The remained populations of the Przewalskii gazelle in Qinghai Lake region are much closer to P. p. diversicornis; they do show minor variation in horn shape other skull structures, and the distribution patterns of the local populations are largely in accordance with the observed pattern of genetic differentiation [30] . The exception is the Wayu population, which is fully distinct (100%) from all other populations of the species. Furthermore, individuals of Wayu population are much smaller (skull lengths do not overlap) than P. p. diversicornis; thus, unexpectedly, it meets the standard of subspecific differentiation. Two scenarios are possible to explain the existence of this distinctive population: (1) this distinctive taxon has always been present, previously undetected, in the Wayu area; or (2) for some reason it has only recently differentiated as a result of its increasing isolation from other populationsanthropogenic landscapes certainly do influence various evolutionary processes, such as gene flow and population structure [30] . Again, we need molecular data to approach this problem, and we will discuss this further in a future publication.

The remained populations of the Przewalskii gazelle in Qinghai Lake region are much closer to P. p. diversicornis; they do show minor variation in horn shape other skull structures, and the distribution patterns of the local populations are largely in accordance with the observed pattern of genetic differentiation.

Two scenarios are possible to explain the existence of this distinctive population: (1) this distinctive taxon has always been present, previously undetected, in the Wayu area; or (2) for some reason it has only recently differentiated as a result of its increasing isolation from other populationsanthropogenic landscapes certainly do influence various evolutionary processes, such as gene flow and population structure.


The presence of long-term trends in the solar corona structure can be caused by changes in the configuration of the global magnetic field of the Sun. The role of active region formation during a solar activity minimum is not significant. It has long been known that large coronal streamers typically lie above the polarity-inversion lines of the large-scale magnetic field marked by filaments and prominences (Vsekhsvyatskiy et al. 1965) . For this reason, investigations of the large-scale corona shape give valuable information on the structure of the large-scale fields during a long time interval. During the activity minimum, the properties of the global magnetic field of the Sun manifest themselves in the most pronounced way. The magnetic field of the Sun is determined by large-scale structures. The northern and southern hemispheres of the Sun have magnetic fields of opposite polarity. The strength of the polar magnetic field is significantly higher than the fields in middle and low latitudes in the activity minimum period. Along with this, one can conclude from the analysis that assuming that the global solar field configuration is in the form of a dipole structure is probably incorrect. The corona configurations for the eclipses of 1889, 1901, and others correspond instead to the quadrupole form, or to an octopole form if different polarities at the poles are taken into account.

It has long been known that large coronal streamers typically lie above the polarity-inversion lines of the large-scale magnetic field marked by filaments and prominences.


One of the objectives of the present study was to identify a methodology capable of differentiating cold tolerant from cold sensitive genotypes, at the germination stage. Among the characteristics studied, REDCOL was the one that allowed for a better distinction between the tolerant and sensitive checks (Figure 3) . Comparison of growth under cold temperature in relation to normal temperature must present a better estimation of a genotype cold answer and this was exactly what was achieved through the percentage of reduction in coleoptile length in this study (Miedema, 1982) . In the case of GI and PERCOL5, however, it was not possible to distinguish the tolerant from the sensitive checks. The difficulty in discriminating between the effects relative to cold temperature and the ones relative to seed vigour, independent of temperature, may have compromised the GI results (Figure 1) . In fact, evaluation of germination in more than one temperature is necessary to distinguish cold tolerance from characteristics related to vigour (Massardo et al., 2000) . PERCOL5 was also based only on germination under cold temperature, and so it may have the same disadvantages of GI. A strong and highly correlation between these two characteristics was also verified, confirming the similarity of the results (Table 3) .

Comparison of growth under cold temperature in relation to normal temperature must present a better estimation of a genotype cold answer and this was exactly what was achieved through the percentage of reduction in coleoptile length in this study.

In fact, evaluation of germination in more than one temperature is necessary to distinguish cold tolerance from characteristics related to vigour.


In this paper, we have developed the mathematical foundations of optical flowbased transport operators for image manifolds, which were introduced empirically [13] . Our main theoretical contribution was the development of the flow metric for using the ambient metric on the OFMs. Using the flow metric, we derived differential geometric analogues of, vector fields, parallel transport, curvature etc. When the IAM is generated by Lie group parameters, we showed that the OFM framework includes previous algebraic methods as a special case. Moreover, since the flow neighborhood at each point is the entire IAM, we can obtain geodesics between any two images using flow operators.

In this paper, we have developed the mathematical foundations of optical flowbased transport operators for image manifolds, which were introduced empirically.


Some other types of NPs such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) are used in sunscreen lotions [15] . In the field of nanotechnology, it is reported that NPs, because of their nanoscale size and tiny physical dimensions, may have toxic effects [16] . One of the important areas in the nanotoxicity field is discovering safer and well-characterized physicochemical NPs [14] . Therefore, recently, a new method of NP production called green synthesis has drawn attention and is being researched. In this field, different types of NPs are produced by using different plant extracts and microorganisms. Given the use of these natural agents, the possibility of in vivo toxic effects of the produced NPs is very low [9] .

Some other types of NPs such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) are used in sunscreen lotions.

In the field of nanotechnology, it is reported that NPs, because of their nanoscale size and tiny physical dimensions, may have toxic effects.

One of the important areas in the nanotoxicity field is discovering safer and well-characterized physicochemical NPs.

Given the use of these natural agents, the possibility of in vivo toxic effects of the produced NPs is very low.


The first step of this study was to choose microorganisms that were previously reported to have the ability to produce AuNPs. The color of the microbial supernatants after incubation with HAuCl4 changed from yellow to dark purple because of the SPR of the produced AuNPs. It was previously reported that the color ranges are from red to purple and blue or from green to brown depending on the solution's refractive index and shape of the nanoparticles [18, 19] .

It was previously reported that the color ranges are from red to purple and blue or from green to brown depending on the solution's refractive index and shape of the nanoparticles.


In the face of this, the present study attempts to fill in the gap in English language instruction in the Saudi schools. The main hypothesis is that MALL systems and applications can be motivating for the EFL students so the adoption of MALL systems in the Saudi context will reduce many of the problems and challenges within EFL reading in the Saudi schools. The implication is that MALL offers a wide range of possibilities such as motivation, learner's autonomy, and increased interactivity (Bush, 2008; Hubbard, 2008) . In order to test this hypothesis to the Saudi context, the study proposes a pretest-posttest study design where participants in the experimental group will receive a MALL supplementary course for improving their reading skills in relation to vocabulary recognition, acquisition, and retention and overcoming reading problems and challenges in the Saudi context. The study thus is an attempt to meet the reading comprehension needs of EFL learners in Saudi schools via proposing an effective instruction method based on MALL methodology for students in secondary schools. Being aware of the complexities of comprehension assessment, the researcher suggests reliable and objective methods of assessment. In this way, it can be said that the immediate contribution of this study will be a local contribution since its relevance is in Saudi education system. There has been a misconception that learning English has a negative impact on Arabic use. That is why, many parents did not encourage their children to learn English and children themselves were not motivated to learn it. So, the study is concerned with enhancing students' motivation towards learning English which can be positively reflected on their vocabulary recognition, acquisition, and retention.

The implication is that MALL offers a wide range of possibilities such as motivation, learner's autonomy, and increased interactivity.


It is hoped after all that educational institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to set aside the traditional view of knowledge, expertise, and learning. They need to think about information and communication technologies in teaching and learning. They need to enforce the alternative models of education that use emerging technologies to reinvent many aspects of teaching, learning, and schooling. Educational institutions need to create and implement a learning environment or culture that depends on building a strategy that makes the best use of technology and administrated by people who are highly skilled. Future studies also need to address the issue of using latest technology. In recent years, students are more interested in the use of mobiles and tablets in playing games and writing posts (Kim, 2015; Ma, 2015; Steel, 2015) . Therefore, more studies are suggested in evaluating mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) systems). Future studies should suggest new strategies that make the best use of available technology in improving students' language skills.

In recent years, students are more interested in the use of mobiles and tablets in playing games and writing posts.


In the last forty years there has been an increasing interest in solar energy because it represents a green and cheap source of energy. In this context, the material treatment in solar furnaces is one of the most promising applications that have been addressed. A solar furnace allows using solar energy for material treat consists of a collector system with tracking (usually made of flat-faceted heliostat) and a static parabolic system which concentrates a high percentage of the solar energy in its focal spot (Figure 1 ). In the process considered in this paper (see Section 2) the incoming light (that is, the energy flux entering the furnace) is regulated by means of a computer controlled louvered shutter (Berenguel et al., 1999) . This type of testing in a solar furnace usually aims at improving the mechanical properties, such as hardness and wear resistance by means of heating the studied samples under varied temperature patterns. The application considered in this paper is the copper sintering, where a sample is exposed to long high temperature set points (near the melting point), so that small particles bond together and the aggregate shrinks resulting in a decrease of surface area and energy, which allows for ulterior study on a number of topics, e.g., volume diffusion of atoms (?). Due to the complexity and diversity of sample materials and temperature trends such research ⋆ Partial support for this work has been provided by an Erasmus Placement scholarship which has funded the visit of M. Beschi to Almería. This work has been developed under project DPI2007-66718-C04-04, funded by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and EU-ERFD. The authors thank personnel of the Plataforma Solar de Almería, especially Lidia Roca and Inmaculada Cañadas.

In the process considered in this paper (see Section 2) the incoming light (that is, the energy flux entering the furnace) is regulated by means of a computer controlled louvered shutter.


The reliability of the data refers partly to the unknown dark number. The order among the types does seem to reflect the influence of dark number factors (visibility, sense of values, willingness to report, official attention and provability). The use of force and neglect of duty were by far the two largest types of misconduct. The use of force is highly visible as there is a direct victim and as police officers have to report the use of force. Neglect of duty is also highly visible for supervisors and managers as it entails a variety of misconduct that takes place within the police organization and can be easily monitored. Clearly, the least investigated was the abuse of police powers (mainly relating to methods of criminal investigation). As these lay at the heart of police investigations, it seems hard to believe that these numbers are a true reflection of actual misconduct. It is possible that several dark number factors are at work. Thus, the figures may be misleading as some victims are not always knowledgeable about which powers the police are allowed to use. As the abuse of police powers may be supportive of the goals of the organization, it may not be recognized and acknowledged by the police. As a result, there may be little willingness to report. Official attention seems to be lacking in the sense that in the context of police integrity most attention is paid to other forms of misconduct, thereby neglecting the abuse of police powers. In general, the integrity policies of the Dutch police forces seem to be little focused on the work of the criminal investigators (Lamboo, 2005) . It is, therefore advisable that the Dutch police forces use the results of the registration to consider critically whether it gives a fair representation of all types of police misconduct.

In general, the integrity policies of the Dutch police forces seem to be little focused on the work of the criminal investigators.


The police are invested with far reaching powers and a significant degree of discretion in order to perform their duty: to uphold the law and protect citizens. Much of their work is enacted immediately and can only be scrutinized afterwards. Because of these aspects of police work, it is crucial that the public can place their trust in the police and that they can hold the police accountable for their actions. Accountability is especially important when police actions may be labelled as misconduct (Harrison and Cunneen, 2000) .

Accountability is especially important when police actions may be labelled as misconduct.


Apart from the industrial sector, induction motors find extensive use in the agricultural sector to drive irrigation pumps. In an agrarian country like India, millions of induction motor driven pumpsets are in operation throughout rural electrification networks. Studies have been conducted in India by several governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Poor performance of induction motor pumpsets has been identified as a critical factor to be tackled to improve the rural energy scenario [13] . A study conducted by Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) in India has indicated that a 5% improvement in overall efficiency of pumpsets (i.e. motor and pump) would save enough electricity to avoid building a new power plant of a few hundred megawatts.

Poor performance of induction motor pumpsets has been identified as a critical factor to be tackled to improve the rural energy scenario.


Energy conservation has become an important aspect of industrial development due to uncertainties in oil supply as well as fluctuating prices and depleting stocks of conventional fuels. Optimum utilisation of resources and reduction of wasteful energy have therefore become areas of growing concern for engineering designers. Induction motors are the major energy guzzlers in industries contributing to more than 80% of the electromechanical energy conversion. However, from the available data their operating efficiency under field conditions is often far from satisfactory. The design of induction motors has therefore been an area of continuous interest as reflected in the literature on improved designs [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] . Being a nonlinear problem, the motor design for a given objective function requires considerable efforts in formulating the problem and finding a suitable solution, which involves many iterative procedures. Design optimisation of an induction motor uses an appropriate nonlinear optimisation technique by (a) clearly defining the objective function or the quantity to be optimised (such as cost, size, efficiency, etc.), (b) judiciously choosing the design parameters (variables) and (c) intelligently specifying the constraints.

The design of induction motors has therefore been an area of continuous interest as reflected in the literature on improved designs.


In a similar approach, Hilburn and Flynn identified complexity factors for the Complexity and Capacity (COCA) project [9] . They identified the following factors based on the discussions with controllers: a mix of climbing and descending aircraft, turbulence/weather, military/other restricted areas, traffic flows converging at the same point, traffic bunching, radio congestion, high number of aircraft, multiple crossing points, mix of climbing and descending flights in cruise, crossing points close to boundaries, merging of arrival flows, and mix of high and low performance aircraft. They also identified some of these factors as "precursor" factors, whose presence elevates the complexity of other factors. Some of the pre-cursor factors identified by the controllers were frequency congestion, mix of climb/descent traffic, high number of aircraft, emergencies, military/other restricted areas, turbulence/weather, and non-nominal equipment status.

In a similar approach, Hilburn and Flynn identified complexity factors for the Complexity and Capacity (COCA) project.


One of the main efforts in traffic complexity research is targeted towards developing Dynamic Density (DD) metrics. It is a method to identify numerous factors that contribute to traffic complexity and that correlate with controller workload. A large set of metrics have been proposed as DD metrics [4] . Although DD metrics correlated better with controllers' workload ratings than the aircraft count alone, the total number of DD metrics initially exceeded fifty and the number still remained above ten after further down-selection. Simplified Dynamic Density (SDD) was another way to down-select a subset of DD metrics to those that were readily available in the current Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS) [6] . The identified SDD metrics were sector occupancy counts, proximities in a sector, altitude transitions in a sector, transfers across sector boundaries, number of aircraft per sector volume, variance of aircraft headings in sector, and variance of cruising aircraft speeds in sector.

A large set of metrics have been proposed as DD metrics.

Simplified Dynamic Density (SDD) was another way to down-select a subset of DD metrics to those that were readily available in the current Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS).


In today's air traffic operations, a sector's predicted aircraft count is used to determine the maximum traffic threshold that a controller can handle in that sector. The maximum threshold value is called Monitor Alert Parameter (MAP) and its value (i.e. maximum aircraft count in a sector) is set based on average sector flight time. However, the MAP values and the predicted aircraft count alone have been insufficient to correctly measure controller task loads without considering other factors that vary the traffic complexity [5] .

However, the MAP values and the predicted aircraft count alone have been insufficient to correctly measure controller task loads without considering other factors that vary the traffic complexity.


The signal received in sonar or radar systems includes not only the target signal but also noise and clutter signals. The constant false alarm rate (CFAR) is a detector that maximizes the detection performance while maintaining a constant false alarm rate in noise and clutter environments. The CFAR decides the threshold adaptively according to background environments. Figure 1 shows the typical block diagram of the CFAR. Conventional CFAR detectors adopt only a single CFAR processor, as shown in Figure 1 . In this case, however, the detection performance fluctuates according to the background environment [1] [2] [3] . The cell averaging (CA) CFAR detector shows the best performance in homogeneous environments. On the other hand, its performance is poorer in nonhomogeneous environments compared to other CFAR detectors because of high threshold due to interfering signals. Some CFAR detectors, such as the smallest of (SO), greatest of (GO), and ordered statistics (OS) detectors, are used in nonhomogeneous environments. These detectors, however, are not good in homogeneous environments compared to the CA CFAR detector [4] . The excision CFAR detector was also proposed to improve the detection performance in nonhomogeneous environments [5] . In the excision CFAR detector, the total noise power was estimated by averaging the reference range cells except the cells whose powers are over a threshold. The performance is good in nonhomogeneous environments. On the other hand, its performance can be degraded over the CA CFAR detector in homogeneous environments. To solve these problems, the detector which has a good detection performance regardless of environments is needed.

In this case, however, the detection performance fluctuates according to the background environment.

These detectors, however, are not good in homogeneous environments compared to the CA CFAR detector.

The excision CFAR detector was also proposed to improve the detection performance in nonhomogeneous environments.


The various CFAR detectors which are adopted to environments were proposed [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] . Among these adaptive detectors, the switching OS (SOS) CFAR detector was proposed [11] . The SOS CFAR detector improves the detection performance but still has detection loss in homogeneous environment compared with that of the CA CFAR detector. This paper proposes an environmental adaptive (EA) CFAR detector to achieve the best performance regardless of the background environments. The proposed CFAR detector estimates the background conditions of the homogeneous and nonhomogeneous environments by comparing the power levels of the adjacent reference cells. The best CFAR detectors are used depending on the environment. Therefore, the detection performance can be maximized in any environment. Due to maximization of the detection performance, the EA CFAR can resolve the detection loss of the SOS CFAR in homogeneous environment. The proposed CFAR algorithm is also analyzed mathematically, and the validity of the mathematical analysis is proved using computer simulations. Conventional CFAR detectors are introduced in Section 2. We consider conventional detectors of CA CFAR and OS CFAR. And the EA CFAR is proposed and analyzed in Section 3. Section 4 describes the simulation results. The theoretical result is compared with the simulation results. The detection performance of proposed EA CFAR is also compared with those of CA CFAR and OS CFAR. The conclusions are reported in Section 5.

The various CFAR detectors which are adopted to environments were proposed.

Among these adaptive detectors, the switching OS (SOS) CFAR detector was proposed.


In terms of long-term stability, membrane materials with suitable glass transition temperature (Tg) needs to the applied. For the CO2 off-shore removal from natural gas, membrane with moderate Tg can be used since the separation can be carried out at room temperatures. However, for the CO2 capture from flue gases, membranes with high Tg may need to be applied because flue gases are often emitted at high temperatures. For such applications, PTFE, polyimide and polysulfone polymers are more appropiate than PE and PP polymers which have very low Tg values (Li and Chen, 2005) .

For such applications, PTFE, polyimide and polysulfone polymers are more appropiate than PE and PP polymers which have very low Tg values.


The properties of the membrane depend on the material, the structure and thickness, the configuration and the module and system design, which involve the existence of many variables that have to be studied. The common materials for CO2 separating membranes are organic polymers, such as polysulfone (Ps), polyimide (PA), poly(ethylene oxide) and polycarbonate (PC) (Luis et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2014) . In the present work, polysulfone (Ps) was chosen because it is a well characterized polymer (Scholes et al., 2010) . Ps is an asymmetric nonporous polymeric material applied for CO2 capture and has been extensively studied for gas permeation and separation, because of its low permeability and comparatively high selectivity, which bring it close to Robeson's upperbound limit (Casado-Coterillo et al., 2012) . This material has also excellent mechanical strength, high thermal and chemical stability and is not necessarily considered as hydrophobic (Korminouri et al., 2015; Nabian et al., 2015) . The above properties of this polymer provide a potential application in the membrane gas absorption processes (Mansourizadeh and Ismail, 2010) .

The common materials for CO2 separating membranes are organic polymers, such as polysulfone (Ps), polyimide (PA), poly(ethylene oxide) and polycarbonate (PC).

In the present work, polysulfone (Ps) was chosen because it is a well characterized polymer.

Ps is an asymmetric nonporous polymeric material applied for CO2 capture and has been extensively studied for gas permeation and separation, because of its low permeability and comparatively high selectivity, which bring it close to Robeson's upperbound limit.

This material has also excellent mechanical strength, high thermal and chemical stability and is not necessarily considered as hydrophobic.

The above properties of this polymer provide a potential application in the membrane gas absorption processes.


A testing effort cannot ensure the production of high quality software if it does not consider the operating environment of the application under test. Yet, it is not sufficient to simply test the program and each aspect of the program's environment in isolation. In order to establish a high level of confidence in a software system with a complicated environment, it is necessary to develop test adequacy criteria that correctly capture a program's interaction with its environment. An adequacy criterion can be used to automatically generate test suites that are satisfactory with respect to the selected criterion. These "environment aware" adequacy metrics can also be used to assess the quality of tests that are manually created by software developers. Finally, test adequacy criteria can serve as stopping rules to determine when the testing of an application and its environment can cease [23] .

Finally, test adequacy criteria can serve as stopping rules to determine when the testing of an application and its environment can cease.


The measurement of superoxide dismutase enzymatic activity in our studies demonstrated its decrease in relation to the control values after exposure to an EMF of both 150 V/m and 220 V/m intensity regardless of the exposure time. The observed changes in the activity of this antioxidant defence protein confirmed that under the effect of electromagnetic radiation generated by LCD monitors there occurs a process of uncontrolled generation of reactive oxygen species. The subsequently observed significant decrease of superoxide dismutase activity was probably caused by the excessively high amount of ROS generated due to electromagnetic radiation. The results of the studies also revealed a correlation between the exposure time and the level of the decrease of SOD activity. During longer -60-min -exposure the changes in the activity are more pronounced, which proved that together with the increase of exposure time there occurs distinct impairment of pro-oxidant/ antioxidant balance. The results of these studies also reveal a correlation between the field intensity and the intensity of changes in the enzyme. The stronger the magnetic field, the more significant is the decrease in the activity, which in consequence leads to enhanced oxidative stress. Catalase, the next tested parameter of oxygen metabolism, converts the disproportionate hydrogen peroxide (the substrate of a reaction catalysed by SOD) to water and oxygen. The activity of this enzyme in blood platelets exposed to electromagnetic radiation increased after both 30-and 60-min exposure at the field intensity of 150 V/m in relation to the control values. During 30-min exposure to EMF of 220 V/m intensity, catalase activity increased significantly in relation to the initial values, whereas after 60-min exposure it decreased significantly. The obtained result may point to a compensatory increase of catalase activity in relation to the increase of ROS generation after exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Higher intensity and longer exposure time (60 min) caused impairment of antioxidant defence capacity manifested by a final decrease of catalase activity below the value of the control sample. Similar results were obtained in the studies evaluating the effect of an electromagnetic field of 1000 Hz frequency and 0.5 mT magnetic induction on catalase activity. It was found to increase significantly after 30-min exposure, which correlated with the increase of reactive oxygen species generation. However, further measurements demonstrated the decrease of this enzyme activity in relation to the values of the control samples [18] .

However, further measurements demonstrated the decrease of this enzyme activity in relation to the values of the control samples.


The costs of obstetrical care can also be an important barrier to the poor [29] . Even when these services are officially free of cost, hidden costs due to corruption may add up to a substantial amount. At the level of individuals and households, there is mounting evidence of the negative effects of corruption on health in low-and middle-income countries around the world [30] . The poor are disproportionately harmed by corruption, because they are less able to afford bribes or the use of private initiatives [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] . In our study, bribery was reported to be necessary in order to obtain health services which were intended to be free of charge. This mirrors the dominating position of corruption in the Afghani society. A report from 2010 reveals that one third of the population sees corruption as a necessity, and up to 20% had paid bribes to a doctor or a lawyer during the last year [36] . A study from the Baltic States found that nearly half of those interviewed did not consider unofficial payments to health workers as corruption [33] .

The costs of obstetrical care can also be an important barrier to the poor.

At the level of individuals and households, there is mounting evidence of the negative effects of corruption on health in low-and middle-income countries around the world.

The poor are disproportionately harmed by corruption, because they are less able to afford bribes or the use of private initiatives.

A report from 2010 reveals that one third of the population sees corruption as a necessity, and up to 20% had paid bribes to a doctor or a lawyer during the last year.

A study from the Baltic States found that nearly half of those interviewed did not consider unofficial payments to health workers as corruption.


It is known that even if a semigroup S is regular, its variant S θ need not be regular. But when S is a regular semigroup, the regular elements of S θ form a subsemigroup [20] . In particular, Reg(T θ X ) forms a subsemigroup and it was studied in detail recently by I. Dolinka and J. East [8] . They described the structure of the regular part Reg(T θ X ) using the map a → (aθ, θa) starting from the right and left translations. We shall also give a similar structural description but using the much more general theory of cross-connections. This in turn suggests that their results obtained in the specific case of Reg(T θ X ) are much more universal in nature. So, our discussion may also shed some light on the structural aspects of a more general class of semigroups.

But when S is a regular semigroup, the regular elements of S θ form a subsemigroup.

In particular, Reg(T θ X ) forms a subsemigroup and it was studied in detail recently by I. Dolinka and J. East.


Recall, that the full transformation semigroup T X is the semigroup of all mappings from a set X to itself. It is a well known that T X is regular and every semigroup can be realised as a transformation semigroup [6] . Hence the semigroup T X and its subsemigroups have been studied extensively [8] [9] [10] 18] . The cross-connections of the singular transformation semigroup Sing(X) was studied recently in a joint article of the author with A. R. Rajan [4] . The categories involved were characterized as the powerset category P(X) of all non-empty proper subsets of X and the category Π(X) of all non-identity partitions of X. It was shown that every cross-connection semigroup that arises from P(X) and Π(X) is isomorphic to Sing(X). It can be easily shown that the similar results hold for the full transformation semigroup T X as well (see Section 3 below). These results also push us closer to the variants of T X .

It is a well known that T X is regular and every semigroup can be realised as a transformation semigroup.

Hence the semigroup T X and its subsemigroups have been studied extensively.

The cross-connections of the singular transformation semigroup Sing(X) was studied recently in a joint article of the author with A. R. Rajan.


Molecular docking has been developed with primarily two parts varying: scoring function and searching method [8, 9] . Docking methods typically use an energy-based scoring function to identify the energetically most favorable ligand conformation when bound to the target. The general hypothesis is that lower energy scores represent better proteinligand bindings compared to higher energy values. Therefore, molecular docking can be viewed as a complex combinatorial optimization problem. The aim of combinatorial optimization is to find the ligand-binding mode with the lowest energy [10] .

Molecular docking has been developed with primarily two parts varying: scoring function and searching method.

The aim of combinatorial optimization is to find the ligand-binding mode with the lowest energy.


Computer-aided tools have wide applications in various fields, such as biotechnology engineering, medical engineering, mathematical modeling, and electronic information [1] [2] [3] [4] . In the drug design field, molecular docking is a useful tool in drug discovery and rational drug design. New drugs can be designed efficiently by using computer-aided docking algorithm simulations to find highly affine components that bind well to the targeted protein [5, 6] . By doing so, the biochemical reaction that the target molecule catalyzes can be altered or prevented. In the past, drug discovery process was very expensive and time consuming by in vitro experiments. Now, structure-based in silico approach allows for a faster and cheaper identification of promising drug candidates by the virtual screening of compound databases [7] .

Computer-aided tools have wide applications in various fields, such as biotechnology engineering, medical engineering, mathematical modeling, and electronic information.

New drugs can be designed efficiently by using computer-aided docking algorithm simulations to find highly affine components that bind well to the targeted protein.

Now, structure-based in silico approach allows for a faster and cheaper identification of promising drug candidates by the virtual screening of compound databases.


The radiated P-wave spectrum depends upon the change in stress at the source as a function of both space and time. Most theories of earthquake sources assume that tile time function of the equivalent force system at the source is approximately a step, usually with a finite rise time. Both the finite rise time and the finite spatial dimensions of the source limit the high-frequency portion of the spectrum. In the far field, most theoretical spectra are flat at low frequency, and at frequencies higher than some comer frequency decrease inversely at some power of frequency depending upon the theory. Theories of explosive sources exhibit similar phenomena for a pressure dependence on the inside of a cavity (or for the equivalent force system) given by a step function in time (Sharpe 1942) .

Theories of explosive sources exhibit similar phenomena for a pressure dependence on the inside of a cavity (or for the equivalent force system) given by a step function in time.


The mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) is a measure of gamma ray absorption or scattering capability of element, compound or per unit mass. It is the fundamental parameter to derive many other parameters of radiation interaction, shielding and dosimetric interests. An extensive data is available in literatures relevant to mass attenuation coefficient and scattering cross-section for almost all elements, compounds as well as mixtures. Most of the obtained experimental data are compared with the theoretical tabulations used by XCOM program [5] .

Most of the obtained experimental data are compared with the theoretical tabulations used by XCOM program.


Geant4 code is based on object-oriented programming and allows user to derive classes to describe the detector geometry, primary particle generator and physics processes models along electromagnetic, hadronic, and decay physics based on theory, materials and elements, experimental data or parameterizations. Most of physics processes models include multiple scattering, ionization, Bremsstrahlung, positron annihilation, photo-electric effect, Compton and Rayleigh scattering, pair production, synchrotron and transition radiation, Cherenkov effect, refraction, reflection, absorption, scintillation, fluorescence, and Auger electrons emission [6, 7] . The Geant4 simulation toolkit covers a wide energy range starting from 250 eV to the TeV. The Geant4 simulation is modeling of the photon attenuation through materials in computer environment gives flexibility and ease of use, instead of performing an experimental determination of mass attenuation coefficient of different composite materials. Recently one attempt has been used for simulation of attenuation coefficients [8] .

Most of physics processes models include multiple scattering, ionization, Bremsstrahlung, positron annihilation, photo-electric effect, Compton and Rayleigh scattering, pair production, synchrotron and transition radiation, Cherenkov effect, refraction, reflection, absorption, scintillation, fluorescence, and Auger electrons emission.

Recently one attempt has been used for simulation of attenuation coefficients.


Monte Carlo simulation is found an effective tool to calculate radiation interaction parameters in different types of compounds and mixtures for shielding and energy deposition in human organs and tissues. MCNP is a general purpose Monte Carlo code for transport of neutrons, photons and electrons. The user can apply up to second order surfaces (boxes, ellipsoids, cones, etc.) and fourth order torii to build a 3D geometry which can be filled with materials of arbitrary composition and density. Point, surface or volume sources of radiation can be defined, from which the mentioned particles are emitted with user specified probability distributions for energy and direction. The code then simulates the particle tracks and interactions with the materials, according to probability density distributions [9] . In the present study, the program used is based on Monte Carlo N Particle transport (MCNP-4C) code developed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The main objectives of the present study were to test the validity of MCNP and Geant4 based Monte Carlo simulations to demonstrate its success in studying radiation interactions through some vital biological materials (Blood, Bones, and Muscles). The two codes were applied in calculating mass attenuation and compared with their experimental measurements and the theoretical data obtained by XCOM program.

The code then simulates the particle tracks and interactions with the materials, according to probability density distributions.


The storage life and safety of dried products such as grains, pulses, and dried fruits, vegetables and meat, is closely related to their water activity. Water activity (Aw) is the headspace relative humidity, expressed as a decimal, within a hygroscopic material. It is also termed equilibrium relative humidity (ERH). At typical storage temperatures (15-25 ºC in temperate and high elevation tropical areas and 25-35 ºC in the humid tropical areas), an Aw of 0.65 or less will prevent the growth of most fungi and particularly toxigenic fungi [1] . Contaminating fungi may consume dry weight, cause offflavors, and most importantly may produce toxins. Alfatoxin, a mycotoxin primarily produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, accumulates rapidly in inadequately dried products and contaminates large amounts of the maize and groundnuts consumed in Africa. Consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated food causes malnutrition-related stunting, and, at high contamination levels, liver cancer and acute poisoning [2] . Instrumentation is available for direct measurement of Aw, but the least costly devices exceed USD 2000. Electronic hygrometers have been proposed as a method of measuring headspace relative humidity and estimating Aw, but most of the least expensive devices cannot be adjusted to read calibrated humidity [3, 4] .

At typical storage temperatures (15-25 ºC in temperate and high elevation tropical areas and 25-35 ºC in the humid tropical areas), an Aw of 0.65 or less will prevent the growth of most fungi and particularly toxigenic fungi.

Consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated food causes malnutrition-related stunting, and, at high contamination levels, liver cancer and acute poisoning.

Electronic hygrometers have been proposed as a method of measuring headspace relative humidity and estimating Aw, but most of the least expensive devices cannot be adjusted to read calibrated humidity.


For many years chlorination has been the standard method of water disinfection. Chlorine is used in most water treatment facilities to kill harmful micro-organisms that cause serious disease in drinking water. While this certainly works, the chlorine itself causes many health problems such as asthma, cancer, fertility problems, heart disease, eczema and birth defects. Furthermore, the smell and taste of chlorinated water is very unpleasant [1] . Also, the residuals and by products from chlorination can be toxic to aquatic life in the receiving waters. Particularly, some byproducts of chlorination may be carcinogenic and may require removal in a drinking water treatment plant. It has actually been discovered that chlorination is considerably less effective in virus destruction than in killing bacteria. UV light is currently a more preferable method for water disinfection. Actually, UV-disinfection has gained widespread use for municipal wastewater and more recently, interest in using UV for water reuse applications has also increased [2] . It has the following inherent advantages over all other disinfection methods: no chemical consumption, thereby eliminating large scale storage; no transportation, handling and potential safety hazards; low contact time; no contact basin is necessary and space requirements are thus reduced; no harmful by-products are formed; a minimum of, or no, moving parts; and high reliability and low energy requirements [3] . UVdisinfection thus solves the environmental and safety problems and is also cost-effective.

Furthermore, the smell and taste of chlorinated water is very unpleasant.

Actually, UV-disinfection has gained widespread use for municipal wastewater and more recently, interest in using UV for water reuse applications has also increased.

It has the following inherent advantages over all other disinfection methods: no chemical consumption, thereby eliminating large scale storage; no transportation, handling and potential safety hazards; low contact time; no contact basin is necessary and space requirements are thus reduced; no harmful by-products are formed; a minimum of, or no, moving parts; and high reliability and low energy requirements.


These earlier findings were considered within the design and development of the 'Rethinking Design' workshops. The impact of these workshops is explored and evaluated through two separate publications. This paper presents the impact of the audio-visual approach using popular music and carefully selected photography to convey meaning and the breadth of social sustainability, while a previously published paper considers how deep learning was fostered in the workshops through reflection, relevance and group interaction (Watkins, 2014b) .

This paper presents the impact of the audio-visual approach using popular music and carefully selected photography to convey meaning and the breadth of social sustainability, while a previously published paper considers how deep learning was fostered in the workshops through reflection, relevance and group interaction.


The audio-visual introductions were designed to be contemporary in style using photographs and popular music to capture the students' attention. This design deliberately mimicked 'You Tube' content style, where images or silent video are overlaid with a piece of popular music. Such a style is readily relevant and accessible to a 'Net Generation' audience, who are able to weave text, images and sound in a natural way (Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005b) .

Such a style is readily relevant and accessible to a 'Net Generation' audience, who are able to weave text, images and sound in a natural way.


Using a cross-country dataset consisting of developed and emerging countries, we document that the financial structures experience short-term reversals after banking crises or market crashes. We show that in most emerging markets, which generally do not have well-developed stock markets, changes in the financial structures are of a smaller magnitude compared to countries with balanced structure of the financial system after a crisis. In contrast, we find that in developed countries, the changes are more significant and of longer duration. In our opinion, those changes might reflect access to finance by the real sector of the economy during the crisis, which is much easier in developed countries because of a more balanced financial system structure. The existence of a balanced structure might also explain why the declines in real GDP are larger and why it takes longer for emerging market countries than for developed economies to recover after banking crises (Reinhart and Rogoff, 2009) .

The existence of a balanced structure might also explain why the declines in real GDP are larger and why it takes longer for emerging market countries than for developed economies to recover after banking crises.


As global urban population continues to grow, cities face the challenge of reducing the environmental and natural resource footprints while providing essential services to their populations. Addressing these challenges means drastically reducing the urban resource consumption through resource efficiency (Swilling et al 2013) . Among others, the urban infrastructure or more broadly socio-technical systems that provide key services like passenger transportation, the provision of commercial space, and thermal comfort are the major conduits through which natural resources are consumed and environmental impacts are materialized.

Addressing these challenges means drastically reducing the urban resource consumption through resource efficiency.


This result also undermines the conviction that variablecentered and person-centered approaches are, if not incompatible, then clearly distinct approaches that represent two different perspectives on human personality (Cervone, 2005) . This division has misled some researchers into believing that the structure of covariation established for a group of people tells us almost nothing about the individuals of that group (Borsboom, 2005; Borsboom et al., 2003) . However, this was an invalid conclusion as we were indeed able to find a characteristic in the individual pattern of responses which determined, in a very straightforward manner, properties of the group-level factor structure. If a latent factor model fits a given population by explaining a substantial amount of variance, the same model has to fit the majority of individuals of that population. For example, if the FFM explains more than 80% of the variance, the mean ICC will necessarily also be over .70, which leaves a very small fraction for those whose ICC could be below statistical significance. Or, if the mean ICC is above .40, the observed factor structure will necessarily resemble the FFM sufficiently well and the factors will explain at least 60% of the variance. Thus, there is a mathematical relationship between the two fit indices, one of which is applied at the group level and the other at the individual level. Consequently, it is not true that the structure of covariation established between personality traits in a group of people tells us nothing or very little about each subject in the group. The established causal link between within-individual and between-individual levels of description closes the gap that existed between the theoretical explanations that are supposed to apply to individuals and the data that were collected on the basis of between-individual differences. There is good reason to say that the FFM, which has proved to be an adequate description of the basic human personality traits at the group level, has proved to be an equally suitable personality model at the individual level, for most of the people tested. Thus, we can rule out the notion that, even if a given latent factor model fits a population, it does not necessarily fit the majority of the individuals in the population.

This result also undermines the conviction that variablecentered and person-centered approaches are, if not incompatible, then clearly distinct approaches that represent two different perspectives on human personality.

This division has misled some researchers into believing that the structure of covariation established for a group of people tells us almost nothing about the individuals of that group.


Among our participants, there was still a sizeable number of individuals who described their personality, or whose personality was described by their acquaintances, in a manner that is incompatible with the FFM according to the IC-C DE and Z eig . Nevertheless, due to very high self-observer agreement, these seem to be realistic descriptions of existing combinations of personality traits (e.g., Figures 4B and  4C ). These cases, despite being infrequent, suggest that some atypical combinations of personality traits are, in principle, possible. For example, although it is unusual, some people may be anxious and hostile but seldom feel embarrassment. Moreover, in some cases, high levels of friendliness may be associated with a lack of desire to be in the company of others. Unfortunately, this is largely unexplored territory for theorists and practitioners of the FFM. Although the concept of a personality type for a group of people who share a similar combination of personality traits has long been appealing, a continuous dimensional approach has been shown to yield more convincing results (Asendorpf, 2003) . Nevertheless, it is still plausible that there are several distinct but internally consistent ways of expressing approximately the same personality disposition.

Although the concept of a personality type for a group of people who share a similar combination of personality traits has long been appealing, a continuous dimensional approach has been shown to yield more convincing results.


Ideally, a scaffold for bone replacement must be porous, bio-active, biodegradable and possess adequate mechanical properties analogous to those of the biological site [98] . To obtain a bone-engineered tissue, the scaffold should hence meet a number of essential requirements, primarily interconnected pores of an adequate size to allow chemotaxis, cell proliferation and differentiation. The scaffold should preferably be biodegradable since its long-term performances in vivo mainly depend on the rate of degradation of the scaffold itself compared to the rate of simultaneous new bone regeneration. However, the right equilibrium between the rate of in vivo biomaterial resorption and natural tissue regeneration is not easy to attain [99] . A high porosity and an adequate pore size are necessary to facilitate cell seeding and diffusion throughout the whole structure of bone. Porosity is also essential for the prompt vascularization of sites treated with artificial biomaterials. Moreover, high porosity and pore interconnectivity are key requisites to increase the specific surface area available for cell attachment and tissue ingrowth, so facilitating the uniform distribution of cells and the adequate transport of nutrients and cellular waste products. Degradation properties are of crucial importance in bio-material selection and design in tissue engineering. The bio-material should not only stimulate and support tissue growth, but it may also be resorbed with the same rate at which new tissue forms, and importantly, it has to possess the additional ability to withstand the loading conditions experienced in situ. The mechanical support is continuously needed as the material degrades, until the new tissue can take up the load [9] .

Ideally, a scaffold for bone replacement must be porous, bio-active, biodegradable and possess adequate mechanical properties analogous to those of the biological site.

However, the right equilibrium between the rate of in vivo biomaterial resorption and natural tissue regeneration is not easy to attain.

The mechanical support is continuously needed as the material degrades, until the new tissue can take up the load.


In conventional power systems, almost 20% of the generation assets exist to meet the peak electrical demand only, which occurs within 5% of the total time [1] . In order to deal with the peak demand problem in a more cost-effective way, demand response (DR) programs that enable various peak load management strategies have gained increasing interest over the last few years. These programs have recently concentrated on residential implementations in particular, since 20-40% of electric energy is consumed by residential consumers in most developed and developing countries [2, 3] . In this regard, home energy management (HEM) systems play a vital role in improving the effectiveness of DR programs. These systems enable householders to participate in DR programs easily by manually or automatically controlling the appliances regarding different parameters such as electricity prices and end-user preferences [4, 5] .

In conventional power systems, almost 20% of the generation assets exist to meet the peak electrical demand only, which occurs within 5% of the total time.

These programs have recently concentrated on residential implementations in particular, since 20-40% of electric energy is consumed by residential consumers in most developed and developing countries.

These systems enable householders to participate in DR programs easily by manually or automatically controlling the appliances regarding different parameters such as electricity prices and end-user preferences.


The commonly used DR methods are classified into two groups in the literature: pricing-based programs (e.g., dynamic pricing) and incentive-based programs (e.g., direct load control (DLC)). The latter group, which is based on controlling the appliances of consumers in predefined time periods, is generally considered to be a more effective tool for alleviating the peak demand [6] . However, the effectiveness of these methods is significantly influenced by the number of consumers to be involved in DR programs. Therefore, different types of incentives, such as free or very cheap electric energy at nights or weekends, or guaranteed payments are proposed to residential consumers in order to increase their willingness to be enrolled in a DR program and be involved in DR events. These incentives have contributed to the more widespread adoption of DR programs in certain countries and regions; however, on the contrary, the incentives have fallen short of targets and expectations in various regions due to several reasons such as: (i) already very low electricity prices in some areas enabled by generally high renewable energy generation in certain periods; (ii) the lack of information provided to the consumers about their consumption and the resulting costs; (iii) deficiencies and delays in informing all the end-users about the starting time of upcoming DR events before an adequate amount of time; and (iv) the concerns of the consumers about their comfort level. For the purpose of convincing more end-users to become a part of peak load management actions, various tools have been used in both the literature and real-world applications. For instance, the benefits of DR programs on the sustainability of energy and environment have been explained in more detail to end-users by mentioning their positive effects on environmental problems and future energy costs to improve their willingness. Among these efforts, the technologies which aim to inform the end-users about the DR events in a simple way-to provide all the relevant information to them in real time, and then to make a scheduling by asking about their decision and preferences-have shown quite promising results recently.

The latter group, which is based on controlling the appliances of consumers in predefined time periods, is generally considered to be a more effective tool for alleviating the peak demand.


A possible threat to the external validity of the present research was the clearly "experimental" nature of the tasks. Real tests and examinations have real-life implications for students. Failure may mean repeating the ordeal, or not being accepted into one's desired career course. The two tests given during our study would not have carried such meaning for their takers. As a consequence, we may not have sampled the full range of reactions to test-environmental stressors like humidity and test anxiety. The latter is closely linked, for example, to perceived importance of the test (Gregory, 1996) . There would be serious ethical concerns, however, with attempting to "manipulate" this particular variable.

The latter is closely linked, for example, to perceived importance of the test.


In conclusion, we have provided numerical and experimental evidence of bright and dark solitons in crystalline WGM disk resonators, and we have discussed the conditions leading to their emergence in the context of Kerr comb generation. The Lugiato-Lefever equation has enabled to analyze the dynamical properties of these solitons. It is important to study in more detail the importance of GVD in future works, with the objective of tailoring for the spectral properties of the comb [33] , [34] . It will be interesting as well to investigate the stability of these solitons, and to explore the dynamical properties of the wide variety of Kerr combs that are experimentally observable [35] .

It is important to study in more detail the importance of GVD in future works, with the objective of tailoring for the spectral properties of the comb.

It will be interesting as well to investigate the stability of these solitons, and to explore the dynamical properties of the wide variety of Kerr combs that are experimentally observable.


Establishing common ground between teaching and research One way of resolving the 'conceptual isolation' between teaching and other arenas of academic activity is through developing the scholarship of teaching (Weston & McAlpine, 2001) . Scholarly teaching involves 'engagement with research into teaching and learning, critical reflection of practice, and communication and dissemination about the practice of one's subject,' (Healey, 2000, p. 173) . The enrichment of the student experience is the core agenda; and through this endeavour bridges are built between staff and students; students are the main 'subject matter' and there is mutual value to both staff and students from the knowledge that is produced through scholarly activity (Kreber, 2007) .

Establishing common ground between teaching and research One way of resolving the 'conceptual isolation' between teaching and other arenas of academic activity is through developing the scholarship of teaching.

The enrichment of the student experience is the core agenda; and through this endeavour bridges are built between staff and students; students are the main 'subject matter' and there is mutual value to both staff and students from the knowledge that is produced through scholarly activity.


Teaching and research are 'mutually enriching' (Robertson, 2007, p. 551 ) by their joint goal of discovering and creating knowledge; making sense of and debating ideas and asking probing questions. Therefore, in their quest for knowledge, researchers and students engage in analogous activities involving a collaborative venture through a process of inquiry (Brew, 1999) . They share a focus on learning where 'an individual -teacher, researcher, student, learner -comes to know' (Brew & Boud, 1995, p. 268) . If learning is a component bringing teaching and research together, then an important aspect of strengthening the research-teaching nexus would be to provide students with the opportunity to engage in research-like activities (Brew, 1999) .

Therefore, in their quest for knowledge, researchers and students engage in analogous activities involving a collaborative venture through a process of inquiry.

If learning is a component bringing teaching and research together, then an important aspect of strengthening the research-teaching nexus would be to provide students with the opportunity to engage in research-like activities.


A more insidious threat is the standoff spoofer which broadcasts a set of replicas of the authentic SV signals currently visible to the mobile GNSS receiver [2] . The unaware receiver computes the navigation solution based on these counterfeit signals which are passed on to the user as being reliable with potentially damaging consequences. GNSSbased location estimates that are inaccurate but assumed to be accurate are potentially more damaging to the user than in the jamming case where at least the user knows that the service is temporarily unavailable. As the receiver processing gain used for suppressing the jammer is not applicable in the case of the spoofer signal, the spoofer transmit power can be orders of magnitude less than that of the noise jammer. This makes the spoofer signal much more difficult to locate and disable.

A more insidious threat is the standoff spoofer which broadcasts a set of replicas of the authentic SV signals currently visible to the mobile GNSS receiver.


There are essentially two categories of spoofer threats envisioned. The first is the self-intentional spoofer that provides the user a means of compromising its GNSS position. An example is a fishing vessel wishing to enter prohibited areas undetected by a GNSS-based monitoring system. A collocated spoofer could provide counterfeit signals to fabricate navigation solution that falls outside the prohibited area [4, 5] . Another example is that of an offender required to wear a mandatory GNSS tracker to ensure compliance with travel restrictions [2] .

A collocated spoofer could provide counterfeit signals to fabricate navigation solution that falls outside the prohibited area.

Another example is that of an offender required to wear a mandatory GNSS tracker to ensure compliance with travel restrictions.


Effect of materials heating with the laser radiation depends on thermal balance of surface absorbed laser energy and thermal energy transferred to the "cold" material. With the rate of laser energy deposition much higher than the rate of heat transfer to the core material the high temperature is localized in the thin surface layer. When both rates (heat absorption and diffusive transport) are equal the material is heated to lower temperature and thicker surface layer is heated. Figure 1 presents a brief overview of the application of laser in the different laser surface technologies [22] . For each of these types of laser surface processing the laser power/energy density and interaction/pulse time must be properly selected in terms of achieving the desired degree of heating and phase transition.

Figure 1 presents a brief overview of the application of laser in the different laser surface technologies.


This paper builds on the idea of reusing an on-chip bus, NOC, or other functional interconnect as a TAM. Unlike other papers, the focus here is on the core test wrapper design that enables this. It is our objective to modify neither the functional interconnect nor the core-under-test or its test, to maximise their reuse. For the functional interconnect, 'core test' is a regular application, in which the bus or NOC just transports data; it happens to be test data but that is irrelevant to the functional interconnect. The dedicated TAM ports of conventional wrappers are removed, as test data is now transported through functional ports. Most core tests are based on scan design, which is a realtime streaming application for the bus or NOC (once started, it needs to complete without interruption), but for which the required bandwidth can be chosen by adjusting the number of parallel scan chains. The streaming nature of scan test data requires a functional interconnect that provides uncorrupted, lossless, in-order data transport with guaranteed throughput ant zero latency variation, such as the AEthereal NOC [8] . We assume that the functional interconnect hardware is designed to functional specifications. This given bus or NOC hardware is programmed for the 'core test' application using its regular design flow [33] . Subsequently, the bandwidth used for test is tuned to fit the given functional interconnect, through adjustment of the number of parallel scan chains for the core by means of a new wrapper design optimisation algorithm.

The streaming nature of scan test data requires a functional interconnect that provides uncorrupted, lossless, in-order data transport with guaranteed throughput ant zero latency variation, such as the AEthereal NOC.

This given bus or NOC hardware is programmed for the 'core test' application using its regular design flow.


Continuous cropping seriously affects the growth of crops, and this system has recently become a major focus of study. Recent studies have shown that continuous cropping of soybean results in changes in the microflora of rhizosphere soil, which gradually changes from high fertility "bacterial type" soil to low fertility "fungi type" soil. Continuous cropping significantly reduces the pH of the soil, making the soil conducive to fungal growth while inhibiting the reproduction of bacteria and actinomycetes. As a result, fungi eventually become the dominant species in rhizosphere soil. In addition, continuous cropping of soybean leads to the enrichment of root metabolites (such as phenolic acids) in the soil. After adding phenolic acids to soil, the concentration of phenolic acid and the quantity of fungi significantly increase. Therefore, an increase in the quantity of root metabolites inevitably leads to an increase in the proportion of fungi in the soil. As a direct consequence, the quantity of the soil-borne pathogen Fusarium increases (Zhao and Zhao, 2007; Qiu et al., 2010) . At the same time, continuous cropping of soybean may also lead to an increase in the levels of organic compounds in the soil (sugars, amino acids, organic acids), thus providing a favorable environment for the multiplication of soybean root rot pathogenic fungi.

As a direct consequence, the quantity of the soil-borne pathogen Fusarium increases.


Often proper perfusion and vital signs cannot be managed by a sufficient amount of medication such as digitalis or vasoconstrictors. Even an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) sometimes may not be able to improve circulation or vital signs. Such an emergent condition may be handled by a ventricular assist device (VAD) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, such conventional mechanical cardiopulmonary support devices are only operated by cardiothoracic surgeons or by a perfusionist. Also, the duration of preparation takes quite a bit of time. Thus, it is very difficult to apply in an emergency in which cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed. Furthermore, those devices have demonstrated a low survival rate, regardless of their aggressive methods of management [1] . Postoperative complications arising from using a cardiopulmonary bypass system (CPB) include postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS), which interrupts weaning from the CPB, uncontrolled hemorrhage and arrhythmia, and even cardiac arrest. These complications may develop with a frequency of about 2∼8% after open cardiothoracic surgery. Thus, it has been suggested that several supportive devices be developed, which may assist in weaning from CPB postoperatively [2] .

Furthermore, those devices have demonstrated a low survival rate, regardless of their aggressive methods of management.

Thus, it has been suggested that several supportive devices be developed, which may assist in weaning from CPB postoperatively.


However, what will people choose to do? According to the Qur'an, the drive to experience the Oneness of God, known as tawhid, is the basic motivational force in human life (Ansari, 2002) . Along with this motivation, humans experience two other conflicting drives: one toward stagnation and acceptance of life as it is, and a second toward achievement and perfection related to the spirit of God (Mahmood, 2006; Shari'ati, 1979) . Whatever motivation prevails is the choice of the individual. This is an important choice because, in Islam, the lack of separation between secular and religious life makes a Muslim's every action a religious act (Mahmood, 2006) .

However, what will people choose to do?

According to the Qur'an, the drive to experience the Oneness of God, known as tawhid, is the basic motivational force in human life.

Along with this motivation, humans experience two other conflicting drives: one toward stagnation and acceptance of life as it is, and a second toward achievement and perfection related to the spirit of God.

This is an important choice because, in Islam, the lack of separation between secular and religious life makes a Muslim's every action a religious act.


To determine the trends' significance, we used a Monte Carlo test, following the same methodology as Turco and Llasat [28] . To compute each Bootstrap distribution, we carried out 1000 iterations. We divided the data into two groups of days according to the sign of the meridional component of the wind at ground level at the point (42.5° N, 0° E)-just over the Pyrenees [21, 29] . When this component is southward (58% of the days, 'Northern days'), the northern IP is, on average, under the influence of a northern air influx linked to the NE edge of the Azores High. On the other hand, when the meridional component of the flow is northward (42% of the days, 'Southern days'), then the IP is in general more influenced by Mediterranean and African air masses.

To determine the trends' significance, we used a Monte Carlo test, following the same methodology as Turco and Llasat.

We divided the data into two groups of days according to the sign of the meridional component of the wind at ground level at the point (42.5° N, 0° E)-just over the Pyrenees.


Along with significant improvements in computer and internet technology, it has created an environment in which it is very easy to disclose important information by illegal users, such as personal image. For this reason, the study of image encryption has become an important aspect of protecting security of image information. Since digital image possesses some inherent features such as bulk data capacity and high correlation among adjacent pixels, the algorithms of image encryption are different from the traditional text cryptographic method. At the same time, due to their features of ergodicity, sensitivity to initial conditions and control parameters, etc, chaotic maps have good potential for information encryption, especially image encryption. Inspired by the subtle similarity between chaotic map and cryptography, a large number of chaos-based image encryption algorithms had been proposed [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] .

Inspired by the subtle similarity between chaotic map and cryptography, a large number of chaos-based image encryption algorithms had been proposed.


However, in recent years, many proposed chaotic cryptosystems are broken by some kinds of cryptanalysis [1, [15] [16] [17] . The main broken reasons can be briefly stated as follows: (1) in the different rounds, the same control parameters for permutation are used; (2) the key stream obtained from the chaotic map only depends on the key, namely the parameters or initial value of chaotic map. Using the first loophole, the attacker can easily divide the permutation-diffusion process into two unrelated stages by choosing the plain-image with identical pixels [4] . Due to the second loophole, the attacker can obtain the key stream, which is extracted from the chaotic map in the diffusion, by the cryptoanalytic solution, such as knownplaintext and chosen-plaintext attacks [18] [19] [20] .

However, in recent years, many proposed chaotic cryptosystems are broken by some kinds of cryptanalysis.

Using the first loophole, the attacker can easily divide the permutation-diffusion process into two unrelated stages by choosing the plain-image with identical pixels.

Due to the second loophole, the attacker can obtain the key stream, which is extracted from the chaotic map in the diffusion, by the cryptoanalytic solution, such as knownplaintext and chosen-plaintext attacks.


Nunney's N e (equation 8) varied according to the level of local versus global population regulation (Fig. 1b) . However, the field data were inconsistent with some of the potential levels of regulation. Variance-corrected individual female reproductive success (I9 ki ) was only positive when x values were between 0 and 0.177, becoming negative at higher values of x. Negative components of variance in reproductive success seem unlikely to occur in nature. Nonetheless, we examined values of N e for values of x between 0 and 0.4 (Fig. 1b) , and found a decreasing function for estimates based on both the pedigree and allozyme data. We had no estimate of x from field data, but a value of 0.14 was consistent with the assumptions that N e is typically one-half N T and that measurements of bias and precision should be based on one-half N e (Nunney 1996; Vucetich et al. 1997; Wang and Whitlock 2003) . Remarkably, pedigree estimates of N e (using x ¼ 0.14) exhibited little variation, perhaps because the F-statistics also exhibited little variation ( Fig. 1c; Table 1) . N e from the pedigree data was about one-half N eO (harmonic mean ¼ 38.4, range 37.4-39.2, n ¼ 10 years). Average allozyme estimates of N e were slightly more variable (39.5, range ¼ 36.5-46.9, n ¼ 10 years). When x ¼ 0, the harmonic mean N e was still lower than N eO (pedigree estimate ¼ 55.1, range 46.9-61.6; allozyme estimate ¼ 54.4, range 35.4-147.0).

We had no estimate of x from field data, but a value of 0.14 was consistent with the assumptions that N e is typically one-half N T and that measurements of bias and precision should be based on one-half N e.


In the present study the dynamic response analysis of two-crack rotor is carried out. A simple Jeffcott rotor with two transverse surface cracks is considered. A more realistic breathing crack model is used as against the open crack model applied in earlier studies. The cracks are assumed at some distance apart near the mid-span. The stiffness of the Jeffcott rotor due to the presence of these cracks is derived based on fracture mechanics concepts. Then the dynamic response of the cracked Jeffcott rotor is obtained for an unbalance excitation. The effects of orientation of one crack relative to the other on the unbalance response and on the breathing behaviour of the two cracks are studied. A special case of the two-crack rotor is when one of the cracks is of open type while the other can breathe during the rotation of rotor. This simulates an asymmetric rotor with a fatigue crack. This case is studied in detail to estimate the effect of the presence of fatigue crack on the response of an asymmetric rotor. Such a study of an asymmetric shaft having a transverse crack has not been attempted. The only related work is by Lees and Friswell [10] . They discussed the effect of chordal cracks on the mode shapes of asymmetric rotors and also studied the effect of orientation of the rotor on various modes of vibration.

The only related work is by Lees and Friswell.


Gaussian Markov random fields, which are MRFs where the variables are jointly Gaussian, have a long history in computer vision research [14] . Gaussian models are particularly convenient to work with because the inference in Gaussian models can be easily accomplished using linear algebra. Algorithms for numerical linear algebra are well understood, and efficient implementations are available. Nevertheless, Gaussian Markov random fields can result in over-smoothed images when the potential functions for neighboring nodes are homogeneous or isotropic, i.e. identical everywhere.

Gaussian Markov random fields, which are MRFs where the variables are jointly Gaussian, have a long history in computer vision research.


In the past years, various data mining techniques including artificial neural networks have been applied to fault diagnosis for wireless sensor because they have the advantages of discovering useful knowledge from large data sets [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . Though fault diagnosis for wireless sensor based on artificial neural networks can show encouraging results, there are also many problems that need to be solved, such as local optimization and overfitting in the artificial neural networks [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . Support vector machine (SVM), based on structure risk minimization principle can use nonlinear mapping to transform an input space to a high-dimension space based on an internal integral function and then looks for a nonlinear relationship between inputs and outputs in that space [12] [13] [14] . SVM can find global optimum solutions for problems with small training samples, high dimensions, nonlinear [15, 16] . Twin SVM is a binary classifier that performs classification by using two nonparallel hyperplanes instead of the single hyperplane used in the classical SVM. However, the choice of the training parameters has a heavy impact on the classification accuracy of twin support vector machine. Particle swarm optimization is an evolutionary computation technique, which is inspired by social behavior among individuals. Thus, particle swarm optimization is used to optimize the TSVM parameters.

In the past years, various data mining techniques including artificial neural networks have been applied to fault diagnosis for wireless sensor because they have the advantages of discovering useful knowledge from large data sets.

Though fault diagnosis for wireless sensor based on artificial neural networks can show encouraging results, there are also many problems that need to be solved, such as local optimization and overfitting in the artificial neural networks.

Support vector machine (SVM), based on structure risk minimization principle can use nonlinear mapping to transform an input space to a high-dimension space based on an internal integral function and then looks for a nonlinear relationship between inputs and outputs in that space.

SVM can find global optimum solutions for problems with small training samples, high dimensions, nonlinear.


Past literature studies reported the use of various structures and technologies in the DO control system [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] . The primary objective of those studies was to provide an accurate tracking of the variable DO trajectory. In most cases, nonlinear dynamics of the aeration system was omitted and the system was considered as a static element.

Past literature studies reported the use of various structures and technologies in the DO control system.


Zirconium diboride samples were produced by using stoichiometric amounts of monoclinic ZrO 2 (99%, Aldrich, St. Louis, MO), B 2 O 3 (98%, Fluka, St. Louis, MO), and Mg (99%, Riedel-de Haën, Seelze, Germany) powders. The starting materials were ball-milled in a modified planetary ball mill (Pulverisette7, Fritsch, Idar-Oberstein, Germany) under an argon atmosphere. The rotational speed and ball-to-powder mass ratio were 600 rpm and 30:1, respectively. The milling vial and balls (15 mm) were made of hardened chromium steel. All the milling experiments were conducted under high-purity argon gas at a pressure of 5 bar. The vial was purged with argon gas several times, and the desired pressure was adjusted before the start of the milling. The connection of the vial to the gas cylinder during the milling experiments was maintained The samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis to determine the structural changes of the powders during the milling and heating experiments. A PANalytical X'Pert diffractometer (Almelo, the Netherlands) (45 kV, 40 mA) with Cu K α radiation (λ = 0.15406 nm) was used for the XRD analysis. The crystallite size of the sample was estimated by the peak-broadening analysis of the XRD peaks using the Williamson-Hall formula [23] .

The crystallite size of the sample was estimated by the peak-broadening analysis of the XRD peaks using the Williamson-Hall formula.


This work examined thirst perception and dryness of mouth using the (VAS) visual analogue scale in young male and female adults. The subjects were comparable in body mass index. The VAS, though, might be, susceptible to distortion by a variety of personal, and cultural influences, this method however provides the best available description of the function of the thirst mechanism so far, (Robertson, 1984) . It has been shown that thirst ratings using the VAS are highly reproducible within individuals on repeated testing (Thompson et al, 1991) .

The VAS, though, might be, susceptible to distortion by a variety of personal, and cultural influences, this method however provides the best available description of the function of the thirst mechanism so far.

It has been shown that thirst ratings using the VAS are highly reproducible within individuals on repeated testing.


Desiccants are natural or synthetic substances, having a high affinity for water, capable of absorbing water vapour from their immediate vicinity. They are available in both liquid and solid states. Solid desiccants are compact and less corrosive. On the other hand, liquid desiccant offer several benefits, including, lower regeneration temperature, lower pressure drop of air across the desiccant material, suitability for dust removal by filtration, and flexibility in utilisation especially when handling large volumes of air [9] [10] [11] .

On the other hand, liquid desiccant offer several benefits, including, lower regeneration temperature, lower pressure drop of air across the desiccant material, suitability for dust removal by filtration, and flexibility in utilisation especially when handling large volumes of air.


Stock markets may also influence risk diversification and avoid liquidity risk. Liquid equity markets make long-term investment more attractive because they allow savers to sell equities quickly and cheaply if they need access to their savings. Simultaneously, companies enjoy permanent access to capital raised through equity issues. By easing longer term, more profitable investments, liquid markets improve the allocation of capital and thereby enhance productivity growth (Levine, 1997) .

By easing longer term, more profitable investments, liquid markets improve the allocation of capital and thereby enhance productivity growth.


There is a growing body of literature stressing a direct relationship between the extents to which financial liberalization can improve performance and the various measures of efficiency. Liberalization is most likely accompanied by an increase in the amount of research done on individual stock and market conditions in the equity markets. This will lead to improved information availability to both foreign and domestic investors (Henry, 2000) . It can also be noted that increased monitoring associated with opening a firm's stocks to foreign investors may improve the governance of the firm, which could force the firm's managers to improve on efficiency, profitability and other measures of operating performance (Henry & Chari, 2002) . Stock markets may also stimulate greater corporate control by making it easier to tie managerial compensation to performance (Diamond & Verrecchia, 1982) .

This will lead to improved information availability to both foreign and domestic investors.

It can also be noted that increased monitoring associated with opening a firm's stocks to foreign investors may improve the governance of the firm, which could force the firm's managers to improve on efficiency, profitability and other measures of operating performance.

Stock markets may also stimulate greater corporate control by making it easier to tie managerial compensation to performance.


The broad objective of this study was to measure the impact of stock market liberalization on economic growth in Kenya. This chapter discusses the data and empirical model used to measure this objective. To ascertain whether stock market liberalization produces positive effects, it is necessary to ultimately observe its effect on economic growth (Fuchs-Schundeln & Funke, 2001) . To better apprehend the processes behind the liberalization effects, two possible channels through which liberalization can nurture stock market development are focused, namely; its impact on stock market capitalization and its subsequent impact on stock market liquidity. Stock market liberalization will increase market capitalization through foreign portfolio investments.

To ascertain whether stock market liberalization produces positive effects, it is necessary to ultimately observe its effect on economic growth.


The design of the vehicle driven for the study presented here is at the low end on the spectrum of battery size and CD range (see Section 2.1). Indeed, it should be noted that the most current Toyota Plug-In HV, a plug-in version of the Prius utilizing 5.2 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, is purported to roughly double the nominal miles of CD range [10] . Uniquely, then, this study explores this less-charted end of the analysis spectrum. In doing so, it also creates a perspective on the starting point of an innovation trajectory that builds up to plug-in vehicles from what exists commercially today (the successful Toyota Prius), concordant with the way successful innovations tend to build on continuous origins [11, 12] .

Indeed, it should be noted that the most current Toyota Plug-In HV, a plug-in version of the Prius utilizing 5.2 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, is purported to roughly double the nominal miles of CD range.

In doing so, it also creates a perspective on the starting point of an innovation trajectory that builds up to plug-in vehicles from what exists commercially today (the successful Toyota Prius), concordant with the way successful innovations tend to build on continuous origins.


In this paper we have analysed the Becker-Döring equations with a range of time-dependent monomer input functions of the form αt w . Since the monomer concentration is unknown and has to be solved for as part of the problem, this formulation of the problem is more complex than the often-studied constant monomer formulation of the Becker-Döring equations, or the constant mass formulation. The system forms a useful contribution to the study of more complex physicochemical processes in which a precursor species decays to provide the monomeric material from which clusters grow, such as micelle-or vesicle-formation [9, 10] .

The system forms a useful contribution to the study of more complex physicochemical processes in which a precursor species decays to provide the monomeric material from which clusters grow, such as micelle-or vesicle-formation.


All the organic amendment ratios used under all the soil water status significantly (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.0001 at α = 0.05) increased the concentration of soil NO 3 − , PO 4 3− , percent total organic carbon (%TOC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC), compared with the control (Fig. 3) . The application of biochar is known to improve various soil properties such as cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil total organic carbon (%TOC), pH, and soil nutrient concentrations (Agegnehu et al. 2015; Zeng et al. 2015) . However, the effects of biochar on soil nutrient content are dependent on the type of biomass used for biochar production (Gunarathne et al. 2017) . Similarly, compost is a quality organic fertilizer which can provide soil nutrients as well as improve physicochemical and microbial properties of soil (Schulz et al. 2013; Mackie et al. 2015) . Figure 3 shows a similar trend for CEC and %TOC, as they increase with increasing amendment ratios and are not influenced by the soil water status.

The application of biochar is known to improve various soil properties such as cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil total organic carbon (%TOC), pH, and soil nutrient concentrations.

However, the effects of biochar on soil nutrient content are dependent on the type of biomass used for biochar production.

Similarly, compost is a quality organic fertilizer which can provide soil nutrients as well as improve physicochemical and microbial properties of soil.


This research belongs to an experimental design. In this study used quasi-experimental design. Quasi-experimental designs do not include the use of random assignment (Fraenkel, Wallen & Hyun, 2012) . The experimental group was given treatment by using activation method, but the control group was not. This research used Pretest-Posttest Non-equivalent Group Design. This research applied 12 meetings including the pretest and posttest. After the treatment, the researcher gave the posttest which was exactly the same as the pretest. In this research there are two variables, independent variable (X) and dependent variable (Y). The independent variable is activation method (X) and dependent variable is the students' speaking skill (Y).

Quasi-experimental designs do not include the use of random assignment.


With rapid industrialisation occurring in many Caribbean nations such as Trinidad and Tobago, a significant portion of the available sources of drinking water are chemically contaminated with industrial discharges, urban and agricultural runoff, and other sources of pollution Figure 1 . The problem stems from a combination of leakage from sewerage lines and urban storm water runoff, which leads to contamination of municipal drinking water supplies by both microbiological and chemical contaminants. The availability of ample, safe, potable water may indeed prove to be one of the most critical problems for many developing countries in the region. Throughout the developing world, shortage of community water supplies, their actual or potential pollution from anthropogenic sources, inadequate treatment, and the resultant spread of associated diseases are still unresolved problems such as Cholera outbreaks. In addressing these issues, implementation of feasible water treatment measures is needed. An inexpensive supply of clean water is one of the most pressing public health issues such that there is a need to develop locally solutions for sustainable water treatment. Solar energy offers a renewable and sustainable potential source to meet these needs [1] .

Solar energy offers a renewable and sustainable potential source to meet these needs.


However, the use of natural light (sunlight) for water treatment (particularly disinfection) is not a recent innovation. The capture and storage of solar energy by photosensitised processes have been an active area of research for many years [2, 3] . Solar based water treatments have changed significantly over the years. Solar radiation and solar photochemical technologies are becoming increasingly appreciated over the years on its influence of organic pollution degradation and applicability for water and wastewater treatment [4] [5] [6] [7] .

The capture and storage of solar energy by photosensitised processes have been an active area of research for many years.

Solar radiation and solar photochemical technologies are becoming increasingly appreciated over the years on its influence of organic pollution degradation and applicability for water and wastewater treatment.


The propagation of gas during tests 2 and 3 shows that gas pathways are localised. In Gas test 2, the gas propagated 180º around the canister and did not intercept the two filters that were located ±90º around the canister. In Gas test 3, gas propagated from the upper array of filters to the lower array without intercepting any of the four mid-plane filters. Therefore, gas propagation pathways must have been localised features. The behaviour of the four "pressurised" sensors seen in Gas test 3 shows that, once formed, the network of gas pathways continued to evolve and that multiple pathways were simultaneously forming. Once fully "pressurised", the system behaved as if it were one inter-connected volume. Similar observations have been seen in laboratory testing (Graham et al., 2014) . Figure 9a shows the local stress conditions around filter FL903 during the first two gas injection tests. Average stress is shown for radial stress [PR] and pore water pressure [UR] from the same level as the injection filter. Radial stress on the canister [PC] is also shown for Section 6 of the deposition hole. As can be seen, both gas breakthrough pressures are higher than the radial stresses observed. However, a close comparison was seen with gas breakthrough and PR910. As shown in Figure 9b for Gas test 3, the initial gas peak occurred once injection pressure was similar to the stress recorded nearby on the surface of the canister (PC903). This magnitude was much greater than the average radial stress at the Section 9 level.

Similar observations have been seen in laboratory testing.


Griffith crack theory, a crack will only propagate when the decrease in strain energy just balances the increase in surface energy (Griffith, 1921) . In essence, this can be viewed as the slow time-dependent expansion of gas pathway(s), conceptually little different to that of inflating one or more tiny balloons within the bentonite, where the walls of the latter represent the pathway surfaces within the clay. As gas pressure increases the cracks (balloons) slowly expand and propagate resulting in a larger network of gas-filled pathways.

Griffith crack theory, a crack will only propagate when the decrease in strain energy just balances the increase in surface energy.


Functional bioactive ingredients have received much attention in recent years from the scientific community, consumers and food manufacturers. Potential functional bioactive ingredients are vitamins, probiotics, bioactive peptides, antioxidants, etc. Scientific evidence to support the concept of health-promoting ingredients is growing steadily. Innovative functional foods that bring physiological benefits or reduce long-term risks of developing diseases are being developed by the scientific community (Elliott and Ong, 2002) . However, due to the instability of functional ingredients under conditions encountered during processing (temperature, oxygen, light) or in the gut (pH, enzymes, presence of other nutrients), it is difficult to retain the health benefits of functional ingredients (Bell, 2001) . Therefore, it is necessary to protect these molecules from harsh conditions by encapsulation or immobilization.

Innovative functional foods that bring physiological benefits or reduce long-term risks of developing diseases are being developed by the scientific community.

However, due to the instability of functional ingredients under conditions encountered during processing (temperature, oxygen, light) or in the gut (pH, enzymes, presence of other nutrients), it is difficult to retain the health benefits of functional ingredients.