Upon the level of product customization, production systems might be divided into two major categories including make-tostock (MTS) and make-to-order (MTO). MTS production systems are mainly structured upon forecasts of demand mix and volumes. Therefore, these systems generally yield lower level of customization by processing standard products (Lee and Tang 1997) . In contrary, production of an MTO product does not initiate unless an order is received. In other words, MTO production is triggered with receipt of an order. Higher level of customization is guaranteed in MTO production, while products are exposed to risk of obsolescence (Hendry and Kingsman 1989) . In order to take advantages of two MTS and MTO production systems, hybrid MTS/MTO production systems have recently attracted academicians and practitioners. In a hybrid MTS/MTO production system, a segment of the production line is conducted upon demand forecasts (MTS segment) and the resulted unfinished work-in-process (WIP) inventory is completed through remainder of the line upon the received orders (van Donk 2001) . The point which separates MTS and MTO parts of the production line is called customer order decoupling point (CODP) . In other words, CODP is the point at which received orders enter the production value chain and are linked to unfinished WIPs. According to the concept of CODP, Fig. 1 shows different kinds of production systems.

Therefore, these systems generally yield lower level of customization by processing standard products.

Higher level of customization is guaranteed in MTO production, while products are exposed to risk of obsolescence.

In a hybrid MTS/MTO production system, a segment of the production line is conducted upon demand forecasts (MTS segment) and the resulted unfinished work-in-process (WIP) inventory is completed through remainder of the line upon the received orders.


Due to position of Nigeria in sub-Sahara West Africa, aerosol pollution is a familiar phenomenon of which its concentrations exhibit strong seasonal variability mainly driven by seasonally changed air mass (northeasterly trade wind and southwesterly trade wind) patterns during Harmattan (November-March) and Summer (AprilOctober) seasons [3] . The two main seasons not only dictate variations in concentrations, but also types, and distributions of aerosols both spatially and temporally. During Summer, Nigeria generally experiences heavy and continuous rainfall at different magnitude from one region to another which is believed to reduce the concentration aerosol load from the atmosphere. However, during the Harmattan season, dust is normally transported from the Sahara, as well as from neighbouring sources in the sahel and local emission [4] . In addition, smoke aerosols are produced in large quantity, owing to land clearing for upcoming farming activities, and need for warm weather. These activities produce aerosols mainly of anthropogenic origin that increase the aerosol concentration in the atmospheric column.

Due to position of Nigeria in sub-Sahara West Africa, aerosol pollution is a familiar phenomenon of which its concentrations exhibit strong seasonal variability mainly driven by seasonally changed air mass (northeasterly trade wind and southwesterly trade wind) patterns during Harmattan (November-March) and Summer (AprilOctober) seasons.

However, during the Harmattan season, dust is normally transported from the Sahara, as well as from neighbouring sources in the sahel and local emission.


Tree patterns are a simple query language for tree-structured data. They are at the heart of several widely-used Web languages such as XPath and XQuery [4] . As a consequence, they form part of a number of typing mechanisms such as XML Schema, and of Web Programming Languages. They have also been used as query languages in their own right, for example for expressing subscriptions in publish-subscribe systems [1, 5, 6, 13] .

They are at the heart of several widely-used Web languages such as XPath and XQuery.

They have also been used as query languages in their own right, for example for expressing subscriptions in publish-subscribe systems.


Implementation of PBL in engineering education has the potential to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Two common problems are encountered when attempting to integrate PBL into the undergraduate engineering classroom: 1) the large time requirement to complete a significant, useful problem and 2) the ability to determine its impact on students. Engineering, mathematics, and science professors at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) have worked to overcome the large time commitment associated with implementation of PBL in a single Over the last few years, WTAMU faculty has used various projects as the basis for their implementation of the linked-class approach to PBL in engineering, mathematics, and physics classes [1] . A new project that has significant relevance to engineering statics, fluid mechanics, and calculus is the Hydrostatic Pressure Project. The project was created from the course objectives of both calculus II and engineering statics, and provides first-year engineering students with a significant application of the material from both courses. All 30 students participating in this project were sophomore mechanical engineering majors concurrently enrolled in calculus II and engineering statics. The following sections of this paper examine (1) a linked-class PBL project utilized in engineering statics and calculus II; and (2) efforts to assess the impact of the Hydrostatic Pressure Project.

Engineering, mathematics, and science professors at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) have worked to overcome the large time commitment associated with implementation of PBL in a single Over the last few years, WTAMU faculty has used various projects as the basis for their implementation of the linked-class approach to PBL in engineering, mathematics, and physics classes.


PDGFRα trafficking and recycling is regulated by ubiquitination mediated by the Cbl E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. Cbl regulates the availability of PDGFRα, where it triggers its ubiquitination and degradation (Bonita et al., 1997; Miyake et al., 1998) . We show that PRMT5 contributes to the regulation of this process by controlling the availability of a Cbl binding site (PDGFRα aa 553-568). PRMT5 masks the availability of this site through arginine methylation of R554 thereby promoting the decreased half-life of PDGFRα in PRMT5-depleted cells ( Figure 7C ). This data are consistent with the observed progressive decrease of PRMT5 expression during OL differentiation ( Figure 1E ). Although our data define a new role for PRMT5, this function is accompanied by other known functions of PRMT5 in gene expression and pre-mRNA splicing regulation, as observed by our RNAseq analysis ( Figure S2 ; Table S1 ). Thus it is evident that PRMT5 also fulfils nuclear roles that go beyond PDGFRα protein stability. Interplay between arginine methylation and phosphorylation has been observed before. Arginine methylation by PRMT1 interferes AKT phosphorylation of FOXO1 (Yamagata et al., 2008) . Moreover, a crosstalk between R1175 and Y1173 has been observed, in which PRMT5 mediated methylation promotes tyrosine phosphorylation and ERK activation (Hsu et al., 2011) .

Cbl regulates the availability of PDGFRα, where it triggers its ubiquitination and degradation.

Arginine methylation by PRMT1 interferes AKT phosphorylation of FOXO1.

Moreover, a crosstalk between R1175 and Y1173 has been observed, in which PRMT5 mediated methylation promotes tyrosine phosphorylation and ERK activation.


However, the use of wideband antennas with notched-band characteristic may be a good alternative to avoid these constraints. In addition, by tuning the notched-bands, the developed antenna becomes a frequency reconfigurable structure which is more dynamic, flexible and suitable for several wireless applications. Actually, this intelligent solution has received a growing interest due to the increasing demand of multi-standards and smart antennas. In the literature, the frequency agility is typically provided by scaling the antenna dimensions electrically using several switching technologies such as PIN diodes, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) switches and varactor diodes [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] .

In the literature, the frequency agility is typically provided by scaling the antenna dimensions electrically using several switching technologies such as PIN diodes, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) switches and varactor diodes.


Note: During the finishing process of this paper a similar calculation was published by another group [50] . Their calculation was not performed with massive tadpole integrals but rather with massless propagator-like integrals and in the Background field gauge. Both results achieved with different methods agree if the same prescription for the treatment of γ 5 is used (see section 2.3).

Note: During the finishing process of this paper a similar calculation was published by another group.


An important feature of this result is the non-naive γ 5 contribution ∝ g 4 s y 4 t . In the pure gauge boson and fermion sector of the SM, given by L SU(3)×SU(2)×U(1) , all non-naive contributions cancel in the sum of all diagrams, making this part of the SM anomaly free. This has been explicitly checked during the calculation of the three-loop β-functions for the gauge couplings in the SM [2, 3] . Here we see that with the inclusion of a scalar field non-naive contributions may appear in higher orders and special care will have to be taken when attempting a complete calculation of four-loop β-functions in the SM.

This has been explicitly checked during the calculation of the three-loop β-functions for the gauge couplings in the SM.


Frequency ω in the momentum basis and scaling dimension ∆ in the conformal basis are related non-locally via a Mellin transform, so the behaviour of S-matrix elements in a 'conformally soft limit' (i.e., when ∆ approaches a pure gauge configuration) is not immediately clear. Recently, the structure of the conformally soft limit ∆ → 1 was investigated for tree-level gluon scattering in four space-time dimensions [24] [25] [26] . Through explicit calculations at low particle number and for specific helicity configurations, a four-dimensional conformal soft theorem was conjectured whose structure is essentially inherited from the energetic soft theorem. However, calculations for general particle number and polarization or for general dimension and other theories remain lacking.

Recently, the structure of the conformally soft limit ∆ → 1 was investigated for tree-level gluon scattering in four space-time dimensions.


The structure of (1.2) -(1.4) is clearly related to that of leading and sub-leading energetic soft theorems (cf., [41] ). From the perspective of ambitwistor strings, the reason for this is clear: the structure of a conformally soft vertex operator is identical to that of an energetically soft vertex operator. In section 4, we use this fact to prove that conformally soft gluon or graviton vertex operators have the structure of charges which generate asymptotic symmetries of gauge theory and gravity at I .

The structure of (1.2) -(1.4) is clearly related to that of leading and sub-leading energetic soft theorems (cf.,).


The external legs in a massless scattering process are solutions of the free equations of motion, often expressed in a plane wave momentum eigenstate basis. In this plane wave basis, external states are specified by a momentum p µ obeying p 2 = 0 (and other relevant quantum numbers like polarization or charge). Recently, it was noted that there is another basis which represents massless spin s free fields in d + 2 dimensional Minkowski space as spin s conformal primaries on the d-sphere [1] [2] [3] . The data of an on-shell momentum vector is traded for a point k ∈ S d and a (freely chosen) scaling dimension ∆.

Recently, it was noted that there is another basis which represents massless spin s free fields in d + 2 dimensional Minkowski space as spin s conformal primaries on the d-sphere.


The stick and slip mechanism of brake squeal generation was identified by Mills in 1938 [4] . He has analyzed several drum brakes with different brake linings, where the kinetic friction coefficient was a decreasing function of sliding speed. He thought that a necessary condition for the brake squeal occurrence is the presence of a negative gradient of friction force against relative sliding velocity.

The stick and slip mechanism of brake squeal generation was identified by Mills in 1938.


Th e main fi nding in this study was that only the multi joint training group improved their maximal vertical jump performance and not the single joint training group. Both groups improved in 1-RM squat weight, but for the single joint training group this improvement was not associated with an increase in maximal vertical jump performance. Clearly, given the improvement in the training activities, the training period would have been long and intensive enough to provoke training eff ects in vertical jumping also for the single joint training group. Even though, the lack of improvement in maximal vertical jump height for the single joint training group is in line with fi ndings in simulation studies, who displayed that if muscles are strengthened while the control of them remains unchanged, jump height rather decreases than increases [4, 14] . Improvement in maximal vertical jump performance for the multi joint training group might be due to a shift in the coordination patt ern, although no kinematic or electromyographic measurements or movement analyses were done in order to support this suggestion. However, changes in coordination patt ern were shown in a recent study [12] . Th eir fi ndings indicated a more tightly coupled knee extension and plantar fl exion in the multi joint group, whereas a more tightly coupled hip extension and knee extension, followed by a more isolated plantar fl exion, were found in the single joint group. A signifi cant decrease in time to peak force, velocity and power was found in the multi joint training group indicating a change in coordination patt ern. It suggests that the training exercise was specifi c enough to make changes in the rate of force and power development for this group. In addition to an increased maximal vertical jump height for the multi joint training group, the decrease in time to peak velocity indicates a faster jumping movement. It remains to elucidate whether these improvements are due to changes within the muscles and its force -velocity characteristics or within the nervous system and the altering of the recruitment patt ern.

Even though, the lack of improvement in maximal vertical jump height for the single joint training group is in line with fi ndings in simulation studies, who displayed that if muscles are strengthened while the control of them remains unchanged, jump height rather decreases than increases.

However, changes in coordination patt ern were shown in a recent study.


The southwest corner of the Australian continent is a global biodiversity hot spot and is also the home of the exquisite Eucalyptus macrocarpa [34] . The plant is also known as the Rose of the West or the Mottlecah and is easily recognised by its beautiful silvery foliage and red flowers as presented in Fig. 1a . And because of its attractive floral arrangement, the plant has been successfully propagated throughout the coastal region of Western Australian. The silvery grey appearance of the plants leaves are the result of nanometre scale features formed on the surface of the leaf by epicuticular waxes. These waxes give the leaves their remarkable wetting and selfcleaning properties, which enhances the plants survival in its arid climate [35] .

The southwest corner of the Australian continent is a global biodiversity hot spot and is also the home of the exquisite Eucalyptus macrocarpa.

These waxes give the leaves their remarkable wetting and selfcleaning properties, which enhances the plants survival in its arid climate.


Chrysotherapy is a branch of medicine that uses Au as a medicinal compound in the treatment of certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, Au NPs have also been successfully used as a carrier platform for the delivery of double-stranded DNA in gene gun technology [27] . Another feature of Au NPs is their ability to passively accumulate in tumours, where their good optical and chemical properties can be used in thermal treatment therapies [28, 29] . Moreover, recent studies have shown that cancer drugs bonded to the surface of Au NPs can be more effectively targeted to tumours, thus improving delivery and minimising treatment durations and side effects of anticancer drugs [3, [30] [31] [32] [33] . Au NPs have also attracted significant scientific interest as a new class of biomedical materials, since they can act as both antibacterial and antifungal agents capable of interacting with microorganisms to produce cellular damage [33] . The ability to induce cellular damage and the ultimate death of various strains of bacteria and yeast microorganisms has many significant health benefits. For example, both bacterial and fungal species have the ability to develop immunity against commonly used antibiotic with time. Therefore, new and more effective antimicrobial agents are needed to fight antibiotic resistant strains of microorganisms. Au NPs have the potential to be an effective antimicrobial agent, especially if they can be synthesised via a green chemistry route that ensures a clean, nontoxic and environmentally friendly method for producing NPs.

In addition, Au NPs have also been successfully used as a carrier platform for the delivery of double-stranded DNA in gene gun technology.

Another feature of Au NPs is their ability to passively accumulate in tumours, where their good optical and chemical properties can be used in thermal treatment therapies.

Moreover, recent studies have shown that cancer drugs bonded to the surface of Au NPs can be more effectively targeted to tumours, thus improving delivery and minimising treatment durations and side effects of anticancer drugs.

Au NPs have also attracted significant scientific interest as a new class of biomedical materials, since they can act as both antibacterial and antifungal agents capable of interacting with microorganisms to produce cellular damage.


The poor dispersibility of graphene in composites is due to its insolubility in the matrix, van der Waals forces, and π-π stacking between the graphene lamellae. Typically, graphene is prone to aggregate and precipitate irreversibly in a variety of matrices [29] . The weak bonding strength between graphene and a matrix is mainly caused by the low surface activity of graphene, which makes graphene difficult to bond with the matrix interface [30] . Thus, how to improve the poor dispersibility and weak adhesion of graphene in the matrix of a composite material has become a vital problem. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to explore the dispersion methods and mechanisms of graphene. At present, the methods for improving the dispersibility of graphene are mainly divided into three categories, namely physical dispersion methods, covalent bonding methods, and noncovalent bonding methods. Physical dispersion methods usually adopt mechanical methods nanotubes to graphene is 8:2, the best dispersion effect can be achieved. This method can increase the flexural properties and reduce the electrical percolation threshold of the epoxy composites.

Typically, graphene is prone to aggregate and precipitate irreversibly in a variety of matrices.

The weak bonding strength between graphene and a matrix is mainly caused by the low surface activity of graphene, which makes graphene difficult to bond with the matrix interface.


So far, most published researches on online channel supply chain have focused on a single supply chain with one manufacturer and one retailer (i.e., [2] [3] [4] [5] ). In these studies, a single manufacturer distributes products through a dual channel. However, in our real life, with the technology development and the economy globalization, competition exists not only among different supply chain members, but also at the supply chain level, resulting in the chain-tochain competition in many industries. For example, in the telecommunication industry, where the supply chains are differentiated by technologies, Microsoft and HTC may form a supply chain which competes with the supply chain with Symbian and Nokia. Other examples include the car manufacturing and retailing and crude oil and gasoline industries. Obviously, with this competition, either an upstream firm or a downstream firm in one supply chain not only competes against his/her corresponding firm in the other supply chain, but also competes against the whole other chain. Moreover, if one supply chain introduces an online channel, can the dual-channel format increase the supply chain's competition ability? Can the manufacturer increase its profit by introducing an online channel? How does different bargaining powers of supply chain members affect the competition between two supply chains and the optimal pricing of all supply chain members when one supply chain introduces an online channel? To the best of our knowledge, no research has considered these problems. There are both academic and 2 Mathematical Problems in Engineering practical values to consider these problems and this is an interesting topic focused by managers. The aim of this paper is to explore the above problems.

So far, most published researches on online channel supply chain have focused on a single supply chain with one manufacturer and one retailer (i.e.,).


In the past few years, the advent of Internet-based electronic commerce has significantly changed the environment of business and has increasingly changed consumers' consumption patterns and manufacturers' sale models. There are, in our real life, more and more manufacturers (e.g., Hewlett & Packard, Pioneer Electronics, IBM, and Dell Computer) who are increasingly using a dual channel, a combination of the online and traditional channels, to distribute their products [1] . The online channel has helped manufacturers reach different consumer segments that cannot be reached by the traditional retail channel, control sale price, and increase profits. On the other hand, consumers also have become accustomed to purchasing products through online channel; the online channel means more shopping choices and price savings for consumers.

There are, in our real life, more and more manufacturers (e.g., Hewlett & Packard, Pioneer Electronics, IBM, and Dell Computer) who are increasingly using a dual channel, a combination of the online and traditional channels, to distribute their products.


Recent studies show that a substantial proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have deficient vitamin D levels (,20 ng/mL) [9, 10] . In one study of 262 COPD patients from Belgium, FEV 1 , alveolar ventilation (K CO ) in percent predicted, body mass index (BMI), season of blood sampling and gene variants in the vitamin D binding gene were found to be significantly associated with 25(OH)D levels [9] . However, whether COPD patients actually have a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency than the general population is not yet well documented.

Recent studies show that a substantial proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have deficient vitamin D levels (,20 ng/mL).

In one study of 262 COPD patients from Belgium, FEV 1 , alveolar ventilation (K CO ) in percent predicted, body mass index (BMI), season of blood sampling and gene variants in the vitamin D binding gene were found to be significantly associated with 25(OH)D levels.


In the present investigation, we have calculated the static and dynamic electronic (hyper)polarizabilities of the most stable conformations of 2,2 -bithiophene in the gas phase, aiming to identify physicochemical properties useful to discriminate the different rotamers. The frequency-dependent first-order hyperpolarizabilities were obtained for the SHG and EOPE NLO processes at the typical experimental wavelength of the Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm). Neither experimental nor theoretical electronic values of 2,2 -bithiophenes are known so far, whereas some computational studies were previously carried out on the first-order hyperpolarizabilities of the monomer of thiophene [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] .

Neither experimental nor theoretical electronic values of 2,2 -bithiophenes are known so far, whereas some computational studies were previously carried out on the first-order hyperpolarizabilities of the monomer of thiophene.


Human activities like the combustion of fossil fuels, the nuclear industry, the production of nitrogen fertilizers and the cultivation of nitrogen-fixing plants are inducing severe alterations in the global nitrogen cycle [1] . The rate of many human-caused global changes has increased severely in last decades, but none so rapidly as industrial production of N fertilizers, which has grown exponentially since the 1940s. The increase of the availability of N also increases biomass production and accumulation significantly [2] . Consequently, changes in nitrogen cycle can also lead to changes in the global carbon cycle, generating an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere [3] . The slow natural process of denitrification is unable to deal with the surplus of nitrate-derived compounds leading to a deteriorating effect on our ecological system and human health.

Human activities like the combustion of fossil fuels, the nuclear industry, the production of nitrogen fertilizers and the cultivation of nitrogen-fixing plants are inducing severe alterations in the global nitrogen cycle.

The increase of the availability of N also increases biomass production and accumulation significantly.

Consequently, changes in nitrogen cycle can also lead to changes in the global carbon cycle, generating an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.


The yield of sesquiterpenes, 1 and 2, from fresh plant material was estimated to be approximately 0.66% based on the content of the CH 2 Cl 2 extract of freshly dried leaves. Hydrodistillation conditions were initially used with a relatively large amount of plant material torn into large pieces and using minimal added water (Experiment 1, Experiments 3 and 4 plant material was blended to a fine suspension and after the first distillation the process of adding water and distilling was repeated twice. In Experiment 3, the yield of sesquiterpene-rich oil from the steam distillate was comparable to the estimated maximum, however, the amount of sesquiterpene-rich oil produced from the third distillation was comparable to the first and second indicating that a higher yield may have been possible. In Experiment 4 the amount of plant material was halved and this provided conditions which gave the highest yield. Most of the sesquiterpene-rich oil was obtained in the first distillation, and the amount obtained in the second distillation was approximately half that of the first and approximately halved again in the third distillation indicating that close to maximum yield is likely to have been achieved with Experiment 4. Even with the addition of NaCl to salt-out the sesquiterpenerich oil from the steam distillate, extraction with EtOAc to remove the cloudy emulsion was slow and a clear aqueous phase was not achieved until the third EtOAc extraction. This was an unexpected property as the two sesquiterpenes have a low polarity and are very lipophilic. The apparent affinity for aqueous media may prove a useful property in terms of increased bio-availability in the evaluation of 1 for potential application to treat cancer [3] . Short-column vacuum chromatography was selected to fractionate and refine the sesquiterpene-rich oil, as the method required a relatively small quantity of TLC grade silica gel and solvent and it was carried as a single stage large-scale separation process. A single application of this process gave good yields of highly refined 1 and 2 (Table 2). The yield and high recovery of 1 and 2 showed that both of these sesquiterpenes were stable under the steam distillation conditions. There are no references for the steam distillation of sesquiterpene lactones in the literature as in many cases thermal degradation occurs, commonly by rearrangement, dehydration and elimination processes [7] . The volatile nature of both 1 and 2 may explain their loss over time from stored dried plant material [3] .

The apparent affinity for aqueous media may prove a useful property in terms of increased bio-availability in the evaluation of 1 for potential application to treat cancer.

There are no references for the steam distillation of sesquiterpene lactones in the literature as in many cases thermal degradation occurs, commonly by rearrangement, dehydration and elimination processes.

The volatile nature of both 1 and 2 may explain their loss over time from stored dried plant material.


An ester substituted eremophilane marine natural product, cryptospaerolide, showed significant cytotoxicity towards HCT-116 human colon carcinoma cell line [6] . This finding indicates that the plant derived 1 eremophilane skeleton has potential to serve as a scaffold for synthesis of effective anti-cancer agents. Efficient methods were sought to produce larger quantities of extract of 1, required for further biological studies. The odour of the plant, the extract and 1 were very similar, so a method of isolating the volatile biologically active material by steam distillation was developed.

An ester substituted eremophilane marine natural product, cryptospaerolide, showed significant cytotoxicity towards HCT-116 human colon carcinoma cell line.


A change of slope in the atomic displacement parameters may indicate the onset of a structural phase transition, which cannot be clearly resolved by a corresponding change of the refined average structure [22] . For the x=0.05 compound the observed change of slope at T onset ~ 150K agrees with the onset of the T-O structural phase transition at the same temperature as indicated by the results of the microstrain analysis (Fig. 7) . Contrary, in the x=0.25 sc compound, our microstrain analysis does not support the hypothesis of a similar long-range T-O structural phase transition in the hole temperature region studied. Both, the increased U iso values (even in the analysis of an apparent orthorhombic symmetry) and the increase of the width of all Raman modes for the sc sample (x = 0.25) with lowering the temperature, indicate that in this case an isostructural phase transition to a disordered phase takes place in the presence of excess carriers with the local lattice displacements not acquiring long range coherence. Finally, one could remark that the same lattice effect is observed on the Fe-As layer and the Nd-O(F) layer indicating that increased local lattice disorder is evident in different sites of the unit cell.

A change of slope in the atomic displacement parameters may indicate the onset of a structural phase transition, which cannot be clearly resolved by a corresponding change of the refined average structure.


In Argentina, there are a range of recommended grass/ legume mixtures, starting from binary to more complex combinations in different areas of livestock production [8] . These recommendations are mainly based on accumulated knowledge from experimental stations and in some cases supported by regional trials of various mixtures. Competition or compatibility among species varies with the environment and is influenced by key factors such as climate, soil and grazing management systems [4, 9] .

In Argentina, there are a range of recommended grass/ legume mixtures, starting from binary to more complex combinations in different areas of livestock production.

Competition or compatibility among species varies with the environment and is influenced by key factors such as climate, soil and grazing management systems.


Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression has been commonly used in similar studies examining the drivers of atmospheric UHIs [62] [63] [64] . The OLS regression analysis was conducted in two steps. First, a bivariate analysis identified the most significant relationships between the predictor variables and the difference in air temperatures between our neighborhoods and Midway Airport (∆T air ). From this we established the most significant bivariate relationships for which to base the OLS regression at both 2 a.m. and 4 p.m. For the OLS regression, we regressed our predictors in three blocks, creating three models for both 2 a.m. and 4 p.m. At 2 a.m. in UHI model 1, we regressed a dummy neighborhood variable against ∆T air . In UHI model 2, we added two land cover variables (percent impervious surfaces and percent tree canopy). In UHI model 3, we added urban configuration variables (aspect ratio and orientation). In total, we did not exceed five predictor variables so that we did not exceed our eight cases. For the afternoon analysis we repeated the regression by creating a similar three model approach. At 4 p.m. in UHI model 1, again we regressed a dummy neighborhood variable against ∆T air . In UHI model 2, we added that same two land cover variables of percent impervious surfaces and percent tree canopy. In UHI model 3, we added adjacent predictor variables of distance to industry and percentage of upwind tree canopy. We repeated this OLS regression sequence for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional approaches to calculating the predictor variables.

Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression has been commonly used in similar studies examining the drivers of atmospheric UHIs.


Considering both the slices and the line plots, some ray effect can be found. Such artifacts are typical for the discrete ordinates methods, and arise from the inability to reconstruct the angular flux with a set of few ordinates (Lewis and Miller, 1984) . The easiest remedy against this is to increase the order of the method, which will however also increase the computational time.

Such artifacts are typical for the discrete ordinates methods, and arise from the inability to reconstruct the angular flux with a set of few ordinates.


The records of the ant taxa described above, which are considered rare and collected with difficulty mainly by the use of epigaeic sampling techniques, highlight the discussion about the geographical distribution and conservation status of ant species (Brandão et al., 2008) . Thus, the possible biological and collecting rarity of some ants could be just a methodological sampling artifact. Since the hypogaeic pitfall trap began to be used systematically, rare ant taxa have been amply and constantly sampled, because this collecting technique is more suitable to sample ants with a subterranean lifestyle.

The records of the ant taxa described above, which are considered rare and collected with difficulty mainly by the use of epigaeic sampling techniques, highlight the discussion about the geographical distribution and conservation status of ant species.


Gamma rays provide a prime search channel for a signature from the pair-annihilation or the decay of Galactic dark matter. Data from the first two years of operation of the Fermi gammaray Large Area Telescope (LAT), however, have shown that no clean and unambiguous signal from dark matter is present in the gamma-ray sky. The most recent constraints from LAT observations of dark-matter dominated Milky Way satellite dwarf spheroidal galaxies have started to probe cross sections that, in particle models, lead to thermal production of dark matter in the early universe [1] . The central problem in ascertaining that a gamma-ray signal originates from dark matter annihilation is the absence of clear spectral features in the predicted dark matter pair-annihilation spectrum: if dark matter annihilates primarily into hadronic final states, the resulting gamma rays are produced by a featureless neutral pion two-photon decay process. Similarly, annihilation into leptons leads to featureless power-law spectra, with possible edges at gamma-ray energies corresponding to the dark matter particle mass -where statistics is usually very poor.

The most recent constraints from LAT observations of dark-matter dominated Milky Way satellite dwarf spheroidal galaxies have started to probe cross sections that, in particle models, lead to thermal production of dark matter in the early universe.


It is often incorrectly labelled as Gompertz model [3, 4] . The Gumbel model's pdf is skewed to the left, unlike the Weibull model's pdf which is skewed to the right [5, 6] . The Gumbel model is appropriate for modeling strength, which is sometimes skewed to the left.

It is often incorrectly labelled as Gompertz model.

The Gumbel model's pdf is skewed to the left, unlike the Weibull model's pdf which is skewed to the right.


In reliability theory the Gumbel model is used to model the distribution of the maximum (or the minimum) of a number of samples of various distributions. One of the first scientists to apply the theory was a German mathematician Gumbel [1] . Gumbel focused primarily on applications of extreme value theory to engineering problems. The potential applicability of the Gumbel model to represent the distribution of maxima relates to extreme value theory which indicates that it is likely to be useful if the distribution of the underlying sample data is of the normal or exponential type.

One of the first scientists to apply the theory was a German mathematician Gumbel.


DCS detected significant CBF changes in Broca's area and in the left pre-frontal cortex when the speech task was sufficiently long (i.e., 60-second duration or longer). In this condition, we consistently observed larger CBF increases in the subject who did not stutter in two cortical areas. This observation is in agreement with previous studies that reported overactivation in motor areas, but minor changes in auditory and cortical speech and language areas in PWS (Blomgren et al., 2003; Brown, Ingham, Ingham, Laird, & Fox, 2005) . Our observations also agree with the lack of left advantage in phonemic contrast over the prosodic contrast task in a recent study with NIRS involving PWS (Sato et al., 2011) . The probe on the right frontal lobe had only one channel (i.e., it was not possible to calculate the standard deviation over different channels), and it was originally placed as a control for the speech activation tasks. CBF variation in this channel, however, revealed an increasing trend for the person who stutters in long speech tasks, achieving significant change from baseline in tasks such as the monologue. The increased CBF in the right hemisphere for the subject who stutters could be explained by anomalous right-laterality and/or bilateral activation, also previously reported in the literature (Blomgren et al.; Brown et al.; Salmelin et al., 2000) .

This observation is in agreement with previous studies that reported overactivation in motor areas, but minor changes in auditory and cortical speech and language areas in PWS.

Our observations also agree with the lack of left advantage in phonemic contrast over the prosodic contrast task in a recent study with NIRS involving PWS.

The increased CBF in the right hemisphere for the subject who stutters could be explained by anomalous right-laterality and/or bilateral activation, also previously reported in the literature.


The American Speech-Language Hearing Association's (ASHA) current view is that, as technology advances, our abilities to improve research methodologies and enhance services to patients will improve. Numerous authors agree that technology can improve services and research outcomes (Duffy, Werven, & Aronson, 1997; Howard, Perkins, & Martland, 2001; Tellis, Meloy, Henning, & Jarvie, 2004; Tellis, Cimino, & Alberti, 2010) . These preliminary data suggest that optical DCS-measured cerebral blood flow may have potential in stuttering research, and may someday provide analysis of stuttering disfluencies in clinic services.

Numerous authors agree that technology can improve services and research outcomes.


Diffuse optical methods offer an alternative approach to probe brain function (Durduran, Choe, Baker, & Yodh, 2010; Mesquita & Yodh, 2011; Yodh & Chance, 1995) . They assess hemodynamic and metabolic processes in deep tissues, employing light in the nearinfrared tissue window (i.e., 650-900 nm). In this region of the spectrum, photons diffuse through tissue and can be detected millimeters to centimeters from the source. The interaction of light with major tissue chromophores such as water, oxy-and deoxy-hemoglobin, and lipids provide information about physiological parameters such as blood oxygen saturation, total hemoglobin concentration, and blood flow. Compared to most instruments currently available, diffuse optical techniques present advantages-low cost, portability, and high temporal resolution. The ability to probe cortical tissues continuously and noninvasively at the bedside is another benefit. Its spatial resolution and depth penetration, however, is limited and depends on the distance between source and detector (Durduran et al., 2010) .

Diffuse optical methods offer an alternative approach to probe brain function.

Its spatial resolution and depth penetration, however, is limited and depends on the distance between source and detector.


Wave scattering by rough surfaces is an important issue in diverse areas of science such as measurements in medical, optics, acoustics, geophysics, communications and terrestrial or extraterrestrial remote sensing. Approximate models are still a necessity due to the insurmountable numerical complexity of realistic scattering problems. Even today's machines cannot cope with the enormous amount of computing demanded in the case of rigorous numerical calculations of the most general three-dimensional electromagnetic wave scattering from dielectric or conducting multi-scale surfaces. This necessity has sprung the development of a myriad of approximate models with more or less careful derivations from first principles such as Maxwell equations. Even alerted users might find themselves lost in the meanders of more than twenty approximate models with no or little guidance on which must be applied under what conditions and for how long it holds until it breaks. The purpose of this review is to help the practitioner find his way among this plethora of models through a critical and, we hope, exhaustive, survey. We attempted to take a census of the existing methods and to classify them in generic families. We adopted a strategy of dissecting all identified scattering models in the literature by providing their functional form along with their general performances from an analytical point of view. Our readers will not be overwhelmed by pages of geometric and arithmetic functions describing the coefficients and kernels of each model. The reader is referred back to the original publications for explicit expression of the kernels. For completeness however, explicit expressions for the two fundamental approximations, first-order Kirchhoff and small perturbation method (SPM1), are given in the appendix. It is worth mentioning at this point of our contribution that former general reviews can be found in the classical monographs [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] .

It is worth mentioning at this point of our contribution that former general reviews can be found in the classical monographs.


Initiation of mitigation measures to minimize the health and climate related concerns from ambient CA require a reliable information on two counts: 1) Time dependent (monthly, seasonal and annual) variability in CA and associated carbon forms (EC, BC and LAOC), 2) Source apportionment and determination of contributions of the combustion sources to CA. Lack of information on either of these two counts would limit the formulation of adequate mitigation measures to reduce the emissions of CA. Emission of different carbon forms in CA from combustion; Char-EC (EC from low temperature combustion of biomass), Soot-EC (EC from condensation of gas-phase precursors emitted from high temperature combustion of fossil fuel), LAOC, tar balls, BC and OCs depend upon the fuel type and its combustion conditions (Andreae and Gelencsér, 2006; Han et al., 2007; Keiluweit et al., 2010) . In the absence of a suitable methodology to distinguish between CA contributing sources, a reliable source apportionment determination will be tentative at best. Recently, a temperature-based scientific rationale of differentiating the estimation of Char-EC and Soot-EC for determining the source apportionment of biomass and fossil fuel combustion to CA has been put forth (Han et al., 2007; Han et al., 2010) . The ratios of estimated Char-EC/Soot-EC is equated as a measure for the extent of biomass emissions, thereby allowing a reliable estimation of the contributions arising from combustion sources. The significance of knowing the segregated estimates of CA emissions and their temporal variability in terms of associated carbon forms is crucial information towards an attempt to evaluate CA's impact on human health and climate (Novakov et al., 2000; Mayol-Bracero et al., 2002; Stone et al., 2007; Bond et al., 2013; Cohen and Wang, 2014) .

Emission of different carbon forms in CA from combustion; Char-EC (EC from low temperature combustion of biomass), Soot-EC (EC from condensation of gas-phase precursors emitted from high temperature combustion of fossil fuel), LAOC, tar balls, BC and OCs depend upon the fuel type and its combustion conditions.

Recently, a temperature-based scientific rationale of differentiating the estimation of Char-EC and Soot-EC for determining the source apportionment of biomass and fossil fuel combustion to CA has been put forth.

The significance of knowing the segregated estimates of CA emissions and their temporal variability in terms of associated carbon forms is crucial information towards an attempt to evaluate CA's impact on human health and climate.


Raw meat dishes, such as "steak tartare," "mett," and "yukhoe," are consumed in many countries, in Europe and Asia. In Japan, raw beef meat and liver, called "Gyu-sashi" and "Reba-sashi," have/had sometimes been consumed. However, triggered by an outbreak of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli that occurred on April and May 2011, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan set a new standard for preparing raw beef on October, 2011. The Ministry imposed a ban on serving raw beef liver at restaurants and meat shops in July, 2012, which will remain in effect until effective countermeasures for safe raw consumption are established [1] . Nevertheless, some people in Japan want the ban lifted to have access to raw beef liver dishes.

The Ministry imposed a ban on serving raw beef liver at restaurants and meat shops in July, 2012, which will remain in effect until effective countermeasures for safe raw consumption are established.


A better approach is to provide temporal isolation between tasks such that each task is protected from the misbehaviors of the other tasks. This property is also called Bandwidth Isolation (BIP) [4] , [10] . The net effect is that each task executes as though it were executing on a slower dedicated processor. The BIP can be implemented using the resource reservation framework [11] , [12] . In this framework, when a task arrives in the system requiring a certain level of Quality of Service (QoS), an admission test is run. If, given the current system load, the required level of QoS can be guaranteed, the task is accepted in the system and assigned a certain fraction of the system resources. Many scheduling algorithms based on the resource reservation framework have been proposed. The temporal isolation and the resource reservation concepts were formally introduced for the first time in the RT-Mach operating system [11] .

This property is also called Bandwidth Isolation (BIP).

The BIP can be implemented using the resource reservation framework.

The temporal isolation and the resource reservation concepts were formally introduced for the first time in the RT-Mach operating system.


At the heart of our theoretical model explaining paramedic decision making when caring for older fallers is the core theoretical construct of role perception (Fig. 1) . Participants saw falls cases as low acuity work that was not what their 'core business' was supposed to be. There is an emotional conflict arising from the perceived imbalance in the work they have been trained to do and the work they actually spend their time doing, and is very likely to be broader than older fallers and include all perceived low acuity work. This finding has similarities with a small Canadian study that reported conflict in role perception in the context of paramedic attitudes towards low acuity incidents more broadly [26] . Interviews with 13 paramedics revealed cynicism and disengagement toward low acuity work, emotions that were adopted as a coping mechanism to overcome the frustration arising from constant immersion in perceived low acuity work. The Canadian and Australian ambulance services systems have many similarities in case-mix and scope of practice, which might explain the similar findings; however, the university preemployment training model seen in Australia does limit the applicability of these finding to the Canada which has yet to evolve to such an education model.

This finding has similarities with a small Canadian study that reported conflict in role perception in the context of paramedic attitudes towards low acuity incidents more broadly.


The QD spin-VCSEL exhibits an enhanced broad unstable region with complex dynamic behavior for a wide range of P À values. The results from the modified SFM are to be compared with previous work on QW spin-VCSELs [19] , [25] . Despite the fact that a strict comparison is not possible for the two cases for reasons to be explained later on, it is notable that regions of chaotic and more complex dynamics are relatively small compared with the QW counterpart. Additionally, the maximum values of LLE calculated for QD spin-VCSELs are smaller than the ones for the QW spin-VCSEL, suggesting a less complicated unstable dynamics for the case of QDs. The reduced dimensionality of the QD permits the tailoring of the spin-relaxation time. Hence, it is instructive to explore the effect of s on the dynamics of a QD spin-VCSEL. We do so in Fig. 3 where, again, the dynamics are identified with the aid of LLE in the P À plane.

The results from the modified SFM are to be compared with previous work on QW spin-VCSELs.


Different diagnostic imaging techniques may be applied in patients with Rp and SSc-spectrum disorders to study the structure and function of the finger microcirculation [5, 6] . Among the available techniques, nailfold capillaroscopy is widely applied either with highly specialized equipment such as videocapillaroscopy (NVC), or simple in-office dermatoscopes. Thermographic imaging and laser Doppler techniques may also be valuable in the assessment of Rp, but the extent of their use among specialists in clinical practice is unknown and an expert committee suggested that thermographic imaging and laser Doppler flowmetry were 'inappropriate' due to 'difficulties in implementation and questionable utility' [7] . The concurrent use of multiple techniques tends currently to be restricted to tertiary referral centers and for research purposes.

Different diagnostic imaging techniques may be applied in patients with Rp and SSc-spectrum disorders to study the structure and function of the finger microcirculation.

Thermographic imaging and laser Doppler techniques may also be valuable in the assessment of Rp, but the extent of their use among specialists in clinical practice is unknown and an expert committee suggested that thermographic imaging and laser Doppler flowmetry were 'inappropriate' due to 'difficulties in implementation and questionable utility'.


The system has a high hydrogen capacity of 8.1 mass% and a suitable enthalpy change |ΔH| = 50 ± 9 kJ/mol H 2 for practical use [12, 13] . It is noticeable that the hydrogen desorption reaction can proceed even at room temperature due to hydrolysis-type exothermic reaction. For the recycle process of by-product LiNH 2 into LiH and NH 3 , it is clarified that the reaction is occurred at 300 °C by removing NH 3 partial pressure under 0.5 MPa of H 2 flow [12] . Thus, the LiH-NH 3 system is recognized as a promising system with recyclable hydrogen storage system.

The system has a high hydrogen capacity of 8.1 mass% and a suitable enthalpy change |ΔH| = 50 ± 9 kJ/mol H 2 for practical use.

For the recycle process of by-product LiNH 2 into LiH and NH 3 , it is clarified that the reaction is occurred at 300 °C by removing NH 3 partial pressure under 0.5 MPa of H 2 flow.


By guaranteeing the algorithm correctness, various model communication strategies are developed in parallel LDA. Existing solutions favor asynchronous communication methods, since it not only avoids global waiting but also quickly makes the model update visible to other workers and thereby boosts the model convergence. We propose a more efficient approach in which the model communication speed is improved upon with optimized collective communication methods. We abstract three new communication operations and implement them on top of Harp [15] . We develop two Harp-LDA applications and compare them with Yahoo! LDA 1 and Petuum LDA 2 , two well-known implementations in the domain. This is done on three datasets each with a total of 10 billion model parameters. The results on a 100-node, 4000-thread Intel Haswell cluster show that collective communication optimizations can significantly reduce the communication overhead and improve the model convergence speed.

We abstract three new communication operations and implement them on top of Harp.


The infrastructure less environment of ad hoc networks poses constraints on routing protocols. Ad hoc routing protocols can be broadly classified as proactive (table driven) reactive (on demand) and hybrid [1] . Proactive approach costs high to transmit the topology information. Routes are calculated in advance, independent of current traffic. The reactive approach, on the other hand, reduces routing overhead so that bandwidth is saved.

Ad hoc routing protocols can be broadly classified as proactive (table driven) reactive (on demand) and hybrid.


A significant fraction of the uncertainties in climate projections results from the representation of aerosol (Haywood and Boucher, 2000; Forster et al., 2007) . Aerosols affect climate by directly absorbing and reflecting atmospheric radiation (known as the direct effect) and by changing cloud op-818 B. Lebassi-Habtezion and P. M. Caldwell: Aerosol specification in single-column CAM5 tical properties and lifetimes (known as aerosol indirect effects). In recognition of their importance, developing aerosol parameterizations has become a high priority in the climate modeling community.

A significant fraction of the uncertainties in climate projections results from the representation of aerosol.


A stopping criterion is used to determine when the results are sufficiently accurate and the sequential sampling process can be stopped. Such criteria typically use the metamodel accuracy, assessed with k-fold Cross Validation (CV) using a specific error measure such as the Root Relative Squared Error (CV RRSE ) or Bayesian Estimation Error Quotient (CV BEEQ ) [25] . For sensitivity analysis however, instead of only using the metamodel accuracy, we show it is more efficient and interpretable to also define a stopping criterion based on the sensitivity indices directly. We define two stopping criteria based on the sensitivity indices called the Sensitivity Cross Validation (SCV) maximal variance criterion, SCV-max var , and mean variance criterion, SCV-µ var .

Such criteria typically use the metamodel accuracy, assessed with k-fold Cross Validation (CV) using a specific error measure such as the Root Relative Squared Error (CV RRSE ) or Bayesian Estimation Error Quotient (CV BEEQ ).


A metamodel can be constructed in several different ways. In the simplest form, a set of data points is chosen and evaluated, after which a metamodel is fitted on the generated data. The metamodelling accuracy and efficiency can be significantly improved using sequential sampling algorithms. These algorithms start with a small set of initial points and iteratively extend the dataset [22, 23, 24] .

These algorithms start with a small set of initial points and iteratively extend the dataset.


The N = 2 models also have particularly interesting physical applications. N = 2 theories with the appropriate central charge can be used to construct compactifications of the heterotic string, and thereby to build models of particle physics, with unbroken space-time supersymmetry. Landau-Ginzburg models can in particular be used to build such compactifications -giving specializations of Calabi-Yau models [11] [12] .

Landau-Ginzburg models can in particular be used to build such compactifications -giving specializations of Calabi-Yau models.


Let us start with the following famous theorem due to Deligne, which is here formulated rather informally. Theorem 1.1 (Deligne [6] ). Suppose that k is an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. Then any rigid symmetric k-linear abelian tensor category that satisfies some mild, algebraic assumption is realized as the category of finite-dimensional super modules over some super algebraic group.

Theorem 1.1 (Deligne).


An important problem in the representation theory of * -algebras is the question of existence of such forms on modules, and to determine when such a form is positive definite. Modules which can be equipped with an invariant inner product are called pseudounitarizable, and unitarizable if the form can be chosen positive definite. The pseudounitarizable modules form essentially a "real line" inside the moduli space of all representations (because they are stable under taking the contragredient module). In many cases at most one invariant inner product exists up to equivalence. For example this is the case in general for finite-dimensional indecomposable modules [9] .

For example this is the case in general for finite-dimensional indecomposable modules.


The preparation process of the NMGCNs is illustrated in Fig. 1 . This synthesis strategy combines bath and probe sonications to exfoliate and tailor multilayer GCNNs into NMGCNs. GCNNs with an average thickness of about 20 nm were first prepared by the modified thermal poly-condensation of urea in air (Fig. S1 , Supplementary information) [36] . It is noted that the high SSA of the GCNNs (~102 m 2 g −1 ) is conducive to ultrasonic exfoliation since there is a larger contact area with water (Fig. S2) . Multilayer GCNNs were then produced by bath sonication in water using proton-functionalized GCNNs as the starting material. Finally, NMGCNs were obtained with a yield of~30% after a strong physical cleavage of the multilayer GCNNs by probe sonication in a conical tube (see Supplementary information). It should be noted that the probe sonication yields a reduced lateral size for NMGCNs compared with their GCNN counterpart and dot-like NMGCNs with an average size of 3 nm can be also produced by increasing the sonication time up to 9 h (Fig. S3) .

GCNNs with an average thickness of about 20 nm were first prepared by the modified thermal poly-condensation of urea in air (Fig. S1 , Supplementary information).


The layered structure of the NMGCNs was also studied by XRD. Compared with GCNNs (Fig. 3a) , the (002) peak at about 27.5°is much weaker and broader, and the (100) peak at 13.2°has disappeared, indicating that the stacking of the conjugated aromatic systems and the in-plane repeat units of GCN are obviously disrupted after the exfoliation [20, 26, 37] . A Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum measurement was conducted to verify the chemical structure of the NMGCNs. As shown in Fig. 3b , the FTIR spectra of both GCNN and NMGCN show a sharp peak at 808 cm −1 , five strong peaks at 1240, 1320, 1400, 1460, and 1550 cm −1 , and a board peak ranging from 3000 to 3500 cm −1 , respectively corresponding to the typical breathing vibration of the s-triazine ring, the characteristic stretching modes of CN heterocycles, and stretching of N-H and O-H bonds [26, 29, 38] . The FTIR result indicates that the NMGCNs retain the basic structure of the GCN. Notably, all the FTIR peaks of NMGCNs are much sharper than those of GCNNs, suggesting a larger stacking distance and shorter-range order of the in-plane structure in the NMGCNs. This is in agreement with the above XRD results. Survey X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the presence of C, N, and O in the NMGCNs with a C/N molar ratio of about 0.76 (Fig. S4) , indicating that the pristine backbone of GCN is retained in the NMGCNs. The oxygen is ascribed to a small amount of water adsorbed on the surface of the NMGCNs (Fig. S5) . The high resolution C 1s spectrum shown in Fig. 3c reveals the existence of two types of C species including the C-C at 284.9 eV and the C=N at 288.4 eV [39] [40] [41] . The fitted high resolution N 1s spectrum shows the presence of four types of N species, containing C=N-C at 398.6 eV, N-(C)3 at 399.5 eV, C-N-H at 400.8 eV, and the positive charge of heptazine at 404.8 eV (Fig. 3d) [39, 42, 43] . Both C 1s and N 1s spectra firmly demonstrate the presence of basic tri-s-triazine units in NMGCNs, in agreement with the FTIR results. The retention of the basic heptazine structure is very important for keeping the unique photo-responsive properties of the NMGCNs [16, 39] .

Compared with GCNNs (Fig. 3a) , the (002) peak at about 27.5°is much weaker and broader, and the (100) peak at 13.2°has disappeared, indicating that the stacking of the conjugated aromatic systems and the in-plane repeat units of GCN are obviously disrupted after the exfoliation.

As shown in Fig. 3b , the FTIR spectra of both GCNN and NMGCN show a sharp peak at 808 cm −1 , five strong peaks at 1240, 1320, 1400, 1460, and 1550 cm −1 , and a board peak ranging from 3000 to 3500 cm −1 , respectively corresponding to the typical breathing vibration of the s-triazine ring, the characteristic stretching modes of CN heterocycles, and stretching of N-H and O-H bonds.

The high resolution C 1s spectrum shown in Fig. 3c reveals the existence of two types of C species including the C-C at 284.9 eV and the C=N at 288.4 eV.

The fitted high resolution N 1s spectrum shows the presence of four types of N species, containing C=N-C at 398.6 eV, N-(C)3 at 399.5 eV, C-N-H at 400.8 eV, and the positive charge of heptazine at 404.8 eV (Fig. 3d).

The retention of the basic heptazine structure is very important for keeping the unique photo-responsive properties of the NMGCNs.


The NMGCN that has a small lateral size and a monolayer structure are also believed to be very useful for the application in photocatalysis since there are more exposed active sites and edges in contact with the reactant. The visible light driven (λ≥400 nm) decomposition of a Rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution was carried out to compare the photocatalytic activities of the NMGCNs and GCNNs in the same conditions. As shown in Fig. 6a , the blank test indicates that photo-degradation of RhB is hardly seen in the absence of any photocatalysts. With the NMGCNs, the absorbance of RhB decreased quickly under visible light irradiation (inset in Fig. 6a ). The time dependence of RhB photo-degradation reveals that almost 98% of the RhB aqueous solution was degraded over NMGCNs and GCNNs after 80 and 180 minutes, respectively. It is noted that, agreeing with previous report, the GCN quantum dots also show negligible photocatalytic activity under visible light, which is attributed to their ignorable photo-response under visible light [23] . The rate constants, quantitatively estimated by the kinetic principle of a pseudo first-order reaction are respectively 1.10 and 3.52 h −1 for the GCNNs and NMGCNs (Fig. S10) . Generally, the photocatalytic activity of the NMGCNs is 3.3 times higher than that of the GCNNs.

It is noted that, agreeing with previous report, the GCN quantum dots also show negligible photocatalytic activity under visible light, which is attributed to their ignorable photo-response under visible light.


Since the late 1990s, the rapid proliferation of the internet has enabled consumers to spread their post-purchase experience through such online communications as email lists, website bulletin boards, usenet newsgroups, chat and blogs, among others. Such PC-based eWOM (hereafter pcWOM) has become increasingly popular as, in the last decade, the internet has become one of the most important communications media. Prior research argues that, as with traditional WOM, the credibility of pcWOM has been shown to be even higher than that of marketer-created sources of information on the web (Bickart & Schindler 2001) .

Prior research argues that, as with traditional WOM, the credibility of pcWOM has been shown to be even higher than that of marketer-created sources of information on the web.


The MNA is considered as one of the most useful tools to screen the state of malnutrition in the normal geriatric subjects. However, in the case of patients with stroke, the method is associated with certain limitations. Most of the patients with stroke exhibited reduced mobility and polypharmacy, which might be one of the reasons that induced high sensitivity and relatively low specificity in the MNA. Excessive polypharmacy is correlated with the decline in nutritional status, functional ability and cognitive capacity in geriatrics. However, the changes in nutrition, physical functionality and cognition could not be easily predicted by polypharmacy status [10] . In cases of patients who acquired tube feeding, total assessment score of the MNA might be higher, because item K and item L should be marked as 0 point, respectively. However, in the scored PG-SGA, tube feeding state earned 0 point, which is regarded as a positive factor. So, they could be regarded as malnourished frequently in the MNA when compared to the state in the scored PG-SGA [11] . The scored PG-SGA seems to be a detailed nutrition assessment tool that allows relatively quick identification of malnourished stroke patients [7] . The scored PG-SGA has merits in providing various records of gastrointestinal symptoms, which could be helpful for further evaluation. Furthermore, it reflects the symptoms during the past two weeks and the status of food intake during the past month. Because of its detailed sub items and survey for relatively short period when compared to the MNA, the scored PG-SGA may be more sensitive for the small changes after the nutritional intervention. However, to testify this presumption, further evaluation should be www.e-arm.org performed. This study has limitations like, we could not identify the exact period of malnutrition and individual examinations were executed only once. Consequently, further research with serial follow-up would be expected to reveal the sensitivity and the specificity of those subjective assessments according to the period of malnutrition.

However, the changes in nutrition, physical functionality and cognition could not be easily predicted by polypharmacy status.

So, they could be regarded as malnourished frequently in the MNA when compared to the state in the scored PG-SGA.

The scored PG-SGA seems to be a detailed nutrition assessment tool that allows relatively quick identification of malnourished stroke patients.


The model is based on a framework that uses Dynamic Decision Network (DDN) to leverage information on both the possible causes and the observable effects of the user's affective reaction [2] . In previous work, we built the model's part that reasons from causes to emotions (predictive model) and found that it can achieve reasonable accuracy [3, 20] . As expected, however, we also found limitations hard to overcome by using causal information only. In this paper, we investigate the instantiation of the part of the model that reasons from effects to emotions (diagnostic model) by monitoring the valence of the user emotional state (i.e., positive or negative) via an Electromyography (EMG) sensor. We show that this addition significantly improves model accuracy in detecting strong user emotions during the interaction.

The model is based on a framework that uses Dynamic Decision Network (DDN) to leverage information on both the possible causes and the observable effects of the user's affective reaction.

In previous work, we built the model's part that reasons from causes to emotions (predictive model) and found that it can achieve reasonable accuracy.


Adhesive bonds compete with mechanical joints in their strength and efficiency. Moreover, the fastening holes and fasteners which are sources of stress concentration and weight increase are eliminated in such joints. In terms of stress distribution along the lap, studies have found that the stress is relatively uniform compared to mechanical joints. Despite these advantages, some drawbacks exist in adhesively bonded joints such as the difficulty of disassembling the joint if needed, the sensitivity of the joint strength on the environmental factors such as humidity and temperature and the surface preparation of such joints is costly and time consuming. In addition, the design of adhesively bonded joints with composite adherends is difficult due to the lack of a known failure criteria and the relatively low inter-laminar strength of the composite material (Baker, Dutton & Kelly, 2004) . This means that such joints require careful design approaches and uncertainty studies to assess their suitability and reliability for engineering applications. A literature review has shown that most researchers have assessed only adhesively bonded joints of similar adherends which has initiated the drive to carry out an assessment of unsymmetric and unbalanced joints made of aluminum and composite materials in the current paper.

In addition, the design of adhesively bonded joints with composite adherends is difficult due to the lack of a known failure criteria and the relatively low inter-laminar strength of the composite material.


Background research suggests that prior to adhesively bonding the aluminum to the composite material, the surface of the aluminum has to be pretreated in a chromic acid etch solution (CAE) according to DEF STAN 03-2/issue 3. Moreover, the surface of the composite material has to be degreased with acetone. This will ensure that both surfaces are clean and ready to be joined by applying the adhesive material. Afterwards, the joint has to be cured for 1 h at 120°C (Liljedahl, Crocombe, Wahab, & Ashcroft, 2007) . When the adherends of the joint are made of different geometries and/or mechanical properties, the joint is referred to as "unsymmetric" or "unbalanced". The assessment of such joints has been widely studied by researchers (Zou, 2004) . The most widely used model to simulate and predict the behaviour of such joints is the cohesive zone model (CZM) of single lap joints applied to joints made of aluminum bonded to composite materials (Liljedahl et al., 2007) .

Afterwards, the joint has to be cured for 1 h at 120°C.

The assessment of such joints has been widely studied by researchers.

The most widely used model to simulate and predict the behaviour of such joints is the cohesive zone model (CZM) of single lap joints applied to joints made of aluminum bonded to composite materials.


Vasudev and Larkin reported a phase III trial in which the most frequently reported AEs were diarrhea, hypertension, nausea, anorexia, and vomiting (5) [13] . The most common higher-grade toxicities (3/4) were hypertension (4%) and diarrhea (3%) (5) [13] . Recent studies may indicate that the frequency of certain toxicities increase as the plasma concentration of pazopanib goes up (5) [13] . This was demonstrated in data for diarrhea and hypertension, but was not seen for fatigue, nausea, or vomiting (5) [13] . This suggests that reducing dosages may be helpful in alleviating certain toxicities. Pazopanib has a lower incidence of fatigue than other TKIs, in part due to it also showing lower rates of thyroid problems when compared to other TKIs (5) [13] . However, pazopanib is also associated with hepatotoxicity as are other TKIs (5) [13] .

Vasudev and Larkin reported a phase III trial in which the most frequently reported AEs were diarrhea, hypertension, nausea, anorexia, and vomiting (5).

The most common higher-grade toxicities (3/4) were hypertension (4%) and diarrhea (3%) (5).

Recent studies may indicate that the frequency of certain toxicities increase as the plasma concentration of pazopanib goes up (5).

This was demonstrated in data for diarrhea and hypertension, but was not seen for fatigue, nausea, or vomiting (5).

Pazopanib has a lower incidence of fatigue than other TKIs, in part due to it also showing lower rates of thyroid problems when compared to other TKIs (5).

However, pazopanib is also associated with hepatotoxicity as are other TKIs (5).


Based on the characteristics of different ESS elements as shown in Table 1 , none the ESS technologies fulfils all the desired characteristics to respond to high and low frequencies power variations in standalone MG applications [22] . Therefore, using single type of energy storage element in standalone MG applications limits the potential of what ESSs can offer. Among all HESS combinations, Battery-SC HESS has been the popular combination in HESS researches because of their wide availability, relatively low cost compared to other ESS elements, similarity in working principle and most importantly, they complement each other's weaknesses rather beautifully.

Based on the characteristics of different ESS elements as shown in Table 1 , none the ESS technologies fulfils all the desired characteristics to respond to high and low frequencies power variations in standalone MG applications.


Cancer biomarkers and characteristics of an ideal biomarker for CRC are discussed in this review, as well as technologies for their detection. The focus of this article is on the use of biomarkers for anticancer drug development and clinical applications, including determination of prognosis as well as monitoring of response to therapy. Types of biomarkers include serum/blood markers, fecal markers and miRNA. Currently, the FOBT is the only screening modality for CRC. DNA-based fecal markers are promising but are not widely used in clinical settings. In addition, a lack of sensitivity and specificity preclude the use of all existing serum markers for the early detection of CRC. CEA is used to monitor therapy in advanced CRC, and the pre-operative level of CEA is used to provide prognostic information. However, there is insufficient evidence for routine use of other classic serum markers such as carbohydrate antigens and TIMP-1. Therefore, large scale validation studies are required to evaluate the potential for the use of biomarkers that have recently been discovered through '-omics' technology. Within clinical research, oncology is expected to have the largest gains from biomarkers over the next five to ten years. Development of personalized medicine for cancer is closely linked to biomarkers, which may serve as the basis for diagnosis, drug discovery and monitoring of diseases. A major challenge in development of cancer biomarkers will be the integration of proteomics with genomics and metabolomics data and their functional interpretation in conjunction with clinical data and epidemiology [93] .

A major challenge in development of cancer biomarkers will be the integration of proteomics with genomics and metabolomics data and their functional interpretation in conjunction with clinical data and epidemiology.


Structural changes during development Stigma-specific cell death causes large-scale developmental changes in the morphology of the pistil. SEM observations show gradual degeneration of the papillae on the surface of the pistil, and pistil shape changes from convex to concave as the lobes become folded inward. This shape resembles that in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants in which pistil cells of epidermal origin were ablated (Thorsness et al. 1991) .

This shape resembles that in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants in which pistil cells of epidermal origin were ablated.


It is known that the BC model does not precisely correspond to gravity since it does not reproduce the expected correlations in semi-classical computations of graviton type [9] . The Engle-Pereira-Rovelli (EPR) and Freidel-Krasnov (FK) models have been proposed to remedy the drawbacks of the BC model. We have here obtained a Lagrangian formulation of these models by weakening the implementation of the constraints in the lattice path integral. In our view a better understanding of these models requires a careful study of the regluing process, which sticks tetrahedra together after imposition of the constraints. The regluing which enables to recover the BC model is that usually considered in pure BF theory and unconstrained BF-like theories [20] . However, the Lagrange multipliers can be seen as a source of curvature, so that this regluing yield incorrect rules for parallel transport of bivectors. This issue is related to the geometric consistency of the constraints and to a faithful accounting for correlations between neighbouring tetrahedra. These correlations are detailed in section V. Equation (37), whose trace gives the dot product of the normals to adjacent tetrahedra and thus contains the dihedral angles of Regge calculus, describes them in terms of variables living in U(1) × U(1) subgroups of Spin(4) which leave each bivector invariant. A proposition using precisely such variables is under preparation [32] .

It is known that the BC model does not precisely correspond to gravity since it does not reproduce the expected correlations in semi-classical computations of graviton type.

The regluing which enables to recover the BC model is that usually considered in pure BF theory and unconstrained BF-like theories.

A proposition using precisely such variables is under preparation.


The amylase producing bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. cereus, and B. megaterium and fungi such as Aspergillus niger, penicillium, Rhizopus, Cephalosporium and Nuerospora are major amylase producing microorganisms (Pandey, 2003) . Microbial amylases have been proved to be an alternative to chemical hydrolysis and low yield of enzyme has always been a problem in the commercial production of amylases (Monga et al., 2011) . Therefore, the present work was undertaken to screen various Bacillus cereus isolates for α-amylase production and optimization of fermentation conditions for maximum yield.

The amylase producing bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. cereus, and B. megaterium and fungi such as Aspergillus niger, penicillium, Rhizopus, Cephalosporium and Nuerospora are major amylase producing microorganisms.

Microbial amylases have been proved to be an alternative to chemical hydrolysis and low yield of enzyme has always been a problem in the commercial production of amylases.


Bacillus species are considered to be the most important sources of alpha-amylase and have been used for enzyme production (Pandey et al., 2000) . The cultural and physiological properties of the Bacillus spp isolated from the soil revealed that all the isolates had colonies that were round in shape. The colonies were raised, large, flat, rough, dry and pink in colour with zones of egg yolk precipitate on MYP agar. The isolates were also rod shaped, gram positive and spore forming indicating they belong to the genus Bacillus as shown on Table 1 .

Bacillus species are considered to be the most important sources of alpha-amylase and have been used for enzyme production.


This phenomenon is not restricted to hospitals. Indeed, it has been estimated that 70% of top-down, "mandated" or "directed" change initiatives across all industries, not just healthcare, fail outright or fall short of what proponents had planned for their organisations [14] . According to Edwards and Saltman, public hospitals are even harder than this to change, because of inherent entrenched politics and widespread anxieties at levels not present in organisations of other types. Summarised, their model suggests that the genesis of resistance to change in hospitals is two-fold: structural and contextual, and to explore this, they introduce a "3 + 3 Decision Framework" ( Table 1 ).

Indeed, it has been estimated that 70% of top-down, "mandated" or "directed" change initiatives across all industries, not just healthcare, fail outright or fall short of what proponents had planned for their organisations.


Whether it truly is the case that public hospitals are genuinely unique is a matter for debate. Resistance to change and inertia are well understood properties of many different classes of organisation, and even if these attributes were unique to public hospitals, they may not necessarily be anything more than local manifestations of widespread, deeply-embedded organisational structures and ingrained practices. Indeed, foundational attributes such as the tendency to accrete complexity with time is probably sufficient to trigger inertia or resistance, no matter the specific attributes of any particular organisation [2] .

Indeed, foundational attributes such as the tendency to accrete complexity with time is probably sufficient to trigger inertia or resistance, no matter the specific attributes of any particular organisation.


In this study a polyphasic approach was used to monitor the long-term ecological effects of 7 days clindamycin administration on the human intestinal microbiota. The different analysis methods were complementary and provided information on the general bacterial community structure, the Bacteroides community specifically and the levels and persistence of resistance genes. This polyphasic approach was necessary because of the extreme complexity of the intestinal microbiota. Also, although the composition of the intestinal microbiota is generally perceived to be relatively stable in healthy subjects, it can fluctuate owing to external influences, such as diet (Gibson and Roberfroid, 1995) . A previous study has shown that the Bacteroidetes division, encompassing Bacteroides species, has the largest subject-to-subject variability of all divisions (Eckburg et al., 2005) . Therefore, the study of the control group in this study provided valuable insight into the natural fluctuations in the intestinal microbiota at large and the Bacteroides community specifically.

Also, although the composition of the intestinal microbiota is generally perceived to be relatively stable in healthy subjects, it can fluctuate owing to external influences, such as diet.

A previous study has shown that the Bacteroidetes division, encompassing Bacteroides species, has the largest subject-to-subject variability of all divisions.


A limitation of the present results is that CrowdFlower respondents are not representative of the entire population of stakeholders of future FAD vehicles. It is expected that such vehicles will initially be purchased by wealthy people, whereas jobs on CrowdFlower are performed mostly by people with relatively low income [21] . One recommendation is to launch more questionnaires, possibly using the 'classic' approach of asking people in person, in an attempt to target more diverse layers in the society. The questions that were asked in the surveys may be relaunched on CrowdFlower a few years in the future. This would create the opportunity to elucidate temporal trends in the public opinion.

It is expected that such vehicles will initially be purchased by wealthy people, whereas jobs on CrowdFlower are performed mostly by people with relatively low income.


These results, particularly the third point, imply that the main burden of demand response should be undertaken by some form of automatic control system which responds flexibly to a price-based signal allowing a wide range of appliances to be brought under control at the consumer's discretion. This conclusion has motivated numerous recent studies of possible schemes by which domestic appliances and electric vehicles might respond automatically to a price signal [8] , [9] , [10] . Figure 1 illustrates the main features and information flows of this type of system. A common feature of all these investigations is that the control unit executing the 5 response has an objective function to minimise cost for the consumer while satisfying the various constraints they may have set such as the latest time that the dishwasher must run. This allows the modelling to show that the consumer would save money and thereby have an incentive to participate in the scheme. However, cost minimisation as an objective function has a strong tendency to cause demand peaks to arise at times when the cost signalled is at a minimum. This can cause the peak-to-average ratio (PAR) of the resulting aggregate demand to exceed that of the baseline (i.e. demand with no feedback signal) and hence a key objective of demand response, to reduce PAR, is not delivered. Given the potential significance of this problem in any practical implementation it is worth reviewing these studies in more detail to see how the authors recognise it and the mitigations proposed.

This conclusion has motivated numerous recent studies of possible schemes by which domestic appliances and electric vehicles might respond automatically to a price signal.


Workflows are increasingly used by scientists in the field of e-Science as a way to set up in-silico experiments [6] . They are used as a glue to compose independent services, allowing their seamless integration in an application. Many different workflow models and languages have been proposed. In particular, dataflow and control-flow languages are classically distinguished. The former is said to be principally used in scientific applications, where the logic of the application is mainly driven by data dependencies, whereas the latter is more suited to business applications, which are likely to exhibit more complicated patterns, requiring sophisticated control operators.

Workflows are increasingly used by scientists in the field of e-Science as a way to set up in-silico experiments.


The definition of green manure basically encompasses the incorporation of crop biomass into the soil while the crop is still growing (the green stage), as a supplement to the soil either where it is cultivated onsite, or when it is imported from another site (Pieters, 2006) . This practice has been applied for thousands of years. Recent studies have focused on the actual benefit that the follow-up crop can have, after the incorporation of a green manure. In South Africa, cover crops are planted in a rotation system before the planting of the cash crop, or between the grapevine rows. There is also potential for utilising cover crops as part of an integrated approach, before the establishment of perennial crops, in order to make use of biological amendments in suppressing disease complexes such as apple replant disease (Mazzola et al., 2007) .

The definition of green manure basically encompasses the incorporation of crop biomass into the soil while the crop is still growing (the green stage), as a supplement to the soil either where it is cultivated onsite, or when it is imported from another site.

There is also potential for utilising cover crops as part of an integrated approach, before the establishment of perennial crops, in order to make use of biological amendments in suppressing disease complexes such as apple replant disease.


We describe a group of rheumatic heart disease patients that have developed congestive symptoms at a very young age, a particularly severe form of the disease. Most patients with RHD do not develop congestive symptoms until adulthood. The severity of the disease of these young patients is related to recurrent outbreaks of acute rheumatic fever or a particularly severe fi rst attack of rheumatic fever (Velloso et al 1991; Tarasoutchi et al 2005) .

The severity of the disease of these young patients is related to recurrent outbreaks of acute rheumatic fever or a particularly severe fi rst attack of rheumatic fever.


Tortoises (Family Testudinidae) have been used to restore seed dispersal and herbivory functions in island ecosystems due to their generalist diet and fruit-based preferences and their capacity of ingesting large quantities of relatively large fruits and seeds (Hansen et al., , 2008 Griffiths et al., 2011) . Moreover, there is mounting evidence that tortoises are important seed dispersers and can disperse large-seeded plants in their natural ecosystems (Strong and Fragoso, 2006; Jerozolimski et al., 2009) . The current absence of tortoise in several Atlantic Forest remnants is probably consequence of the historical hunting combined to fast landscape conversion (Wang et al., 2011) . Tortoises are still highly appreciated as food and for pet purposes in the Amazon (Morcatty and Valsecchi, 2015a,b) , but there are no recent records of intense hunting of tortoises in Atlantic Forest remnants.

Tortoises (Family Testudinidae) have been used to restore seed dispersal and herbivory functions in island ecosystems due to their generalist diet and fruit-based preferences and their capacity of ingesting large quantities of relatively large fruits and seeds.

Moreover, there is mounting evidence that tortoises are important seed dispersers and can disperse large-seeded plants in their natural ecosystems.

The current absence of tortoise in several Atlantic Forest remnants is probably consequence of the historical hunting combined to fast landscape conversion.


The addition of zinc borate has been demonstrated to improve the fire retardant properties of polymers [4] . The effect of zinc borate has been attributed to the formation of a glassy char at the polymer surface which protects the bulk from the combustion zone. In addition, zinc borate has been recognized for its ability to suppress smoke and afterglow, which often occur during the burning of a polymer composite or wood [5, 6] . The compounds 2ZnO⋅3B 2 O 3 ⋅3.5H 2 O, 2ZnO⋅3B 2 O 3 ⋅3H 2 O, 2ZnO⋅3B 2 O 3 ⋅7H 2 O, and 4ZnO⋅B 2 O 3 ⋅H 2 O are widely used as fire retardants. Among these, 4ZnO⋅B 2 O 3 ⋅H 2 O is the most important as it can be incorporated into polymers at much higher temperatures due to its exceptionally high dehydration temperature (about 415 ∘ C).

The addition of zinc borate has been demonstrated to improve the fire retardant properties of polymers.

In addition, zinc borate has been recognized for its ability to suppress smoke and afterglow, which often occur during the burning of a polymer composite or wood.


Zinc borate is a commonly used material in a variety of industries. It is used as a lubricating oil additive and in refractory ceramic materials, nonlinear optical materials, and solid electrode materials, but its use in fire retardants is its most typical application [1] [2] [3] . Zinc borate is naturally occurring but it is also easily synthesized and is used as an inorganic fire retardant material because of its high surface area and its good mechanical properties.

It is used as a lubricating oil additive and in refractory ceramic materials, nonlinear optical materials, and solid electrode materials, but its use in fire retardants is its most typical application.


Nanomaterials have unique properties due to their small size and as a result they have found applications in many industries [7, 8] . Researchers have become increasingly interested in nanoreinforcement of polymer matrices as it has been suggested that in general nanocomposites show improved properties when compared to similar microsized systems [9] . Nanowhiskers in particular have enhanced performance resulting from their high surface area and good mechanical properties [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] . Thus, there has been a growing interest in synthesizing nanowhiskers as nanoreinforcement for polymer matrixes [16] . In these studies, fire retardant performance and mechanical properties of polymer matrices are improved by controlling the morphology and size of nanowhisker additives.

Nanomaterials have unique properties due to their small size and as a result they have found applications in many industries.

Researchers have become increasingly interested in nanoreinforcement of polymer matrices as it has been suggested that in general nanocomposites show improved properties when compared to similar microsized systems.

Nanowhiskers in particular have enhanced performance resulting from their high surface area and good mechanical properties.

Thus, there has been a growing interest in synthesizing nanowhiskers as nanoreinforcement for polymer matrixes.


White rust disease is known to be the most common problem in chrysanthemum production in the world. It is caused by the obligate parasitic fungi Puccinia horiana P. Henn (Basidiomycetes). In Indonesia, the introduction of the disease was reported in 1990's and it probably entered through imported symptomless seedlings (Djatnika, Kristina, & Sanjaya, 1994) . Up to now, the disease has widespread to the most of the production centers in the world (Hanudin & Marwoto, 2012; Göre, 2008; O'Keefe & Davis, 2012) .

In Indonesia, the introduction of the disease was reported in 1990's and it probably entered through imported symptomless seedlings.

Up to now, the disease has widespread to the most of the production centers in the world.


Microalgae have great potential as biocatalysts in the fields of wastewater treatment, bioremediation and carbon dioxide sequestration, as well as for the production of food, feeds, biofuels and high value products such as proteins, pigments and lipids. They have been reported to be more productive than higher plants on an areal basis and can be grown in poor quality or non-potable water (Illman et al. 2000) . Major challenges in the application of microalgae in a variety of fields, particularly in the production of renewable fuels, include the sustainable and economic provision of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and CO 2 and the minimisation of energy use (Borowitzka and Moheimani 2013; Chisti 2013) . Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a simple, low-cost unit operation that could be advantageously integrated into many bioprocesses. Either whole algal biomass or the biomass residue after product extraction could be fed to an AD reactor, either as the sole feed or in combination with other substrates. AD offers the opportunity to recover and recycle nutrients, carbon dioxide and energy from the substrate, thereby yielding a more sustainable, cost-effective and energetically feasible process (Borowitzka and Moheimani 2013; Ward et al. 2014; Harrison et al. 2014) .

They have been reported to be more productive than higher plants on an areal basis and can be grown in poor quality or non-potable water.

Major challenges in the application of microalgae in a variety of fields, particularly in the production of renewable fuels, include the sustainable and economic provision of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and CO 2 and the minimisation of energy use.

AD offers the opportunity to recover and recycle nutrients, carbon dioxide and energy from the substrate, thereby yielding a more sustainable, cost-effective and energetically feasible process.


Algal cell wall composition and degradability are species dependent (Mussgnug et al. 2010) . Scenedesmus sp. has a recalcitrant cell wall with a highly resistant trilaminar structure composed of cellulose, algaenan and glucosamine-containing biopolymers and glycoproteins (Voigt et al. 2014) . Spirulina has a much more easily degraded cell wall composed of protein, polysaccharides and peptidoglycans (Van Eykelenburg 1977) . This study assesses and compares the efficiency of digestion and the production of methane from the biomass of the microalga Scenedesmus sp. and the cyanobacterium Spirulina sp. in batch anaerobic digesters. The conversion of solid to soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) as well as the evolution of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were analysed with and without mechanical pre-treatment of the biomass in order to better understand the effect of species choice and biomass pre-treatment on the efficiency of digestion.

Algal cell wall composition and degradability are species dependent.

Scenedesmus sp. has a recalcitrant cell wall with a highly resistant trilaminar structure composed of cellulose, algaenan and glucosamine-containing biopolymers and glycoproteins.

Spirulina has a much more easily degraded cell wall composed of protein, polysaccharides and peptidoglycans.


What is the reason for this slow convergence? Trying to answer this question, let us focus on a subset of the RL problems: learning a control policy to avoid failure. The inverted pendulum balancing task is a good representative example for such a problem. In this case, failure is defined as falling of the pole beyond a certain angle from the upright position or hitting the edges of the cart track. The aim of the RL algorithm is to find a control policy which can prevent the pendulum from falling by moving the cart, without hitting the edges of the cart track. A good name for such problems is "failure-avoidance problems". They follow the general "trial-and-error" paradigm of unsupervised learning [11] .

They follow the general "trial-and-error" paradigm of unsupervised learning.