In order to create a balance among the environmental friendliness, the cost effectiveness, and the characteristics of the green composites, the compositional selection and design of hybrid composites play an important role [7] . China is a large agricultural country which produces thousands of tons of wheat. As an agricultural by-product, most of WS was directly abandoned which made WS very cheap and easily obtained [8] . Usually, the addition of inorganic filler into polymeric materials enhances the stiffness, toughness, and dimension stability of filled composites. Although inorganic fillers like glass fibers, carbon fibers, or nanofillers have been reported to enhance the mechanical properties and thermal performance of filled plastic composites, their high price made the filled plastic composites more expensive [9, 10] . Heavy calcium carbonate, silicon dioxide, and fly ash are cheap and common inorganic materials. Heavy calcium carbonate is made by ground natural carbonate minerals such as calcite, marble, and limestone. Silicon dioxide is the main raw material of madding glass and pottery. Fly ash is the most common solid waste in power plant. The low cost and ease of use in processing make them a profitable material to the processing industry. The objective of this study is to develop recycled PP based hybrid composites consisting of WS and inorganic fillers. Three types of inorganic fillers (heavy calcium carbonate, silicon dioxide, and fly ash) were used for compounding with WS. The effects of individual filler (WS) and combined fillers (WS and inorganic filler) on morphological, mechanical, and thermal expansion and water absorption properties of composites were investigated. This composites system of WS and inorganic fillers reinforced recycled PP is expected to be a fundamental base for developing new functional applications of industrial and agricultural waste recycling. By proper combination, one can achieve a balance of properties such as high stiffness, good dimension stability, and low price. Experiment design included two factorial experiments. The first experiment was designed to study the effect of WS loading levels consisting of four loading rates (i.e., 20, 35, 50, and 60 wt.%). The second experiment was designed to study the effect of inorganic fillers (i.e., fly ash, silicon dioxide, and heavy calcium carbonate) and their loading level (i.e., 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt.%) on inorganic filled WS/PP composites: R-PP/fillers = 50/50 (wt.%) is fixed for all composites.

In order to create a balance among the environmental friendliness, the cost effectiveness, and the characteristics of the green composites, the compositional selection and design of hybrid composites play an important role.

As an agricultural by-product, most of WS was directly abandoned which made WS very cheap and easily obtained.

Although inorganic fillers like glass fibers, carbon fibers, or nanofillers have been reported to enhance the mechanical properties and thermal performance of filled plastic composites, their high price made the filled plastic composites more expensive.


When competency management is successfully implemented it can bring about a lot of advantages for an organization (Becker and Huselid, 1999) . Competency management can, for example, provide clear behavioural guidelines and performance standards which, in turn, can be used to improve communication between employer and employee (Heinsman et al., 2005) . Consequently, employee performance might increase and this may lead to increased organizational effectiveness (Athey and Orth, 1999; Paulsson et al., 2005) . However, implementing competency management using an incorrect approach may lead to negative attitudes towards competency management, which may, consecutively, result in resistance and limited use of competency management. It is thus important to study the effects of implementation approaches on the use of competency management.

When competency management is successfully implemented it can bring about a lot of advantages for an organization.

Competency management can, for example, provide clear behavioural guidelines and performance standards which, in turn, can be used to improve communication between employer and employee.

Consequently, employee performance might increase and this may lead to increased organizational effectiveness.


Within the control-approach, as opposed to the commitment-approach, the employee is managed on a much more instrumental basis (Truss et al., 1997) . The control-approach is characterized by the wish to establish order, to exercise control, and to reduce labour costs (Walton, 1985) . There is no doubt the steering wheel is in the hands of management and, consequently, important decisions are made top-down (Koopman, 1991) . Employees are merely motivated by extrinsic rewards, which are dependent on measurable output criteria.

Within the control-approach, as opposed to the commitment-approach, the employee is managed on a much more instrumental basis.

The control-approach is characterized by the wish to establish order, to exercise control, and to reduce labour costs.

There is no doubt the steering wheel is in the hands of management and, consequently, important decisions are made top-down.


As part of their policies to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, many governments want to replace fossil energy systems by systems strongly based on renewable energy [1] . This transition coincides with several economic and social challenges. In electricity systems it creates a particular challenge due to the fact that generation from the renewable sources wind and sun is intermittent because it is related to weather conditions, while the electricity system requires a permanent balance between inflow and outflow (the so-called energy balance). An increasing supply of intermittent generation, hence, requires more flexibility within the system. At the same time, conventional fossil fuel power plants -currently the main providers of flexibility in many electricity systems -will be less available in future systems dominated by renewable energy. Such systems will therefore have a large demand for flexibility from other sources.

As part of their policies to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, many governments want to replace fossil energy systems by systems strongly based on renewable energy.


For device-free localization of people in wireless sensor networks, different measurements, algorithms and frameworks have been proposed [6] , [8] , [9] , [33] , [34] . For RSS-based localization, we may divide methods into fingerprint-based and model-based algorithms. Like fingerprintbased real-time location service (RTLS) systems, fingerprintbased device-free localization methods use a database of training measurements, and estimate a person's location by comparing a measurement taken during the online phase with the training measurement database [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] . To collect one training measurement, a person stands in one position while link measurements are made, and associates the collected data with her known coordinate. Several such measurements are made throughout the area of interest. One active area of research is developing tracking methods for multiple people which do not require an exponential increase in the number of training measurements that must be made [36] . Another area is the use of channel state information (instead of RSS) for fingerprintbased DFL [37] , [38] . Finally, significant research addresses fingerprint-based activity recognition rather than localization alone [39] , [40] . Since fingerprint-based methods require a person to perform training at many known locations inside the area of interest, it is not suitable in emergency scenarios in which presence in the area of interest is dangerous.

For device-free localization of people in wireless sensor networks, different measurements, algorithms and frameworks have been proposed.

Like fingerprintbased real-time location service (RTLS) systems, fingerprintbased device-free localization methods use a database of training measurements, and estimate a person's location by comparing a measurement taken during the online phase with the training measurement database.

One active area of research is developing tracking methods for multiple people which do not require an exponential increase in the number of training measurements that must be made.

Another area is the use of channel state information (instead of RSS) for fingerprintbased DFL.

Finally, significant research addresses fingerprint-based activity recognition rather than localization alone.


The development of industry and increasing production, thereby increasing the demand for energy, contributes to the use of energy sources other than conventional ones (coal or natural gas). Atmospheric pollution, which is probably the cause of global warming, enforces an economic policy encouraging alternative energy sources that are less harmful to the environment. Use of renewable energy sources has become a significant element of the energy industry; this is a condition imposed by the European Union. In the last few years, it has not just been Polish and foreign researchers that have become interested in the renewable energy sources problem, an area in which a lot of studies have been conducted [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] .

In the last few years, it has not just been Polish and foreign researchers that have become interested in the renewable energy sources problem, an area in which a lot of studies have been conducted.


Combustion characteristics of biomass fuels, as well as sewage sludge, have been studied widely using thermoanalytical techniques. The advantages of thermogravimetric analysis are its rapid assessment of the fuel value, the temperatures at which combustion starts and ends, and other characteristics such as maximum reactivity temperature, ash amount and total combustion time. Thermogravimetric analysis is very useful for studying the kinetics of combustion processes [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] . Thermal methods such as TG, DTG and DTA have been used for studying a variety of areas of combustion. Thermal analysis (TA) determines a set of methods for study of the selected physical properties of the substance under the influence of temperature. Sometimes, simultaneously, the environment (pressure, atmosphere chemical composition) can be changed. Thermogravimetry (TG) is a technique which monitors the sample mass as a function of temperature or time when the sample is subjected to a controlled temperature program. Derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) is based on the rate of mass loss. DTG profiles make it possible to know, for example, the mass loss which is taking place at a temperature during the combustion process. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) enables measuring the thermal effects during the studied process. The obtained peaks correspond with exothermal or endothermal effects. An investigation of gaseous products generated during the heating of sewage sludge material has not been done in wide range as coal or biomass because of its complex composition. This kind of information could help to explain the behaviours of the examined process. To complete thermal research on combustion processes, the mass spectrometry method is necessary. The use of TG and MS techniques allows characterising of gaseous products generated by thermal decomposition in real-time analysis.

Thermogravimetric analysis is very useful for studying the kinetics of combustion processes.


Poly(lactic acids) (PLAs) are biocompatible and biodegradable materials with potential applications in medicine and agriculture, as well as packaging materials. The most efficient method for the synthesis of PLAs is the ring opening polymerisation (ROP) of lactide (LA), which possesses two chiral centers [1] [2] [3] [4] . The stereochemistry of the polymer formed determines its physical and mechanical properties, as well as its rate of degradation, and it is therefore important to ensure stereocontrol of the polymerisation process [5] [6] [7] [8] .

The most efficient method for the synthesis of PLAs is the ring opening polymerisation (ROP) of lactide (LA), which possesses two chiral centers.

The stereochemistry of the polymer formed determines its physical and mechanical properties, as well as its rate of degradation, and it is therefore important to ensure stereocontrol of the polymerisation process.


Sol-to-gel systems of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride were prepared utilizing the phase transition properties of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose K15M and carbopol 934 [31] . This drug was also formulated in Gelrite gellan gum vehicle that gels in the presence of mono or divalent cations, present in the lacrimal fluid alone and in combinations with sodium alginate as the gelling agent [32] . Poloxamer / chondroitin 6-sulfate were also used to sustain the release of ciprofloxacin [33] .

Sol-to-gel systems of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride were prepared utilizing the phase transition properties of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose K15M and carbopol 934.

This drug was also formulated in Gelrite gellan gum vehicle that gels in the presence of mono or divalent cations, present in the lacrimal fluid alone and in combinations with sodium alginate as the gelling agent.

Poloxamer / chondroitin 6-sulfate were also used to sustain the release of ciprofloxacin.


A research tool used for obtaining topical input data Servqual is in the present version represented by a questionnaire the objective of which is to learn a client's opinions on 21 quality features. These quality features are grouped into fi ve dimension of service quality: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. In the process of measuring contradictions two diff erent evaluations are required from clients; the fi rst one fi nds out the level of a service expected from an outstanding service provider in the given branch and the second one refl ects their perception of a service really provided by a certain organization (Zeithaml, Bitner, 2000) . The diff erence between the evaluation of expectation and perception is formulated by means of so called Servqual score. If the real quality evaluation is higher than expected, it is a sign of quality. Then clients assign the weight to the features according to their subjective evaluation of importance.

In the process of measuring contradictions two diff erent evaluations are required from clients; the fi rst one fi nds out the level of a service expected from an outstanding service provider in the given branch and the second one refl ects their perception of a service really provided by a certain organization.


The models of IPA and CIT also rank among more sophisticated models for evaluating service quality from customers' point of view. The IPA model (Importance-performance analysis) represents a procedure that searches for the relative importance of various attributes of a service compared to the performance of a given organization, product or destination. One of the most important contributions of this model is the identifi cation of key areas for improving service quality (Hudson, 2008) . The CIT method -measuring critical events based on collecting direct interviews with clients who describe their own experience with provided services. On the basis of evaluating conducted researches factors are then earmarked that positively or negatively infl uence perceiving quality of provided services. The technique of critical events is used especially in the fi rst phase of service quality research (Vaštíková, 2008) .

One of the most important contributions of this model is the identifi cation of key areas for improving service quality.

The technique of critical events is used especially in the fi rst phase of service quality research.


The SERVQUAL model has taken an important position among the methods for evaluating service quality that have been applied so far. It is considered to be the fi rst concept of monitoring customer satisfaction ever. Servqual was created in 1988 in the USA and since then it has undergone several improvements and revisions. It focuses on the performance of model component "service quality" in which quality is defi ned as the diff erence between expectations and real performance (Zeithaml, Bitner, 2000) . With the aid of the Servqual model it is possible to set individual contradictions of the GAP model (Kano, 2001) .

It focuses on the performance of model component "service quality" in which quality is defi ned as the diff erence between expectations and real performance.

With the aid of the Servqual model it is possible to set individual contradictions of the GAP model.


Muon tomography and radiography detectors are usually trackers, which record the direction of the incoming muons with sufficient precision. Our portable Muontomograph is a tracking detector as well, similar to that used in high-energy physics laboratories. However, the design was especially developed and built for geophysical applications with the main emphasis on power efficiency, durability, and portability [5, 6] . These features are providing the possibility of tomographic mapping of rock thickness by measuring the angular distribution of cosmic muons from an observation point well below the structures to be investigated.

However, the design was especially developed and built for geophysical applications with the main emphasis on power efficiency, durability, and portability.


This study is based on a secondary analysis of interview data collected in 2004 and 2008 [14, 22] . Initially, the qualitative data used here was used through two distinct inquiries that focused on similar topics using comparable research methods. The overall aim was to advance understanding about family members' everyday life close to death at home, with a focus on identity ( Table 1) . In qualitative secondary analysis, the potential of one's own data has been recognized [39] . Secondary analysis is thought to be an appropriate approach when the intention is to answer extended questions [40] . For this current paper, both sets of data were reanalyzed to answer questions related to experiences relevant for constructing family identity in daily life close to death. During the analyses, we kept the focus on the individual's experience on the shared everyday life. The analysis was underpinned by the idea that narratives are connected to the construction of both an individual and a group identity [41] .

This study is based on a secondary analysis of interview data collected in 2004 and 2008.

In qualitative secondary analysis, the potential of one's own data has been recognized.

Secondary analysis is thought to be an appropriate approach when the intention is to answer extended questions.

The analysis was underpinned by the idea that narratives are connected to the construction of both an individual and a group identity.


In 2007, the first ever nanofluid integrated into a MCHS was proposed by Tsai and Chein [4] . They demonstrated that the working fluid which is CNT-H2O and Cu-H2O provided a better heat transfer than pure water. The total thermal resistance for CNT-H2O and Cu-H2O were 0.0657 K/W and 0.0642 K/W respectively. Meanwhile, pure water exhibited only 0.086 K/W of the total thermal resistance.

In 2007, the first ever nanofluid integrated into a MCHS was proposed by Tsai and Chein.


According to our study, combinatory KIBS achieve similar or even superior performance compared to bespoke and industrialised KIBS, showing the robustness of a clear strategic approach to managing business services and capabilities which sustains a coherent mix of customisation and standardisation in services. Combinatory KIBS, on average, are larger the other two KIBS profiles. Additionally, combinatory KIBS penetrate beyond their regional market. They attract the interest of long-distance clients more than the other two categories. This result is attained without compromising customer interaction and customisation. As well as using ICT (see below), combinatory KIBS often temporarily transfer their personnel to client firms. This transfer helps service customisation and re-creates KIBS' dynamic of interaction with local clients. Therefore, the combinatory KIBS in our sample stand as good examples of suppliers that use temporary geographic proximity, a supplier strategy observed in several business-to-business markets (Roberts, 1999; Knoben and Oerlemans, 2006) .

Therefore, the combinatory KIBS in our sample stand as good examples of suppliers that use temporary geographic proximity, a supplier strategy observed in several business-to-business markets.


Within the wide services field, the standardisation strategy seems less viable in those organisations that provide knowledge-intensive inputs to the business processes of other organisations such as engineering, R&D services, software development, advertising and market research, accounting and management services (Miles, 2005; Von Nordenflycht, 2010) . These knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) belong to a variety of sectors that differ on the basis of the level of capital intensity and on the relative presence of professionalised workforce (Von Nordenflycht, 2010) . Studies on KIBS emphasise the strong interactions between these providers and customers, a characteristic closely related to service customisation (Muller and Doloreux, 2009) . KIBS customers are organisations that have a problem to solve, a difficult task to perform or an innovation project to develop but do not have all the skills and knowledge needed. These organisations turn to providers of knowledge-based services for assistance. The needs that create demand for knowledge-intensive services are highly varied, and the services that meet these needs are customised, requiring interaction between the supplier and the customer. Delivering these services ultimately becomes a co-production process.

Within the wide services field, the standardisation strategy seems less viable in those organisations that provide knowledge-intensive inputs to the business processes of other organisations such as engineering, R&D services, software development, advertising and market research, accounting and management services.

These knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) belong to a variety of sectors that differ on the basis of the level of capital intensity and on the relative presence of professionalised workforce.

Studies on KIBS emphasise the strong interactions between these providers and customers, a characteristic closely related to service customisation.


A proposed a novel bit-rate-reduced approach for reducing the memory required to store a remote diagnosis and rapidly transmission. In this paper, an 8×8 Discrete Cosine Transform approach is adopted to perform the sub-band decomposition. Improved SPIHT is works like an entropy coding. The data is organized by Improved SPIHT. A DCT spectrum is obtained by transformation. By use of the wavelet-based algorithm, the single frequency domain is converted into the various frequency domain.The detailed information is store by translation function. Proposed method gives better CR than individual SPIHT or DCT [14] .

Proposed method gives better CR than individual SPIHT or DCT.


Says that, Image Compression is a demanding field in this era of communication. There is a time to study and analyze the literature for image compression, as the demand for images and computer animation has needed high data rate. Multimedia data whether graphics, audio, video data which is uncompressed requires minimum transmission bandwidth and storage capacity. So, Image compression technique needs to all multimedia applications to save storage and transmission time. In this study, Discussed different compression algorithms are used to reduce the size of images without quality reduction [24] .

In this study, Discussed different compression algorithms are used to reduce the size of images without quality reduction.


The image is in uncompressed form and require an extent amount of storage capacity. High quality of images takes large transmission bandwidth for network transmission. DWT provides improvement in quality of the image because of the multi-resolution property. DCT is use for compression. Image compression reduces the storage space of the image and also maintains the quality information of the image. DCT, DWT and Hybrid DCT-DWT technique are used for image compression in this paper. The quality is evaluated with MSE & PSNR parameter. For measure how many times compression occurs, To use compression ratio parameter in this paper. Basis of simulation result of this paper, It is clear that Hybrid DCT-DWT compression technique gives overall better results compare to individual DCT or DWT technique [20] .

DCT is use for compression.

Basis of simulation result of this paper, It is clear that Hybrid DCT-DWT compression technique gives overall better results compare to individual DCT or DWT technique.


Used to various transformation techniques for data compression. In this paper, proposed a hybrid DWT-DCT is used with the advantages of Huffman algorithm. Huffman coding is used to encode the compressed bit streams at the compression stage. In reconstruction stage, it is used to decode the received encoded bit streams. This proposed method have given high compression ratio [21] .

This proposed method have given high compression ratio.


We previously developed an objective evaluation method of oral stereognostic ability, using twenty types of test pieces, and a rehabilitation method that targets recovery of this ability [12] . Furthermore, we showed that oral stereognosis is achieved mainly through sensory information from the tongue and that this ability declines with age. Further study revealed that it is possible to screen for a decline in stereognostic ability in the elderly with the use of six types of test pieces [13] . In addition, we preliminarily reported that oral stereognostic ability in poststroke patients with dysphagia had a significant positive correlation with a video fluoroscopic dysphagia scale, especially in the oral phase [14] .

We previously developed an objective evaluation method of oral stereognostic ability, using twenty types of test pieces, and a rehabilitation method that targets recovery of this ability.

Further study revealed that it is possible to screen for a decline in stereognostic ability in the elderly with the use of six types of test pieces.

In addition, we preliminarily reported that oral stereognostic ability in poststroke patients with dysphagia had a significant positive correlation with a video fluoroscopic dysphagia scale, especially in the oral phase.


Previously, we revealed that the stereognostic ability of the tongue can be improved in elderly individuals by rehabilitation using a TP [12] . However, it is still unknown how the brain blood flow is improved after this stereognostic activity, and further study is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind these changes. Using feedback from fNIRS, the knowledge that activation of the brain by sensory information from the oral area may ward off dementia and may motivate rehabilitation of oral functions [29, 30] .

Previously, we revealed that the stereognostic ability of the tongue can be improved in elderly individuals by rehabilitation using a TP.

Using feedback from fNIRS, the knowledge that activation of the brain by sensory information from the oral area may ward off dementia and may motivate rehabilitation of oral functions.


Prices for frequency regulation services are much higher than other ancillary services (i.e. spinning reserve, supplemental reserve and replacement reserve). Increasing levels of wind penetration need considerable regulation requirement due to varying wind conditions. As wind plants displace more and more conventional generation, which are often the expensive or least economic generators providing marginal power for regulation bids. This trend will increase the regulation need in power systems. AGC is used to correct the Area Control Error (ACE). ACE is the instantaneous difference between a Balancing Authority's net actual and scheduled interchange, taking into account the effects of frequency bias and correcting for meter error [3] . Slow-acting generators sometimes increase ACE when short rapid power balance direction changes occur, during which generators may increase output in the opposite direction. As a result, additional regulation actions need to be taken to counteract their negative effect.

ACE is the instantaneous difference between a Balancing Authority's net actual and scheduled interchange, taking into account the effects of frequency bias and correcting for meter error.


Electric power systems in different areas are highly interconnected for security and economy reasons. Each network includes many control areas. A control area is defined as a regulated area, aiming at supplying the customer load with its own generation or electricity bought from other areas. The load from a control area can be decomposed into three components. These are base load, load following and frequency regulation [2] . Base load is the minimum constant load in the load profile. Load following is to match system generation and load by tracking the intra-and inter-hour changes in customer loads, and maintain frequency at 50 Hz during the operation of power systems. Regulation consists of the random fluctuations in load around the underlying trend [1] . Regulation is the use of generation, load with automatic generation control (AGC) to follow the moment-to-moment load fluctuations and to restore or mitigate unpredictable outages situations.

These are base load, load following and frequency regulation.

Regulation consists of the random fluctuations in load around the underlying trend.


An ideal energy storage system (ESS) can achieve a zero net energy resource with a zero net energy service. It can act as a generator at some times and act as a load at other times, varying its output around zero. Additionally, because of the capabilities of fast response and precise control, energy storage system should be a desirable choice for providing regulation services. To meet the high ramp rate and high recharge/discharge cycle requirement of frequency regulation, energy storage technologies that have high cycle life characteristics will be the most suitable candidates. Owing to the extremely fast response rate of energy storage compared with conventional generators, energy storage can achieve a more accurate and effective regulation [4] . The basic characteristics of regulation and load following are compared in Table I . Because of the fast response characteristic of ESS, it has been concluded that storage can be up to two to three times as effective as adding a combustion turbine to the system for regulation purposes, which means that a 300 MW combustion turbine is only equivalent to a 100 MW ESS dedicated to frequency regulation purpose [5] . Using conventional generators to provide regulation not only requires more MWs, but also causes indirect costs, such as additional maintenance cost, equipment wear and tear and more greenhouse gases. When the system experiences a sudden load change, systems operators can use energy storage to provide enough time, maintaining ACE whilst calling up conventional generators in an orderly manner.

Owing to the extremely fast response rate of energy storage compared with conventional generators, energy storage can achieve a more accurate and effective regulation.

Because of the fast response characteristic of ESS, it has been concluded that storage can be up to two to three times as effective as adding a combustion turbine to the system for regulation purposes, which means that a 300 MW combustion turbine is only equivalent to a 100 MW ESS dedicated to frequency regulation purpose.


The focus of this work was to evaluate the adsorption performance of activated carbon for the recovery of epicatechin and catechin in single and binary component systems. The surface area was obtained based on Brunauer, Emmet, and Teller (BET) measurements, while the pore volume and pore diameter of activated carbon were calculated from the adsorption experimental data using density functional theory (DFT). The effect of various variables, such as initial adsorbate concentrations, adsorption time and mass of adsorbent were studied using batch equilibrium technique. Pseudo first and second order kinetic models were used to correlate the adsorption dynamic or kinetic data. The adsorption equilibrium data was evaluated using Langmuir model for single component, while modified extended-Langmuir model with incorporation of solute's selectivity factor was used to study the correlation [16] . The feasibility and adsorption performance of activated carbon in recovering epicatechin and catechin was also tested in real effluent.

The adsorption equilibrium data was evaluated using Langmuir model for single component, while modified extended-Langmuir model with incorporation of solute's selectivity factor was used to study the correlation.


Recovery of phenolic compounds from the waste effluents is beneficial, but it is a challenging process. Adsorption is efficient for removing organic matter from waste effluents. Activated carbons are the most widely used adsorbents due to their high adsorption capacities for organic pollutants which are related to their high surface area, pore volume and porosity. The adsorption capacities also strongly depend on the activation method and the nature of source materials. Activated carbon is an effective adsorbent for organic compounds removal, especially for phenolic compounds [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] . However, the utilization of activated carbon as adsorbent in the adsorption of epicatechin and catechin has never been reported.

Activated carbon is an effective adsorbent for organic compounds removal, especially for phenolic compounds.


Accumulation of aluminum in organism can cause lesion directly or indirectly (Bai et al., 2012) . It has been reported that aluminium exposure can increase lipid peroxidation rates (Anand et al., 2012) . Lipid peroxidation is a chemical mechanism capable of disrupting the structure and the function of the biological membranes that occurs as a result of free radical attack on lipids (Yeh et al., 2009) .

Accumulation of aluminum in organism can cause lesion directly or indirectly.

It has been reported that aluminium exposure can increase lipid peroxidation rates.

Lipid peroxidation is a chemical mechanism capable of disrupting the structure and the function of the biological membranes that occurs as a result of free radical attack on lipids.


Concentrations of NGAL at inlet before addition of replacement fluid, representing patient's plasma levels, did not change over time and correlated with disease severity irrespective of a CVVH run. Our results are in concordance with a small series of patients (n = 3) with AKI taking citrate-based CVVH, where inlet concentrations of NGAL over 24 hours of RRT did not decline [17] . Four patients had plasma NGAL levels at initiation of CVVH of <150 ng/ml, which is low, given the reported cut-off values of approximately 150 ng/ml for predictive models of AKI [6, 8, 13] . This illustrates that clinical assessment can override the predictive value of NGAL in deciding on initiation of CVVH.

Our results are in concordance with a small series of patients (n = 3) with AKI taking citrate-based CVVH, where inlet concentrations of NGAL over 24 hours of RRT did not decline.

Four patients had plasma NGAL levels at initiation of CVVH of <150 ng/ml, which is low, given the reported cut-off values of approximately 150 ng/ml for predictive models of AKI.


The rising complexity and value of products used in transport industry, e.g. train couplings or aircraft turbines, increase the importance of their regeneration [1] . However, the condition of the products is in many cases not determinable during their operation. Hence, their regeneration takes place in maintenance sites at defined intervals of time or mileage. The unknown condition of components before their disassembly and inspection in the site leads to dynamic work plans, uncertain processing times and lumpy spare part demand. Consequently, the regeneration planning and control (RPC) is impeded and result in fluctuating cycle times. Since the majority of German regeneration companies define the reliability of their services as their main goal, harmonizing cycle times and improving on-time delivery as well as mean tardiness has to be considered in particular [1, 2] .

The rising complexity and value of products used in transport industry, e.g. train couplings or aircraft turbines, increase the importance of their regeneration.

Since the majority of German regeneration companies define the reliability of their services as their main goal, harmonizing cycle times and improving on-time delivery as well as mean tardiness has to be considered in particular.


HSP47 is the only chaperone protein characterized by specificity for collagen, and therefore, presents an attractive target for inhibiting disease progression. Antisense oligonucleotide of HSP47 has been shown to reduce the level of type I procollagen chains in vitro [20] . In the present study, we showed that collagen accumulation and disease progression in an experimental pulmonary fibrosis model were associated with the level of HSP47 protein expression. In this model, when rats were treated intratracheally by direct introduction of antisense oligonucleotides targeting HSP47, fibrotic lesions and collagen expression were significantly attenuated in line with a decrease in HSP47 expression. These findings support the theory that HSP47 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.

Antisense oligonucleotide of HSP47 has been shown to reduce the level of type I procollagen chains in vitro.


There is now strong evidence for the existence of a "landscape" of vacua in string theory [1] . These include states with positive, negative and zero cosmological constant Λ. In a static situation the negative Λ vacua are associated to Anti de Sitter (AdS) geometries, and the zero Λ ones to flat space. Both can be supersymmetric. The positive Λ states correspond to de Sitter (dS) geometries and describe inflating universes.

There is now strong evidence for the existence of a "landscape" of vacua in string theory.

Both can be supersymmetric.


Therefore, this paper aims to provide insights into female entrepreneurial networks and networking activity through a study of NTBF women business owners in Northern Ireland. This paper focuses on new technology-based firms, which in the case of Northern Ireland, contribute around 70% of GDP (www.investni.com). Although exact figures are not available, the number of women business owners and new venturers within the technology sector in Northern Ireland is believed to be relatively low. However, at the global level, existing literature suggests that women have been gradually increasing their participation in this field, signalling a slow move away from the traditionally feminised retail and service industries (Brush et al., 2001) . Overall, levels of female entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland are low (2.1%) in comparison to Europe and the US, with women being less than one quarter as likely to be involved in new venture creation (Hart, 2007) . Hence, an understanding of female entrepreneurship, as well as the process of advancing business development through networking, is vital for encouraging female entrepreneurs towards new venture set-up and growth.

However, at the global level, existing literature suggests that women have been gradually increasing their participation in this field, signalling a slow move away from the traditionally feminised retail and service industries.

Overall, levels of female entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland are low (2.1%) in comparison to Europe and the US, with women being less than one quarter as likely to be involved in new venture creation.


The limited number of 'high-flying' women in technology ventures also reinforces the opinion that it is men, not women, who typically engage in entrepreneurship (Marlow, 2002) . Thus, greater profiling in the media of successful female entrepreneurs is urgently needed to encourage more women to engage in technology-based venturing, particularly those who are reticent with regard to building networks to support the development and growth of their business. In the longer-term, this should lead to a shift in gender balance within the technology sector. Ultimately, women's participation in the world of business and the image of the successful entrepreneur must change with the times (Fagenson and Marcus, 1991) . Within the technology sector this need is even more pressing if greater acceptance of 'successful' female entrepreneurs is to be achieved. In the meantime, the notion of female subordination and the de-valuation of feminine activities continue to impact negatively upon the nature and level of female entrepreneurs' human and social capital.

The limited number of 'high-flying' women in technology ventures also reinforces the opinion that it is men, not women, who typically engage in entrepreneurship.

Ultimately, women's participation in the world of business and the image of the successful entrepreneur must change with the times.


Most of the Munsell values attributed to the FU indexes, coincide with Munsell specifications found in natural waters according to the chromaticity coordinates and the Munsell specifications published [22] , [43] - [45] . The interesting part about connecting the FU scale to the Munsell system is to include additional information in monitoring the water environment. For example, the Munsell system is composed of more hues than the FU scale. Also, the FU index provides information on variable hues (blue to brown, FU1 to FU21), but only provides one specific saturation value for each FU index. The Munsell system provides variable saturation values for the same hue, being able to distinguish between whitish blue, greyish blue or pure blue. For example, the whitish content in the water caused by a particular type of sediment or organism (e.g. chalk, coccoliths) does not affect the hue, but affects the saturation. In addition, the variability of the saturation from the Munsell system, as well as the brightness component (V), can help the observer better match the colour of the water body. The inclusion of these two components will be of special interest for the development of a smartphone application, as part of the Citclops project (www.citclops.eu), based on the same principle of colour comparison as the FU scale, but using digital images. The user could scroll down the different hues as well as different lightness values and chromas to more accurately match the colour of a picture taken by a smartphone.

Most of the Munsell values attributed to the FU indexes, coincide with Munsell specifications found in natural waters according to the chromaticity coordinates and the Munsell specifications published.


To get a reliable natural water colour comparator scale, the recommendations for the assemblage stated in this document should be followed. Hence, the frame of the scale should be of the recommended size, since a previous prototype of the scale (1/2 of an A4) complicated the colour comparison in the field. The background of the filters has to be white, over air, so that the colour does not differ from the original FU scale. The filters should be in the right order, as minor changes in dominant wavelengths could be measured when this order was altered. The filters should also be placed as tight and flat as possible, avoiding any bending, as it could complicate the reading. Filters are made of a highly reflective plastic, making it difficult to see the colour when observed under direct sunlight, for that reason the observations should be achieved in the shade, as recommended by the traditional FU measurement protocols [46] .

Filters are made of a highly reflective plastic, making it difficult to see the colour when observed under direct sunlight, for that reason the observations should be achieved in the shade, as recommended by the traditional FU measurement protocols.


The industrial production of standardised plastic filters has provided the means to construct a simple colour comparator scale for natural waters. In this article, we have provided the recipe to combine filters so that they closely mimic the original FU scale. The plastic filters have the advantage that the colour is identical for all positions, while the thickness of the vial and the glass itself have an effect on the colour perception [28] . The glass produces differences in tristimulus values when measured at slightly different angles, so even if the colour of the objects was matched by visual comparison, the measurements did not provide an exact chromaticity (x, y) match. For that reason, the measurements had to be conducted at the exact same angle and position, for both the vials and the filters. The most stable position for the spectral measurements is achieved by placing the objects flat on the bottom of the cabinet, since a very slight horizontal or vertical shift of the measurement angle would output different values. The spectral measurement of both, filters and vials, provided a basis for the instrumental match between them. The measurement of the dominant wavelength (DW) of these objects (Figure 4 ) determined their hue while the saturation (S) ( Figure 5 ) provided information on the intensity of the hue. A maximum 20.83 % deviation in DW and 12.18 % in saturation between vials and filters were considered satisfactorily accurate, since the colours of the matching FU number (vial and filter) appeared visually identical under the controlled conditions inside the cabinet.

The plastic filters have the advantage that the colour is identical for all positions, while the thickness of the vial and the glass itself have an effect on the colour perception.


Similarity of gas discharge enables us to use the known properties of the discharge in one gap to extrapolate the features of the discharges in another geometrically similar gap in which the experimental studies may not be feasible or even possible. Before this extrapolation could be made, it should be verified that there do exist the similar discharges in these geometrically similar gaps. Recently, the progresses of similar discharge had been made in micro-discharge, huge glow discharge of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and picosecond pulse discharge [4] [5] [6] .

Recently, the progresses of similar discharge had been made in micro-discharge, huge glow discharge of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and picosecond pulse discharge.


In this work, all major components of fine particulate matter, gases and meteorological parameters have been measured for a period of four months during fall and winter in Santiago in order to get a better understanding of the temporal variation and sources of PM 2.5 during episodes. Although, the normative always refers to PM 2.5 size fraction, it is well known that most anthropogenic PM 2.5 is contained in PM 1.0 (Seinfeld and Pandis, 2006) . Black carbon particles are also known to have sizes below ~0.3 µm, so in the remaining of the manuscript PM 1.0 is going to be used, because this is the quantity measured by the ACSM and carbon monitor.

Although, the normative always refers to PM 2.5 size fraction, it is well known that most anthropogenic PM 2.5 is contained in PM 1.0.


Consequently, secondary pollutants play a minor role during episode days in this part of the city. When the organic aerosol is separated into hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol (HOA), biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) and oxygenated organic aerosol, the same conclusions are reached, i.e., the newer aerosols (HOA and BBOA) are predominant at night during episodes. This behavior allows identifying biomass burning and vehicle emissions as the sources that are responsible for the high levels reached during episodes in Santiago. The meteorological conditions that trigger these high pollution episodes (low wind speed and temperature inversion) are common in many cities that suffer air contamination, thus techniques similar to the one used in this work can be applied to determine the sources of PM 2.5 . The results in Santiago and many cities of the world indicate that during winter, there is an enhancement of light absorption because an increase in carbonaceous aerosol emissions. Identification of the percentage of BC and BrC as well as the season and time of its emissions might be important to improve global warming model predictions (Liu et al., 2015) .

Identification of the percentage of BC and BrC as well as the season and time of its emissions might be important to improve global warming model predictions.


There are some models of farm-level participation in other kinds of conservation programs. For example, recent work modeled a US farmer's willingness to sequester additional soil carbon via conservation tillage and other land-management options in exchange for a payment (Antle et al., 2003) . Decisions surrounding participation in the US Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) have also been the subject of farm-level modeling (Isik and Yang, 2004) . While the CRP does not focus on carbon sequestration, it has some similarities to a "carbon farming" program, as participation requires taking farmland out of production and planting it in a perennial species, typically prairie grasses or riparian shrubs and trees. However, these aforementioned farm-level models do not apply well to decision making spurred by the new cap-andtrade programs, for several reasons. In the soil carbon model, the farmer can still grow crops while accruing carbon credits (an impossible choice in reforestation programs). Furthermore, in both farm-level models, a conservation choice can be reversed relatively quickly. For example, CRP contracts typically last for 15 years.

For example, recent work modeled a US farmer's willingness to sequester additional soil carbon via conservation tillage and other land-management options in exchange for a payment.

Decisions surrounding participation in the US Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) have also been the subject of farm-level modeling.


In our model we assume the farmer perfectly predicts commodity prices, input costs, and changes in biophysical parameters (e.g., trends in yields). If we had cast our problem as a stochastic one where the farmer had to make a choice at each t not knowing future prices, input costs, or trends in biophysical processesa more realistic situationoptimal adoption of carbon farming would even be lower, given the positive option value from delaying the adoption of irreversible land use (Arrow and Fisher, 1974) . How much impact quasi-option value will have on the adoption of irreversible forestry projects for carbon credit creation is an important question that deserves further study (Albers, 1996) .

If we had cast our problem as a stochastic one where the farmer had to make a choice at each t not knowing future prices, input costs, or trends in biophysical processesa more realistic situationoptimal adoption of carbon farming would even be lower, given the positive option value from delaying the adoption of irreversible land use.

How much impact quasi-option value will have on the adoption of irreversible forestry projects for carbon credit creation is an important question that deserves further study.


All of this does not necessarily mean that small farmers will not participate in the carbon market. Occasionally landowners make land use choices that do not conform to the predictions of net revenue maximizing models. Instead landowners may choose to maximize a utility function that includes a mix of values and desires, including land stewardship and conservation (Sorice et al., 2011; Reimer et al., 2012; Rodriguez et al., 2012; De Snoo et al., 2013) . For orchard owners who place a high value on land stewardship or who wish to use a conservation easement to prevent their land from eventually being converted to nonagricultural development, reforestation may be attractive in spite of the relatively weak economic returns from carbon credits. For this class of landowners, two approaches to increasing carbon farming might be effective, one based in policy, and the other in outreach.

Instead landowners may choose to maximize a utility function that includes a mix of values and desires, including land stewardship and conservation.


Research on the impact that regional carbon cap and trade programs like CARB and ReGGIe could have on land use and management at the US farm-level is sparse. Previous work on reforestation on US farms in exchange for a carbon credit or payment has typically been conducted at the landscape level with fairly crude opportunity cost of carbon farming models (Parks and Hardie, 1995; Lubowski et al., 2006) . In these models, the marginal cost of supplying carbon is based on highly aggregated net return data; cost heterogeneity within a region is solely driven by soil and climate gradients. Further, these models are static and do not account for the extended periods of forest cover required under the carbon programs. Finally, given their broad spatial scope, these models are not designed to determine the impact of changes in carbon policy or farming costs on decision making at the farm level.

Previous work on reforestation on US farms in exchange for a carbon credit or payment has typically been conducted at the landscape level with fairly crude opportunity cost of carbon farming models.


When studying consumer references toward global brands, many researchers have emphasized the importance of perceived brand quality and perceived brand prestige factors through which perceived brand globalness indirectly affect consumer references (Shocker, Srivastava, & Ruekert, 1994; Batra et al., 2000; Kinra, 2006; Zhou & Hui, 2007) . However, very few have been successfully done to test the mediation effects of these two important variables. To the best of our knowledge, there is no such a study that deals with this issued in the mobile phone industry. For this reason, this study's purpose is to investigate the effects of mediating variables on the relationship between the predictor and the outcome variables.

When studying consumer references toward global brands, many researchers have emphasized the importance of perceived brand quality and perceived brand prestige factors through which perceived brand globalness indirectly affect consumer references.


Learning human appearance from a single image (oneshot human modeling) has recently become an area of high research interest. One interesting kind of the problem, which has a number of potential applications applications in augmented reality and retail, is pose-guided image generation [21] . Here, the task is to resynthesize the view of a person from a new viewpoint and in a new pose, given a single input image. The progress in this problem benefits from the recent advances in human pose estimation and deep generative convolutional networks (ConvNets). A particular challenging setup considers humans wearing complex clothing, such as encountered in fashion photographs.

One interesting kind of the problem, which has a number of potential applications applications in augmented reality and retail, is pose-guided image generation.


Because of the requirement of location-aware services and potential promising commercial and military application, wireless localization has gained considerable attention over the past decade. Although Global Positioning System (GPS) has been in service for many years, it is only available in GPSenabled devices and may encounter problems in certain urban settings and indoor environments where there are no direct visibilities to satellites [1] . Thus, the location estimation based on existing wireless infrastructures such as wireless local area network (WLAN), cellular network, and radio frequency identification (RFID) has advanced rapidly in recent years [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] . Most of these technologies have a common requirement that the target must be equipped with a wireless device like a smartphone or a RFID tag, since these technologies realize localization by utilizing the wireless measurements between the target and the anchor nodes whose locations are known a priori. However, in some applications such as battlefield surveillance, emergency rescue, and security safeguard, it is impractical to equip the target with a wireless device. In addition, important applications also exist in other settings like hospitals, residences and places of entertainment. For example, health care providers in hospital need to grasp the distribution of positions of the wandered patients associated without a device and quickly expand the relief operations. Therefore the DFPL technique capable of detecting and positioning entities which neither carry any devices nor participate actively in the localization process will be greatly helpful. Compared with the existing techniques such as passive infrared detector, photo-electric beam, video monitor and heat detector, the DFPL technique can monitor a larger deployment area, can work in the dark conditions, and can utilize the existing wireless infrastructure to realize the localization task. As an emerging wireless localization technique, the DFPL has drawn extensive attentions in recent years [7, 8] .

Although Global Positioning System (GPS) has been in service for many years, it is only available in GPSenabled devices and may encounter problems in certain urban settings and indoor environments where there are no direct visibilities to satellites.

Thus, the location estimation based on existing wireless infrastructures such as wireless local area network (WLAN), cellular network, and radio frequency identification (RFID) has advanced rapidly in recent years.

As an emerging wireless localization technique, the DFPL has drawn extensive attentions in recent years.


There is debate among veterinarians about the suitability of different animals as pets (Figueroa-Diaz 2011) . Differing biological needs among animals of individual species, and their adaptability to captivity, are fundamental factors determining their success or failure to thrive (Brown and Nye 2006; Mason 2010; Serpell et al. 2006; Warwick 1995; Warwick et al. 2013) . Domesticated species are, by definition, adapted to living in close proximity to humans, but many exotic species face particular challenges of adjustment to artificial conditions (Morgan and Tromberg 2007; Warwick 2004) . These challenges are exacerbated by the fact that not only are exotic species placed into the generally unnatural surroundings of private dwellings, but also they are commonly confined to vivariums and other cages, further restricting their lifestyle.

There is debate among veterinarians about the suitability of different animals as pets.

Differing biological needs among animals of individual species, and their adaptability to captivity, are fundamental factors determining their success or failure to thrive.

Domesticated species are, by definition, adapted to living in close proximity to humans, but many exotic species face particular challenges of adjustment to artificial conditions.


How serum uric acid exerts detrimental effects on organs such as the kidney or heart has yet to be fully elucidated. In the broader context, uric acid is considered a 'uremic toxin'; uric acid and other uremic toxins such as indoxyl sulfate increase with declining renal function [11] [12] [13] [14] . These substances also accumulate within cells and may be directly cytotoxic to cells, including those of the proximal tubule of the kidney which are the main cells involved in urate elimination from the plasma to the urine [6] . Until recently, the bulk of attention regarding uric acid homeostasis has been on the role of renal uric acid transporters, but there is growing attention with regards to intestinal transporters, particularly in the setting of renal dysfunction [6, 15, 16] . Many of these are multispecific SLC and ABC 'drug' transporters as well as their close relatives that have more limited substrate selectivities [11, 17, 18] .

In the broader context, uric acid is considered a 'uremic toxin'; uric acid and other uremic toxins such as indoxyl sulfate increase with declining renal function.

These substances also accumulate within cells and may be directly cytotoxic to cells, including those of the proximal tubule of the kidney which are the main cells involved in urate elimination from the plasma to the urine.

Until recently, the bulk of attention regarding uric acid homeostasis has been on the role of renal uric acid transporters, but there is growing attention with regards to intestinal transporters, particularly in the setting of renal dysfunction.

Many of these are multispecific SLC and ABC 'drug' transporters as well as their close relatives that have more limited substrate selectivities.


Our findings lead us to conclude, first of all, that social-ecological interactions matter for SFM strategies. Strategies for use and conservation of forest resources and ecosystem services, while balancing economic, social and environmental goals, are highly dependent on which social-ecological interactions are considered [26, 27, 68] . In particular, the interaction of natural resource use, actors, and institutions strongly influences how strategies of sustainable management of natural resources take shape within a social-ecological system [29, 36] . In our case, SFM initiatives were shaped by the social power of different groups of actors involved, regional institutions, as well as the types of forest use in Caatinga. Therefore, understanding interactions between institutions (rules of the game), actors (players), and forest use helped to explain past choices for SFM strategies in Caatinga and may allow for adaptation of those strategies in the future.

Strategies for use and conservation of forest resources and ecosystem services, while balancing economic, social and environmental goals, are highly dependent on which social-ecological interactions are considered.

In particular, the interaction of natural resource use, actors, and institutions strongly influences how strategies of sustainable management of natural resources take shape within a social-ecological system.


Cabri 3D allows the user to construct and manipulate solid geometry objects in three dimensions via a 2D interface. By using Cabri 3D, three-dimensional objects such as prism, pyramids, cylinder and cone can be constructed, rotated and seen from a certain aspect on the screen and also prisms can be opened on the screen. Prisms and half plane can be intersected and thus, new three-dimensional objects may be formed. It is a practical tool for solid analytic geometry, too. Lines, vectors, planes and conics can be constructed on the screen and seen from different viewpoints by rotating screen with a simple dragging. Vectorial operations such as vector sum, cross product and dot product can be performed. Coordinates of a point or vector, equations of a line, plane or sphere in space can be represented on the screen (Kösa & Karakuş, 2010) .

Coordinates of a point or vector, equations of a line, plane or sphere in space can be represented on the screen.


In contrast, the l th -order neighbors technique takes a step forward in more comprehensively measuring the spatial correlation between traffic links, assumes the spatial correlation is not limited to only the adjacent upstream and downstream. To capture the spatially correlated links, this technique employs either the correlation-coefficient or distance adjustment methods. It recommends different adjacent rings of neighboring links as potential spatially correlated links, while it speculates that the magnitude of correlation decreases by distance (Kamarianakis et al., 2004) . For example, the first-order captures the dependency between the study link and its immediate adjacent links. If the adjacent links are confined to upstream and downstream, this approach collapses to the naïve technique.

It recommends different adjacent rings of neighboring links as potential spatially correlated links, while it speculates that the magnitude of correlation decreases by distance.


The growing interest in short-term traffic forecasting has been stimulated by the ubiquity of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies (Vlahogianni et al., 2005) . Forecasting traffic conditions responds to an increasing need to provide accurate information to drivers, and consequently assisting them on selecting appropriate paths. Transport analysts tackled traffic forecasting, while focusing on the temporal dependency of traffic conditions in a road segment (Smith et al., 2002) . This research stream forecasts the traffic condition of a given location for one or more discrete time intervals, using only historical data at the forecast location. However, the traffic condition of a road segment is not only related to its previous condition, but also to the condition of the adjacent road segment (Okutani and Stephanedes, 1984) . In essence, vehicles, which will be at one location soon, are already in the network upstream of the relevant location, and of typical patterns of flow. This phenomenon opened a new gateway to the short-term traffic forecasting research stream, suggesting embedding the spatial component in modeling.

The growing interest in short-term traffic forecasting has been stimulated by the ubiquity of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies.

Transport analysts tackled traffic forecasting, while focusing on the temporal dependency of traffic conditions in a road segment.

However, the traffic condition of a road segment is not only related to its previous condition, but also to the condition of the adjacent road segment.


Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) generated at atmospheric pressure has been recognized as a one of the most commonly applied techniques for both analytical purposes and spectrochemical investigations, including diagnostic studies. It has become attractive for simultaneous determination of several elements in a great variety of samples, namely, environmental, industrial, geological, biological, clinical, and food materials [1] [2] [3] . Additionally, although the method requires as a rule the liquid samples for measurements, the ability of hyphenation of the ICP with electrothermal vaporization or laser ablation allows analysis of the samples in their solid state [4, 5] . On the other hand, plasma discharge appears as an interesting tool enabling us to get knowledge and to understand the processes occurring in the plasma source [6] [7] [8] [9] .

It has become attractive for simultaneous determination of several elements in a great variety of samples, namely, environmental, industrial, geological, biological, clinical, and food materials.

Additionally, although the method requires as a rule the liquid samples for measurements, the ability of hyphenation of the ICP with electrothermal vaporization or laser ablation allows analysis of the samples in their solid state.

On the other hand, plasma discharge appears as an interesting tool enabling us to get knowledge and to understand the processes occurring in the plasma source.


High quality video communication applications over wireless networks still pose a challenging problem due to the hostile and highly variable nature of the radio channels. Carefully designed error resilience techniques and channel protection can make the video data more resilient to channel degradations. However, as they are separately optimised, they are still insufficiently effective for application over mobile channels. Joint source-channel coding approaches have been proven to provide optimal performances for video application over practical systems [1] . In such an approach, either source coding is optimised for fixed channel coding or an optimal channel coding is derived for a fixed source code. However, adaptive source-channel code optimisation has been proven to provide better perceptual video quality [2] .

Joint source-channel coding approaches have been proven to provide optimal performances for video application over practical systems.

However, adaptive source-channel code optimisation has been proven to provide better perceptual video quality.


A literature survey showed that much work has been focused on investigating the effectiveness and feasibility of new advanced technologies that are promising in terms of their performance and cost in the treatment and reuse of textile effluents. These technologies include membrane processes such as; microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis, and; advanced oxidation processes, electrochemical processes, adsorption, and ion exchange. They were also found to be more effective for the removal of colour and COD from textile wastewater when compared with conventional methods [1] .

They were also found to be more effective for the removal of colour and COD from textile wastewater when compared with conventional methods.


We have used our implementation for our experiments within the Distributed Control Lab [17] . The "Higher Striker"-Experiment relies on a configurable dual-ported hardware buffer in order to deal with varying jitter in used control applications and operating systems. The experiment hardware periodically reads one entry from the buffer with a frequency of 38400 kHz. The control application can use a configurable buffer size ranging from 0 to 255 entries. Depending on the buffer size used, the application has more or less stringent deadlines for buffer refill: if we start off with the buffer filled, buffer refill can be delayed longer. An empty-flag of the hardware buffer indicates an error during execution. Using this experiment hardware we are able to measure real-time performance of used control applications by evaluating the buffer size, that must be used during program execution. The experiment gives an indication of the average jitter of the control application.

We have used our implementation for our experiments within the Distributed Control Lab.


The difference in LV mass between the age-matched lean control and the untreated ZDF is an interesting observation. Indeed, changes in LV mass and or geometry greatly affect the overall function of the heart. Hypertrophy can be defined as either concentric (increase in wall thickness of the LV chamber typically characterized by an increase in the cross-sectional area of the myocytes due to parallel addition of sarcomeres) or eccentric (elongation of the LV chamber characterized by growth along the longitudinal axis of the myocytes due to in-series addition of sarcomeres). In either case, this is a progressive response to chronic physiologic stress such as alterations in cardiac output due to altered hemodynamic load on the heart [30] . In the current study, these changes were prevented by chelator treatment. Recent clinical studies on the correlation of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and type II diabetes, based on echocardiography, indicate that there are a significant number of individuals who do not present with indication(s) of LVH [31] [32] [33] . Rather than viewing the changes in LV weight in the current study as a reduction in LV mass, we believe that the untreated ZDF animals are similar to the clinical condition, presenting with limited or inadequate hypertrophy at this time point.

In either case, this is a progressive response to chronic physiologic stress such as alterations in cardiac output due to altered hemodynamic load on the heart.

Recent clinical studies on the correlation of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and type II diabetes, based on echocardiography, indicate that there are a significant number of individuals who do not present with indication(s) of LVH.


Most VOCs, including alkenes (except ethylene), aromatic hydrocarbons, oxygenated VOCs, and acetonitrile, can be ionized by reaction (1). However, it is known that reaction (1) does not occur for alkanes given that they have lower PAs than water [19] . A method to measure C 12 − C 18 n-alkanes using PTR-MS was demonstrated [20] . They were detected by a series of fragment ions with formula C n H 2n+1 . Similar results were reported for branched alkanes [21] . Since alkanes are one of the major components of fuel, the fact suggests that the ion signals of alkanes interfere with ion signals of alkenes in the PTR-MS detection.

However, it is known that reaction (1) does not occur for alkanes given that they have lower PAs than water.

A method to measure C 12 − C 18 n-alkanes using PTR-MS was demonstrated.

Similar results were reported for branched alkanes.


The LHC protection system comprises many subsystems. One of the sub-systems is the magnet quench protection system (QPS) [3] . This system consists of the quench detection system (QDS) and actuators which are activated once a quench is detected.

One of the sub-systems is the magnet quench protection system (QPS).


Since the beginning of LHC operation, the QDS has consisted of several kinds of detection devices. For various superconducting circuits, the detectors have utilized different technologies to perform the detection function. The base-layer, still in operation, is based on classic analogue technology using a measurement bridge and comparators. For supervision an 8-bit microcontroller with integrated analogue to digital converters (ADC) was used. Other devices, used in zones with no or little radiation were based on standalone ADC and digital signal processors [3] .

Other devices, used in zones with no or little radiation were based on standalone ADC and digital signal processors.


Different fuel additives for diesel and biodiesel to improve the cold flow properties are available in market. Generally, additives are developed to distort the wax crystal shape and to some extent alter their size to inhibit their growth and thereby reducing PP temperatures. Many additives contain proprietary components, and copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate or other olefin-ester copolymers (Chiu et al., 2004) . Fuel additives available in the market for pure biodiesel and biodiesel-diesel blends are supposed to reduce the gelling temperature of fuel and make it operable at low temperature. The problem is more prominent for higher blend level of biodiesel.

Many additives contain proprietary components, and copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate or other olefin-ester copolymers.


The maximum lift coefficient of a conventional VAWT aerofoil (NACA0018) is C L = 1.02 at an AoA of 12° and R c = 0.7 M [12] . In contrast, CC aerofoils have achieved C L > 7 at zero AoA and R c = 0.6 M [30] . Consequently it would seem that CC offers the potential to generate large lift and torque augmentation for relatively low wind speeds. This research does not attempt to optimise a CC aerofoil shape but considers the trade-offs between trailing-edge radius and jet momentum coefficient (for a fixed nozzle height) necessary to maximize the net power augmentation, i.e., including pumping power considerations. Although CC could also potentially be used for aerodynamic braking and control by promoting separation at high wind speeds to reduce loads, this study focuses on power augmentation over a range of wind speeds. Using trend data for lift and drag generated from experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods, CC parameters were optimized to maximize the torque generated by a 100 kW baseline VAWT with a simple CC aerofoil design, using an aerodynamic performance model based on the Double-Multiple Streamtube (DMST) approach.

The maximum lift coefficient of a conventional VAWT aerofoil (NACA0018) is C L = 1.02 at an AoA of 12° and R c = 0.7 M.

In contrast, CC aerofoils have achieved C L > 7 at zero AoA and R c = 0.6 M.


The effect of momentum coefficient on lift coefficient at AoA = 0° is shown in Figure 13 . This indicates that the predicted lift is in good agreement with measured data for the baseline CC-E0020EJ aerofoil for C μ < 0.2. It should be noted that full convergence was not achieved for C μ = 0.2 and that other researchers found that CFD over-predicts lift for C μ > 0.15 [40, 41] . For the modified sections lift augmentation is reduced for C μ > 0.05 as the trailing edge ellipse is reduced to 50% (TE_ELLIPSE1) and 33% (TE_ELLIPSE2), though significant lift augmentation is still achieved.

It should be noted that full convergence was not achieved for C μ = 0.2 and that other researchers found that CFD over-predicts lift for C μ > 0.15.


Indic script recognition poses different challenges when compared to Western, and Chinese, Japanese and Korean (CJK) scripts. When compared to Western scripts and other Indic scripts, Tamil scripts exhibit a large number of classes, stroke order/number variation and two dimensional nature. Tamil script recognition also differs from that of all other language scripts in a few significant ways [8] .

Tamil script recognition also differs from that of all other language scripts in a few significant ways.


Prompt growth of technology and prevalent use of computers in the business and other areas, more and more organizations are converting their paper documents into electronic documents that can be processed by computers. This also leads to the development of optical character recognition (OCR). Optical Character Recognition has gained a momentum since the need for digitizing or converting scanned images of machine printed or hand written text (numerals, letters, and symbols), in to a format recognized by computers (such as ASCII) [1] . Handwriting recognition is the task of transforming a language re-presented in its own spatial form of graphical marks into a symbolic representation [2] . Handwriting recognition inherited a number of technologies from optical character recognition (OCR).

Optical Character Recognition has gained a momentum since the need for digitizing or converting scanned images of machine printed or hand written text (numerals, letters, and symbols), in to a format recognized by computers (such as ASCII).

Handwriting recognition is the task of transforming a language re-presented in its own spatial form of graphical marks into a symbolic representation.


However, various problems of subjective evaluation have arisen and remain unresolved, such as the timeconsuming nature of manual evaluation, inconsistency among evaluators, evaluators' different and subjective perspectives, and the need for multiple evaluators to reduce evaluator subjectivity [8] . Furthermore, the increasing number of learners has created a greater need for professional evaluators as well as more time devoted to evaluation. Therefore, automatic evaluation methods based on objective measures have been proposed to solve these problems.

However, various problems of subjective evaluation have arisen and remain unresolved, such as the timeconsuming nature of manual evaluation, inconsistency among evaluators, evaluators' different and subjective perspectives, and the need for multiple evaluators to reduce evaluator subjectivity.


The strategy to limit greenhouse gas emissions laid out in the Kyoto Protocol relies on a set of novel market-based flexibility provisions intended to mobilize private foreign investment through market incentives. This is important since the scale of investment required to significantly reduce emissions precludes governments acting alone (Vrolijk, 2000) . Further, the flexibility provisions are expected to greatly reduce treaty implementation costs by allowing countries to meet national treaty-bound emission limits by investing in projects in developing or transition economies that reduce global emissions at lower cost.

This is important since the scale of investment required to significantly reduce emissions precludes governments acting alone.


Existing proposals for physical-layer performance and security can be classified as i) device-oriented, and ii) retransmitter-oriented. Device-oriented methods include massive MIMO deployments in communicating devices, to make constructive use of the multi-path phenomena [3] . Additionally, beamforming seeks to adaptively align the direction of wireless transmissions in order to avoid redundant free space losses, as well as to spatially contain interference and eavesdropping potential [4, 5] . Additional schemes include the on-the-fly selection of the modulation and encoding scheme that offers the best bit error rate (BER) under the current channel conditions [6] . Retransmission-oriented solutions advocate for the placement of amplifiers in key-positions within the indoor environment. Retransmitters can be either passive or active: Passive retransmitters are essentially conductive structures akin to antenna plates [7] . Unnatural EM scattering, such as lens-like EM focus and negative reflection angles can be employed to mitigate path loss and multi-path phenomena, especially in challenging NLOS cases.

Device-oriented methods include massive MIMO deployments in communicating devices, to make constructive use of the multi-path phenomena.

Additionally, beamforming seeks to adaptively align the direction of wireless transmissions in order to avoid redundant free space losses, as well as to spatially contain interference and eavesdropping potential.

Additional schemes include the on-the-fly selection of the modulation and encoding scheme that offers the best bit error rate (BER) under the current channel conditions.

Retransmitters can be either passive or active: Passive retransmitters are essentially conductive structures akin to antenna plates.


AstA was found to be widely distributed among different categories of diarrheagnic E. coli in humans and animals, and the toxin was also expressed by 38% of none pathogenic E. coil strains [25] . The wide distribution of the gene is attributed to be due to its location on a transposon [25] [26] . AstA was detected in 62% of tested strains. Thus, we can only assume that the expression of this toxin gene may be of any relevance in the pathogenesis of colibacillosis.

AstA was found to be widely distributed among different categories of diarrheagnic E. coli in humans and animals, and the toxin was also expressed by 38% of none pathogenic E. coil strains.

The wide distribution of the gene is attributed to be due to its location on a transposon.


Our approach might be viewed loosely as an enabler of server-side execution of AV software [30] . Centralized analysis of events is not only a matter of moving the computational burden of detection from clients to servers, but also enables new pattern-based detection approaches [21] . For example, Bluetooth malware exhibits a strong geographic component in terms of how it spreads, whereas installation of a system patch is likely to instead depend on the local time of the day, and the time the patch was released.

Our approach might be viewed loosely as an enabler of server-side execution of AV software.

Centralized analysis of events is not only a matter of moving the computational burden of detection from clients to servers, but also enables new pattern-based detection approaches.


A truly satisfactory model of inflation in string theory should include a complete specification of a string compactification, together with a reliable computation of the resulting four-dimensional effective theory. While some models come close to this goal, very small corrections to the potential can spoil the delicate flatness conditions required for slow-roll inflation [15] . In particular, gravitational corrections typically induce inflaton masses of order the Hubble parameter H, which are fatal for slow-roll. String theory provides a framework for a systematic computation of these corrections, but so far it has rarely been possible, in practice, to compute all the relevant effects. However, there is no obstacle in principle, and one of our main goals in this work is to improve the status of this problem.

While some models come close to this goal, very small corrections to the potential can spoil the delicate flatness conditions required for slow-roll inflation.


A comparison between the different bulk technologies is reported in Table 1 . PMTs and SPADs show high detection efficiency in the ultraviolet (UV) to visible (VIS) wavelength range, close to room temperature. To extend their operation to near-infrared (NIR), up-conversion devices exploiting nonlinear processes can be used to convert low-energy photons into the UV-VIS range, with maximal system detection efficiencies of 46% [95] . At NIR wavelengths, InGaAs-based semiconductor detectors achieve the highest sensitivity with modest cooling below room temperature and are the detection technology of choice for many telecom applications. InGaAs APDs, however, are plagued by high dark count rates, poor timing performance and the presence of afterpulses, which limit their application to measurements in gated mode [96] . Superconducting detectors stand out from all detector technologies considered above as they offer superior detection efficiency, higher timing accuracy and lower noise in free running operation over an optical bandwidth spanning the UV to mid-IR wavelength range. These highly attractive performance characteristics are, however, only achieved at cryogenic temperatures below 4.2 K in current devices. This is especially true for TES, where temperatures well below 1 K are mandatory. Despite the corresponding complexity and higher cost of the required cryogenic environment, transition edge sensors are one of the few detector technologies that allow for true photon number resolution (PNR), although this attractive capability comes at the cost of longer device recovery times and larger timing uncertainty.

To extend their operation to near-infrared (NIR), up-conversion devices exploiting nonlinear processes can be used to convert low-energy photons into the UV-VIS range, with maximal system detection efficiencies of 46%.

InGaAs APDs, however, are plagued by high dark count rates, poor timing performance and the presence of afterpulses, which limit their application to measurements in gated mode.


The control of an electronic phase and related macroscopic properties by photoirradiation has recently attracted much attention [1] . This phenomenon is called a photoinduced phase transition (PIPT), and is important not only as a new phenomenon in the fields of solid-state physics and materials science, but also as a useful mechanism applicable to future optical switching and memory devices. When we aim to realize a PIPT in the subpicosecond time scale, promising targets are correlated electron materials, in which a photoexcited state causes a change in the surrounding electron (spin) systems via strong electron-electron (e-e) interactions and gives rise to a conversion to another electronic phase. In real materials, structural changes are sometimes produced through electron-lattice (e-l) or spin-lattice (s-l) interactions. Research on PIPTs occurring on an ultrafast time scale is based upon the development of femtosecond laser technology, in which the photon energy of a femtosecond laser pulse can be widely varied. A pump-probe optical spectroscopy using such a tuneable femtosecond laser system enables the measurement of transient changes in optical absorption or reflectivity spectra induced by photoirradiation, from which we can extract the electronic-state changes and the dynamics of electron, spin, and lattice degrees of freedom during and after the PIPT.

The control of an electronic phase and related macroscopic properties by photoirradiation has recently attracted much attention.


Finally, initiatives to convert existing lexicographic resources to a linguistic LOD are proposed [55, 56] . The use of generic models for semantic annotation continues to dominate the area, while the use of domain-specific ontologies provides a fine-grained semantics but with a higher amount of budget and expertise. This work tries to achieve semantic annotation at a fine-grained level with the involvement of domain experts.

Finally, initiatives to convert existing lexicographic resources to a linguistic LOD are proposed.


The QCM gold electrode was coated with chitosan via a self-assembly monolayer of L-cysteine. Chitosan was attached to L-cysteine through a coupling agent of glutaraldehyde. After consecutive coating with L-cysteine, glutaraldehyde, and chitosan, the obtained frequency shift of QCM was 176.5 Hz, 571.5 Hz, and 12750.5 Hz, respectively. The decrease in resonant frequency indicates that the active layer has been deposited on top of the QCM electrodes. The progression of the frequency shift on the chitosan-based QCM sensor could be attributed to successful surface modification by self-assembly monolayer and polymer attachment. The thickness and hydrophilicity of the film deposited on the QCM substrate affect the frequency shift upon contact with different humidities [20, 21] .

The thickness and hydrophilicity of the film deposited on the QCM substrate affect the frequency shift upon contact with different humidities.


In order to examine interrater reliability, we randomly selected and blindly rescored 25 protocols (40%). The number of protocols rescored fit into the recommended percentage of protocols for computing interrater reliability in Rorschach studies (Exner, Kinder, & Curtis, 1995) . Out of 7 variables, 6 variables showed an excellent reliability score (r ≥ 0.75), and the remaining one showed a good reliability score (r ≥ 0.60, see Table 1 ). A multivariate analysis of variance comparing the mean scores of the anorexic group with those of the psychiatric comparison group over five variables was significant: MANOVA over all F(5, 59) = 4.5, p = .001. Anorexic patients showed higher characteristics of selflessness compared with the psychiatric comparison group.

The number of protocols rescored fit into the recommended percentage of protocols for computing interrater reliability in Rorschach studies.


The support for the selflessness construct found in the present study promotes a better understanding of the psychological dynamics of this disorder in selecting appropriate psychological treatment. Self-psychology theorists propose a unique form of addressing eating-disordered patients (Bachar, 1998; Barth, 1991; Geist, 1989; Goodsitt, 1997) . The fragility of the anorexic patient and her tendency to ignore her needs, feelings, and interests require the application of a psychotherapeutic approach that will not impose an interpretation, but rather be experience-near and attuned to her subjectivity (Bachar, 1998) . Therapy from a self-psychological perspective focuses on the patient's distrust in the ability of others to fulfill her needs and on her deep guilt and feelings of unworthiness (Bachar et al., 2002; Bachar et al., 2010; Bachner-Melman et al., 2007) .

Self-psychology theorists propose a unique form of addressing eating-disordered patients.

The fragility of the anorexic patient and her tendency to ignore her needs, feelings, and interests require the application of a psychotherapeutic approach that will not impose an interpretation, but rather be experience-near and attuned to her subjectivity.

Therapy from a self-psychological perspective focuses on the patient's distrust in the ability of others to fulfill her needs and on her deep guilt and feelings of unworthiness.


The presence of unliberated pentlandite occurring as composite pyrrhotite pentlandite particles may result in galvanic interactions between these phases affecting the reactivity, as well as improved pyrrhotite flotation since pentlandite is known to be more floatable than pyrrhotite [48] [49] [50] [51] . This could account for the good flotation performance of the poorly liberated magnetic Phoenix pyrrhotite in the presence of collector. Clearly though, a larger pyrrhotite data set is needed to positively identify the extent to which mineral association affects the reactivity and flotation of pyrrhotite.

The presence of unliberated pentlandite occurring as composite pyrrhotite pentlandite particles may result in galvanic interactions between these phases affecting the reactivity, as well as improved pyrrhotite flotation since pentlandite is known to be more floatable than pyrrhotite.


Numerous pyrrhotite superstructures have been recognised in the literature, but only three of them are naturally occurring at ambient conditions [2, 3] . This includes the stoichiometric FeS known as troilite which is generally found in extraterrestrial localities, but on occasion, has also been recognised in some nickel deposits. The commonly occurring magnetic pyrrhotite is correctly known as 4C pyrrhotite, has an ideal composition Fe 7 S 8 and monoclinic crystallography [4] . Non-magnetic pyrrhotite is formally described as NC pyrrhotite where N is an integer between 5 and 11 [5] . Non-magnetic NC pyrrhotite has a range of ideal compositions varying from Fe 9 S 10 , Fe 10 S 11 to the least iron deficient composition of Fe 11 S 12 . Although NC pyrrhotite is generally known as "hexagonal pyrrhotite", it has been argued to be pseudohexagonal and may actually be monoclinic or orthorhombic [5] [6] [7] [8] . On the basis of this discrepancy in pyrrhotite crystallography, the terminology magnetic and non-magnetic pyrrhotite is preferentially used in this study.

Numerous pyrrhotite superstructures have been recognised in the literature, but only three of them are naturally occurring at ambient conditions.

The commonly occurring magnetic pyrrhotite is correctly known as 4C pyrrhotite, has an ideal composition Fe 7 S 8 and monoclinic crystallography.

Non-magnetic pyrrhotite is formally described as NC pyrrhotite where N is an integer between 5 and 11.

Although NC pyrrhotite is generally known as "hexagonal pyrrhotite", it has been argued to be pseudohexagonal and may actually be monoclinic or orthorhombic.


For the industrial sector, an average of 75% of the carbon footprint is derived from Type 3 emissions [5] . If the carbon footprint of suppliers can be further understood, these organizations can better control the supply chain carbon footprint. These organizations can then develop effective carbon footprint reduction plans to minimize their negative effects on the environment.

For the industrial sector, an average of 75% of the carbon footprint is derived from Type 3 emissions.


In several countries, many varieties of cows', goats' and ewes' milk cheese are manufactured in farmhouses following traditional techniques, without the deliberate addition of commercial starter cultures. These cheeses are generally referred to as "artisanal" or "traditional". Technological parameters during different steps, such as renneting, acidification, heating, whey drainage, salting and ripening, have a great influence on the final characteristics of the cheese and play a major role in its microbial composition by enhancing biodiversity (Randazzo, Caggia, & Neviani, 2009) .

Technological parameters during different steps, such as renneting, acidification, heating, whey drainage, salting and ripening, have a great influence on the final characteristics of the cheese and play a major role in its microbial composition by enhancing biodiversity.


Minas Traditional Serro cheese is widely consumed in Brazil, mainly as an accompaniment to meals and in a variety of sandwiches (Souza, Cruz, Moura, Vieira, & Sant'Ana, 2008) . It is a semicured, semi-hard, enzymatically coagulated cheese that is manufactured in the Serro region, which is located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Like many other traditional cheeses, it has great social and economic importance as a consequence of its historical and cultural context (Pinto, 2004) .

Minas Traditional Serro cheese is widely consumed in Brazil, mainly as an accompaniment to meals and in a variety of sandwiches.

Like many other traditional cheeses, it has great social and economic importance as a consequence of its historical and cultural context.


Within these models, as they are applied to teacher education, one area that has been relatively neglected is the role of socioculturally situated discourse as a form of mediation in the process of learning to become a teacher. I am referring here to discourse in its constitutive sense as something that creates our world rather than reflects it. It is also worth acknowledging Trowler's claim that social practice theories have often been seen as a relatively benign model of learning emphasising as they do community and sharing and that the actual inner processes of communities of practice, including power relationships, have been insufficiently explored (Trowler, 2005) .

It is also worth acknowledging Trowler's claim that social practice theories have often been seen as a relatively benign model of learning emphasising as they do community and sharing and that the actual inner processes of communities of practice, including power relationships, have been insufficiently explored.


While this model does explicitly consider the relationships between teachers' personal narratives of experience, practice and identity and the narratives that make up the sociocultural landscape in which they operate, this is largely conceptualised as a relationship of constraint in which teachers navigate around narratives in the sociocultural landscape that might be inimical to their own preferred narratives. The original source of their own narratives of teachers and teaching and the extent to which they might be a form of situated rationality constructed from socioculturally situated resources in their professional context is never explored in any detail. One of the consequences of this is that this model does not sit comfortably with the current popularity of social practice models of learning in teacher education as it bears many of the hallmarks of a container model of the relationship of individual thought and action to context (Fenwick, 2008) .

One of the consequences of this is that this model does not sit comfortably with the current popularity of social practice models of learning in teacher education as it bears many of the hallmarks of a container model of the relationship of individual thought and action to context.