Handled by: Jagath Kaluarachchi, Utah State University, United States. and hydrological droughts (Cook et al. 2015; Gonzalez et al. 2018; Udall and Overpeck 2017) . Against this backdrop, cities that rely on Colorado River water-like Phoenix, Arizona, Denver, Colorado, and Las Vegas, Nevada-are tasked with providing adequate, equitable, and safe water to support economic development and human well-being while maintaining life-supporting ecosystems (Wiek and Larson 2012) . Scholars have argued, however, that contemporary urban water governance regimes are inadequately prepared to deal with the myriad developments affecting water systems in an era of deep uncertainty and climate change (Gober 2013; 2018) . The traditional regimes can suffer from path dependence, sunk costs, technological lock-in, and lack of incentives to consider transformational changes (Lienert et al. 2006) .

Handled by: Jagath Kaluarachchi, Utah State University, United States. and hydrological droughts.

Against this backdrop, cities that rely on Colorado River water-like Phoenix, Arizona, Denver, Colorado, and Las Vegas, Nevada-are tasked with providing adequate, equitable, and safe water to support economic development and human well-being while maintaining life-supporting ecosystems.

Scholars have argued, however, that contemporary urban water governance regimes are inadequately prepared to deal with the myriad developments affecting water systems in an era of deep uncertainty and climate change.

The traditional regimes can suffer from path dependence, sunk costs, technological lock-in, and lack of incentives to consider transformational changes.


In this study, we present an original theoretical model to explain the relations among (1) independent variables including five attitudinal and social-structural factors and (2) dependent variables including public perceptions of the need for urban water sustainability transitions and public support for transformational water-management strategies. We test the model with data from a large random-sample survey of residents of three cities in the western United States. Furthermore, our analysis tests for moderation to examine the generalizability of the model. The use of a random sample in multiple, diverse urban contexts offers a robust test of the hypothesized model, and guides the development and refinement of the factors that influence public perceptions of sustainability transitions. The theoretical utility of the model is supported by the fact that we tested the model with urban residents, a population that has been rarely studied in sustainability transition literature. In addition, we expanded the boundaries of sustainability transitions literature by including well-established constructs from attitude theory. This latter point is important to address the critique that the transition literature risks being dominated by a small scientific network, leading to excessive cross-referencing and lack of integration with broader scientific fields (Child and Breyer 2017) .

This latter point is important to address the critique that the transition literature risks being dominated by a small scientific network, leading to excessive cross-referencing and lack of integration with broader scientific fields.


We used multiple indices to evaluate model fit, because each index is associated with distinct bias (Hu and Bentler 1999; Kline 2005) . Indices included those based on minimum sample discrepancy functions (Chi-square statistic; relative Chi-square), measures based on population discrepancy (RMSEA), and baseline comparison measures (CFI). A relative Chi-square in the range of 3-1 indicates favorable fit between the hypothetical model and the sample data for large samples (i.e., > 200). Fit is considered good (acceptable) if the CFI is greater than or equal to 0.95 (0.90) and the RMSEA is less than or equal to 0.05 (less than 0.08).

We used multiple indices to evaluate model fit, because each index is associated with distinct bias.


For the analysis, we used SPSS 25 and AMOS 25. First, we screened all variables by examining skewness and kurtosis found no major deviations from normality. To answer RQ1, we used one-way ANOVA to detect mean differences between sample groups and Tukey's HSD post hoc tests to identify homogenous subsets. To answer RQ2 and RQ3, we employed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). We used full information maximum-likelihood (FIML) estimation to handle missing data. The FIML technique does not impute data, but rather uses all the available data for each case to compute maximum-likelihood estimates, or the value of the parameter that is most likely to have resulted in the observed data (Enders and Bandalos 2001) . First, we established the measurement model and then modified the measurement model to represent the theoretical model and tested it using SEM. The hypothesized structural model and study hypotheses developed and tested in the study are presented in Fig. 2 .

The FIML technique does not impute data, but rather uses all the available data for each case to compute maximum-likelihood estimates, or the value of the parameter that is most likely to have resulted in the observed data.


Neonatal resuscitation is an infrequent situation, but it requires a rapid and regulated intervention aimed at recovering cardiopulmonary circulation. In this situation, the establishment of roles and teamwork is of paramount importance, as is the skill of each of the participants in performing the necessary techniques. It is obvious that all medical training should involve, in some way, training with real patients, but this training should be undertaken in such a way as to guarantee the principle of non-malfeasance with minimal repercussions for the prognosis of the patient [7, 8] .

It is obvious that all medical training should involve, in some way, training with real patients, but this training should be undertaken in such a way as to guarantee the principle of non-malfeasance with minimal repercussions for the prognosis of the patient.


Water is an essential natural resource for sustaining life and environment, which is always thought to be available in abundance and free gift of nature. With the increase of living population it has been put under tremendous pressure due to human and other biological activities [1] . Within an aquatic ecosystem, a complex interaction of physical and biochemical cycles exists, anthropogenic stresses, particularly the interaction of chemicals into water may adversely affect many species of aquatic flora and fauna. Water quality criteria for protection of aquatic life may take into account only physic-chemical parameters which tend to protect and maintain aquatic life [2] .

With the increase of living population it has been put under tremendous pressure due to human and other biological activities.

Water quality criteria for protection of aquatic life may take into account only physic-chemical parameters which tend to protect and maintain aquatic life.


East Hammar marsh is situated south of the Euphrates, extending from near Nasiriyah in the west to the outskirts of Basrah on the Shatt al-Arab in the east (Figure 1) . The marsh area historically consisted of 2800 km² of permanent marsh and lake, expanding to more than 4500 km² during periods of seasonal and temporary inundation. Hammar marsh is the largest water body on the lower Euphrates. In the late 1980s, it was approximately 120 km long and 25 km wide. Maximum water depth in the lake ranged from 1.8 to 3 m [3] .

Maximum water depth in the lake ranged from 1.8 to 3 m.


Among the developed models was that informed by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). The CCME WQI is based on a formula developed by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks that was modified by Alberta Environment, Canada. This index doesn't give any weighted numbers but treats the values of parameters in mathematical ways to ensure that all parameters contribute adequately in the final number of the index. This model is flexible, allowing one to choose the parameters to use and standardize them according to the objectives and area of study [9] .

This model is flexible, allowing one to choose the parameters to use and standardize them according to the objectives and area of study.


In this work we have modeled the linear and nonlinear rheological response of a benchmark viscoelastic liquid food, the dysphagia product Resource R ⃝ Thicken Up Clear (TUC), as well as various plant extracts and human whole saliva, using fractional rheological models. Using the Matlab genetic algorithm function, we have shown that the FMM does a better and more parsimonious job of capturing the rheological response of the TUC solutions (using a representative concentration of c = 1.2 wt %) than an N-element Maxwell model consisting of up to 50 true physical elements, justifying the use of this more compact representation even at the expense of possible lost physical meaning [27] . We note, however, that for these biopolymer solutions, the breadth of the viscoelastic spectrum is extremely large. The physical meaning of a model containing 10 modes, or 20 parameters (which is the number required for the multi-mode Maxwell model to begin to be comparable to the FMM in terms of goodness of fit to experimental data), becomes increasingly difficult to interpret and unwieldy to use in simulations of viscoelastic flows.

Using the Matlab genetic algorithm function, we have shown that the FMM does a better and more parsimonious job of capturing the rheological response of the TUC solutions (using a representative concentration of c = 1.2 wt %) than an N-element Maxwell model consisting of up to 50 true physical elements, justifying the use of this more compact representation even at the expense of possible lost physical meaning.


For many food products, textural attributes are strong drivers of consumer preference [1] . In addition to the importance for the sensory experience associated with food, texture plays a critical role in determining what can and cannot be consumed for people suffering from mastication and swallowing disorders, which are collectively known as dysphagia [2, 3, 4] . As a result of the difficulty that many of these patients have with swallowing very tough foods such as meat, softer diets are commonly followed [4] . Moreover, higher viscosity, 'thicker', liquids are generally preferred over 'thinner' ones due to the increased risk of aspirating thin liquids [2] .

For many food products, textural attributes are strong drivers of consumer preference.

In addition to the importance for the sensory experience associated with food, texture plays a critical role in determining what can and cannot be consumed for people suffering from mastication and swallowing disorders, which are collectively known as dysphagia.

As a result of the difficulty that many of these patients have with swallowing very tough foods such as meat, softer diets are commonly followed.

Moreover, higher viscosity, 'thicker', liquids are generally preferred over 'thinner' ones due to the increased risk of aspirating thin liquids.


Candida arthritis is a very rare disease. And, most of the cases have been associated with immunosuppressive conditions, such as cancer, AIDS, organ transplantation, chronic renal failure, steroid use, and heroin abuse [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . We present a patient with no predisposing factors who developed right knee arthritis caused by Candida parapsilosis 8 weeks after arthroscopic arthroplasty.

And, most of the cases have been associated with immunosuppressive conditions, such as cancer, AIDS, organ transplantation, chronic renal failure, steroid use, and heroin abuse.


The presence of magnetic field-aligned, wave-like plasma density irregularities of the meter-decameter scale is an inherent feature of the high-latitude E-region. Such irregularities are believed to be created by the Farley-Buneman (FB) and gradient-drift (GD) plasma instabilities at electrojet heights (Fejer and Kelley, 1980) . The irregularities are routinely detected by VHF and HF coherent radars in those parts of the high-latitude ionosphere where the radio waves propagate almost perpendicular to the Earth's magnetic field lines.

Such irregularities are believed to be created by the Farley-Buneman (FB) and gradient-drift (GD) plasma instabilities at electrojet heights.


Correspondence to: A. V. Koustov (sasha.koustov@usask.ca) the direction of the irregularities' propagation. This expectation has been widely used for plasma convection monitoring in VHF experiments, for example, in the STARE experiment (Greenwald et al., 1978; Nielsen and Schlegel, 1985) . For the success of the convection estimates, it is fundamentally important that the velocity magnitude is proportional to V E and varies as a cosine function of the flow angle.

This expectation has been widely used for plasma convection monitoring in VHF experiments, for example, in the STARE experiment.


Performance measurement and management methodologies evolved with business trends (Bititci et al., 2012) . Indeed, earlier methods mainly focused on cost or financial evaluation, then later methods integrated financial and nonfinancial performance measurement and, more recently, new methods turned to integrate performance management systems which take into consideration the multidimensional nature of performance through a wide range of performance indicators. Consequently, performance measurement and management problems become ever more challenging due to the proliferation of evaluation criteria and decision data overflow in nowadays fluctuating environments. In addition, companies must rely on integrated, dynamic and relevant performance information to promote a pro-active management style for efficient and effective decision making.

Performance measurement and management methodologies evolved with business trends.


Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific condition and is associated with high maternal mortality and morbidity as well as risk of perinatal death, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction [1] . It occurs in 4 to 7 per cent of pregnant women worldwide [2] . The etiology of preeclampsia remains unclear despite extensive research. Risk factors for preeclampsia include nulliparity, a family or own history of PE, pre-existing diabetes or increased body mass index, multiple pregnancy, maternal age, renal disease, hypertension or raised blood pressure at booking and chronic autoimmune disease [3] . The rate of preeclampsia has increased worldwide especially in developed countries by 40% between 1990 and 1999 due to an increase in number of older mothers and multiple births, conditions known to increase its risk [4] .

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific condition and is associated with high maternal mortality and morbidity as well as risk of perinatal death, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction.

It occurs in 4 to 7 per cent of pregnant women worldwide.

Risk factors for preeclampsia include nulliparity, a family or own history of PE, pre-existing diabetes or increased body mass index, multiple pregnancy, maternal age, renal disease, hypertension or raised blood pressure at booking and chronic autoimmune disease.

The rate of preeclampsia has increased worldwide especially in developed countries by 40% between 1990 and 1999 due to an increase in number of older mothers and multiple births, conditions known to increase its risk.


Another popular approach is to use a set of carefully selected references and pre-compute the distance of all data in the database against these references [36] . Given a query, the distance of the references is computed first and using the triangular inequality of the metric distance, parts of the database can be pruned without computing all the distances. One problem with this approach is the large space requirement in practice.

Another popular approach is to use a set of carefully selected references and pre-compute the distance of all data in the database against these references.


Synthetic dyes offer the flexibility of selection of proper hue and substantively with reference to the fibre. The development of synthetic dyes in the second half of nineteenth century led to a high quality dyes with better reproducible techniques of application. As a result, a distinct lowering in the dyestuff costs per kg of dyed goods was achieved [9] . Also a full gamut of color is available for application on various types of fibres. However, during the last few decades, the use of synthetic dyes is gradually receding due to an increased environmental awareness and harmful effects, of either toxic degraded products of these dyes or their non-biodegradable nature. In addition to above, some serious health hazards like allergy and, carcinogenicity are associated with some of the synthetic dyes based on azochromospheres. As a result, a ban has been imposed all over the world including European Economic Community (EEC), Germany, USA and India on the use of some synthetic dyes (e.g. azodyes) which finally triggered active research and development to revive world heritage and traditional wisdom of employing safer natural dyes [10] . Even though natural colors cannot substitute the synthetic dyes completely, there is definitely increasing market for such complete eco-friendly dyed or printed materials, if not for common market, but for those who desire to have such products.

As a result, a distinct lowering in the dyestuff costs per kg of dyed goods was achieved.

As a result, a ban has been imposed all over the world including European Economic Community (EEC), Germany, USA and India on the use of some synthetic dyes (e.g. azodyes) which finally triggered active research and development to revive world heritage and traditional wisdom of employing safer natural dyes.


Nevertheless, we can conclude that adolescents bullied at home or at school, and particularly victims in both contexts, have more behaviour problems and are much more often unhappy youngsters. Sibling bullying is related to sibling composition, in particular the number of siblings and presence of brothers, as well as less involved or more negative parenting, while school bullying is more dependent on material deprivation at home and negative experiences with siblings. Whether being a victim or bully/victim is a precursor or just a marker of behaviour problems, the current findings add that bullying also takes place at home. Interventions should include training in parenting skills to deal with repeated and serious conflicts between siblings (Wolke and Samara 2004) . Strengthening families and parenting skills and increasing social support between siblings are likely to reduce bullying in school and increase wellbeing (Bowes et al 2010) .

Interventions should include training in parenting skills to deal with repeated and serious conflicts between siblings.

Strengthening families and parenting skills and increasing social support between siblings are likely to reduce bullying in school and increase wellbeing.


Bullying victimisation refers to children being exposed repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other peers who are or perceived to be stronger (Olweus 1993) . It is systematic abuse of power with three crucial elements: repetition, intention to harm, and unequal power. Bullying can be direct including verbal abuse, hitting, kicking, beating, destroying others' belongings, or blackmail. In contrast, relational bullying refers to deliberate social exclusion of children such as ignoring, excluding them from games or parties, spreading gossip, or framing them to be humiliated (Woods and Wolke 2004) . Children can be involved in bullying as either the targets of bullying (victims), as the perpetrators (bullies) or being a target but also bullying others (bully/victim). Finally, most children not involved in bullying are neutrals.

Bullying victimisation refers to children being exposed repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other peers who are or perceived to be stronger.

In contrast, relational bullying refers to deliberate social exclusion of children such as ignoring, excluding them from games or parties, spreading gossip, or framing them to be humiliated.


Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and non-imprinted polymer (NIP) particles of all sizes have been adopted for cleanup or preconcentration of environmental pollutants [1] . The advantages of using these functional polymers are excellent efficiency on capture of organic pollutants at trace concentration levels, and cost effectiveness, allowing for the fast processing of wastewater effluent in large volumes or at high flow rates [2] . The polymers are synthesized from monomers bearing functional groups (or functional monomers), such as methacrylic acid (MAA), acrylic acid (AA), pyrrole (Py), 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP), and 3-(2-aminoethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . The most commonly used cross-linkers in MIP and NIP synthesis are EDMA, EGDMA, TRIM, PETRA, TEOS and DVB [2, [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] ]. An ultra-high specific surface area is a major characteristic of the three dimensional (3-D) cross-linked structure that has become especially important to the development of MIP and NIP submicron particles [12] .

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and non-imprinted polymer (NIP) particles of all sizes have been adopted for cleanup or preconcentration of environmental pollutants.

The advantages of using these functional polymers are excellent efficiency on capture of organic pollutants at trace concentration levels, and cost effectiveness, allowing for the fast processing of wastewater effluent in large volumes or at high flow rates.

The polymers are synthesized from monomers bearing functional groups (or functional monomers), such as methacrylic acid (MAA), acrylic acid (AA), pyrrole (Py), 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP), and 3-(2-aminoethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS).

The most commonly used cross-linkers in MIP and NIP synthesis are EDMA, EGDMA, TRIM, PETRA, TEOS and DVB].

An ultra-high specific surface area is a major characteristic of the three dimensional (3-D) cross-linked structure that has become especially important to the development of MIP and NIP submicron particles.


Further investigation will be performed by measuring fluorescence emission and light scattering intensities from molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) submicron particles, before and after binding with E2. MIP particles have a porous structure which can do more specific and semi-specific binding with E2 than NIPs. One big challenge is that the fluorescence emission and light scattering from E2 molecules bound inside the cavities can be changed (in intensity and wavelengths) by MIPs porous structure. Future study will examine spectroscopically the mechanisms of competitive binding of E1/E2/EE2/E3 mixture to MIP submicron particles, as previously proposed in the framework of the NICA-Donnan model [27] . The evolution of time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectra of MIP with bound E2, for instance, could show two strikingly different environments for the binding. Release into the bulk solution as free E2 could be evidenced both by the shapes of the spectra and by the decrease in the luminescence decay times.

Future study will examine spectroscopically the mechanisms of competitive binding of E1/E2/EE2/E3 mixture to MIP submicron particles, as previously proposed in the framework of the NICA-Donnan model.


Reverse current protection is traditionally handled with simple solid state diodes [24, 28, 30] . Solid state diodes typically induce a 0.5e1.5 V drop, therefore their efficiency is proportional to the load current using Joules' First Law. This provides a large source of inefficiency, heat, size and weight for high current applications.

Reverse current protection is traditionally handled with simple solid state diodes.


Conversely, every fuel cell's voltage does vary with load. The three mechanisms for losses in a PEM fuel cell which govern the voltage relationship with load are activation, ohmic and mass transport losses [3e6] . The load and voltage relationship is well known as a polarisation curve and is constructed using steady state loads. This does not account for is a pulsed load, such as Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), which creates a duty cycle on the load [7] . Using this technique it is possible to change the perceived load; for example, a 50% duty cycle on a 50 A load may only appear to be a 25 A load if the switching frequency is high enough. This will be important in a hybrid by allowing the partial load on the PEM fuel cell to be controlled, therefore allowing the voltage of the PEM fuel cell to be matched to the battery voltage.

This does not account for is a pulsed load, such as Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), which creates a duty cycle on the load.


A systematic review was done to identify diagnostic criteria of NLC. The methodology is specified in our PROSPEROregistered protocol (16467) and conforms to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [13] . In order to differentiate between NLC, on the one hand, and RLS and PLMD, on the other, an additional Delphi methodology was used. In this study a focus group of 27 experts assessed the relevance of the diagnostic criteria.

The methodology is specified in our PROSPEROregistered protocol (16467) and conforms to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.


CT scans were obtained at single cross-sectional areas of third lumbar vertebrae (L3MA) [13] . Patients with scans were taken more than 3 months prior to surgery were excluded from the study. The median and range for the interval between CT scanning and operation was 0.91 months (0.03-2.83). Scans with missing region of interest were excluded from the study. Each image was analysed using a programme (NIH Image J version 1.47, http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/) [13] .

CT scans were obtained at single cross-sectional areas of third lumbar vertebrae (L3MA).

Each image was analysed using a programme (NIH Image J version 1.47, http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/).


Research to date has shown that children as well as teachers and PSTs struggle understanding numbers. Children struggle when learning about number and the numeration system. Only 60% of U.S. 8 th graders were able to write a 3-digit number when given digits and conditions related to their place values (Kouba & Wearne, 2000) . And only about half the children in fourth grade understand that the 1 in 16 represents 10 (Kamii, 1986; Ross, 1990a) .

Only 60% of U.S. 8 th graders were able to write a 3-digit number when given digits and conditions related to their place values.

And only about half the children in fourth grade understand that the 1 in 16 represents 10.


When children learn the standard algorithms, they are often drilled on the procedures, and many fail to construct meaning for the algorithms. Learning procedures without understanding can be detrimental to children (Ball, 1988; Kamii, 1986) . Children learn where to write the digits but might not understand why when they add 7 and 5, for example, they write the 2 below and regroup the 1 to the next column. Without constructing meaning for the algorithms, children might concentrate more on the rules of the algorithm than on "the essence of the numeration system-the numerals have different values depending on their place" (Ball, 1988, p. 49) .

Learning procedures without understanding can be detrimental to children.


Quality traceability of pork products begins with pig breeding until dining-table of consumers and involves many segments. Influencing factors are complicated; a variety of data is required to be collected and perceived. At present, it is very difficult to collect and carry out whole traceability information. Therefore, only information for ear tags at removing ear tags and RFID carcass tags at halving pig carcass process is collected based on analysis of traceability key points, especially on 8 intermediate slaughter processes. That is, the study not only collected wholly and normatively processed slaughter traceability information, and also made one-one relation between pig breeding process information and terminal sales information according to the systematic design, realized the traceable query of pork quality and safety. This study is a subsystem of the traceability system for quality and safety of swine products, mainly to reduce or avoid phenomenon that easily occur or make mistakes between material chain and information chain in tracing system for animal products' quality by things internet technologies, i.e. UHF RFID, that not only ensures the integration of tracing information and improves the effectiveness of tracing information query [5] [6] [7] . Now, this data collection system for slaughter link has applied to the traceability platform for quality and safety of swine products in Dongying city in Shangdong province, Tianjin city and Hebei province [15] [16] [17] [18] .

This study is a subsystem of the traceability system for quality and safety of swine products, mainly to reduce or avoid phenomenon that easily occur or make mistakes between material chain and information chain in tracing system for animal products' quality by things internet technologies, i.e. UHF RFID, that not only ensures the integration of tracing information and improves the effectiveness of tracing information query.

Now, this data collection system for slaughter link has applied to the traceability platform for quality and safety of swine products in Dongying city in Shangdong province, Tianjin city and Hebei province.


Oesophageal duplication cyst represents a rare congenital foregut anomaly. Its incidence has been noted as 1/8200 with male preponderance [1] . During 7th week of embryonic life the oesophageal epithelium proliferates until the lumen is nearly ®lled with cells. Irregular spaces within the cellular mass form communication channels or vacuoles. These vacuoles coalesce and a single lumen is restored. It has been postulated that oesophageal duplication cysts are formed due sequestration of these vacuoles and failure to recanalize the foregut lumen in a complete fashion between the 5th and 8th week of embryonic life [2] . The location of the cyst and the presence or absence of complications determine the presenting symptoms. To our knowledge an asymptomatic child with oesophageal cyst in®ltrating the lung with ®stula formation has not been described in the literature previously.

Its incidence has been noted as 1/8200 with male preponderance.

It has been postulated that oesophageal duplication cysts are formed due sequestration of these vacuoles and failure to recanalize the foregut lumen in a complete fashion between the 5th and 8th week of embryonic life.


If properties other than AOT (e.g., surface albedo, aerosol single scattering albedo, sun angle) change during the measurement, the gradient method cannot be rigorously applied. In particular, a heterogeneous surface makes the gradient method impractical because changes in net irradiance are caused both by changes in the underlying surface albedo as well as in aerosol optical thickness above the leg. Also, the gradient method cannot be applied for homogeneous aerosol layers with negligible gradients in AOT (Redemann et al., 2006) .

Also, the gradient method cannot be applied for homogeneous aerosol layers with negligible gradients in AOT.


Our new method was developed as an alternative approach that can be used over inhomogeneous land surfaces and in case of homogeneous aerosol layers. It has been adapted from a method that was originally developed for deriving aerosol single scattering albedo from absorption measurements (Bergstrom et al., 2007; Russell et al., 2002) . The new method uses spectral irradiance and AOT that are measured in a vertical profile (see Figure 1) . The aerosol single scattering albedo, asymmetry parameter, and surface albedo are derived from the upward, downward, and net spectral irradiance above and below the layer by iteratively adjusting these values in a radiative transfer model until the modeled irradiance converges to the measured irradiance at flight altitude. The AOT spectrum is required as model input. The retrieved values are then used to calculate the TOL and BOL forcing efficiencies. The new method is not limited to instantaneous forcing efficiencies that are dependent on solar zenith angle: When aerosol single scattering albedo, asymmetry parameter, and surface albedo are known, spectral and broadband forcing efficiencies can be calculated for any time and solar zenith angle, or as a diurnally-averaged quantity (Russell et al., 1997) .

It has been adapted from a method that was originally developed for deriving aerosol single scattering albedo from absorption measurements.

The new method is not limited to instantaneous forcing efficiencies that are dependent on solar zenith angle: When aerosol single scattering albedo, asymmetry parameter, and surface albedo are known, spectral and broadband forcing efficiencies can be calculated for any time and solar zenith angle, or as a diurnally-averaged quantity.


The results of aerosol optical properties over land were compared with in-situ measurements and retrievals from AERONET and MFRSR. This proved to be challenging because of the extreme heterogeneity of the pollution in the Mexico City area. For example, on a northbound flight leg away from the City Center on 19 March 2006, the single scattering albedo generally increased. However, it dropped intermittently, probably when encountering a younger plume. Also, the asymmetry parameter did not generally increase further away from the source, as would be expected for growing particle size associated with water uptake in the course of aging. This leads to the conclusion that the flight track intercepted pollution of variegated origin. Horizontal and vertical heterogeneity might explain the disagreement between our retrievals and AERONET results at T0, for both single scattering albedo and asymmetry parameter. A further complication for direct intercomparison is the strong diurnal pattern in single scattering albedo (Paredes-Miranda et al., 2009) .

A further complication for direct intercomparison is the strong diurnal pattern in single scattering albedo.


Our Usability Evaluation comprises both (1) test methods such as Performance Measurement, Satisfaction Questionnaire and Interview and (2) inspection methods such as KeyStroke-Level Model [11] . The human computer interaction research community advises to combine these methods to achieve reliable assessment. The selected Usability Evaluation Methods enable us to (1) asses effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction and (2) to identify usability problems.

Our Usability Evaluation comprises both (1) test methods such as Performance Measurement, Satisfaction Questionnaire and Interview and (2) inspection methods such as KeyStroke-Level Model.


In 2002, Taiwan proposed 'Challenge 2008 National development plan' to promote cultural and creative industry. Motion picture industry is included in this project [11] . In this paper, we define capability as the ability to make use of resources to perform some task or activity [12] . Key capabilities are valuable capabilities which help to generate high profit margins, and are the clear market winners in securing market share [13] .

Motion picture industry is included in this project.

In this paper, we define capability as the ability to make use of resources to perform some task or activity.

Key capabilities are valuable capabilities which help to generate high profit margins, and are the clear market winners in securing market share.


This study was carried out in the context of binary images. However, it remains relevant whenever a notion of simple point (or more generally a local characterisation of topology preservation) is available. This is verified, for instance, in the context of n-ary images [14] . On the other hand, only the Eulerian (backwards) model has been considered in this study. In future work, we will extend these results to the case of the Lagrangian (forwards) model. Note that additional difficulties arise in the Lagrangian model, such as double pixels in the transformed space that may receive two different values, and null pixels that do not have any value. The Lagrangian model thus involves a value decision problem for such pixels.

This is verified, for instance, in the context of n-ary images.


Despite the impressive performance of DNNs on various tasks, they have been proven to be very sensitive to certain types of noise, commonly referred to as adversarial examples, particularly in the recognition task [31, 14] . Adversarial examples can be viewed as small imperceptible noise that once added to the input of a DNN, the performance is severely degraded. This finding has broadened the interest in studying and measuring the robustness of DNNs.

Despite the impressive performance of DNNs on various tasks, they have been proven to be very sensitive to certain types of noise, commonly referred to as adversarial examples, particularly in the recognition task.


In general, the existing statistical methods have been proven useful and successful in many applications [13] . However, none of them is generally applicable to all images, and different algorithms should be usually not equally suitable for any given particular application. We believe that image thresholding is also an essential part in infrared image tracking system, since target detection is an important problem in infrared image sequences with various cluttered environments, and image thresholding can be usually used to separate candidate targets in the image because of its simplicity and efficiency. Unfortunately, most statistical methods cannot provide satisfied results for infrared image thresholding without considering the practical features, which are not exclusive and lack sufficient attention on specific application prospect. In this sense, the automatic selection of optimum threshold for infrared image is still a challenge.

In general, the existing statistical methods have been proven useful and successful in many applications.


Image thresholding converts a gray level image into a binary image, and it is one group of popular and simple methods. Many different techniques have been proposed and developed over the years [1] [2] [3] [4] . Comprehensive overviews and comparative studies of image thresholding can be found in the recent literature [5, 6] .

Many different techniques have been proposed and developed over the years.

Comprehensive overviews and comparative studies of image thresholding can be found in the recent literature.


The HPLC method is suitable for routine monitoring of the antibiotic plasma levels in critically ill patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy. TDM as evaluation and interpretation of plasma or serum concentrations is a method to individualize drug therapy on a pharmacokinetic level. In the first place TDM is used for drugs with a narrow therapeutic range. In the treatment of septic patients antibiotics belong to the most important drugs and the pharmacokinetics of antimicrobial agents in critically ill patients can be highly variable [2] . In antibiotic therapy the therapeutic effects cannot be registered directly and under treatment is not recognized promptly. In order to optimize the outcome of antibiotic therapy in septic patients therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended [3] .

In the treatment of septic patients antibiotics belong to the most important drugs and the pharmacokinetics of antimicrobial agents in critically ill patients can be highly variable.

In order to optimize the outcome of antibiotic therapy in septic patients therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended.


Piperacillin/tazobactam and ciprofloxacin are often used in combination as initial empiric antibiotic therapy in critical ill intensive care patients [1] . Especially in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) the pharmacokinetics of antimicrobial agents can be highly variable [2] . In order to avoid under-or overdosage of antibiotics therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is highly recommendable [3] [4] . TDM is based on the measurement of antimicrobial drug concentrations in the biological matrices. Concentrations of antimicrobial agents are usually determined by HPLC assays with ultraviolet (UV) detection. To our knowledge there are no methods published to determine simultaneously concentrations of piperacillin and ciprofloxacin in plasma or dialysate samples. Based on two known HPLC assays for piperacillin a new method for the simultaneous determination of piperacillin and ciprofloxacin was designed [5] [6] . The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and reproducible HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of piperacillin and ciprofloxacin in human plasma and dialysate samples obtained from critical ill patients undergoing CRRT. In addition the same sample pre-treatment method with solid phase extraction (SPE) should be feasible for both antibiotics. Method validation was performed according to the EMA guideline on validation of bioanalytical methods [7] .

Piperacillin/tazobactam and ciprofloxacin are often used in combination as initial empiric antibiotic therapy in critical ill intensive care patients.

Especially in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) the pharmacokinetics of antimicrobial agents can be highly variable.

In order to avoid under-or overdosage of antibiotics therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is highly recommendable.

Based on two known HPLC assays for piperacillin a new method for the simultaneous determination of piperacillin and ciprofloxacin was designed.

Method validation was performed according to the EMA guideline on validation of bioanalytical methods.


The increase in CVP achieved after infusion over 20 min in our study is comparable to that produced by Wollman and Marx, who infused 1000 ml over 14-20 min [1] . They concluded that rapid infusion of crystalloid solutions was safe in parturients with no cardiovascular compromise. Whilst the mean CVP achieved after preload in the 10-min group was within clinically acceptable ranges, three patients had values which caused concern (16, 19 and 19 mm Hg). In 1966, Askrog was unable to demonstrate any untoward effects of infusing 1000 ml over 4 min and only a transient increase in pulmonary artery pressure, although his subjects were receiving halothane anaesthesia and were not pregnant [2] . There is evidence to suggest that parturients might be more susceptible to pulmonary oedema after rapid administration of crystalloid solutions, possibly because of an increase in lung water during pregnancy witfi a reduced pulmonary interstitial safety margin [3] . In addition, Wennberg and colleagues compared crystalloid administration with colloid during the onset of extradural anaesthesia and demonstrated more pronounced increase in thoracic fluid index, indicative of thoracic fluid accumulation, after crystalloid than after colloid administration [4] . They also demonstrated a significant difference in colloid osmotic pressure between the two groups.

The increase in CVP achieved after infusion over 20 min in our study is comparable to that produced by Wollman and Marx, who infused 1000 ml over 14-20 min.

In 1966, Askrog was unable to demonstrate any untoward effects of infusing 1000 ml over 4 min and only a transient increase in pulmonary artery pressure, although his subjects were receiving halothane anaesthesia and were not pregnant.

There is evidence to suggest that parturients might be more susceptible to pulmonary oedema after rapid administration of crystalloid solutions, possibly because of an increase in lung water during pregnancy witfi a reduced pulmonary interstitial safety margin.

In addition, Wennberg and colleagues compared crystalloid administration with colloid during the onset of extradural anaesthesia and demonstrated more pronounced increase in thoracic fluid index, indicative of thoracic fluid accumulation, after crystalloid than after colloid administration.


Evaluation of humoral immune responses in external secretions in HIV-1-infected or vaccinated individuals is inevitably compromised by several important considerations. External secretions contain significantly lower levels of all Ig isotypes compared to serum, and the analysis is also complicated by their dilution with lavage fluids [36] . Furthermore, there is an enormous variation of Ig levels, particularly in CVL, influenced by hormonally-dependent changes during the menstrual cycle [46] [47] [48] [49] . The endogenous or exogenous proteolytic enzymes may degrade Ig into fragments, causing the loss of secondary functions of antibodies such as the interference with multivalency of polymeric Ig, the damage of Fc region of Ig molecules essential in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated viral inhibitoin (ADCVI), and the compromised interactions with innate humoral factors [36] . Depending on the methods of collection, processing, and storage of external secretions, the variability in Ig levels of the same secretion may display up to 3 log differences [20, 50] . Therefore, the specific antibody activity should be always expressed with respect to the levels of total Ig [50] . Conventional assays, such as ELISA, used to measure IgA responses to HIV-1 have proven to yield sometimes unreliable, false-positive results [51] . Other tests, such as WB or enhanced chemiluminiscence (ECL)-WB, appear to be more sensitive, reliable and informative because the recognition between antibodies and HIV-1 antigens can be easily discerned [17, 18, 22, 38] .

External secretions contain significantly lower levels of all Ig isotypes compared to serum, and the analysis is also complicated by their dilution with lavage fluids.

Furthermore, there is an enormous variation of Ig levels, particularly in CVL, influenced by hormonally-dependent changes during the menstrual cycle.

The endogenous or exogenous proteolytic enzymes may degrade Ig into fragments, causing the loss of secondary functions of antibodies such as the interference with multivalency of polymeric Ig, the damage of Fc region of Ig molecules essential in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated viral inhibitoin (ADCVI), and the compromised interactions with innate humoral factors.

Depending on the methods of collection, processing, and storage of external secretions, the variability in Ig levels of the same secretion may display up to 3 log differences.

Therefore, the specific antibody activity should be always expressed with respect to the levels of total Ig.

Conventional assays, such as ELISA, used to measure IgA responses to HIV-1 have proven to yield sometimes unreliable, false-positive results.

Other tests, such as WB or enhanced chemiluminiscence (ECL)-WB, appear to be more sensitive, reliable and informative because the recognition between antibodies and HIV-1 antigens can be easily discerned.


The association between obesity and OSA is strong and well described. Obesity is a major risk factor for OSA, which occurs in up to 50% of obese men [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . In addi-tion, approximately 70% patients with OSA are obese [7] . It is known that every 10-Kg increment in body weight increases OSA risk twofold [8] .

Obesity is a major risk factor for OSA, which occurs in up to 50% of obese men.

In addi-tion, approximately 70% patients with OSA are obese.

It is known that every 10-Kg increment in body weight increases OSA risk twofold.


The addition of force to the model (table 2) results in a significant increase in agents stranded after 350 time steps at all values of k n when compared with table 1 (two-tailed Student t test, p < 0.0001). Hence, the simulation bears out the fact that pushing (paradoxically) increases exit times [1] . It should be noted that the standard deviations increase noticeably when force is added and injuries occur. This is because the number and distribution of injuries play a large role in determining the effect of force on the model. In some cases injuries in front of the door block large numbers of agents, while injuries that occur near the periphery have minimal effect.

Hence, the simulation bears out the fact that pushing (paradoxically) increases exit times.


The standard deviation of the velocity and the mean velocity perform almost equally well as features, with only a marginal difference between the two. Table 3 shows the accuracy of each classifier averaged across all exercises. The linear SVM performs best with the standard deviation of the velocity as feature, while the SVM with rbf kernel performs best using the mean velocity. The standard deviation of the amplitude scores the lowest of the three features across all classifiers and exercises. The KNN classifiers perform almost equally well for both the standard deviation of the velocity and the mean velocity. Again, the standard deviation of the amplitude scores the lowest. In section 2.3 it was hypothesised that our choice of features would result in a sufficiently high accuracy, which is confirmed by the results. The rbf SVM offers the highest average accuracy when using the NO exercise and standard deviation of the velocity, but scores lower than the linear SVM with the other two exercises. The KNN classifier scores highest with all exercises and features when k = 4. While the KNN classifiers score almost equally high as compared to the SVM classifiers, the former is prone to be the slowest of the two and require more memory when a lot of data points are present since it is a form of lazy learning (Atkeson et al., 1997) .

While the KNN classifiers score almost equally high as compared to the SVM classifiers, the former is prone to be the slowest of the two and require more memory when a lot of data points are present since it is a form of lazy learning.


The first comprehensive approach to quantitatively describing the process of swelling of nonporous materials was presented in the Flory-Rehner theory [7] . In this theory, the rate of maximum swelling is the result of the equilibrium between two major adverse effects: the entropy of mixing and the entropy of polymer chain configuration. For quantitative determination of interactions between liquid molecules and polymeric chains, the Flory-Huggins parameter was proposed; unfortunately, it cannot be applied in every case [8] [9] [10] .

The first comprehensive approach to quantitatively describing the process of swelling of nonporous materials was presented in the Flory-Rehner theory.

For quantitative determination of interactions between liquid molecules and polymeric chains, the Flory-Huggins parameter was proposed; unfortunately, it cannot be applied in every case.


The Mediterranean Basin has been underestimated with respect to the presence of the species with fire-related germination in comparison with other Mediterranean-type ecosystems (Moreira and Pausas, 2016) . Our study on the fire-related germination niche of an annual species suggests that much evidence has been overlooked by focusing on the germination of perennial, especially woody, species. Furthermore, our results on KAR 1 and MAN under light conditions are the first records of the stimulation of germination by smoke chemicals in a plant species in the Mediterranean Basin. Because annual species comprise an important part of the plant community in post-fire environments in the Mediterranean Basin, and because of the gap in our knowledge regarding their post-fire germination properties, particular focus on the germination ecology of Mediterranean Basin annuals, with respect to fire, is required.

The Mediterranean Basin has been underestimated with respect to the presence of the species with fire-related germination in comparison with other Mediterranean-type ecosystems.


The number of logical modules in modern Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) increases continuously. Hierarchical design and IP modules are widely used to handle the great design complexity. As an important stage in early physical design, floorplanning involves planning the positions of logical modules on a chip. In some applications, it is crucial that a designer want to place some modules along the boundary of the chip. There are at least two situations to motivate the consideration of boundary constraints [1] .

There are at least two situations to motivate the consideration of boundary constraints.


Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the applications of defected ground structure (DGS) in microwave and millimeterwave applications [1] [2] [3] . The DGS of the microstrip line employs an intentional defect on the ground and it provides band rejection characteristic from the resonance property. The applications of the DGS are developed in divider, filter, and amplifier circuits. The defect of the conventional DGS is with the dumbbell shape or the rectangle shape, these conventional DGSs, however, have a flat slope of their rejection characteristic. To fabricate a lowpass filter with steep rejection property, many these DGSs are needed to be cascaded, which also means higher in-band insertion and larger size.

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the applications of defected ground structure (DGS) in microwave and millimeterwave applications.


In summary, the CFD-DPBE model was successfully applied to generate steady state flow field data and numerically simulate flocculation and sedimentation processes in the turbulent mixing zone of a sediment retention pond. Thus, the CFD-DPBE model was shown to be a promising simulator of flocculantaided sediment retention ponds. Furthermore, the model may be applied to flocculation and sedimentation occurring in various natural and engineering systems, such as water/wastewater treatment, nano-material synthesis, or sediment-depositing estuary systems [6, 24, 36, [50] [51] [52] .

Furthermore, the model may be applied to flocculation and sedimentation occurring in various natural and engineering systems, such as water/wastewater treatment, nano-material synthesis, or sediment-depositing estuary systems.


In recent years, various best management practices (BMPs) related to the control of sediments during storm events have been developed. Among these BMPs, several suggest that the removal of clay and other colloidal-sized particles by retention or detention ponds may be enhanced by the addition of flocculating agents. A few operators are now experimenting with the addition of such agents to sediment inflow, which can greatly improve the retention properties of ponds in some cases. Contemporary literature and sediment pond operators support the conclusion that flocculant-aided sediment retention ponds are going to be increasingly important in future as a means of minimizing the detrimental effects of erosion and nonpoint-source water pollution [1] [2] [3] . To date, use has been driven more by practicing engineers than by academics. However, the operation of such ponds is complex, involving turbulent flow of variable intensity, different pond geometries, particle growth due to flocculation, sedimentation of particle size classes at different rates, and various schemes for time-dependent flocculant additions. Most existing pond systems are not designed in a consistent manner based on fundamental principles. For example, many designs are based simply on an ad hoc rule, such as a set pond volume per hectare of drained area [4] . Hence, the entire field would benefit from a better understanding of flocculation and sedimentation processes and the availability of a realistic, physically based model for designing and optimizing the automated operation of sediment retention ponds. Therefore, there is a need for a realistic theory describing flocculation and non-homogeneous turbulent sedimentation in retention ponds, a practical method for solving the rather complex governing equations, and performance of the required small-and large-scale experiments necessary to characterize the parameters and functions that the theory contains. This paper primarily discusses the mathematical formulation and computation underlying flocculation and sedimentation processes in flocculant-aided sediment retention ponds.

Contemporary literature and sediment pond operators support the conclusion that flocculant-aided sediment retention ponds are going to be increasingly important in future as a means of minimizing the detrimental effects of erosion and nonpoint-source water pollution.

For example, many designs are based simply on an ad hoc rule, such as a set pond volume per hectare of drained area.


The factor appearing in 4D, disturbing invariance at least under the 5 − 1 and 4 − 2 moves, is related to a transformation from area to length variables. It might therefore be helpful, in order to further enlighten this issue, to consider area-angle Regge calculus [38, 39] . This formulation allows a split into a topological theory, which would be triangulation independent, and constraints. Another possibility to obtain path integral measures is a derivation from the canonical theory, which has recently became available for Regge calculus [42] . Indeed the path integral measure is important to obtain correlation functions, which are annihilated by the Hamiltonian constraints [16] .

It might therefore be helpful, in order to further enlighten this issue, to consider area-angle Regge calculus.

Another possibility to obtain path integral measures is a derivation from the canonical theory, which has recently became available for Regge calculus.

Indeed the path integral measure is important to obtain correlation functions, which are annihilated by the Hamiltonian constraints.


In both of the above-mentioned ablation processes, only a few gold atoms or ions in the Boltzmann tail can escape, which is in agreement with our observed rather low ablation rate. For example, from the high-resolution SEM images [Figs. 2(a) and 4(g) (II, III)], we conclude that only a few nanometers of gold were removed from the tips after minutes of irradiation. In other words, one needs more than 10 10 pulses to remove several surface layers at the tips. This rate is several orders of magnitude lower than the ablation of bulk gold induced by an amplified laser at comparable peak intensities [31] . Furthermore, both ablation mechanisms take place on a time scale shorter than the electron-phonon coupling time. Therefore, the ablation process is of a nonequilibrium nature, which is also supported by our findings, i.e., no collateral thermal damage of the gold antennas was observed.

This rate is several orders of magnitude lower than the ablation of bulk gold induced by an amplified laser at comparable peak intensities.


As electron tunneling and subsequent Brunel heating is a highly nonlinear optical process, the strongest ablation will certainly appear in regions with the highest field enhancement, i.e., start to erode the center of the tip [ Fig. 4(g)(II) ]. The removal of atoms in the center may lead to a decrease of the radius of curvature in off-center regions, which leaves a surface with rather homogeneous curvature and widens the effective interaction zone. Such a structural self-optimization process might increase the THG yield at the onset of irradiation [ Figs. 1(c) and 1(d)] . Furthermore, the deposition of silicon or silicon oxide in the feed gap may also act as an efficient nonlinear optical medium and contribute to the enhancement of THG. Indeed, plasmonenhanced generation of deep-ultraviolet photons from silicon has been reported very recently [10] . With further laser illumination, the ablation also occurs off-center [Figs. 2(a) and 4(g)(III)]. As a result, the tips are modified, and the radius of curvature at the tips is finally increased. The field enhancement factor gradually decreases with the increase of the curvature radius. The ablation eventually ceases when the field enhancement factor is lower than the ablation threshold. This explains the observed exponential decrease of THG and final saturation after 5 min of irradiation [ Fig. 1(b) ]. Moreover, the higher ablation rate in the tip center with respect to the off-center region also explains the rapid increase of THG at the beginning of the irradiation time, whereas it shows a slow decrease afterwards.

Indeed, plasmonenhanced generation of deep-ultraviolet photons from silicon has been reported very recently.


The unchanged laser wavelength after insertion of the SA, as well as the moderate increase of the threshold indicate that the losses introduced by the graphene SA are relatively low (compared to the other cavity losses including reabsorption losses [23] ). However, the substantial reduction of the slope efficiency in the Q-switching regime indicates that these losses are higher than the output coupling losses. Indeed, in addition to the 4.6% double-pass low-signal absorption loss one calculates ∼13% double-pass reflection losses due to the uncoated fused silica substrate.

The unchanged laser wavelength after insertion of the SA, as well as the moderate increase of the threshold indicate that the losses introduced by the graphene SA are relatively low (compared to the other cavity losses including reabsorption losses).


Further pulse shortening in the studied compact laser can be achieved with a multi-layer graphene. Considering the nonlinear properties of the multi-layer graphene we estimate that the optimum number of layers n is 2-3. In this case, the modulation depth of the SA will increase near proportionally to the number of layers and I sat will be even slightly lower. For n $ 7--9, a fast increase of the non-saturable loss due to enhanced scattering is expected [2] , [29] . On the other hand, in the present work with a single-layer graphene the Q-switching conversion efficiency is modest ð conv ¼ 21%Þ presumably due to high insertion losses of the graphene SA and this effect shall be taken into account, too. In addition, as it can be seen in Fig. 3(b) , the pulse profile is not symmetric, exhibiting a slow trailing edge, which is an indication of less than optimum output coupling.

For n $ 7--9, a fast increase of the non-saturable loss due to enhanced scattering is expected.


Previous schemes for graphene PQS of Yb lasers based on fiber or waveguide configurations with strong mode confinement avoided this problem [14] - [20] . However, for a bulk laser, the proper design of the laser cavity providing high intracavity fluence is crucial for the achievement of short pulses and stable PQS. In the present paper, this problem was solved through the implementation of a compact laser. A problem when employing a SA in a short cavity is typically its heating due to a residual non-absorbed pump that can be overcome with the use of higher crystal doping. Although the transmission of a single layer graphene-SA at the pump wavelength is rather high ðT > 96%Þ, its implementation in a quasi-three-level Yb laser faces a relatively high threshold. This shows the increased difficulty of graphene-SA PQS of Yb lasers, as compared with their Nd counterparts.

Previous schemes for graphene PQS of Yb lasers based on fiber or waveguide configurations with strong mode confinement avoided this problem.


Of relevance to the observation that SOD failed to enhance the rate of hydroxyl free radical formed in the Cu 2+ /homocysteine reaction, is the observation that bovine erythrocyte SOD is slowly and irreversibly inactivated by hydrogen peroxide, the rate of which is dependent on concentrations of enzyme and hydrogen peroxide. It is possible therefore that the hydrogen peroxide generated following oxidation of homocysteine by Cu 2+ ions inhibits SOD activity, thus preventing it from enhancing protonation of superoxide radical to form hydrogen peroxide and ultimately increased hydroxyl radical formation. It does seem probable that the hydroxyl radicals generated following the oxidation of homocysteine by Cu 2+ ions, are ultimately generated by a Fenton type reaction (H 2 O 2 + Cu + → Cu 2+ + OH − + HO • ). As shown in this study, increased oxygen tension has been reported to lead to higher levels of hydrogen peroxide [46] . Conversely though, a regime of hyperoxia over several weeks reduces atherosclerosis in rats [47] . While we propose that hyperoxia leads to more hydrogen peroxide and therefore more hydroxyl radicals for oxidation of LDL, the reported in vivo effects on rats may be a typical case of adaptive response over several weeks in which endogenous antioxidants like catalase and SOD have been up-regulated during the time of continuous exposure to hyperbaric conditions [48] .

As shown in this study, increased oxygen tension has been reported to lead to higher levels of hydrogen peroxide.

Conversely though, a regime of hyperoxia over several weeks reduces atherosclerosis in rats.

While we propose that hyperoxia leads to more hydrogen peroxide and therefore more hydroxyl radicals for oxidation of LDL, the reported in vivo effects on rats may be a typical case of adaptive response over several weeks in which endogenous antioxidants like catalase and SOD have been up-regulated during the time of continuous exposure to hyperbaric conditions.


A semiconductor laser design, which can take advantage of the polarization-enhanced p-type doping in compositionally graded AlGaN alloys, is a structure having the graded-index separate confinement heterostructure (GRINSCH) configuration. Such a laser design has been implemented successfully in traditional cubic III-V compounds, for example, GaAs and InP-based lasers. In these structures, the refractive index profile of wave guiding layers were graded either in a parabolic or linear profile to obtain confinement of the optical mode. Such designs led to lasers operating at very low current thresholds [21] - [23] . It should be stressed that due to their cubic symmetry, polarization-enhanced doping is not present in the compositionally graded wave guiding layers of the GRINSCH structures based on traditional III-V compounds. Recently, GRINSCH-based InGaN laser diodes were demonstrated with low threshold current density of 3.5 kA/cm 2 [24] , [25] . Numerically, the GRINSCH InGaN MQW laser diode showed better optical performance than the conventional step-index structure [26] . Normally the p-type doping is not a challenge for the InGaN-based laser diode. Thus, the authors did not intentionally take advantage of the compositionally graded In x Ga 1−x N layer in designing their laser diodes.

Such designs led to lasers operating at very low current thresholds.

Recently, GRINSCH-based InGaN laser diodes were demonstrated with low threshold current density of 3.5 kA/cm 2.

Numerically, the GRINSCH InGaN MQW laser diode showed better optical performance than the conventional step-index structure.


The development of electrically pumped DUV semiconductor lasers is lagging, due to the difficulty in doping AlGaN films with high AlN mole fraction p-type because of the high ionization energies of Mg-acceptors, which are on the order of 630 meV for AlN [11] . The reported shortest wavelengths of electrically pumped UV lasers are 342 and 336nm with threshold currents of 8 kA/cm 2 and 17 kA/cm 2 , respectively [12] , [13] . Recently, researchers reported ultralow threshold electrically injected AlGaN nanowire-based UV lasers emitting at 239 nm on Si substrate, a result attributed to higher crystalline quality and improved p-type doping efficiency of AlGaN nanowires [14] . Thus, any breakthrough in developing an electrically pumped DUV semiconductor laser will depend on the ability to dope efficiently high Al content AlGaN p-type alloys on less defective templates (AlN etc) [15] . An alternative approach to homogeneous doping of AlGaN alloys is the polarization enhanced doping in compositionally graded AlGaN alloys [16] , [17] . In this method, 3D mobile carriers can be produced with the aid of polarization charges in graded AlGaN structures without the need of intentional impurities. Application of this polarization enhanced p-type doping of AlGaN layers has already been implemented in light emitting diodes (LEDs) using compositionally graded Al x Ga 1−x N alloys with small AlN mole fraction (x < 0.3) [18] - [20] .

The development of electrically pumped DUV semiconductor lasers is lagging, due to the difficulty in doping AlGaN films with high AlN mole fraction p-type because of the high ionization energies of Mg-acceptors, which are on the order of 630 meV for AlN.

The reported shortest wavelengths of electrically pumped UV lasers are 342 and 336nm with threshold currents of 8 kA/cm 2 and 17 kA/cm 2 , respectively.

Recently, researchers reported ultralow threshold electrically injected AlGaN nanowire-based UV lasers emitting at 239 nm on Si substrate, a result attributed to higher crystalline quality and improved p-type doping efficiency of AlGaN nanowires.

Thus, any breakthrough in developing an electrically pumped DUV semiconductor laser will depend on the ability to dope efficiently high Al content AlGaN p-type alloys on less defective templates (AlN etc).

An alternative approach to homogeneous doping of AlGaN alloys is the polarization enhanced doping in compositionally graded AlGaN alloys.

Application of this polarization enhanced p-type doping of AlGaN layers has already been implemented in light emitting diodes (LEDs) using compositionally graded Al x Ga 1−x N alloys with small AlN mole fraction (x < 0.3).


Another drawback of these tools is that the only variations reported are SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism). The conceptual model improves the reports quality because other complex variations such as repetitive insertions or deletions are classied. Furthermore the diseases detected by these commercial tools are constrained to the number of supported genes. The use of a conceptual model overcomes this constraint because provides guidelines to support several gene sequence references and their new discovered variations. The main objective of the conceptual model presented in this paper is to establish a connection point between the genomic eld and the GIS development domain. One of the main characteristics of the genomic eld is heterogeneity. The unication of the relevant concepts is a dicult task, since genomic concepts are not precisely dened. Moreover, the eld knowledge is still developing and these concepts are constantly evolving, making the organization of all the genetic data available more dicult. Genetic databases are thus aected by this heterogeneity problem. Each database reects the concepts according to the interpretation and terminology of a biologist. However, there are dierent denitions for the same concept; for example, a variation in the DNA sequence is referred under the terms: variation, mutation, polymorphism or SNP [7] . Even though all of them represent more or less the same concept, there are slight dierences among them. The problem of heterogeneous data can be solved with the use of conceptual models, as some works have proposed [8] . The development of a conceptual model to represent the human genome is a useful approach to understand this complex domain since precise concepts are dened and related among them. If new concepts, relations or changes are discovered, they can be easily incorporated into the model.

However, there are dierent denitions for the same concept; for example, a variation in the DNA sequence is referred under the terms: variation, mutation, polymorphism or SNP.

The problem of heterogeneous data can be solved with the use of conceptual models, as some works have proposed.


One of the challenging steps after extraction and fixation of the ear samples is to decalcify the very dense bone envelope (T-P complex) to access the cochlea without damaging the soft tissues. While classical histology techniques (including EDTA decalcification) have been previously considered, the process is time consuming (Ketten, 1984) . However, a rapid assessment of possible lesions in the Organ of Corti after sound exposure, in addition to allow basic morphological and comparative studies at larger scales, is crucial for decision making when facing a conservation problem.

While classical histology techniques (including EDTA decalcification) have been previously considered, the process is time consuming.


Heat stress usually effects in protein dysfunction by improper folding of its linear peptide chains to non-native proteins leading to unfavourable interactions and subsequent protein aggregations (Moriwaki et al. 1999 ) . Under stress conditions not only the nascent polypeptides face error-prone folding but also a large portion of the folded proteins gets partially or completely denatured and re-enter the protein quality control machinery assisted by molecular chaperones (Hebert and Molinari 2007 ) . Nature has developed effi cient molecular chaperon machinery in plants to maintain high quality proteins in the cells by increasing the level of pre-existing molecular chaperones and by expressing additional chaperones through signalling mechanism (Buchberger et al. 2010 ) . Many proteins in a living cell will not fold properly without the assistance of molecular chaperones (Buchberger et al. 2010 ) . Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are class of molecular chaperones that play an essential role in preserving cellular functions under stressful conditions. All living organisms are equipped with evolutionarily conserved Hsps to encounter sudden climate changes of nature. Hsps have broad range of functions ranging from the prevention of protein aggregation , refolding of misfolded proteins, and degradation of unstable proteins and dissolution of protein complexes, besides some act as transcription factors. Based on their differences in molecular weight, Hsps are classifi ed into fi ve sub-classes: Hsp100, Hsp90 , Hsp70 , Hsp60 and low molecular weight Hsps or small sHsps (Wang et al. 2004 ) . Various members of Hsps have been cloned and functionally characterized and some of these have resulted in developing transgenic plants showing tolerance to various abiotic stresses (Lavania et al. 2015 ) . Hsps and heat shock transcription factors ( Hsfs ) play a crucial role in heat stress tolerance during fl owering and grain fi lling stages as evident in several examples (Waters 2003 ; Bita and Gerats 2013 ) . However, detailed characterization and the role of plant Hsps as chaperones have been investigated only in a few model plants. The mechanisms of Hsps underlying abiotic stress adaptation in plants and the pivotal role of molecular chaperons will be discussed in the light of recent developments in genomics and genetic engineering approaches. The information and list of the transgenic plants developed for heat stress tolerance are discussed under the following sections.

Heat stress usually effects in protein dysfunction by improper folding of its linear peptide chains to non-native proteins leading to unfavourable interactions and subsequent protein aggregations.

Under stress conditions not only the nascent polypeptides face error-prone folding but also a large portion of the folded proteins gets partially or completely denatured and re-enter the protein quality control machinery assisted by molecular chaperones.

Nature has developed effi cient molecular chaperon machinery in plants to maintain high quality proteins in the cells by increasing the level of pre-existing molecular chaperones and by expressing additional chaperones through signalling mechanism.

Many proteins in a living cell will not fold properly without the assistance of molecular chaperones.

Based on their differences in molecular weight, Hsps are classifi ed into fi ve sub-classes: Hsp100, Hsp90 , Hsp70 , Hsp60 and low molecular weight Hsps or small sHsps.

Various members of Hsps have been cloned and functionally characterized and some of these have resulted in developing transgenic plants showing tolerance to various abiotic stresses.

Hsps and heat shock transcription factors ( Hsfs ) play a crucial role in heat stress tolerance during fl owering and grain fi lling stages as evident in several examples.


In this paper, we present data structure enhancements that greatly accelerate QuPARA's computation of EP curves with secondary uncertainty over large risk portfolios [19] . Our approach is to combine data structure design with systematic in-depth experimental evaluation and tuning. We have succeeded in reducing the memorty useage of the core lookup data structure (CELT) by over 50%, which allows us to double the batch size per QuPARA run within a Hadoop/MapReduce environment. The construction time of the data structure has been improved by 40%, and the total lookup time was decresed by 42%. Since there are certian Hadoop system overheads and mathmatical calculations involved in the analysis process, we achieve an overall performance improvement of 31.7%.

In this paper, we present data structure enhancements that greatly accelerate QuPARA's computation of EP curves with secondary uncertainty over large risk portfolios.


Composite materials have found a wide range of applications in engineering due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, resistance to fatigue, and low thermal expansion. Composites present challenges for damage detection, however, since much of the damage is often interlaminar and not readily detectable [1] . Furthermore, inspection usually takes place after the damage has already occurred, leaving the inspection process to look for residual signs of the failure condition. There is therefore a current need to develop real time and in situ health monitoring techniques that enable a rapid assessment of material's state of health.

Composites present challenges for damage detection, however, since much of the damage is often interlaminar and not readily detectable.


Cyberinfrastructure is a specific class of infrastructure that brings together people, information, and technologies to support research. Cyberinfrastructures employ or develop cutting-edge information technologies to enable large research endeavors with potentially far-reaching impacts, endeavors that could not be undertaken without the existence of such infrastructures. Early advances in this area focused almost exclusively on scientific research, e.g., unifying functional brain imaging scans from multiple distributed work sites (Lee, et al. 2006) . While physical and biological scientists have long been avid consumers and developers of computational technologies, the scope of cyberinfrastructure has broadened to include other domains including humanities and the arts, facilitating the development of such emerging fields as digital humanities research (Davidson and Goldberg 2004) . Cyberinfrastructure represents a shift toward collaborative research in distributed, technologically-supported environments, and it provides a unique research site from which to gain insights about the process of infrastructure development or "infrastructuring" (Karasti & Baker 2004) .

Early advances in this area focused almost exclusively on scientific research, e.g., unifying functional brain imaging scans from multiple distributed work sites.

While physical and biological scientists have long been avid consumers and developers of computational technologies, the scope of cyberinfrastructure has broadened to include other domains including humanities and the arts, facilitating the development of such emerging fields as digital humanities research.

Cyberinfrastructure represents a shift toward collaborative research in distributed, technologically-supported environments, and it provides a unique research site from which to gain insights about the process of infrastructure development or "infrastructuring".


The application of Protamex Ò and Flavourzyme Ò in single or sequential hydrolysis treatments to produce protein hydrolysates from animal bone extracts has been previously reported (Dong et al., 2014; Sun et al., 2014; Song et al., 2016) . However, there are no studies done on beef bone extract using combinations of plant and microbial proteases to hydrolyse protein. Furthermore, there is no work conducted on the hydrolysis kinetics of the three proteases and no comparison of the hydrolysis efficiency between simultaneous and sequential hydrolysis treatments. Therefore, in this study, the objective was to investigate the effects of enzymatic hydrolysis treatments on the physiochemical properties of beef bone extract. Protamex Ò , bromelain and Flavourzyme Ò were used to investigate the extent of hydrolysis in single, simultaneous and sequential hydrolysis treatments. The hydrolysis kinetics of each enzyme and the effects of hydrolysis treatments on degree of hydrolysis (DH), Mw distribution, sulfhydryl and disulphide bond contents, and viscosity of hydrolysates were studied. This allows us to have better understandings on how to control and optimise the extent of hydrolysis in future meat flavour development work.

The application of Protamex Ò and Flavourzyme Ò in single or sequential hydrolysis treatments to produce protein hydrolysates from animal bone extracts has been previously reported.


The algorithm presented in the previous section has been implemented at the CENAM Time and Frequency Division on four industrial Cs clocks and one active hydrogen maser. The Cs clocks are identified as CsG, CsH, CsI, CsJ. Clocks CsG and CsJ are standard performance, while CsH and CsI are high performance clocks. According to the manufacturer, frequency stability specifications for Cs clocks for 1 s τ 10 6 s are σ y (τ ) = 5.6×10 −11 / √ τ and σ y (τ ) = 1×10 −11 / √ τ for standard and high performance, respectively, while for the active hydrogen maser with autotuning cavity the frequency stability specifications are σ y (τ ) = 1 × 10 −12 /τ 3/4 for 1 s τ < 10 2 s and σ y (τ ) = 3 × 10 −14 /τ 1/3 for 10 2 s τ 10 5 s. These specifications for clocks are in good agreement with measurement results discussed in section 4. The time scale TA is computed every hour with the dynamic weighting procedure described in equation (4) . A non-commercial system is used to measure the time differences among clocks, which is also referred to as a phase comparator, based on the dual mixer frequency technique, and has a resolution of 20 ps. The phase comparator has 32 input channels, which allows it to compare with that same number of clocks. It performs one time difference measurement every second for each of the 32 channels in use. One Cs clock of the ensemble is selected as the master clock, and all of the other clocks are compared with respect to the master. The results during the implementation of the TA time scale algorithm were obtained from 14 weeks of continuous time scale generation. The following results are considered as preliminary because it is necessary to measure the performance of the time scale TA for a longer period to obtain more confidence in the results. Figure 2 An acquisition data system, coupled to the phase comparator, Figure 2 . Schematic of the time difference measurement system used at CENAM, also referred to as a phase comparator. The system performs one measurement every second.

The time scale TA is computed every hour with the dynamic weighting procedure described in equation.


Carbon dioxide is the most commonly used as SCF, due primarily to its low critical parameters (T c = 304.25K, P c = 73.8 bars), low cost and non-toxicity. However, several other SCFs have been used in both commercial and development processes. Other features make carbon dioxide CO 2 the ideal solvent for supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) that it is not toxic and not inflammable, it can be obtained in large quantities with high purity and at low cost, it is easy to separate (gaseous at atmospheric pressure), and it does not damage the solutes or the matrix of the product [3] .

Other features make carbon dioxide CO 2 the ideal solvent for supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) that it is not toxic and not inflammable, it can be obtained in large quantities with high purity and at low cost, it is easy to separate (gaseous at atmospheric pressure), and it does not damage the solutes or the matrix of the product.


The solvent strength of the SCF is a function of its density, and the density is a function of temperature and pressure. Hence with controlling temperature and pressure, solvent strength of the SCF can be controlled [4] . The main advantage of SCF over liquid solvents arises from this concept.

Hence with controlling temperature and pressure, solvent strength of the SCF can be controlled.


As a separation technology, SFE has considerable potential for commercial utilization. Although equipment investment costs are high, this is not the factor limiting widespread commercialization. The limitation is the lack of knowledge of the phase behavior of multicomponent mixtures near their critical points. This lack of knowledge prevents the optimal design of supercritical solvent systems, which in turn keeps the cost high [5] .

This lack of knowledge prevents the optimal design of supercritical solvent systems, which in turn keeps the cost high.


To sum up, this is some kind of skin-core structure, often found in injection molded PP items [7] . Slow cooling in the central part of the welding seam ('core') results in spherulitic crystallization. By contrast, in the 'skin' the formation of the supermolecular structure is due to interplay between cooling, molecular alignment/relaxation and crystallization markedly influenced by the latter. This kind skincore structure (similar to that observed in injection molded specimens) provides the slow cooling necessary for the spherulitic crystallization. After welding while in the 'skin' regular spherulites cannot develop because of the more intense heat withdrawal (the heat diffusing towards the base material), in the central part of the seam (in the 'core') the crystallization goes on undisturbed.

To sum up, this is some kind of skin-core structure, often found in injection molded PP items.


The reduced spherulite diameter may likely be due to 'memory effect'. The heat development in FSW was not sufficient to erase the 'prehistory' of the extruded sheet. The residual self nuclei initiated the crystallization yielding spherulites with reduced mean diameter compared to the base sheet [22] . Nonetheless, similar spherulite sizes in the centre of the seam and in the base material suggest that the related cooling conditions were also comparable. As no major differences were found in the supermolecular structure in the central regions of the seam in follow-up studies we concentrated on samples taken from the transition zone (on the borderline between the base material and the seam (Fig-Figure 3 . Build-up of the seam produced by FSW. Note: The blue region is the inset represents the heat affected zone (HAZ). T outer : Sheared zone of distorted spherulitic structure produced by the peripheral speed of the welding tool. Although this layer is located near to the advancing tool, the temperature developed during welding softened the PP and 'smeared' along the mantle of the tool. A flow zone of the base material being located near to the movement of the tool.

The residual self nuclei initiated the crystallization yielding spherulites with reduced mean diameter compared to the base sheet.

Build-up of the seam produced by FSW.


Standard indices were employed to describe herpetofaunal diversity. Three indices were selected to cover the range of sensitivity to the shapes of relative abundance distributions. The three indices were species richness, Shannon-Wiener, and Berger-Parker Dominance. ShannonWiener Evenness also was calculated. The indices were calculated for the complete data set and for the data from the different TSF treatment categories separately. Shapes of relative abundance distributions were compared with the KolmogorovSmirnoff Two-Sample Test. Some of the same methods were employed to compare our results with those of the previous study (Ashton and Knipps 2011) .

Some of the same methods were employed to compare our results with those of the previous study.


In our experiments, before performing the unwarping procedure, we carry out the landmark learning and the table creation procedures first. For these works, we provide a user-friendly interface as shown in Fig. 4 , which can be used for identifying appropriate landmark pairs, as described in Section 2.1. Fig. 7a shows the final result of the learning procedure. Ten landmark point pairs were identified, as shown in the Figure. Also, the co-ordinates of the image centre, as well as the length of the 'cut-off radius' within which the omni-image is invisible because of the self-occlusion of the omni-camera, are extracted automatically in the learning procedure using an algorithm developed in this study [18, 19] . The region within the cut-off radius is marked by a circle with the co-ordinate values of the image centre and the radius length printed at the bottom of Fig. 7a . We used the cut-off radius to calculate one end r e of the full range of the elevation angles. The learned landmark point pairs were used to estimate the coefficients of the radial stretching function as described by (2) in Section 2.2. Fig. 7b shows the fitted curve with the 10 learned landmark points superimposed on the drawing (marked with ' þ ').

Also, the co-ordinates of the image centre, as well as the length of the 'cut-off radius' within which the omni-image is invisible because of the self-occlusion of the omni-camera, are extracted automatically in the learning procedure using an algorithm developed in this study.


Global warming, energy security and the increasing volatility in fossil fuel prices have encouraged investment in renewable forms of electricity generation, and in many countries has led to strict renewable targets for the deployment of renewables [1] . Wind energy is one such renewable form of generation that has low greenhouse gas emissions and is an indigenous and sustainable resource. The wind industry however needs to compete economically with other sources of electricity. It is therefore essential to reduce the cost of energy from wind not only to benefit the consumer, but to increase the industry's competiveness and so assure its long term survival.

Global warming, energy security and the increasing volatility in fossil fuel prices have encouraged investment in renewable forms of electricity generation, and in many countries has led to strict renewable targets for the deployment of renewables.


Smart rotor control involves placement of active devices on the blades capable of changing the local aerodynamics. Historically tip devices have been used for over-speed protection as an alternative to pitch control and often these were passively activated, before being superseded by full span pitch control. The modern devices under consideration for the smart rotor are actively controlled, and although able to respond rapidly to the changing environment, typically lack the ability to fully replace pitch control [6, 7] . For example trailing edge flaps, examined in this work, are unable to offer full controllability of rotor speed across all wind speeds, as the devices saturate at a certain angle. Nevertheless, the smart rotor is capable of reducing loads as effectively as individual pitch control [8] .

The modern devices under consideration for the smart rotor are actively controlled, and although able to respond rapidly to the changing environment, typically lack the ability to fully replace pitch control.

Nevertheless, the smart rotor is capable of reducing loads as effectively as individual pitch control.


Supplementing pitch control with a smart rotor control has been demonstrated for load reductions by combining individual pitch and the smart rotor controls, with low frequency loads targeted by the individual pitch control and high frequencies by the smart rotor control. This has resulted in better overall load reductions than either one individually, [9] . However, upgrading the pitch actuators and controller gains could result in similar enhancements in load reduction and a true comparison needs to take account of the choice between either upgrading the pitch actuators or implementing a smart rotor [8] . This is the first study to look at using the smart rotor to supplement the main collective pitch control mechanism for rotor speed control, maintaining controllability and reducing demands on the pitch actuator.

This has resulted in better overall load reductions than either one individually.

However, upgrading the pitch actuators and controller gains could result in similar enhancements in load reduction and a true comparison needs to take account of the choice between either upgrading the pitch actuators or implementing a smart rotor.


Range scanning of building interiors often generates huge, noisy and partially spurious point data sets of varying density that often corresponds to multiple objects in the scanned scene. At this scanning stage, the shape capturing process should aim at minimizing the density variations, so that point-based visualization can effectively be used for quick quality evaluation of the captured data [1] . In this application, the process of extracting accurate geometric information is more important than generating complete surface models required in typical mechanical engineering tasks. Building layouts, feature clusters, and object identification are some of the typical geometric characteristics that the post processing algorithms are expected to extract.

At this scanning stage, the shape capturing process should aim at minimizing the density variations, so that point-based visualization can effectively be used for quick quality evaluation of the captured data.


There are a large variety of antibiotics and antiseptics against these dental germs. However, the conventional treatment of these diseases is extremely costly. In many low income countries, if the treatment of dental caries was available, the cost of treatment of a child exceeds the total health care budget spent on them (Yee et al., 2002) . This situation forces the people to resort to traditional medicine. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 65 to 80% of developing countries population uses the medicinal plants for their health needs because of difficulty to access to modern medicine (Sekoussounon, 2012) . These plants are used in decoction, maceration, infused or essential oils forms.

In many low income countries, if the treatment of dental caries was available, the cost of treatment of a child exceeds the total health care budget spent on them.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 65 to 80% of developing countries population uses the medicinal plants for their health needs because of difficulty to access to modern medicine.


Through the review, it is noted that mist/air film cooling is a rather new technology and none of the experimental studies can be found in the public domain. One key feature in understanding mist cooling is the ability to capture droplet information. Thus, an experimental study with the combination of convective heat transfer and two-phase particle flow measurement is essential in order to evaluate the mist/film cooling performance and to understand the fundamental multiphase flow physics. Since this experiment is the first one in open literature focusing on mist/air film cooling with both heat transfer and particle measurements, the objective of this paper is to provide a detailed documentation of the experiment design, setups, instrumentations, design considerations, and uncertainty analysis to benefit future works in this area as well as experimental data analysis in Zhao and Wang [30, 31] .

Since this experiment is the first one in open literature focusing on mist/air film cooling with both heat transfer and particle measurements, the objective of this paper is to provide a detailed documentation of the experiment design, setups, instrumentations, design considerations, and uncertainty analysis to benefit future works in this area as well as experimental data analysis in Zhao and Wang.


SDN is a promising paradigm that distinctly decouples the control plane and data plane of the network. The data plane is only in charge of forwarding data flows, while in the control plane, a logically centralized network controller dictates overall network behaviors [2, 3] . The SDN paradigm simplifies networking operations, optimizes network management, and introduces innovation and flexibility compared with legacy networking architectures. The SDN paradigm has applications that formulate operation policies for the SD-ATN constitute the application plane of the SD-ATN. The control plane of the SD-ATN includes three control hierarchies: swarm control hierarchy, platform control hierarchy, and device control hierarchy. The data plane of the SD-ATN is composed of the SD-ATN transmission systems of different aircraft.

The data plane is only in charge of forwarding data flows, while in the control plane, a logically centralized network controller dictates overall network behaviors.