat, for mildew and other diseases, many genes have been identified that confer different resistance levels, and that are available for breeding programs. Nevertheless, the high resistance level given by these genes is usually not durable, due to pathogen population evolution (Lillemo & Skinnes 2006) . Protection observed in the sn398 and sn178 lines was similar to that conferred by conventional partial resistance genes in terms of reduction of pustule size, reduced production of spores and longer latency period of disease development (Hÿckelhoven 2005; Mikulová et al. 2008) . This resistance behaviour leads to a significantly reduced damage level when compared to a susceptible host plant by retarding the pathogen reproductive cycle. Likewise, the smaller amount of available fungus spores in the field along the cropping period leads to a delay in the spreading of the disease on susceptible cultivars. From an epidemiological point of view, the resistance observed in sn389 and sn178, like that observed with conventional partial resistance, reduces the number of pathogen generations during the cropping season as well as inoculum production. As reported here, no total or complete resistance against fungal pathogens was reported to occur after transformation with any other single gene encoding antifungal proteins in wheat. Although there is evidence in other systems that the constitutive expression of this protein can confer protection to a wide spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, the results reported here cannot yet be extended to other pathogenic systems of wheat. The snakin-1 transgenic resistant lines obtained in this study will be challenged with other pathogens to study this point.

Nevertheless, the high resistance level given by these genes is usually not durable, due to pathogen population evolution.

Protection observed in the sn398 and sn178 lines was similar to that conferred by conventional partial resistance genes in terms of reduction of pustule size, reduced production of spores and longer latency period of disease development.


In order to study whether dead-man floating, preferentially at the hearth wall, could explain the changes in the slag delay, the pressure profile, p d , was taken to decrease towards the wall by using aϭ190 kPa, r 0 ϭ2 m, Rϭ4 m and nϭ2 in Eq. (11) . Again starting by studying data for Day 2 and adjusting the overall value of the downward-acting pressure, it was found that p d ϭ110 kPa gave a dead man that barely floated near the hearth wall at maximum buoyancy pressure in the tap cycle. However, the extent of the floating was small and had no notable effect on the slag delay. With these settings, using the same Dz ir min and e as in the sitting dead-man case, the resulting slag delays of Day 1 and Day 2 were 16.8 min and 67.0 min, respectively. Thus, the large changes in the observed slag delay between the two states can be almost perfectly explained by the variation in the dead-man floating degree, caused by the hearth sidewall and bottom erosion and skulling alone. In the upper panel of Fig. 8 the dead-man positions at slag outflow start for the two simulated cases are depicted, while the transient behavior of the liquid levels is shown in the lower panel. Finally, it should be noted that the effect of changes in the gas pressure drop (cf. Eqs. (7) and (9)) was neglected in this simplified example to show the isolated effect of the hearth geometry on the dead-man floating state and slag delay. Had the observed changes in Dp g been included, the difference in floating states and slag delays between the two days would have been even larger.

In order to study whether dead-man floating, preferentially at the hearth wall, could explain the changes in the slag delay, the pressure profile, p d , was taken to decrease towards the wall by using aϭ190 kPa, r 0 ϭ2 m, Rϭ4 m and nϭ2 in Eq..


The various theories of nonlinear generalized functions are suitable frameworks to set and solve differential or integral problems with irregular operators or data. Even for linear problems, these theories are efficient to overcome some limitations of the distributional framework. We follow in this paper the theory introduced by J.-F. Colombeau [2] , [3] , [10] , [19] . To be short, a special Colombeau type algebra is a factor space G = X /N of moderate modulo negligible nets. The moderateness (respectively the negligibility) of nets is defined by their asymptotic behavior when a real parameter ε tends to 0.

We follow in this paper the theory introduced by J.-F. Colombeau.


Urotensin II (UII) is an 11-amino acid peptide discovered as a neurosecretory product in teleost fish, with a sequence homologous to somato-statin [1] . Its main source in humans and its clinical significance are still uncertain. Urotensin II is released by endothelium, across the heart, kidney, head and neck, liver, lower limbs and pulmonary circulation [2] . The response to UII administration in vivo and in vitro is differentiated in vascular beds [3] . Urotensin II is considered to be a more potent vasoconstrictor and cardiostimulant than endothelin-1, but in some conditions it becomes a vasodilator [4] [5] [6] [7] . Furthermore, UII has an inotropic effect in humans and rats [8] . Increased plasma UII concentration was observed in patients with diabetes mellitus and end-stage kidney disease [9] [10] [11] .

Urotensin II (UII) is an 11-amino acid peptide discovered as a neurosecretory product in teleost fish, with a sequence homologous to somato-statin.

Urotensin II is released by endothelium, across the heart, kidney, head and neck, liver, lower limbs and pulmonary circulation.

The response to UII administration in vivo and in vitro is differentiated in vascular beds.

Urotensin II is considered to be a more potent vasoconstrictor and cardiostimulant than endothelin-1, but in some conditions it becomes a vasodilator.

Furthermore, UII has an inotropic effect in humans and rats.

Increased plasma UII concentration was observed in patients with diabetes mellitus and end-stage kidney disease.


In wind tunnels, aerodynamic models are usually mounted on long cantilever stings to avoid support interference on experimental data during wind tunnel tests. The use of such long cantilever stings can lead to model vibrations relative to flow streamlines and sometimes result in wind tunnel balance overloads [1] . A cantilever sting system consists of a model, a wind tunnel balance, and a tapered hollow sting mounted on a rigid model attitude support system which is a multidegree of freedom spring-mass elastic system. The sting system is exposed to aerodynamic loads from flow dynamic pressure. The amplitude of dynamic response of the sting is a function of damping. Most of the wind tunnel sting systems show six dominant Eigenmodes. These modes are the sting modes in pitch and yaw, coupled-yaw sting modes manifesting as roll mode, model-balance modes in pitch and yaw, and an axial translational model-balance mode [2] . The damping in sting systems exposed to flow comprised aerodynamic damping of the test and sting structural damping. Due to poor structural damping in cantilevers, the spring-mass sting system tends to respond dynamically at these Eigenmodes, when the system is exposed to forces from wide band flow turbulence, model flow separation induced disturbances, and support system dynamics [3] .

The use of such long cantilever stings can lead to model vibrations relative to flow streamlines and sometimes result in wind tunnel balance overloads.

These modes are the sting modes in pitch and yaw, coupled-yaw sting modes manifesting as roll mode, model-balance modes in pitch and yaw, and an axial translational model-balance mode.

Due to poor structural damping in cantilevers, the spring-mass sting system tends to respond dynamically at these Eigenmodes, when the system is exposed to forces from wide band flow turbulence, model flow separation induced disturbances, and support system dynamics.


For our comparison study, we have selected several popular, thus frequently cited algorithms, dedicated for impulsive noise removal. The methods usually employ the intensity replacement of a pixel utilizing simple nonlinear operations in a local sliding window (Dougherty & Astola (1994) ). A fundamental example of such procedure is median filtering (MED), where a central pixel of a processing window is replaced by the median of its neighboring pixels. The strength of image smoothing depends on the size of operational window (the larger the window, the stronger the smoothing). Although such a simple filter efficiently removes impulses, the outcomes are noticeably blurred. Therefore, more sophisticated filters, presented below, try to preserve the image details by interpolating only the pixels previously detected as faulty. This way the unaffected parts of objects are not disturbed by blurring. In each algorithm, we indicate up to two tunable parameters, which will be further optimized during the experiments.

The methods usually employ the intensity replacement of a pixel utilizing simple nonlinear operations in a local sliding window).


It is essential to fully understand how waves propagate from the source to the receiver if the signals recorded during seismic testing can themselves be understood. The relative contribution of the many wave propagation modes that may be excited by the source determines the complexity of the wave patterns recorded at the receivers. This contribution depends on the distance from the source to the receiver, the dominant frequency of the pulse, the material characteristics of the geologic formation, the type of source and the presence of fractures (cracks) [1] [2] [3] . Cracks are very important in several fields, such as determining the integrity of construction elements (in many engineering applications), and detecting and defining delamination in slabs and pavements using nondestructive evaluation techniques [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] .

This contribution depends on the distance from the source to the receiver, the dominant frequency of the pulse, the material characteristics of the geologic formation, the type of source and the presence of fractures (cracks).

Cracks are very important in several fields, such as determining the integrity of construction elements (in many engineering applications), and detecting and defining delamination in slabs and pavements using nondestructive evaluation techniques.


Fluorescein is a synthetic organic compound soluble in water and alcohol (basic molecular formula C 20 H 12 O 5 ), which is widely used as a fluorescent tracer for many applications. It has an absorption maximum at λ = 494 nm and emission maximum at λ = 521 nm, in the green region of the em spectrum [6] . In figure 3 , one can see the green light emitted by the fluorescein solution. The fluorescent dyes of the Alexa family are 2 typically used as cell and tissue labels in photoluminescence microscopy and cell biology. The excitation and emission spectra of the Alexa fluorescent probe series cover the visible spectrum and extend into the infrared region.

It has an absorption maximum at λ = 494 nm and emission maximum at λ = 521 nm, in the green region of the em spectrum.


Common vegetable oils, including olive oil, show photoluminescence spectra when irradiated by UV light [8, 9] . In particular, they exhibit photoluminescence in the blue region (λ = 430-450 nm). Extra-virgin olive oil shows a photoluminescence spectrum composed of three In refined olive oils, the chlorophyll content is considerably reduced and consequently the redlight emission disappears. This result could possibly be used for authentication of extra-virgin olive oil, unless chlorophyll is added to the refined oil. In any case, the absence of red-light photoluminescence is an indication of the lack of chlorophyll. In figure 3 , one can see the red light emitted by the chlorophyll in extra-virgin olive oil produced in the Palermo area. Figure 6 shows the emitted light of extra-virgin olive oil when irradiated by a portable UV LED torch.

Common vegetable oils, including olive oil, show photoluminescence spectra when irradiated by UV light.


It has been suggested that most Eagle Owls start to breed at the age of 3 years or later (Glutz von Blotzheim and Bauer 1980; Radler 1991; Olsson 1997) . Although neither the VHF tags nor the satellite transmitters used in this study lasted long enough to evaluate age at first reproduction (longevity of our tags was maximum 30 months), we had one individual female breeding successfully in her first year of life. The fact that none of the dispersing birds could be heard calling on wintering or summering grounds despite hundreds of hours of field observation also supports the hypothesis of delayed age of first reproduction in this species. Furthermore, besides the one bird that was breeding in its first year of life, all other birds seemed not to actively search for a breeding place, although all of them came several times across a priori suitable if not formerly occupied breeding cliffs.

It has been suggested that most Eagle Owls start to breed at the age of 3 years or later.


The present study demonstrates, for the first time, that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of TFC. Carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats is a wellcharacterized experimental model of acute inflammation that permits the quantification and correlation of cellular migration with changes in other inflammatory parameters [16] . Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat pain andinflammation associated with arthritis. It was used as a standard. The inflammatory response involves a complex intercellular signal promoting cytokine release. Activated inflammatory cells synthesize and secrete proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, VEGF-α, and IL-17 [17] [18] [19] . The suppression of these proinflammatory mediators has been found to reduce the severity of the inflammatory reaction [20] . Some work has been done on the effects of the mushroom on cytokines and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] . The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of TFC on protein levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, VEGF-α, and IL-17 during the inflammatory process induced by carrageenan. Treatment with TFC (30 m/kg) significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α by 58.3% (P <0 .01), IL-1β by 27% (P < 0.05),VEG F-α by 46.5% (P < 0.01) and IL-17 by 89.2% (P <0 .001), respectively ( Table 1 ). Results of this study clearly indicate the anti-inflammatory activity of the TFC in acute inflammatory conditions. It could effectively inhibit the leukocyte migration promoted by carrageenan in rat. O 2 − has been associated with tissue damage and loss of function during inflammatory episodes [26] . The total antioxidant status (TAOS) is an indication of O 2 − and other oxidant species. We measured TAOS activity as an indirect indication of the formation of O 2 − and other oxidant species. The TFC (10 m/kg) groups had the lower level of TAOS activity in comparison to the saline group (P < 0.01) (Figure 1) . It is consistent with the previous report on the antioxidant properties of Coprinus Comatus [27, 28] . O 2 − is produced by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages from the enzyme activity of NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase at inflammatory sites. We hypothesized that TFC produce anti-inflammatory effect through decreasing the levels of TAOS activities.

Carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats is a wellcharacterized experimental model of acute inflammation that permits the quantification and correlation of cellular migration with changes in other inflammatory parameters.

It was used as a standard.

Activated inflammatory cells synthesize and secrete proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, VEGF-α, and IL-17.

The suppression of these proinflammatory mediators has been found to reduce the severity of the inflammatory reaction.

Some work has been done on the effects of the mushroom on cytokines and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels.

O 2 − has been associated with tissue damage and loss of function during inflammatory episodes.

It is consistent with the previous report on the antioxidant properties of Coprinus Comatus.


Moreover, for a same latitude range, contrarily to data obtained for A. boyeri, A. presbyter and A. punctuata, average vertebrae values for A. lagunae show great differences between populations. Similar results have been already shown between diadromous stocks of Galaxias brevipinnis Günther 1866 versus lacustrine populations of this species [58, 59] . Brackish water ecosystems are often exposed to wide variations in environmental parameters such as temperature and salinity which may cause strong selective pressures on organisms. These pressures, in association with geographical discontinuity, can play an important role in separating species inhabiting these environments into different populations. Moreover, great differences in the physicochemical parameters could be found between lagoons even geographically close. Inversely, constancy of the major abiotic parameters and the physical continuum of oceanic biota retrain the build up of ecological barriers and of isolated biotopes.

Similar results have been already shown between diadromous stocks of Galaxias brevipinnis Günther 1866 versus lacustrine populations of this species.


Catalytic hydrotreating process is a promising path to upgrade bio-oil [3] . In this study, partial hydrotreatment over heterogeneous catalysts is focused for investigation of catalyst support effect on hydrotreatment of bio-oil model compounds. The oxygen and reactive functional groups such as carbonyl group in bio-oil models are partially removed to increase bio-oil stability via hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), hydrogenation (HYD) and decarbonylation/decarboxylation (DCO) processes [4] . Many commercial hydrotreatment catalysts such as CoMoS/Al 2 O 3 or NiMoS/Al 2 O 3 catalysts for hydrodesulferization (HDS) are suitable for hydrodeoxygenation process as well. Study on molybdenum sulfide catalysts for HDO of bio-oil model using non-traditional support or unsupported MoS 2 catalysts had been reported [5] [6] .

Catalytic hydrotreating process is a promising path to upgrade bio-oil.

The oxygen and reactive functional groups such as carbonyl group in bio-oil models are partially removed to increase bio-oil stability via hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), hydrogenation (HYD) and decarbonylation/decarboxylation (DCO) processes.

Study on molybdenum sulfide catalysts for HDO of bio-oil model using non-traditional support or unsupported MoS 2 catalysts had been reported.


Pasture growth was probably greater at Keysbrook than Narrogin. Rainfall at Keysbrook during the period of mite activity was about twice that at Narrogin, and temperatures were about 2°C greater. Dry matter production in annual legume-based pasture systems in southwestern Australia is predicted to increase with rainfall up to 440 mm, while at higher rainfall water-logging can limit growth (Bolger et al., 1993) . There was less than 20 mm rain in 33% of the weeks that mites were active at Keysbrook and in 70% of the weeks at Narrogin. Dry periods, which might restrict pasture growth and cause mite mortality, were more frequent at Narrogin.

Dry matter production in annual legume-based pasture systems in southwestern Australia is predicted to increase with rainfall up to 440 mm, while at higher rainfall water-logging can limit growth.


By measuring the impedance components and considering the root-substrate system as a parallel RC circuit, its electrical conductance (G, the reciprocal of the resistance) can be calculated as G R = tan(90 − Φ R )° × ω × C R . Wet soils have 2-3 orders of magnitude higher electrical conductance than root systems, so G R is determined by the root conductance (Cseresnyés et al. 2017) . The magnitude of root conductance depends not only on the root system size, but also on the composition of the electrolytes and the integrity and permeability of the membranes ), thus providing useful information about root status. The present study aimed to show that the monitoring of electrical parameters, such as capacitance (C R ), impedance phase angle (Φ R ), and conductance (G R ), in intact root-substrate systems at a single low (1 kHz) frequency gives useful insights into some aspects of root development in pot cultures. As far as we know, this is the first combined application of these parameters to investigate plant root status in situ. The approach is now applied to evaluate the response of roots to different levels of substrate alkalinity. The genotypic differences in root growth and stress tolerance were also studied using two wheat cultivars in the experiment. Other physiological investigations were carried out in potted plants to verify that the electrical characterization of the root system was an effective complementary technique to the widely used plant methods.

Wet soils have 2-3 orders of magnitude higher electrical conductance than root systems, so G R is determined by the root conductance.


Environmental problems are actually problems that have intertwined with social, economic, cultural and political policies. Often, it will not be meaningful to define them by themselves. Because the globalization of environmental problems and their level that is threatening the life on the planet have directed the people to review their relations with the nature, their attitudes and behaviors against the environment and their duties and responsibilities undertaken for the nature, and to redefine the ecologic culture and environmental awareness (Ponting, 2000) . Thus, unless we address the problem with an holistic approach, our chance of finding a solution is decreasing.

Because the globalization of environmental problems and their level that is threatening the life on the planet have directed the people to review their relations with the nature, their attitudes and behaviors against the environment and their duties and responsibilities undertaken for the nature, and to redefine the ecologic culture and environmental awareness.


The CCDs described in this work are fabricated on high-resistivity silicon substrates that are manufactured using the float-zone refining technique [8] . The resistivity is greater than 4000 Ω-cm for the n-type substrates considered here, and the CCDs are operated with a substrate-bias voltage that fully depletes the high-resistivity substrate [9] . As discussed in the remainder of the paper, the low-level effects that arise in these thick, fully depleted CCDs depend on the vertical electric fields in the device, and we show that the effects can be reduced by operating the CCDs with increased vertical fields.

The CCDs described in this work are fabricated on high-resistivity silicon substrates that are manufactured using the float-zone refining technique.

The resistivity is greater than 4000 Ω-cm for the n-type substrates considered here, and the CCDs are operated with a substrate-bias voltage that fully depletes the high-resistivity substrate.


Our nonhuman primate studies have shown that PF treatment results in epithelial damage and occlusion limited to the intramural fallopian tube [9, 10] . The reason for focal obstruction remains unclear because PF treatment results in PF spillage into the peritoneal cavity [10] . Nonhuman primates provide the most suitable animal model for studies on tubal occlusion because of the presence of the intramural tubal segment that passes through the thick muscular uterine wall of the uterus. This anatomic feature is not present in rodents and domestic species and is uniquely susceptible to damage with sclerosing agents. Intrauterine administration of quinacrine in nonhuman primates resulted in focal scarring in the intramural segment with features identical to those that develop in women treated with quinacrine [18, [20] [21] [22] . Polidocanol is a detergent-based nonionic surfactant, and the cytotoxic effect is dependent on concentration and volume of exposure [23] . Therefore, it is possible that a concentration gradient forms during infusion that lead to the greatest concentration in the intramural tube. It is also possible that the narrow lumen of the intramural tube results in a longer duration of exposure, or increased pressure on epithelial cells as the foam is noncompressible. From a clinical perspective, the absence of nontarget epithelial damage following transcervical administration of PF is reassuring.

Our nonhuman primate studies have shown that PF treatment results in epithelial damage and occlusion limited to the intramural fallopian tube.

The reason for focal obstruction remains unclear because PF treatment results in PF spillage into the peritoneal cavity.

Intrauterine administration of quinacrine in nonhuman primates resulted in focal scarring in the intramural segment with features identical to those that develop in women treated with quinacrine.

Polidocanol is a detergent-based nonionic surfactant, and the cytotoxic effect is dependent on concentration and volume of exposure.


Vertex identifying codes were first introduced in 1998 by Karpovsky, Chakrabarty and Levitin [5] . The processors of the preceding paragraph become the vertices of a graph, and the processors on which detectors have been placed become the vertex subset called a vertex identifying code. In the example above, we considered detectors which monitor a neighborhood of radius r. In this paper, we concern ourselves with the case in which r = 1.

Vertex identifying codes were first introduced in 1998 by Karpovsky, Chakrabarty and Levitin.


Of course such theoretical explanations are hypothetical because sexual intentions toward or evaluation of the female confederate were not evaluated in this experiment, therefore this merits further investigation. In this study the intent was only to evaluate the behavioral consequences of a slight touch by a woman on men's behavior. The results of this experiment cannot be extended to other cultures because it has been found that tactile contact is more frequent in French culture than in North American culture (Field, 1999; Jourard, 1966) . It is possible that in a noncontact culture, the effect of touch in a courtship relationship would be perceived differently. Nevertheless, it was confirmed in this study that courtship behaviors and female attractiveness are positively associated with touch and that nonverbal cues seem to be good communication factors that regulate male and female relationships in courtship contexts. Therefore, the association of touch in the context of courtship solicitations could be valuable as a future area of research.

The results of this experiment cannot be extended to other cultures because it has been found that tactile contact is more frequent in French culture than in North American culture.


Why does this effect occur with tactile contact as was found in our experiment? Based on an examination of the previous literature, two theoretical explanations are proposed for the effect of touch on male approach and interest a few minutes later towards a female toucher (Erceau & Guéguen, 2007; Fisher et al., 1976; Hornik, 1992b; Steward & Lupfer, 1987) . Several researchers found that touch facilitates a positive evaluation of the toucher. Considering these previous studies, it is possible that in the present experiment touch was associated with a positive evaluation of the female confederate that in turn led men to express greater interest toward the confederate.

Based on an examination of the previous literature, two theoretical explanations are proposed for the effect of touch on male approach and interest a few minutes later towards a female toucher.


The first dependent variable used in this experiment was evaluated based on the number of participants who engaged the female confederate in a verbal interaction until she sat down after their first interaction. The results obtained in the two experimental conditions are presented in Table 1 below. A 2 (touch/no touch) × 2 (contact/no contact) chi-square test was used to analyze the data in the two conditions. Despite the difference, a significant result was not obtained (c 2 (1, 64) = 3.00, p < .09, r = .21). Furthermore, examination of the effect size shows that the effect of the experimental condition was moderate (Cohen, 1988) . The second dependent variable was the latency of the contact by the male participant until the female confederate sat down. Among the 11 participants who made contact with the female confederate, the mean latency of the contact was 0.53 minutes (SD = 0.29) whereas for the five participants who did not make contact with her, the mean latency was 1.17 minutes (SD = 0.42). The difference between the two means was significantly different (t(14, two-tailed = 3.57, p < .002, d = 1.91). Therefore, a slight tactile contact was found to be associated with a decrease in men's latency to approach the confederate.

Furthermore, examination of the effect size shows that the effect of the experimental condition was moderate.


In this paper, a new toolpath planning approach is developed for hybrid hollow structures with multiple voids. A combination of bilayer pattern with zigzag and spiral toolpaths is proposed with arc and biarc fitting algorithm. Arc fitting is used to eliminate two consecutive sharp turns in the zigzag pattern while spiral toolpath is constructed with biarc fitting algorithm. This eliminates the abovementioned shortcomings of traditional and recent approaches to hollow object prototyping. The proposed algorithms are intended to generate toolpath for the multichannel single nozzle AM process, which was developed in our past studies [4, 8] . The multichannel single nozzle process enables blending multiple materials with dynamic or static mixer followed by extrusion of the material. The system can allow printing multiple materials or different concentration of same material or encapsulated particles to obtain functional gradients on the printed filaments spatially.

The proposed algorithms are intended to generate toolpath for the multichannel single nozzle AM process, which was developed in our past studies.


Taken together, this study provides novel evidence for reduced expression of the ligand-binding and functionally active GRa isoform in the blood of severely traumatized individuals, suggesting that the responsiveness of peripheral target cells towards GCs might be diminished in patients with chronic and severe forms of PTSD. However, GC sensitivity is not only determined by GR expression but also influenced by several other factors such as posttranslational modifications, the composition of the GR complex, and the efficiency of the ligand-induced nuclear translocation of the GR [47, 48] . Thus, future studies should aim at elucidating whether important steps in the GR signaling cascade are additionally affected in severely traumatized subjects.

However, GC sensitivity is not only determined by GR expression but also influenced by several other factors such as posttranslational modifications, the composition of the GR complex, and the efficiency of the ligand-induced nuclear translocation of the GR.


Synthetic antioxidants are widely used because they are effective and cheaper than natural types. However, the safety and toxicity of synthetic antioxidants have important concerns (Imaida et al., 1983) . Much attention has been focused on the use of antioxidants, especially natural antioxidants to inhibit lipid peroxidation or to protect the human body from the oxidative damage by free radicals (Yang et al., 2000; Duhan et al., 2011a; Duhan et al., 2011b; Saharan et al., 2012; Saharan and Duhan, 2013; Rana et al., 2014; Duhan et al., 2015) . In recent years much efforts has been devoted to natural antioxidant because of their association with health benefits (Arnous et al., 2001) .

However, the safety and toxicity of synthetic antioxidants have important concerns.

Much attention has been focused on the use of antioxidants, especially natural antioxidants to inhibit lipid peroxidation or to protect the human body from the oxidative damage by free radicals.

In recent years much efforts has been devoted to natural antioxidant because of their association with health benefits.


Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are ranked as the first two leading causes of death in many developed countries (Doll and Peto, 1981) . Unhealthy dietary habits, living habits and exposure to dangerous chemicals in the environment could lead to the production of more free radicals. It has been reported that oxygen free radicals and other reactive oxygen species can cause oxidative injury to living organisms and thus play an important *Corresponding author. E-mail: pardeep.sadh@gmail.com.

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are ranked as the first two leading causes of death in many developed countries.

E-mail: pardeep.sadh@gmail.com.


Governments in many metropolises are embracing the concept of smart cities, and are beginning to collect big datasets in order to obtain valuable information from them. This information helps governments to improve the standards of living and sustainability required for their inhabitants. In order to increase the comfort and life quality of citizens, it is necessary to reduce costs and optimize the consumption of different energy resources. This reduction in costs, for instance, could improve performance in areas such as education, health-care, transport, security, and emergency services [1] . In this regard, massive storage of data using smart grid technologies is widespread [2] . For example, the energy consumption of water or electricity in public institutions is continuously monitored. However, traditional tools and techniques for storing and extracting valuable information have become obsolete due to the high computational cost of mining gigabytes of data [3] . In this sense, the advent of new machine learning tools makes it easier to mine data, but new techniques are needed to improve the processing, management, and discovery of valuable information and knowledge for organizations [4] .

This reduction in costs, for instance, could improve performance in areas such as education, health-care, transport, security, and emergency services.

In this regard, massive storage of data using smart grid technologies is widespread.

However, traditional tools and techniques for storing and extracting valuable information have become obsolete due to the high computational cost of mining gigabytes of data.

In this sense, the advent of new machine learning tools makes it easier to mine data, but new techniques are needed to improve the processing, management, and discovery of valuable information and knowledge for organizations.


Airless bodies in the Solar System -from tiny dust grains to large moons -obstruct the local flow of solar wind, collect its charged particles, and create plasma wakes, generating complex and interesting electric field and potential structure. On the larger side of the spectrum is Earth's Moon, which at radius R M $ 1740 km creates a global plasma wake that typically extends tens of lunar radii downstream. The lunar dayside is dominated by photoemission, which generates a dense layer of photoelectrons within just meters above the surface (Poppe and Horányi, 2010) . The lunar nightside collects the most energetic solar wind electrons penetrating the wake and can charge to thousands of Volts negative (Halekas et al., 2005) . Regional irregularities in the surface topography -such as craters and outcroppings -can generate their own mini-wakes that significantly affect the local particle fluxes and electric field, most notably near the lunar terminator and poles (Farrell et al., 2010; Zimmerman et al., 2011 Zimmerman et al., , 2012 Zimmerman et al., , 2013 Poppe et al., 2012) . Some of the most important factors governing the plasma-Moon interaction are the effective body size R, the typical solar wind Debye length k sw $ 10 m, the dayside photoelectron Debye length k pe $ 1 m, the thermal ion and electron gyroradii in the interplanetary magnetic field, q i $ 120 km and q e $ 3 km, the ion Mach angle Lunar-relevant processes should also be important at intermediate body sizes, such as at asteroids tens to hundreds of meters in size (or even lunar rocks, boulders, and craters at these scales). However, given the smaller spatial scale of an asteroid, namely the closer proximity of sunlit and shadowed surfaces with respect to the solar wind Debye length of about 10 m, the day and night http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2014.02.029 0019-1035/Ó 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The lunar dayside is dominated by photoemission, which generates a dense layer of photoelectrons within just meters above the surface.

The lunar nightside collects the most energetic solar wind electrons penetrating the wake and can charge to thousands of Volts negative.

Regional irregularities in the surface topography -such as craters and outcroppings -can generate their own mini-wakes that significantly affect the local particle fluxes and electric field, most notably near the lunar terminator and poles.


Due to heterogeneous nature of data, a growing number of developers and users have begun turning to various types of non relational databases (Leavitt, 2010) . The existence of a broad range of NoSQL databases on the one hand and efforts to provide flexible data formats on the other hand was the motivation to investigate replacement of common relational database by their NoSQL alternatives. Our EEG/ERP Portal served as a suitable test case. Our tests simultaneously validated a StorageBIT approach.

Due to heterogeneous nature of data, a growing number of developers and users have begun turning to various types of non relational databases.


Second, communication is key. Meetup automatically advertises groups based on keywords to potential participants. This is a great start to group success, but does not necessarily empower individuals to start a group. The use of asynchronous chat around specific interests can help empower participants to take the first step in organizing an activity. From previous research, we know group chats enable involved parties to suggest details in planning events. The most significant issue is the offtopic chat or banter that crowds group chats [32] . By focusing an asynchronous chat under the label of a specific interest (e.g. beach volleyball chat in the search results for beach volleyball), the chat is less likely to get off-topic. When multiple people are discussing a topic locally, this gives a single individual confidence to suggest a meet up with like-minded individuals.

Second, communication is key.

The most significant issue is the offtopic chat or banter that crowds group chats.


Two trends are observed in the ongoing development of the future generations of high performance computing systems: 1) the processor is fabricated with the CMOS processing technology that is constanly scaling down and 2) commodity high-end processors, rather than customized processors, are more widely employed to reduce the total cost. The combination of these two trends makes the reliable working of hardware much more difficult [16] . Unreliable hardware behaviors can be roughly split into hard errors and soft errors. While a hard error is a persistent hardware failure, a soft error is a transient failure and hence harder to detect and analyze.

The combination of these two trends makes the reliable working of hardware much more difficult.


The core is often homogenized in order to reduce the calculation time of a finite element model of the honeycomb core. This means that the honeycomb core is replaced by a full solid core, which has approximately the same orthotropic behavior as the real honeycomb core. The elastic constants of the homogenized core can be calculated using Gibson and Ashby's method [1] . Additionally, in this case, the real stresses in the honeycomb core are derived from the stresses in the homogeneous core. This will be done in an analytical way. This paper was written as part of a project which investigates the fatigue in sandwich structures with a honeycomb core.

The elastic constants of the homogenized core can be calculated using Gibson and Ashby's method.

This will be done in an analytical way.


The MDR postmarket surveillance system is ineffective, and the 1997 FDA Modernization and Accountability Act (FDAMA) have further restricted the ability of the FDA to conduct postmarket surveillance of medical devices. Under FDAMA the agency is no longer able to mandate postmarket surveillance of implantable medical devices [19] . The FDA must now seek voluntary support from manufacturers in order to have them conduct postmarket surveillance studies, which are restricted to a maximum follow-up of 3.5 years. Consequently, the FDA in 1998 rescinded device tracking requirements for 14 device categories [19] . Overall, the FDA's postmarket surveillance strategies are more limited now than in the early 1990's under the SMDA. AdvaMed, the medical device industry lobbying group has opposed reform of the current FDA approval process for devices.

Under FDAMA the agency is no longer able to mandate postmarket surveillance of implantable medical devices.

Consequently, the FDA in 1998 rescinded device tracking requirements for 14 device categories.